When it comes to cat adoption, what you see is NOT always what you get.  If the tables were turned, and it was you inside the cage with a family of cats looking at you, how would you react? Living in a cage, on display isn’t normal – so we can’t expect adoptable cats to act as they would in a home.

The winter is an interesting time at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter. We hold tight to the hope that slowed intake will equal a little break, maybe some extra time to catch up on cleaning or interacting with the animals.

Although we have not been so lucky in our kennels – the dogs just keep pouring in, one sad story after another; stray cat intake, especially kittens, has slowed considerably.

Our Community Outreach program maintains a waiting list of animals that are in need of new homes, and when space opens up, we try to bring them in to give them a chance to be adopted. We have had the opportunity to bring in many cats, and we have also been presented with some challenging situations as we try to help.

You may remember that we started the New Year off with dozens of cats from a home that was being foreclosed; we are again dealing with a similar situation. Last week, 13 beautiful cats arrived at the shelter after their elderly owner was forced out of her home and had nowhere to go.

This was heartbreaking on so many levels. She stood at our front desk, crying in disbelief and debating if she should stay in her car or at a homeless shelter. Both awful options, and in either situation, she had to give up her beloved cats. She described each one in a way that showed how much she cared about them. We know which cat loves to sit on laps, which cat is talkative, who likes to play and who likes to snuggle, as well as their favorite special treats. However, to meet them in their cages (except for the most outgoing) you wouldn’t know any of this.

These cats are not yet in our adoption cattery as they need some time to recover from some minor medical concerns.

However, you can view them on our Petfinder page, look for: Adele, Ms. Liz, Vanna, Ciara, Kevin, Calvin, Newman, Kelsey, Carter, Jeremy, Heart, Herman and Yogi.

If you are visiting the shelter and find yourself in the Cat Adoption room, I do urge you to take a closer look at the cats who aren’t jumping out to get your attention. There’s a good chance that they are cats who are just trying to figure out what happened to their lives. Cats who may have lost families or homes and the best thing to happen to them would be to be chosen to have a new family and a new home.

Although they may need time to adjust, these are cats that are used to being in a home, not a shelter, and there’s a very good chance that they could be the perfect cat for your home.

Shelter needs: Canned cat and dog food, large and sturdy dog toys, soft dog treats, catnip, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and gift cards for pet supply and grocery outlets.

Source: When it comes to cat adoption, what you see is NOT always what you get