Make a mature moggy your mate this winter!

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Adopt an adult cat at CPSV and enjoy the purrks!

Adult cats (those over a year old) now spend an average of 65 days at The Cat Protection Society Victoria (CPSV) compared to kittens at 35 days.

For every cat at the shelter, CPSV incurs a daily cost of $25, covering expenses such as food, veterinary care, medication, litter, toys, and staffing.

Research shows fully grown felines usually adapt well to new homes and offer their new humans love and affection.

If you adopt a cat who’s more than six months of age before 7 August, the CPSV will provide two kilograms of free cat food and a complimentary follow-up vet visit to provide your feline family member with the very best start to their ‘happily furever after’.

The Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) is encouraging potential cat owners to adopt an adult cat (over six months old) this winter. As a token of appreciation, adopters will receive a complimentary bag of Royal Canin dry cat food and a voucher for a consultation at CPSV's cat-only clinic, redeemable within six months of adoption, until 7 August.

In 2020, cats over six months old at CPSV stayed an average of 30 days. Now the average stay has increased to 57 days, with kittens getting adopted in almost half the time.

CPSV Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel Bitzilis said the cost-of-living pressures mean that less people are choosing to adopt.

"People are thinking twice about pet adoption, so by launching this initiative we hope to encourage more people to open their homes to adult cats, who often face longer stays in our shelter compared to kittens,” Rachel said.

“All our adult cats are well-socialised and ready to find their purrfect forever homes.”

“For families with young or teenage children, bringing a pet into the family can be a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the joy of caring for another living being. Pets not only provide companionship but also help kids learn essential life skills such as developing a sense of responsibility.

“For those without children, cats offer an exceptional source of companionship and emotional support. Retirees can also greatly benefit from the presence of a cat, as pets provide a sense of purpose and routine, and their companionship can help alleviate feelings of loneliness.”

Leading the helm of the success story is the case of adult cat Boo Boo.

When Boo Boo arrived at The Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV), he had all sorts of problems. He was a stray with a crooked spine, a misshapen tail, numerous dental problems and feline immuno-deficiency virus (FIV+); a virus generally contracted by fighting with other cats. Boo Boo was also very fearful of any human interaction.

CPSV volunteer Lynda Webber took a special interest in Boo Boo and said he’s now an irreplaceable part of her family.

“He was in such bad shape, likely the result of spending a long time living on the streets and needing to fight for food and his survival,” Lynda said.

“He was angry and struggled in the shelter. It was only when he was moved out of his adoption pen and into a staff member’s office, that he started to calm, let down his guard and realise people could be trusted.

“Boo Boo needed a home to truly thrive and now he is just the most lovable cat. There are many cats in the CPSV shelter who are just as loving and beautiful as Boo Boo, and all are looking for their forever homes.”

After spending 12 months as a community service cat, visiting aged-care facilities and retirement homes and charming everyone who met him, Boo Boo now lives a life of contentment, adopted by Lynda.

To learn more, go to catprotection.com.au/campaigns

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