If you have ever been to an animal shelter, you have probably seen a sad
sight: dozens of adult cats desperate for homes, most of which have little
chance of getting out.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that
every year, about 5 to 7 million pets enter the animal shelter system, of which
more than half are cats. Unfortunately, approximately 70% of those cats are
euthanized simply because no one wants them, and most shelters don’t have the
funds to board them for more than a few weeks.
Why aren’t these cats getting homes?
Supply vs. demand
Even though more animals are being spayed or neutered, 75% of animals coming
into the shelter are still intact. One unspayed cat can produce many litters of
kittens over the years, and those litters produce their own litters. The supply
of cats is simply too large.
Michael Moyer, VMD, AAHA president, Rosenthal director and adjunct associate
professor of Shelter Animal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School
of Veterinary Medicine, says, “There are more [cats] heading into shelters than
there are people going to shelters to adopt, or than are being displayed
off-site from shelters to get adopted.”
The rate of intake of adult cats at shelters is significantly higher than
the rate of adoption, and in spring, when the “kitten season” begins, the
margin increases alarmingly. When given the opportunity to adopt a cute little
kitten, people tend to ignore the older cats.
The American Humane Association has dubbed June “Adopt a Cat Month”—June has
the lowest rate of adoption from shelters, therefore the highest rate of
euthanasia. Kittens usually go fast, but unfortunately, the majority of shelter
cats are over 5 years old. Some are “boring” looking, like tabbies or black
cats, and others are part of a bonded pair, which means they would be miserable
without their friend. Some have easily remedied medical conditions, while
others aren’t well socialized. These cats stand no chance against the puppies,
kittens and dogs in the shelters.
Location, location, location
According to the Humane Society of the United States, 33% of Americans have
at least one cat. Of that number, only 21% were adopted from animal shelters.
The rest came from a hodgepodge of sources: friends, family, coworkers,
wandering strays or unplanned litters of kittens. Because people are getting
cats from these other sources, they don’t turn to the shelter for adoption.
Part of the problem has to do with the shelters themselves. Because of city
noise regulations, most shelters are located in industrial or other
“undesirable” neighborhoods. People often don’t even know there’s a shelter in
their area. “Most shelters are not in highly desirable foot-traffic
neighborhoods,” Moyer says. Also, cities frequently lack the funds to modernize
shelters, so walking through them can be dismal.
Decreasing odds
Numbers aren’t the only reason for low shelter adoptions. The shelter
environment, specifically the cage, can dramatically decrease a cat’s odds of
being adopted. The shelter is a loud, scary place, and with no consistent or
regular exercise, cats can become depressed and fearful.
Cats need about 9 square feet to be comfortable, but shelter kennels are
smaller than that. The animals need vertical space for jumping and horizontal
space for play and sleep. When they are forced to live in cages, they have some
serious adjusting to do. It may take up to 5 weeks for a cat to feel
comfortable in a new environment, but most shelters aren’t able to keep them
that long.
Illona Rodan, DVM, DABVP and founder of the Cat Care Clinic in Madison,
Wis., says, “Cats are fearful in unfamiliar environments, and fearful cats tend
to hide or flee. If caged, they will most likely hide in the back of the cage,
as far away as possible in an attempt to protect themselves. To potential
adopters, these cats appear unfriendly and undesirable.”
Ideal companions
With litters of cute kittens prancing around, who would want to adopt an
older cat? Smart people! With adult cats, what you see is usually what you get.
You may have to look a little harder, past the fearfulness, but, as Rodan says,
“Adopting an adult cat allows one to know the personality you are getting.”
Older cats, especially in pairs, are also great for seniors and people who
don’t want a huge time commitment. “Kittens require a lot of time and energy,
and are usually more costly to care for than an adult cat,” says Rodan. Adults
are more well-adjusted to life, and pairs keep each other company.
But more than anything else, adult cats are grateful. “Adult cats that find
their way into homes can be the most loving pets of all—perhaps they know how
lucky they are to have found a loving and caring home,” Rodan says.
How you can help
If you are thinking of adopting a cat, visit your local shelter first. Sure,
your coworker might need a new home for her cat, or your neighbor might have a
litter in the back yard, but those cats are “safe,” meaning they aren’t in immediate
risk of being euthanized.
You can also spread the word in your community that adult cats in shelters
need homes, too, and encourage people to visit their shelter first, either to
adopt or to volunteer. “More adoptions is what shelters need, by whatever means
can be found within that particular community,” says Moyer. “There is a role
for vets, for shelters and for the community to step in and make a better
outcome possible for cats.”
And, you can help with prevention. In the words of Bob Barker, “Help control
the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” And encourage others to
do the same.
