In an earlier post I wrote about me and @pusen's stray cat. Our little nervous cat who aren't used to other people than me and my boyfriend. You can read it HERE.
Some of the things you are going to read about is my knowledge from Norwegians shelters and what's typical in Norway. It could be even worse other places, and the rules for adopting animals can be different from country to country.
In this post I want to tell you why you should adopt cats, instead of buying (or get them for free).
The reason why we chose to go to the shelter is because there is A LOT of stray cats. In Norway there is ca 100 000 stray cats, and even more during spring/summer because of kittens been born.
A lot of black and white house cats are the last ones who get adopted, because they are so regular and aren't as "special" as the orange or white cats. And never as "special" as the purebred cats. This isn't my opinion, but how people in general choose their cats, and what we define as pretty. A lot of people wants kittens, and I understand why (they are the cutest), but every cat have their own special personalities, just like humans. You will learn that the love you getting from a kitten is the same love you have for an older cat.
There are really many cats who isn't castrated or sterilized. When the cats are left to themselves, with no one who care about them, it will become huge colonies in no time, and a lot to handle for those who rescue cats. They work day and night, to just save cats that no ones care about. And mostly all of them doing it for free and in their spare time.
A lot of stray cat getting FIV (a dangerous infection that attacks their immune system), a lot of different infections, rabies, ringworm, a lot of flees and the cats are often in huge pain for a long time because of fighting other cats or bad infections. Many cats dies a cruel death with a lot of pain, because a lot of people buys animals without having in mind that cats live for 16 years (and sometimes more) and need health checkups once in a while and a lot of love.
In the first lockdown, during corona, a lot of people wanted cats (and pets in general), just to have company. And when the world turned a little bit back to normal, people didn't have time to their animals anymore. A lot of animals were left by themself.
If you want an animal, ask yourself: do you have money to sterilize, chip the cat, and provide it with vaccines, regular checks and your love and time?
Cats live a long time and you have to take care for the cat for all those years. Figure out what a cat need and how it will fit in your daily schedule. What happens if you are going on a 2 weeks vacation? Can it be alone? Can you afford a cat boarding house?
Source: Me.me. Click HERE
If you don't want to adopt an animal but you want to help,
you can become a foster family for the cat. The shelter can take in more cats who needs help, if you becoming a foster family. It's really nice to be a foster family. Sometimes you don't need to be it for more than a month or two. Sometimes you only need to have a cat through its pregnancy and some weeks after.
You can visit shelters to cuddle and give the animals candies. A lot of shelters run for free, and need help buy gifts, food or/and different toys. Ask your local shelter what they need help with.
Our experience
We chose to start being foster parents to our cat. After one year, we decided to adopt this cute cat. We were never talking about giving Leo back to the shelter, because he had become a cute and important family member.
Our cat's story
He was rescued in a cold winter after he was 14 weeks old
He, his mom and his siblings was in ok shape and they survived because they got help from the local shelter. Our cat haven't been used to or have any good experiences from humans, so he is a submissive, scared and nervous cat who always expect the worst of unknown people. He only likes me and my boyfriend. But that took us a lot of time and patience. He is still nervous and he have to decide for himself what he wants.
If you see a cat or animals left alone outside, you actually have a responsibility
to help it! Take It to the vet, or call a animal shelter for help.
One other important thing to have in mind is that giving away kittens for free to strangers isn't good either.
A lot of snake owners actually want kittens to feed their snakes. How often this happens is unknown. That's the reason why you need to sell your kittens for money.
To sum up!😄
- Think about if you can provide a cat for 16 years
- A lot of stray cats need help: Adopt from your shelter to help cats, or become a foster home for cats
- Always sterilize/castrate. Cats is overpopulated
- Take your cat for regular check ups and vaccines.
- Don't sell your cats for free
- Let the shelter decide what cat you can help
