I just copied this cute little bit of fun off of the internet because we have a lot of black kittens coming up for adoption!

TOP 10 REASONS TO ADOPT A BLACK CAT

Did you know that black cats have the lowest adoption rate and the highest euthanasia rate? Why? We’re not quite sure. Maybe it’s the superstition factor. Some people say they can’t see or make a connection with a black cat in a poorly lit kennel. And for folks browsing the internet for pets, black cats don’t always show up in photographs as well as their lighter colored brethren. For whatever reason, black cats are statistically less likely to be adopted than more brightly colored felines.

Black cats are also most often ignored by many rescue groups because they are so hard to place. These cats are often left waiting in pounds and shelters with hopes of finding a loving home, only to be destroyed once their time is up. We do not discriminate based on color. It is true that our black cats often take longer to find homes – and that they take up much needed foster space during this time. But our philosophy is that Black Cats need Love and a Safe Home Too. Therefore, if you are thinking of adding a kitty to the family, here are the top 10 reasons to pick a black cat!

10. You can always find your black cat in the snow. Also you can find them easily on any light colored surface such your carpet or your floral bedspread.

9. Black goes with everything – It’s true. You know it; we know it. You’ve got your black power suit on, your white cat jumps on your lap, it’s all over. But if your black cat wants a little love and affection, no harm done–your look is only enhanced!

8. Black cats look like little panthers. Their regal breeding is very apparent.

7. A black cat will match any décor. You won’t have to redecorate your house to coordinate with your cat. They are totally willing to pose on gold velvet, white velvet, pink velvet, or your sofa cushion to add taste and beauty to any room of your home. They’ll perch on the brocade chair; sleep on the rug; curl in the middle of the bed. You name it, they’re willing to go to great lengths to help you make your home beautiful. They’re that kind of cat.

6.      Black is beautiful. There’s the deep, auburn shaded black, the blue black, the black with tiny white highlights here and there, the sleek black, the fluffy black, the black with bunny-soft fur, the black with yellow eyes, the black with green eyes, the black with grey eyes…Well, you get the picture. Black is not just black; there are as many different kinds of black cats as there are cats!

5. Bad Luck, Schmuck! When you love a black cat, luck is on your side!

4. Black cats have more fun. You only thought blondes had more fun. Black cats are fun-loving, playful, full of spark and energy. They try harder to make up for the image they somehow got as dull and dreary. They’re like the sun streaming in a window on a rainy day; like the circus coming to town; they’re just plain fantastic.

3. Black cats are loving. Look, they know their reputation–scary. They’ve seen the illustrations–skinny cats with nasty long teeth. And they’re nothing like that. They go overboard to be as affectionate and loving as any fluffy white, pink-nosed bunny kitty could be, and you get all the other benefits too.

2.       Love knows no color! Your cat doesn’t care what color YOUR hair is!

And the # 1 reason to adopt a black cat is that Black Cats are the least likely to get adopted!

Niller, Nilla, Vanilla Bean, Beanie Weenie and her pet names go on and on. Just like mothers with their childrens names she is Niller Bean when I am happy with her and Va-Nil-La! when I am not.

When I first met Vanilla I was fostering for another organization and the owner called me from the shelter, knowing I had a soft spot for Meezers (that’s slang for Siamese) “I don’t know though” she said. “She looks awful sick, and has lost weight since she has been here.” I paused, “How old is she?” Papers shuffled, “Oh my goodness she is 9 years old never mind” she replied. I was in my coat and racing to the car in 5 minutes.

When I arrived the rescue owner was still checking out all of the other cats, the dreaded kill list had arrived and this cat was on it. I walked over to her cage, read her paper work, and knew right away that she was in shut down mode. I went to the desk and I asked if they knew anything about the cat other than what was on the paper work. The shelter will NOT give you anyone’s contact info, and that is the way it should be. But they were kind enough to give the owner my info and a message that I was interested in the cat and wanted some more info on her.

He called my cell and I asked him how old she was, I wanted to make sure. He said she was 9. I asked him if she was ok with other cats, he said she was and that the cat in the cage with her was his also, they had been housemates these two cats for the past 9 years. Then I asked him why he had relinquished her. “Oh the new wife is allergic.” Now honestly, I wanted to ask him how this cat could give him 9 years of love only to be dumped in a metal pen, I wanted to ask him if he knew she was dieing. I did not. I merely told him I was taking her out of the shelter, said thank you and hung up.

I went back to the cage and I watched her. She was as far into the corner as she could get, face first. She had lost 3 pounds, which is a great deal on a tiny framed cat. She was like a little match box car,short and blunt, with her haunches poking out. Her ears did not even twitch when you made kitty noises at her. She was an Applehead Siamese, with a soft round head, I could not see her eyes but I knew they would be sapphire. I assume the owner had named this little cat Vanilla because Siamese are born snow white and she must have reminded him of Vanilla something.

Her cage mate and house mate was a handsome fella looking that could have possibly been a purebred Russian Blue, he looked far sicker than Vanilla. He was to far gone, and the rescue owner seemed to think he would not make it. She was afraid they had something, but it was obvious they had fading cat syndrome, they had shut down. Become so depressed at the removal from their home that they had stopped eating and drinking and even responding to touch.

I reached into the cage to pull her out and picked her up by the scruff. Skin sagged away from my hand from her weight loss and her fur was stiff and bristly from lack of nutrients. She curled in upon herself in the fetal position so that I could not see her and I gently placed her in the carrier afraid of hurting such a tiny framed thing. Still at this point I had not seen her face.

When I got her home I placed her carrier on the bed and I talked to her very soothingly, no reaction. Awhile later I took her out and went to introduce her to the litter box. I set her down in it, and she ran. She ran faster than any dieing cat I had ever seen. Fleet of foot she flew into my bedroom and into the closet and there she stayed. No matter where I put her, took her, she ran back to my bedroom closet. “Fine.” I said. And I went to make her a bed in the closet, but I refused to give her litter because I wanted her to come out. For two nights I would hear her as soon as we went to bed click clack her little nails into the litter room and back to the closet where she had food and water.

The third night I sat on the bed with my laptop rather than hanging out in the den and I began to talk to her. Just tell her about my day, and ask about hers, starting each sentence with her name and speaking in soft loving tones. Nothing. But who was more stubborn? On the 4th night I did the same, and the 5th night.On the 6th night I was doing the same, it having became a routine and I was typing away on a letter to my mom when suddenly my elbow was bumped clear off of the keyboard. bump bump bump, three more times. I didn’t move, I didn’t dare. I looked over my shoulder and there at my elbow were the largest dark sapphire eyes and the stubbornest little bulldog chin and I started to silently cry.

Every day, since that day, Vanilla has expressed her gratitude and love in return for my loving her. For two years now she has bonked her way into my heart. Her love is clear and shining in her beautiful eyes, she prefers me over any human she has ever met, over anyone in the house. And as soon as I hit that bed she is on me like duct tape.

She charmingly (no really) despises every cat in this house. They all know that curmudgeonly Vanilla requires a one foot radius that is cat free or you could very well lose the tip of your ear. I alone can pick her up and give her the soundest smackingest kiss on her stubborn face and get nothing but a purr in return. She almost never leaves the bed, sleeping up to 20 hours a day, but still has a frisky lamb gambol when she decides to get out and about.

I pulled Vanilla from that shelter thinking she might die, and I know for awhile she truly wanted to. We wormed our way into each others hearts, and I have no regrets about adding her to the “Clowder” of cats here. Did you know that is the term for a group of cats? Please consider adopting an adult or even elderly cat today. Their quirky personalities and their sheer gratitude makes it so worth it. You won’t be disappointed, just ask 11 year old Vanilla!

Tonight I want to approach a subject that some of us probably never think about, or thought to think about! What happens to my pets if I die? We make plans for our belongings, and decide what to leave which children,charities etc. What about your cat, dog, ferret, elephant?  I’ve been meaning to write about this for awhile, and it was recently brought to the forefront of my mind by the feeling of helplessness we get when we try to save the world. If you went to the shelter tomorrow to pick out a pet what would you be looking for? A 10 year old cat? Not likely. That cute little kitten in the cage by itself bapping at the mouse hanging from a string? Ding ding ding!

That 10 year old cat sitting there, hunkered down trying to be as small as it could be, that could be your cat 9+ years later. Because that cats owner died,suddenly,unexpectedly and they did not make provisions for it. Older cats that have lost their owners, for whatever reason, they do not do well in shelters. They can sink into a depression that they never come out of, they stop eating and drinking and because of their decline, are euthanized to make room for a healthy cat or kitten. I have seen this myself and will tell you in my next post with Vanilla’s story.

Not knowing a lot about this subject I went onto the internet to do some research, there is honestly a lot of information out there but during my digging and reading found this site Pet Trust Law Blog to be an excellent source for your questions. Check them out, it’s worth the read!

I spent some quality time with Lita this evening. She received her first shot this evening and took it well. She is the sweetest of cats, I do not say that just because I am her foster mommy! She is so in need of love, she does a little lamb jump to try and reach your hand because she gets so excited when you go to pet her! Then she head butts and head butts and quite soon is drooling over the love she gets.

Lita was taken from a very bad situation where was she kicked at and harassed by a non disciplined puppy, and often attacked in the woods by a very large tomcat. She has a bump in her tail from a previous break. You would not know she has had several litters by looking at her. Her coat is getting a shine to it, her milk is all dried leaving firm non saggy flesh there, she is a pint sized love machine! Her smallness cracks me up a little, even her tail is shorter than the average cats tail.

She has those china blue eyes that make me swoon and that cute little Birman face, I would not be surprised if she were purebred Birman but we will never know. I did foster a Birman for almost 2 years and other than size they could be twins!

Lita is SO deserving of a loving forever home with lots of cuddles and kisses. Tonight I took her in some kitty treats and she acted like she had never seen a treat before, and she probably has not. Then I gave her a big furry mouse toy and oh my! She lay down on the floor and rolled and rolled with it until she was quite in ecstasy and there was the tiniest bit of slobber all over the mouse. lol So charming.

You do not want to miss this girl, I cannot tell you how serious I am. I cannot say honestly who would be luckier, YOU or HER!

I am thrilled to have you here! My name is Tami and I will be writing the blog for Alaska Cat Adoption Team. You’ll pardon our website mess while we move in We have all kinds of plans for our site and blog, things to educate and things to fascinate. We will be going over everything from bringing home your new kitten, to health hazards, best steals and deals for your furry friends and even some coloring pages and activities for the non fur kids at your home. All of the members of our board of course have cats of their own yes some of them are even foster cats that we just could not part with. We will be highlighting some of those here as well as doing a Q&A column that will be answered by some of these fascinating felines, I might help them a little though. Another subject we will be delving into is finding the right cat for your family. You know sometimes what we want, isn’t exactly what we need, and that certainly can apply when picking out a pet. You just never know what might crop up here as a subject. So visit us often and be sure to join our Fan Page on Facebook under Alaska Cat Adoption Team. We are here to meet your every need, because we care! Watch this week for the coloring pages, other games, and even a look back at previous kittens we have rescued.