Pets

BY HAILEY LAWSON

June brings beautiful flowers, delicious fruits and vegetables, sunny skies, school-free days…and kittens! It’s Adoptbles, sunny skies, school-free days…and kittens! It’s AdoptA-Cat Month, and with “kitten season” upon us, we are encouraged to remember our furry feline friends when considering a new pet. The end of spring is always one of the bus-considering a new pet. The end of spring is always one of the bus iest times of the year for animal shelters due to the increase of iest times of the year for animal shelters due to the increase of kitten litters. Adopt-A-Cat Month has been celebrated by animal kitten litters. Adopt-A-Cat Month has been celebrated by animal lovers every June for the past 45 years. The month helps promote lovers every June for the past 45 years. The month helps promote cat adoptions across the U.S. and highlights the importance of cat cat adoptions across the U.S. and highlights the importance of cat spaying and neutering. So, what better time than right meow to spaying and neutering. So, what better time than right meow to welcome a new fuzzy feline furball into your home? welcome a new fuzzy feline furball into your home?

The obvious reason for adopting a cat is that they are just so cra-The obvious reason for adopting a cat is that they are just so cra zy cute and fabulously adorable! However, did you know that zy cute and fabulously adorable! However, did you know that thousands and thousands of kittens are born each spring during thousands and thousands of kittens are born each spring during “kitten season,” adding to the over 3 million cats already wait-“kitten season,” adding to the over 3 million cats already wait ing in shelters to be adopted? Unfortunately, these shelters often ing in shelters to be adopted? Unfortunately, these shelters often have limited funding and space, making it very difficult to care for such a large influx of animals. The sad truth is that more than for such a large influx of animals. The sad truth is that more than 70% of sheltered animals are eventually euthanized. But even 70% of sheltered animals are eventually euthanized. But even sadder than that is that close to 80% of cats and dogs euthanized sadder than that is that close to 80% of cats and dogs euthanized in shelters are healthy or have treatable conditions. in shelters are healthy or have treatable conditions.

Cats make for purrfect companions. Cats tend to be indepen-Cats make for purrfect companions. Cats tend to be indepen dent and low-maintenance. They don’t have to be walked, and your neighbors won’t have a reason to complain about any boisterous barking. But more importantly, having a feline friend comes with bonus health benefits for you and your family. That peaceful purring is therapeutic! Being around cats can:

�������� Lower your risk of heart disease and strokes. Cats provide calming energy, making you less prone to heart attacks and strokes. �������� The purring power of a cat is believed to help with infections, swelling and pain, muscle growth and repair, tendon repair, and joint mobility. �������� Relieve stress and anxiety. A cat can improve your sense of happiness and general well-being by helping you cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Right meow is the purrfect time to bring that new feline home! By adopting a cat, you’ll support your local animal shelter and help reduce stray cats in your area. If you can’t adopt a cat perma nently, consider fostering. Contact your local shelter or cat rescue group to see how you can become a foster parent. Lastly, you can always help by donating money or cat-related items to your local shelter or rescue. Spread the word, June is Adopt-A-Cat month!

Right meow is the purrfect time to bring that new feline home! By adopting a cat, you’ll support your local animal shelter and help reduce stray cats in your area. If you can’t adopt a cat permanently, consider fostering. Contact your local shelter or cat rescue group to see how you can become a foster parent. Lastly, you can always help by donating money or cat-related items to your local shelter or rescue. Spread the word, June is Adopt-A-Cat month!