Up in a Tree

It's a full (of adoptable kitties) house in the PAWS Room 7 cat tree!  That's active Igor, taking a break up on the observatory deck; handsome orange tabby Lenny, snoozing on the rooftop lounge; and sweet and gentle Sioux, relaxing in the cozy garden apartment.

Have a great weekend, everybody! :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Matt

Our friend Matt is handsome and available, but very timid around people.  He's about 2 years old, neutered, micro-chipped, and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.  Matt has tested negative for FeLV and FIV, and gets along well with other cats ... perhaps you know somekitty who needs a new best friend? :)

Easy Like Sunday - Gem

Beautiful Gem is a real sweetheart, but she doesn't always show well to potential adopters because she's shy around new people.  She's taking it easy today, and dreaming of a nice, quiet forever home and a person of her very own.

Arrghhh! It be Meow Like a Pirate Day!

Shiver me-ow timbers, fine mateys!  Today be "Meow Like a Pirate Day" on Ye Olde Cat Blogosphere!  We (Captains Moosey, Gracie and Zoe) be taking to the high seas in search of a most wonderful treasure - real-life forever homes for all of our amazing and adoptable PAWS (where we learned all of our pirate skills) kitty friends.  There be friends a plenty and a wealth of provisions - tuna, shrimps, chick-hen, ham, cheese, catnip, cat milk, temptations, and lots of toys, cat scratchers, feathers and beds - for the journey, so join us as we set sail!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Getting there

Despite their initial no-hiss, no growl introduction, the cats have let us know they still have a few issues to work out.  Zoe is timid when it come to interactions with Moosey.  This is an improvement, since she was scared before.  And Gracie is protective of her sister, so it seems that getting Zoe and Moosey to be okay with each other will be a key.  Moosey is fascinated by, and curious about, his new sisters.

Gracie and Moosey on the same bed!  Zoe was hiding in the other room...

Tonight, we all had another nice hour of together (in the same room) time.  We'll take it at the kitties' pace, and know we will get there eventually.  (Sorry for the quality of the second photo, which was taken at night.)

Sweet Girl Saturday - Biddy

Do you remember our beautiful friend Biddy?

 Biddy has made incredible and amazing progress since she's been at PAWS.  Now all she needs is a forever home.  As you can see from these pictures, she enjoys people and loves nothing better than a nice warm lap and some gentle pets.

She also likes treats and is very playful (laser toys are high up on her list of favorites).  Biddy would do better in a quieter home without young children or other pets.  She's spayed, up-to-date on all her vaccinations, and has tested negative for FeLV and FIV.  And whoever is lucky enough to adopt her is going to have a best friend and lap warmer for life. :)

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Moosey, Gracie and Zoe Update:  Moosey and his sisfurs met face-to-face tonight - with no baby gate!  Gracie seemed pretty unfazed by the whole thing. In fact, she and Moosey even touched noses briefly.  Moosey and Zoe were being a little more cautious, but there was no hissing or growling by any of the three.  At one point, all of us (the three cats, Tracey and me) were relaxing in the same room.  We'll do it again tomorrow (and try to get some pictures when we have better lighting). :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Solomon

Big, gentle and handsome Solomon is waiting patiently at PAWS to meet his forever family. He hopes they come soon.

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Gracie and Zoe update: Our beautiful new house panthers are doing wonderfully.  They have met brofur Moosey through the baby gates set up on the door to their room, and tonight, they explored the whole upstairs (while Moosey was downstairs).  They both like laying on top of us, love playing (especially Gracie), and enjoy sitting in the window and watching Bird and Squirrel TV.  For his part, our sweet Moosey seems pretty calm about his new sisfurs.  We're giving him lots of extra attention, so he knows we love him just as much as we always have. :)

The Big Reveal!

Here it is!  The big announcement you've all (especially Moosey) been waiting for...

We're excited to welcome not just one, but TWO new kitties - Zoe and Gracie - into our loving home!  You've seen these sweet and beautiful sisters here on our blog before, as they've been waiting patiently at PAWS for nearly three years.  Why so long?  Maybe it's because they're older (about 12 years old).  Or maybe because they're black.  Or maybe because they don't always "show well" to potential adopters (they can be sort of reserved around people they don't know).  Or maybe because they needed to be placed together.  We're not really sure, but we know they are wonderful cats, who are greatly loved by the shelter staff and volunteers alike.

We also know they sang a MIGHTY kitty song the whole ride home.  And that they are adjusting brilliantly to living here after just one day - especially Gracie, who confidently walked out of the carrier like she's been here her whole life:

Moosey, Gracie and Zoe have already seen each other through the cat door window we have on the guest bedroom door.  In fact, you can see Moosey's cute face as he peeks at his new sisfurs through said cat door at the beginning of the video.  Their collective reactions have ranged from "meh" to "hmm, that's a cat ... sort of interesting."  We think this bodes well...

Here are some pictures of the girls, taken this morning. They look pretty relaxed, don't they?

Gracie

Gracie relaxing while Zoe looks outside

Zoe, sporting her new pink zebra collar :)

So now you know ... the surprise behind door number one is DOUBLY wonderful!  And when you combine that with yesterday's Petties announcement, it's been a very exciting weekend around here so far.  We hope you're having a good one, too. :)

An Unexpected Honor

Okay, we KNOW everyone is waiting to find out what exactly is behind door number one.  And we PROMISE we'll reveal THAT big surprise sometime this weekend!

In the meantime, Tracey and I have some other exciting news to share with you.  We found out this afternoon that Animal Shelter Volunteer Life was selected as the winner of the "Best Cause-Related Blog" category of the 2013 Petties Awards!

It was truly an honor for us just to be in the finals with three really amazing blogs about three really amazing causes -- Black & Orange Cats; Riverfront Cats; and Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network.  And although Tracey and I really wanted to win, we certainly didn't want to get our hopes up.  So you can imagine our surprise when our little blog -- which then-unemployed Tracey started in December of 2008 -- was announced as the winner!  And our excitement over PAWS getting a $1,000 donation from DogTime Media as part of our prize.  That will help lots of cats and dogs as they wait for their forever homes!

To our friends (in person and online alike), families, and everyone who believed in us, nominated us, shared about us, faithfully voted for us, and encouraged others to do likewise -- THANK YOU.  It's no exaggeration to say this would not have been possible without you all.

Hugs, headbonks, and much gratitude,

Tracey and Kevin, Moosey, Angels Sammy, Maggie, Graphite, Bitsy and Lady Madonna, and all the cats and dogs of PAWS (And whoever is behind door number one, too. MOL!)

What's behind door number one?

Don't worry, sweet Moosey!  You'll get to see what (actually, WHO) is in that room soon enough.  And for the rest of you, we hope to give you a proper introduction - complete with pictures - sometime this weekend.  Stay tuned! :)

Easy LIke Sunday / A Short Break

As you can see, our pals Mindy, Warner and Mercedes are taking it easy today.  Kitty piles are the best, aren't they? :)

And speaking of easy, we're currently taking a short break.  See you later this week! :)