International Cat Day: Fairfax County Cats In Need Of Adoption

MCLEAN, VA — Tuesday, Aug. 8 is International Cat Day. And since we, here at Patch, are pet lovers, today is a purr-fect opportunity to remind readers of the scores of cats in Fairfax County needing to find fur-ever homes.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter currently has 41 cats ready for adoption. The Humane Society of Fairfax County also has almost 40 cats ready for adoption. In addition, numerous local organizations hold adoption events every week:

• Homeward Trails Animal Rescue
• DC Paws Rescue
• City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties
• King Street Cats
• Tails High
• SCPA of Northern Virginia
• Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
• Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation

Here are some of the adoptable pets looking for homes:

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When it comes to giving a cat a home, the International Fund for Animal Welfare offers these tips for protecting cats and area wildlife:

• Sterilization, vaccination and veterinary care -- By sterilizing our cats, we can keep kittens out of shelters and prevent the cycle of breeding and abandonment that leads to unwanted cat colonies. Vaccination and other preventative veterinary care also keeps cats healthy and stops the spread of disease and parasites to other animals.
• Collaring and identification -- If your cat goes outdoors, be sure to keep a collar with identification on him or her at all times. You can also diminish their hunting prowess by adding a colorful flare to your cat’s collar. Researchers have demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the number of birds killed by cats wearing large and colorful collars. This is because birds are highly attuned to see colors, and the collars disarm the cat’s natural stealth and camouflage.
• Cat-Proof Fencing -- Cats obviously love to be outside, but unsupervised, they can face many dangers and pose a threat to local birds. A great compromise solution is cat-proof fencing, or “catios,” which allows your cat to roam about in your yard without negatively impacting the wildlife outside. It can also keep your cat safe from roads and predators.
• Indoor Cats -- If you live in an area where the dangers to cats, or the dangers to wildlife, can’t be mitigated, it might be best to keep your cat indoors, where there are plenty of ways to keep your cat stimulated and happy while keeping him or her safe. For instance, you can put Fluffy’s favorite cushion on a ledge near the window so she can keep an eye on the neighborhood. And if you don’t have a suitable place for your cat to perch, consider a cinematic solution: many cats love watching online videos of birds and other wildlife.

Image via Fairfax County Animal Shelter