It’s spring and for all the shelters it is coming up to the dreaded kitten season, the time of year when countless litters of unwanted and abandoned kittens pour into shelters. But even considering the numbers we don’t fret that some may not find a home.
So why do so many older animals spend years in a shelter hoping for a new home?
Have you ever wondered about adopting an older cat versus a kitten? An older cat, or dog, is much more appreciative of a real home with someone of their own to love.
Waiting day after day, and night after night, they hope this is the day they will find a forever home. The precious cats at Katie’s Place know they are loved by the many volunteers who come and go on a daily basis, but still yearn for that one special person, or family, that will introduce them into a real home for good.
People fear senior pets come with medical issues and health concerns. But one of the benefits of adopting from Katie’s Place is that we will cover most medical issues related to diabetes, epilepsy or thyroid conditions in order to give a senior animal a home. With senior animals that have any pre-existing problems which we are aware of, we encourage permanent fostering. You provide the animal with a wonderful, loving, forever home and we ensure their pre-existing medical concerns are taken care of. It’s a win-win situation.
Adopting a senior has other benefits as well. Older animals are calmer, their personality is developed, and they require far less supervision. Kittens are cute and small but they can also be evil little imps who climb and wreck the curtains, blinds, and walls.
They tear the garbage bag apart, eat the plants, or keep you up all night when you have to work in the morning. A senior cat just wants love, a warm lap, a comfy couch, a bowl of food, Temptations, and their family to love!
They are mature and far more likely to fall into your daily routine like they have been there all their life.
Also, when adopting a senior, you are not committed to a 20-year period like you are with a kitten. If I had to choose between a kitten and a senior, without hesitation, I would chose a senior, or two, that would keep me company, and would adore me as I am. In return I will lovingly take care of him or her until it’s their time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Eva Renios is a volunteer at Katie’s Place.