Cats Needing Love

I am deriving so much pleasure from having Katrina living here with me.  Every day, she becomes more affectionate and less frightened.  I've continued to keep her in the bedroom as she recovers from her surgery last week but the other day, I decided it was time to open the bedroom door and see if she would come out to explore.  For the first 24 hours, she would stand near the open door on the way to her food dish and just look, as if she noticed the door was open but wasn't concerned one way or the other.  Then last night, I was sitting at the dining room table making some art around 9 p.m. and I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.  Not only had she travelled down the hall, across the living room and to the dining room area but she had immediately found one of Carly's old cat toys that had been tucked underneath a bookcase and was pulling it out.  I'm guessing there is catnip inside and that's what helped her find it but considering that I didn't even know it was there and couldn't tell you the last time I saw that particular toy, surely this is an indication of what a clever girl she is!  Of course, shortly after I praised her for coming out, she decided it was time to head back to the bedroom but hey, it's a start.  (Even as I typed that paragraph, I heard a noise out in the hall - she is on the move again tonight - hurray!)

Having seen how far she has come in just three short weeks, I am saddened at the thought that there are so many other cats that need either foster homes or permanent places to live where they will be loved and cared for.  As we saw with the Weather Kittens, tiny, cuddly little furballs are adopted immediately but older cats, even those who are only a couple of months older than young kittens, are often overlooked by people looking for cat companions.

Personally, I would rather adopt an older cat.  Kittens are as cute as can be but they are such little bundles of energy, they can be exhausting!  Plus they are like little kids, you have to watch them all the time, to make sure they don't get into trouble or do something dangerous, like eating something they shouldn't or climbing somewhere they can't get down from on their own.  And they move fast.  One minute they are there and the next minute, they've bounced or scurried off somewhere else - again, just like a toddler.

The vet estimates Katrina to be 18 months old, which means it might take a while for her to be adopted, if at all.  I am also told that most people don't like black cats, especially people that are superstitious.  Their loss, as far as I am concerned.  She is such a sweetheart, I am happy to have her here as long as necessary, although I feel the need to find her a companion, if she will tolerate one, and I'd like to give another cat a home, if possible.  Or maybe look after a few more families of kittens.  Perhaps I'll start a home for unwed cat moms, keep the ladies around after their kids have left the nest.

But all kidding aside, if you have the inclination to adopt or foster a cat, please consider an older animal, especially those that are six to 24 months old.  It can't be denied, cats of all ages make wonderful companions and they come in all sizes and colours, with long or short hair.  If you live in the Toronto area, please visit the Abbey Cats website to see if any of these furry little faces strike your fancy. 

For example, this handsome fellow is named Malachi:

and here we have the exotic looking Animosa:

Wherever you live, check out your local animal shelter.  And yes, there are dogs and rabbits and ferrets and all manner of other animals that need homes too so check them out as well if it's not a cat you're looking for.

I also know of two senior cats, named Walter and Dexter, 10 year old neutered DSH males.  Their story is a very sad one.  They have been living alone in their house for the past several months while their human companion has been in hospital.  Several people have been taking care of them all this time but still, can you imagine how lonely they must be? Now it has been determined that their owner will be moved into a long term care facility and won't be coming back to the house, so these guys need a new home.  If you know of anyone who might be willing to take them in, please let me know and I will put you in touch with one of their caregivers and/or email you their photos.