As a Veterinarian in Idaho Falls we would like to focus our attention to our summer forecast at shelters – cats, cats and more cats! Wednesday, June 1, not only kicks off Adopt a Shelter Cat Month—it also marks the height of kitten season, which is the time of year when we see an increase in feline breeding.

With kitten season upon us, there are more cats in need than ever. If you can’t adopt, there are still some easy ways you can help.

1. Your Facebook and Twitter status. Paste this message: “June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month. Save a life: Adopt a cat!
2. Contact your local shelter or rescue group and ask if they have a donation wish list or other flyer they’d like to you to post around your office or neighborhood.
3. Sign up as a foster parent or shelter volunteer then tell your friends how great it is.
4. Donate to your local shelter or rescue group in honor of Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month.
5. Talk to your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and other up-and-comers about animal shelters and why Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and pet adoption in general, is important.

Now that you know how you help, check out these fun facts about cats!

• The ridged pattern on a cat’s nose is as unique as a human fingerprint.
• But cats can’t see directly below their noses, which is why they miss food that’s right in front of them.
• Kittens start to dream when they’re about a week old.
• Cats sleep so much that, by the time a cat is 9 years old, it will only have been awake for three years of its life.
• By neutering a cat, you add about two to three years to its life.
• Most female cats are right-pawed, and most male cats favor their left paws.
• A female cat is called a “molly” or a “queen” and male cats are called “toms”.
• Cats sweat through the pads of their paws.
• Cats can run 3 mph faster than Usain Bolt.
• Cats purr at the same frequency as an idling diesel engine (26 purrs per second).
• But cats aren’t the only animals that purr — squirrels, lemurs, elephants, and even gorillas purr too.
• If your cat’s tail is vibrating, it’s excited to see you.

Any veterinarian in idaho falls wants you to help celebrate “National Adopt a Shelter Cat” month by spreading the word. And if you have a cat, has he or she been spayed or neutered? If not, call our office today to schedule an appointment for the procedure or for your cat’s regular checkup.