Proud Alumni IX

 

STORMY

Stormy came to us when she began peeing around her old home. The cause was not a medical problem, and once she was in a new environment the circumstances that prompted her to do that were gone. She always used her litter pan at the shelter. But she was still hard to adopt out because she was always uneasy among the other cats so she would become easily overstimulated and lash out at potential adopters. She finally found her forever home and we heard back that she was settling into her new home joyfully within just an hour of arriving there. She calls herself Molly now. Nearly a month later, we received another update with lots of great news. "I couldn't be happier with Molly, she is pure love. Molly loves attention and isn't the least bit shy. ... She happily greets me and others at the door, and then joins us for a glass of wine and a chat on the sofa. ... She sleeps with me at night and has this adorable habit of patting me with the soft pads of her paws in the morning whenever I hit the snooze button!! Too cute. Molly kneeds like a kitten and has a cute habit of pulling up her front paw like a pointer dog (The same paw that she pats me with!!) She is happy and she is HOME."
Her original home told us she didn't like to be picked up. But in her new home she was very affectionate from the start, welcoming kisses and cuddles. It just goes to show that animals are different in different environments and problems in the past do not predict problems in the future.
A year after Molly (formerly Stormy) went home, we had an update. "What a joy she is" her mom said, and she sent a useful tip: "She was originally surrendered to Katie's Place due to urinary problems; rare but did occasionally occur here at her new home as well. Plenty of internet research later; I learned that long haired cats; particularly those who love to groom (as Molly does) do NOT like litter boxes with lids as they cannot turn around easily and so they often soil themselves! So off the lid came and I made sure she had a deep dish and plenty of litter and the problem immediately was eradicated. Cats are such neat freaks. So encourage this tidbit with new adopters if their felines have urinary problems -- no lids, deep dishes and scoop daily!"  Sound advice!


Molly looks like a completely happy cat!

LUCY

Lucy arrived at the shelter as a semi-feral four-month-old in September 2002. She came to trust the volunteers but she considered the shelter her home (the only home she'd ever known), so one adoption failed when she never adapted to home life. We wondered if she would spend her life with us. She was happy and friendly at the shelter. When a visitor met her in March 2008, they were enchanted with the affectionate little cat and decided to adopt her despite her history. Lucy must have been waiting for this home. She adapted quite rapidly, becoming best friends with the other resident cat and snuggling with her new people within about a month of going home. Her new mom said, "I am quite smitten with my Luce Goose and am so relieved that she has adapted so well."


The top left picture is Lucy when she first arrived at the shelter as a terrified kitten who had never met a human before.
The other pictures are from her new home where she is a happy family member.

O'MALLEY

O'Malley was a sweet, good natured cat but he was just a big, plain black adult male -- the hardest kind to find a home for. So he was in shelter care for at least a year having come to Katie's Place from another shelter) before a volunteer adopted him. Once you got to know this fellow as the volunteers did, you couldn't help but love him. His new person is delighted to be his person and she says he's "full of love and cuddles".


These photos from O'Malley's new home show a relaxed, happy boy who clearly appreciates a comfy bed.

CLYDE

Clyde was a friendly, gentle cat. But he quiet and always looked sad. He was probably depressed to end up in a shelter. But he had arrived testing positive for FeLV and that meant he may never find a home. He would have to be an indoor cat and an only cat. Also, many adopters are put off by the idea of a cat with a chronic disease. But our volunteers know these little guys; they see how exceptionally loving the FeLV/FIV cats are and they see that the viruses won't stop them from being wonderful companions. So Clyde was lucky enough to be adopted by a volunteer. She reported back right away, "So Clyde is home and you know what I discovered? He has a voice! Since I began volunteering I never heard meow, not once! He meowed in the car (what cat wouldn't though!) and when he got home. When he finally got out of his carrier, he walked around and sniffed and then darted for protection under the bed. Thankfully that only lasted a couple of minutes, literally a couple of minutes. Soon enough he found that he was safe and home so he crawled out from under the bed and just began rolling on the floor. By then I knew he was beginning to settle in very nicely. Since then, he's eaten dry and wet food, had a couple of naps, loved the million brush strokes he received and finally used his VERY OWN litter box! But the best part of all, he no longer has sad eyes! I am sooo glad we found one another, and I can definitely say this is a lovely cat who went to a loving home!"

The inset close up is of Clyde's sad face when he was at the shelter.
The larger photo of Clyde with "his MOST favorite toy in the world" was sent to us from his new home -- no more sad eyes!

PEACH

Peach waited nearly two years for a home. She was nine years old when she was surrendered to a shelter and she was eleven when she finally found a home. She had a short fuse at the shelter and ended up smacking people whose attention she had so badly wanted. Her chances for adoption seemed to be slim. But her luck changed. Here's what her new family has to say about her:

We were lucky enough to have adopted Peach back in December. May I say that she has been nothing but a joy for us! Sure, there are the trouble spots, but I'd like to meet any human without trouble spots. I just wanted to write and thank you again for enriching our lives with her. I have enclosed a few of our by now hundreds of the 'oh my goodness, look what Peach is doing, isn't she adorable!' pictures. My girlfriend now gets why I insisted on getting a rescued cat and can't imagine any other way of adopting one. You are fantastic people doing a wonderful thing. The last picture ended up being a bit of a double meaning, and I took the shot not noticing that it was. My girlfriend pointed it out to me. You are the true 'Saved' people though.

Peach is hardly the feisty cat that she was at the shelter (scratching when unprovoked). However, what we have discovered is that she is incredibly playful! She picks up her toys and brings them to our feet, meowing until we play with her. It's amazing that she has relaxed into this playful and fun cat, especially for an older girl! She is still just as needy in some ways though. She crawls on us to cuddle no matter WHAT we are doing. Thank you for taking care of her until she found the right home. We love her.


The smaller shot at top was taken when she was on a volunteer's lap at the shelter.
The larger shot below it was sent to us by Peach's new family. See how much her face has become relaxed and happy.


Peach: "Saved" now!

SUZI

Suzi was a senior cat who only lost her home due to a new baby in the house. She was a well-behaved, lovely cat who was friendly to everyone, feline or human. Then her vet check showed that she was hyperthyroid and needed regular medication. And she grew depressed at the shelter. After many years as a house cat and family member, Suzi missed that life terribly. She went home with a volunteer where she could enjoy a real home life and her health could be more closely monitored. Even though she perked up a lot, she never seemed very interested in food and she hated getting her meds. The volunteer takes in other such urgent cases so we still hoped Suzi might find a real home. As unlikely as it was, someone came along who wanted to give a home to a cat like Suzi who really needed them. Now we've had a report back from Suzi's new home:
"Suzi is doing really well. She settled in right away -- has been eating and drinking well and taking her pills like a champ. She really enjoys hanging out with the crowd. Wherever we are -- she is with us! She is truly a lovely cat. I have attached a few pictures of Suzi in her 'already claimed' favorites spots."
It seems like a cure for almost anything is A HOME OF YOUR OWN!


The left photo was taken at the shelter while Suzi was getting sub-Q IV fluids for dehydration.
The right photo is from Suzi's new home where she's sitting, comfy and perky, on 'her' couch beside one of her people.

WALTZING MATHILDA

We heard from Mathilda's family several years after she was adopted. When Mathilda was at the shelter, she was a handful who accepted living with a whole lot of other cats under protest. She managed but she was grateful to finally get a real home of her own. Now, five years later, Mathilda (who now calls herself Janis) is still happy in her own home, as her family says below.
"We adopted a wonderful Maine Coone cat from you in April, 2003. Her name at the shelter had been 'Waltzing Matilda'. She now responds with a chirp to 'Janis' or 'baby'. Just wanted to update you that she is still doing great and is spoiled as ever. We love her so much and can't imagine our lives without her. Her personality is so unique and humorous! She runs the household :) Thanks again."


This is Mathilda relaxing in her own home, the picture of contentment!

CARMEL and FRISCO

This brother and sister were this year's babies. They went home together and now call themselves Belle and Cooper. Their family let us know that "Belle and Cooper are just wonderful to have as part of our family. Every day is more blessed than the other."


They're certainly enjoying home life where there is endless mischief to get into!

MONIQUE

Monique arrived at the shelter with her brother, Pierre, as feral kittens who had never been near humans before. They cowered in their cage and peered at us suspiciously. Pierre was adopted almost immediately and at his young age he adapted to life as a house pet easily. But Monique didn't get adopted until she was a young adult. She wouldn't let the volunteers get too close to her at the shelter. But the exposure to humans paid off when she was adopted. Her new person wrote, "She's doing so well.  She's settled right in, and is best friends with Katie [another Katie's Place alumnus]. They race around the place like crazy cats, playing with each other. At night, they curl up on my bed together. She's getting quite brave around me. She'll follow me from room to room, and allows me to get quite close, but if I lean down to pick her up, she still runs away. When I do manage to pick her up, she LOVES being cuddled and turns into a purr-machine. A few times, she's actually snuggled under my bedcovers with me for a few minutes."


The inset photo is of Monique and her brother Pierre when they arrived at the shelter. They tried to hide, and Monique is the one peering over Pierre's head.
The larger photo is of Monique (who now calls herself Ellie) at home with her new best friend, Katie.

SHANIA

    Shania came to us when a group of teens were seen chasing her around a vacant lot. She was scared at first but she warmed up with time and attracted an adopter's attention. She didn't have to spend long at the shelter before going to a new home. Below is a letter she sent us from her new home.
    "Hello, my name is Tootsie, do you remember me? When I was at Katie's Place, you called me "Shania", but my new mom didn't like that name much, and I had a new name before the car even got to the bottom of your driveway! Anyway, this is me relaxing in my new home (can you see that I've gained a little weight too?). I really like my new family, and we live in a big house with lots of room to run and places to hide. I have a cat friend too. Her name is Molly and she is older, but Mom says that I bring out her "inner kiten", and we like to chase each other through the house and play wrestle. I know that I am a very lucky cat, and I want to thank you for taking such good care of me until my new mom came and brought me home. Mom just got something called a cheque from the government (whatever that is), and she is quite choked by the whole thing and doesn't want the bribe, so we are donating it to you. Please use it to continue your wonderful work, and to help more little kitties like me until their new families come to take them home too.  Purrs and Meows from Tootsie."
    We are delighted to put Tootsie's donation to good use, helping others like her.


Inset at bottom left is a photo from when she was at the shelter and felt nervous and scared.
The larger photo from her new home shows a much more relaxed little cat!

KIPLING and CADBURY

Kipling and Cadbury came to the shelter separately and they weren't with us for too long before they found a forever home together. They are two very lucky cats! Their new mom sent us the message below shortly after they went home.
"It didn't take to long for the boys to settle in. Cadbury has become attached to [his adoptive dad] and sleeps curled up on his legs. Kipling has become attached to me, likes to sleep beside me under the covers, and has to have the corner of the pillow. I would take a picture but it's kind of hard to do when they won't let us up. LOL  I think they are still adjusting and thinking this is too good to be true. Their first feeding consisted of me sitting on the floor with them. They kept taking a bite, then looking around as if someone was going to steal it. Now they have their own dishes and realize that no one's going to take it away. Right now Kipling is sitting on the desk watching the screen and swatting at the cursor as I type. After two days I know we made the right choice, or should I say they did as they chose us."


Kipling is the gray tabby lounging on the left and Cadbury is the Bengal type lounging on the right, beside his new brother.

SATURN

    We worried about Saturn. The end of this month would have been a full year in shelter care for her. Yet her chances of adoption were remote because, first, she's a cranky girl with a short fuse and, second, she's let herself go; her fur had become dull and clumped and her eyes always seemed goopy in the corners. She just wasn't happy with shelter life. But it was Catch-22 -- the more unhappy she was and the shabbier she let herself become, the less likely she was to get adopted into a real home. We didn't know what to do for her. Then a volunteer stepped up and took her home. The best we expected was that Saturn would appreciate the chance to be alone more. But read on for her new mom's report on her, and discover the miracle that can happen when you give a miserable animal a chance!
    All the volunteers were notified that Saturn went home. The notice said one of our volunteers "has decided to see how Miss Cranky Pants would do in a real home and they have generously given this girl a chance to see if her health and/or attitude changes being out of the shelter. Lucky Girl!"
    to which came the reply...
    "Cranky Pants? Did you call our sweet, rolling on the floor, purring away, letting us brush her and talking to us cat... a Cranky Pants? Shame ... she will be proud to show you how much she loves being in a home and is even respectful and friendly towards the other cats (Yes, do you just believe it!)
    And she just sat in her carrier on the way here, not a word, and when she arrived, she jumped out of the carrier, no hesitation, and proceeded to rub against us, purring and purring to say "Thanks for taking me home. I know Katie's Place was a nice place, but shelter life was just not for me!"
    She runs to greet us, sits by my desk while I am working, and she is already figuring out that our bed is her bed too! Just a hoot, and I must say, I would have never imagined such a transformation."


This was the last photo we got of Saturn at the shelter, a week or two before she went home.
You can see that her fur had become dull and poorly groomed. She has made a miracle turn-around.

BLACK JACK

When Black Jack first came to us, he was withdrawn and unresponsive. His file listed him as possibly semi-feral. Eventually Black Jack recovered his optimism and trust and he turned out to be an exceptionally loving, gentle cat. Read on to see what a remarkably different cat he is from the unhappy cat we first met. His new family describes below how he's doing at home.
 "Jack has a good life since arriving here. It was only a few days before we let Jack meet Cuddles, our resident Siamese cat. Cuddles is a tad high strung and does not welcome competition for our affection well. This was part of the attraction of what was written about Jack ["Black Jack is 22 pounds of good-natured friendliness..."] Jack has shown all the patience you described. Jack's only desire is to be Cuddles's friend. Jack is slowly winning him over, day by day. Jack really likes to greet with a good strong head butt. He does tend to topple over Cuddles which occasionally is greeted with a few declawed head shots. Jack just keeps on as if nothing is wrong, very gentle.
 Jack spends a great deal of time at his favorite window seat watching the world go by. Occasionally he will see another cat and become animated and meow frantically to greet them.
 Jack has had three visits to the vet to check over all aspects of his health and vaccinations. Jack does need to diet; otherwise he is strong and healthy. Jack has managed to lose a pound since his arrival but is still a handful to hold. Jack does have one house issue related to his size; he is unable to clean himself in the back quarters. Jack now gets a nightly bum shower any time we see an issue. Strangely or happily, Jack really seems to enjoy this and welcomes the shower with a raised tail."
 It just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover and you can't judge an animal by the way he behaves when he's still new in shelter care!


These photos, sent from Black Jack's new home, show what a happy guy he is with his new pal.




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