Adopt, Don't Shop

Did you know that June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month? There are plenty of reasons to get a cat and plenty more reasons to adopt a cat from the shelter instead of buying one. Here are our top 5 reasons to adopt!

Save a life.

It is estimated that approximately 3.2 million cats and kittens enter U.S. shelters every year. About half get adopted into new loving homes, leaving the other half to rely on independent rescue organizations, temporary home options (like cat cafes and foster parents), or be humanely euthanized. A little less than 1 million adoptable cats or kittens are euthanized in shelters every year. By adopting a cat, you are saving a feline friend from becoming a sad statistic.

Your wallet will thank you.

Purchasing a cat can be quite an expense. Pedigreed show cats can certainly break the bank, but even the $10 kitten on Facebook Marketplace comes with costs you might not expect. The ASPCA estimates the average cost of a new cat in vet bills to be around $800. This would include all necessary vaccinations, the start of preventative treatments, spay or neuter surgery, and a general wellness exam. Cats and kittens from shelters do typically come with a higher initial price tag (around $90-$250), but they have been provided with all necessary treatment for the time being.

Options, options, options!

Whether you’re in the market for a playful kitten, a mellow middle-ager, or a sweet old soul, chances are a local shelter has just the companion you are looking for. At the time this blog post was written, we were able to locate cats of every color, age, sex, and even various breeds listed on local adoption and shelter websites in our area. Finding the right fit for you may take some time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t find your match immediately. New cats and kittens are surrendered and/or found every day, and your new pal is out there, waiting to be rescued.

Help put disreputable businesses out of business.

Like puppy-mills, kitten mills also exist and are just as horrific. Inhabitants of kitten mills are often overbred, dirty, infected, un-vetted, and viewed solely as a resource for financial gain. Owners of kitten mills often have more than one breed of cat and have little regard for genetics and bloodlines. Mainly sold online and in storefront pet shops, the purchase of these kittens keeps these unethical practices funded. While responsible breeders do exist, a large percentage of “purebred” pets come from unsavory circumstances.

Support organizations that are doing amazing work.

When you adopt a cat or kitten, you save more than just that one life. When your new friend goes home with you, it opens a spot for the next cat that comes along to have a fighting chance at finding a forever family. The fees that you pay for your new family member are funneled right back into the organizations that work so hard to save lives.
So now that we have convinced you that it’s time to adopt a new feline friend, here are some great places to start looking!

• Feline Rescue in St. Paul: https://felinerescue.org
• The Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley and St. Paul: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org
• The Adopt-A-Pet-Shop in Minneapolis: https://www.theadoptapetshop.org
• Midwest Animal Rescue in Minneapolis: https://www.midwestanimalrescue.org
• Angels of Hope Animal Rescue (hosts multiple adoption events around the Twin Cities): http://www.aohrescue.org/

TLC Cat Clinic is dedicated to the cause of saving lives, and we offer a free wellness visit fee for newly adopted cats. All you have to do is schedule an appointment with us within two weeks of your “Gotcha Day,” and your first wellness exam fee is on the house. We look forward to meeting you and the newest member of your family!