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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Have a Twix!


If you want a friendly, outgoing, huggable cat to add to your family you’ve got to come out and visit Twix. She is a beautiful brown-patched tabby shorthair and would like nothing more than to grace your life with love.

The shelter staff told me that she is “super friendly.” When I opened her cage door she just laid right there in the front of the cage and looked up at me as if smiling. What a nice girl!

Twix is an adult, at least 3 years old, spayed female. She is not declawed. Since she is a shorthaired cat she will be easy to groom. Just a combing once a week should do it though if you want to do more I’m sure she won’t mind. Twix is at the Story County Animal Shelter. Please come and meet her and the other cats looking for homes.

The shelter is located at:         975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338

Their hours are:                       M-F 11 am to 4 pm
                                                Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website and updates on their Facebook page.





Monday, June 25, 2012

Why Don't You "Spirit" This Girl Home?



Today’s cat in need is a real beauty. Her name at the shelter is “Jane” but I think I’d like to call her “Spirit” because of her light fluffy fur. She originally had a home but was turned back into the shelter because the other resident cats kept beating up on her. She would be best as a single cat or with other cats of her quiet nature.

I have to qualify that statement though, because every cat has a chance of being the top of the totem pole depending on the situation. You never know how two cats are going to react to each other until they meet and work out their differences.

Spirit is a 3-year old spayed female longhair and is declawed on the front. She needs someone who can give her a lot of love and attention. Still young enough to be playful she is also a happy lap cat. She will need daily brushing but when you feel her coat you’ll want to touch it some more. She is so soft. If that isn’t enough she’s got these beautiful brilliant green eyes that sparkle behind that blue tabby fur.

This Spirit is waiting to meet her forever family at the Story County Animal Shelter. Please come and meet her and the other cats looking for homes.

The shelter is located at:         975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338

Their hours are:                       M-F 11 am to 4 pm
                                                Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website and updates on their Facebook page.

Friday, June 22, 2012

You Need a "Chum"


Well, tonight’s shelter cat is another real sweetie. He doesn’t have a name assigned to him yet so I’ll just call him “Chum.” When I first approached his cage he was cuddled tightly into the back corner. I immediately felt sorry for him thinking he was scared of his new surroundings; so many great cats are overlooked because of this behavior. However, when I offered him the string from my camera he came right out and started eagerly playing. Chum is not a scaredy-cat, rather he’s just quiet but really friendly.

Chum is a 2-3 year old neutered male with luxurious blue and white longhair. He is declawed on the front. He will be a snuggly cat when he finds his forever home.

Now is as good a time as any to discuss the color topic. You’ll notice I called Chum a blue and white and you might be wondering if I’ve lost my marbles. I mean, how could a cat be blue? Well, the average non-cat person might have called him gray but in the cat fancy he is referred to as blue. Blue comes in many shades as well. I had an entire litter of blue kittens once and every one of them was different. When you have mixed breed cats you can have such a wide variety of colors it can be fun trying to figure out what to call them.

If you’d like a nice quiet, snuggly cat come meet Chum at the Story County Animal Shelter. Once again you’ll need to be prepared to groom his fur every day to avoid tangles and mats but I don’t think his fur is going to cause much trouble.

The shelter is located at:         975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338

Their hours are:                       M-F 11 am to 4 pm
                                                Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website and updates on their Facebook page.




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Ringo and Bingo Need a Home


Wow, I really had a bad day of photography. I don’t have very good pictures of these two boys either but I’ll let you see the ones I do have because you need to see them.
Ringo and Bingo

Ringo and Bingo are brothers who were surrendered when their owners went through a divorce. These boys must be adopted together. When you meet them you’ll understand why. They are very close.

Ringo


I’m not sure which one is which but I’m going to call the lighter colored one Ringo and the darker, mahogany one Bingo for this post. Ringo is a very sweet boy, laid back and friendly. Bingo is sweet as well but he seems to have a better sense of himself. I think Bingo is a leader and Ringo is a follower.
Bingo
 


Both are neutered males, about 3 years old and definitely bonded. They are extremely affectionate. When I stuck my head into the cage they nearly smothered me with their rubbing and head butts. I think they will make excellent snuggle-bunnies for any cat lover.

Please come out and see these two lovers. They are at the Story County Animal Shelter awaiting your visit.



 The shelter is located at:
975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338 
 
Their hours are:    M-F 11 am to 4 pm
Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website and updates on their Facebook page.



Monday, June 18, 2012

Meet Blossom


Today’s shelter cat made taking pictures of her difficult. She preferred to have her neck scratched so I picked out the least fuzzy of all the pics I took.

Blossom is a longhaired calico cat of approximately 3 years of age with a sweet personality. She has been declawed on all four feet and so needs to be an indoor only cat. Because she loves attention so much, brushing her long hair shouldn’t be much of an affair. But her new people should be prepared to brush her daily in order to prevent any mats or hairballs.

You’ve just got to meet Blossom in person to truly appreciate what she can bring to your family. Come out and see her today. She’s at the Story County Animal Shelter.

The shelter is located at:         975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338

Their hours are:                       M-F 11 am to 4 pm
                                                Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website and updates on their Facebook page.


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Adopt-A-Cat Month Cats


As another nod to Adopt-A-Cat Month I’m going to feature some of the cats that are now waiting at the Story County Animal Shelter in Nevada, Iowa to find their forever homes and families.
Smooshie

The first of these cats is “Smooshie,” a light red mackerel tabby who is quite the lover. He is neutered and front declawed and is at least 5 years old. While I tried to take pictures of him to share he insisted on rubbing on me, my camera, the cage and even the string on my camera. He is so sweet. He’d fit in most any home as an affectionate member of the family. Won’t you come to the shelter next week to see him and probably fall in love at first sight?


The shelter is located at:         975 W Lincoln Highway
Nevada, IA 50201
Ph: (515) 382-3338

Their hours are:                       M-F 11 am to 4 pm
                                                Closed on holidays and weekends

You can see more of the pets awaiting adoption at the shelter website  and updates at their Facebook page.

Next time I’ll have another cat you’ll just have to come see.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Kittens delivered


In honor of Adopt-A-Cat month I thought I should finally finish the kittens’ story. It isn’t the end though as you will see. If you need to catch up on the rest of the story see these links: first, second, third, fourth and fifth.
The Charmed Ones

The day came when I had to deliver the Charmed Ones to their new home but first I spent some extra time with that litter, all together for the last time. I couldn’t help but cry even though I knew it would work out for the best. Those kittens had nothing but love waiting for them. Finally I had to gather up the girls and load them into a carrier.
last time the 3 red tabbies were together

                                                                        
Taylor, now Phoebe
Tinkerbell and Trinket, now Page & Piper
We took the trip into town and I delivered them to the professor and her son. Already they had a corner of a room all set up for the kittens. The resident cat watched from high atop some shelves as I released the kittens. I could see the disgust in her face. I waited and watched as the girls investigated their new surroundings then quietly slipped away. I didn’t want anyone to see the tears welling in my eyes.


Tortie, now Gaia
When Tortie, now named Gaia, was 12 weeks old I delivered her to the couple’s apartment. As I explained to them about introducing new cats and the importance of a period of isolation Freya pounced. I held Gaia in my hands but instantly Freya took it upon herself to give the kitten a welcoming bath. Freya’s front paws enveloped Gaia and the two cats became instant buddies. I’d never seen an introduction like that before. I was sad to lose yet another energetic soul but I didn’t cry this time. Instead I laughed. Those two cats belonged together.

Then it came to Scotty. I’d only spoken to his appointed new owner a couple of times but I was sure she still planned to adopt him. She waited patiently for my word that he was ready to go. When I called and told her it was time she invited me to her place right away. This was about the time when Effie died and I had somehow attached my broken heart to that snuggly little kitten. Each time I looked into his eyes I knew that he was one of “those” cats, the special ones, the ones who stayed with me. Scotty and I bonded tightly.
Scotty

I tried desperately to bargain with the young woman, offering her one of the red tabbies. Then I surprised even myself when I offered her one of the black and white kittens. She had shown an interest in them early on until I told her I’d planned to keep them. Scotty’s new mom stuck to her guns. Scotty was the one for her so I relented. Another loss to face so soon.

That afternoon I collapsed on the floor of the kittens’ room and sobbed. Scotty scooted up to cuddle under my chin. I squeezed him hard hoping to keep the memory of him as close to my heart as possible.

I closely inspected the apartment where Scotty would move and could find nothing wrong with the situation. She had one other cat, an older blue cat that was used to having a companion. Her roommate had just moved out taking her pet with her so Scotty was going to fill that void.
Scotty/Toby

Inside the small room where Scotty would spend his isolation period she had arranged an amazing array of toys, climbing boxes, food and water bowls and a bed. What a playground for my baby! I let him out of the carrier and he immediately set to investigating his surroundings. Enthralled with the new environment he looked up to me just once as if to say he’d be all right and started playing. Scotty’s new person gave me a whole sack full of fresh catnip she’d gotten from her parents’ home and I left knowing Scotty would be fine.

Later she told me that she’d spent that first night on the floor of Scotty’s room just to be sure he was all right. Yes, they’d bonded. I knew then that Scotty truly was a special cat.

I kept in touch with all the new owners and continued to get nothing but great reports and wonderful pictures of my “kids.” However, at one point Scotty’s person fell off the radar for a time. I searched and searched but couldn’t find her. She’d left the university rather suddenly and no longer lived at that apartment. I grew panicky wondering about my baby and what had become of him and I worried about his person. I hoped she was okay.

Finally the internet led me to her parents in another state. I learned that she’d had a terrible experience and moved back home for a short time but Scotty was helping her cope. He adapted to the family dog easily and remained a rock for the young woman. Now she’s gone back to school to get a law degree and I believe loves Scotty as much as I still do. I think of him nearly every day but I know he in the right place, with the right person.

He has a new name, Toby, but when she and I talk of him we still refer to him as Scotty/Toby. I just can’t help it.

So I found homes for five of the nine kittens but then I had to stop. I couldn’t take any more losses. The two red tabbies, Trucker and Tweety, became Gooseberry and Strawberry and started the process of crawling into my heart. I had planned to get the mothers spayed and vaccinated and then turn them back out with the males but after such a long time in the house, I just didn’t feel right about it. They had become housecats, even if I couldn’t touch them, they were my housecats. To this day they remain wary of any attention I pay them but Sparks and Tourmalina are home.

I may feel sad sometimes when I miss those kittens but I am so happy that I found such great homes for them. I trust their new owners and know that they are all loved and well-cared for. It is a happy ending to that part of their life story.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Adopt-a-Cat Month

You can find pedigreed cats, like Toy here, at a shelter
Just a short post today. I wanted to be sure everyone remembers that June is Adopt-A-Cat Month. If you've been thinking about adding a cat or two to your life now is the time. And don't just think about the kittens, adorable and huggable as they are, but check out the adult cats too. With an adult cat you can see what you get without having to go through that sometimes trying kitten phase.
Kittens in a shelter

Another consideration is a special needs cat. Maybe your local shelter or PetFinder.com has a cat with only three legs, or one that is blind or one that has been abused or neglected. If you have the patience and the love these can be some of the best cats around.

One such cat appeared recently in Toronto. It was found inside a garbage bag inside a box and, get this, she had a stomach tube in her! Someone had cared enough at one time to spend the money to have this tube placed so surely she had a good home at one time. Read more about it here. I would think that some local veterinarian would remember treating this cat. I hope things work out for her. I sure would like to know the whole story, wouldn't you?