On a Reddit post, the photo of a woman hugging a senior cat continues to bring happy tears to our eyes. The photo quickly went viral, and we all agree there is nothing more beautiful than the kindness humans often afford our feline friends.
“This woman adopted the 20-year-old cat from a shelter because she didn’t want him to spend the end of his life alone in a cage.”
Shelter staff
Although the woman was not identified on the Reddit post, her message is undeniable. Too often the older and less attractive cats at shelters are passed over for fluffy kittens or an occasional purebred. Reality bites us in our hearts when we pass by cages and cages of stray cats at animal shelters across the country. The cats stick their paws between the bars and rub up against us, hoping against hope to convince us they want us to take them home.
Certain cats are less adoptable and are frequently the last to find homes:
Black cats– the “Black cat syndrome” reports reflect adoption bias that extends to cats. In subsequent studies, photos of black cats were clicked on less than other colors. Why?
Older cats – It’s hard to compete with the cuteness of a kitten, and most times these adorable little bundles of fluff and blue eyes will find homes. Senior kitties, however languish in shelters because people will say they want a pet to live for a long time. There are advantages, however to adopting a senior. Most of the time, there’s no need to housetrain kitty – she already knows about her kitty box. Then there’s a kitty’s disposition and personality established as an adult as opposed to “what kind of dispo will my kitten have when she grows up?” And then there’s that special bond – it does seem as if seniors know they have been rescued and are known to bless their humans with all the love they can muster up in their soft, furry bodies and mind.
Cats with special needs -Three-legged, blind, deaf or diabetes still can make wonderful and loving companions. Special need pets may not need as much care as one would think – many shelters and animal rescue organizations will help out with medical expenses.
Tragically, statistics for cats at shelters are startling. Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized – 530,000 are cats.
Please don’t shop when you can adopt.
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