If you have any more questions about adopting a senior kitty, please contact adopt@nullbrooklynanimalaction.org for assistance! We are so glad you are considering finding a Silver Whiskers companion (or two).
Some of our best cats are overlooked by potential adopters!
Learn more about senior cats, little panthers and FIV+ cats. Don’t miss the opportunity to give a safe and caring home to a cat (or two) who will appreciate your love like no other!
Silver Whiskers: Our Wisest Cats
Silver Whiskers is BAA’s special adoption campaign for older kitties. If you’re in the market for a mellow feline, these are the sweetest, calmest cats around! Please contact us to match you with the perfect senior kitty or check out BAA’s senior cat listings below!
BAA believes older kitties are the best! Here’s why:
- Older cats have settled into sweet, mushy personalities – what you see is what you get!
- Many adopters describe older cats as offering a deeply grateful kind of love — these kitties have seen enough in their lives to recognize a good home when they finally find it!
- Older cats are litterbox trained and require less energetic interaction than kittens and teenage cats, making them great for senior adopters.
- Remember, cats often live very long lives – some of our adopters have reported their cats living up to 22 years of age. Adopting an older cat does not mean that you won’t have many years of love and friendship
Benefits of a senior pet
It’s widely known that pets can positively affect our health. But did you know that pet guardians over age 65 make 30 percent fewer doctor visits than those without pets?
- Here are some health benefits to caring for a pet, particularly for seniors:
- People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
- Pet guardians have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
- Heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without.
- Alzheimer’s patients suffer less stress and have fewer anxious outbursts if there is a pet in the home.
- Pet guardians are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
- Pets can boost overall wellbeing by helping us find meaning and joy in life. As we age, we may lose things that previously occupied our time and gave our life purpose, such as a family or career. Caring for a pet can bring pleasure, help boost morale and optimism, and provide a sense of self-worth. Source: Help Guide
Tips for People Adopting Senior Cats
Here are some senior cat care tips:
- Cats require litter boxes that need regular cleaning. Since cats are good jumpers, consider putting the litter box on an elevated table that won’t require you to bend or lift. For less active kitties, cat stairs can be placed near the table.
- If your pet needs medication, keep it separate from your own. Use colored tape or stickers to identify pet prescriptions, making sure it’s on the bottle, not the cap (it’s easy to put the cap back on the wrong bottle).
- Poor eyesight or balance can cause people to trip over pets. A brightly colored collar with a bell attached will increase awareness of a pet’s whereabouts.
- Arthritic hands can make grooming difficult, but brushes and combs with extra large handles can help. A short-haired kitty can reduce grooming needs as well.
- Make sure your new pet is well matched to your abilities and your environment.
Seniors and Seniors: A Purrfect Match
Older cats can make wonderful additions to any family. We especially recommend them for our senior adopters.
- Older cats are laid-back and trained.
- While many older cats are still curious and entertaining, they don’t require tons of active playtime, often preferring to curl up in their guardian’s lap for a purr-filled nap. This may be a special advantage for those with limited mobility.
- Cats enjoy the warm room temperatures that seniors often prefer
Resources for Senior Pet Guardians
Based out of Queens, Sunnyside Community Services offers the Pet Pals program in conjunction with its other life-enhancing programs, including a center for active adults that offers hot meals, home care services, and respite resources for family caregivers. The Pet Pals program matches housebound seniors with volunteers that provide a full range of pet care services, such as buying pet food, walking your pet, and grooming.
Are you ready to adopt a lovable senior kitty? See some of our adorable animals below!
Little Panthers: Black and Beautiful
Little Panthers is BAA’s special adoption campaign for black cats. We love all the dark and beautiful kitties in our care, and we know you will, too!
Unfortunately, black cats (and dogs) are less likely to be adopted. Despite being part of the sweet and affectionate tabby family, black cats spend more time waiting for a forever home, and are at higher risk for euthanasia in kill shelters. This phenomenon is known as Black Cat Syndrome. Some possible reasons for Black Cat Syndrome include:
- The “genericness” of black pets: Some folks think black animals aren’t as cute. We couldn’t disagree more, and we bet our kitties below will dispel this myth.
- Unclear facial features: Black animals sometimes don’t photograph as well, although with our wonderful photography volunteers, you’d never know it.
- Negative portrayals of black pets in books, movies and other popular media: Black cats are sometimes associated with witches, superstition, and bad luck, although they’re considered good luck in England and by ship captains.
BAA knows that black kitties are just as cute, cuddly, and loving as any other adoptable animal – and we have lots of furry evidence below. (Plus, as a bonus for our NYC adopters: you don’t have to worry about these kitties’ fur being visible on your chic black clothes!) We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know our Little Panthers – they certainly can’t wait to meet you!
Please contact adopt@nullbrooklynanimalaction.org if you would like us to help match you with the perfect black cat or view our adoption listings and keep an eye out for a special little panther!
FIV+ Cats are Positively Adoptable!
BAA loves all of the FIV+ kitties in our care — and we know you will, too! There is a false notion that cats who test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV+) require special care — but they are no more demanding than your average kitty. FIV+ cats do have a weakened immune system, which means they should stay inside, be fed a high-quality diet, and get routine vet checkups – as all cats should.
They can safely live with non-infected cats as long as the kitties are spayed/neutered and don’t fight (FIV is only transmitted through sex or deep bite wounds, so hissing or minor spats are nothing to worry about). Read more about a veterinary study proving FIV+ cats can safely live with uninfected cats here. In other words, FIV+ kitties do not need special treatment, and they make wonderful companions.
Please contact us if you are interested in being matched with an extra special FIV+ kitty at adopt@nullbrooklynanimalaction.org.