In this final look back at our most inspiring adoptions of 2024, we’re reminded that no matter how challenging a cat’s journey may be, every one of them deserves — and can find — a loving home with the right care and support.
From overcoming medical hurdles to patiently rooting for our shyest cats, and supporting adopters through tough moments, we’re here for every cat, every step of the way. Thank you for standing with us, making these transformations possible, and changing lives!
Andrew’s PICK: Davis
When Davis arrived at Oakland Animal Services in February, he was already facing an uphill battle. By March, when he transferred to Cat Town, and I brought him into my own home to foster, I could tell right away he was a special cat. Davis was diagnosed with pododermatitis — a painful condition affecting his paws — and we started treatment right away with our veterinarian. But as we soon discovered, there was more to Davis' story.
Andrew fostered Davis and monitored his health.
Not long after bringing him home, we noticed something unusual: Davis would experience paroxysms in his sleep — sudden jerking episodes that often left him urinating where he slept. Over the next several months, Cat Town worked closely with our veterinarian and a veterinary neurologist to get to the bottom of what was happening. We ruled out infectious causes and tried several anticonvulsant medications, hoping to ease his symptoms. None of the treatments worked, but through it all, Davis stayed his sweet, affectionate self.
Davis is a happy lap cat. Photo by David Yeung.
Davis quickly became one of the most memorable cats I’ve ever fostered. He was a lap-warming professional — always ready to curl up for a snuggle. And when he wasn’t in a lap, he was clumsily chasing after toys, making everyone smile at his goofy determination. We knew he needed a very special adopter — someone who could manage his condition and love him for exactly who he is.
In October, Davis got his chance. A kind adopter agreed to a trial adoption, fully understanding the care he needed. With Cat Town's support, they worked out a routine to manage Davis' sleepy-time episodes and incontinence. Seeing him happy, loved, and thriving is the kind of ending that makes our work meaningful.
Davis’ story reminds me why we do what we do. Every cat deserves a chance, no matter how complicated their care might be. I’m so grateful to everyone who supported Davis on his journey — and especially to his adopter for seeing the incredible cat we saw in him.
Davis. Photo by David Yeung
Suzanne’s PicK: TOBLERONE
Toblerone came to Cat Town scared and avoidant. Photo by Teresa Wood.
It was a rainy night in early February when I first encountered a pair of striking chartreuse eyes with the most worried expression I’ve ever seen. They belonged to Toblerone, a 9-year-old male from a home with 16 other cats whose guardian had passed away. Peering out at me from under a blanket in the darkest corner he could find, Toblerone was clearly fearful and shell-shocked over his recent transitions, and spent weeks hidden underneath his companions, almost invisible.
Toblerone had a serious respiratory illness upon arrival, and there was a long road ahead to help him learn to trust new people. He’d squish himself out of reach behind the other cats, and was so deferential and hesitant that they would often swoop in and take the treats intended for him. I had to distract them so he could receive direct attention, and found him eager for affection, leaning heavily into cheek pets, craning his neck for chin skritches, and pushing his head firmly into my hand. We knew it would take a very special, very patient person to see what we could see in him.
Suzanne gaining Toblerone’s trust. Photo by Nicole Dial.
Then, one afternoon in late September, I got the call that would change Toblerone’s life forever. One of Cat Town’s monthly donors and her 17-year-old friend Kiki had attended a Cat Town event where Kiki spent a large portion of the evening visiting with our handsome panther. She fell in love with his big green gold eyes and rumbly purr, and that was all it took. Kiki’s family understood he would require time and patience, which they’d had already learned as the guardians of another senior cat from Cat Town, who had passed away around the time Toblerone had originally arrived at the Adoption Center.
Toblerone learned to overcome his fears. Photo by Nicole Dial.
Now whenever anyone asks, “Where’s Kiki?”, the answer is usually, “Oh, I think she’s under the bed with Toby!” When the two aren’t under the bed, Toberlone (now Toby) can be found performing hallway acrobatics late at night. The family reports that he accepts head kisses with a great deal of dignity, too. Hearing this made my heart soar, and was a potent reminder of why I love my job so much.
Toby’s journey is emblematic of the Cat Town mission: he is proof that with time, patience, and lots of love, cats like him can have their lives turned around. It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of an organization that can see the potential behind a pair of wide, fearful eyes peering out of the darkness and into the light.
Dilara’s PICK: Magic & Pixie Dust
Cat Town is a magical place: We watch cats transform from fearful to not, from sick to not. We watch them blossom, yet sometimes there are hiccups along the way. This is a story of a cat aptly named Magic who, as it turned out, just needed a sprinkle of Pixie Dust.
Magic. Photo by David Yeung.
Pixie Dust. Photo by Suzanne Hollis.
Magic was a gorgeous confident young black cat, turned into Oakland Animal Services as a stray, then adopted and returned within a few days for destructive behavior and vocalization. When we saw that, we thought, no biggie — he just needed more time to settle in. We brought him into our Cat Zone, a veritable playground for young active cats like him.
Magic playing in his studio. Photo by Nicole Dial.
While Magic loved every human he met, he struggled with other cats — so much so that we had to house him solo. Again we thought, no biggie. Such a wonderful boy, we will find him the right home. And we did! A great home with a child and a dog, both of whom he got along beautifully with, and a parent who was cat-savvy. But within days we had a call: He was wreaking havoc even with enrichment, attention, and another pet to play with — crying nonstop, and even pulling down the TV. We gave advice on feeding, enrichment, wand play, routine… but the behaviors continued, and the adopter reluctantly returned him.
At Cat Town we try very hard to make good matches. And even so, returns can and do happen. We don’t see returns as failures — we see them as opportunities to learn from, for all parties. We have more information now, and we prep the adopters for all the behaviors we know they may see. We do extra screening and counseling, and set Magic and the adopters up for success.
But this happened twice more, both with good adopters committed to seeing it through, who nonetheless realized they were in over their heads after Hurricane Magic landed! We decided we needed to try something different for him.
Pixie Dust helped soothe Magic’s energy. Photo by David Yeung.
Something from our usual playbook is to carefully pair high-energy cats with other cats, as they get so much exercise, enrichment, and social interaction.
Enter Pixie Dust! This little lady was a stray that had, through no fault of her own, ended up in quarantine. But this perky kitten was so sweet, social, and cat-friendly, that I knew she would be Magic’s best chance at having a friend. After a very slow introduction (our studios are great for that!), and eventual integration, Magic’s behavior shifted to calmer. As one staff person said, he was a changed man after he got married!
His next adoption, together with Pixie Dust, was a success! The two now live with a dog and two wonderful humans, who send us regular updates. Magic never displayed the behaviors he had displayed in (at least) 4 other homes.
I love their story because it both shows Cat Town’s perseverance towards making things right, and also serves as a humbling reminder: We humans are not the be-all for cats. Sometimes, it is another cat who makes the difference, and we serve only to set the stage and allow for that magic to happen.
Best friends Magic & Pixie Dust. Photo by David Yeung.
Cover photo by Nicole Dial.