When it comes to kittens, one thing is certain: starting at about 10 weeks old, it gets a lot harder to socialize them if they have not had positive interactions with people. The stress that comes from living in a shelter cage makes it even harder for them to trust humans. This is why Cat Town runs a cage-free adoption program — a big part of why we’re able to help kittens as old as ten months learn to feel confident and brave around people. Your donations have supported our cage-free approach, so that we can help scared older kittens find courage, and find their perfect homes. Rocket and Radio were two of those kittens who have you to thank for their happy outcome.
Radio (left) and Rocket (right). Photos by the Cat Man of West Oakland and Erica Danger, respectively.
At 11 weeks old, this pair of scared youngsters was just outside the ideal time frame to be socialized. Knowing this, a kind-hearted shelter worker took them home as fosters to help them start getting used to people. The pair made a bit of progress, then came to our Adoption Center to speed things along.
Rocket. Photo by the Cat Man of West Oakland.
Radio quickly overcame his uncertainties, and soon had a lot of mischievous energy. He played with toys readily, and would lure guests into their Studio with his big eyes. Rocket could watch him interact with us from safe within his hidey bed, learning at his own pace that we humans are okay. Although he was scared, he was a sweet kitten. Both brothers received lots of supportive encouragement from our staff, volunteers, and even some of our guests, and the way to Rocket’s heart proved to be through lots (and lots) of treats.
With time and patience, Rocket and Radio were finally ready to adopt so they could continue to blossom in a home. By the time they met their new family, little Rocket had started to enjoy letting people pet him. Their adopters were excited to coax Rocket into loving pets even more with treats, and purchased two of every type of toy they could find so the boys wouldn’t need to share once Rocket started feeling confident enough to play with them.
Because they were already 11 weeks old when they first encountered people, it took 6 weeks of work to get these boys home. Compared to how quickly younger kittens feel safe around people, their care required a bit more patience and commitment, but we believe the joy shared by these kittens and their new family made all that work worth it.
Radio and Rocket’s adopters.
Taking chances and trying new approaches is core to Cat Town’s framework. Your support helps us explore new tactics to better support our community, and gives every cat and kitten an opportunity to learn, blossom, and succeed at finding the person who will love them forever. Thank you for making it possible for us to go the extra mile, and help older kittens who need extra support to get adopted!