What Makes a Cat the Purrfect Pet? ASPCA® Survey Exposes Benefits and Misconceptions of Felines

NEW YORK, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- June is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is celebrating by encouraging the public to consider adopting one of the 3.4 million cats that enter shelters each year. 

A recent ASPCA survey of American adults shows that, while cat owners themselves have overwhelmingly positive experiences with their cats, non-pet owners lack an understanding of the benefits of having cats as pets. The most common misconceptions held by non-pet owners about cats are that cats do not make great companions and are high maintenance.  On both points, cat owners beg to differ. Only 47 percent of non-pet owners believe cats make great companions, compared to 73 percent of cat owners. Additionally, fewer than half (46 percent) of non-pet owners agree that cats are low maintenance, compared to an overwhelming 82 percent of cat owners. A vast majority of cat owners also believe that cats are intelligent (77 percent), quiet (77 percent), and independent (71 percent).

"This survey further confirms what many of us already know – cats are intelligent animals that make excellent companions," said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of research & development for the ASPCA. "With millions of cats entering shelters each year, we hope that the public learns from the experiences of current cat owners that there are many benefits of welcoming a cat into your home."

"An added benefit to pet adoption is that many shelters are using research-based adoption programs – like our Meet Your Match program – which assess both the adopters and the adoptable pets," added Weiss. "Our research has shown us that cats' personalities or 'feline-alities' as we like to call them, can range from the gregarious to the independent. When shelters can match the needs and expectations of adopters to the right cat, whether they're looking for a more autonomous 'Secret Admirer' or a cuddly 'Love Bug,' the chances of a stronger bond and an adoption that sticks are much greater."

To further bring attention to cats during this special month, the ASPCA is joining forces with Animal Planet, My Cat From Hell host Jackson Galaxy and the Jackson Galaxy Foundation to launch a social media contest celebrating shelter cats. By sharing their cutest and funniest feline photos using the hashtag #MyRescueCat and signing an adoption pledge, participants will be entered for the chance to win one of three grand prize packs or have their photo featured on the My Cat From Hell season finale on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 8p.m./7p.m. CT. Cat lovers can enter the contest at www.aspca.org/MyRescueCat. 

Cat lovers will also have the chance to help their local shelter this June through the #Litter4kitties contest, where the ASPCA and Freekibble.com will give away 10,000 pounds of Fresh Step^® cat litter to shelters, with one grand prize winning shelter receiving 5,000 lbs. and five runners-up receiving 1,000 lbs. each. Visit www.aspca.org/Litter4kitties to nominate your local shelter.

Many shelters across the country will also celebrate this month with adoption specials: Kentucky Humane Society and Louisville Metro Animal Services in Louisville, Ky. will offer "$5 Feline Fridays" every Friday in June, with adoption fees for cats reduced to $5. CMPD Animal Care & Control in Charlotte, N.C. will hold a "Kitten Kaboodle Adoption Extravaganza" through August 31, 2015, reducing adoption fees to $10 for cats and $5 for kittens. The ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City will continue to waive adoption fees for cats over three years of age, and will waive one adoption fee when an adopter brings home two kittens. To find adoptable pets and learn more about adoption events at a shelter in your area, visit www.aspca.org/adopt.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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SOURCE ASPCA

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