Adopting an Older Cat

This quote is included in many campaign slogans, animal right's proponents, and animal shelters.

It is something that my family and I took to heart a few years back and it has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

As someone who has always had a love for animals, I personally have always had a love for animals whether it be in shelters, in the zoo's, in the wild, or just next door.

With a love like this, I have always craved my own pet to love and care for. Growing up I had my fair share of hamsters, two to be exact; they were called Hammy and Annabelle. As a young child I never really got the chance to really love them as my mind was always with school or hanging out with friends and the responsibility of looking after those hamsters turned to my parents.

So, years later, one day when I was going through cute and funny videos of cats and dogs on YouTube and Facebook, my parents pulled me and my younger sister aside and told us they had a surprise for us. They explained that one of our neighbours was moving away and their cat Jessie, who at the time my sister cat-sat when the owners went away on holiday, was too old to go through the stress of moving houses again, especially with a lively young puppy that Jessie did not like.

So, they offered to give us Jessie since she was most comfortable with both my sister and the rest of my family.

Obviously, we said yes, who wouldn't?

We all had our concerns since she was 13 at the time. I personally thought that we would have trouble changing our routine to fit her routine or dealing with whatever problems or requirements she may have that we didn't know of as of yet.

Thankfully, Jessie was completely healthy (and still is).

It has been two years since we have adopted Jessie and it has been the best decision my family has ever made. Looking back, if we had adopted a kitten or a puppy the family would have had a lot harder time adjusting to a new four-legged edition of the family, but with Jessie being a lot more senile and laid-back, it has been so easy to take care of her that it almost sometimes feels like she isn't even in the house.

Jessie spends most mornings and afternoons curled up somewhere in the house sleeping the day away and when she does come down she goes outside for a few hours to go who knows where, completely content and happy, though she does like to keep us up in the early hours of the morning with her meowing, sometimes it sounds like a ghost.

If we had adopted a kitten, this laid-back life we have with our cat would have been ten times worse.

I'm not saying to not adopt kittens or puppies—if you prefer to train your four-legged friend to your routine and lifestyle then that is the more suggested route I would take.

If you want to learn about your four-legged friends own unique routine and learn their own quirks from their earlier years, then obviously go for the older cat or dog.

Just make sure to understand what you are getting yourself into at the time. You must be prepared for the vet bills, food costs, and the attention your friend may need.

No animal is the same, they all need their own individual quirks and needs taken care of.

After reading this, if you are tempted more than ever to adopt your own little friend, then visit your local shelter or local licensed breeder, there are always animals to adopt or just to visit all the time.