June is adopt a cat month
Did you know that there are an estimated 85.8 million cats in America? Dogs are the most popular pet, with cats a very close second. Fish comes in at number three.
Christopher Columbus and early fur traders first brought cats to the new world. They discovered that they were the ideal remedy to the problem of rodents both on ships and in the newly established settlements. Little did they realize that these hunters would become beloved household pets worldwide.
Forty-five years ago, the National Humane Association designated June as National Adopt a Cat Month because it is when many cats typically give birth. With some litters having as many as seven kittens, the cat population in the United States increased significantly every June.
My wife and I have had three cats in the 52 years we have been married. Our first cat, Buddy, was a stray we rescued from Wausau. He lived to be 17. Buffy was our second furry child. We adopted her from the Eau Claire County Humane Association, and she lived to be 19. Three weeks after Buffy died, we made a return visit to the animal shelter, and we adopted Tillie Mae. She has been with us for eleven years.
My wife and I are strong advocates of animal shelters, and we have been supporters of the Eau Claire County Humane Association for many years. We designate our monthly donations to the Barn Cat Program. Cats in this program are typically cats that are not suitable for indoor living or are unhappy living indoors. People on farms can then adopt these cats, and they live in warm, dry barns, spending their time hunting rodents as did their ancestors who came to the new world.
Each time we adopted a new kitten, we discovered each had its distinct personality. However, both Tillie and Buffy were also amazingly similar. Buffy had her favorite stuffed animal. It was a sizeable calico cat, and whenever we would go outside, Buffy would find her stuffed cat and carry it to the front door. And all the while she was holding it, Buffy would cry very loudly. Shortly after we adopted Tillie, she began doing the same thing, except her companion was a small stuffed lamb. She, too, cries very loudly while bringing it to the front door. Our vet says this is separation anxiety, and it is common with cats.
Each year approximately 1.3 million cats are adopted in the United States. But sadly, there are also 1.4 million euthanized each year. Part of being a responsible cat owner is to have your cat spayed or neutered. It is also essential for cats to have regular medical examinations and vaccinations to ensure they have long and happy lives. We have always made sure that our cats get the best medical care possible. Cats give us so much love and pleasure, and they ask for so little in return – only good care, healthy food, and love.
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