June is Adopt-a-Cat Month

Dr. Ronald Biese

For families that wanted a pet cat 20 years ago or more, often obtained them from a family or friend that lived on a farm.  The typical barn kitten that came to the veterinarian was full of fleas, worms and often Ringworm (a fungal infection on the skin).  Nearly all of these barn cats had an upper respiratory infection causing frequent sneezing and a very goopy nose.  Tincture of time and some medications usually turned them into healthy cats.  Occasionally they would die of a serious, irreversible viral infection.  

Today is very different when it comes to obtaining a family kitten or adult cat.  Most are acquired via a rescue or humane society.  June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month.  There are hundreds of animal shelters in our country that work tirelessly to help our four-legged friends.  Many of the people at such facilities actually volunteer their time to help care for sheltered animals.  Many shelters now have veterinarians on staff or work closely with local veterinarians to put sound medical protocols in place to keep these animals free of disease.  This involves treating them with medicine for upper respiratory diseases they still get today, deworming them, and treating any wounds, etc. 

Rescues/shelters also minimize stress as much as possible which can lead to disease.  This is done by housing them differently than they used to.  They are often in comfortable rooms versus a stainless steel cage.  The theory is to keep them as comfortable as possible to make them a good pet, and to minimize diseases they can get from stress.  This approach has worked very well. 

If you are in the market for a cat, check out many of the local rescues or the humane societies, and you will be sure to find the right cat or kitten that fits your family.  Cats and kittens can be very entertaining in the home.