Much Needed Cat-Time

After an exhausting and stressful Monday I was looking forward to a night filled with comforting felines. As expected, they did not disappoint. The roaming cats were still in their rooms when I entered, and Jaeda was allowed to run free. I petted and played with her for a few minutes, feeling my stress start to melt away. I took awhile to start cleaning, and poked my head into the large, back room to see who was there.

Mouse is the newest resident in the back room.

I started by cleaning the front corner room. Jigsaw was adopted last week, but Mickey, Polar Bear, and Grayson were all still there. I picked up Polar Bear and snuggled with him for awhile. He may be one of the best lap cats I've ever seen. Solid, soft and warm, he stayed on my lap, happily purring as time passed along. I was told that he had to be put back in his cage- he had been let out by mistake earlier- as he has an injured paw that isn't healing as quickly as hoped.

Polar Bear incredibly relaxed on my lap.

"I'll let you pet my belly if you don't put me back in that cage." ~Polar Bear

I very reluctantly took him off my lap to begin cleaning. I cleaned his cage first before shutting him in. I felt so bad, as he looked so sad. To make up for it, I kept visiting him and petting him for awhile. Although that was just as much for me as it was for him.

I cleaned the FIV+ room next. All three cats greeted me very vocally. Hamburger happily leapt onto my lap as Olivia Benson and Edna strode around me, willing my lap to magically fit more than one cat. Edna got bored after awhile, and I continued to do my best to pet both Hamburger and Olivia Benson simultaneously.

Some cats tails for my cat tales!

"Pet meeeeeeee!" ~Olivia Benson

"Is there room for me too?" ~Olivia Benson
"All mine!" ~Hamburger

There were plenty of volunteers, so everyone finished with about half an hour to spare. What a good day for much needed extra play and snuggle time!

Doctor Who arrived via the Tardis, and is the newest resident in the large, front room.

Hamburger and Olivia Benson washing up each others faces.

Brothers Colorado and Red hanging out in the birdbath bed. 

"Did you know that cats make good pillows?" ~Colorado
"Mphmm" ~Red

"Maybe if I look cute she'll let me out of the cage." ~Polar Bear 

Opie Taylor sure knows how to pose!

Sugar Bear getting some love from one of the volunteers.

"Look, a new cat bed walked into my room!" ~Sugar Bear

Several new cats were brought in over the course of the night:

A poor, scared new kitty.

The poor, scared new kitty notices his roommate.

So many things to see!

This guy had the sweetest meow.

The end of the shift came too quickly, as usual, and I left at 8:10 to catch my bus, hanging outside of the shelter and watching the cats until it came.

"Have a good night, Kaitlin, I'll miss you!" ~Hamburger