A lot of you may already know that this week is “Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week,” which is Petfinder’s promotion for not-so-pretty pets to find homes: senior cats, cats with medical issues or who just look less than perfect, black cats, etc. I love Petfinder, but they have it completely twisted around and wrong. These pets are not “less-adoptable,” it is that most humans are “less deserving” to share a home with such special, awesome creatures!
The reality is that only very special humans understand the gifts they receive when they bring an FIV+ cat or a 15-year-old senior, or a tripod kitty into their home. Every day, they will teach you the deepest meaning of love, the fullness of gratitude, and they will share with you the kind of bond that can change you. That kind of love has to be earned by good deeds and the desire to look beyond appearances and one’s own convenience.
The issue has never been: are these pets less adoptable? It has always been: are you special enough to accept their gifts of love? Next time you are ready to bring a new cat into your home (or maybe even when you aren’t — life sometimes works out that way), pack away your assumptions and open up your heart. You may get a surprise.
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Oh, and my mom says that she wants to own an all-black kitty some day. She thinks they’re beautiful, and so do I, because my big sister was a tuxedo!
This is very true… I wish these kitties luck in finding a forever home. I don’t want to catch FIV from a new housemate, though! People are doing the right thing when they consider their existing cats, sad as it is. But I’m sure these contagious cats are very sweet and just need a single-cat forever home.
Rats! I totally missed this last week. And I’m sure our One-Eyed Angel would have something to say about being “less adoptable”!!!
We agree completely.
Not that our mom plays favorites or anything, but Maxwell’s just… well, he’s very, very special to her. And she’s going to make a point to seek out special needs cats hereafter.
THANK YOU! No one could have said it better, Sparkle!
Very well written , Sparkle !
Have a pawsome weekend 🙂
Well said Sparkle! Our apes consider it an honour to be able to care for us, Gerry has some special needs and Mungo is FiV+. It’s a big old battle dealing with the prejudices of dumb apes who just want perfect everything.
Oliver, Gerry & Mungo
Beautifully said Sparkle!!!
I was shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you to find out *I* (***I***, King Spitty the Kitty) was “less adoptable” because I am black!! C’mon–seriously??? That’s just crazytalk.
It seems we had a number of special kitties without even knowing it! They were just kitties in need. The mom likes to get ones that have a hard time finding a home.
Sparkle,
It’s times like this my admiration for you knows no bounds, you speak out in favour of those who do not have your reach and power. You extend goodwill and hope to those who seem without hope. Thank you never seems enough at times like this.
Sparkle you always have the way with words to state the truth about these important issues as there are none “less adoptable” cats and that just prepretrates a bad stereotype.
right on, Sparkle!
Pip, Smidgen, minnie, Hollie
I think that is a myth we need to bust, or at least change. The are no less adoptable pets, but there is an excess of less adoptable humans.
Thank you for putting into words what I stumbled when I was trying to say. Brava!
We agree Sparkle. No cat should be thought of as less adoptable.
So true. We are pleasantly surprised every day.
We have several difficult-to-adopt cats waiting for homes. Two right now are running out of time–Sweetie & Berrie –all black cats that are declawed.
I will post about them in a little while on my Facebook page.
Thank you for posting this – wish more people could get the message!!
We totally agree. You have phrased it very well – if only more humans would listen to such wisdom.
Sparkle, you are such a wonderful spokescat for kitties that need homes! We don’t understand the term “less adoptable” either. We hope people begin to see special kitties as they are – adoptable!
You are such a wise cat Sparkle
Sparkle, I will say I think this is the best blog ever. Really. xox
We couldn’t agree more, Sparkle.
These sweet kitties can teach the humans some pretty valuable lessons.
We hope that this additional awareness helps many more find forever homes.
xo, Katie & Glogirly
WELL SAID!!! Mom says that for Boubon – there is going to have to be a very special family out there for him. 🙂
Great post!! Special needs kitties are just as sweet and loving and deserving of love as those who don’t have special needs.
The Florida Furkids
This is so nicely said… and true! You should work for Petfinder, Sparkle 😉
Purrs
We like how you said that, Sparkle…these cats aren’t less adoptable…it should be is the human special enough for them!!
We agree that the “less adoptable cats” are not less adoptable it’s the humans who aren’t special enough to see their potential and the love they hope to have in a wonderful caring home.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx