Cat rescue – is adoption an option for you ?

Reviewed by Dr Abbie Lam DVM

Discover why adopting an older or senior cat can be a rewarding experience for both of you.

Five reasons to adopt an older cat

Every year, over a hundred thousand cats are abandoned to rescue centres and shelters across the country. Regardless of their age, these cats need a warm, safe and loving home.

That need is greater for senior cats. Older cats tend to be overlooked at shelters. After all, it’s hard to resist the cuteness of a kitten, and older cats can sometimes linger at rescue centres for months or years without being adopted.

If you’re thinking about welcoming a cat into your home, consider adopting a senior cat. Rescuing an older cat could be the right option for you and your family for several reasons:

By considering the adoption of a senior cat, not only do you provide a deserving feline companion with a second chance at happiness, but you also open your heart and home to a wealth of love and companionship.

1. Older cats tend to have mellower temperaments

Senior cats naturally have less energy than kittens or younger cats – and that may be just what you’re looking for in a feline companion. While kittens can be more demanding of your time and attention – waking you up in the middle of the night to play or eat, or generally finding trouble or making mischief, an older cat will be content to nap, cuddle and roam your home independently after they have been properly introduced. Check out our guide to bringing home a new adult cat.

2. Their personalities are already set

The rescue centre will be able to tell you whether a senior cat is shy or outgoing, laid-back or more energetic, vocal or quiet. Their observations tend to be accurate. When you adopt an older cat, you can be confident that what you see at the rescue centre is what you’ll get once you arrive home, because senior cats’ personalities are already established.

The rescue centre will also be able to tell you about known medical issues and health details, especially if the cat has been at their rescue centre for a while.

3. Older cats get along better with cats already in your home

In addition to being more mellow, older cats are wiser and have more experience. That means they’re less likely to upset or annoy cats you already own. Kittens, with their higher energy levels and tendency to play with anything they encounter, can sometimes aggravate other pets in the household, causing stress and upsetting the balance of order and routine in your home. The rescue organisation can often recommend cats that have been well socialised with others and can easily settle into a house that already has a cat or two.

4. They are better with kids

With their fragile bones and small stature, kittens can easily be injured if a child squeezes them too tightly, accidentally steps on them or drops them. Kittens are also teething, meaning that they’re more likely to nip small hands. Older cats are usually better at tolerating petting, are less likely to nip or scratch, and are larger – and therefore hardier and sturdier – than kittens. Read our guide on introducing your cat to children.

5. Older cats are often less expensive to adopt

Since senior cats can go unadopted for extended lengths of time, shelters and rescue centres sometimes reduce the adoption fees of older cats to encourage adoption and free up the centre for the next cat in need.

It’s important to keep in mind that all cats need food, litter, bedding and veterinary care, so this is a financial commitment to factor into your budget. Senior cats may require extra veterinary care, so it’s important to watch out for common senior cat health issues like osteoarthritis and kidney problems as they age.

More than all these reasons, rescue cats simply need someone to adopt and love them – just like any other cat. If you take a chance on them and welcome them into your home, they’ll respond with warmth, love and plenty of purrs.