Senior kittizens rock!
Dear Fisher,
Several months ago, my family just packed up their belongings and moved out of town. Lucky for me, they stopped and dropped me off at a shelter for homeless animals. I was there for three months before a loving couple came in and adopted me. I don’t think it was my looks as I am a rather handsome lad. I think people are afraid to adopt older animals because they think we have too many problems. But, we are just as loving – even more, maybe, because we know how lucky we are when we get a second chance.
There were many other older cats in the shelter and I won’t even begin to tell you the horror stories they told. I am still trying to forget them. Why is it that we oldsters are not appealing to humans who want to adopt?
Tiger
Dear Tiger,
Your loss saddens me deeply. I know it happens and your people were probably at what they would call their “wits end.” Always know they had your best interests in mind when they provided a safe haven for you. They were doing the very best they could for you when circumstances forced them to move from their home.
Issues of adopting a kitten versus an older cat are usually due to individual preferences and are as varied as the number of people who adopt homeless cats in the first place. There are no set in stone rules regarding which is better. I prefer to boil it all down to the “half-a-glass” theory.
The glass is half empty point of view
- An older cat may have more health problems
- An older cat may be cantankerous due to unhappy situation in life
- An older cat is harder to train
- An older cat is not as playful as a kitten
The glass is half full point of view
- Cats of any age can have health problems at any time
- Older cats are more adaptable to new situations due to life situations
- Cats decide if they want to be trained or not, age does not matter
- Older cats like to nap more, therefore, humans can also rest more
Moral of the story? The relationship between adopter and adoptee really depends on the attitude of both. Very good reasons for adopting a Senior Kittizen can be found at Protective Animal Welfare Society of Western WI. My favorite is, “They have house manners! They are less likely to leap on the kitchen counters, knock down stuff on shelves, climb the drapes, or pounce on moving objects (including your legs).”
The relationship between humans and cats is based mostly on peaceful co-existence rather than a need for constant adoration and attention. I congratulate you and the loving couple who adopted you. Peace to you all.
Your friend,
Fisher
1 Comment
1. Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" replies at 13th April 2009, 6:52 PM :
Our first cat, Moe, was at least 8 years old when we adopted him and he was the nicest cat. We never had any behavior problem with him but he did have fatty liver disease when we first got him but fortunately, the vet helped him recover from it and we had him 7 years.