Instead of buying a cat or kitten from a breeder or from a pet store, please consider rescuing a cat from a shelter.There are many reasons why you should adopt a shelter cat or kitten, rather than adopt a purebred from a breeder. Why? Well the main reason is that you will be giving a home to a cat that most likely would otherwise be euthanized.
“Up to 70 percent of homeless cats are euthanized because there simply aren't enough homes to adopt them. Pet stores and breeders compound this problem by supporting the continued breeding of yet more cats. In doing so, they tend to rely on two main sources for the cats they sell.First are "backyard breeders", which are generally individuals seeking to make some extra money by breeding purebred cats — usually under questionable conditions.
Second is what's known as kitten mills, which are like factories that breed cats under extremely miserable conditions in order to sell them for profit.
Either way, the individuals responsible are bringing extra cats into a world that doesn't have room for them.
Adopt a cat from an animal shelter, on the other hand, and you give the gift of life to a cat that might not otherwise have a chance.”
– Copied from www.charityguide.org
In my opinion, if you *really* love cats, you would love your cat whether it was a breed or a moggy. I couldn’t love my cats any more if they were a proper “breed”.
While all “breed” cats cost a lot more to purchase initially, the cost of feeding, neutering and medication is exactly the same.
I’m not saying that breed cats are not delightful – my own dearly departed Tiffany was a “Persian” breed, who had been abandoned after 8 years by her former owners.
“Not all rescue pets come with perfect manners, perfectly socialized and housebroken. The pets that have been neglected and abandoned need training and gentle discipline - but so do all the puppies & kittens people buy! And a rescue pet usually needs much less training than a baby pet.Another myth is that rescue pets are, by definition, inferior to pets bought from a breeder or pet store. Pets that are rescued came originally from show breeders, pet stores, and hobby breeders - pretty much everywhere. They are a cross-section of the pet population, and, as such, are no more or less likely to have genetic problems than any other pet.
But I Want a Particular Breed! Don't shy away from considering adoption of a pet from a shelter because you have a preference for a specific breed. About 25 percent to 30 percent of shelter populations are purebreds. If you're looking for a specific breed, contact or visit your local animal shelter or breed rescue group and ask them to contact you should a pet of that breed becomes available.”
– Copied from www.petrecue.com.au.
I realize that whether we adopt a breed or a moggy is a matter of “personal choice” on our part. But what “choice” does the shelter cat have?
Each and every one of us has it in our power to adopt a shelter or homeless cat – whether it is a moggy or a purebred. If you truly love cats, next time you are looking for a companion cat, please consider adopting a rescue cat.
On behalf of all rescue cats, we would be eternally grateful.
Regards to all,
Flippy in Melbourne, Australia.NOTE: For more information, please read these articles: Your Next Cat & Adopt a Cat.
NOTE: To locate a shelter near you: Go to www.google.com, and enter the words “adopt a shelter cat” and your hometown in the search criteria box.
"I got my beloved Lazarus from a cat shelter, and was rewarded with years of devotion. At first when I got him home to my flat, he'd cower under the furniture when he heard a male voice, but my adult son Vince soon gained his trust, and they became almost inseparable. *****************************************
Later, I got Gabby from a friend who lived next to where they were building a freeway, and the poor little thing couldn't handle the noise and the stress. Pat desperately needed to find her a quiet home, and asked me if I'd be willing to take Gabby. I "rescued" her and brought her to my peaceful home. She was initially so stressed that she hid behind my desk and only came out at night for food, but after a few days, she realised that things had changed for the good, and now occupies my lap and my bed on a regular basis. I guess my point is that when a cat has undergone trauma of any kind, then when he/she finally finds love and security, then they respond, and give you love and trust in abundance.
So by rescuing a cat, you are doing yourself a huge favour. What goes around, comes around!"
- Submitted by Sandy Parkinson, Australia.
"I AGREE!!!! We did just that, this past March. Adopted a 2 or 3 year old (guesstimate) "playmate" for our young kittie, Tommy, from the local humane society, which is a no-kill shelter. (Thank God!) I'd been after my husband for quite a while now, to get Tommy a playmate that was closer to his age (3) because our 16 year old cat, Gray just wants left alone... but Tommy is still pretty much a young guy and so desperately wants to PLAY!!!! One day my husband came home and said, "I found a buddy for Tommy!" I said, "Well?????? WHERE is he?????" He said, "He's at the shelter... I wanted to see what You said first!" I said, "Well, what are you waiting for??? lets go GET him!!!" and off we went. It was LOVE at first sight for me... and when they put him in the "play pen" (a fenced in enclosure), He stood on his hind legs when I walked away to fill out the paperwork, looking at me like, "Where are You going???? COME BACK!!!" I guess that he knew that he "had" us! hahaha... *****************************************
My husband had told me that he explained the situation of our cats to the ladies at the shelter, and they did the matchmaking. I am forever grateful to them, because they called that one PERFECTLY!!!!!
When we brought him home, he and Tommy hit it off right away, brrrpin' and buzzin' and playing "chase me, chase you" hahaha. We named our new guy "Black Jack" because he's all black except for 3 or 4 white hairs on his chest. Even though Tommy is twice Jack's size, that didn't intimidate Jack at all!!! He walked right up to Tommy, gave him a "bear hug" and knocked him off his feet with a real THUMP!!! Then they started chasing each other like a couple of kittens!!!!!! A PERFECT match!!!!
But! Poor Jack...we have no idea what he's been through. He's pretty much terrified of fast moves from the humans, or if we're carrying something in our hands... so we think that this little guy must have been severely abused. He's starting to come around, because he's getting nothing but Love and affection... He still gets those horrible flashbacks of terror... but that's happening less and less often. When we pet him, sometimes he gets frightened, then realizes that it's me or my hubby, who dearly Love him... and he catches himself and starts "kissing us" with his rough little tongue... and man does he "kiss" hard!!! feels like real rough sandpaper!!! But he is so sweet. Really. We both just LOVE him, and he has quite a vocabulary of buzz's and burrrups... makes us laugh and thank the Lord that we found him!!! (and Tommy is really happy too!!! So is old Gray - now Tommy leaves him alone and plays with Jack!)
I just thought that You might like to see our new "furkid", Flippy. My husband stops every now and then at the shelter to drop off a photo of Jack, or to give them the latest update. The ladies there just LOVE hearing about Jack and really appreciate the updates on one of their "foster kids"... it really makes their day."
- Submitted by Candy Bowen, USA.
"All of my current masters are rescues: *****************************************
1. Sunday the Hutt - on the street in downtown Seattle, dodging traffic. She's a double rescue, because the guy who saved her was one of my foster dad's tenants and a rowdy drunk. When he was evicted, he left her behind, and Chet, who had bonded with her, claimed her.
2. Camas and Stormy - found by the side of the road in the mountains; as Chet put it, "coyote bait."
3. Phantom - little kitty howling outside my apartment for a couple of months, before I finally managed to catch her after a nasty hailstorm. STILL trying to find a home for her, because Stormy would hurt or kill her if given the chance."
- Submitted by Lynda-Marie Hauptman, USA.
All 12 my cats are/were moggies and they have the "purest" hearts of all! *****************************************
- Submitted by Jan Oles, USA.
My sentiments exactly. Thank you for saying what needed to be said. *****************************************
All of my pets have been rescued in one form or another. They were strays, abandoned animals at local veterinary hospitals, kittens from feral colonies discovered while trying to trap-neuter-return the adult ferals, adopted from the shelter, or intervened on their way to the shelter. Most are moggies, (mutts for the doggies) I recently took in a 2 week old kitten a colleague found in the woods... he might be a Persian, but if he hadn't been rescued, he would have been an owl's dinner... and I guarantee the owl wouldn't care if the kitten were a pure breed or a moggie.
I love all my critters. Wish I could do more than I do, but I do plenty. I foster kittens and cats for a local feral cat rescue program. I understand the necessity for educating the public about animal welfare and adoption programs.
Keep up the good work.
- Submitted by Michelle, USA.
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