Lukas

I've written about Lukas before, but he's a long-time favorite who's surprisingly still at the shelter. 

When he arrived this past spring he had a note on his cage that he was easily startled, so to be quiet and cautious around him. Despite being supposedly cautious to new people, he opened up to me right away. He was in his cage for awhile, but was soon granted freedom into the full, small room with a few other cats. He spent most of his time lounging on the top of his cage, just out of reach. However, whenever I visited he would walk over to the edge, and even jump down so I could properly pet and play with him.

It didn't take long for him to be comfortable with people and the other cats in the room. However, one by one they were adopted and replaced with cats that had trouble getting along with Lukas. He bounced around from one room to the next, eventually ending up in the large, back room. Unfortunately, he kept picking on other cats (although I never saw what he actually did) and after some more rearranging he ended up last week in his own room.

And he was not happy. 

On Monday I visited him in his room, and he hadn't moved from his little perch all day. He wasn't very receptive, but he looked longingly out the window at the other cats running around the larger room next to him.

Lukas sulking in his new room

I spent awhile petting him and he soon opened up, even inviting me to rub his belly.

I'm granted a rare belly rub

When I left he followed me to the door and sat staring out and meowing, just like he usually would in the smaller rooms he used to be in.

"Hey, come back!"

Lukas has a strong and adorable personality, is playful, and very very cute, so I'm surprised he hasn't been adopted yet. I mean, just look at that face!

"Won't you adopt me?"

Room for More

The empty cages from last Monday have slowly begun to fill. Unfortunately, several are being filled by returning cats. Polo, a sweetheart with cartoon-like puffs of fur sticking out from his cheeks was returned because the resident cat was. not. happy. and was giving him an impossibly hard time. There was a note from his owners of several weeks explaining was a wonderful "house guest" he was, and how sorry they were to have to let him go.

The appropriately named Cuddly and Cutie, who were adopted sometime this winter or spring, were returned. Their owner traveled too much each week and realized too late that that was not fair for the kitties.

There was a note on one of the cages: Hold for Houdini, didn't get along with resident cat. I'm looking forward to seeing him again, but I'm sad his home didn't work out. He was always fine with the cats at the shelter, if anything a little scared of some of the females at times.

Two new faces were Bellissa and Cherie. Bellissa is a bunny-soft, saucy cat, full of tween angst. Still a kitten, but wanting to be treated with the respect of an adult. But it's so irresistible to scoop her up and snuggle! Even with her tiny, kitten teeth gnawing at anything they can reach...

Bellissa looking up at Lukas (not pictured)

A new favorite, Cherie, was meowing at her cage, unhappy with her tiny living space. I opened it, pulled her out and put her on my lap. She instantly curled up in the tiniest ball, content to nap and be petted.

Cherie curled up and shedding on my lap.

Cora Lee and Meowly, two bonded sisters, have been warming up to people. When they first came in a few weeks ago they curled up against the side of the cage and anytime anyone would open the door they would huddle in the corner, pressed up to the sides as far as they could go.



Now they are happy to receive pets and compliments, and are happiest curled up together, napping.

Meowly and Cora Lee curled up together, happy for some attention.

There's a little room in the corner of the large, back room that is reserved for cats that need to be caged, but is a little bigger and nicer than any of the cages. Tarragon is the current resident. She keeps to herself, nips when she gets nervous, and I get the sense she is often bored and lonely. I spent some quality time with her this past week, discovering just how much she loves her feather toy.

Tarragon and her feather toy.

A Long Overdue Update

About a month ago the shelter was filled to the brim with cats. Every possible cage and room seemed to be filled - so much that cages would sometimes be passed up by those cleaning the space when they wouldn't realize a normally empty cage was filled for once.

So many wonderful cats were in. There was Yukon, who wagged his floppy tail like a dog and expressed his curiosity by rubbing against volunteers legs as they cleaned.

Dog-like Yukon post supper

Oh and Kelly- the messiest cat I've seen yet. When trying to clean his cage he'd want all of the attention- so much that anyone cleaning would have to enlist someone to hold him, or put him in the bathroom with toys.

What cleaning Kelly's cage was always like.

Houdini- so named because at animal control where he was before he would always manage to escape from his cage. At Feline Rescue he was a big-eyed, lovable scaredy-cat.

Snuggle champion, Houdini

Friendly Jax was sweet to all of the other cats (even if they weren't always sweet back) and would lie thoughtfully staring out the window.

Curious Jax

There was one cutie-pie, Granada, who was only there one Monday. I was mopping when I heard her meowing desperately. I looked over and saw that while using her litter box she had very cleanly missed. Upset, she tried hiding it with a blanket, and kicking litter over it, but in the end gave up and asked for help. The moment I finished cleaning up her mess she settled quietly on her new bed in her clean space.

"Thanks for cleaning my cage!" ~Granada

Sweethearts Heather, Gumbo, Milton, and all of those mentioned above were in, out, and on their way in no time, and soon the shelter was back to an average amount of cats.

Gumbo 

Heather

Milton

I was in today to take some videos for potential social media use- so keep an eye out for those!

News from the Corner Room

I may have been too busy to write about cats, but I haven't been too busy to visit them! Besides my usual Monday volunteering, I visited the shelter two weekends in a row with my boyfriend. We had a good time meeting new cats together, playing with them, and receiving licks and cuddles.

Eagle enjoying some bonus attention.

The 2nd Saturday we went, we were in my favorite room in the back corner playing with Mickey, Tuckerman, and Lukas, when a woman came in carrying two cat carriers. In went Mickey and Grayson. Tuckerman hid under the shelves. Out went Mickey and Grayson, meowing their young boy-cat mews. My heart dropped. Although thrilled that they're going to a proper home, I've been holding out hope that all three friends- Grayson, Mickey, and Tuckerman- would have been adopted together. Instead, shy Tuckerman was left alone to hide by himself under the shelves.

Mickey and Tuckerman- always ready to play.

The Monday before, I was in the shelter, distracted by the news of my old family cat, Dexter's, failing health, and just minutes from learning of his death. My buddies in my favorite corner room seemed to sense my sadness and did their best to make me happy and show their love. Even Tortilla, a soft tabby with a frost-bitten ear that never leaves his cat bed, climbed out from his post to rub against my legs and sprawl on my feet.

Tortilla

"Maybe Dexter's spirit entered him to say goodbye," my mom later theorized. Maybe.

Lukas, Mickey, Torilla, Tuckerman, and me. Cat heaven.

This Monday Tortilla was adopted, Mickey and Grayson have had over a week to settle into their new home, and the corner room has a new roamer- Norton- a skinny, kitty-boy with a healing scratch on his nose and a mind to play.

Norton, still in his cage before allowed the freedom to be a roamer.

But the best thing of all is Tuckerman, who over the week bonded with Norton, and even with the absence of Mickey, now has a new good friend.

Norton and Tuckerman

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Friendly Cajun tries to pat me.

Milton enjoying his brief stay by gazing out at the view.

Sophia Grace tries to reach her mousie two levels down.

Yukon, quiet and hidden in the back room.

The cats patiently wait for the volunteers to enter.

Fat Cats, Playful Cats, Cats Cats Cats

The cats were full of play and charm this Monday at the shelter. Here are some fun photo highlights from the evening!

Just a little to the left... Tabasco, the fattest cat ever, gets a little bit of exercise.

"A toy for me! I'm the happiest cat in the world!" ~Caboodle 

Emily Cat didn't want to be picked up, but she wanted pets, cuddles, kisses, and hugs.

Opie Taylor's playmate, Fortissimo, was adopted that night, so he spent most of the evening
 trying to find someone new that could keep up with his energy.

Patch Adams curled up on the food bin.

Sophie Grace, cute soft and sweet, with big, worried eyes.

"Who are yoooouuu?" ~Mango
"Sorry, trying to reach this toy is much more pressing." ~Hamisch

Mickey, Grayson, and Tuckerman enjoy some end of the day playtime.

I wish I would have taken a photo- but as I waited for the bus at the end of the day Grayson hopped up on the window sill and eyed me with interest. Soon after, Lukas joined him. By the time the bus pulled up I glanced back at the window, and Grayson, Lukas, Mickey, and Blackberry were all gathered together watching me climb onto the bus and leave.

How to Make a Cat Like You: Tip #24

Opie Taylor Playing with the string

I recently stumbled upon a book called "97 Ways to Make a Cat Like You." Tip #24 suggests to tie a string to your pants and encourage your cat to chase it as you walk around your house.

While trying to both clean a cage and play with a cat I decided to try this, and it worked! A few times as I walked around I had to dangle the toy in front of some cats to encourage them to follow me, but other times they would follow me on their own. Opie Taylor was particularly fond of this game.

Which brings me back to Opie Taylor. He was in the shelter several months ago, but after a few weeks of being sick he vanished from the shelter. I was concerned, but heard no word of him. I was thrilled to see him back at the shelter on Monday, and seemingly healthy and happy.

Opie Taylor looking for attention as I cleaned Queen's cage. (Queen also wanted attention)

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Queen was confined to her cage, but all she wanted was snuggles.

Lionel (who is pending adoption) relaxing by the window, listening to the downpour.

Sweet and quiet Tortilla watched on as I played with Tuckerman and Mickey.

Tuckerman was feeling especially brave and affectionate.

Van Gogh gazing out at the rainy day.

What About the Older Cats?

Victor

Last week Victor growled and hissed and wouldn't let anyone get near him before jumping to an out-of-reach space in his cage. He eventually trusted me enough to pet him, but was still cautious. This week, Victor meowed at every human and cat, but this wasn't any "I'm, scared, what's going on" meow. This was a "Hey! Hey! Hey! Notice me!" meow. He was a little restless, but every time I reached in to pet him, he was happy enough to let me- or anyone for that matter- pet him. The way he improved so much in just one week would have me think that he'll be adopted quite soon. My concern is this- Victor is ten years old. He's significantly less desirable than the 1-2 year olds that dart back and forth across the floor with years and years ahead of them. Hopefully someone will come along and prove me wrong.

I found out today that Sadey has been here since 2009. She's older than most of the shelter cats, and pretty shy. I have no doubt that she'd relax if given the chance to live in a home- one with a large window to watch birds and plenty of spaces to nap.

Highlights from my Monday shift include meeting Tabasco, who greatly resembles Garfield, spending quality time cleaning the Feline Leukemia room, watching the cats drink out of the water pitcher, and finally, some time with Mickey and Tuckerman at the end. I was in that front, corner room just minutes before I had to leave. Another volunteer was in there for a little bit, but left. Seconds after she was gone I felt Mickey rub against my leg. I knelt down and he flopped over to stetch out and let me pet his belly. Moments later shy Tuckerman approached me and rubbed against me, resting his head on my arm. It was a very comforting way to end my shift.

The water pitcher was more appealing than the water bowls.

Tabasco- who looks like he climbed straight out of a comic strip.

Dainty and her security blanket

Monte in his hiding place.

A note about the shy ones

Last Friday I visited the shelter for some much needed cuddling and playing. There were a handful of new cats, so that on Monday when I came in for my shift, I felt like I had been given a sneak peek as to what was in store. I arrived early, but those precious minutes flew by, and I didn't get to say hello to every cat I wanted before I had to get to work.

Marieka

"What are yoouuu doing down there?" ~Fortissimo

Young Meiko wasn't very good at posing for photos.

We were short staffed again, so not much time for extra playing. I usually visit Mickey, Grayson, and Tuckerman first, and I regret not being proactive and seeing them before starting to clean. By the time I peeked my head in after 8pm, they were all tuckered out and not in the mood to say hi.

It was another crazy busy day, and although not so full of volunteers, it was full to the brim with visitors.

Bailey, a shy and hostile cat, let one of the volunteers pet her for a short while, and even let me pat the top of her head! I was so proud.

Chanterelle is still scared and lashes out, but there's a wooden scratching stick that she loves. When I brandished it she became visibly excited and hopped up to a shelf I could more easily reach.

Chanterelle and her scratching stick

Victor, a cat that was adopted in 2012, but recently returned because his owner developed allergies, was clearly unhappy. He wailed and hissed, and wouldn't let anyone pet him. The sadness and confusion in his eyes broke my heart.

Victor in his cage

I was attempting to clean his cage when the medic brought the food around. So I slipped the bowl into the cage and taking a chance softly stroked his fuzzy head. He didn't seem to mind, and let me pet him the entire time he ate.

A little while later the medic was back, trying to coax him out from the corner to give him an injection. He wasn't having any of it. Eventually I walked over and placed my hands in his cage, encouraging him to come over. It didn't take much for him to stalk over and rub his head against my hands. He flopped over and let me pet him until he was calm enough for the medic to give him an injection. But I'm telling you- being returned through no fault of his, and having to get injections- it's no wonder he was a grumpy cat.

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I was saddened to hear of the loss of Brioche, one of the cats at the shelter, end of last week. He had been struggling with several illnesses and yet seemed to be on the upswing. I had been excited to track his progress and was shocked by the news of his death. Rest in peace, Brioche.

Brioche (facing away) snuggling with Annabelle (left)