Why it’s important to ‘Adopt-a-Cat’
Your purr-fect companion awaits at a local shelter

By Sally E. Bahner

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month and it has a new meaning this year since so many pets are being surrendered to shelters due to the economic crisis. According to American Humane, 4 million cats end up in shelters each year, and that number will no doubt show an increase this year.
Look no further than your local shelter to find the love of your life. Most shelters have their adoptable cats listed on Petfinder.com, so it’s easy to find that special feline with a few clicks of your mouse.
Along with an increase in cats being relinquished to shelter, animal control officers and rescue workers, such as those from the Branford Compassion Club and Forgotten Felines, are finding many friendly cats with collars, signs that they were simply abandoned when their supposed caregivers moved on.
Petfinder.com conducted a recent nationwide survey of shelters and how the economy is impacting them. The survey found that 84 percent of its shelters and rescue groups (totaling more than 12,500) are caring for more pets because of the economy. Of those animal shelters, 74 percent reported an increase in surrendered and abandoned animals since the same period last years. The survey also reported that 37 percent of shelters and rescue groups experienced a decrease in pet adoptions in the past year.
Potential pet parents need to take their lifestyle in consideration before adopting. Many people turn to cats since they’re considered "easier" than dogs, which require more training and discipline. However, any cat lover will tell you that a cat will blossom into a more loving companion when time is spent playing, cuddling and interacting with her.
If you’re gone all day consider adopting a pair of cats. The Branford Animal Shelter tries to keep pairs together and that’s 99 percent successful, says Laura Burban, shelter director. Three pairs are available right now: Asja and Blaze, Fifi and Bella, and Rusty and Honey. Burban says the duos do take a bit longer to adopt, three to four months rather than the typical month, however, she believes it’s important to keep the emotional and physical welfare of the cat in mind.
Kittens are sweet and adorable, without a doubt, but kittenhood is a very small part of a cat’s life. Shelters, especially now, are full of healthy and lovable adults that need homes, so don’t overlook that brown tabby sitting by himself in the cage.
Be prepared to fill out an application, pay a fee and sign a contract. Burban says she holds applications for a week to make sure that people are committed rather than adopting on impulse.
Understand that the shelter will likely require that the cat live indoors and not be declawed.
If your cat is not already spayed or neutered, you will be required to comply – many shelters offer a discount certificate. The TEAM van travels through the state offering lost-cost feline spay and neuters. (Call 800-FOR-TEAM.)
Be prepared for the expenses that will be incurred – regular check-ups and high quality nutrition will keep your cat happy and healthy.
If you are introducing a cat to children, make sure the children understand that a cat is not a play toy, but a living breathing being. They must be taught the correct way to act around any pet.
Longtime readers may remember that I always acknowledge "Adopt-a-Cat Month" with special head-butts and paw pats to Hemmie, a little polydactyl tuxedo who joined us June 1, 1999. She showed up in our yard one day and we scooped her off the deck and into our hearts. She was my husband Paul’s best girl. We were never sure of her age, but she was a venerable old girl when she left for the Rainbow Bridge in November.
Sally Bahner is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and offers feline consultation services. She is "Dear Sally" on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat Radio (www.catchatradio.com), found on Sirius Satellite Radio, Martha Stewart Living channel. She is a longtime editor and writer on everything feline. Visit www.exclusivelycats.wordpress.com.

Cat trivia:

- 95 percent of cat owners admit they talk to their cats.
- A cat can be either right-pawed or left-pawed.
- A cat can jump as much as seven times its height.
- A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
- A cat in a hurry can sprint at about 31 miles per hour.
- A cat will spend nearly 30 percent of its life grooming itself.
- A cat's brain is more similar to a human's brain than that of a dog.
- A cat's hearing rates as one of the top in the animal kingdom. Cats can hear sounds as high-pitched as 65 kHz; a human's hearing stops at just 20 kHz.
- A cat's sense of taste is keener than a dog's sense of taste.
- A cat's tail held high means happiness. A twitching tail is a warning sign, and a tail tucked in close to the body is a sure sign of insecurity.
- Americans spend more on cat food than on baby food.