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.
Molly enjoys a game with her very own toy and relaxes
on her very own window ledge!
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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