In honor of National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, the ASPCA conducted a survey to identify what makes a cat the purrfect pet. The results showed that while those with cats have overwhelmingly positive experiences with their feline friends, non-pet owners lack an understanding of the benefits of having cats as pets.

Of the American adults surveyed, only 47% of non-pet owners believe cats make great companions, compared to 73% of cat owners. Additionally, fewer than half (46%) of non-pet owners agree that cats are low-maintenance, compared to an overwhelming 82% of cat owners. The survey also found that a vast majority of cat owners believe that cats are intelligent (77%), quiet (77%) and independent (71%).

“This survey further confirms what many of us already know—cats are intelligent animals that make excellent companions,” says Dr. Emily Weiss, ASPCA Vice President of Research & Development. “We hope that the public learns from the experiences of current cat owners that there are many benefits of welcoming a cat into your home.”

With 3.4 million cats entering shelters every year, we also hope that these survey results encourage the public to consider adopting a feline friend of their own. To find out how else you can make a difference during Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, check out our list of ways to get involved