Every year we have more heartwarming stories than we can possibly share in real time — and some of them stick with us for months. That’s why our staff rounds up some of our favorite untold stories at the end of the year to share with you. Here’s the first batch of cats that you probably don’t know about — but whom you helped save this year.
“A lot of extra love went into helping this pair — and their adopter is being so patient with them while they hide under the bed. I am so grateful that we were able to give them plenty of time to find the right home. ”
Thistle. Photo by Erica Danger.
DAWN’S Pick
Thistle and Yucca
After being trapped at an East Bay Regional Park, Thistle and Yucca were both fearful. Yucca came out of his shell first, and quickly proved to be an affectionate and playful cat even in his shelter cage. Thistle, on the other hand, was terrified and incredibly fractious for a long time (hence her prickly name). She hissed, growled, and swiped at anything that got close to her. I worked with her for weeks — starting out so slowly, at first just trying to get her to eat treats off an extendable back scratcher and keeping a safe distance between her and my hand. Once she did, my next move was to see if I could “pet” her cheek with the back scratcher. It was a no-go for a long time, but one day, after she ate some wet food, she leaned into the back scratcher instead of batting it away. We were finally getting somewhere.
Yucca. Photo by Erica Danger.
After a few weeks, Thistle started to let me pet her with my hands, but only AFTER she finished her food. Once I figured out her “formula”, I repeated it every time I saw her. I built up enough trust with her that I could not only pet her, but she would lean in, purr, and really enjoy the attention. Thistle and Yucca were ready for the next step in their journey. We moved them to one of our Studios at our Adoption Center, and I continued to work with her. I also shared my techniques with our stellar volunteers so that they, too, could continue to help Thistle build trust.
As Thistle became less guarded and more friendly with humans, her relationship with Yucca also blossomed. They started acting more like the bonded pair we had been told they were. They slept together, played together, and groomed each other. After 5 months at Cat Town, and coming so, so far, Thistle and Yucca were adopted. Yucca had charmed many suitors who weren’t able to connect with Thistle, but we knew the pair should stay together. When Thistle and Yucca’s adopters met them, they were just as enamored with her as with him. We’ve received photos and updates that both cats are doing amazingly well, and Thistle’s confidence is through the roof.
Thistle learned to trust people from her outgoing and confident friend, Yucca, and from the support of staff and volunteers who worked with her regularly to make her feel safe. Photo by Erica Danger.
QUINN’S Pick
Julianne and derek
These cats had a rocky road to adoption, but their outcome was so sweet! Julianne and Derek are incredibly shy — and after their guardian passed away, they hid behind their litter box in fear at the city shelter. One shelter volunteer tried to pet them and wrote in their notes, “I got a hiss and ears so flat I didn’t have the guts. No interest in wet food.” No other rescues were taking these scared little cats, so they were at the shelter for weeks until we found space for them. They stayed with one of our superstar fosters, got adopted by someone who ended up deciding they weren’t the right person for them, and then went to another fantastic foster for the final leg of their journey. Each time they had to move, it took time for them to feel safe and be comfortable being handled. At one point, Derek even squeezed out a window, but our staff did a late night stakeout and safely recovered him within 24 hours.
Once the pair really settled in, we learned that Julianne was secretly a lap cat, and Derek LOVED to play. We recently sent over a volunteer photographer to see if fresh photos might help these two catch someone’s eye — and just days later, even before their new photos went up, they got adopted. That volunteer must be good luck!! A lot of extra love went into helping this pair — and their adopter is being so patient with them while they hide under the bed. I am so grateful that we were able to give them plenty of time to find the right home.
Julianne was gentle and shy, but learned the joys of cuddling (and somersaulting after toys) thanks to her foster. Photo by Nicole Dial.
Derek showcased a squeaky little meow to announce that he was ready for playtime or looking for his friend, Julianne. Photo by Nicole Dial.
GRACE’s Pick
ORPHEY
Orphey arrived at the shelter as a stray senior with flea allergy dermatitis and dental disease. However, the Good Samaritan who brought her in noted that she was calm and relaxed the entire time — and in her shelter cage, all she seemed to want was love, purring when staff and volunteers reached in to stroke her and making biscuits on her bed. We brought Orphey to a foster home where we could continue to monitor her health and finish up her dental procedures. She adjusted quickly to her new foster family, including a cat-savvy six year old who said, “She’s sweet and cheerful. She loves the sun and doesn’t care about meeting new people. All she wants is pets from everyone.”
Despite everything life threw at her, nothing seemed to phase Orphey, and her easy going demeanor eventually helped her win over her adopters! Orphey has always moved at her own pace, remaining unbothered by changes in the wind, and I’m so happy that she found a loving home to care for her as she enters her golden years.
Ten-year-old Orphey’s foster family helped her get her itchy skin under control while she healed from dental surgery. This senior cat was grateful for her attentive caretakers.
CAROL’S PICK
PERSEUS
FIV-positive Perseus was injured and stressed in his shelter cage, but transformed quickly with support from Cat Town’s volunteers and staff. Photo by the Cat Man of West Oakland.
When I first visited his Studio, Perseus was buried deeply in a black igloo bed, still recovering from an infected neck wound. Being black himself, it was very hard to see who he was, but after a few choruses of “Getting to Know You,” I peered in and saw a big, handsome cat. Over a couple of visits, sitting on the floor next to the igloo, he cautiously poked his head out. Breakthrough! But I knew I had to continue slowly, and keep the songs and conversation going.
Perseus enjoyed our conversations about his namesake warrior hero — adventures of slaying Medusa and rescuing the fair Andromeda — and soon would come greet me when I entered his Studio. He sat on my lap while I massaged his feet. He loved to be petted and brushed, purring the whole time, and soon became a loving, interactive cuddle bunny. He eventually let me pick him up, and we’d talk about how soon he would go on another adventure into the big world and find a new home, becoming someone’s brave protector. We continued our conversations looking to the future, and one day an experienced adopter came along, and fell in love. It was with happiness and sadness that I saw him go home. Hooked on my handsome little mythological warrior, I look forward to meeting more cat-shaped Greek heroes.
Thank you for making it possible for us to help these cats!