Auburn Hills, MI, October 16, 2007: Looking for a companion, then consider C.A.T.S., Companion Animals Touching Seniors, a program started by the Oakland Pet Adoption Center as a way to match up seniors with a loving cat companion.
     C.A.T.S. offers seniors the opportunity to foster a cat for a two month period in which all the food and necessary supplies are provided by the Adoption Center.  At the end up the foster period, the senior has the opportunity to adopt the cat for $7.50, which covers the licensing fee. 
     “This is a great program for seniors to find companionship at a very low cost,” said Scott Zabel, volunteer coordinator at the Oakland Pet Adoption Center.  “And with the foster trial period, you’ll be able to see if a cat really fits into your lifestyle before you make the adoption permanent.”
     Zabel said that fall is the best time for people to consider the C.A.T.S. program because many of the summer activities are dying down.  There are plenty of appointments open for presentations at senior centers, where Adoption Center staff and volunteers would bring cats and supplies to talk with seniors about adding a cat into their life.
     “Cats are great because they are very low maintenance,” said Joanie Toole, Oakland Pet Adoption Center administrative supervisor.  “They aren’t like dogs where they need to go on a walk every day and be let outside every hour or two.  All they really need is a clean litter box, food, water and love.”
     If you would like to set up a C.A.T.S. presentation at your senior center or find out more information about this great program, call (248) 391-0286.  The Oakland Pet Adoption Center is located at 1700 Brown Road in Auburn Hills.