Why You Should Adopt an Older Cat

In our opinion, older cats are some of the best pets on Planet Earth, and in this piece, we are celebrating them. Sure, they might move a little slower, they don’t jump up as high, and they love to sleep all day, but that’s what makes them so great! They’re mostly well-behaved and self-sufficient, and on top of it all, they’re usually quite affectionate!

A Difficult Reality

It’s a sad truth that older cats are often a victim of their own existence. We live in a world where kittens frequently are chosen over mature cats – even cats who are only a year old!

While kittens are cute, there are no guarantees with them. Kittens are very raw living organisms. They are still learning manners, how to co-exist with people and other animals, and how the world works. They interact with things to learn, and sometimes that results in broken possessions, going to the bathroom in hidden places, spraying, and scratches all over your arms and legs.

Older cats, whose only crime is having lived longer than a kitten, already have learned the litter box, how to interact with people, who to trust, and the types of people they like to be around. They have plenty of experience grooming and aren’t as interested in pushing your possessions off of high places when the opportunity arrives.

The Retirement Boom

Another difficult reality we face is that Baby Boomers are retiring and either downsizing or moving into assisted-living facilities. In many cases, they are unable to bring their beloved cats with them, and the process is heartbreaking for them and the cats. These incredible, loving and compassionate little animals are forced to leave their homes, and if nobody else in the family can take them in, they are brought to shelters. Sometimes they get adopted out, but many spend the rest of their lives there.

This is one of the major reasons we need to push back against any implications that older cats don’t make good pets. Some might require a bit of medication, while others may have a bit of dandruff, but that doesn’t change what they are – intelligent, warm creatures who just want someone to trust and love.

Real Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat

• You Know What You’re Getting

  • Older cats typically have more predictable outcomes based on their behaviour when compared to a kitten. You can usually find out what sort of demeanour they have from the place you are adopting from.

• You’ll Know If They Get Along with Kids or Dogs

  • Just as mentioned before, older cats have more predictable outcomes and if they have a history of getting along with kids and other animals, it’s a safe bet they will continue to do so.

• You Don’t Need to Supervise Them

  • Unless there are behavioural challenges, which have less to do with age and more with personality, most older cats need far less supervision than a kitten. They are self-sufficient, low-risk pets.

• More Snuggles

  • We covered it in our opening paragraphs, but older cats have a strong reputation for showing their affection! An ideal evening includes snacks, sleep, and curling up next to their favourite person.

• Less Mess

  • Older cats are well-practiced in grooming and using the litter box. While some kittens may struggle with cleaning themselves or going to the bathroom in the right place, older cats are guaranteed to know how things work, and they like to be clean!

• They Are Funny

  • Cats are almost all universally funny, but older cats have personalities that have developed over 10 to 20 years, and they know exactly who they are. Adopting an older cat usually brings a lot of joy and laughter into a home, and you might even start to relate to them a bit!

Older Kitties Living Here at The Hervey Foundation for Cats

Right now, we are taking in a lot of older cats whose parents are retiring and have to give them up. The Foundation is a no-kill shelter, inviting cats of all ages to come here to live out the rest of their days in a home setting, not in cages.

Since many of these cats stay with us long-term, there are more costs associated with their individual stays than the average shelter which can adopt cats out quickly. We don’t normally like to ask directly, but we could use all the help with can get to cover some of the costs associated with our long-term residents! If you are able, please visit this link to make a donation in support of our mission. We believe all cats deserve a place to live happily in a home.