It has long been documented that pets of all kinds provide comfort, joy and even healing to their owners, especially the elderly, ill or abused children, troubled teens and prison inmates. The most serious concern for this vast portion of our population is loneliness. A cat can be the answer, as they provide unconditional love, an essential ingredient for a healthy, happy life.

The simple act of stroking a dog has been proven to lower blood pressure, and cats feel even softer under a hand. Add to that the inherent trait of a feline to bond with its owner through lap-sitting, purring and rubbing, stirs feelings of love, a most potent medicine to the broken-spirited. Providing distraction from grief, pain and fear through laughter, cats help relax and calm their human companions, encourage exercise and even rekindle the will to live. Pets are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s as they bring the patient back to the present.

Cats are intuitive, psychic if you will. From personal experience, my two stayed by my side as I recovered from spinal fusion surgery. They took shifts sleeping on my bed, even staying near as I navigated through the hallway with my walker. When I fell, they were immediately there. One even sensed that I was in gastric distress, and kneaded my belly as I lay on my bed. They were much more attentive to me than my (now) ex-husband during my convalescence.

Cats are simple to care for, can self-feed if necessary, and unlike dogs, do not require walks but exercise on their own. This makes them ideal pets for special-needs children, the infirm and elderly. Required equipment consists of litterbox, scratching post (preferably one tall enough to climb), toys, food, and of course a loving human.

Finding the right cat is essential. Unlike the shelters, most of the cat rescue organizations are well-versed in placing pets as each applicant is carefully screened. Our cats are fostered in homes before they are put up for adoption, so their personalities are documented. Be sure to mention any pertinent information during the adoption process. Adopting a cat can add years to your life, ones full of love, laughter and companionship, and will save a homeless animal at the same time. What better win-win could there be? Think about it, kitten season is about to commence….