Many times, adult cats are the last to be adopted from local shelters because of preconceived notions about their behavior. People often think adults cats in shelters must not be using their litter box or they are aggressive or sick. While these things can certainly be true, adult cats are most often in good health and well-mannered.
My youngest, Emma, was a year and a half old when we brought her home. She was surrendered by her family because she wasn't getting along with the dogs in the household. She purrs loud and often. She shares the litter boxes with her new brother and sister with no problems and she has a very loving nature. She can be a little shy around strangers, but she warms up to them quickly. She will inhale every morsel of food she can get her hands on, probably because in the home she came from (dogs and other cats), you needed to be on your game if you wanted to eat. I often compare her to a circling shark because she will hang around in the kitchen wandering aimlessly until Apollo and Molly have finished eating. Since Apollo is on a special diet, I have to hover as well or my little shark beats me to the bowl and devours what's left.
But these are examples of why Mike at the Wayne Animal Shelter says adult cats make the best pets. Adult cats, as Mike explains, seem to understand they are being rescued and are more appreciative than a kitten. They love you right away and show it.
In addition, adult cats already have developed their personality - something you will notice when you are in a shelter viewing your new pet. All three of my cats bonded with me immediately in the viewing rooms at the shelter. Apollo and Molly both curled up in my lap for a nap and Emma was rubbing up against us and purring soon after our introduction. Emma has a naughty streak and doesn't have any fear. She's taken a few tumbles off the bed from playing too hard and she's been known to climb onto and into anything where her head fits - even if it means I have to get her back out. She will, if given the chance, retrieve used tissue from the bathroom trash and eat it. If you pay attention at the shelter and spend enough time with the cat, you will get a peek into these personality quirks. You might not see exactly how the personality is going to play out in your home, but if you're looking for a lap cat (which Emma is not) you will learn right at the shelter whether or not that's what you will get.
Kittens, on the other hand, haven't completely developed their personalities yet and if you aren't the type of person to carry them around, teach them to enjoy attention from strangers and appreciate a good lap, you may end up with a more bashful, standoffish feline. This can work both ways. Apollo has always been gentle and loving, but because of the attention I lavished on him when I was single and he was my only kitten, I can't move about the house without him following me. He must be touching me at all times. This is very sweet, but can be a challenge, so finding balance with a kitten is important. The work is done for you with an adult cat and it becomes a matter of picking a cat with a personality that matches your own.
Check out Mike's videos on the other reasons adult cats make great companions and visit your local shelter to find your new best friend.
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