June is Adopt a Shelter Cat month, and as an animal shelter volunteer and guardian of two adopted cats, I can say that there's no better place to find your new best friend than your local shelter.

From playful kittens to cuddly "lap cats," regal Persians to cute calicos, shelters have them all.

Shelters across the country are overflowing with kittens this time of year because of people who don't spay or neuter their cats.

With so many more cats than there are good homes, many of these healthy, friendly cats never find the loving homes they deserve and must be euthanized.

If you are ready to add a cat to your family, please save a life and make a best friend for life - adopt from animal shelters instead of buying kittens from pet stores or breeders, which add to the overpopulation crisis.

And please help keep animals out of shelters by having your new companion spayed or neutered. Visit www.helpinganimals.com for more ways to help.

Lindsay Pollard-Post

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Norfolk, Va.