OAKLAND — "Bolty." "Terrified." "Hissing and kicking."
That's how volunteers and staff at Oakland Animal Services described a pair of kittens who landed in shelter cages during last year's kitten season.
"FKP material?" a kennel note read.
Fawn (left) and Tiger (right) with their former cage-mate, Raven (center). Photo by Cathy Niland.
That shorthand — or more precisely what it represents — saved those kittens lives. The Forgotten Kitten Project, an innovative program developed by Cat Town in partnership with the Oakland municipal shelter, gives scared, hissy kittens that don't fit the criteria for being placed up for adoption a second chance.
Cat Town rescued that “bolty” pair, gave them the names Tiger and Fawn — and a chance to relax in a free-roaming environment. After making huge progress in learning to love humans, these spry, playful tweens, as we call older kittens, are ready to find their future family.
As is the case with many of our Forgotten Kittens, Tiger benefits from more confident role models. Photo by Liz Lazich.
Tiger and Fawn have benefited from Cat Town's range of options: a chance to model the behavior of more confident cats in Cat Town's main adoption center, one-on-one socialization with specially trained volunteers and staff, and time in their own studio space where their diet can be controlled (a precautionary measure) while they still get daily visits.
How does Cat Care Attendant Camden Z. describe these two now?
In the case of Tiger, the more outgoing gray-and-white male: "Super affectionate." "Loves to play."
Tiger and Camden enjoy a quick pet before dinner time. Photo by Liz Lazich.
And his shyer sister with the all-gray coat? "Increasingly curious." "Accepts pets while sleepy."
You too can help Tiger and Fawn build confidence by visiting them in their private adoption center studio. Make a reservation, or if you're looking to adopt, reach out to staff at info@cattownoakland.org.
Cat Town is working to help other rescues across the country replicate our work with Forgotten Kittens thanks to a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund. First visit to the Cat Town blog? Learn more about our Forgotten Kitten Project in our regular Kitten Wire dispatches.
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