(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Bella

It was bittersweet for us to see our beautiful and funny friend Bella again, when she was returned to PAWS after nearly three years in a home of her own.  

We're told a human in the house developed allergies.  We're not crazy about this reasoning, but we think it's far better for Bella to be back at PAWS than on the street (or worse).

Bella isn't a lap cat, and she can be feisty, but she loves the company of people she trusts. And she will keep the humans lucky enough to adopt her smiling and laughing with her silly antics.  Won't you please give Bella the second chance she deserves?

=======

You probably noticed the great carved pumpkin on our header! Isn't it COOL?  Big and hearty thanks to our sweet and fabulous blogging pal, Penelope, the Cat from Hell (and her cousin Ninja and awesome mom Barb, too). :)

Our 600th Post! :)

Holy Cat!  It seems we've reached another "milestone number" post.  Can it really be that we've reached 600 blog posts?

What a privilege it is to have all of you sharing in our lives, and in our experiences volunteering with the amazing, adoptable PAWS cats.  Thank you for celebrating with us whenever forever homes and happily ever afters are found.  And for your purrs, prayers and kindness when the going gets tough.  And for supporting our efforts through thick and thin.  And most of all, for the very real blessings of love and friendship - from across the nation and around the globe - that you've bestowed upon us.  When Tracey wrote the very first Animal Shelter Volunteer Life blog post ... who would have ever imagined all of this?

With much gratitude, and love, hugs and headbonks,

Kevin, Tracey, Moosey, Gracie and Zoe, and all of the PAWS Cats

(Almost) Wordless in Black and White

Although they're totally opposite in color, Gem and Rosemary have a lot in common.

They're both sweet, gentle, and in search of their own happily ever afters.

Gem and Rosemary are just two of the adorable, adoptable PAWS cats.
Come meet your new best friend today! :)

Easy Like Selfie Sunday

From the looks of it, some of the adorable, adoptable PAWS cats have picked their favorite easy spots, and are settling in for some good old fashioned rest and relaxation.  Here's wishing YOU an easy Sunday, too. :)

Truffle

Elvira

Shadow

Liam

Morris

=========

Our blogging friends at The Cat on My Head have a weekly Sunday Selfies Blog Hop.  We thought it would be fun to participate, and who better to kick things off than our sweet friend Swizzle, since she is being sponsored by ... Mom Janet and the Kitties Blue at the Cat on My Head.  So without further ado, here's Swizzle's selfie!

Swizzle

 

Angel Sammy's Feral Cat Day Message :)

Hi everybuddy, it's me, Angel Sammy, sharing a really important message from the Rainbow Bridge! Guess what today is? It's National Feral Cat Day, the day started in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies - the amazing group dedicated to helping feral and stray cats across the nation.

I actually know LOTS about feral cats (you know, those kitties who aren't socialized to humans that you probably see around your neighborhood), because I used to live in a feral cat colony before I ended up at PAWS (where Mom and Dad adopted me from). Here are a few facts you might not know:

1. Feral cats have lived alongside humans for more than 10,000 years! They are the same species as pet cats, but are not socialized to people, so they are not adoptable. Ferals live in groups called colonies and can thrive in all kinds of settings.

2. Trap-Neuter-Return - a humane approach to managing and caring for feral cats - is the only effective method of stabilizing feral cat colonies. With TNR, cats who live outdoors are humanely trapped and checked out medically, spayed or neutered and given their shots, and then re-released.  Some of these cats are found to be friendly (like lucky me!), and are put up for adoption. :)

3. In the last decade, the number of local governments with official policies endorsing TNR for feral cats has increased tenfold, with hundreds of cities and towns successfully carrying out TNR.

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.

I hope you liked my message. Big hugs and headbonks to you all!

Your pal,

Angel Sammy

FURever Home Friday! :)

Looking for some happy news to kick off your weekend?  Well, you've come to the right place, because it's time for another edition of FURever Home Friday.  Those of you who've been following us for a while will see some familiar names and faces on the "adopted" list, including those of some kitties who've been waiting at PAWS for quite some time.  Among those who've found their happily ever afters are...

Biddy

Nassau

Oscar

Snickers

Sherwood

Imah

Who else was gotcha'd?  Here's the full list (in alphabetical order) of recent PAWS cat graduates:

Aiden

Bianca

Biddy

Boudica and Minnie (together)

Brad and Angelina (together)

Charlie

Donald and Joshua (together)

Ermandy

Frittata and Farfalle (together)

Gabriella

George I

George II

Goofy

Grigio

Imah

Jesse James

Kelly

Kumquat and Key Lime (together)

Madras

Melo

Mickey

Nassau

Oscar

Plata

Purrsnickitty

Sherwood

Snickers

Sophia (to permanent foster)

Uno

Wild Bill

==========

Some happy tails (er, tales) from some of our alumni and their families:

Patches’ new name is Calliope and she is doing well, I think. She seems comfortable in her new home and has a voracious appetite and very definite preferences. She will only eat Weruva and Halo Spots Stew brand cat foods. She is still somewhat skittish yet slowly but surely she is becoming more affectionate. We still do everything on her terms. On Saturday night she slept at the end of my bed for the first time ever AND I heard her PURR for the very first time. I was surprised and very happy.

Miffy (aka Tinkerbelle) is so purrfect! She’s given us so much joy and we believe she’s happy with us too. Here’s a photo of her enjoying a catnap with me. I found her snuggled between my legs.

Brandon has adapted perfectly to his new home. He gets along great with our other cat, and is really starting to get completely comfortable in his new surroundings. My wife and I are extremely happy with our two cats that we adopted from PAWS.

  

Thanks for reading, and sharing in our adoption celebration.  Have a great weekend!

======

The PAWS animals need your votes! The shelter has been nominated for the "Vetericyn Loves Animals Charity Giveaway 2014."  Could you please spare a few seconds EVERY DAY now through October 15th to VOTE for PAWS?  Vetericyn is an immediate-acting, one-step wound and skin care product, and if PAWS is one of the three top vote getters, it will win a year's supply. It's a great product to have on hand for emergencies. To vote on the Vetericyn website, click here: http://bit.ly/1qVZSBi. Then Click on the blue picture that says, "Click here to vote for a small animal organization." When you see the PAWS logo, click on VOTE. There are no sign-ins or apps required. Thank you!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Max

Despite what the sign behind him says, all sweet and gentle Max really needs to be happy is a forever home with warm laps and lots of petting (and faucets from which he can drink).

Handsome Max is friendly, and likes almost everyone he meets.  He's good with other cats, and even likes dogs!  Maxie is about 12 years old, neutered, up to date on all of his vaccinations, and micro-chipped.  He has tested negative for FeLV and FIV.  Come meet Max today!
==========

The PAWS animals need your votes! The shelter has been nominated for the "Vetericyn Loves Animals Charity Giveaway 2014."  Could you please spare a few seconds EVERY DAY now through October 15th to VOTE for PAWS?  Vetericyn is an immediate-acting, one-step wound and skin care product, and if PAWS is one of the three top vote getters, it will win a year's supply. It's a great product to have on hand for emergencies. To vote on the Vetericyn website, click here: http://bit.ly/1qVZSBi. Then Click on the blue picture that says, "Click here to vote for a small animal organization." When you see the PAWS logo, click on VOTE.  Thank you!