The Benefits of Adopting an Older Cat

Cats ranging from a year old – 10 years old, make for great companions!

Felines, when comfortable around their humans, can be just as playful as a kitten, even at the ripe ol’ age of 12 years old!
Kittens are more daring, more apt to chase a child’s blinking eye, more ready to take out their claws in play and much like children, can and do get carried away!

While children need to be taught how to be around any pet, loud noises-screeches, abrupt movements or sudden bangs, can cause any pet to react – whether that be a cat or a dog.
After all, people do too.

One of our rules at the shelter when it came to adoptions, was that we did not adopt to couples with children under the age of ten years old (only few exceptions were made).
The reason for this, was because some parents don’t teach their children how to be around “animals” and the animals get blamed if inevitable scratches occurred.

Parents on occasion returned kittens, claiming “this kitten damn near took out my child’s eye and in my opinion should be put down” or “how do you explain all the scratches on my child’s hands and arms?” and because we don’t like to tell parents how to raise their children, we simply took back the pet as per our contract agreements.

What this rule all comes down to is, that kittens are NOT toys, they are not to be hung upside down or teased with hands. They are much too active to want to be lugged around under a child’s arm like a Ragedy Ann doll. They are not something that if you break it, it can be replaced or even anything relatively close to a “product” – let alone something that’s been manufactured. They are living, breathing companions that hurt, suffer and die – not something that’s taken lightly where our shelter is concerned.

Kittens, like children, need to be watched, they need to be taught right from wrong with patience and understanding and not slapped around or made to fear the hand.
Kittens need to be protected from dangerous objects, as well as dangerous treatment by those who do not understand that kittens are just babies in fur.

Older cats that like children, know the ropes. They are more tolerant, more affectionate and more apt to be content to sit and watch a child that’s treated them right – play.

They are calmer and don’t usually climb your curtains, or have a tendency to want to eat the chocolate that your child left sitting on the edge of the end table. (chocolate can be deadly to cats and dogs)

Older cats will not run your toilet paper down the staircase, or tear apart your garbage when fed accordingly and while young kittens just want to play, older cats, wait for pats and hugs – they won’t usually chase the batting eyes of your child.

Older cats, who are comfortable with your family, will be appreciative, more loving and want to be in your company. They are content at the sound of your voice and more apt to stand on their back legs to greet your hand. They won’t get under foot and will communicate their needs almost similar to a dog, in a more settle manner.

Older cats tend to want to cuddle, they know when it’s time to get out of your way and will come to you in times of personal need – just to keep you company. They adjust easier and will adjust to your lifestyle and personality whereas a kitten takes adjusting to because kittens have yet to learn the ropes.

When thinking of a new pet member for your family, consider the adjustments that kittens require, the time needed to teach them the rules of the house and consider the value of your property that may be damaged by a younger kitten.

When thinking of a new pet member for your family, consider an older cat that needs a home.