Pet Talk

www.houltonanimalshelter.com
by Cathy  Davis
    Approximately four million cats end up in animal shelters every year. Thousands of kittens are born during spring and summer and many end up in animal shelters waiting for loving homes. To promote adoptions of these playful, affectionate animals, American Humane celebrates Adopt-A-Cat month in June.
    Adopting a cat will enrich your world in so many different ways. For instance, cats will keep you entertained, they are very affectionate and love to cuddle with you, the winter winds can be howling but when Fluffy is curled up on your lap, you are warm and toasty.
    Having a cat can reduce your blood pressure and prevent heart disease, it’s a proven fact.
    Cats are very clean – they bathe themselves! Cats are independent and can be left alone while you are at work. Cats do not need to be housebroken – using the litter box comes naturally to them.
    Cats do not need a lot of space; they are perfect pets for apartments and smaller homes.
    Taking care of a cat can help teach a child responsibility and humane values.
    Cats get plenty of exercise living indoors. Just 15 minutes of playtime each day will satisfy a cat.
    And the most important reason to adopt a cat – you’ll be saving a life – maybe yours, maybe Fluffy’s, depends on who has the highest blood pressure I guess!
    At the Houlton Humane Society animal shelter we have close to 200 healthy loving cats awaiting new homes. While they are well taken care of, a Shelter is no place to live, it’s just not home.
    I would like you to consider one of our special needs kitties. I probably should not describe them as special needs really, as they don’t need any special care, but they have been through some trauma and so for us, their special need is a good home, not anything more than that.
    Take James for instance, he is a very loving little boy who just doesn’t happen to have any teeth.  He’s beautiful and affectionate and he gets along just fine without his teeth. He’s young and healthy and we would really love to see him placed in a perfect and forever home.
    Then there’s Jennifer, she had a serious injury when she came to us, had the necessary surgery, and has healed beautifully. She needs no special attention or care, but she’s a little funny looking right now because her hair has not regrown over her surgery site.
    I am personally a fan of adopting adult cats, they’ve already gone through the kitten stage, they don’t climb your curtains or your legs, they don’t jump on your head while you’re asleep, but if you prefer a kitten, we have several litters that were recently born but are not yet ready for adoption. You are welcome to visit the Shelter and pick out a kitten and we’ll call you as soon as they’re ready.
    My personal goal for the Shelter would be to adopt out two cats a day every day this month. Two cats – not a lot to ask, many people take two at a time when they adopt because they know that Fluffy loves feline companionship. In order to make adoption more appealing to you, we are going to waive the adoption fee on any cat over 12 months of age to any qualified adopter.
    Please stop by the Shelter today, the hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and we are located on the Callaghan Road (go out the Ludlow Road past Wal-Mart, take your second right and we are a mile in on the right).  Thank you.