I don’t entirely trust people without pets. Sure, they may have allergies, busy schedules, an aversion to fur balls on the white carpet or suspicious paw prints across the kitchen counter. But caring for an animal gives a person something unique, a centered balance that affects each aspect of life. In the four years that I’ve lived with her, Cat has filled, in some capacity, every role from roommate to confidante to minor adversary. I remember the first time I saw her; I was a 2L at law school, my life devoid of excitement other than securities litigation and advanced criminal procedure outlines. One early spring day as I plodded to the cafeteria to grab a slice of pizza between classes, I saw it: a picture of Cat, then just a kitten, with a message stating that she was a captured stray getting dangerously close to euthanasia. In seconds, I snatched the note off the bulletin board and grabbed my phone.

Four days later she was sprawled across my pillow, surveying her new 600-square-foot kitty palace complete with two-tier scratching posts, twelve types of catnip or mouse toys and bottomless tubs of Kitten Chow. Since then we’ve had a silent agreement: I spoil her rotten, and she loves me beyond reason. While she and Boyfriend were initially suspicious of each other, now she’s lounging in his lap the moment he sits on the couch and purring ecstatically as he mock-bench presses her on the living room floor (I’ve decided not to touch that one). I’m not sure how my life would have been different without her, aside from a visible vacant hole, but I don’t like to think about her likely fate if some cat-loving sucker like me hadn’t come along.

And now to my point: Adopt shelter pets. They desperately need it. The fact that over 30,000 stray cats and dogs are put to death in New York City each year is something I’d rather not contemplate for fear of spiraling into depression. These animals have seen life’s dark side, but unlike humans they have an astounding ability to wipe the slate clean and dish out unconditional love. Plus they adore you despite that annoying lip-smacking habit or creepy nervous tic. If you can’t handle adopting right now, consider fostering an animal - it’s great, you get all the self-aggrandizing satisfaction of saving a life without having to permanently vacuum hair or scoop litter.

If you live in the New York area and want to adopt, you can do so through a boarding facility or foster home (see this link for information). New Yorkers for Companion Animals (NYCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to placing shelter pets with loving homes. To donate time or money and/or foster a particular animal, you can contact NYCA at NYFCA@aol.com or visit this site. Please help them out. Cat and I will love you for it, even if you do decide to get a dog.

Addendum: Thanks to Jennifer who reminded me that this weekend is the Adoptathon for the North Shore Animal League. For information and locations, see here. At this rate, I may have to go get a few more kitties myself (which would piss Cat off to no end).