When we scan the Oakland shelter for cats who are struggling, we meet cats of all ages, recently surrendered and scared of their new environment: from senior cats desperate for the calm and comfort of a home to Forgotten Kittens, at risk of becoming more feral every day without dedicated human interaction. We’ve met every kind of vulnerable cat, but their needs have never been a deterrent for us. “Unadoptable” is not in the Cat Town vocabulary, and thanks to your support, we’re taking that mindset nationwide.
The cats who make their way to Cat Town — the cats most in need of help — are what we call “mission cats.” So today, we want to introduce you to some of the “mission cats” you have saved with your donations. Thank you for giving these cats the second chance they deserve.
FIV+ CATS
Cassie never lets her FIV+ status get in the way of living life to the fullest!
Honey is a huge fan of ribbon time!
In the old days, being FIV+ was a death sentence for shelter cats. But minds are changing about FIV, and so are opportunities for adoption. FIV+ cats have no problem living with non-FIV+ cats, and as long as they stay indoors to prevent health issues and the potential spread of infection, they can live a long and happy life.
Honey and Cassie, 2 of our current FIV+ cats, are both playful, sweet, and affectionate. We know they’ll make great companions to their future families.
BLACK CATS
Stella loves getting up high for a view of the Cat Zone.
You might have seen our recent blog series debunking myths about black cats, but believe it or not, those myths still persist. Black cats often have trouble getting adopted, but as anyone who’s met a black cat can attest, they come equipped with unique personalities, each one different than the last.
We have a number of black cats in our care, ready to find their special someone this holiday season.
SENIOR CATS
Even at 15-years-old, Nancy knows how to enjoy life and get silly from time to time.
Senior Buddy getting in some pets with volunteer, Shelly.
Arriving at the shelter can be stressful for any cat, but seniors often experience heightened health risks due to shelter stress. Plus, seniors are most likely to end up at the shelter after living with the same guardian for years, making the sudden change particularly jarring. That’s why we’re dedicated to getting them out of cages and into comfortable foster homes before being adopted. And with our In It For Life program, medical costs for seniors are covered by Cat Town, eliminating that monetary concern for potential adopters.
Senior cats like Buddy and Nancy, are companionable and looking for calm, compassionate caregivers. Maybe it’s you!
MEDICAL CASES
Despite health challenges, Didi never loses her loving personalty.
One of the greatest asks we make of our supporters is for cats in need of medical care. With limited resources at the shelter, cats who have complicated health problems or injuries might not otherwise have an opportunity to be adopted. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve that chance.
With your help, cats like Didi have received extensive medical treatment on their journey to adoption.
FORGOTTEN KITTENS (or FKPs)
When young kittens arrive at the shelter, they often grow up with limited or no human interaction. So we started our Forgotten Kitten Project to give older shelter kittens a second chance at life. With dedicated socialization from our staff and volunteers, these kittens learn to trust humans and build positive relationships before being adopted. Plus, with our free -roaming adoption center, Forgotten Kittens learn positive behavior from our more confident cats.
Tiger (left) and Fawn curl up with their friend, Buzz, just out of frame.
Tiger and Fawn came to Cat Town fearful of people, but have been making great progress and have started accepting pets! With the addition of Buzz, an older, confident cat to their studio space, they’ve been progressing even more quickly.
These are just some of the cats who depend on your support. We are so lucky to do what we do and look forward to sharing our mission with other organizations across the nation. Thank you for making Cat Town’s work a possibility.
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