KITTEN WIRE: 10 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE LAST YEAR

OAKLAND — We launched the Kitten Wire one year ago to document Cat Town’s innovative approach to rescuing older kittens — the ones who hide in their shelter cages, bolting from hands, hissing instead of purring. These are the kittens who missed out on positive human interactions in their first few months and are deemed “unadoptable” by traditional shelter standards.

Building trust with older kittens takes time and patience, but is no where near impossible. Photo by Cathy Niland.

The Forgotten Kitten Project is changing that. We spent the last year providing a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into socializing these stressed or shy cats — and the results that we know are possible. Check out our top 10 takeaways from the last 12 months of working with forgotten kittens and enjoy photos of some of our favorite feline friends who were featured on the Kitten Wire.

1. The world is full of big-hearted adopters

Take, for example, the story of Natalie. A father-son pair took a chance on a shy tabby who spent many months withdrawing from pets and skillfully avoiding laps. It was only after her cat dads took her home did she fully blossom. 

"We knew that with a little love she would reveal herself," her adopter said, "and she has!"

2. Bonded pairs bring so much joy

Last summer, we met a pair of sisters who couldn’t be more different: Aspen was a confident, cuddly girl quick to climb into laps, while Leaf would often cower in the corner, growling. Volunteers worked daily with Leaf to help her get comfortable around humans. When a mother-son duo came along looking to adopt a kitten, they quickly fell for sweet Aspen but were also charmed by Leaf, recognizing all the progress she'd made. As a bonded pair, the two have helped each other adjust to life in their new home.

"Leaf not only needed a patient person, she really needed Aspen. She wouldn't have seen what it is like to be a confident cat."

Aspen (left) and Leaf cuddled up in their Cat Town studio. Photo by Cathy Niland.

3. The weightier meaning of ‘kitten season’

The term "Kitten Season" has such a joyful ring to it. But in the animal welfare community, we know it means the time of year when unfixed homeless cats have their litters and shelters become overwhelmed, straining resources for all of the animals. We shared the key ways all of us can make a difference in preventing the overpopulation of homeless cats.

4. Modeling works

We told you about the heart-warming breakthroughs shy kittens have had after being paired with more confident ones, like the first time sweet Fawn eagerly accepted full-body pets from a new visitor after just a few days of shacking up with a rambunctious pair of outgoing kittens.

5. Fostering saves lives

The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. When there are cats in need of a loving but temporary place to land, volunteers have always stepped up and opened up their homes. Last summer, three different cats who came to Cat Town extremely fearful of people, blossomed in the care of foster parents and went on to find their happy ever after. Eloise, Summer, and Gwyn are reminders of the core mission of Cat Town.

6. Transformation is possible, if unpredictable

Sometimes we meet a cat and think this is a tough case  — will she ever be happy to see a human? And then they floor us with their quick transformation. Other times, socialization takes weeks or months. We can’t predict how long it will take for cats to show us their true selves after leaving the shelter cage behind, but we are certain of the strategies that make transformations happen.

Suzy has made so much progress through the Forgotten Kitten Project. Photo by Liz Lazich.

7. Patience is the key ingredient

Visitors often ask how long it takes for a cat to become socialized. At Cat Town, the answer is as long as it takes. Some cats we rescue are traumatized or recovering from illnesses. Others were homeless and had no positive human interactions. For members of the Forgotten Kitten Project, often the only human interaction they had before arriving at Cat Town was being put in a cage. It may take just days or maybe months, but we take the time to help each cat reveal herself, at her own pace.  

8. Play is important

When we first meet a cat, often our instinct is to stick out our hand and reach for pets. But that can be scary for some cats. A good alternative to begin interacting with an under-socialized cat is to play. We saw this work time and time again in helping build confidence with playful but shy kittens. 

Tyra, like lots of Forgotten Kittens, has built confidence through play. Photo by Scott Russell.

9. Cats can do tricks, too!

The concept of “cat training” is gaining more attention as animal behaviorists share the benefits and pet lovers dive into the various how-tos of using reward-based tactics to train cats to do things like sit, twirl and even high-five. We saw the benefits of this with a shy tuxedo girl named Alaska. A Cat Town staffer spent time rewarding Alaska with treats for tricks, and it helped her build confidence during her time in the Cat Zone. Now living her best life with her new family, this cat who high-fives has her own Instagram account, @alaska_fives.

10. Goodbye is hard, but always the goal

It’s a common question: Don’t you get attached to the kittens? Of course! Everyone who spends time in animal welfare knows saying goodbye can be heart-wrenching. We've had many bittersweet moments sending our charges off to their new homes. But goodbye is the goal — it’s what allows us to save more lives.

Leaf heading home with her new family on adoption day. Photo by Marie-Luise Klotz.

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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KITTEN WIRE: WHY WE PAIR SHY CATS WITH CONFIDENT CATS

OAKLAND — It was an adorable scene: a brother-sister pair of gray and gray-and-white young cats with their own mini-me companions bounding around a spacious studio. They would play and groom each other and were spotted napping in an irresistible pile together. 

In addition to being a heartwarming sight, there was also a critical reason for that particular grouping: socialization. The older pair, Tiger and Fawn, are members of the Forgotten Kitten Project recently featured on the Kitten Wire. They are still shy around most humans, requiring a slow approach and some patience. The younger pair, sisters Miranda and Liara, are about as confident and human-oriented as they come. They greet you with meows, quickly jump in laps and purr loudly when held. 

Liara and Miranda played confidently while Tiger and Fawn watch on, learning from their behavior.

So why did Cat Town group these two very different pairs from different litters together in a studio space? The answer is modeling.

Shy cats benefit from watching the behaviors of confident cats. And proving our theory true, Fawn, the Russian Blue girl who has been slow to allow many pets, had a major breakthrough after just a few days in the presence of the always outgoing younger pair. On multiple occasions recently, beautiful Fawn eagerly accepted cheek scratches, chin runs and full-body pets with visitors. 

Fawn rolling over for cheek and chin scratches.

This breakthrough is exactly why Cat Town strategically mixes shy cats and kittens with more confident ones in its main adoption center and, when possible, in its studio spaces.

So how did Cat Town come to have Miranda and Liara, two confident kittens? 

They benefited from Cat Town's early intervention to alleviate shelter overcrowding during this year's kittens season. They were just a couple months old upon arrival to their Cat Town foster home, where they got specialized attention before landing in our adoption center. And if you remember from our recent Kitten Wire dispatch, Tiger and Fawn, on the other hand, were rescued as members of the Forgotten Kitten Project after missing out on early socialization with humans during the optimal first months of their lives. Grouping the shyer ones with outgoing kittens has already helped push them out of their shells. They see the kittens jump in human laps, lean in for pets and confidently move about with multiple visitors per day.

Tiger made earlier breakthroughs and is particularly attached to a member of the Cat Town crew. The combination of social feline role models paired with dedicated human interaction has proven to be a winning success. And now we are celebrating Fawn's breakthrough, knowing she has an incredible capacity to gain confidence, as we've seen in so many forgotten kittens before.

Tiger and his favorite staff member, Camden, getting ready for pets!

We are happy to report that Miranda and Liara have found their new family and have already gone home. Now, we are just waiting for the right person to come along to help Tiger and Fawn keep blossoming into the great companions we know they will be. Most immediately, we're hoping to get them placed with a dedicated foster, someone who knows how far they've come and can help them continue growing on their way to adoption. Reach out to our staff at info@cattownoakland.org to learn more about fostering or adopting.

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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KITTEN WIRE: PREVENTING KITTENS FROM BECOMING 'FORGOTTEN'

OAKLAND — Cat Town started the innovative Forgotten Kitten Project to rescue older kittens from shelter cages — the hissy, bolty ones who need specialized attention to help them learn to trust humans. 

But what can be done to keep kittens from being forgotten in the first place? The answer comes down to early intervention. And that's what Cat Town is doing a bit more of this year, marshalling resources to intervene where the need is the greatest.

One of the young kittens new to Cat Town and soon to be up for adoption. Photo by Cathy Niland.

"Kitten season," is usually the summer months each year where litters of homeless and often orphaned kittens overwhelm shelters and exhaust community resources. Cat Town's model of rescuing the most needy — sick, stressed and shy cats — includes taking in older kittens at risk of euthanasia. Recognizing the acute need with younger cats, Cat Town was able to mobilize resources at the start of this kitten season. That meant taking in those still in that optimal window of socialization to help ensure they don't become forgotten.   

A once homeless, possibly feral, mama cat and her litter spent time in one of our Studios while the two little ones were socialized by staff and volunteers. Two other litters of kittens, now age 2 and 3 months, are currently available for adoption in pairs. And we continue to work with the "feral" mom to measure her potential for socialization.

Like all of our rescue efforts, that requires our community's support: foster parents willing to bring litters of kittens into their homes, volunteers dedicated to helping socialize the ones housed at Cat Town, and, of course, the continued financial support to give them the health and routine care they need. 

Shelter kittens are ready and waiting for foster parents like you! Photo by Cathy Niland.

Cat Town's mission of giving every cat a loving home will always mean intervening for forgotten kittens, those around 4 months and older and in need of socialization. But thanks to our community's support, we were able to intervene even sooner.

Whether you foster kittens through the Oakland shelter or provide a temporary home to one of Cat Town's older cats, know that we can't do our work without you! Please email info@cattownoakland.org to learn more about fostering. 

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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KITTEN WIRE: MEET TIGER AND FAWN

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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KITTEN WIRE: TAKING A CHANCE ON NATALIE

OAKLAND — When a father-son pair began their search for a new feline companion, they scrolled through the faces on Cat Town's adoption gallery, and found themselves drawn in by a brown tabby. 

"Her eyes in the photo of her that was uploaded immediately caught our attention," said 18-year-old Blue. "They were gentle and inviting, almost hopeful, begging to find a home."

Natalie's favorite Cat Zone hangout. Photo by Andrew Dorman.

Blue and his dad, Jack, decided to meet the cat they saw online. It wasn't exactly a Kodak moment. Natalie was a member of our Forgotten Kitten Project, an initiative to rescue under-socialized cats around 4 to 9 months old. Having missed out on positive interactions in their early formative months, they often fear humans and therefore are at risk of euthanasia at traditional shelters. 

For Natalie, receiving a stranger's pet was out of the question. But that didn't deter Jack and Blue.

"Although she wasn't exactly friendly when we visited, we could relate to her unwillingness to trust strangers," Blue said. "Being familiar with trauma ourselves, we thought it would be fitting to rehabilitate a traumatized cat, as many adopters don't have the emotional resources to do so." 

Cat Town established a process to identify these at-risk cats, trained a small army of volunteers, and built a cage-free space designed to help these, and other vulnerable cats, thrive. That's how Natalie went from a shelter cage to Cat Town's adoption center. 

"We knew that with a little love she would reveal herself," Blue said, "and she has!" 

Toward the end of her time at Cat Town Natalie started relaxing and accepting pets, a good sign for her adopters. Photo by Cathy Niland.

Natalie's transition went like so many do: At first, she hid. "For a few weeks I called her a cryptid because glimpses of her were so rare and exciting, she'd only come out when we were sleeping," Jack said. 

But they knew the right approach: Create a calm, safe-feeling environment, with plenty of predictability — and treats. 

How long did it take? At least a month before they were able to pet her.

And now?

"Now she can't get enough," Jack said. "In the last weeks she's just begun cuddling up to my legs when I sleep and climbing on our laps for attention, so the warming up process is still ongoing."

"An absolute sweetheart," Blue added. "She's always rubbing against us, looking for affection, and has an insatiable desire to play."

Life is sweet with their newest family member.  

"Natalie slept on the empty pillow next to my pillow for a long time when she was first warming up to us and she started putting her paw on my face at night," Jack explained. "Marie from Cat Town told me she had begun socializing Natalie by holding her paw, so that night when I settled down in bed I held her paw. It had an immediate effect on her emotionally, she moved to my legs and cuddled up behind my knees, and that's where she sleeps every night now." 

Blue has some expert advice for anyone considering opening up their home to one of our undersocialized rescues. "You'll have to prove to them that you won't hurt them by consistently being safe and nonthreatening."

Jack offers three pieces of advice for anyone considering adopting a cat still on the shy side:

1. You can't take stuff personally with a cat like this. By which I mean if weeks have gone by and very little has changed, don't give in to the worry that you or the cat are doing something wrong.

2. Cats like Natalie (and some people, too) need a lot of time to know they're safe, not just in their environment, but emotionally, safe from abandonment as well.

3. Pay attention. They can't talk with words but they have so much to say. If they feel heard, you make a friend for life.

Well said! 

If you are inspired by Natalie's adoption story, consider donating to Cat Town, so we can continue rescuing forgotten kittens like Natalie.

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. Learn more about our Forgotten Kitten Project in our weekly Kitten Wire dispatch, and be sure to check out our last post!

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