How Ava Found Her Loving Family / #RememberMeThursday

Thursday, September 28, is Remember Me Thursday, a worldwide event that shines a light on orphan pets, and the beauty and life-saving importance of pet adoption. To commemorate this special day, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane to an event that changed our lives forever.

Those who’ve been reading our blog for a while know we’re longtime cat volunteers at PAWS. We’ve been volunteering so long, in fact, that through the years, we’ve had the honor of helping literally thousands of kitties find their forever homes. It never gets old for us, because it's something that is near and dear to our hearts. Sometimes, though, that something runs even deeper. With that said, here’s how our sweet housepanther Ava found her forever home – with us!

Ava (who was formerly named “Theta”) was first adopted as a kitten. As it turns out, the family who adopted her did not teach their dog to be respectful of its new feline sibling. Ava was terrified, and from what we have been told, ran into the family’s semi-finished attic and hid there for NINE MONTHS. Oh, they would put food and water up there, but did not spend much quality time with her. They eventually managed to catch her, and returned her to PAWS. As you can imagine, Ava was confused, nervous, and shy when she came back. We can only imagine what she was thinking in the midst of all the unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds she was experiencing. She was surely wondering where she was, why she was there, and what would end up happening to her. Of course, all that meant she wasn't exactly "showing well" to potential adopters. This beautiful kitty would cower and try to make herself small and invisible in the back of her cage, unsure if humans could be trusted.

This is where us volunteering comes in. We have the privilege of getting to know the cats in PAWS’s care, and as we got to know Ava, we started thinking this really sweet but very scared girl might just fit into our family, and be a great little sister for Gracie, who had lost her littermate of 17 years (Zoe) a few months prior.

(Now angel) Gracie and Ava

It's hard to believe Ava has been a part of our family for more than five years. She was, in fact, a great sister for Gracie (who made her journey to the Bridge in December 2020, at age of 20). She has also absolutely and positively blossomed. No longer is she the cat who lacked confidence, was nervous about sleeping on our bed, always deferred to her older sister, and did not even know how to meow. Her transformation has brought us so much joy. That formerly shy cat who hid in her cage is now confident, SO happy, and very good at enforcing feeding, sleeping, and lap time schedules for her mom and dad. She has found her voice, with a variety of vocalizations that make us smile each and every day. And she is loved so very much.

Ava’s happily-ever-after tale shows the importance of pet adoption for all of us. Did we save her? Yes. Did she save us? Also, yes. Did adopting her help save more lives by opening up space at the shelter for another adoptable kitty? Yes again. In our eyes, adopting Ava was a win in every way.

There are still lots of cats (and dogs) still waiting to find loving homes. If you’re in a position to adopt, and happen to live in the Norwalk, CT area, be sure to check out all the adoptable PAWS cats and dogs here. If you live too far to do that, we know there are so many wonderful and adoptable cats and other pet animals at your local shelter/rescue (many of which are listed on Petfinder and/or Adopt a Pet)! Who knows? Maybe today's the day you'll find your new best friend.