8 Amazing Reasons to Adopt A Cat From a Shelter

Cats have always held a special place in our hearts. They might come across as standoffish or aloof at times, but that’s only because their expressions of love are often subtle.

To honor the efforts being made by rescues and shelters, we’ve decided to write this article outlining the reasons to adopt a feline instead of getting one elsewhere. Let’s dive in!

The Top 8 Reasons For Adopting a Shelter Cat

1. Most Shelter Cats Aren’t Predisposed to Health Complications

If we were to classify the cats into two basic groups, we’d say there are pure and mixed breeds. Most of the breeds in the US are mixed, and that’s actually a good thing. Biologically, pure breeds seem to be more susceptible to various health problems, such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular defects, and even hip dysplasia.

Because shelters and rescues are filled with mixed breeds, the chances of you getting a pure breed are low. In other words, if you adopt a cat of mixed lineage, your trips to the vet will likely be significantly lower.

2. Adoption Is More Affordable

From a financial point of view, procuring a cat from a breeder is much more expensive than getting one from a shelter. At the shelter, you’ll only be required to show up with some paperwork and a small amount of money that will cater to the adoption fees.

But the breeder or pet store owner will ask for far more, seeing as they have to reimburse themselves for the trouble that they’ve gone through to make sure that that cat is in that condition that it is in.

They’ll indirectly charge you for DNA testing, vet screening, the initial purchase cost of procuring purebred parents, vaccinations, and several other items that you couldn’t have thought of.

3. You’ll Be Saving a Life

Do you know how many pet animals find themselves in shelters each year? Well, you don’t have to guess because the numbers are in the millions. And, if they don’t find space for newcomers, they won’t have any other choice but to “gently put down” some of the members of the senior population.

By adopting a cat from a shelter, you’ll not only be saving one life, but two.

4. You’ll Be Encouraging Other People to Adopt

Some people may have considered adopting cats being housed in shelters but are hesitant because they don’t know if they’ll be adopting a healthy companion or one that’s grappling with a mental disorder due to a past traumatic event.

But if they get the chance to see another human bond with a previously sheltered companion, a lot of their questions will be answered.

5. You’ll Have a Wide Variety of Options

One reason to adopt a cat from a shelter is that your local breeder might not even have the breed you’re looking for. The probability of finding a suitable cat at the shelter is higher in comparison to anywhere else. And even if you don’t find a soulmate there, they will be willing to share with you the contacts of all the other shelters nearby.

6. It’s a Learning Experience

There’s no denying that genetics often plays a role in determining an animal’s overall temperament. However, factoring their early experience into the equation is important.

You don’t have to be an astute observer to realize that cats that have had plenty of terrible experiences tend to be more reserved, especially in the presence of humans. Such experiences usually have a negative impact on their personalities, and the effects will be manifested as they grow older.

But the good thing about these personalities is that they can be changed through exposure to more positive life events and persistent intervention.

7. You’ll Be Getting a Great Companion for Your Pet

Loneliness is not just a human thing, as researchers have discovered that pets do feel lonely too. That’s why we don’t recommend leaving them alone in the house for prolonged periods.

Social isolation could lead to a myriad of issues, such as depression and anxiety. If you already have a pet in the house, but you’re too busy to be home all the time, adopting a shelter cat is a great option. Shelter cats are often already accustomed to being around other animals, so their integration into your home may be a bit easier.

8. You’ll Be Supporting a Non-Profit Organization

Most of the organizations that are running those shelters and rescues are non-profit. They do this not for making money, but because they care. Without them, the homeless cat population would grow exponentially.

Conclusion

Cats are not only adorable but have always been great pets. Compared to other animals, they often demand less supervision, maintenance, and even attention. Adopting one is a great thing since you’ll be saving lives, while at the same time, helping to control their population. It is a win-win.

Featured Image Credit: Artem Beliaikin, Unsplash