(In response to this post, some readers have sent in pictures of their kitties! I put them in this gallery so we could add to the collection without slowing down this page.)
In 1974, The American Humane Association started Adopt a Cat Month (June, of course.)
Not everyone wants to or should adopt a cat, but there are a lot of kitties out there who need good homes, despite the best efforts of many people to keep them safe and keep the population down. A lot of people believe that cats should be allowed to run wild outside, which contributes to the problem of cat nuisances, unwanted and feral kittens, and the number of cats whose lives are shortened by vehicles, bullies, or coyotes or other natural predators.
Here is a quick checklist for potential pet parents to consider, from the ARF website:
Are You Ready to Adopt a Cat?
ARF works hard to ensure that the cats we rescue will be placed into a suitable permanent home. Here are some requirements for potential adopters:
- 18 years or older
- Government issued photo ID and proof of current address if the address is different than that listed on the ID provided ?
- Your current pets are spayed/neutered
- Plan to adopt the cat into your own home ?
- Have never neglected or abused an animal, or surrendered a pet to a shelter, rescue organization or Humane Society
- Compassionate, with realistic expectations of newly adopted pets ?
- Intend for the cat to always remain indoors ?
- Attempt to modify clawing behaviour rather than declawing ?
- Financially able to care for your pet ?
- Abide by relevant municipal bylaws ?
- Permission for animals in your home ?
- Willingness to supervise children and animals at all times ?
- Consent of all household members ?
- Up-to-date vaccinations for current pets ?
Animal Rescue Foundation
I have had several cats over the years. My son’s cat, Q-Tip, is our current furry overlord. She loves boxes of books, checks out my whiteboard when I write anything new on it, and tries to distract me when she wants to play.
Cat Books
Speaking of books, that’s what you’re here for! So how about some books with cats?
What the Cat Knew
Reg Rawlins, professional con, has really gotten herself into a bind this time.
The fortune teller gig started as a scam, but she suddenly finds herself tangled up in the case of Warren Blake, a man who she thought was dead. It turns out he may still be alive, but in mortal peril.
Reg has always taken the quick exit, the easy way out, but running out on this racket might mean someone else’s death.
Staying in it might mean hers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It sounds like a fairly gentle story, but there is a lot of suspense involved. Add a bunch of humor to the mix and you are in for a treat … This is a story that you don’t want to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book has all my favourite things: heart, great writing, nearly-flawless editing, something unusual in the air, and a cat.
Like paranormal mysteries? Psychics, witches, fairies, and more! Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author P.D. Workman waves her wand to transport readers to the myth- and magic-filled small town of Black Sands for a paranormal cozy mystery to be solved by Reg Rawlins and her friends.
A self-professed con artist practicing as a contact to the dead, a drop-dead gorgeous warlock, and a psychic cat—what could go wrong?
Fall under Reg’s spell today.
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About Starlight
Reg’s cat and his psychic powers quickly becomes an important part of her practice:
“The cat is not a pet,” Reg said sternly. “He is my helper and he deserves to be treated with respect. You need to give him his space and let him work. He enhances the psychic energy of the room, but it won’t work if you upset him.”
“Oh.” Amy’s voice was small. “I’m sorry, Kitty.”
The cat drew himself up into a tall sitting position and started his bathing ritual once more. Reg nodded.
“He’s meditating and cleansing the room of contrary spirits. It’s very important to have a clean room to make a good connection.”
What the Cat Knew
Gluten-Free Murder
Erin Price moves to Bald Eagle Falls, a place where everyone knows everyone as well as everyone else’s business, taking over the store left to her by her aunt to start up a gluten-free bakery. The grand opening is marred by just one thing, the death of her business rival, Angela Plaint. It appears that Angela was poisoned by one of Erin’s cupcakes, making her a prime suspect.
Equipped with cupcakes, her desire for the truth, and new bakery assistant Vicky’s help, Erin goes head-to-head against Detective Terry Piper to solve the murder. Rumors of treasure hunting, drug dealing, and a missing boy swirl around Bald Eagle Falls as Erin tries to sort the clues from the red herrings and find the killer before the killer can take care of her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ P.D. Workman has done it again! This introduction to a new series involves a fresh start, sympathetic characters, and a murder. I spent the last ten minutes of the book standing up to read because I was off to do something but just couldn’t put it down until I got to the end. I haven’t been that invested in a book in a while.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Couldn’t put it down !! From a cute kitten to a police dog to a bakery for people with allergies ! Highly recommend!
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About Orange Blossom
Erin moves to a new town and starts a new job, it is only fitting that she acquires a new pet as well. Enter Orange Blossom, in need of a home:
Piper stood there, a slight dimple in one cheek, holding the terrified kitten to his chest, stroking it gently to calm it. The combination of the handsome officer in uniform and his gentleness with the helpless ball of fur just about melted Erin into a puddle right there.
“Thank you.”
“To serve and protect. That’s my job.”
Gluten-Free Murder
Virtually Harmless
From award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author, P.D. Workman
Micah lived a quiet, comfortable life, her involvement in law enforcement limited to the composite pictures that she produced with her computer and colored pencils.
But everything is turned upside down when she involves herself in the case of an infant found abandoned in the Sweetgrass Hills.
With the help of her knowledge of DNA and law enforcement contacts across the country, Micah is closing in on a killer. But her investigation draws the killer’s attention, and she finds herself in the middle of an operation that could mean the end of her career—or worse, her life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This cosy thriller with a neurodivergent, aro-ace MC will keep you turning the pages long after you should have logged into your day job. Oops.
Love CSI and other forensic mysteries? Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author brings you this fresh new nail-biter for your next read.
Join Micah as she picks up her pencils and starts on a new case.
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“P. D. Workman has outdone herself with this riveting techno-thriller featuring Micah Miller, a forensic artist specializing in composite renderings based on forensic DNA phenotyping … This book offers plenty of thrills, chills, suspense and white-knuckled tension as the plot unfolds and it kept me turning pages until late into the night. The story is clean and well-written, the plot is fascinating, the pace is relentless and the characters are realistic and relatable. I highly recommend this absorbing and thoroughly enjoyable thriller to anyone who favors CSI, NCIS, Cold Case, Forensic Files or any high-tech inspired crime-solving theme.”
—Kim, Goodreads reviewer
About Meow
While Micah’s newly arrived kitten doesn’t make it onto the cover, her little grey fluff ball will find a place in your heart!
“What did you name her?” Marianna asked.
Micah squirmed. “Uh… Meow.”
Cole laughed loudly, making the kitten burrow her head back down into Micah’s arm and side. “Meow? You know, they have sites on the internet where you can look up good names for cats.”
Micah rolled her eyes. “I know. I looked at some of them. But they’re just… too cutesy. I don’t want a silly pun on some actor’s name, or something based on her color or something ironic like a dog’s name. I wanted… something suited to a cat.”
“Well, I guess I can’t argue with the suitability of a cat being named Meow, but really! It’s not very inventive, is it?”
“It’s how she communicates. Why wouldn’t you… pick a name that your pet can actually say?”
“But if everyone went by that principle, then all cats would be named Meow and all dogs would be named Bark.”
“But not everyone does.”
“No.” Cole chuckled again. “You are… you have always had your own way of thinking about things.”
Virtually Harmless
And more
Knit One, Purrl Two
When an award-winning author is sent on a writing retreat to the Isle of Olann, a young cat detective must help the Laird’s dog solve the case of the missing hamster.
But little does the cat know that he’s in for more than he bargained for as the head of the family tweed mill is mysteriously murdered.
From the author:
I have three rescue cats. That wasn’t exactly the plan. When my 20-year-old cat Uisce died, my dog really missed her so I took my dog Isla to our local animal rescue in the Lake District in England with the goal of finding her a kitten that wouldn’t be shy around her. Two kittens (out of about ten in the enclosure) came immediately over to her and they instantly hit it off. That is how I ended up with two cats. What I didn’t know, was that the two supposedly same-sex kittens were nothing of the sort and one of the kittens was already pregnant. It was wonderful to be present when the kittens were born, two went to Team GB Olympic rowers, and the third one I decided to keep. That’s how I ended up with Ozzy, Artemis, and Esa, each playing the role of amateur sleuth in my ‘Knitty Cat’ cozy mystery series.
At one point, we were living on a tiny island in the Channel Islands and sneaky Ozzy managed to escape on the morning we were due to fly home. Since the weather was a bit unpredictable and we would miss our landing slot at the airport in England, I had no choice but to leave without him, knowing that my friends would look after him until I could charter a plane for him a few days later. Luckily, most folks on island fly little planes, much the same as people on the mainland have cars. By the time Ozzy arrived at our new house with the courier, it was like it was just an average day for him, he had no idea of all the logistics and extra costs incurred on his behalf. Sadly my dog, Isla died of cancer last year. The cats really miss her, but little do they know that there’s to be a new addition to the menagerie soon – I’m going to be a ‘puppy raiser’ for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and I can’t wait for all the new adventures and mischief to come!
I’ve created some Ozzy, Artemis, and Esa stickers and swag on Redbubble as part of my Knitty Cat cozy mystery series. I have a T-shirt of them with me on Amazon too.
Cats and Catnapping
Mira Michaels finally calls her old life quits. She moves out of her psychic sister’s house and is on the road to her new life. Her trip to Pennsylvania starts simply, even if her cat, Arnold, can’t stop backseat driving. She refuses to accept that she can hear his kitty voice, until the radio refuses to work. Then, at a rest stop she witnesses a catnapping of the sweet kitty that Arnold has a crush on.
Mira promises to chase the catnapper across the northeast and find the cat’s owner all before she must meet her realtor at her new house. Antics ensue.Mira Michaels finally calls her old life quits. She moves out of her psychic sister’s house and is on the road to her new life. Her trip to Pennsylvania starts simply, even if her cat, Arnold, can’t stop backseat driving.
She refuses to accept that she can hear his kitty voice, until the radio refuses to work. Then, at a rest stop she witnesses a catnapping of the sweet kitty that Arnold has a crush on. Mira promises to chase the catnapper across the northeast and find the cat’s owner all before she must meet her realtor at her new house. Antics ensue.
Every Trick in the Book
Turning over a new leaf doesn’t always go according to plan…
When Jemma James takes a job at Burns Books, the second-worst secondhand bookshop in London, she finds her ambition to turn it around thwarted at every step. Raphael, the owner, is more interested in his newspaper than sales. Folio the bookshop cat has it in for Jemma, and the shop itself appears to have a mind of its own. Or is it more than that?
Gradually Jemma starts to make a difference … and then the anonymous letters start arriving. Who is behind them, and why?
As the threats escalate, and the shop becomes increasingly turbulent, Jemma and Raphael must work together to find the culprit. And what else will Jemma find in her investigations?
From the author:
Here are Frankie and Luna! Frankie is black and white, nearly 5, and he is Luna’s father. He’s also daft as a brush. Luna is the smart one. Luna is black apart from a little tuft of white on her chest and tummy, and she’s 3. They’re both rescue cats.
Luna has just muscled her way into book 4 of my cozy series
I’m guessing that it was actually the “American Humane Society” that started Adopt a Pet Month here in the US. We don’t have an American Human Association, however much we could use one given what the times are. In either case, I loved seeing all the authors’ furbabies. Kudos to Q-tip for the extra effort to hold the ceiling up and watching that the disembodied hand doesn’t come for anyone 😛 Can’t wait to get back to volunteering at my local shelter soon.
Good catch! Thank you. I’ve had a number of reader responses with their kitty pictures as well, so I’m planning to add another gallery for them.