Shine a Light on Shelter and Rescue Animals #RememberMeThursday

Hey guys. Being a former shelter cat, I know what it’s like to be stuck in a cage. Lemme tell you, it’s not fun. It’s cold, lonely…and really scary. You don’t know if you’re ever gonna get out of there. Oh sure, it’s better than being on the streets because there’s food and water available, but it’s nothing like having a forever home. I’m one of the lucky ones…I found my forever home. But there are still SO many wonderful animals sitting in shelters waiting to find their forever homes.

We’re fortunate that the shelter the mom volunteers with has a high adoption rate. The shelter volunteers work really hard to find homes for all the animals that come through the shelter doors. But this isn’t true of all shelters. Did you know only 30% of pets in U.S. households come from shelters and rescues? That’s a surprising statistic if you ask me. And sadly, millions never even find their forever homes.

That’s why, once again, we’re pawticipating in Remember Me Thursday®…a day to shine a light on those animals in shelters and rescues waiting for their forever homes…and also to remember those that never made it out. Started by the Helen Woodward Animal Center 7 years ago, Remember Me Thursday® is a day to get the entire world talking about the importance of pet adoption.

Like we’ve done in previous years, we’re “shining the light” on a few of the cats currently at the Wyandotte Animal Shelter, the one the mom volunteers with. These cats have issues that tend for them to be overlooked by potential adopters.

This is Banksy. She was found as a stray…kinda skinny and scraggly. She was brought to the shelter and after a medical exam, it was found that she has diabetes. She was started on insulin and some special diet food, and her diabetes is under control now. But when it comes to being adopted, she’s been overlooked because people are less likely to want to adopt a cat with a medical condition. Which is sad for Banksy…the mom says she’s the sweetest cat and very outgoing.

Meet Quinn…a handsome and very friendly guy. He too was found as a stray. Being a black cat, Quinn has the stigma of not being as adoptable as other cats. And on top of that, he’s FIV-positive. Hearing that tends to scare people off from adopting him. But FIV cats can live normal, happy lives along side cats without FIV. We need to continue to educate people that an FIV cat is as adoptable as any other cat.

Finally, we have the duo of Ashlee and Moon. These two came into the shelter separately but have become very attached to one another. Ashlee was found as a stray with a severely damaged leg that could not be saved. She is very shy and losing her leg didn’t help. Moon also was a stray and didn’t like being in the shelter. He spent the first month or so hiding under blankets. Ashlee and Moon were in cages next to one another and would frequently reach out their paws and touch. The shelter people decided to put the two of them together in a larger cage and their friendship blossomed.  They both have given each other much confidence, and they are much friendlier towards people. The shelter would like to see them adopted together…which makes finding them a home more difficult.

So what can you do to support Remember Me Thursday® and cats like Banksy, Quinn, Ashlee and Moon? Adopting a shelter pet would be the best. But we know that’s not something everyone can do. But you can be a part of the Remember Me Thursday® Awareness Movement. You can spread the word about the importance of pet adoptions…especially for those less adoptable ones like Banksy, Quinn, Ashlee and Moon.

Today, tweet, tag, post and share on social media the life-saving significance of pet adoption. Did you adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue? Post their photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #RememberMeThursday.

You can also enter the fun Remember Me Thursday® contest and win one of 3 fabulous prize packages that include cash, food and toys for your favorite shelter or rescue. All you need to do is upload your pet’s photo to the Remember Me Thursday® contest page.

We want the whole world talking about pet adoption and shining a light on all those animals…like Banksy, Quinn, Ashlee and Moon…waiting in shelters and rescues right now.

If anyone would like to give Banksy, Quinn or Ashlee and Moon a forever home, please let us know!

We’re pawticipating in the special Remember Me Thursday® Blog Hop hosted by our friend Lola the Rescued Cat. Visit her blog to see who else is talking about pet adoption and join in!

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