Cats at the shelter

A huge number of cats end up in shelters around the world. Why do cats end up in shelters and what can be done to change the situation?

Why do cats end up in shelters?

Unfortunately, there are no statistics and no studies on animals that end up in shelters in the post-Soviet space. However, one can refer to the experience of countries where society as a whole is not indifferent to the problem of homeless animals. For example, Great Britain.

The employees of only one British shelter – Lothian Cat Rescue – in Scotland receive and adopt more than 1000 cats a year. Half of the purrs that ended up in the shelter were picked up on the street, the rest were abandoned by the owners. Why do people refuse cats?

Some move and cannot take the cat with them – this is one of the most common reasons. Another reason is the allergy of one of the family members. Sometimes people bring a cat and say they found it on the street, even though it’s obviously their cat. Sometimes the owners refer to the problems of the behavior of the animal. There are other reasons, for example, the owner, due to illness, can no longer take care of the pet.

Kittens, according to the observation of the shelter staff, are attached faster – because they are so pretty. But black and black-and-white cats are not lucky – there are very few who want to take them.

What can be done to keep cats out of shelters?

To avoid cat behavior problems (and related failures), you need to provide the pet with an acceptable level of well-being – 5 freedoms. In particular, one of the main problems that domestic cats face is a lack of stimulation and an impoverished environment. The solution here is to create an enriched environment.

Also, cats lack communication with the owner. Many are convinced that cats are independent creatures and are not interested in communicating with people. This is not true. Just communication should be positive and when the cat wants it. It is necessary to play with a cat, take care of it and generally spend time in the same space.

It is advisable to sterilize cats. The myth that it is necessary to “give birth for health” is extremely harmful and dangerous. Cats can start breeding at the age of 5 to 6 months and give birth several times a year. And we all see what this leads to – to a huge number of unnecessary animals.

It is worth making a balanced decision about purchasing a pet. For example, it is not uncommon for a kitten to be taken to families where a child is expected to be born. And when the child appears, the cat is unnecessary.

And never forget that a cat is not a toy. It is a living being with its own needs and feelings.