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Why not pick the one that happened first?
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Cat Adoption Stories Contest! Prizes for You AND Your Favorite Shelter!
- Thread starter Anne
- Start Date
This is Binx.
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He is what I secretly call my "salvation". I spent several years in the US Armed Forces, the longest stretch I'd ever been without animal companionship. I'm a bit of a loner, so when I was medically discharged, I found myself even more alone than when I was serving. Three years later, when I felt settled enough, and brave enough to, I started searching for a feline companion. I did my research on breeds, so when it came time to adopt, I wouldn't be completely clueless about health concerns and whatnot for the kitty.
Then I saw Binx. He'd originally been named Ashes, but apparently hated that name. I fell in love with him at first sight, and adopted him from the rescue organization he was fostered through. I'd driven quite a ways to see him, and couldn't bear to part, so I took him home that same day. While that may seem irresponsible to some, adopting a cat instantly, I felt that he was the right one. In a way, I've been proven right... while he's not totally cuddly just yet, he's getting there. He was about a year old, give or take, when I'd adopted him, and the poor baby came home with tapeworms (and later, fleas). A few vet visits later, and he's healthy as a horse (eats like one, too).
He was virtually silent when he first came home, but now he's quite the vocal kitty, constantly asking me questions, asking to play, asking to be fed... and it wasn't till about a week ago that I realized he's exactly like me, a loner who needed a friend.
I'm glad we found each other.
View media item 269782
He is what I secretly call my "salvation". I spent several years in the US Armed Forces, the longest stretch I'd ever been without animal companionship. I'm a bit of a loner, so when I was medically discharged, I found myself even more alone than when I was serving. Three years later, when I felt settled enough, and brave enough to, I started searching for a feline companion. I did my research on breeds, so when it came time to adopt, I wouldn't be completely clueless about health concerns and whatnot for the kitty.
Then I saw Binx. He'd originally been named Ashes, but apparently hated that name. I fell in love with him at first sight, and adopted him from the rescue organization he was fostered through. I'd driven quite a ways to see him, and couldn't bear to part, so I took him home that same day. While that may seem irresponsible to some, adopting a cat instantly, I felt that he was the right one. In a way, I've been proven right... while he's not totally cuddly just yet, he's getting there. He was about a year old, give or take, when I'd adopted him, and the poor baby came home with tapeworms (and later, fleas). A few vet visits later, and he's healthy as a horse (eats like one, too).
He was virtually silent when he first came home, but now he's quite the vocal kitty, constantly asking me questions, asking to play, asking to be fed... and it wasn't till about a week ago that I realized he's exactly like me, a loner who needed a friend.
I'm glad we found each other.
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hi all!
i am new to this site! i have 2 cats that have been adopted from my local animal shelter!. one i have had for five years and was adopted as a kitten. the second one was recently adopted. he is 2 years old. his name is jinx. Jinx was found on the side of the road covered in matted fur so bad that he could barely walk. they shaved him down to the skin but he didn't loose his loving gentle personality. i visit my local animal shelter regularly and help out when i can and found him there. as soon as i met him i feel in love. he has been through a lot. once adopted i brought him to the vet right away and discovered that he has been sick for a long time while out on the street. his heart rate was very slow and his abdomen distended and hard. he also had an inflamed bowel causing great discomfort for the poor little guy!
i brought him to the vet and he was treated for digestive inflammation, worms, and fleas. Today jinx has gone from a tired very sick cat to a playful loving part of the family. he enjoys playing with his older sister and cuddling both mom and dad at night. his heart rate is at a healthy level now and his fur has started to grow back. I am so lucky to have him as part of our family. He is the sweetest cat i have ever met. All he needed was a little tender love and care. he shows his affection and love for his new home daily and is quite comfortable here. (i think this is evident through his constant laying on his back in front of me 
). I encourage ALL looking to add a new furry member to their family to adopt!! All an animal needs is a little love and care. YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!!
i am new to this site! i have 2 cats that have been adopted from my local animal shelter!. one i have had for five years and was adopted as a kitten. the second one was recently adopted. he is 2 years old. his name is jinx. Jinx was found on the side of the road covered in matted fur so bad that he could barely walk. they shaved him down to the skin but he didn't loose his loving gentle personality. i visit my local animal shelter regularly and help out when i can and found him there. as soon as i met him i feel in love. he has been through a lot. once adopted i brought him to the vet right away and discovered that he has been sick for a long time while out on the street. his heart rate was very slow and his abdomen distended and hard. he also had an inflamed bowel causing great discomfort for the poor little guy!
i brought him to the vet and he was treated for digestive inflammation, worms, and fleas. Today jinx has gone from a tired very sick cat to a playful loving part of the family. he enjoys playing with his older sister and cuddling both mom and dad at night. his heart rate is at a healthy level now and his fur has started to grow back. I am so lucky to have him as part of our family. He is the sweetest cat i have ever met. All he needed was a little tender love and care. he shows his affection and love for his new home daily and is quite comfortable here. (i think this is evident through his constant laying on his back in front of me ). I encourage ALL looking to add a new furry member to their family to adopt!! All an animal needs is a little love and care. YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!! 
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My story is about how my Ishmale became part of our family... I have always tried to be kind to all stray animals, But i just have a soft spot for cats... the way they look at you, the way they are intune with your emotions, i could go on forever about how much i love cats but i won't... I will always go to the local grocery store every friday and pick up food for my inside and outside kitties... (the reason their outside kitties is mainly because i can't catch them... L.O.L, About a year ago as i was filling the bowls i noticed their was this kitten, who was white and grey... little guy was just ah' meowing... He wouldn't eat... most of the strays who come to my porch to eat come out the wood works when they hear the food being poured, today was no exception. Well i went over to check the little guy out and he was covered in fleas!!! So wezk he could hardly move... well i imediately picked him up took him inside called my vet... he said there was no possible way he could come into the office today was sunday he was out of town.. Called several other vets none would come in said it wasn't an emergency... bring him in first thing in the morning But go ahead and give him a flea bath... Had a time giving the little guy a bath... didn't like water go fig... but i did manage to get the vast majority of the fleas off him... I will mix dawn dish with flea shampoo lather really thick leave it on a few mins it kills most of em... the rest i can get with the detatchable shower head... Got the little fellow clean... dried him off as best i could... He really took a liking to me... i let him sleep with me that night after a good meal ittle guy laid on my chest all night head bunting and purring up a storm... needless to say he was very happy... next day took him to the vet... i also told him he had a slightly different purr and he sounded hoarse when he meowed... got all his shots, and a steroid shot for a slight booster... After examing his throat he said it was his conclusion that he had been bite in the neck, by what he didnt know... but said unless i had him operated on he would always have a slighly different meow and purr... Said he didnt think it looked life threatening but to keep an eye out... took him home, I keep him in my room with me the other cats just did not take to him.. My guess they could tell he was a lityle different... but do i care if hes different NO... hes my baby and will always be my SWEET ISHMALE...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #45
Feel free to share the story! The sponsor is giving away the prize to honor Adopt A Shelter Cat Month hence the focus on shelters. Adopting from foster homes is also included in the draw for the prize. All other adoption stories can still be shared - all cat adoptions are hugely important and just as important!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #46
If you have a story that involves a shelter or rescue operation, it'll be a better match for the contest theme.
Last May, I was doing my chores in the living room and heard a low "Meow!" outside my living room door. I opened the door and a sweet gray cat ran into my house. I found a can of cat food and dished him up some food. He gobbled it up like he hadn't had a square meal in a week. He stayed around after that and adopted us. We looked around to find his owner with no success and checked for a microchip, so he became ours.
He's the most wonderful, loving, and spunky cat. I'll wake up sometimes in the morning and feel something furry by my head and discover that he's crawled up and curled up on my pillow area. Love this boy!
He's the most wonderful, loving, and spunky cat. I'll wake up sometimes in the morning and feel something furry by my head and discover that he's crawled up and curled up on my pillow area. Love this boy!
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Hi! My name is Allie, I've always had a soft spot for animals, ever since I was a kid. I'd bring strays home from everywhere and anywhere, and keep them until I found a home. Clean them, feed them, give them lots of love. This continues til today, any time I see a stray I care for it until I find its rightful owner, or give him/her to a new one. I'm twenty now.
I was back in my hometown for a weekend, visiting my best friend Rachel. We were out at an abandoned sewage plant, throwing rocks into one of the main old wells. Then we smelt something awful, and it wasn't the sewage. We walked over to the next well and saw what looked like a cat, torn to shreds, all over the ground. Predators aren't a scarce thing where I come from, from mountain lions to coyotes, we've got them. And if they get ahold of something, they'll eat it. That's why our pets are inside at night. Anyways, it was a gruesome sight, I could barely stomach it. Right as we turned to leave, I heard the tiniest little cry. I paused, and looked at Rachel.
I said "Did you hear that?"
And she nodded, "Glad you did too. Thought I was going crazy." So for the next thirty minutes, we searched all over the plant, thinking she had kittens somewhere, and if we didn't find them they were going to die.
Rachel called me over, she had opened the drawer to the rusted mail slot, and there laid three little babies. Two grays, one with white paws, and a little diluted tortie. I picked up the white and gray kitten but he was cold, he had died. Stella, my beautiful little tortie, managed to make another sound. I picked her up immediately, cradling her to my chest. The mom must've been dead for about a day or so, but it could've been longer. It's really hot up there, tends to make the smell worse. I looked at the other kitten and didn't see him breathing, I couldn't stomach touching another dead kitten. I've fostered many litters, only a few have a died, and it breaks my heart everytime.
"Aren't you gonna try him? I would. I know you, you'd feel guilty for the rest of your life if you didn't try try." Rachel said, plucking Stella from my arms. I didn't argue because she was right. I scooped him up, bringing his chest to my ear, and heard the tiniest, faintest heartbeat. He was alive. When I told her this, we rushed to my neighbors house, her cat had kittens and rejected some from the litter a few weeks ago, so they had to have had formula and some bottles and syringes. All of mine I donated since I moved and the shelter in my new town was no-kill. She saw the babies, and handed me two bottles, and containers of formula.
She helped me make two really quick and feed them. It took a Lou a bit, but he finally started drinking, very slowly. I brought them home after we made them go to the bathroom, and stayed up for three nights straight, almost four, feeding them every hour. I was too afraid to fall asleep, I had already bonded with those babies and I didn't want to wake up to either of them dead. On October 31, 2015, they will both be a year old. And they are still the loves of my life. Stella and Lou.
I was back in my hometown for a weekend, visiting my best friend Rachel. We were out at an abandoned sewage plant, throwing rocks into one of the main old wells. Then we smelt something awful, and it wasn't the sewage. We walked over to the next well and saw what looked like a cat, torn to shreds, all over the ground. Predators aren't a scarce thing where I come from, from mountain lions to coyotes, we've got them. And if they get ahold of something, they'll eat it. That's why our pets are inside at night. Anyways, it was a gruesome sight, I could barely stomach it. Right as we turned to leave, I heard the tiniest little cry. I paused, and looked at Rachel.
I said "Did you hear that?"
And she nodded, "Glad you did too. Thought I was going crazy." So for the next thirty minutes, we searched all over the plant, thinking she had kittens somewhere, and if we didn't find them they were going to die.
Rachel called me over, she had opened the drawer to the rusted mail slot, and there laid three little babies. Two grays, one with white paws, and a little diluted tortie. I picked up the white and gray kitten but he was cold, he had died. Stella, my beautiful little tortie, managed to make another sound. I picked her up immediately, cradling her to my chest. The mom must've been dead for about a day or so, but it could've been longer. It's really hot up there, tends to make the smell worse. I looked at the other kitten and didn't see him breathing, I couldn't stomach touching another dead kitten. I've fostered many litters, only a few have a died, and it breaks my heart everytime.
"Aren't you gonna try him? I would. I know you, you'd feel guilty for the rest of your life if you didn't try try." Rachel said, plucking Stella from my arms. I didn't argue because she was right. I scooped him up, bringing his chest to my ear, and heard the tiniest, faintest heartbeat. He was alive. When I told her this, we rushed to my neighbors house, her cat had kittens and rejected some from the litter a few weeks ago, so they had to have had formula and some bottles and syringes. All of mine I donated since I moved and the shelter in my new town was no-kill. She saw the babies, and handed me two bottles, and containers of formula.
She helped me make two really quick and feed them. It took a Lou a bit, but he finally started drinking, very slowly. I brought them home after we made them go to the bathroom, and stayed up for three nights straight, almost four, feeding them every hour. I was too afraid to fall asleep, I had already bonded with those babies and I didn't want to wake up to either of them dead. On October 31, 2015, they will both be a year old. And they are still the loves of my life. Stella and Lou.
My cats are both feral. I was always a dog person. I love all animals and always fed the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, ducks, etc. I put seed peanuts and bread and water out on the concrete patio floor for all the creatures. One day at dawn I saw something small and furry eating the bits of bread. It was a small kitten I told my dad. I described it as a brown mackerel tabby. When I got home from work Dad told me he saw it and described it as cute with little white feet. I knew the one I saw had no white feet. I knew there was at least two. I put out some dry orijen dog food, it was all I had. I sat up all night waiting and no one came. So I put the dish way out in the yard under a table and sure enough these two cute kittens came bounding out of the woods to eat! I then read up on TNR. I noticed the kittens had a large Tom with them. I knew they all had to be trapped. I contacted a nice man who devoted his life to feral cats, he was also a vet. For $45 (this was 2008) each he drove to my home set traps at dusk and slept in his van until all 3 were caught. He then took them to his old rickety (he made no money, it was all about the cats) practice to spay and neuter, give rabies shot, clean ears, administer flea meds. He told me he would bring them back in one week then they were my responsibility under TNR rules. I quickly went on line and built a shelter big enough for the 3. I made it out of a large plastic storage box with a smaller one inside, straw and styrofoam insulation and a small round hole to enter. I put the hole close to house so no wind could get in and covered the whole thing with a weighted down plastic tarp. I put flea powder under the straw inside. It was elevated slightly off the cold ground and full of straw it was very warm and cozy. All three were delivered back in October. They spent a bad winter all cozy together. They came back with tipped ears to show she had been fixed. I fed them and watered them every day. I watched the two small ones romp and frolic in the snow, I named them milo and purdy with the white feet. The old Tom I named pinball because his neck and head were TILTED. He was estimated to be 8 or older. An old wise Tuxedo who lived a rough life for years, possibly their dad. In the spring it seemed Miss Purdy and old man Pinball (the only other cat Purdy has ever liked) drove Milo away. I always looked for him, but never found him. Purdy and pinball set up house for another year together until Miss Purdy decided to come inside then she became an in and out cat for 6 years. She has been an indoor only now for 1 year and she is seven now. Pinball came occasionally with a friend, he got liquid flea meds in his food and liquid antibiotics in his food for eye infections. You could never touch him, then one day he stopped coming he was probably 14 or so and had a distended pot belly, I assume he was ill and passed. But the love of my life is Miss Purdy divalicious extraordinaire. She is a moody diva who likes no other person or cat except me, who she adores![emoji]128576[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]10084[/emoji]️[emoji]128062[/emoji] View media item 277536 my Miss Purdy with the white feet and Old man Pinball with the crooked neck visiting with one of his old bachelor buds (and look alikes) Simon!View media item 277537
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This is my baby Peter. I adopted him from the Beltrami humane society just about a month after he was found. He was found one day behind a coffee house dumpster starving. I brought him home and spoiled him with love and affection. Worked with him through the struggles of being scared in a new environment. For so long he didn't realize that his food bowl would be refilled and he wouldn't go hungry. He is finally becoming at home with me. I love that I was able to give such a deserving cat a loving home after being on the streets constantly searching for food the first year of his life <3
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When I first got Tigger, he was a really young kitten, just old enough that he was weaned. Together, me and my cousin's adopted him. He had been living on my cousin's farm, and it had been a few weeks since I had seen him last. I got to the farm, to find Tigger was really sickly looking. His 'adoptive' mother, a calico that had been feeding him with her other kittens, and completely abandoned him. My cousin told me to take him, he didn't want Tigger since he was so sickly and 'disgusting'. Me and my sister took Tigger home (without my mom or grandparent's permission) and I layed with him on my bed for awhile. My grandparent's instantly started telling me he was sick, he was going to die, he would be better off if he was killed. I didn't believe them. That night Tigger starting meowing away, so I warmed up some milk in a kitten bottle and when I got back into my room, he was hacking away, throwing up and panting heavily. I felt sure he was going to die. I cleaned him up with a damp warm rag and moved him from the box onto my bed. I then hand-fed him. This continued repeatedly that night and weeks later until he started getting better.
Now Tigger has been through so much, He is two years old and I could swear, the 'cats have nine lives' saying, very well apply's to him. I now found out from my cousin he was trampled by cattle, run over by skidstere's, and just recently, during the night, he got hit by a car. He still has his lopsided gate from the cattle accident, but that doesn't stop him from hunting! We even call him our guard cat, (or did until his friend, Princess died).
And this is the story of Tigger! He is now up-to-date with his shots, and is neutered, but that doesn't mean he's fat and lazy, he may be two years old, but he still has the spirit of a kitten!!
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This is a recent picture of me and Tigger, he has this thing about loving to put this paw over your mouth, as you see in the picture. He also likes licking my hands and arms...
Now Tigger has been through so much, He is two years old and I could swear, the 'cats have nine lives' saying, very well apply's to him. I now found out from my cousin he was trampled by cattle, run over by skidstere's, and just recently, during the night, he got hit by a car. He still has his lopsided gate from the cattle accident, but that doesn't stop him from hunting! We even call him our guard cat, (or did until his friend, Princess died).
And this is the story of Tigger! He is now up-to-date with his shots, and is neutered, but that doesn't mean he's fat and lazy, he may be two years old, but he still has the spirit of a kitten!!
View media item 278296
This is a recent picture of me and Tigger, he has this thing about loving to put this paw over your mouth, as you see in the picture. He also likes licking my hands and arms...
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he is so cute!!
I can't compete or post Mouse's story here as he has always been lucky enough to live in a loving home, and I adopted him from a lovely cat breeder and his cat mom when he was 15 weeks old, but I am loving reading all the stories and looking at the gorgeous photographs here. What a great way to celebrate Adopt A Cat month! (If only I had space / funds and Mouse had the inclination to welcome, another cat in to our home though coz that would be even better).
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Right?! I love him to death! He's always acting so silly
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Slinky had a rough start to life as he was born on as a feral jetty cat down in Westport WA. Our local animal rescue group, HAVA, likes to scoop up these wild ones and place them into homes as well as providing shots & neutering services. This silver siamese with the crossed blue eyes grabbed my attention as soon as I saw his picture! He is very shy, and that's how we named him "Slinky"....LOL I brought him home and tried to introduce him to my husband. Mind you, Slinky was wrapped in a safe blanket the whole time, but it was like holding a bowl of slippery jello; every time I thought I had a good grip on him, he'd slide over to another posture to slip away. We've had him for 8 years now and he never jumps off of anything...he always slinks upside down.
All of the cats we've had lately have been rescues.
Shortly after we moved into this house, a little cat from the neighborhood befriended us. I had sworn I would not get involved with another neighbor cat because it's so hard when they or we have to leave. But Misty (a Russian Blue) was not taking no for answer. She essentially becamse our "grandcat," staying with us sometimes for days at a time. What tipped the scale for us allowing her into our lives was one New Years Eve she came around. It was dark and cold, so we read her tag and called the owners, only to find out they were out of the country! A canvas of the neighborhood led us to the people who were supposed to be taking care of her - but they weren't home either. No way were we going to leave her outside, so DH went to the store and got one of those throw away litter boxes and some food. That was the first of many nights that she stayed with us. Her family was fine with it, even happy that she had a "safe house" to go to. Inevitably, the day came when they were moving and of course taking Misty. We were heartbroken because we had come to love her very much.
That was December 2005. I started researching adoptable cats on the internet and looking for adopt-a-thons. We were looking for two cats to adopt together, who were already friends, because I really believe that every being deserves to have someone of their own species to interact with. So, with that in mind, I filled out an online application for one of the local shelters. I really had no idea where the shelter was located, but it turned out to be quite far away. They called us on a Saturday afternoon to come out and look at their cats, but DH said no, didn't want to drive out there that late in the day. But the guy who called must have been very persuasive, because the next thing I know we were in the car and heading for the shelter. Turns out it was about an hours drive.
When we got there, the adoption counselor first showed us the cats who were together, but none of them struck me as "the one." So, she was walking us around the shelter, showing us the cats in their individual cages, describing their personalities, etc. We were about three quarters of the way around the room when out of the corner of my eye I see this little black and white cat in a large cage in the middle of the floor. He was jumping around, climbing up the cage, meowing, kind of saying "pick me! pick me!" DH jokes that he had a powerpoint presentation ready. I interrupted the counselor to ask "what about him?" Next thing, we're in the meet and greet playroom watching this little ball of fur running around like mad trying to check out every toy and item in the room. DH and I just looked at each other, and that is how Swanie came to be our boy. When we got him home, he pretty much unpacked his bags and went looking for dinner.
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Now, because I still wanted to get two, and get them together, we had a problem. None of the other cats had jumped out at me, and it was getting late in the day. The shelter was closing soon and I was kind of in a panic. I didn't just want to grab any cat, but I didn't want to leave there with only one either. I kept running from cage to cage to cage. Then one of the counselors said "What about Cynthia?" I had totally overlooked Cynthia because she was sleeping in the back of her cage. Her bio said she was shy but friendly. She certainly was beautiful. So she came to the play room with us, flopped over onto her side, purred, and kneaded her paws. DH and I decided she was the one. She was very shy and cautious and took to hiding under the bed at first. It was a while before we could coax her to come out and hang out with us, but it was totally worth it. She was the sweetest, most beautiful cat I've ever known. She was DH's heart kitty and losing her was devastating to him. She was also a very good friend to Swanie.
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We always say it was fate that took us up to that shelter on that particular day. If we had gone sooner we would probably have adopted Swanie with his friend Bunco - but Bunco had been adopted already by the time we got there. If we had gone later, Swanie himself may not have been available. Cindy may have continued to be overlooked and we would not have had the love and happiness they have both brought to us.
Since Cindy passed last year, we adopted Darcy (tabby) from a different shelter. She was not with us long because she got FIP, but she was perfect. She was sweet and loving to both Swanie and to us. I miss her dearly. We now have Cricket (Tortie) from the same shelter we got Darcy from, and she is pretty awesome herself. I've also become a volunteer at that shelter. They were so good to us while we went through our agonies of indecision and our pain of losing Darcy that I wanted to give something back.
Shortly after we moved into this house, a little cat from the neighborhood befriended us. I had sworn I would not get involved with another neighbor cat because it's so hard when they or we have to leave. But Misty (a Russian Blue) was not taking no for answer. She essentially becamse our "grandcat," staying with us sometimes for days at a time. What tipped the scale for us allowing her into our lives was one New Years Eve she came around. It was dark and cold, so we read her tag and called the owners, only to find out they were out of the country! A canvas of the neighborhood led us to the people who were supposed to be taking care of her - but they weren't home either. No way were we going to leave her outside, so DH went to the store and got one of those throw away litter boxes and some food. That was the first of many nights that she stayed with us. Her family was fine with it, even happy that she had a "safe house" to go to. Inevitably, the day came when they were moving and of course taking Misty. We were heartbroken because we had come to love her very much.
That was December 2005. I started researching adoptable cats on the internet and looking for adopt-a-thons. We were looking for two cats to adopt together, who were already friends, because I really believe that every being deserves to have someone of their own species to interact with. So, with that in mind, I filled out an online application for one of the local shelters. I really had no idea where the shelter was located, but it turned out to be quite far away. They called us on a Saturday afternoon to come out and look at their cats, but DH said no, didn't want to drive out there that late in the day. But the guy who called must have been very persuasive, because the next thing I know we were in the car and heading for the shelter. Turns out it was about an hours drive.
When we got there, the adoption counselor first showed us the cats who were together, but none of them struck me as "the one." So, she was walking us around the shelter, showing us the cats in their individual cages, describing their personalities, etc. We were about three quarters of the way around the room when out of the corner of my eye I see this little black and white cat in a large cage in the middle of the floor. He was jumping around, climbing up the cage, meowing, kind of saying "pick me! pick me!" DH jokes that he had a powerpoint presentation ready. I interrupted the counselor to ask "what about him?" Next thing, we're in the meet and greet playroom watching this little ball of fur running around like mad trying to check out every toy and item in the room. DH and I just looked at each other, and that is how Swanie came to be our boy. When we got him home, he pretty much unpacked his bags and went looking for dinner.
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Now, because I still wanted to get two, and get them together, we had a problem. None of the other cats had jumped out at me, and it was getting late in the day. The shelter was closing soon and I was kind of in a panic. I didn't just want to grab any cat, but I didn't want to leave there with only one either. I kept running from cage to cage to cage. Then one of the counselors said "What about Cynthia?" I had totally overlooked Cynthia because she was sleeping in the back of her cage. Her bio said she was shy but friendly. She certainly was beautiful. So she came to the play room with us, flopped over onto her side, purred, and kneaded her paws. DH and I decided she was the one. She was very shy and cautious and took to hiding under the bed at first. It was a while before we could coax her to come out and hang out with us, but it was totally worth it. She was the sweetest, most beautiful cat I've ever known. She was DH's heart kitty and losing her was devastating to him. She was also a very good friend to Swanie.
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We always say it was fate that took us up to that shelter on that particular day. If we had gone sooner we would probably have adopted Swanie with his friend Bunco - but Bunco had been adopted already by the time we got there. If we had gone later, Swanie himself may not have been available. Cindy may have continued to be overlooked and we would not have had the love and happiness they have both brought to us.
Since Cindy passed last year, we adopted Darcy (tabby) from a different shelter. She was not with us long because she got FIP, but she was perfect. She was sweet and loving to both Swanie and to us. I miss her dearly. We now have Cricket (Tortie) from the same shelter we got Darcy from, and she is pretty awesome herself. I've also become a volunteer at that shelter. They were so good to us while we went through our agonies of indecision and our pain of losing Darcy that I wanted to give something back.
Hello everyone! This is my first post to the website. I am here to figure out somethings about the cat my girlfriend and I have just adopted. His shelter name was Whiskey but we have dubbed him Uno. Uno is a black domestic cat rescued from a home in Cleveland, Ohio that was filled with 144 other animals. The cats were mistreated and improperly cared for. (Link to an article about it at the bottom of page). When we went to shelter to add our fur ball to our little family we didn't know what to expect or what we were looking for. Honestly, we didn't plan on even getting a cat at all. We had some standards we were looking for in our new friend. Had to be a male cat, around a year old, and hopefully de-clawed. I was a bit closed minded and shallow. I didn't want a broken cat. So one fine Wednesday, when the shelter was open later than normal, we took a trip down to look at the animals.
We showed up to the Elyria, Ohio shelter called the Friendship APL. We took our time looking around the shelter. We passed by Uno a few times and didn't notice him but then after our round we made our back to him and noticed his unique characteristic. We saw that he had only one eye. I was shocked. Immediately I told my girlfriend, "No, no, no. We are not getting this BROKEN cat." and then I walked away. As I walked away it hit me. I didn’t know why he had one eye. As my girlfriend played with and pet the cat I went and inquired about his story. Once they told me I felt terrible for judging him so quickly. The guilt hit me rather quickly and I returned to the cage. My girlfriend was in love with him. I told her what happened and she was just as shocked as I was. I started to play with him and pet him myself. I know was extremely fond of this cat. He didn’t seem to shy…but then we opened the cage and he immediately withdrew and backed off to the back of the cage. He was a total different cat. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him for his trust issues. We shut the cage and he came back up to the door. Inside I knew that he needed a loving place to be. When we left we went straight for the pet store and bought the basics needed for your cat and set it all up. The next day came. I went to work and once I was done I rushed off to the shelter and made my adoption of Uno.
Present date and time he is about 11 and 1/2 months old, about 10months and 22 days old at time of adoption, healthy, and clean. He is finally making his way around the house but still won’t let us pet him. He hisses if we get to close or don’t have food but we are making progress. He is our little cyclops and we love him so much!
Link to story
We showed up to the Elyria, Ohio shelter called the Friendship APL. We took our time looking around the shelter. We passed by Uno a few times and didn't notice him but then after our round we made our back to him and noticed his unique characteristic. We saw that he had only one eye. I was shocked. Immediately I told my girlfriend, "No, no, no. We are not getting this BROKEN cat." and then I walked away. As I walked away it hit me. I didn’t know why he had one eye. As my girlfriend played with and pet the cat I went and inquired about his story. Once they told me I felt terrible for judging him so quickly. The guilt hit me rather quickly and I returned to the cage. My girlfriend was in love with him. I told her what happened and she was just as shocked as I was. I started to play with him and pet him myself. I know was extremely fond of this cat. He didn’t seem to shy…but then we opened the cage and he immediately withdrew and backed off to the back of the cage. He was a total different cat. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him for his trust issues. We shut the cage and he came back up to the door. Inside I knew that he needed a loving place to be. When we left we went straight for the pet store and bought the basics needed for your cat and set it all up. The next day came. I went to work and once I was done I rushed off to the shelter and made my adoption of Uno.
Present date and time he is about 11 and 1/2 months old, about 10months and 22 days old at time of adoption, healthy, and clean. He is finally making his way around the house but still won’t let us pet him. He hisses if we get to close or don’t have food but we are making progress. He is our little cyclops and we love him so much!
Link to story
