Me and my Shadow

Cats are seasonal breeders, and this is their delivery season! The Peninsula SPCA has many kittens & cats available for adoption, and there are many advantages to adopting a cat.

Our last post explained the advantages of having a pet in general, as they are good for your health, both mental and physical. But cats in particular are spectacular pets for many reasons. They are easy animals: self-cleaning, self- exercising and can even be trained to use a toilet (though most of use litter boxes). This is an independent animal, so don't feel guilty about putting in some over time at work, your cat will amuse himself (or sleep) while you are gone. Don't think that they don't need you though! Cats like to be petted and need to be admired, and will reward your hard work with a soothing purr. They also enjoy playing with balls and other cat toys, especially if you are in the mix as well.

Cats are also a convenient size. Most are smaller than dogs and so if you live in an apartment or small house, they can fit in better to the scale of your environment. They don't need a yard to play in or to be taken on walks in the middle of the world's worst rain storm, although you can train a cat on a leash if you wanted to. (People might look at you strangely, but your cats will enjoy it! We do not recommend letting your cat out unsupervised--that's how they end up here at the PSPCA!) They are quiet animals, so you don't have to worry about the barking waking the neighbors at 6 am, as you might with a dog.

Now, I am a dog person, but I have to admit there is a certain appeal to cats. Back when I was working at an

apartment community, I would cat sit these two cats quite frequently, as their "parents" traveled often. Barney was the friendly cat. When I would open the door he would run down to greet me and just make me pay lots of attention to him. He was very sweet and

loving. Shadow, however, was aptly named. I didn't see him the first time that I came in, and the owners had told me not to worry- he doesn't come out for anyone. Of course that playing hard to get suckered me in. I was determined to find and win over that cat. It started with me realizing he was under the bed all the time. They had a little feather on a string, so I started waiving that in front of him to entice him to come out. I tried cat nip and a jingle ball and just talked to him under there. Then one day he came out! We enjoyed a good pet and purr and even though he was still under the bed when I would come in the house, eventually he would have to come out and say hi. I have to tell you, I was like a proud mama when the owners came back. I was bragging all over that I finally got Shadow to come out. That cat just won me over, and you can find one to win you over today at the Peninsula SPCA!