Happy MEW Year!

Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold...

Please join Kevin and me as we celebrate a flurry of wonderful cat adoptions that helped to close out 2009 on a happy note:

Neko & Jezebel

Frankie

Juna

Vine (who went to live with her brother, Raisin)

Grover

In this New Year of new beginnings, may these kitties have all the health and happiness in their forever homes! We'll miss them but they'll always hold a special place in our hearts.

Happy Meowlidays, Indeed!

Nothing gets us in the holiday spirit more than some "happily ever after" tales! We wanted to share some great messages from the people who adopted Benjamin and Hassie, respectively. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did. :)

According to the Feline Intake and Adoptions Supervisor at PAWS, "Benjamin’s new mom wants to thank us all for trusting her with such a wonderful companion. She lives in a townhouse on the water and has set up a viewing platform for him so he can sit and look outside and, in her words, fantasize about catching all those seagulls. He talks a lot. He and her other cat, Dr. Mell are still working out their relationship. She says that Benjamin is 'always on the move ... he roams all over the house and seems to love it.'"

Hassie's people wrote to let us know that "...she is incredible! she has become an important and special part of our family and we love her so much. Thank you so much for bringing her in to our lives. She loves to snuggle under any warm blanket that she can find. When she isn't sleeping, she is playing with one of her favorite toys which would include a glove that we got that has all of these little strings at the end. She is the puurrrfect pet for us!"

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and your furry friends and families a joyous holiday season. Thanks for your friendship, and for following our Blog!

Kevin

Tracey

Sammy (PAWS alum)

Moosey (PAWS alum)

Maggie (honorary PAWS alum)

Yay for Tay!

Hip hip hooray for our buddy Tay! Those of you who've been following our Blog for a while may remember Tay, the adorable pure white kitty (who just happens to be deaf) we wrote about back in February. Well ... we thought you'd like to know he was adopted this past Saturday. :) We're so happy for this sweet and playful guy. And why wouldn't we be? After all, Tay received the thing at the very top of his wish list ... a forever home and people of his very own. Be well, Tay. We love you!

Benjamin ... Home for the Holidays! :)

Back in March, we posted an entry about Benjamin, the handsome, shy and incredibly sweet orange tabby with a penchant for scratches under his chin. During his time at PAWS, Benjamin won a place in our hearts with his gentle and unassuming nature. Well, with the holidays nearly upon us, we're happy to report that this wonderful guy has found his forever home with people of his very own. What a fantastic holiday present! Enjoy your new home, Benjamin. We love you!

An adorable face (and personality to match)!

Okay... have you ever seen such an adorable face? This photogenic little boy, who goes by the name of Frankie, is quite a charmer. But he wasn't always that way. When Frankie first came to PAWS, he was terribly frightened, and the signs of his fear (hissing, growling, yowling, spitting and lashing out) frightened us, too! (:

It seemed that perhaps coming directly to the shelter was a little too much, too soon for Frankie. So a very kind volunteer fostered him for a while so that he could get used to people and living with other cats. That seems to have been exactly what was needed, because now that Frankie is back at PAWS, he's settled down a lot, and his cute and fun personality is coming through. When he's not playing, he likes sitting in volunteers' laps and climbing the cat tree in his room.

Kev and I really enjoy spending time with this playful and fun little dude, and we know he'll do well with whoever is lucky enough to adopt him!

Still more happy endings!

Houdini

Raisin

Reggie

We wanted to share some nice updates we've received from the new forever homes of some PAWS graduates. :)

Houdini, the adorable orange and white cat who was nearly feral when he first came to PAWS, and who underwent a miraculous transformation to become the "official greeter of humans and felines alike" in his open cat room, is doing extremely well in his new home.

We mentioned before that Reggie and Raisin, two of Houdini's old roommates, were adopted together. Their new dad wrote to say that the guys are doing great. He shared that "Reggie just swaggered out of the crate and took over." He also shared that even though Raisin has been a bit shier, he's also adjusting well and enjoys play time ... everyone seems quite happy.

Congratulations to Reggie, Raisin and Houdini! We love you all, and know you'll continue to do well in your new forever homes. :)

Hooray for Ilona!

Look up the definition of "lap cat" in the dictionary, and you just might find a picture of sweet Ilona. That's why we're especially happy to tell you that Ilona has found some laps (and people to go with them!) of her very own. We'll really miss her!

It's especially gratifying to know that ending up at PAWS allowed Ilona to find her forever home. Even though she had a bunch of strikes against her (she was found wandering around on the streets ... she's about 10 years old ... she's had some weight-related health issues...), the staff and volunteers at PAWS took Ilona in, cared for her and loved her with the belief that there was a good home out there for her. Well, even though it took more than a year, that home has been found. :)

You may think that Ilona is a pretty lucky cat, but we think her new family is even luckier to have found her.

So long, Ilona. We love you!

A Squeak Celebration Sunday

We have some terrific adoption news to share. Squeak -- the sweet and adorable black and white kitty once found wandering the streets -- has found her forever home! The story of how Squeak and her new people found each other is pretty neat, so here it is in a nutshell...

A couple was leafing through their community newspaper, when they came across a picture and an elongated caption of one of the cats at PAWS. The kitty's name ("Squeak") and appearance (black and white) immediately grabbed the couple's attention. Why? Well, "Squeaky" had been the name of their beloved black and white kitty of many years who had gone to Rainbow Bridge earlier this year. The people *had* been thinking about adopting a new cat at some point, but hadn't yet felt ready. After seeing and reading about Squeak, though, they were compelled to met her. And once they did, so began the "happily ever after." Good luck in your forever home, Squeak. We love you! :)

Happy Halloween from Kessa!

With tomorrow being Halloween, we asked Kessa (pronounced "Key-sah") to show us her costume. As you can see from the second picture, she told us she's already set with the fangs for her vampire costume. :)

By the way, our pal Kessa (aka "Teefa," because of those cute fangs) now lives in one of the "open" cat rooms at PAWS. She much happier now that she's not confined to a cage (and who wouldn't be?). Kessa always makes Tracey and I feel quite welcome when we visit the room ... she's quite fond of jumping into our laps and licking our hands (she'll also settle for an arm or even a head in a pinch...).

Sweet Video of Garth and Valerie

Ever since they ended up in the same "open" cat room at PAWS, Valerie and Garth have been best friends. Tracey and I were lucky enough to capture the video below during a recent visit. As you can see, Valerie and Garth are extremely fond of each other ... as a result, we'd LOVE for them to be adopted together. Aren't they adorable?

Funny Photo Friday

Somebody looks very, very comfortable...

Hooray for Minnie!

Kevin and I are ecstatic about some wonderful breakthroughs that Minnie is now making!

I mentioned in my previous blog entry that this demure little kitty is a bit on the timid side. And even though she's still somewhat shy, she has recently taken a liking to coming out of her cage. Once Minnie's out, she revels in the attention lavished upon her by the volunteers. She loves being pet, and really enjoys it when Kevin and I sit on the floor with her. It's quite clear that she'd do really well in a quiet home, with people who understand her gentle nature.

These remarkable changes in Minnie can be directly attributed to the consistent attention she receives from some volunteers who chose to work with kitties who need some extra special tender loving care. We can't wait until we see those folks at the shelter, so that we can give them a great big "thanks!” from Minnie (and us, too!).

Feral Cat Day Friday

Today is National Feral Cat Day! Now in its ninth year, National Feral Cat Day was launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for feral and stray cats and a recognized authority on Trap/Neuter/Return (T/N/R) — the program wherein cats who live outdoors are humanely trapped and brought to a veterinarian to be evaluated, spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Friendly cats and kittens are put up for adoption. Feral cats that have undergone the procedure are released back into the areas from which they came, with volunteer caregivers providing a managed food source and monitoring the colony to aid sick or injured cats.

PAWS has been -- and continues to be -- a strong proponent of T/N/R programs. Once a month, the shelter donates sections of its facility to FeralCare -- a local, all-volunteer group dedicated to T/N/R as the most effective way to help control cat overpopulation. FeralCare volunteers capture these outdoor kitties and bring them to PAWS, where veterinarians volunteer their time to perform the spays, neuters and vaccinations.

According to the FeralCare Website, T/N/R is the most humane and nationally accepted way to handle feral cat colonies. Once neutered, unwanted yowling, spraying, cat fights and aggressive behavior toward neighborhood 'social' cats is reduced significantly. Undesirable behavior is averted, and no more kittens will be born. As the method is implemented, the feral cat numbers will gradually decline.

Update on Eden the Cat

Eden continues to delight us with his progress. Since my last posting about him, I've discovered this sweet boy likes to play (as you can see from the above picture) and LOVES being brushed. When I sit on the floor in Eden's room, he's now comfortable enough to lay right next to me, leaning against my legs as I pet him. :)

Funny Photo Friday

Here's a silly photo of sweet Valerie. She always puts a smile on our faces! :)

Some New Happy Tails!

It's been a while since we last did an adoption update, and we're happy to report some fantastic news about some of the kitties who have been covered here on our blog. :)

Joining the ranks of those who've found their forever homes (and people of their very own!) are:

- Raisin and Reggie (together)

- Socks

- Sparky

- Madeline

- Cherry (pictured below)

When Cherry's new mommy came to take her home, she told the PAWS adoption counselor a really neat story. Here it is:

The woman explained that she came to PAWS in search of a cat to replace her kitty who had passed away earlier this year. When she met Cherry, she absolutely fell in love with this sweet girl. The woman's adoption application was still being processed, and as such, she couldn't take Cherry home that day. But she resolved to call the shelter in a few days to find out if she had been approved. Over the next few days ... try as she might ... the woman just couldn’t get Cherry out of her mind. And then, while eating at a Chinese restaurant, she was surprised to read her fortune, which said: “He who seeks shall find.” You can imagine her amazement when the flip side of the fortune was a "Chinese word to learn" that translated into ... “CHERRY!" Was it destiny? Perhaps. Is it a truly happy ending?" Definitely!

Cherry's new mommy called PAWS about an hour after taking her home to share that Cherry was purring away in her lap. She said they both couldn’t be happier. :)

We love all of you, feline friends. Be well in your forever homes!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Here's Bootz -- one of PAWS' most avid fans of "Cat TV" -- making himself comfortable. As you can see, this guy has continued to make tremendous strides since we last wrote about him. (Note: he looks pretty pudgy in this picture, but in actuality a lot of it is fluffy fur...).

Hail Pharaoh...

Hail to one of the sweetest cats to ever set foot in PAWS!

Pharaoh -- a gentle cat who came to PAWS when his owner passed away -- is the type of cat who blends in with the crowd. Blending in isn't a bad thing, but in this case it means Pharaoh doesn't have the kind of personality that stands out when you first meet him. It's times like these that the work of the volunteers is even more important. We get to know the subtle nuances of a cat through regular interaction and can offer up this information when called upon by an adoption counselor. It can make all the difference in the world, and help to create the "perfect match" between adopter and pet.

So what, you may be asking, is Pharaoh's personality like? Well, as mentioned above, he's a gentle soul AND he loves the company of people. Regular petting is definitely on his menu of favorites. He's also really easy-going, which makes the task of getting him back in his cage after some time out a breeze...(:

Kev and I are continuing to get to know Pharaoh, and can't wait to share our updates about this wonderful boy.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Vine and Sunkist

Nice Quiet Cat Looking for a Nice Quiet Home

When Eden looks at you straight on, his facial markings kind of look like a "Peace" sign. I think that's pretty appropriate, because he's a sweet guy searching for peace, love and understanding. You see, Eden came to us from a home where yelling, screaming and discord were the norm. As a result, when Eden first arrived at PAWS, he wasn't sure whether or not he could trust the volunteers or staff members here. We'd often find him hiding in his litter box, warily watching us as we moved about the room. With sadness and concern, Tracey and I wondered if Eden would ever feel comfortable around people...

That's why I'm especially excited to report that Eden has made tremendous strides since he's been at PAWS. Once he got past all of the new sights (other cats? yikes!), smells (other cats? yikes!!!), and sounds (other cats? and dogs, too? YIKES!), he was able to realize that the humans in this place spoke gently, moved slowly, and offered great things like love, pets ... and food!

Over the last month or so, Eden and I have struck up quite the friendship, and we both enjoy our times together. Eden loves being talked to softly and is a huge fan of being pet. Every now and then, he even throws in a few "head-butts" to show his appreciation. This handsome fellow is about 4 years old, neutered, and current on his vaccines. He's grown so much, and I know he'll be a great and loyal friend for the human who adopts him. If you've got a quiet home with no other pets or small children, Eden might just be the cat for you.

Peace out!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Raisin

Prince

Reggie

Vine

Sweet to the Max!

Max was brought to PAWS after he was found as a stray. Lucky for him (and us), because we're not sure how long he would've been able to survive on the streets. You see, this kitty is, as they say, "a lover, not a fighter." It was obvious the poor guy was a bit overwhelmed by the whole shelter experience at first, but his sweet and gentle nature was evident from day one. And now that he's become used to the sights, smells and sounds of the shelter, it's been confirmed: Max is a 100%, unabashed love bug. He loves being pet, having his head and neck scratched, and being talked to. Do those things, and you just may have a new best friend forever! :)

Max and his cute spotted nose are about two years old. Like all of the animals at PAWS, he is neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.

Go Go Gadget!

Gadget came to PAWS when his owners were no longer able to take care of him. Life at the shelter has been a pretty big adjustment for this handsome guy, but he's making great strides. Fearful when he first arrived here, Gadget has gotten used to the sights, sounds and smells of PAWS, and we've been able to watch his true personality emerge. And what a personality he has! This five-year old fellow loves to be let out of his cage for socialization time, and can often be found laying on his back. Gadget's also a real chatterbox ... he's always sure to give us a "talking to" if he thinks we're not paying him enough attention. :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Just some random photos of some of the PAWS kitties. We'll be sharing their stories in upcoming posts. :)

Ishma is a purr-monster!

I'm constantly amazed by the ability of some animals to adapt to difficult situations. Take Ishma, for instance ... this 9-year old sweetheart ended up at PAWS after she was abandoned by her owner (who had been evicted). Going from having free reign of an apartment to being housed in a cage at a shelter must have been quite a shock for Ishma, but this pretty girl never let on! I remember clearly the first time we met her ... we were petting some of the other cats in room 3, and noticed some REALLY loud purring. And while the kitties being pet *were* purring ... it wasn't them we were hearing so clearly. It was Ishma, who was three cages away! This happy girl LOVES people, and she always heralds our entrance to the room with steady purring. When we open her cage, she purrs even louder. Mix in a few of her adorable meows and some head butts, and the message she's sending is quite clear: Ishma loves people! She'll definitely be a true and steadfast companion (not to mention a steady source of soothing purrs) for whoever is lucky enough to adopt her. :)

Update on "Snowball" the Cat

Snowball, the adorable all-white, short-haired, mellow cat that we wrote about back in January 2008 has made some great progress that we'd like to share with you all!

She still prefers to hang out in the cat tree where she feels most comfortable, but has been venturing down more frequently. Don't get us wrong -- she still isn't very fond of her furry

roommates, but I think the draw of the Scratch Lounge was more than she could take ... (:

Oh, by the way ... the kitty standing near Snowball in the first picture is Reggie, who must be wondering, "Great ... I finally got Houdini off the Scratch Lounge and now I have to deal with Snowball hogging it ... what's a sweet boy like me to do?!"

Some furry friends find forever homes

We have great news, and we're practically bursting at the seams to share it! A number of our feline pals at PAWS -- including some previously mentioned here in our blog -- have recently been adopted! And although we'll miss seeing them, it's wonderful to know they've finally found "forever" homes, with places and humans they can call their very own!

So, without further ado, we present a list of some recent PAWS graduates...

Bijoux, the adorable tortie (photo) with a penchant for "Cat TV," rolling around on the floor and licking noses. We are told she charmed the socks off of her new owner, who was described to us as a "big, burly" gentleman. Word has it that Bijoux sealed the deal by licking his face! :)

Morgan and Chandler, the sweet brothers who were returned to PAWS when their owner was no longer able to take care of them. It was clear these two gentle boys were very fond of each other, which makes us incredibly happy they were adopted together.

And Nixie, a totally sweet, all-black kitty who LOVES people. His new people sent a short e-mail to tell us about how well he's managed to transition into his new home. Here's what they wrote:

“We love Nixie! He fits in perfectly. In less than 24 hours in our house, Mr. Nixon has decided he has to explore (it's a large home, so there is a lot to see), he talks nicely to Maximus and ... this morning I came downstairs to the kitchen and he's already caught me a mouse! (Max has no claws - he was another rescue.) And he gave it to Max as a present! Max was pretty pleased, although he's still making Nixie jump through the new-cat-on-the-block hoops. But I know Max is relieved to have company after losing his pal Samuel. Nixie's working out better than fine ... he sends his love!”

Be well in your new homes, kitty friends. We love you!

Garth and Valerie ... a Love Story

Well maybe not a love story but certainly a "really like" story!

Garth, who is new to this blog, is a 2 1/2 year-old domestic long-haired black & white kitty. He's quite handsome, but is a little shy and would do really well in a quieter home with dogs or other cats. Found as a stray and brought to PAWS in early May 2009, Garth has quickly made friends with Valerie, a kitty previously covered in our blog. Kev and I often find them sleeping together on the stuffed chair in their room, sitting and rubbing their heads together, or walking side by side.

It would be a wonderful story if they could be adopted together ... or maybe they can be adopted together with Cherry, who also gets along with other kitties - especially Garth and Valerie...(:

Hanging With the Room 5 Cats

Today was another great day at PAWS. As always, we had a terrific time hanging out with all of our kitty friends. Here's a video of Tracey with some of the cats in one of the shelter's "open" rooms. Oh ... in case you're wondering, that's Beauty who jumps onto my lap to let me know she's ready for her close up! :)

Oh, Happy (World Cat) Day!

Happy World Cat Day to kitties and their friends everywhere!

For you humans with cats ... please be sure to give them some extra love and attention today. :)

If by chance you don't have a cat, but are thinking of getting one ... please consider adopting one from your local animal shelter or rescue organization.

You (and the kitty you save) will be glad you did.

... and Thurman lived happily ever after

PAWS recently received an e-mail from the folks who adopted Thurman. From his humans' report, it seems that Thurman loves his new family and has made himself right at home. Here's what they wrote:

"Thurman is a great cat, enjoying the larger house and is running around. He gets along very well with his new brother—it only took them two days! Thurman sleeps on his dad's bed and both kitties sleep on the couch together."

Good for you, Thurman! We love you, buddy!