To raise awareness of the many adoptable cats waiting for homes in animal shelters, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals proclaimed June “Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month,” encouraging pet lovers to visit animal shelters to find new feline pets. The organization will celebrate the month with events aimed to help people “make pet adoption your first option.”
“One of the great joys of life is the companionship of an animal,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO. “By focusing the spotlight on what great companions cats make, we hope to provide positive outcomes for adoptable shelter cats, even if in a small way. I encourage shelters all around the country to join with us in celebrating ‘Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month’ through June.”
Events planned by the ASPCA include:
- June 1 to June 30: Third Annual “Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month” Candid Cat-era photo contest. Cat owners are invited to submit photos of their cats doing what they do best when they think no one’s looking. Contest rules can be found on the ASPCA website.
- June 11: Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hopsital, will participate in an online moderated discussion from 12 to 2 p.m. EST.
- June 20: Dr. Pamela Reid, vice president of the ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Center, will participate in an online moderated discussion from 12 to 2 p.m. EST.
- June 1 to June 30: The ASPCA website will feature highlights from an online survey about cat behavior, and will highlight feline success stories and pets of the week. Photos of older cats, as well as stories shared by their owners, will also appear on the website.