My cat journey began not too long ago as I got my baby cat (people call them kittens but I prefer "baby cat") Just over a month ago In January. I walked into the animal shelter with my family and we all absolutely melted as soon as we laid eyes on a little orange kitten named "Newbington" who stuck his tiny paws out of the kennel grate as if he were beckoning us to take him home. And take him home we did. Within a week he became a permanent member of the Shanmugam household as he donned a spangling new golden collar that read his new name, "Julien" (way better than Newbington). He is now the king of our house and the center of my entire family's attention.
Now I'm not exactly the person someone would consider "a crazy cat lady" (not that there's anything wrong with that), but I am a happy cat owner who used to strongly dislike cats though I can't even really remember why. Maybe it was the claws or unpredictable pouncing that made me think cats were the spawn of evil but after becoming a cat owner myself, I've come to realize that those and so many more weird things are the exact qualities that I adore my cat for.
I've volunteered at many events with cat adoptions and at my local shelter, and I hear so many reasons as to why people "hate" cats, and and here are the most common reasons I hear and why those reasons are invalid.
1. "I'm allergic."
Hairless cats hello?
2. Cat poop smells 10x worse than dog poop.
Well there are such things as litter boxes, which means you never have to walk them outside. You know what's even better? Cats bury their poop after they go so you pretty much never come in contact with it.
3. They hate people.
Only if you hate them in the first place. Love em and they'll love you back.
4. I can't play with a cat.
More like the world is their playground. Kitten owners beware -get ready for some adorable pouncing.
5. Cats like to be alone.
Then please tell me why my cat follows me around constantly and starts meow-crying frantically if I go within a five foot radius away from him.
6. Cats don't like to be taken care of.
Live with a cat for at least two weeks, and you will see how wrong you are. There is a reason why I call my cat the king of the house.
7. Cats are weird.
And that's a bad thing... how?
8."I'm more of a dog person."
Yeah, let's see you say that while holding a kitten the size of your palm. When you realize that they are like 99 percent less maintenance too and absolutely adorable, you'll be sold that cats are better.
9. "I was scratched by a cat when I was a kid and have hated them since."
If you treated Ignored or hated every single person that got on your bad side without trying to make up you would probably not have any friends. The same goes for cats. A second chance goes a long way.
10. You can't train cats.
It may take a little more work than for a dog but, yes, cats CAN do some pretty cool tricks.
11. "If a cat rubs against you its marking you as its 'property.'"
It's true that a cat releases pheromones that mark its territory when it rubs against something, but when it comes to people, this is marking them as its family or pack; its clan. It feels as if it belongs there
12. Cats kill birds and wildlife.
This applies to outside cats and does not have a large effect on the wildlife of an area. When they bring any of these animals home, its actually a sign of respect, a present for their family
13. They don't respond when you call to them
It's not that cats don't hear you; it's that they only come when they want to
And just a heads up if at this point you're just totally sold and are ready to blast to grab your own feline family member, adopt, don't shop. Meaning, head out to your local animal shelter rather than a breeder so you can save a life while your at it!
I'm not saying you have to go out and adopt a kitten or two, but hey why not? After all how can you resist this adorableness?
