No downside to adopting older feline

On many occasions I have exhausted the virtues of the domestic black feline and I will not go on and on here, except to say that they have personality plus.

Being a black feline in a shelter setting is only the tip of the problem in finding a black feline - particularly and older one - a home. The shelter is full of kittens and young adults, both in abundance in color and quantity. The older black felines are lost in the shuffle.

You can be an advocate for the underdog, in this case undercat, who is just plainly overlooked. I would like to think there is a little bit in all of us to advocate for the unlikely champion. Our older black felines need you.

The definition of what is classified as "senior" has changed dramatically in recent years. The old "senior" of 7-10 years, is now the new "middle aged." Why the changing definition?

Food companies and advanced veterinary care with older felines seem to have assisted in more progressive thinking on what is defined as senior or aged. Just look down the food isle at the supersized pet store and read the bags. The new jargon is "active mature," even if the two descriptions do not go hand-in-hand. Do we get to decide as consumers the age category of our animal? I guess only we know if they have slowed down a bit.

Why consider adopting an older feline? My No. 1 reason is, "What you see, is what you get." This adage applies to most of the traits you will see when adopting this new feline family member. An older adult has a personality that is not likely to change. A kitten or juvenile, not so true. An older felines is easy to train to a routine because it has already been trained at least once before. An older feline is also calmer. Calmer can be defined in a number of pluses. For example, when the animal is in the litter box, it is there for the reason, to take care of business. A younger feline has to engage in minutes of litter throwing before it remembers why it is in the litter box, hence more cleanup for you.

An older animal has already gone through the terrible tantrum stage, (just cross-relate to small children and toddlers). They also have learned their manners and are less destructive with your things (remember the shredded chair from the last kitten)?

Life in general is slower and calmer with an adult feline. Some have learned life's lessons the hard way and have just become calmer on their own. If you already lack energy from keeping up with the children, an adult cat is really what you want. They naturally know kid avoidance when their ears or tail have been pulled.

The senior for senior connection works well too. If you are slowing down in your own life, an older cat is just for you. As felines age, they are more likely to be lap cats. They bond with us more deeply because they seem to acknowledge that they need us more. Sometimes an older feline will find its way to Buddy as a declawed adult. Many seniors are concerned about damage the claws may inflict because or blood-thinning medications. A declawed older cat solves the problem without the guilt associate with declawing.

It is time for all of you so called black cat enthusiasts to step up and give an older, black feline a permanent home.

Featured felines

Just a reminder to our readers although we have some wonderful older black cats, November is still tabby cat month and we are featuring following cats. The special for tabby cats this month is $75 for all tabbys over a year old.

• Chachi is a 9-year-old, domestic short hair gray tabby. If ever there was a lap cat, Chachi is his name. He is one of the first to greet you and will run over for some attention (unless he is being lazy and taking a nap).

• Jimi is a 1½- year-old, classic domestic short hair, orange tabby. He is very friendly and loves his huggy toy. Would make a great addition to any home.

• Mickey is a domestic short hair, gray/brown tabby who is around 2½ years old. He is very playful and loves attention.

• The Buddy Foundation is a not-for-profit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused, and abandoned cats and dogs. For more information, call The Buddy Foundation at (847)-290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.