Berry

Berry is my cat. While it is difficult and unethical to choose favorites among my four cats, he also happens to be my favorite cat. Here is why.

• He is black. Black cats are so stigmatized and stereotyped as aggressive or even evil that people choose not to adopt or raise them. When it does happen, they wait longer to get adopted compared to their non-black companions. Cats who stay in shelters for too long find themselves at a higher risk of infections and respiratory diseases. 1 Berry is the offspring of Bean, our late mother cat who had seven kittens total. (Two of them were adopted from us by my sister's friends, and my sister took two to New York City.)



• He is brave. In August 2022, Berry was mauled by our neighbor's dog. I was luckily not home to see it, but unfortunately, my mom was, because she was watching them outside on their leashes on that beautiful summer day. She got temporarily distracted, Berry roamed to the edge of our yard, and the neighbor's dog sniffed him out and attacked him. The doctors reconstructed his LCL and attended to his badly injured annular ligament. The doctors said that he will develop arthritis one day. 2

  

  

  He was drained, put into a splint, got an EKG, and was put on multiple pain medications. He came home in a cast, as pictured above. The vets said that Berry was calm and kind to the staff throughout the whole ordeal.



• He bonded with me. He was attached to me from day one of me seeing him in person (the kittens were born when I was at school, and yes, I still got to watch them being born in a video chat.) He was the first cat from the litter that came up to me, and we fell for one another instantly. I named him Berry because his mother was also black. Her name was Bean, like a black bean, so I thought of other black foods, like blackberries. Thus, his name became Berry.

In conclusion, Berry is my favorite pet; he has found a home in my heart. If you want a black cat, or any cat really, in your life from a shelter, please prepare with the following steps: 3 4

1. Go to a shelter because that can save you money on spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping.
2. Choose a veterinarian ahead of time to set up an appointment for shortly after the adoption process is complete.
3. Consider your vacation plans: will you take your cat with you, or will you need a sitter?
4. Think about your home life. What is the size of your home? How safe is the area where you live? Is there a lot of tension in your living situation? Cats pick up on tension which may cause health problems faster. Does everyone in your family want a cat? Do you already have other pets?
5. Gather the necessary supplies, such as:
   • food and water bowls
   • a litter box, litter, and a scooper
   • scratching posts and toys
   • a comfortable cat bed
   • grooming supplies such as a brush, a toothbrush, and nail clippers
   • a collar with an ID tag with your name and phone number on it
   • non-toxic cleanser and odor neutralizer
   • first-aid supplies
6. Cat-proof your home. Do not leave your food out in the open. Conceal loose electrical cords. Pick up loose items that they can swallow, such as rubber bands, paper clips, and plastic.
7. Find a breed that matches with not only your personality but also that of your partner and family.
8. Consider the cat's age and personality relative to your lifestyle.
9. Once your cat is home, take it slow; it will take some weeks for it to get used to its new home.