Dona Nobis Pacem

Eden the Peace Cat

Today, we’re taking part in “BlogBlast for Peace.” Since Mimi Lenox started it in 2006, this day of peace has grown to include thousands of bloggers in 53 countries. How, we wondered, could we integrate Dona Nobis Pacem (Latin for “grant us peace”) into our blog about the cats at the shelter? Then we looked at our pal Eden, and we had our answer.

When you see Eden head on, his facial markings are reminiscent of the "Peace" symbol. That's pretty appropriate, because (like so many of us) this sweet boy yearns for peace and love. Eden came to PAWS from a home where yelling, screaming and discord were normal, so we understood why he wasn't sure he could trust the people or cats here. He would watch warily from the confines of his litter box as we moved about the room. He’d make himself as small as possible. He shied away from our touch. Would this handsome boy ever be okay?

Behold the transformative power of peace. While PAWS isn’t a “home,” it is a place where Eden has experienced more peace than he had ever known. That peace, which comes from knowing the humans here speak gently, move slowly, and offer encouragement, pets and food, has given him the courage to love and trust. It’s especially evident whenever he confidently jumps down from his chosen perch to greet his favorite volunteers.

Eden has been at PAWS for more than two years, and he’s so ready to find his own forever family. He’s still reserved and cautious, so he would do best in a quiet home with people who will be patient as he adjusts to his new surroundings. But we know Eden will be a great and loyal friend. Won’t you please consider giving this “Peace Cat” the home he deserves?

Wishing peace for all beings this day and every day,

Kevin, Tracey, Sammy and Moosey

Happy MEOW-loween :)

Happy MEOW-loween from all of us at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life! As you can see, some of our pals from PAWS (Nurse Diamond, Lady Liberty Petunia, Princess Praline, Good Witch Marmalade, Queen Claire, Jester Puck, Officer Carter, and Elmer the Bunny] are ready to join us for some trick or treating. We sure hope they (and all the cats at PAWS) get forever homes of their very own soon. Now THAT would be the sweetest treat of all! :) *

Purrs and Hugs,

"Master" Sammy and "Chef" Moosey (and mom and dad, too)

(* Click on the picture to "biggify" it, so you can see everyone's pawsome costumes!)

(Almost) Wordless - Lloydie and Me

Sweet Lloydie came to PAWS with his brothers Fritz and Max. As you can see, he really loves people. :)

Bonk!

Four in a Tree Friday

(from left) Io, Jerome, Mindy, and Hunny

The kitties in (open) Cat Room 5 really love their donated cat trees (which look like trees)! It's pretty common to see two, three, or even FOUR cats together on the big one (as demonstrated here by Io, Jerome, Mindy and Hunny). :)

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Doing the Happy Dance :)

Do you remember our pal Kessa? This sweet girl, who was our entry for this year's Wordy Wednesday Challenge, first came to PAWS more than 2 1/2 years ago (making her one of our longest term residents). Well, we received a text message late today from a fellow volunteer that Kessa has finally found her very own forever home!

We don't have a lot of details yet, but we do know that Kessa now has a loving home, a lap to curl up on, and a human to whom she can give kitty kisses like there's no tomorrow. We're going to miss this sweet girl SO much, but this what we've ALL been waiting for. Be well in your forever home, Kessa ... we love you!

Okay, back to doing the happy dance. Anyone care to join in? :)

National Feral Cat Day

It's National Feral Cat Day! Now in its 11th 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. 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.

Leo is Looking for Love

Looking for a PURRfect family pet? Then Leo may be the cat for you! This super sweet and extremely handsome mancat has lived with children and dogs, and gets along well with most other cats.

"Look at me, up in a (cat) tree!"

Leo is about 3 years old, and is neutered, microchipped, current on all his vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV.