Apparently, the country is catching on to what cat lovers have known for years.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, "there are more cats with homes than dogs in the United States," (as quoted in the DailyCollegian.com article, "PCP: The Cat's Meow").
The reasons for this are clear in the October article:
• Cat health care and feeding is more affordable on average than dogs, who are usually larger.
• Cats are easier to live with in apartment settings, as they are litter trained and get ample indoor exercise.
• Cats are independent and need less training.
Those considering cat adoption have many avenues to explore to find "the one" (or the pair...cats do great in pairs).
Pet Adoption CentersThis option includes local animal control, a.k.a. "the pound," which is usually run by the city. At this type of cat and dog shelter, animals usually have a short time to be claimed or adopted before facing euthanasia. Adopting from the pound means a life is truly saved.
Another type of cat shelter is a humane society, which is often a "no kill" or a "no time limit" facility. "No time limit" shelters often house cats that have been waiting for homes for weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes the cats are fostered. Adopting from a humane society often means obtaining much more information on the cats' personalities, habits and temperament for other animals.
Cat & Kitten Rescue
Similar to a humane society, rescues are largely run by volunteers and the adoptable cats are usually kept in foster homes. The advantage of a rescue is that there are many organizations devoted to specific breeds; great for those who love a certain breed but don't want to, or cannot afford, adopting from a breeder. Shelters and rescues often rotate available cats at local pet stores for the public to meet.
Breeders
Respectable breeders concentrate on advancing the health and lineage of particular breed. These cats come with official papers, their entire history is known, are often raised underfoot and come with health guarantees.
Adopters should be careful to avoid "back yard breeders." These individuals breed with limited experience, no papers or guarantees, and sell the pets for profit.
After adopting a cat, it's also a good idea to look into pet insurance, as accidents and illnesses come in many forms. For more information about cat insurance, talk with your veterinarian or visit www.petsbest.com.