Cats are soft, quiet, cute, and seem to be the most “worry-free” pets. But in reality, every year, thousands of cats are abandoned because of “too much hair loss”, “no loved ones”, “can't keep pregnant”, "family members against ". They are abandoned. They were once greeted as family members, but after a few months, or even a few days, they were abandoned on the streets and became homeless stray cats.

1. How long is a cat's life?

Many people do not realize that cats are not short-lived critters. Cats that are well-kept indoors have an average lifespan of 12-18 years, and some can even live to be over 20 years old. This means that once you decide to get a cat, you're not dealing with a period of companionship for a few months, but a period of responsibility for your life that spans more than a decade.

In this life, it is only you. You, on the other hand, have countless opportunities to turn around and leave.

2. After being abandoned, they face not “freedom”, but life and death 

Many people will comfort themselves by saying, “I put it in the park, it will find its own food.” But the reality is that most cats do not have the ability to survive in the wild. They are used to humans feeding them and are defenseless against traffic, weather, and other animals.

Abandoned cats often die from starvation, infectious diseases, parasites, and even human injury. Those that survive become the source of the next generation of stray cats - a female cat can breed dozens of offspring a year. In the end, your one “abandonment” will bring a chain of dozens of lives.

3. Why do people easily abandon their cats?

Impulsive adoption: Watching a cute video, seeing a cat on the side of the road, and a friend giving one to you without prior knowledge, preparation, or realizing whether they can take care of it in the long run.

Misunderstanding of cats: Thinking that cats don't get sick, don't shed, don't need companionship; being disappointed when you find out that cats can be “messy”, timid, or don't love your family.

Lack of planning for life changes: Moving, getting married, having a baby, some people's first choice is not to adjust, but to give up.

These issues can be anticipated and resolved. Had there been a little more understanding and thought before adoption, many tragedies would not have occurred.

4. The real “love” is a long-term commitment 

Love cats, not every day to pat their head, sun a few photos, but in its hair, trouble, sick, still willing to take care of it; it is in its old age, blindness, slow action, still accompany it to the end of the years.

A true pet owner doesn't keep a cat because it “behaves well”, but stays with it even when it's most helpless and troublesome.

5. Please ask yourself these three questions seriously: 

Do I understand my cat's habits and needs?

If I change jobs, move, or have children, will I be willing to continue to take care of it?

Am I ready to take on a 10-20 year companionship?

If the answer is “not sure yet”, then please hold off on the idea of adopting a cat. Impulsive adoption often leads to deeper harm.

Cats can't talk, they won't cry and beg you to stay, but they will memorize your smell and wait for you to come back; they will also crouch silently in the same place after you leave, not understanding what happened.

Your “no way” may be the end of its life.

So remember: a cat is not a toy, not a pastime, not a temporary companion when you're lonely - it's a real, long relationship that needs to be guarded by your heart.

From the moment you decide to bring it home, please be prepared to grow old with it.