(Almost) Wordless Way Back Wednesday

We thought we'd share some photos of our angel kitties. We love and miss you (from top) Bitsy, Graphite and Lady Madonna ... and look forward to the day when we see you all again.

FURever Home Friday

Great news, friends! We've recently had a nice run of adoptions, including those of Bijoux and Noelle (aka "Meow Meow," the kitty Kevin and I found in the woods)!

Now, those of you who've been following our blog for some time may be asking, "Wasn't Bijoux was adopted a while ago?" And you would be correct. Sadly, that particular adoption didn't work out, and we welcomed Bijoux back to PAWS. Since then, our adoption counselors worked hard to get her adopted to just the right home, and she recently went to live happily ever after with a very nice, young married couple who love Bijoux for the "gem" she is! :)

Other adoptions we're happy to share: Butch, Carmella, Claudia (one of our longtimers), Hobbs, Justin, Mia, Pecan, and brothers Ralph and Richie (together).

We thank you so much, kitties, for enriching our lives. We wish you long, happy, and healthy lives with the wonderful families who took you in.

We love you all!

Tracey & Kevin

National Feral Cat Day

MEOW! My name's Sammy, and I'm one of the furry children of the folks at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life. Since I used to live in a feral cat colony -- and today is National Feral Cat Day -- I asked my mom and dad if I could write today's blog post. National Feral Cat Day was started in 2001 by the people at Alley Cat Allies -- the national group that helps feral and stray cats, and experts about something called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). With TNR, kitties who live outdoors are humanely trapped and brought to a v-e-t to be checked out, spayed or neutered and given their shots (me-OUCH!). Kitties who are friendly (like ME!) are put up for adoption. Luckily for me, this meant an end to my days as a feral cat. Mom and dad adopted me from PAWS about four years ago, and I'm very happy living here with them, my brofur Moosey and my sisfur Maggie! :)

Truly feral kitties who've done all that v-e-t stuff are released back into the areas they came from, and nice humans feed them every day and take care of any who are sick or get hurt. And because they are spayed and neutered, the feral cats don't have to deal with stuff like mating and pregnancy, and no new kittens are born.

If you'd like to learn more about National Feral Cat Day, Alley Cat Allies, and/or how you can help feral cats, please click HERE.

Thanks for reading my post!

Sammy the Cat :)

Tuxedo Tuesday

The five beautiful tuxies pictured above are among the more than 100 cats currently living at PAWS. Noelle is sweet and playful. Bootz loves watching television. Libra, a kitten, is shy, but loves to play. Sasha and her cow cat brother Reeses are very friendly. Betsy loves being held and pet.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Gizmo

Longtime PAWS resident Gizmo has been adopted! A friend to kitties and volunteers alike, this gentle giant orange tabby had been at the shelter for almost 1 1/2 years. Congratulations on your new forever home, buddy ... we love you!

We LIVESTRONG Today

Sammy, Maggie, Moosey (and Kevin and Tracey, too) join in love and support of all of those whose lives have been touched by cancer, and remember our friends and family members who have passed on. LIVESTRONG.

Forever Home Friday

Exciting news! After being at PAWS for more than a year, our buddy Tally has landed himself a PURRfect forever home. We'll miss this handsome and gentle cow cat with a penchant for chasing sun spots and laser lights, but we're over the moon that he finally has a home and a person to call his very own. ConCATulations, Tally. We love you! :)

It's Good to be an Indoor Cat :)

Hi! My name is Noelle, but I'm also known by my friends as "Meow Meow." Let me tell you ... I sure am happy to be an indoor cat. I've been outside, and it's very scary! My PAWS volunteer friends Tracey and Kevin (who also happen to write this blog) found me wandering around by myself in the woods back in July -- during the middle of the hottest week of the year. I could tell they were cat lovers right away, and was so relieved and happy when they stopped to pet and talk to me. I even climbed in their laps when they sat on the ground!

The people at PAWS had me checked out by a V-E-T, and it was a really good thing my friends found me, because I had a leg wound that needed to be treated AND an upper respiratory infection. I'm all better now, living at PAWS and waiting to find a purrfect forever home. I'm a young (about one year old), sweet and playful ladycat. I am spayed and am up to date on all my vaccinations. I hope I'm adopted real soon ... hey, maybe YOU can adopt me ... but until then, am living in one of the open cat rooms at PAWS.

Love and Purrs,

Noelle aka Meow Meow

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Pixie

Beautiful Pixie is a shy and sweet girl cat looking for a nice quiet home. She loves being pet and brushed, and seems to be fascinated with watching the playful kittens who share her room at PAWS. :)

Really Thankful Thursday

And just what are we thankful for? Well ... since our last adoption update, we've had some great adoptions and received really heartwarming follow-up notes from some adoptive families. :)

The adoptions include five kitties we've covered previously on our blog: Babe (pictured above), Chyna, Oliver, Pip and Shaq. Also joining the ranks of official PAWS alumni are: Alexa, Almond, Cap'n Crunch, Cashew, Chester, Cutie Pie & Faith, Earl the Girl, Flower, Graham, Hank (to foster), Itchy & Scratchy, Jax, Jellybean (to live with Frenchie!), Kix & Trix, Ladybug, Lapis, Layla, Leif, Lolita, Ludwig (to foster), Macaroni, Magenta & Joon, Maya & Savannah, Mr. Friendly, Mr. Meow, Petal, Pisces, Polly, Queen Bee & her daughter, Quinn, Sweet Pea & Pesto, Tigor, and Tikka & Charlie.

As for the follow-up notes, here are a couple that we hope make you smile as much as they did us...

"Prince is doing well. He and I were MADE for each other. He is SUCH a lovey-bear! He now sleeps with me every night and lays on the foot of my recliner sometimes (especially if I am not feeling well). He likes to wake me up very early on weekend mornings to feed him by sneaking up next to my face and touching his little nose to mine and purring so loud you'd think a Harley Davidson was in my bedroom ... it's just too cute! He loves tummy-rubs and ear-scritching and if he had his way I would do it 24/7. When I talk to him ... he totally understands what I’m saying and acts on it. He greets me with much kitty-chatter when I come home at night and at bedtime! I just adore him!”

"Sherwood (who is now named Massimo) is doing great and has fully acclimated into our family. My older cat Bella has finally accepted him. It took close to 6 months, but it looks like we are there. They are now feeding together, and just the other day, Massimo had finished eating and as he turned the corner to leave the room he was face to face with Bella. They stopped and looked at each other. He then proceeded to lick her neck/chest area and nuzzled his head into her neck. It was the first time I witnessed a display of affection between them and frankly cutest thing I've ever seen them do! He's great with our kids - still a little skittish as they are a little loud for his taste and he keeps a low profile when we have guests (especially children). He kills all of the bugs too! He loves to get groomed and have his nails trimmed. Thanks again for helping us pick out and rescue the perfect addition to our family! We could not be happier. He truly is a gentle giant!"

Have a great day, everyone! :)