Animal Shelters and Cat Adoptions

By Teri Champigny

The quality of cat shelters has changed dramatically over the past 20 years.  In fact, it's sad to say but there was a time when a shelter was simply a dumping ground for stray cats with little or no attention to the quality of their life.  It was just a place where cats can be thrown off the streets until they were either picked up, or they died.

Fortunately, most shelters have changed for the best and provide top quality care and nutrition for cats that have no homes.  In these facilities, the adult cats and kittens are treated with respect and get the care that they need.  They are maintained in sleeping quarters that makes them feel comfortable and are kept sanitary.  There are many shelters today that even separate the cats living area from the dogs living area, making it a bit easier for the cat's atmosphere.

There are also many outreach programs that exist today which helps cats get adopted in larger numbers.  These programs are often tied and partnered with media channels, such as the local news programs, which will display a cat or a group of cats on the air or radio to get callers in for adoption purposes.

In today's world, more cats are getting adopted each and every year.  The shelters most often provide such a high quality of living that it's standard practice for someone who wants a cat to first consider going to a shelter rather than a pet store.  

For some people, perhaps yourself, it may be difficult to decide whether to adopt a cat or not.  Once you decide to, it's very hard to look at all of these beautiful cats behind the cage doors and not want to take them all home.  The realization then sets in that many of these cats will never find a home and will end up being euthanized.

A word of caution: You should be educated about the potential problems that come along with some shelter animals.  Any cat or kitten that comes from the shelter will definitely be stressed to some level.  This stress has put them at a higher risk of attracting a respiratory infection.  They may also be more prone to bite or scratch at you before you two have grown close.  You must also get your cat tested immediately for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).