| Recently, some of my acquaintances decided to add | | | | We recently adopted a 2-year old cat from our local |
| a new Birman kitty to their family. | | | | shelter. We were amazed at the way the small staff |
| Birman kittens usually come with a hefty price tag of | | | | managed to find time to speak to each animal, often |
| several hundred dollars and, often, a waiting list for | | | | reaching out to give a scratch or two behind the |
| the few available each year. These drawbacks didn't | | | | ears as we passed by, and to check and make sure |
| deter this family in the least. They had their hearts | | | | the cages and kennels were clean and well stocked |
| set on a Birman cat, no matter how much they had | | | | with food and water. |
| to pay or how long they had to wait. | | | | We were required to have our new cat, Misty, |
| As it turned out, they ended up having to travel | | | | spayed before we could take her home, and paid a |
| several hundred miles to find a breeder for this | | | | fee of $50 for this service. Local veterinarians take |
| particular specie, and, when they did arrive, the | | | | turns volunteering a couple of hours each week so |
| owner brought out, not one, but two of the most | | | | that a low-cost spay and neuter clinic which also |
| adorable little balls of fluff they had ever seen. Of | | | | provides common shots needed by animals, is open |
| course, they went home with both of them, and a | | | | at the shelter several afternoons a week. We |
| huge dent in their credit card. | | | | couldn't have received better care if we had taken |
| Nevertheless, the proud Birman owners have never | | | | Misty to the highest priced animal hospital in town. |
| regretted their decision. The tiny kittens have grown | | | | We, like our friends who adopted the Birman kitties, |
| into beautiful year old cats who are a joy to the | | | | have been totally happy with our choice of a new |
| family. They are lovely to look at, amusing to watch, | | | | pet. We were told that Misty was a feral cat, |
| and so far, very healthy, lively, and affectionate. | | | | meaning that she had been running wild when she |
| If you aren't in a position to spend hundreds of | | | | was picked up and brought to the shelter, so we |
| dollars for your new pet, I have good news for you. | | | | were pleasantly surprised to find that she was very |
| There are dozens of wonderful pets at your local | | | | tame and had no trouble adjusting to living in a house |
| animal shelter waiting to be adopted into homes just | | | | again. In fact, she used the litterbox correctly from |
| like yours. They may not be the breed you've always | | | | the very first day - something that wouldn't have |
| dreamed of owning but, I guarantee you, they are | | | | happened if we had chosen a small kitten instead of |
| just as loving and affectionate as more expensive | | | | a mature cat. She is affectionate and amusing, and |
| animals. | | | | sometimes has an expression that looks so much like |
| Tens of thousands of cats and dogs end up in animal | | | | a smile that I think she must be thinking how lucky |
| shelters every year. Some have wandered away | | | | she is to have found a good home and someone to |
| from home and are picked up while roaming the | | | | love her at last.. The arrangement has been a win-win |
| streets untended. Others arrive at shelters because | | | | situation for all concerned. |
| of cruelty or neglect by an owner. Far more end up | | | | If you are serious about getting a new pet, I |
| homeless because so many animals are allowed to | | | | challenge you to visit your local animal shelter before |
| wander and breed indiscriminately. | | | | you even consider a stop at the pet store in the mall |
| Make a trip to your local shelter just to see what | | | | or a private animal breeder. I can almost guarantee |
| goes on there. More and more unwanted animals | | | | you will fall in love with one or more of these lonely |
| arrive daily, and in comparison, very few people visit | | | | little animals who are waiting patiently for you or |
| who are looking for an animal to adopt. Families | | | | some other visitor to just give them a chance. |
| seeking pets to adopt, like those seeking human | | | | An expensive cat or dog purchased through a |
| children to adopt, often prefer babies, and the older | | | | well-known breeder may come with a pedigree, but, |
| ones are often passed by, even though they have | | | | if what you are looking for is a loving and |
| just as much love and affection to give to their | | | | affectionate pet for your family, who needs a |
| adoptive families as any baby ever would. | | | | pedigree? |