Earlier today I attended the Cat Video Festival through Rose House. At the beginning of the event, the staff announced that the money from the ticket sales would be given to the Tompkins County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Then there was a trivia contest, and a hilarious cat impression contest. And then they rolled the comical and adorable hour long cat video compilation. The event was a ton of fun, and I would highly recommend it, especially if you are a cat fan.

It was great to see so many people come out to support the SPCA. Over half of the animals in shelters end up being euthanized. Donations help the SPCA to continue to shelter these animals. It is also important to remember that if you are looking for a pet to opt for a rescue animal over an animal from a pet store. There is currently an overpopulation crisis in the pet world. Animals in pet stores are often the product of breeders, and every animal bought from a breeder is a rescue animal that could have had a loving home but will have to be euthanized. Breeders often don’t neuter their animals, further contributing to the overpopulation. They can sometimes treat their animals poorly, and inbreeding to generate purebreds or specific breeds of dog can cause genetic defects which can be painful or even deadly. So if you or someone you know are looking for a furry friend, #adoptdontshop.