Short Staffed

Red watching over all of the cats

There were only a few volunteers this Monday night, as it was a holiday weekend. This meant we had to spread out as wide as we could to clean, and had little time to pet or play with the cats. This also meant I didn't get many good chances to take very many photos, sorry! I tried to be as efficient as I could while also giving the cats as much attention as possible, which often meant multiple head pats or a toy mouse dangled in front of a cat's face.

My routine was paused when a mother and child came into the shelter in search of two cats. They had already had their eye on Cash (who no longer lashed out when he wasn't given attention) and River, a young, seemingly rambunctious cat who was new to the shelter. As I scurried from cage to cage the girl followed me, curious as to "why" I was doing anything that I did.

I brought her in to see Zane, a large, mellow cat who has a small room to himself in the back room. Zane unfortunately doesn't get along very well with other cats, and doesn't like being cooped up in his little room. He was adopted over ten years ago, but brought back sometime before I started volunteering, said to have a history of biting. None of the volunteers have noticed any biting, aside from a playful nip here and there if you're petting him and he gets the urge to play with your hand. He's pretty aloof around me. He appreciates it when I fill up his food dish, but after I pet him a time or two he finds it much more interesting to hop up to one of his shelves for a nap.

Zane was curled up on a high shelf when we walked in, but I picked him up and set him on the floor for the girl to pet. She was a little nervous he would bite her, so settled on filling up his cage with as many toys as I would allow. I told her that he liked being petted, and if she was nervous, to let him sniff her fingers first to gain his trust. As I said this, I let him sniff my fingers, and sure enough he flopped over and began to purr loudly. The girl didn't bother with the sniffing, and instead lunged her arm forward for a couple rough pats on his side. Zane loved it anyway, and closed his eyes halfway, purring along. I had never seen him quite so friendly before.

We soon left the room, as the girl's mother came back with the volunteer coordinator to ask questions about certain cats, and I had a lot of cleaning left to do. As I scrubbed along, Zane sat at his door, meowing. He wanted more attention! I told this to the girl, and she made it her job to continue to fill his cage with toys.

We finished cleaning well after 8pm, and I stayed even later, peeking my head into a couple rooms to give those cats a little extra attention.

I had a visit from Andy. Bologna bonded with him.

 Handsome, calm Calloway was happy for some attention at the end of the day.

Eagle was as adorable as ever.

A basket full of cat!

Dave was too high up for me to pet his fluffy belly, but he was happy to pose for a photo.

Mason (returned a 2nd time a couple weeks ago) is as sweet as ever

Many New Kitties

Although I arrived at the shelter pretty early, and although I only had the chance to greet a small handful of cats, it wasn't until 6:15 when I started cleaning. My first stop was my usual first visit- the small, corner room with Latke, Mickey, Grayson, and Tuckerman. Mickey had been sick last week, so I was happy to see him back out of his cage, roaming around and rubbing against my legs. I was sad not to see Opie Tayer for the second week in a row. He had been sick for about two weeks before that, so I've been concerned about how he's doing.

"I just want you to rub my belly, I don't care how uncomfortable I might look." ~Mickey.

Latke was front and center when I walked in, and was happy to be held and petted alongside Mickey. Mickey, to my delight, has made it a habit to creep out of his bed and rub against my legs until I have to get going. Tuckerman and Grayson were too sleepy too want cuddles, but tolerated some solid petting. There was a new boy in the room, Lukas. Lukas was a black and white, long-haired cat, caged up with a note asking to be cautious and quiet around him, as he's been nervous and terrified. I let him sniff my fingers, and after cautiously approaching me, he flopped to his side and was very happy to have me pet him. Granted, I wasn't making any loud noises.

Lukas cautiously approaches before flopping over affectionately.

There were many new faces besides Lukas all about the shelter.

Bologna was a cute, young spotted gray boy with a loud meow. He would quiet down the second he was being petted.

"Thanks for opening the cage! Now don't mind if I just slip on past..." ~Bologna

Galina and Grasshopper- two young cats were already pending adoption within the first twenty minutes I was there.

Grasshopper: The softest and chillest cat you'll ever find

Cash was a lover. Loved being petted, scratched, rubbed... but the instant you stop petting him he attacks. Very deceiving.

"What did I do?" ~Cash

Hamish was a handsome, orange boy, who was very, very shy.

"I want you to pet me. But no, I don't want you to touch me. Life is confusing." ~Hamish

Eagle was a new Feline Leukemia kitty. He's getting along very well with the other two- Chi Chi and Calloway.

Eagle and Calloway watching me clean Zane's room from their room.

I was glad I arrived early and spent that time snuggling, as there wasn't much time at the end of the shift. I cleaned the large, back room yet again, and by the time I emerged back to the front, Latke had been adopted. I was happy for him, but selfishly sad that he'll no longer be at the shelter every Monday for me to cuddle after a long day of work.

"I know I was being adorable and rolling around on my back a second ago, but I take photographs very seriously." ~Latke

Mr. Bean: A sweet, soft cat caged up in the front.

News from the Shelter

Frito lies on his back to see Van Gogh, Olivia Benson, and Hamburger

Last Wednesday I brought my friend, Elissa, to see the cats at Feline Rescue. It was fun showing off all of my furry friends, and spending the time cuddling and playing without needed to clean anything.

Elissa and Colorado

It turned out to be a good day to stop in, because Hamburger and Olivia Benson were being adopted! I was given some time to say goodbye, and wish them good luck.

Hamburger

Olivia Benson

There were many more adoptions over the week- Asiago, Provolone, Becka, to name a few- but by the time Monday rolled around, new cats had already filled the empty cages.

Asiago- already adopted by Monday!

After greeting the cats up front, I started cleaning in the large, back room once again. I took my time, doing a thorough job and giving attention to any cat that passed by.

Mickey and Tuckerman snuggling

Latke, as cuddly as ever.

Newbridge, a very sweet and mellow boy.

Rino, the homeless man's cat. Already adopted as of yesterday!

Widget was thrilled that I cleaned his cage.

After cleaning some cages and wiping down shelving I turned to clean Chanterelle's cage. She peered down at me when I cleaned the lower level, but batted at me when I cleaned the top level where she spends most of her time. Chanterelle's owner passed away and she was brought in a few weeks ago. She hasn't been having a very good time of things. I stepped back, unsure if she would let me finish cleaning. Fortunately, she hopped up to the top level and let me clean, peering suspiciously at me the entire time, and impressing the other volunteers.

Chanterelle

I finished up the shift sweeping and mopping the Feline Leukemia room. Sugar Bear, the white cat, was off "visiting a friend," who is really a woman- a vet, actually- considering adopting him! Keep your fingers crossed that everything works out and it goes through!

The two cats in the room are now Calloway and Chi Chi. With her new roommate, Chi Chi has become incredibly affectionate, and follows Calloway all over, washing him as he sits patiently.

Calloway and Chi Chi

There wasn't any extra time to just play/cuddle, but I made sure to say goodbye to a few that may be adopted before next Monday.

On a sad note, one of the volunteers updated me on the status of two orange cats that were in the shelter a bit over a month ago. Both were sweet and playful, and one in particular was quite mischievous. The other was sick, yet I didn't think much of it at the time. They were put into foster after a couple of weeks as the one continued to be sick. Sadly, he just recently passed away. Fortunately his brother, Wexford, was just adopted. This will happen occasionally- it's bound to with cats that have been living off the streets- but this was the first one I had known, which makes it all the more difficult.

A busy night

The open sign had barely been flipped over when potential adopters flooded the shelter. Couple after couple came in all day, keeping the adoption coordinator busy. Despite having to answer questions, and clean around people, we once again finished with plenty of time to spare. The cats were calmer than last week, even with all of the extra people around.

Ally Oop poses.

Either Mogadishu or Melbourne models mid-washing. What a good night for posing cats.

Provolone shows off her playing skills. 

With over half an hour set aside to give cats attention, I poked my head into all of the rooms to get to know cats I didn't know as well.

Latke, the snuggler.

Latke, the big, fluffy, orange cat was granted the freedom of being a roamer in the front corner room. He didn't roll over on his belly for me, even with much coaxing, but he was happy to be held. A large cat, he was difficult to hold, but once positioned he would relax completely, only moving to scratch his face with my nose. There's nothing quite like having a solid, furry, mound purring greedily in your arms.

The FIV+ cats were happy to see me. Hamburger hopped down directly onto my lap from his perch and proceeded to wash me, Van Gogh lay at my feet washing himself, and Olivia Benson huddled by my side, kneading her paws (and claws) on my leg if I ever stopped petting her for too long.

Olivia Benson, Van Gogh, and Hamburger.

I can never stress how much I love volunteering at Feline Rescue, or just how much it brightens up an otherwise dull and sleepy Monday.