ADOPT A CAT MONTH
One in four is not great odds. And yet, only one in four cats and kittens entering our nation's shelters each year are adopted into loving homes. Out of the millions of cats and kittens passing through our shelter systems, approximately 70% are euthanized due to health or space issues. This is the reason the American Humane Association has designated June as Adopt-A-Cat month. Shelters across the country are offering special programs to highlight the benefits of adopting adult cats and emphasizing the importance of spaying, neutering and proper identification.

During June, Nantucket joins the six other MSPCA-Angell's Animal Care and Adoption Centers in promoting Adopt-A-Cat month by offering free starter kits to anyone adopting a cat six months of age or older. The starter kit includes a litter pan and scoop, collar and ID tag, nail clippers and toys.

According to Stephanie Henke, Project Coordinator for the Nantucket Shelter, there are about 20 cats in the Nantucket facility that could be considered adults. Most of the cats in residence now are there as the result of surrenders; that is, they are cats with owners who, for whatever reason, could no longer keep them.

"Moving is an ongoing surrender issue. Keeping or finding island housing when you have a pet can be a problem," Stephanie comments. "Sometimes the pet just has to go." Two cats are at the Shelter because their owners died. Six older kittens are there because they have never been adopted. "These kittens came in with the huge influx of kittens we had last fall, and they just have never left. They have grown up in the Shelter," she says, "and they are long overdue to go to good homes."

Three of the cats there are over 10 years old. Stephanie concedes that cats at this age have special placement needs. Long-term Shelter residents include Suki, who has been at the Shelter for two years. Suki was surrendered because her owners objected to her clawing at the door as a signal to let her inside. Suki is not a cuddly cat and will require a particularly feline-empathetic owner. Diamond Eddie has been there for 1-1/2 years. "He is such a great cat!" but hard to place because he needs daily medications.

In order to promote Adopt-A-Cat month, our Nantucket Shelter will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, June 20th, from 1-3 p.m. Stop in to visit the Shelter kitties, have some refreshments and seriously consider taking one of their wonderful cats home. If you can't make this Open House, then stop in during regular Shelter hours, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Stephanie does suggest calling ahead to make an appointment so that Shelter personnel can be on hand to answer questions and coordinate visitations. The Shelter number is 508-825-2287.

Most of Nantucket's adoptable kittens are acquired by trapping through The Nantucket Cat Rescue, just one of the Shelter's many programs. In 2006, 158 stray and feral cats were trapped, almost double the amount trapped in 2005. Half of that number, primarily adults past the age for proper socialization, were spayed and neutered, given shots and released. Sixty-one kittens were put up for adoption. The few remaining were euthanized due to health issues.

While the number of kittens coming into MSPCA-Angell system-wide has continued to decline, the numbers of cats over six months of age awaiting homes remains basically unchanged for a lot of the reasons mentioned above. However, adopting an older cat has the benefit of knowing pretty much what to expect in terms of behavior and appearance.

The American Humane Web site offers several reasons why you should consider adding a cat to your life. We all know that pets are good for your health by reducing your blood pressure and helping prevent heart disease. A few of the other reasons they cite:
Having a cat fights depression
and loneliness and provides companionship.

Cats are entertaining to watch and
fun to play with.
Cats love to cuddle on a cold
evening.
Cats are independent and can be
left alone while you are at work.
Cats are comfortable in small
spaces like apartments.
Cats are very clean, self-cleansing,
and affectionate.
Cats are easy to house train, and
adults probably already know the
drill.
Taking care of a cat can help teach
a child responsibility and
humane values.
A cat's purr is a comforting sound
unlike any other.
Lots of cats need good homes, and
when you adopt one, you are saving
a life!
I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com.