Cat Depot Highlights Adoption Needs Among Older Cats

An animal shelter in the Boston area recently reduced the adoption fees it charges for older cats. Cat Depot, a no-kill cat adoption center in Florida, lauds this effort to find permanent homes for deserving, older animals.

Sarasota, Florida (I-Newswire) September 11, 2012 - It is no secret many animals depend on adoption in order to find a loving home. The Boston Herald reports the Animal Rescue League of Boston has temporarily reduced the adoption fees it charges for older cats in an effort to find these animals a permanent home. The effort drew forth positive comments from the executive director at Cat Depot, a Florida-based cat rescue and adoption center.

"Senior cats make excellent companions, especially for people who are looking for a laid back lap cat." said Shelley Thayer, executive director for Cat Depot, a progressive cat rescue, adoption, education and resource center, located in Sarasota, FL.

According the Boston Herald article, Boston’s Animal Rescue League lowered adoption fees to make taking home an older cat as appealing as adopting a cute, cuddly kitten. The animal rescue league also hopes the effort will reduce overpopulation within its shelter. Potential adopters in Boston can expect to pay a flat $50 adoption fee for a cat over one year of age. Adoption fees typically cost hopeful pet owners between $85 and $135.

Adopting an older animal has its own forgotten advantages. In her statement to the press, Ms. Thayer stated: "We have a designated "Chubby Cat Room" where cats are given options of daily walking classes and a higher protein wet food diet versus dry food diet. The majority of these cats are seniors. They make perfect "couch potatoes" and are very popular with older adults who may want to play a little less with their cat and snuggle and brush them a little more."

Finding a match between an owner’s and an animal’s temperament is important in any adoption. A kitten will develop its personality as it ages. What may begin as a lively, playful kitten may grow into a cat that prefers solitude.

“We accept and find homes for cats of all ages. Like humans, cats have a much longer life expectancy today. A cat who is 10 years old, may only be middle age," said Thayer.

Animal shelters encourage pet adoptions throughout the year, and these efforts often increase during the summer season. Information in the article indicates a higher number of pet owners give up animals in the summer. Shelters will do whatever it takes, including reducing adoption fees, to find older animals loving homes.

ABOUT:

Cat Depot is 501c(3) non-profit, no-kill facility in Sarasota, Florida that aims to improve the lives of homeless cats by providing veterinary care, essential needs and love. The goal for every cat is to place them into a loving forever home. The organizations’ dedication has resulted in the rescue of countless animals that would have otherwise been subjected to less desirable fates. In addition, Cat Depot works diligently to educate the public on the need to rescue animals and provides programs that teach the public about proper care and handling of cats.

To learn more, visit www.catdepot.org.