A Shelter Cat Could Change Your Life - Adopt-A-Cat Month

Rescue and advocacy is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I've worked very hard since starting this blog in 2014 to be a voice for the voiceless to help save animals. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, the perfect time to talk about adoption.

What is Adopt a Cat Month? 

Adopt-a-Cat Month is brought to you by American Humane, the country's first national humane organization. It's celebrated each June, which is prime kitten season. During this time millions of kittens are born, and the lucky ones find their way to a shelter. Kitten season tremendously increases the number of shelter intakes and taxes shelter resources. During the month of June, American Human is proud to encourage pet lovers to adopt a cat! 

The Statistics

Shelter Animals Count is a collaborative initiative formed by a diverse group of stakeholders to create and share a national database of sheltered animal statistics, providing facts, and enabling insights that will save lives. In 2018, 2,751 organizations provided data regarding cats in shelters. These organizations reported 1,648,089 gross admissions for cats. (Gross admissions are defined as all cats brought into the shelter.) 220,708 shelter euthanasias were reported, and 47,909 died while in shelter care. Over 1.5 million cats ended up in a shelter! That number is disturbing for an animal lover.

Why You Should Adopt a Shelter Cat

I could devote an entire post to this topic alone! Below are just a couple of reasons. 

1. You're Saving a Life

Look at the euthanasia statistic above. 220,708 cats were euthanized in 2018, and that number only includes statistics from reporting organizations! Lola was literally knocking on death's door when she was pulled from the shelter, and I honestly don't think she would have made it out alive if she wasn't pulled by my good friend Leslie. In our book, Lola wrote "I was lucky because I found a fairy godmother who saved me and made sure I got a wonderful life. But not all animals in the shelter have a fairy godmother. I’m just lucky." She's right...she was one of the lucky ones. 

2. You're Saving Money

A cat adopted from a shelter is already spayed or neutered, and has received vaccinations and viral testing. Getting these services from a vet could cost several hundred dollars. 

3. You're Actually Saving Two Lives!

When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you're not only saving that cat's life, you're also saving another cat's life as well. When you take your new furry family member home, precious space is being opened up for the rescue to take in another cat. It's a win-win! 

4. You'll Never Be Lonely

Cats are constant companions and love us unconditionally. Either Lola or Lexy is constantly by my side bringing me laughter, companionship, friendship, and solace in times of sadness.

Cats are the best company!

"What ya doin'?" 

Need I say more? 

A Shelter Cat Could Change Your Life

My life has changed in ways I never imagined were possible since adopting Lexy and Lola. In full transparency, I was previously clueless about animal rescue. (Which is why I aim to educate others first rather than immediately jump to judgment.) I really was! I had never adopted a cat from a shelter because growing up our cats always found us. When I saw Lexy at an adoption event at Petco, it was love at first sight. She came from a wonderful rescue and shelter, and I enjoyed learning more about them. When I met Lola, she was the sickest cat I had ever seen. But again it was love at first sight, and that sick little cat brought rescue and advocacy into my life. 

Because of my beautiful shelter cats I am a writer with a published book and an award-winning blog. I've formed relationships with brands, written educational posts, and shared Lola and Lexy's stories with the world. I've raised tens of thousands of dollars through my Facebook page to help others, and I've made countless donations to shelters. 

And because of them I've met some astonishing people! I have a fantastic group of cat blogging, cat loving friends who are so supportive in every way. I've been able to visit shelters, met the Boardwalk Cats of Atlantic City, and travel to other states for conferences. I've even contributed guest posts to other websites, and I am so proud to be a contributing writer for the Jackson Galaxy Project's Cat Pawsitive Pro Program! 

All of this is because two previously unwanted shelter cats found their way into my life, not to mention my heart. It still unfathomable to me how someone could throw Lola in a dumpster, or move away and throw Lexy outside to fend for herself. My girls may have had a rough patch in life, but they're definitely princesses now. 

How You Can Help A Shelter Cat This Month

There are many ways you can help a cat this month. Of course, the obvious way is to adopt a cat! But if that's not an option for your right now, there are still other ways you can help. 

1.  Share the Message on Social Media 

Share a photo of your cat that you adopted from a shelter and say “June is Adopt-A-Cat Month. Save a life and adopt a cat like I did”.  Or visit Petfinder or Adopt A Pet, choose a cat in a shelter near you, and share them on your favorite social media channel. 

2. Raise Money

You can tag your favorite rescue organization on Facebook and add a donate button to your post. You can also create a fundraising campaign with the ASPCA here.

3. Help A Local Shelter

Just about every animal shelter has a wish list. You can find a shelter in your area by searching here. Many shelters have a wish list on Amazon that helps them stock up on much needed supplies (which you can do right from your laptop. You may even have things you don’t use anymore that would be very much appreciated by the shelter (such as blankets, towels, beds,etc.) You may also consider volunteering, even for a day.

4. Foster a cat! 

Lots of small rescues depend on fosters. Without them, they would not be able to continue with their rescue efforts.

Celebrate! 

Celebrate with American Human by visiting their Adopt-A-Cat Month page where you can share your favorite feline's story. If you're considering adopting, they have several resources available such as their cat adoption checklist.

An adopted pet can bring so much joy into your life. We have many Rescue Stories that you can read that may inspire you this month. Please feel free to share them.

Tell us about your adopted cat in the comments! We can't wait to read all about them. 

Dawn

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