June is, in addition to usually being a resplendent, glorious month in terms of weather, a month replete with (hopefully!) permanent pairings in the form of weddings. While the tradition of humans of various backgrounds gazing into each other’s eyes whilst professing lifelong fealty and devotion, under all circumstances is a touching and noble one, there is another tradition that occurs all year round as well, but that is specially emphasized during the month of June: National Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month. According to the Humane Society of the United States, approximately 2.4 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in this country each year.  I cited this heart-wrenching statistic previously in my February 2014 NYPL blog concerning the topic of trap-neuter-return (herein 'TNR") of outdoor cats. While TNR remains a vital, life-saving endeavor, adopting a cat from an animal shelter represents another marvelous method by which to save an animal's life and immeasurably enrich one's own with the unconditional devotion of said cat. My sixth sense does not extend to communicating with animals in any significant manner, so I availed myself of the services of a pet psychic, "Catherine", who graciously agreed to interact with my eldest cat, Cassandra Ann.

Catherine: "Cassandra, I wish to extend my sincere and profound appreciation to you for deigning to grace me with your presence and provide this interview."

Cassandra Ann: (as interpreted by Catherine): "I am always willing to assist those felines less fortunate than myself.  After all, a Queen serves her subjects (swishes tail)."

Catherine: "Oh, is 'queen' one of mommy's sobriquets for you? (reaches out, rubs Cassandra's ear)"

Cassandra: "(unblinking)  No, 'Queen' is my title.  And please (rubs her ear, licks her paw afterwards) kindly refrain from petting me without washing your hands first."

Catherine: ( a trifle chagrined): Please accept my apologies, Cassandra. Now, I understand that you are especially qualified to expound upon the severe plight of shelter cats and the enormous benefits reaped by those who adopt a cat from a shelter, as you are a former stray cat who was brought to the local New York City Center for Animal Care and Control. Would you please elaborate further on your ordeal prior to being adopted by your owner (seeing Cassandra's glare) er, um, i mean 'mother.'"

Cassandra: "(purrs, lays down, licks front paw)  Personally, I always like glancing over Mommy's shoulder as she reads one of the 'Familiar' cozy mysteries, featuring the fictional charming former stray/now outdoor cat, Familiar. I believe that Familiar's narrative of his early months is quite representative of the trials and travails facing most stray felines.  As readers of the series are or should be cognizant, Familiar was born to a mother cat that was abandoned—illegally, I hasten to add—by her apparently less than worthy pet parents. Familiar and his littermates were sired by a tom cat whose identity remains an enigma to Familiar. Familiar recounts to readers the horrific hardships his mother endured in birthing and caring for her brood of little kittens while stranded on the street. Familiar's tragic kitten hood was compounded exponentially when his mother was struck and killed by a vehicle while she was searching for food to bring home to her kittens."

Catherine: (wiping tear from the corner of her eye) "What a horrid situation!"

Cassandra: (rolling small cat toy between her paws) "Yes, well, one may easily discern why there are many animal advocates who believe that cats housed in animal shelters are far more fortunate than those felines coerced to eke out a meager, horrid existence on the streets. However, being coerced to lodge in a cage, knowing that the only two reasons you will be permitted to leave said cage is to be adopted or (shudders) to meet one's untimely demise, represents a situation that is only a smidgeon less horrendous than being struck by a car, for example, and possibly lingering for hours in agony in the street.  Additionally, every shelter feline who is adopted affords space for another cat, possibly a  former stray, to be placed in said cage. I was adopted by my mother when she saw me at an outdoor adoption fair coordinated by the New York City Center for Animal Care and Control and a local rescue group."

Catherine:  "You've been more than eloquent concerning the reasons, from a cat's perspective, as to why it is infinitely preferable to be adopted rather than coerced to live a pitiful existence on the street or live in confinement and potential dread over one's potential ultimate fate in a shelter.  Can you now please elaborate as to why it is advantageous, from a human’s perspective, to adopt a cat?"

Cassandra: (standing up, arching her back, stretching, laying back down, sighs) "History has demonstrated that humans have always required the companionship and services of animals. My mother, for example, might actually sleep very late on the Saturdays she is not at the library if she were not politely reminded, by my sitting on top of her head, of the rather pressing need to arise and fulfill her duties as an indentured servan—er, um, I mean 'pet parent' to us cats. Additionally, the NYPL and one of its plethora of databases, MEDLINEplus, contains a wealth of information on the topics of hypertension and other forms of illness. Hypertension, as well as a fast heart beat, are two physical ailments that can be assuaged merely by petting an animal, including a cat. And, I hasten to add, a can of cat food is far cheaper than the astronomical cost of many medicines. Cats are also amongst animals that provide psychological solace to humans. Pets for Vets is an organization that rescues cats and (coughs up hairball) dogs as well as other shelter animals, educate the relevant animals on how best to fulfill their respective role as a service animal to a veteran, and unite the appropriate veteran with the proper animal. I know that a cat's serene, regal presence enormously assuages the deleterious effects of post-traumatic stress  disorder, a condition that many veterans have become afflicted with while or after risking their very respective lives in the service of this country.  Additionally, this program serves to debunk the myth that all felines are allegedly standoffish, cold and a source of potential scratch marks. Sometimes, a cat is a preferable pet for a veteran, often because of the respective veteran's infirmities. Cats do not need to be walked and, in fact, should not be allowed outside unless tethered to a cat harness and leash. The streets are potentially lethal to cats! Cats are usually quieter pets, so a veteran who needs peace and quiet, a sense of calm, might enjoy the presence of a cat over a dog."

Catherine: "Thank you for that wealth of information! I couldn't help but notice, Cassandra, that you coughed immediately prior to stating your reference to dogs. Is it veracious to say that cats and dogs, well, 'fight like cats and dogs?"

Cassandra: "I must choose my next words rather carefully, as my mother remains utterly besotted with the memory of her dog, Curtis, but the plain truth is, Curtis was a tremendous species snob! Once in a blue moon, he'd chase us around our apartment, as if he needed to demonstrate his physical prowess over us. We cats found it  a challenge not to collapse into paroxysms of laughter, as we easily leapt onto the safety of a dresser and Curtis was, after all, a miniature poodle, not a bull mastiff! The vast majority of the time, however, Curtis contented himself with projecting an air of superiority and carefully cultivated indifference to we cats. (Now that he lives largely in the afterlife, his disposition towards cats is a genial one.)  But, there are many dogs who deign to live rather harmoniously with cats, and some establish quite a bond over the course of time with the household cat(s). Of course, an initial adjustment period may be required at first, but that is veracious of any species as well as within a species. Not all humans display an instant affection for other humans upon initial meeting."

Catherine: "What advice do you wish to provide to those seeking to adopt a feline? Any words of wisdom to impart to cats wishing to be adopted?"

Cassandra: "(stretches again, turns face towards the sun) The first point I wish to stress is that potential adopters should not expect every cat to be redolent of Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy or Dewey the Library Cat. As I expressed earlier in this interview, I not infrequently enjoy reading over mommy's shoulder as she devours yet another book. My mother is a frequent reader of the Blaize and John Clement Cat Sitter mysteries, and those mysteries represent the sort of cats that one is more apt to encounter. While all cats are undeniably intelligent creatures, not every cat is capable of solving mysteries or has the personality to befriend all and sundry that walk through the doors of a library, for example. Expectations of a cat must be kept within reason."

Catherine: "Many people who work in the field of animal adoption are ecstatic when kittens are adopted, but lament the fact that so many older felines languish in cages. Any thoughts on the matter?"

Cassandra: "I was adopted by my mother when I was identified as being in the age range of two to three years old. If I do say so myself, I was and am still an extremely beautiful calico cat! KIttens are undeniably adorable, but sometimes, like children, they can be rambunctious. Since my mother is putty in an any animal's paws, the role of disciplinarian has largely fallen on my shoulders whenever my mother has engaged in rescue and foster care with kittens. It is always best to adopt at least two cats, so the cats, whether kittens or adult cats, are able to entertain each in a pet parent's absence.  I'd also like to clear up the misconception that one must adopt  kittens or puppies instead of an older cat or dog because an older cat or dog allegedly cannot be 'trained' in as facile a fashion as a kitten or puppy.  That theory is absolute hogwash! Animals are highly intelligent and quite malleable in terms of adjusting to a variety of changes, provided that ample time is allotted. The American Humane Society has a helpline regarding animal behavior issues. I'd also like to add that cats that are deemed allegedly 'imperfect' by those too obtuse to discern the attributes and true value of a 'special' animal are all too often not adopted because of the ignorance of some humans."

There are some cats who are born with a condition that is similar to what  you humans refer to as 'Down's Syndrome,' but what my veterinarian, the royal vet, informed my mommy is actually a manifestation of a lack of oxygen at birth. Cats diagnosed with this condition are no less worthy of love, admiration, and care than cats that have not been diagnosed with this condition. Cats who suffered a dearth of sufficient oxygen at birth should never be allowed outside (as is, I reiterate, veracious where all cats are concerned), as the streets are especially perilous for said cats. But, I reiterate, they make fine pets! (Yawns) And, finally, I'd like to add that the vast majority of felines adopted from animal shelters and rescue groups are already spayed/neutered, tested for the dreaded disease of feline leukemia as well as feline AIDS, and fully vaccinated as well as microchipped. My final bit of advice concerns possible landlord-tenant issues as pertains to a tenant's pet.  The Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals provides a wealth of legal information on this as well as other pet topics." (Lies down, curls up, closes eyes)

Catherine: "Well, it is apparent that you require a 'cat nap!' Thank you, Cassandra, for your munificence in providing so much relevant advice on the subject of adopting a cat from a shelter!"

Books

The Smart Guide to Understanding Your Cat

Natural Nutrition for Cats

The Whole Pet Diet

Caring for Your Aging Cat

The Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Your Cat

ASPCA Complete Cat Care Manual

I Want a Cat

An Introduction to Animals and the Law

The Litter of the Law

The Cat Sitter's NIne Lives

Dewey the Library Cat

A Biscuit, a Casket

Oodles of Poodles

LaRue across America

Dogs and Cats

Some Enchanted Eclair

The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer

What the Cat Saw

A Cat Tells Two Tales

e-Books

Familiar Escape

A Cat with a Fiddle

The Complete Home Veterinary Guide

Websites

The New York Public Library

MEDLINEplus

The Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals

Animal Legal Defense Fund

The Humane Society of the United States

The New York City Center for Animal Care and Control

ASPCA

Bide-a-Wee

The North Shore Animal League

Pets for Vets

Feline Rescue of Staten Island

Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare

Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue

PLUTO

Muffin's PC

Ferals in Peril

Broadway Barks

BARC

Friends of Animals

The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee

The American Heart Association

If you are in need of assistance to keep your pet please contact Matt Wildman atmwildman@humanesociety.org for help with cat behavior issues as well as pet-related landlord issues.