Since 2006, our friends at Suncoast Animal League have helped and facilitated the adoption of over 20,000 pets in the Tampa area. They work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, foster, and adopt the animals in their care (or, in the case of thousands of wildlife, release). Unfortunately, the numbers of homeless pets continue to climb. This June is Adopt-A-Cat month, and we’re proud to highlight the cause of the Suncoast Animal League where you might just find a new feline friend to bring home. 

Reaching Out

Sadly, of the 3 million-plus cats that find themselves in shelters across the nation, hundreds of thousands of them don’t make it out. Suncoast Animal League, a non-profit, no-kill, no-time-limit animal welfare agency is committed to helping animals that have been:

• Surrendered by owners
• Victims of puppy mills, hoarders, abuse, or neglect
• Lost or missing pets due to natural disasters

By providing medical care, including spay or neuter surgery, pets have a greater chance of finding their forever homes. 

Adopt a Cat

There’s no question that adopting a shelter pet saves lives. More than just the single kitty going home, adoption frees up space at the shelter for another cat to meet prospective owners. Saving one life leads to saving many more. 

It Just Makes Financial Sense

Cat adoption is easy on the wallet. Since they are already spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and current on parasite prevention medication, all an owner of a shelter cat has to do is to spoil them at their new home. Sure, there will be upfront costs related to bedding, grooming, toys security/safety, and nutrition, but cat ownership is typically very affordable (even after you factor in routine wellness exams, insurance, and dental care).

Feline Adoption Benefits

The advantages to cats after adoption are pretty obvious, but what happens to cat owners? Studies show that living with cats has the potential to improve the physical and mental health of cat owners. Their presence in the home is linked to increased dopamine and serotonin levels, which affect relaxation and nappiness, and decreased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). In fact, due to improvements in cholesterol and hypertension, older cat owners have fewer health problems that require regular physician appointments. 

On the Subject of Health Problems

Shelter cats are often mixed breeds. This means they have greater genetic diversity and less chance of developing breed-specific problems, such as:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Kidney disease
• Patellar luxation
• Heart disease

Open Your Home to a Rescue Cat

Together with Suncoast Animal League, we can all make a difference to our local communities and neighborhoods. By adopting a rescue cat, you can change the world (one paw at a time). 

Caring Paws Animal Hospital is always here to assist you with questions regarding the cat adoption process, feline behavior, and general cat health. Please call us at (813) 723‑7297.