IN PRAISE OF OLDER CAT
Spring may have left their step, but in their hearts its always Summer. An old cat fits you like a second skin, they have the experience to read your thoughts and know exactly when to turn on that good old fashioned charm and when to play like a kitten, they can tell when you need a hot water bottle just as they know when you need a pick me up cuddle. They sit quietly listening to all your problems in such a reassuring way and happily catch up on beauty sleep in your absence.
Beware -Whether you are lucky enough to have an old cat for as little as a month or a few years the love and happiness they give will leave a huge crater in your heart when they depart. Yet from Rainbow Bridge you can almost hear them say theres so many others out there just like me

Cats Protection are being inundated with older cats, a few come in because their owners are unable to keep them for a valid reason, another small proportion are strays, the majority however, come in quite simply because the owners do not want them and if we didn’t take them in they would be put to sleep. Something we are often asked but never do is swap an older cat for a kitten, how people can be so heartless beyond understands, and surely not the cat that someone swore they would love forever.
We are looking for quiet loving homes for our pensioner cats. All they want is a comfortable lap to sit on and a warm fireside to sit beside. They have a lot to offer they are often more home-oriented and settled, making them excellent companions; usually they are more appreciative of attention than a kitten, and are usually content to spend much of their time watching the world go by. An older cat provides calm companionship and most owners find caring for such cats a very rewarding experience.
Booklets on the care of older eats (and all aspects of cat care and needs) are available free of charge from us or  download from our HQ site  www.cats.org.uk
Cats that are homed over the age of 12 will if necessary receive free Veterinary treatment (for any age related illness) at a Vet authorized by Cats Protection, although it is by no means a certainty that older cats will need to visit a vet more than younger cats. This way, you have the benefit of a loving friend without any financial worries,  and our pens and not blocked with healthy cats when they are needed for more acute cases, and most importantly, the cat will have a better quality of life in a home and not in a pen and with the companionship he/she craves.

If you would like to know more about this scheme  please contact our Homing Officer.