Special Needs and Senior Cats Need Homes in North Dakota

May is National Pet Month, and if you're thinking about adopting a cat from a local shelter, please take time to meet the overlooked ones.

Who Gets Overlooked

I'm talking about the seniors, the shy cats, ones with special needs (like blindness, deafness, Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), or FeLV+ status), those recovering from injury, or bonded pairs hoping to stay together.

The Situation in Northwest North Dakota

Across our region, some of the most deserving cats wait the longest to find a forever family. Shelters are filled with these animals.

Why They’re Passed By

Misconceptions play a large role as to why they don't find homes. Potential adopters have concerns about higher medical costs, the time commitment for special needs, and there's a fear older cats won't bond as well.

The Reward of Adopting Differently

Bringing home one of these cats can be a rewarding experience. They just seem to understand they've been given a second chance and repay that with love and loyalty.

What You Can Do

Local rescues encourage you to look beyond the kittens and give these forgotten felines a second chance. Ask the staff about who's been there the longest, or the ones with special needs. The rescue can tell you about each cat's unique personality.

Opening your home to one of these incredible felines won't just change their life, it might just change yours for the better, too.

(Read More: What ND and MT Pet Owners Should Know About Ticks)