Every month – not just June – should be Adopt a Cat Month. Here are 10 reasons you should adopt a cat from a shelter year round.

1) You can save a cat’s life. If that cat is not adopted, that cat or another one, will become one of the millions of cats that are euthanized in shelters each year because of overcrowding. These cats are not sick, and could otherwise live a long, happy life. The fact is there are just too many cats in shelters. If they don’t find homes – they will be killed.

2) Save many cats lives. If we compound the numbers, and you, me, my friends, our relatives, their relatives, their friends – we all adopt cats from shelters, then we do our part to stop the overcrowding in shelters, and alleviate the necessity to euthanize so many cats. Just imagine how uplifting it would be for shelter staff that deal with burnout from seeing so many cats having to be put down.

3) Shelter vats come in all sizes and flavors. If you want a kitten, you’re bound to find an assortment at the shelter. If you want an older, lap cat to keep Gram company, you’ll find that too. If you want an active cat that will entertain you for hours, he’ll be there as well.

4) Unless you are looking to show cats as purebreds, you’ll find everything from Seal Point Siamese, Bengals, Maine Coon Cats, and yes, even Persians at shelters. If you don’t find what you are looking for at your local shelter, they can put out the word to ones in surrounding areas, and if you are willing to wait, your bound to find the specific breed you’re looking for, or perhaps even one you weren’t aware of, but like better.

5) The cats have been spay/neutered before you even take them home. You won’t have to deal with trying to determine when is the best time to take care of this, especially for kittens. Nor will you have to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian, saving you time and effort. Another plus, you won’t have to listen to Tom or Fluffy endlessly yawl because they have gone into heat.

6) The cats all have their shots, or have a scheduled visit with a veterinarian, especially if they are kittens, to get their shots. That means there’s less chance of infectious parasitic diseases, and the cats are bound to live a healthier, happier life, spending years becoming your best furry friend.

7) It’s a bargain. The cost of adopting a cat is much less than you would pay the veterinarian for the spay/neuter procedure and the shots to keep them healthy. If you adopt some friends’ kitten, it all comes out of your pocket, and will be much more expensive. Even if you can find a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, you have to schedule your time around the clinic.

8) Lots of shelters do personality tests on the cats, so you have an idea if the cats matches your lifestyle. An elderly person is not going to want an active cat that is going to be under their heals, tripping them up, and possibly causing a fall. Likewise, a person that is working long, hard hours might not want a cat that is going to have separation anxiety when they are gone. Like people, cats all have their own personalities, and they can be type casts with a general idea of their temperaments. This results in a much more successful adoption.

9) If the cat was a surrender, you have a chance to find out about his background. Was he

deserted in an apartment? Was his owner a senior citizen? Did the cat live with a family, or even dogs? Did the cat have to fend for himself on the streets? Having an idea of their background will help you better understand the cat’s needs and psyche.

10) There are lots to choose from, and owning a cat is not a cookie cutter deal. The cat and you need to mesh. There needs to be a bond that develops when you meet. Many times, shelter cats will choose you – not the other way around. They can sense that you are their soul-mate. They do everything from extending a paw towards you, saying a special meow, hello, saying I like you, to doing some special antic with a toy saying I’m special, coming up to rubbing against your legs, saying I like you. If the cat picks you, you’re off to having a kitty soul-mate share your life for a number of years ahead.

Did we say adopting a cat is good for you. It’s good for your health, lowering blood pressure and alleviating depression.  But that’s number 11.

And the best reason of all to adopt a cat from a shelter is it’s the right thing to do.

Paws’ mom shares her home with 4 shelter cats and well, Paws, Little Yellow, who would have been in the shelter if his mom hadn’t taken him. He’d been left in a barn, and there was no mummy in site.

What do you think about adopting a shelter cat? Have your cats from shelters. Have you ever volunteered at a shelter? Please weigh in and share your stories.