Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
/June is the American Humane Associations adopt a cat month, as well as the ASPCA's adopt a shelter cat month. So if you are considering adding a new feline friend to your family no better time than June! The shelters are inundated with cats and they all deserve to go to good homes. Fortunately, there are several great organizations within our country that are dedicated to helping find homes for our stray animals.
According to the ASPCA- 7.6 million animals enter shelters across the nation, 3.9 million dogs, and 3.4 million cats. The ASPCA also states that of those 3.4 million cats 37% get adopted out, 41% are euthanized and less than 5% of cats that were taken into the shelter as strays actually get reunited with their family. Those statistics are appalling! It's fantastic that 37% find homes, but it is very sad to think that a larger percentage of cats are euthanized for no reason, other than they couldn't find homes and the shelters got too full. It is estimated that 74-96 million cats are owned in the USA (that number does not include stray cats on the streets or in a shelter). 35% of the 74-96 million cats were acquired as strays.Many cats are surrendered to shelters when their previous owners develop allergies, relocate or decide on a rental that does not allow animals.
In this profession we cannot stress enough how important it is to spay and neuter your cats and dogs. Not only for breeding purposes, but there can be health problems associated with intact animals. Think about your "indoor" cat - what if he/she slipped out one night as you were coming in the house? It only takes a few short moments for kittens to be conceived. You may not even know she is pregnant until you find a litter of kittens in your house.Lets not forget that your male cat is now a dad!!
A fertile cat can produce about one or two litters of kittens a year with about 4-6 kittens in each litter. Only about 10% of cats that are rescued by shelters are spayed and neutered. Thanks to hardwork and dedication, 91% of cats are spayed/neutered before they are adopted out.
If you are looking for a new cat please go to the shelter and take someone home. Depending on their age, the majority of them are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped.
We also ask that you consider adopting an older cat.Typically they have been in the shelter longer - months sometimes even years - and could really use a great person to give them a chance. Sure the kittens are adorable, but they will have an easier time finding a home!
If you live in RI a shelter to consider is the Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island (ARLSRI). We work with ARLSRI on a regular basis providing medical care for their animals. This shelter has a great staff who are very kind, considerate, and caring. They will do the best they can to help you find a good fit for your family /situation.
After reading all of these statistics and facts, we hope you will consider adopting a cat from a shelter and giving them a"purrrrfect" forever home.For any of you interested in adopting or perhaps getting involved in shelter work we have provided the following links.
American Humane Association http://www.americanhumane.org/
ASPCA Statistics https://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics
Good luck finding your pet. Hopefully,he or she will be one of the many shelter cats looking for a loving home.