Last year we had 463 adoptions — beating our previous adoption record of 458 from 2015, right after we opened the nation’s first cat cafe. We’re proud to have supported as many at-risk shelter cats as possible! Here’s what that looked like:
109 tiny kittens made space for older cats at the shelter
142 cats in bonded pairs stayed together
108 sick and injured cats found good health and happiness
102 stressed cats could relax and feel safe again
73 black cats got the attention they deserved
53 Forgotten Kittens found courage and learned to love
40 senior cats landed on their feet
11 cats with FIV found support
Last month alone, we had 32 adoptions. Thank you for helping us round out the year on a high note!
Emilio didn't get along with the other resident cat, so his guardians brought him to the shelter in hopes he’d find a less stressful home. He arrived there at 12 years old with three legs and kidney disease. We got him into our foster program and took him to the vet, where he had four teeth extracted and two crowns amputated, and put him on a special diet with fluids to help manage his kidney health. With a pain-free mouth, his kidney disease under control, and a stress-free environment, Emilio could show off his friendly, easygoing personality! His foster immediately fell in love with his sweet disposition and silly antics, and decided to adopt.
Star and Cassandra arrived at Oakland Animal Services as nursing mothers, and took turns caring for one another’s kittens. They were clearly stressed — but with no history for them, we couldn’t tell if they were feral cats or simply afraid in their environment. We brought them to Cat Town as part of our Feral or Fearful program, and over the weeks, discovered that these sensitive young cats are simply extra shy and nervous in new surroundings. At our Adoption Center, they proved playful and treat-motivated, and while Star remained quick to swat, both came to enjoy pets. Their patient adopters have already sent us a heartwarming update: “Star has been hiding at night, but coming out for treats during the day, although she’s still very wary of us, which we expected, of course! Cassandra has been spending a lot of time in the cat tower, and has been receptive to head scratches and treats, and we even caught her purring and making biscuits yesterday, which was amazing!”
At the Oakland shelter, Lionheart was extremely fearful from Day One, hissing and displaying defensive behaviors that made him unhandleable for shelter staff. This is a common cage reaction for cats who are surrendered after life in a home. Lionheart had stopped eating, and needed a change of environment, so we got him into our foster program — and after just a couple of days, he was chowing down eagerly, chirping, and playing with toys. We soon learned this brave boy loves to eat and be brushed, and his adopter is more than happy to oblige! They told us, “He's doing well! He's got a window perch, cat tree, and cat cave that he mostly rotates between, but he's enjoying life — and especially enjoying being brushed. His purrs are so loud!” We’re so glad he could put his best foot forward in a relaxing foster home!
Fearful Forgotten Kittens Inch and Glo came to us with ringworm after a shelter outbreak, so we got to work right away, starting treatment and earning their trust. Although ringworm is just a fungal infection similar to athlete’s foot, it takes weeks to resolve, which means lots of playtime in protective gear to keep staff and volunteers safe, as well as plenty of medication and sulfur baths to kill those pesky spores. As time went on, their hair grew back in, and their behaviors showed a sweeter side. Inch began to enjoy pets, while Glow became a bona fide lapcat. Their adopter is taking it slow, and the two are doing well.
Timothy stumbled up to our Program Director, Dilara, as an emaciated kitten living on the streets. ”He had no weight when I picked him up, and I was sure it was too late for him,” Dilara told us, but she nursed this tiny kitten to good health, and named him after Tiny Tim since it was the holiday season. Once he was thrifty enough, he came to our Adoption Center to help teach a litter of Forgotten Kittens that people can be trusted to kindly bestow snuggles, treats, and toys. Timothy instantly hit it off with Sweet Pete! The two were staggeringly cute, and when a volunteer who recently lost their senior cat asked if we had any adoptable kittens, they fell head over heels for the pair. It was love at first sight!
Thank you for helping make 2023 a wonderful year for shelter cats of every stripe!
All of our December Adoptions
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
Back to the Cat Town Blog.
Previous post