One day at my job at an animal shelter, I was speaking to a potential adopter who was looking for a young, friendly, and playful cat. I decided to show him Zeus, a 1-year-old brown tabby who met all of the requirements. I explained that he had been hit by a car before being brought to the shelter. After a leg amputation, Zeus was as good as new – just one leg short. “Oh no, I’m an animal lover,” the man said. “That makes me too sad.”
Unfortunately less-than-perfect cats like Zeus who may have special needs get overlooked like this too frequently. Cats that would make wonderful companions get passed over for their four-legged, healthy, friendly, and snuggly neighbors. While those cats that jump into your lap and instantly start purring are wonderful, I would recommend keeping an open mind and taking the time to meet all available cats before deciding who to take home.
Senior cats, cats with missing eyes or limbs, cats with medical issues, FIV+ or FELV+ cats, deaf or blind cats – they all tend to sit a little bit longer in a shelter cage just because they are viewed as imperfect. If they have medical issues that you might consider a red flag but meet all your other requirements, ask a staff member or volunteer for more information. You may think FIV sounds scary at first, for example, but most FIV+ cats live normal, symptom-free lives. A cat with arthritis may just need extra steps to get up on the couch. A three-legged cat like Zeus may not have any medical issues and could be treated as a normal cat.
Shy or fearful cats are also easily overlooked in shelters. Keep in mind that a shelter environment is very stressful for cats, so they may not be showing their true personality. Shelters are noisy with lots of people and activity. Some cats may not be comfortable around other cats, but find themselves in a room surrounded by many cats and their scents. Talk to shelter staff or volunteers to learn more about these cats’ background and personality. You may find out that the cat cowering in her cage turns into the sweetest, snuggliest purr machine when brought into a quiet visiting room by herself.
You may find that the right cat for you does require special care once you take them home. Gather as much information as you can from shelter staff and volunteers about the cat’s physical and mental needs. Ask the shelter for recommended resources if you need continued support after adoption. Do your research on the cat’s conditions and talk with your veterinarian to have a clear understanding of how to care for the cat long-term.
Cats with “special needs” don’t necessarily need extra care or vet bills. Even if they do require a little extra effort, you can rest assured that they will be worth it. In my life, I’ve had all kinds of special needs cats: seniors, tripods, missing eyes, irritable bowel syndrome, neurologic issues, hyperthyroidism, tumors, and more. And I loved them all! If you take the time to meet the “less adoptable” cats at the shelter, you may be surprised who you bring home!