Cats can live as long as 18 years, sometimes longer. And over the course of that lifetime, a cat’s owner can experience many life changes, sometimes significant enough for the cat to be placed in a shelter — often when the cat is middle-aged or a senior, earning the nickname “sandwich” cat.
Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that sandwich cats make amazing pets and can be just as healthy as a younger cat. While kittens and younger cats are cute and playful, they also can be destructive and less-than-cuddly, often taking lots of time to mellow out to become peaceful companions who are content to sit on your lap.
And even that isn’t a guarantee. The beauty of sandwich cats is that what you see is what you get, meaning they’ve established their personalities and are very unlikely to exhibit major behavior changes. These cats have a whole lot of wonderful life left in them and are eager to show people just how great they are.
Sadly, and more often than not, a shelter’s sandwich population is passed by over and over again in favor of younger cats. Just imagine how it must be for them to become eager at the sight of people who might want to take them home, only to be passed by in favor of another cat. Heartbreaking.
Thankfully, these cats are amazingly resilient, especially given the fact that they have already been given up once and then had to learn a new concept of home.
In order to give the community an opportunity to meet these very special cats, Lycoming Animal Protection Society will host an Adopt-a-Thon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the shelter, 3510 W. Fourth St.
Visit lycoming.org/laps, or call the shelter at 327-8707, to fill out an application. All LAPS cats are spayed or neutered and up to date on all shots.
