I've had cats in the past, but not for some time. For years I hoped a cat would show up in my yard or at my front door, but alas that never happened. Last year when I realized I was more or less confined to home, I adopted a cat from the local shelter. She was an older cat, with health issues, and the shelter vet was brutally honest with me about those health issues. But I'd had older cats in the past and was just fine. Unfortunately, that cat was with me only three and a half weeks. Several people asked me if I hadn't felt somehow cheated, but no. Her previous owner had surrendered her when it was clear the cat needed more care than previous owner could give. Those three and a half weeks were wonderful, and I wouldn't give them up for the world. More to the point, she didn't have to live out those last few weeks in the shelter. She got to be in a home. Plus, she was amazingly affectionate.
A month or so later I went back to the shelter and adopted my current cat. My only complaint is that I would prefer a cuddly, affectionate lap cat, but this one isn't like that. Sigh. And too bad for me. Nonetheless she is wonderful and I'm glad she is with me.
Adopting a stray from your animal shelter is the best thing to do. It does seem as though the shelter cats and dogs have a strong sense that they've been given a new start in life. Which is true. They have been.
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