Special Cats Picture Galleries

This picture gallery was envisioned as a visual way of promoting the adoption of shelter cats. So many people have tunnel vision focused on cat breeds, that they don't realize the uncountable rewards of giving a home to a cat who may die for the lack of a home. My readers rose to my challenge for pictures and stories of shelter and rescue cats they'd adopted.

You may send me your own cat's compelling rescue story and photo by observing the Photo Submittal Guidelines. Pictured here is Caruso, whose adoption story is particulary convincing.

If we are very lucky, all of our cats who share our homes will become seniors, and they will share long and happy lives with us. Senior cats have the wisdom of age, and teach us lessons in acceptance as they stoically accept their frailties, along with the ministrations of those who love them and are loved by them.

Although many of our senior cats live with us their full lives, others are adopted by special people who can see beyond the kittens in the shelter to a cat who looks at them with knowing eyes. This special relationship between older cats and their human caregivers often gives these cats a new lease on life.

Special Needs Cats have a valid place in the overall scheme of things. They demonstrate the unique ability cats have to overcome what we humans would consider as "disabilities," and handle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and FIV with amazing resilience and acceptance; certain lessons we can profit from. This Special Needs Picture Album serves as a testament to the courage, spunk, and "catitude" exhibited by these special cats.

Thousands of volunteers all over the world dedicate their lives to cat rescue operations, whether it be TNR, feral cat colony management, fostering rescued cats and kittens, or rehoming stray cats. Browse this picture album of rescued cats, including some happy ending stories, and consider if you have what it takes for this rewarding challenge of cat rescue.

Cat rescue not only involves organized groups, but also those generous individuals who rescue abandoned, injured, or abused cats and personally adopt them into their own homes. These pictures depict cats whose lives have changed completely in their new forever homes, thanks to someone who cared enough to make a difference.

Don't forget, you may submit your own photos with the Photo Submittal Guidelines. Kindly use the name of the gallery as the subject of your email, e.g. "Personal Rescue Cat Photo."

Creating a memorial to a cat you have loved and lost is a good way not only to honor your beloved kitty, but also to help you through the grieving process. These memorials speak for themselves of the bond between humans and cats that transcends life itself.

Cats we have loved and lost will always hold a special place in our hearts. While we will never "get over" the loss of a beloved cat, the time will come when we will cherish his or her memories, and display photos to remind us of the bond we shared.

This 2008 picture gallery honors those cats we bid farewell to, this year or in years past. You may wish to honor your own special cat by sending a photo and memorial story. Please observe the Photo Submittal Guidelines when emailing photos.