The ASPCA Celebrates June As Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

(NEW YORK, NY) June 1, 2004 — The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) will be celebrating June as Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month to educate Americans about the wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption at shelters nationwide. Cats breed during the spring months, which results in summer being the time of year when shelters are filled with wacky kittens, adventuresome adolescents, captivating young adults and mature hedonistic comfort-seekers. Cats of all ages and personalities await the perfect family.

“It is important to remember that owning a cat is a long-term commitment and deserves serious consideration,” says ASPCA President Edwin J. Sayres. “Because it takes considerable confidence to love a cat, a good place to begin is to understand that no one truly owns a cat. They know they are family members rather than possessions.”

Most importantly, by adopting a feline friend, not only are you giving a shelter cat a second chance, but you will also have a lifelong companion who will bring many years of love and devotion to your family. New and potential cat owners can log on to www.aspca.org/adoptacat to download information on cat care, behavior and adoption advice.

Make Pet Adoption Your First Option^® is a message that the ASPCA encourages throughout the year in order to facilitate their ultimate goal, an end to the euthanasia of all adoptable animals.

Helping to achieve this goal and supporting Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month is the ASPCA’s online partner Petfinder.com. Equipped with a searchable database of over 7,000 animal shelters and rescue groups, potential adopters can view thousands of adoptable animals ranging in age, size, breed and location.

###Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and exists to promote humane principles, prevent cruelty and alleviate pain, fear and suffering in animals. 740,000 members and donors support our mission. The ASPCA provides national programming and leadership in humane education and public awareness, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, animal placement, animal medical services and poison control services. While there is no direct reporting relationship with other SPCA’s, the ASPCA National Shelter Outreach department provides extensive assistance and support to shelters nationwide. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, adoption facility, and Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Department, which is responsible for enforcing New York’s animal cruelty laws. The original reality series Animal Precinct, airing on the Animal Planet network, chronicles the work of the ASPCA’s HLE agents as they investigate cases of animal cruelty. Now in its third season, the award-winning documentary is seen by millions of viewers nationally. The ASPCA is a privately funded 501 [c][3] not-for-profit corporation. For more information, visit www.aspca.org or our online adoption partner www.petfinder.com.