21 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Cat
If you are considering getting a new pet, here are some great reasons to adopt a cat over buying one from a breeder, or worse yet, buying a dog instead. Not only do cats make great pets, but adopting from a shelter means saving lives and joining a community that will thank you.
Here are 21 reasons you should adopt a cat!
1. Saves A cat’s life
Shelter cats and street cats are at immediate risk, and taking one of them in saves their life! You can stop a cat from remaining in the shelter for months and prevent them or other cats from being euthanized due to overcrowding.
Animal shelter euthanasia rates doubled from 6% in 2021 to 15% in 2022.
By adopting a shelter cat, you also free a spot for another cat to be placed in the shelter so that they, too, can find a home.
2. Helps with overpopulation
Cats get killed in shelters, and adopting helps support these shelters. Having adoption support from the community allows rescue groups to invest more in TNR programs (community cat programs) and saving lives.
The biggest reason not to purchase a kitten from a breeder is that so many cats are already out there! Over 500,000 cats are euthanized in shelters every single year (source).
An unspayed female cat can birth over 15 offspring in just one year—and those kittens will begin to reproduce at just four months of age. Until we get this under control, it’s just not ethical to continue breeding cats.
3. They have a story
Each cat in a shelter has their own unique story. Whether they were born outside or were abandoned by their previous owners—each one of them deserves a chance at a happy indoor life.
Adopting is the best way to make sure cats get that second chance. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with unconditional love and companionship.
4. Wide variety of cats to choose
Are you looking for a kitten or a purebred cat? That’s no reason to shop with a breeder!
While we don’t think cat breed matters one bit, plenty of purebred cats are in the shelters waiting for homes. If you follow rescue groups in your area, you may be shocked to learn how many purebred cats even face the risk of euthanasia.
5. You’ll get to teach them human ways
Some rescue cats have lived outside their whole life. You’ll get to teach them everything they know about indoor life. Learning about each other is a fun and rewarding experience that will strengthen your bond.
6. Good financial sense
If you adopt from a breeder or pet store, you’ll likely have to pay more. You’ll also get less for your money in most cases.
Shelters often put more into animals than they get back through adoption fees. They provide medical treatment, including vaccinations and a spay or neuter surgery.
Many shelter cats are also microchipped, and the shelter will transfer your contact information to the chip upon adoption.
Because there are so many cats in the shelter, they often have events like Clear The Shelters, Shelter Cat Month, or ASPCA’s National Adopt A Cat Month, where you can adopt for cheap or even free. While this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it does benefit you financially if you’re looking to adopt.
7. Fewer health problems than purebreds
Shelter cats can have fewer health problems than purebred cats from breeders because they are not bred for specific traits. Purebred cats typically cost more, and their genes are often altered to create certain physical characteristics desired by breeders. This can lead to more health problems in purebred cats, such as heart defects or respiratory issues.
In contrast, shelter cats are usually rescued from more natural backgrounds, meaning they are less likely to have these types of genetic-based health issues. Additionally, many shelters take proactive measures to ensure the health of their cats by providing screenings and treatments before adoption. This means that the majority of shelter cats will be healthier than a purebred cat from a breeder.
8. Adult Cats Have Known personalities
Kittens are amazing and adorable, and we love them to death! But they’re also incredibly unpredictable. Will they like to cuddle or prefer to spend most of their time alone? Will they be super energetic well into old age or be more laid-back as adults?
When you adopt an adult cat, you can better predict their personality, and they’re less likely to have drastic changes as they age than kittens, who are still growing into themselves.
9. Good for mental health
Studies have shown that people who adopt cats have improved mental health (source). Many people say that caring for their cats encourages them to get up in the mornings and start their day.
Cats also thrive on routine, which also helps people with mental illness—so you may develop a schedule for your kitty only to find that it also helps you! Plus, petting your cat is a great way to reduce anxiety!
10. Good for your physical health
Cats can improve your physical health, too. For example, just 10 minutes of playing with your cat can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Petting and brushing cats also reduces stress levels and helps you stay calm. Plus, owning a cat might even reduce the risk of stroke!
It’s also been reported that having a can also reduce the risk of childhood asthma and makes children less likely to develop cat allergies. (source)
11. Breeders Are unethical
There are reputable breeders out there—but they’re few and far between. The majority are either kitten mills or backyard breeders, in it for the money and not the cats’ well-being.
Backyard breeders can also have good intentions. Maybe they think their cat is adorable and want to breed kittens that look just like her, they’re trying to show their kids the miracle of life, or they truly think they’re doing everything right.
Unfortunately, good intentions don’t make someone a reputable, responsible breeder. So much goes into breeding an animal, and things like health checks and veterinary care are often passed over because they cost money and will affect the breeder’s bottom line.
12. Shelter cats make great pets
Shelter cats absolutely make good pets! Like any cat, they might take time to adapt to their new home and family. Older cats, in particular, may struggle with the change, hide away for long periods, and interact little with you at first.
Once they’ve settled in, they’re going to be just like any other cat.
While there are cats who have traumatic pasts or were surrendered for behavioral problems, this isn’t the vast majority—and those cats also deserve a safe home and plenty of love!
And if you adopt a kitten from a shelter, they’re going to grow up like any other kitten. Young kittens adjust fairly quickly to new situations and will be your best friends in no time!
13. Great companions for seniors
Senior cats are often overlooked in shelters, making them a great choice for seniors looking for a new feline companion. Senior cats tend to be more mature, low-maintenance, and laid-back than young kittens so they won’t require as much attention or energy.
Many of these cats have also been around humans their entire lives, meaning they’ll be comfortable with you from the start. Older cats may be more comfortable lap cats, so you can be sure that your senior family member will have plenty of cuddles and love!
14 . Encourages others to adopt
By adopting a cat, you can brag about how good of a person you are! Whether on social media or in person, you can talk about your adoption story and encourage others to adopt. This is a great way to spread the message and help more animals find their forever homes.
So don’t be shy about telling your story and encouraging others to do the same!
15. Helping a neighbor by adopting a surrender
Many shelter cats are surrendered. These are cats that an owner had to give up for one reason or another, often due to financial hardship. Adopting a surrender is a great way to help your neighbor in need while helping an animal find its forever home.
16. Well cared for by loving shelters
Unlike breeders, shelters are nonprofits and run by people passionate about helping and saving animals. When you adopt from a shelter, you can be assured that the animal is well cared for and loved by its caregivers.
Shelters are equipped with knowledgeable staff to help answer all your questions about adoption and provide further resources as needed. Many shelters also offer low-cost veterinary services, so you don’t have to worry about additional bills.
17. Lifetime of resources
Most animal shelters will continue supporting you and your rescue cat as much as possible. Develop a relationship with your local shelter, and you’ll have a great network and a lifetime of support!
Many shelters offer additional resources and advice as needed, such as training classes or referrals to veterinarians in the area. They may even have specialized programs for sick or injured animals so you can rest assured knowing that your pet is receiving the best care possible.
18. Supports a charity and community partner
Many rescues and humane societies provide additional resources to the community, such as animal control and animal abuse investigations.
Shelters do great work and are very needed! When we can, it’s good to support them. Paying an adoption fee and taking in a shelter cat are excellent ways of doing so.
19. Shelter cats have friends and fans
Many shelter cats are loved by their caretakers, and you can hear the stories of your kitties earlier days and relationships with the other kitties. You can save their adoption profile pictures and videos. When you adopt a shelter cat, you gain all their friends and family as well!
20. Adopting is more fun!
Have you been to a cat cafe or cat lounge? You don’t have to adopt a cat from a shelter. You can adopt from pet stores like Petsmart or even a cat lounge!
A cat cafe in San Diego even offers a full food and drink menu, so you can have charcuterie and cocktails while you play with adoptable cats. Now that is a pawsome cat adoption experience!
21. #adoptdontshop gets millions of views!
You’ll get to take an adoption picture with your new kitty, which will probably be your highest-viewed post. Write a brief story about your kitty and how much you love them, and you’ll be going viral in no time!
It takes most kitties three months to fully acclimate to a new environment. You can vlog cat videos and the journey of you and your feline friend for months as they become a full member of your family.
