In November, we shared some of our team’s most memorable adoption stories from this year. Here are more of our favorites! Each of these adoptions was made possible by a collective effort:
the shelter workers and volunteers on the front lines, taking in an enormous quantity of animals every day,
our staff working with the shelter to identify the cats at the most risk and provide them with a safety net they can’t find anywhere else,
our volunteers who move heaven and earth in foster homes and at our Adoption Center to help these cats feel safe and healthy,
our adopters who carry the baton across the finish line, and
our donors who believe it’s important that a shy cat knows it’s okay to let someone love them, a sick cat recovers, and a scared cat finds peace.
Thank you for supporting our work to help these cats all find incredible homes!
KRISTIN’S PICK: LIGHTNING
Lightning is a special girl, and has a special story. I first saw her at the Antioch shelter, hiding in a box in her cage. They told me that her caretaker had passed away, and she was brought to the shelter. People were passing her over because she wouldn't look at them. She was depressed. I knew I had to take her, and make her a Cat Town cat.
Lightning felt distressed in her shelter cage, and needed a new setting where she could relax.
I found a wonderful foster for her, and went back up to the shelter to pick her up. The fosters were so patient with her, giving her time to relax and trust again. She started out hiding and not really reacting to anything. After a few weeks, she let them pet her. Weeks after that, she was out and about, giving cute meows and accepting brush time. A month after that, she was ready to be promoted for adoption.
Lightning’s fosters were so happy with the amazing progress they had seen since her arrival. She was adopted to a wonderful couple who knew they were going to have to be patient! She is now living her best life, and it warms my heart and soul so much.
In a foster home, Lightning was able to show her true, sweet self!
GRACE’s PicK: RIGA
Riga with Rivoli. Photo by Erica Danger.
Riga came to us at about a year old with another cat, Rivoli. They both started out very scared, and would huddle together in one hidey bed. The first time I went into their Studio, I could barely even see Riga, because she was completely tucked behind Rivoli. However, just a few weeks later, Rivoli was having major breakthroughs, and ended up making so much progress that he got himself adopted, leaving Riga behind.
Thankfully, Riga was not alone. Another shy cat had been sharing their Studio, and eventually, two more joined. Altogether, they were like a band of socially awkward misfits. Many weeks, I would sit in their Studio while working, and each week, I would present my hand for Riga to inspect. Sometimes she just stared, sometimes she gave it a little sniff. I could see she was still nervous, but trying her best to be brave. Over time, I was able to give her cheek scratches — and I was pleasantly surprised when she actually started closing her eyes and leaning in!
After almost a year in our care, one volunteer — who had known Riga from the start and followed her progress even after moving away — realized they couldn’t get her off their mind. Knowing this gentle girl also holds a soft spot in my heart, I could see why. They had previously adopted two shy cats from us, so we knew they were patient and would be willing to take as much time as needed to help Riga settle in. I can’t think of a better outcome for this sweet, sensitive girl!
Riga found her confidence, and made a lasting impression on her adopter. Photo by Grace Fujii.
QUINN’S PicK: Mr. ANderson
Mr. Anderson found his bearings in a fabulous foster home before meeting his adopter.
Mr. Anderson had been frozen in fear at the city shelter. We got him to one of our foster homes, where he spent many weeks hiding and quietly rediscovering his courage — and thanks to all the TLC he got there, he’d made enough progress to come to our Adoption Center when his fosters needed to leave for a lengthy trip. That’s where he met his adopter.
By now Mr. Anderson was a sweet and friendly boy, and when a cat has made that much progress, adopters can be surprised when their new cat decides to hide for weeks or longer. It can be hard not to take it personally when a cat you really want to connect with won’t meet you halfway, so our team makes sure to prepare adopters for that possibility by thoroughly explaining every cat’s history. For really shy cats like Mr. Anderson, we also assign dedicated volunteer Case Managers to help adopters through that rough “getting to know you” period.
Mr. Anderson. Photo by David Yeung.
Although he’d tolerate brushing after their first week together, it took Mr. Anderson’s adopter a month of patience before this little cat would give them the time of day. That’s a long time to be snubbed! Then, after weeks of coaxing, his adopter had a breakthrough of their own: Mr. Anderson started to hop up on the couch and ask to be brushed on his own. After that, they had another breakthrough: a storm of purrs!
When his adopter wrote in calling him “a delight” and expressing their gratitude that our volunteers helped them have the patience this little guy needed, I knew Mr. Anderson had found someone who would appreciate the entire journey he’d made, and the whole road waiting for them both as they walked toward their future together. Our entire team was rooting for this little guy, and he made it. He’s home for keeps.
Cover photo by Erica Danger.