[6kiddos]

Have you seen the commercial for Arm & Hammer cat litter? It says something like this..."First we adopted (insert name of cat) and then we adopted Arm & Hammer cat litter." I get mad every time I see this commercial so I went on their website today and sent this email...

In your commercial for your cat litter product you use the word "adopt" in an offensive way. As the mother of two children adopted from the foster care system, I have always considered it to be rather offensive that the word "adopt" is used in reference to pets in our society, but to say that you "adopt" cat litter is going too far. Adoption is a sacred act and not something as trivial as choosing the material that your cat defecates in.

Our family has a cat and we appreciate good quality pet products, but this commercial has given me a negative view of your product because it cheapens a word that is at the core of the way our family was formed.

Am I just being overly sensitive?

[michellemartin]

As a birthmother I am not offended by the by the use of adopt in reference to pets, it is what it is. But then I say I adopted three furry four legged feline's myself. I dont think you're being overly sensitive about the use of adopt in reference to the kitty litter at all. That is sort of wrong to use it in reference to that.

[echaos]

Personally it doesn't bother me, but I can understand your concern.

Whenever this topic comes up, I think that people touched by adoption sometimes forget that the word "adopt" has more then one definition and use:

1)To take into one's family through legal means and raise as one's own child.

2)To take and follow (a course of action, for example) by choice or assent: adopt a new technique.

3)To take up and make one's own: adopt a new idea.

4)To take on or assume: adopted an air of importance.

5)To vote to accept: adopt a resolution.

6)To choose as standard or required in a course: adopt a new line of English textbooks.