Feline Advocates Donate to Cat Shelters and Rescues

CatCuddles announced today that it will make quarterly donations of $500 to U.S.-based animal shelters or cat rescue organizations. It is estimated that there are 10,000 animal shelters and rescues in the U.S. With more than 3 million cats living in shelters, felines comprise about 50% of shelter animals—although some areas of the country have shelters with a feline population of 67%.

“Almost 70% of cats living at shelters are euthanized each year,” said Steve Miller, owner of CatCuddles. “Our donations will help to support shelters—allowing them to purchase much-needed supplies and supporting their spay and neuter programs and adoption efforts. We especially like to support no-kill shelters as the majority of cats in shelters are healthy, treatable, and could be adopted into new homes.”

CatCuddles provides kitten and cat owners with information about various health issues and breeds. “Cats often don’t show symptoms of illness until they are in the later stages of a life-threatening disease or infection,” said Miller. “By helping pet owners identify the early signs and symptoms of common feline illnesses, we hope to help our feline friends live longer and healthier lives.”

One common illness is feline upper respiratory infection, which sounds life-threatening but is simply a technical term for the feline common cold. Symptoms include runny nose, fever, or sneezing fits. Most cats fight off such infections on their own. However, if symptoms last longer than a week, antibiotics may be needed.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a less common but more complicated feline disease. Similar to HIV in humans, FIV is a communicable virus that wreaks havoc on a cat’s immune system—making them vulnerable to a host of illnesses, infections, and viruses. “There are many misconceptions about FIV, and many cats are euthanized upon receiving a diagnosis,” said Miller. “However, if the virus is dormant or inactive, a cat’s life expectancy with FIV is about the same as a normal cat. This is why we love supporting no-kill shelters—many of whom dedicate themselves to caring for FIV-positive felines.”

For an opportunity to determine which animal shelter or rescue will receive the $500 donation, interested parties can enter their information into the Animal Shelter and Rescue Donations . Using third-party software, CatCuddles will select one person each quarter to choose an animal shelter or rescue organization that will receive the donation. The selected person will also receive $500 to spend as they see fit. Before receiving the donation, CatCuddles will verify that the chosen shelter or rescue is legitimate and has a verified Google local business listing.

Although CatCuddles primarily focuses on providing information about feline health and various breeds, the site also encourages cat and kitten owners to submit photos of their furry friends, including stories of successful feline rescues and adoptions from shelters. These stories are featured prominently on the site and its various social media platforms. “We love highlighting adoption stories on CatCuddles,” said Miller. “Besides being heartwarming, these stories encourage others to adopt kittens or cats from shelters or rescue organizations.”