Adopting an Older or Adult Cat

There are countless benefits in adopting an older or adult cat. If you're considering doing so, you will more than likely be pleased with your new friend. Older cats are not usually abandoned or surrendered at a shelter for being bad or having behavioral problems. Generally, someone may give up a cat because a family member acquires an allergy, the primary caretaker may die, or they may be moving where cats are not allowed. You might think you're shortchanging yourself by getting an older cat, but from my own personal experience, I'm convinced you'll get more out of the experience than you expect.

I confess I really didn't know what I was getting into when I adopted TJ, an 8 year old tabby cat who had been "surrendered" to the Kentucky Humane Society branch in Louisville, Kentucky. TJ had been placed in a Feeder's Supply Store in Louisville and I first noticed him when I went shopping for the other five animals I already have.

When I saw TJ, I thought he might be ill. In fact, although he is a large-boned and tall cat, he weighed just at 7 pounds. Thus, I remember thinking he looked like a stegosaurus the way his spinal cord jutted out along his back. Worse than his weight, however, was his despondency. TJ's sadness was incredible and I had never seen an animal display such heart wrenching emotion. He looked like he had just lost his best friend.

I remember asking the Humane Society employee if she could tell me what TJ's story was. She looked up a card in a file and said that he had simply been surrendered. She explained that he was very sad and would not eat. In fact, she and several other employees who worked in the store had bought almost every variety of cat food they carried yet to no avail. TJ would not eat, nor would he barely drink his water.

I went home with my purchases and told my husband about TJ. I heard the very familiar "not another animal!", but in truth, my husband is very softhearted when it comes to animals like TJ. However, for two weeks, I asked everyone I knew if they wanted to adopt TJ. I asked co-workers, friends, family, and even strangers. I also went in an additional five or six times to sit and hold TJ in my lap at the store. I was getting to know all the Humane Society workers and hanging around there quite a bit. Inside I wondered if they thought I was a crazy cat lady, but something about TJ tugged at me.

On my last visit to see TJ, I was told that he was going to be taken back to the Humane Society. He had been in the Feeder's Supply store for nearly 7 weeks and was dehydrated. People had not shown much interest in him and the decision was made to return him. I remember holding TJ one more time and crying right there in the front of the store. I was heartbroken, but I already had five animals and I knew my husband really didn't want a sixth one.

Finally, I said goodbye to TJ and upon arriving home, I told my husband what was going to happen to TJ. I will never forget this moment. He simply looked down at the floor and said "Go get him." I couldn't tell if he was angry or defeated or what he was feeling. All I knew is that he had finally said yes. I was back in the car and at Feeder's Supply within 20 minutes. I told the employee I was taking TJ home and we both laughed with happiness.

TJ has thrived in our home. After his initial nervousness and getting used to the other animals, I've discovered one of the best animals God ever made. TJ is so loving and it's as if he is grateful. When I lay on the couch to watch TV, he jumps up and sleeps on my stomach. When I sit in a chair, he jumps into my lap and purrs.

TJ even follows me around the house which is very unusual for a cat that is typically standoffish and very independent. Anything I do for TJ he shows extreme gratitude and I'm constantly hearing him purr.

If you have any doubts about adopting an older cat, I can assure you from my own experience that TJ has been one of the highlights of my life. I have never once regretted the decision to bring him home.