Every year at “kitten time” — spring to late fall — we see some wonderful adult cats lingering at the shelter because it is difficult for them to compete with the extreme cuteness overload of the kittens. We have seven good reasons to add an adult cat to your feline family!

First of all — Kittens can be incredibly energetic! Yes, their playing is cute, but sometimes the drapes will suffer! Adult cats need playtime and entertainment, but it is significantly less that of a bouncy kitten. For busy professionals and families, a relaxed older adult cat makes a good fit. Our adult cat Hazelnut is a great example of a mature cat who would be a good companion in a quiet home. At 5 years old, this sweet torbi girl still enjoys playing, and loves attention.

Second — With an adult cat, what you see is pretty much what you get. You can often get a better sense of an adult cat’s true personality. Want a lap cat? An independent cat? A playful cat? Look for an adult cat who is displaying these traits in the shelter. Kittens pretty much have the same traits when they are young, but a kitten who snuggles now may grow out of cuddling, while an active, outgoing kitten may become a couch potato. Our shelter cat Walter at a year old is wonderfully wacky and playful, and we are confident he will stay this way!

Third — Maturity usually means the cat has developed better manners and is less likely to be destructive or require a lot of training. Sweet little orange shelter girl Yara is quiet and well behaved, and enjoys attention. A good fit for an adult home.

Fourth — When appropriate introductory steps are taken, an adult cat will usually transition more easily into a home where the other pets (cats or dogs) are also adults or seniors. Older pets will usually have little patience for the chaos a kitten can introduce into the home.

Fifth — Mature cats can be a good choice for families with young children. Often, kittens are still learning manners and have too much energy and play too rough for young kids. But, older cats may be used to young children, and be more gentle with them.

Sixth — Mature cats still have a lot of love to give. Cats are living longer than ever. Even if you adopt an older cat, the lifespan for an indoor cat is close to 16 years, and many cats live past that.

Seventh — Adopting a mature, adult cat is something you can feel good about! Every cat and kitten in a shelter deserves a home, but you can get a little boost of satisfaction when you give an older kitty another chance at life.

To see the adult cats we have available for adoption, visit our website beachpets.com and go to the “Adopt” section. There you will find pictures of the kitties, and brief biographies, including the listing of their ages.Are you ready to have a long lasting “feel good” moment? Bring an adult cat into your home!

July: Fore the Furrballs Golf Tournament!

This popular fundraising event for the Humane Society will be held on Sunday, July 14 at the Peninsula Golf Course in Long Beach. Check in is at 9 a.m., with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. For more information, including details about sponsorships and to register, go to our website beachpets.com.

We are open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only for adoptions and surrenders. Stray drop-off, spay/neuter vouchers and pet food program are available during open hours.

View our available cats and dogs and submit an online application at our website beachpets.com. An approved adoption application is required before scheduling a meet and greet with your selected animal.