When our team looks back at this year’s adoptions so far, we recognize the impact you’ve made on each of the 399 cats who found support at Cat Town. From overlooked fearful cats to shy and misunderstood seniors, each cat’s journey to adoption was made possible because of your generosity and support.
Every success started with you in our corner, giving us the time, resources, and belief that these cats can be celebrated and deserve a second chance. Each life transformed is a story of trust and growth, and none of this would have happened without you making sure that these cats didn’t just find homes — they found safety, care, and whole-hearted belonging.
Here’s what your support made possible this year:
179 cats in bonded pairs could stay beside their best friends
152 sick and injured cats got the treatments they needed, from surgery and diagnostics to medications and dental care
103 stressed and overlooked adult cats felt a sense of safety to let their personalities shine
72 senior cats found peaceful comfort in their golden years
64 black cats could put their winning personalities front and center
35 especially at-risk cats found the support they needed to continue thriving in their new homes thanks to our volunteer Case Managers
25 fearful and hissy kittens grew braver, and learned to trust people for the first time
11 cats with FIV overcame the stigma of their diagnoses and found loving and safe homes.
Because of you, these cats are more than just numbers — they’re the lives you’ve transformed. Here are just a few of the incredible adoptions you helped make possible this year.
GENEVIEVE’S PICK: KissKiss
I’ve met thousands of cats in my years working and volunteering in animal welfare. Early on, I thought I’d remember each and every one, and though I realized my brain wouldn’t hold that much information, I knew KissKiss would be unforgettable.
KissKiss in her foster home. Photo by David Yeung.
In late 2022, the beautiful calico was found as a 15-year-old stray limping on the street. She was diagnosed with arthritis, hyperthyroidism, a heart murmur, high blood pressure, and possible cancerous masses. She maintained a regal demeanor as befitting such a beautiful lady, capturing hearts among Cat Town’s staff and volunteers. We found a loving foster home for her, and made her available for adoption as a hospice cat. Her fosters kept up with her medication, and our Cat Care Coordinator, Belle, made monthly visits to check KissKiss’s blood pressure.
KissKiss in her loving home.
After more than a year, former Cat Town adopter Marsha, who had adopted another hospice cat named Marilyn Monroe, asked to meet KissKiss. I had a strong feeling it would work out. Marsha was looking for another senior female cat to share her love with, and when she met KissKiss, she fell in love. Holiday travel delayed the adoption, so KissKiss stayed with me over the holidays, and I took her to Marsha’s home in January. From the moment she stepped out of her carrier, KissKiss was clearly at home, cuddling Marsha and bringing a tear or two to my eye.
We didn’t know how long she’d have, and recently, Marsha shared that after a brief illness, KissKiss had passed away. She made it to 17, with her last 9 months of her life filled with love and care from the human she chose as hers. Sad, yes, but clearly a story of joy and hope. Part of our commitment when we adopt an animal companion is knowing we will likely outlive them. Adopting a hospice cat isn’t for everyone, but it’s deeply rewarding as you make every wonderful moment count. I’m proud to work for an organization like Cat Town for giving cats like KissKiss a second chance, and opening opportunities for adopters to make a profound difference in their lives.
KissKiss. Photo by Erica Danger.
KRISTINE’s PicK: Benny
Benny still finding his footing. Photo by David Yeung.
Benny arrived at Cat Town on Valentine’s Day, just a few weeks after I started this job. He stood out to me because most of the cats I’d met here were either confident, happily seeking affection, or shy, fearful, and avoidant of people altogether. Benny was something in between.
Benny playing at Cat Town. Photo by David Yeung.
Benny transferred from Cat Garden Rescue because the sweet boy was too terrified during adoption events to attract adopters. When he first got here, he would mostly hide and vigilantly observe his surroundings. Occasionally, he’d venture out cautiously, but sudden movements and loud sounds would send him back to his safe space. After a couple of weeks, he was still easily startled, but recovered quickly, showing a resilience and courage I couldn’t help but admire. I remember calling his name and seeing him emerge from his pillow cave purring, only to scurry back when something clattered nearby. But after a few calls, and despite some hesitation, he reemerged almost immediately, purring and seeking affection again. What a brave boy.
Benny’s story is classic Cat Town: a shy, fearful cat finds the trust and courage to let his personality shine and bond with humans. But what makes this story special is how our team made sure Benny went home with the best companion for him. As he gained confidence, Benny became friends with every cat, moving comfortably among the shy, spicy, and social. He needed a home with a cat buddy, and was about to be adopted with a kitten when our team noticed he had a particularly special bond with a new arrival named Skillet. Our Lead Cat Care Attendant, Bill, noted, “I’ve seen Benny play with a lot of cats, but not like this.” We shared footage of Benny and Skillet playing and cohabitating, and the adopter agreed to adopt them together.
Knowing Benny and Skillet (now Jet) are doing great in their home together is a testament to the dedication of Cat Town’s volunteers and staff, who not only supported Benny’s growth, but also saw beyond just any pairing to find the perfect friend for him — a gift we strive to give hundreds of cats like him. Special thanks to Genevieve, our Adoption Coordinator, for kindly informing an overly eager new employee who wanted to adopt Benny (me) that no, my 3-month-old pitbull puppy wouldn’t fit the bill as Benny’s “cat buddy.”
Benny found his confidence at our Adoption Center!
QUINN’S PicK: Lucy & Ethel
When Lucy and Ethel arrived at Cat Town in 2018, they were Forgotten Kittens still learning how to trust people. I remember watching them evolve over months from girls who tried their hardest to hide, making themselves small, into cats who weren't afraid to take up space, be seen, and be touched. Their adopter was ready to take on a challenge, and worked with the girls to continue building their confidence in their home.
Lucy at the Adoption Center, before the two headed to a foster home. Photo by David Yeung.
Five years later, their adopter's life became too overwhelming for them to keep the girls, so Lucy and Ethel came back to us. They needed help with matting in their long fur, and needed support overcoming some new litter box habits. Thankfully, their foster was incredibly patient and understanding about their accidents and worked with us, trusting that a simple approach could fix a stressful problem. With a veterinary screening to rule our medical causes for litter box avoidance, a sanitary shave, and our gold standard for a litter box setup (unscented clay litter and an uncovered box in a low traffic area of the home), the two were soon back on track.
The love they'd received in their previous home made the transition to life in a foster home easier for them, and after just a few months, their foster made it official and adopted them. Once again, they were part of a family. Now Lucy and Ethel greet guests at the door with a raised tail. Lucy cuddles and sleeps on the bed, and Ethel loves perching on her cat tree.
Ethel in her foster home.
I loved this adoption because so many cats get surrendered to shelters due to litter box avoidance, yet Lucy and Ethel prove it can be a truly simple fix. So many people feel guilt over returning a pet, yet their first adopters doing so (even though they were so sad!) meant those girls will be cherished in another good home rather than simply surviving. I love that Lucy and Ethel got a second chance at life full of love back when they were terrified kittens because Cat Town helps scared cats thrive, and a third chance when they needed a safety net — because their foster-turned-family stepped up. I love that this adoption was a kind response to challenging circumstances, and that everyone worked together to look out for these girls, no matter how hard it felt in the moment. To me, the compassion and consideration that went into helping Lucy and Ethel — and the people who love them — is Cat Town's standard for each cat in our care. That makes me feel really proud.
ARIELLE’S PICK: ROSA & BERGER
When I first met Rosa on my volunteer shift at the city shelter, she had a scratched up face, one broken and one missing tooth, and was covered in scabies, lice, and ringworm — the last of which meant that at the shelter, her best option was a life as a working outdoor cat. Even though she had come in as a stray, this little cat LOVED human affection, rewarding volunteer visits with instantaneous purrs and overzealous head butts.
I had been wanting to try fostering cats with ringworm through Cat Town for some time, so I decided to create a quarantine space for her in my apartment to give her a chance at living a comfortable indoor life. With the support of my knowledgeable coworkers, I was able to tough out 6 weeks of twice weekly dipping, deep cleaning, and medicating.
Rosa on quarantine in Arielle’s bathroom for her ringworm recovery.
I did my best to make sure Rosa had enough attention while quarantined in my bathroom and gave her plenty of solo play toys and food puzzles while I was away, but I still worried when she got lonely and cried for more attention at night. I found comfort in imagining her meeting all the other cats at Cat Town, soaking up all the natural light she could want. When Rosa could finally join the rest of the rambunctious young cats in the cat zone, I was excited for her to have all the fun in the world, but also nervous her lack of social skills would get her into trouble.
As it happened, she did have trouble reading the other cats and respecting their boundaries. Now that she could really run, she would speed after toys; barrelling right into the other cats. Fortunately at Cat Town she had all the time she would need to adjust, and eventually young Berger moved to the cat zone. Over time, he and Rosa spent more and more time together, and eventually they became inseparable; always occupying the same window bed in the afternoons.
Rosa. Photo by David Yeung.
Berger. Photo by Teresa Wood.
When I first met Rosa, it was all I could ever hope that she would eventually be able to spend her evenings curled up on the couch with a human companion. For her to have also found a feline best friend for life makes me feel immensely grateful to Cat Town for affording her that opportunity. It was one she could have so easily missed out on just for being unlucky enough to have gotten a ringworm infection while trying to survive outside. I’m grateful that Cat Town has a space where cats who may have missed out on a comfortable kittenhood can learn to safely navigate new relationships, human and feline alike. And I’m also grateful for all the instances I got to see of her playing with guests and volunteers, and of course her BFF Berger! Just living their best life! I hope they continue to be the happiest, healthiest of cats with their new family.
Rosa and friend. Photo by Teresa Wood.
Cover photo by David Yeung.