Las Vegas Animal Rescue Giving Veterans Day Adoption Special

Homeward Bound is an animal rescue in Las Vegas dedicated to providing resources and support for both cats and people. And for this weekend's special, they're beautifully matching one to the other. The adoption center recently announced their Veterans For Veterans program. Which gives veterans a special discount for cats adopted over Veterans Day weekend.

The veteran cats are the ones who have been with Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions the longest. And they will be offered this weekend to veterans at half of the normal adoption fee costs. The special is for Friday, November 10 through Sunday, November 12.

The CDC says that having a pet has many good effects on the pet's owner. Including decreased blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. And the bond between people and their pets have shown in studies to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. And it can decrease the symptoms of PTSD. Something many veterans live with after their time in the military.

But the new program for veterans goes beyond Veterans Day weekend. Beginning Friday, November 10, Homeward Bound will also give veterans 10% off adoption fees any time they adopt a cat from them. Adoptions include about $300 worth of services. Including spay or neutering, up-to-date vaccines, and microchips.

In 2007, Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions started by fostering Las Vegas animals in homes of residents. They successfully operated that way until 2019, when they got funding to open their Flamingo Adoption Center. Located at 2675 East Flamingo Road, Suite 3. The adoption center provides space for the cats to roam freely as opposed to being in crates. Which reduces their stress and sets the cat up for success in a new home (homewardboundcats.org). Their adoption hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions is also always in need of volunteers. For information on how to get involved, visit homewardboundcats.org.

-Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ

The black cat has gotten a really bad rap over the years. Some say the superstition against them has been around since the medieval period. But why? A few of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time? That forever linked their descendants to bad luck? Not cool. Also not universal. Black cats are actually good luck in some countries. There's a superstition in England that says giving  one to a couple on their wedding day will bring the marriage good luck. A married couple with a black cat is expected to have a long and happy life together. The superstition also says that the cat in the home will scare away evil spirits. Japan has a similar positive connection to black cats and love. Their tradition is that a single woman who has a one will have her choice of suitors to pick from. Japan also has beliefs that a black cat will bring wealth and prosperity. French culture carries a similar belief.

And Russia takes the cake on cats being good luck for financial success. According to foreignpolicy.com, there is a bank in Russia that will loan you a cat for two hours when you sign mortgage papers. The new homeowners are supposed to let the cat walk across their new threshold for good luck. The cat can be any color, even black. The bank owners believe a feline crossing the threshold will ensure the new borrowers will return the bank's money with no issues. So a black cat in Russia is not only good luck, but banked on for good prosperity. See what I did there?

Superstitions or not, we think black cats make AMAZING pets. If you've never considered getting one, here are a few reasons we think you should.

The contrast of a black cat's dark coat with their bright eyes is gorgeous. Many have yellow eyes but there are some with blue as well. Also, their coats, when well cared-for, shine in a way cats of other colors just don't.

If you have ever owned a pet, you know those vet bills can add up. Well there's a little-known secret that black cats are more disease-resilient than cats of other colors. That could mean less money out of your pocket.

Black cats are great at camouflaging at night. And Las Vegas residents know coyotes in these parts are getting worse and worse. Your little black fur baby has a better chance at eluding these predators than their kitty counterparts.

This is where that bad black kitty stigma is a good thing. Because some people are superstitious against them, they're not as likely to get stolen if they're out wandering around. And some people swear they actually scare off would-be home invaders too.

There aren't many breeds of domestic cat that mimics the coloring of their wild counterparts. The black cat is one of the few who actually look like a mini version of a big cat. And let's face it...with Min Pins and Teacup Poodles, aren't minis where it's at these days? When someone asks what kind of cat you have, you can say "A Min Pan" (mini pather). :D

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