Kitten season is upon us and who doesn’t love a cute little cuddly kitten? Their fluffy little bodies can play for hours and provide endless entertainment to their owners. However, throughout kitten season, there are also many adults rescued and in need of permanent, loving homes. Many people are not aware of the wonderful benefits of adopting an adult cat instead of a kitten. Adults, too, can provide lots of love and companionship to their owners and even an adult who is five or six years old can have 10 to 15 years of a healthy life left when kept indoors and provided quality vet care.
One of the greatest benefits of adopting an adult cat is that you “know what you’re getting”. Adults have already formed their personalities, so you have a better idea of how the cat will fit into your home environment. Some adult cats are shy and need a quieter home with no children, while other adults are very outgoing and seek attention from their owners. People who adopt kittens often have to play a guessing game of how big the cat will get, what it will look like and what its personality will be like. When adopting an adult, you will already know these things and can choose the one that best fits your home and lifestyle.
Kittens, while cute, are very active and require lots of attention and supervision. Many young animals are curious and chew, scratch, or play with things in the house. As cats get older, they outgrow these tendencies and are calmer pets. They adapt much better to a home where the owners work or are frequently away. Adults will often pass the time napping while you are gone, but are ready for love and attention when you get home.
Most of all, when adopting an adult, you are giving them a second chance to find a permanent home where they can depend on your love. Most people during kitten season gravitate toward the babies, while the adults watch their chance at adoption go by week after week. Many of these adults have been surrendered because their owners have moved, passed away, developed allergies, or they have simply abandoned them to fend for themselves. They are desperately seeking a home where they will be greeted daily by a friendly face and have a warm place to rest their heads. For those that had owners, they miss them and are very confused by their new surroundings and the hustle and bustle of adoption days. For those that were strays, they are thankful to have food and water and receive an occasional scratch behind the ears. When you adopt one of these deserving animals, you are giving them a chance at a good life, but they are giving you so much more in return….their love, companionship and loyalty.
