For 2-way joy, adopt a senior cat this month

  Ringo        HAWC image

Animal shelters are simply not for cats – which is one reason why organizations that advocate for cats promote fostering felines instead of consigning stray, surrendered or abandoned cats to shelters, where far more cats than dogs are euthanized.

Cramped and unhealthful shelter facilities for felines are bad enough for kittens and young cats, some of whom never knew anything better.  But senior cats confined in shelters have often known real homes and people who loved them.  To find themselves in an animal shelter at that stage in life, when they deserve to ride out their time in comfort, health and affection, must be devastating.  

For very good reason, November is “adopt a senior pet month.”  (I hate the name “senior” in describing people or animals, and I’m using it here only because that’s how this month is publicized.)  Further, I’m focusing on senior cats here because last month was adopt a shelter dog month, and as indicated, cats are in more jeopardy in shelters than dogs are.

Fluffy

To make it easier for us to see the importance of happy homes for senior cats, this comparison: toward the end of their lives, both senior cats and senior people deserve comfort, respect and caring – not being institutionalized, too often in sub-standard settings with sub-standard care.  Repeatedly, older shelter animals are described as the hardest to re-home.   

In contrast to kittens and younger felines, senior cats offer myriad advantages when adopted.  For starters, mature cats make great companions.  Often they’ve “been there before” and know about domestic life, whether with a family or one loving person.

Senior cats are beyond all the “vetting” and training that babies will need, so they can settle in and appreciate.  Often overlooked in shelters, mature felines most need the homes that compassionate people can provide, ultimately to their own delight as well.  

               Tigger               TCR image      

Adult cats already show what they’re made of, unlike kittens who will grow up into who knows what. Adopters who work during the day or work or enjoy retirement at home would appreciate the reality of “ready-to-go” cats, whose transition from shelter to home can be very smooth.

It’s worth remembering (for cats and people alike!) that age is not a disease.  Older cats can live full, active lives or experience health issues while aging.  At the same time, though, thanks to better veterinarian and dietary care, pets are living longer these days, according to the American Veterinary Medical Assn.   

Sure, adopting a senior cat will probably mean less overall time together.  But that glass is still half full of valuable time to enjoy life at home together, with a happier ending than otherwise would have been likely.  As for vet bills, they’ll happen regardless of the animal’s age, sometimes occurring with a kitten as well as a senior.

                          Melody        TCR image

A comfortable, happy senior cat in a loving home could well surprise everyone and live longer than expected.  And whatever time there is can be high quality best-friends time, invaluable for both sides.  

(Note: I welcome word from shelter and rescue group reps about senior cats in residence who most need adoption into loving homes.  Please send a JPG image and biographical information for each cat, along with your contact info, to me: pmsummers@msn.com.  Thank you!)

 

#

 Please comment at 1moreonce.blogspot.com