Fabulous Felines Desperately Seeking That Special Someone

Cats, the most entertaining and inquisitive of creatures, make exceptional companions to people of all ages.  Thousands of cats currently sit in Pittsburgh shelters, patiently awaiting the arrival of their forever family.  Particularly during spring and summer – the time dubbed ‘kitten season’ due to the large influx of kittens that are surrendered – shelters are bursting at the seams with adoptable felines, and the need for adopters becomes critical.  The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS) proudly operates an open door shelter – we welcome any animal, regardless of age, breed, or medical condition.  Because our shelter provides refuge to any and every cat and kitten that enters our facility, our organization is one such shelter that is in desperate need of loving homes for our feline population.  In 2014 alone, our shelter took in almost 5,000 cats and kittens.  Have you been considering adding a cat to your family?  Are there questions that have prevented you from taking the leap?  Let us ease your trepidation.  

Tabbies and Ragdolls and Himalayans, oh my!

From five week old bottle babies, to fifteen year old seniors, all black domestic shorthairs to purebred Himalayans, the makeup of the cat population at the WPHS is as diverse as the population of Pittsburgh itself.  Some people may have hesitation adopting their pet from a shelter because they fear it will be too difficult to find the specific type of animal they are looking for or too difficult to walk past the dozens of kennels and not be implored to take all of the animals home.  Some may fear that the shelter will be a bleak or dreary place.  These misconceptions could not be farther from the truth.  The WPHS is  committed to disproving these falsehoods and promises an exceptional experience for every individual that walks into our open doors – human and animal.  

We provide our cats with attention and care before they are adoptable – all cats are spayed or neutered, immunized, dewormed, microchipped, and assessed for behavioral issues by our staff.  Our shelter employs knowledgeable adoption counselors to help adopters find exactly what they are looking for in an animal – age, breed, personality, and suitability with cats, dogs, and children.  Whether you’re a first time pet parent, a cat aficionado who is looking to introduce a new cat to the felines in your home, or a parent seeking advice on how to integrate a cat into their home with young children, we can provide you with the tools for success.

Modern facilities are designed to be calming for the animals and welcoming to people.  Shelters also have devoted kennel staff that ensure that all animal habitats are kept clean and comfortable throughout the day.  Toys, music, and enrichment tools are utilized to create the most soothing environment for our cats.  For those who feel that they will not be able to leave the shelter without multiple animals, they can rest assured knowing that thousands of shelter animals find loving homes every year – over 4,000 animals are adopted from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society alone. 

Free therapy, unconditional love, and endless entertainment

Cat ownership has been scientifically proven to have positive psychological, emotional, and physical benefits, including a decreased risk of depression and anxiety, lessened feelings of loneliness and isolation, and a decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  Cats provide their humans with a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy.  Even the purr of a cat is healing – it is on the same frequency that encourages bone and tendon healing in rehabilitative therapy.  A cat eager to curl up on your lap is the perfect medicine to decompress from the daily grind.

Whether you are seeking an older cat, with whom you can share a life of leisure and Netflix marathons, an adventurous kitten who can be your partner in crime, or a pleasantly plump cat that you can help drop a few pounds, the cat of your dreams can be found at your local shelter.  With the amazing duality of their lazy and spunky sides (sleeping an average of fifteen hours a day, and occupying themselves with even the most mundane of objects the other nine), cats make the perfect companion for anyone, with almost any schedule or lifestyle.

We Need Your Help

The WPHS has three hundred cats and kittens in our care at any given time.  If you are able adopt, come  to our North Shore shelter today.  Our cats desperately need volunteers, ‘cat cuddlers’ that can provide them with brushing, playing, and affection.  We are also looking for foster families to care for our felines that need to get healthier before they can be placed for adoption.  To adopt, volunteer, foster, or donate, contact us at wpahumane.org, or (412)321-4625.