The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has deemed 2017 – “The Year of the Cat.”  As you know, while I love ALL animals, and would welcome a dog to our home, we have four cats and they are FANTASTIC.  (I love everything about cats, if you aren’t sure about getting a cat, ask me anything you want – here.)

My point is, that’s why I am starting 2017 by featuring not one, but three! cats.  These cuties will make an instant family for someone.  And, as we discussed it last night at home, if we were somehow empty, these would be the kitties we would adopt.

And that’s a theme I will be promoting heavily this year – Adopt, Don’t Shop.  I know there are reputable breeders, ones who do right by the animals, raise them in their homes, treat them like family.  However Iowa, disgustingly, is at the top when it comes to puppy mills.  These are cruel torture chambers where people overbreed animals that are often left in the dark all of their lives with the goal being only to make money.

There are two things that you can do to activate on animal welfare: 1.  Read this article from Rolling Stone on puppy mills.  It will make you want to throw up.  And yes, it mentions Iowa. 2.  Get involved!  Iowa Voters for Companion Animals is a grassroots, volunteer group, dedicated to changing Iowa laws to protect both your pets and the animals that have no voice, in places like puppy mills.

Stepping off my soap box… So, here are those three girls I was talking about, who need a home.  🙂

(And my usual signoff) Please Adopt, Don’t Shop. -Kate

Panda, Kiara, and Veredia are Bonded Buddies, they’ll be adopted as a trio.  These cats are participating in our Shelter Cat Getaway program — a program designed to give cats a vacation from the shelter and let them enjoy home life while
they wait to be adopted. While vacation is fun, there really is no place like home, so please consider adopting these deserving cats! As part of this program, their adoption fee is reduced! To learn more about these cats or schedule a time to meet them, please contact Carol at cgriglione@arl-iowa.org, or Betsy at bsalmon@arl-iowa.org.