Adopt A Shelter Cat Month

June is a pretty important month for our feline buddies: it’s Adopt A Cat Month! There’s no wrong time to welcome Fluffy into your life, of course, and there’s really no wrong place to adopt her from. That said, shelter kitties do need some extra TLC, and can definitely use the signal boost. A Lowell, MI vet discusses adopting a shelter cat below.

Statistics

Fluffy can go into shelters for many different reasons, none of which are really her fault. Sadly, many shelter cats are pets that wandered off or got stolen. Others were abandoned, which is particularly heartless. About 3.2 million kitties go into shelters every year. About 2.1 million are adopted, and roughly 710,000 are returned to their humans. The rest, sadly, are often euthanized, though some become permanent shelter residents.

Benefits

There are some great perks to adopting Fluffy from a shelter. For one thing, it’s easy on the wallet. You also get to choose your feline friend from a lineup of adorable furry faces, and spend some time with her. It also feels great to know that you’re making a difference, and supporting good animal welfare!

Choosing Fluffy 

Are you interested in a specific breed, such as a Maine Coon or Persian? Or, do you want a cat with a specific color or coat pattern? Chances are, the purrfect pet is waiting for you in a shelter. Just take your time, and be sure to choose a kitty that’s a good fit for you. Don’t just walk past that sad looking senior cat or the scrappy former stray with scars. Sometimes the pets nobody wanted make the best animal companions!

Coming Home

Have things ready for your new pet before you bring her home. Most things, such as beds and toys, are generally suitable for cats of all ages. However, you’ll need to consider Fluffy’s age when purchasing certain things. Food is the most obvious one. Kittens have very different nutritional needs than senior cats! Age should also be a factor when picking litter. Baby cats can be clumsy, and may accidentally swallow litter. This can be extremely dangerous with clay or clumping type litters, as these products can cause blockages. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Please reach out to us, your Lowell, MI animal clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!