“Here is 12-year-old Hermes who has lived in the shelter for six years. The lady started crying in joy when I said I wanted him”.
The words are those of a Reddit user (username: Bloodyfaucet) who wisely and decently adopted a handsome, 12-year-old shelter cat because they realised that older rescue cats get left on the shelf even if they are attractive and have the best of characters. It is just an age problem that is not a problem at all, in truth, because older cats know the ropes and fit in to a new home quicker and with less problems. They make great companions. The only downside is that the moment when you have to deal with their passing is brought nearer but that should be put out of one’s mind at adoption.
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Ideally, though, older people are best placed to adopt older shelter cats for obvious reasons. The best example of an older person adopting an elderly cat is Penny adopting Gus. She is 101 and Gus is 19! It’s a record.
“Everyone adopts kittens, I adopted this 10-year-old boy so his last days were not in a cage.”
What I find so beautiful about a person adopting an old cat is that there is a lot of altruism involved. It is a selfless act. It is a good act with love at its foundation. And because it is so good, there is a reward for the person: the knowledge that they have done something genuinely good for the betterment of animal welfare. It makes the world a better place. I know that sounds sentimental but it is true. Ronald Regan knew a bit about that 🙂
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