KITTEN WIRE: BREAKTHROUGH ALERT - MERLIN
OAKLAND, Calif. — Let's not sugar coat things: Some cats takes months to warm up to humans after they are first rescued off the street or freed from a shelter cage. That's because cats who don't get positive human interactions in their early weeks are often terrified of people.
So when these cats and kittens arrive at Cat Town — and are exposed to people on a regular basis — it can take many weeks of strategic interactions with specially trained volunteers and staff before they relax and begin to enjoy their new human companions.
Then sometimes a cat comes along and defies expectations. That's the case with Merlin.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Let's not sugar coat things: Some cats takes months to warm up to humans after they are first rescued off the street or freed from a shelter cage. That's because cats who don't get positive human interactions in their early weeks are often terrified of people.
So when these cats and kittens arrive at Cat Town — and are exposed to people on a regular basis — it can take many weeks of strategic interactions with specially trained volunteers and staff before they relax and begin to enjoy their new human companions.
Then sometimes a cat comes along and defies expectations. That's the case with Merlin.
Merlin, a 9-month-old tabby boy and member of the Forgotten Kitten Project, relaxes in the City Hall building at Cat Town. Photo by Laura Blangsted
Merlin, a former stray cat, on the day he was taken to Oakland Animal Services.
With so many young cats to tend to in the shelter, Merlin, then shy, frightened, and fearful, was the kind of kitten that could be forgotten — deemed "unadoptable" and therefor at risk of euthanasia. But that's when Cat Town steps in.
At 9 months old, Merlin became a member of our Forgotten Kitten Project. He arrived at the adoption center in mid-October and began the integration process. New rescues join a room full of other cats that range in their levels of confidence and socialization. And they begin meeting staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Cats that come to us with Merlin's history can take many weeks or months to allow, and then enjoy, pets and play. But just two weeks in, volunteers were petting Merlin, getting purrs in return, and even reported seeing him rolling on his back, exposing his belly, a major sign of happiness. Breakthrough!
In addition to increased human interaction, much of Merlin's quick progress can be attributed to the other Cat Zone residents. Even cats who are on the shyer side can show new arrivals, like Merlin, how to enjoy things like pets and play, a phenomenon we'll be documenting more closely in the coming months.
Merlin, right, cuddles up with another member of the Forgotten Kitten Project. Photo by Cathy Niland
Now Merlin is on the road to becoming your new best friend. He remains shy and you may not see him strutting around the Adoption Center with the confident cats — yet. But he is showing his sweet side, and at Cat Town, he'll have all the time he needs to build confidence.
We think Merlin will be happy with an adopter who is patient and willing to work with him to help him build confidence through positive interactions and plenty of play. We think he'd do best in a home with a more socialized cat that is open to making a new feline friend.
Come meet Merlin and all of our adoptable cats, Wednesday through Sunday, or email info@cattownoakland.org to talk about 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. Learn more about our Forgotten Kitten Project in our weekly Kitten Wire dispatch. Be sure to check out last week's post.
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Double Your Donations to Raise the Bar for Cat Rescue
Not many rescues would see a cat like Einstein at the shelter and decide to intervene. Fourteen years old. Incontinent. Grumpy-faced. Terrified. He even had early signs of skin cancer. If we followed the typical rescue model, we'd have passed him over to help a younger, easier cat.
Instead, because you believe in and support Cat Town’s work, we save cats like Einstein every day.
Not many rescues would see a cat like Einstein at the shelter and decide to intervene. Fourteen years old. Incontinent. Grumpy-faced. Terrified. He even had early signs of skin cancer. If we followed the typical rescue model, we'd have passed him over to help a younger, easier cat.
Instead, because you believe in and support Cat Town’s work, we save cats like Einstein every day.
At Cat Town, we take chances on shelter cats with no other options. And because we do, we weren't surprised that Einstein had no trouble charming his foster family – or his adopters. But helping cats like Einstein would be impossible if you hadn't believed in us.
So I have a special request.
In spite of Cat Town’s small staff and lean budget, we’re poised to help change the approach to cat rescue across the country. We've been nationally recognized for our innovation, and have begun teaching our unique approach to other organizations – we show them exactly how to do what many in our field still believe to be impossible.
But our resources are not keeping pace with our growing impact.
This is a pivotal moment, and the cats need us to do more. Will you invest in Cat Town’s future with a donation today?
Your gift, if received by December 15, will be matched (up to $30,000) by Maddie’s Fund. I hope you’ll give as generously as you are able, and as always, I appreciate all you do for Cat Town.
With gratitude,
Ann Dunn
Founder and Executive Director
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October 2017 Adoptions
October was a big month for Cat Town. We held the grand opening of our newly expanded adoption center and celebrated Black Cat Awareness month with lots of our cats finding homes. We were especially excited for senior cat, Frankie, whose foster realized she couldn't let him go and made it official by adopting!
We are grateful to our local community for providing homes - both permanent and temporary - to Oakland's most vulnerable shelter cats. If you'd like to join team Cat Town as an adopter or foster (all supplies provided!), please email info@cattownoakland.org.
October was a big month for Cat Town. We held the grand opening of our newly expanded adoption center and celebrated Black Cat Awareness month with lots of our cats finding homes. We were especially excited for senior cat, Frankie, whose foster realized she couldn't let him go and made it official by adopting!
We are grateful to our local community for providing homes - both permanent and temporary - to Oakland's most vulnerable shelter cats. If you'd like to join team Cat Town as an adopter or foster (all supplies provided!), please email info@cattownoakland.org.
Can't take home a feline companion, but still want to make a difference? Please consider a donation in support of our work.
OCTOBER 2017 ADOPTIONS
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KITTEN WIRE: MEET ALASKA, THE CAT WHO TWIRLS FOR TREATS
OAKLAND, Calif. — It's a common myth: Cats can't be trained. Same with: Some cats just don't like people and will never be "adoptable."
Alaska is a cat who proves false both of those common misconceptions. This former under socialized cat who cowered in the corner is part of the welcome wagon for visitors at Cat Town's main adoption center. And that's not all: She does tricks. This girl can sit, beg, twirl and even give high-fives!
OAKLAND, Calif. — It's a common misconception: Cats can't be trained. Same goes for the phrase: There are cats who just don't like people and will never be "adoptable."
Alaska is always wide eyed and ready for treats! Photo by Liz Lazich.
Alaska is a cat who proves both of those statements false. This former under-socialized cat who used to shy away from humans is now part of the welcome wagon for visitors at Cat Town. And that's not all: She does tricks. This girl can sit, beg, twirl and even give high-fives.
How? Time, love — and some clicker training with a staff member who worked with her to do those tricks for treats and in the process helped her become more engaged with people. (Check out this NPR interview Terry Gross did with cat behaviorist Sarah Ellis on training cats.)
Alaska practices her high-five skills with Cat Care Coordinator Marie C. Photo by Liz Lazich.
Alaska came to Cat Town in December of 2016, a member of our Forgotten Kitten Project. We call them forgotten kittens when they didn't get enough human interaction during those critical early months, and therefor didn't know how to interact with people, which deems them "unadoptable" by most shelter standards. Those cats are core to Cat Town's mission. And so if kittens hit that 4 or 5 month age range and are shy, scared, hissy and untouchable, Cat Town will take them in and use proven techniques to help them learn to trust people.
Alaska and Autumn playing with a visitor a few weeks back. Photo by Cathy Niland.
In our Cat Zone space, under-socialized cats like Alaska have the opportunity to learn from more outgoing cats that model positive behaviors. As time goes on, cats who were once shy and prone to hiding start to warm up to people. When new Forgotten Kittens arrive at the adoption center, cats like Alaska who have made the transition help them build confidence.
Alaska embodies the Cat Town mission: to give every cat a chance. Alaska is now about 1 and 1/2 years old and ready to find her new best friend.
Come meet Alaska and all of our adoptable cats! And see if you can get your very own high-five!
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 dispatch.
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November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month. At Cat Town, we are dedicated to helping senior cats find their way out of the shelter and into loving homes.
To celebrate the occasion, senior cat adoption fees are just $20 for the entire month of November.
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month. At Cat Town, we are dedicated to helping senior cats find their way out of the shelter and into loving homes.
To celebrate the occasion, senior cat adoption fees are just $20 for the entire month of November.
Toto at the shelter shortly before going to her foster home.
Senior shelter cats are often passed over for younger cats, and have very few rescue options. We're dedicated to giving older cats a second chance where they can relax and meet potential adopters.
Check out our complete gallery of seniors below, and read their full bios by clicking on their photos. Be sure to email info@cattownoakland.org if you're interested in adopting.
Want to make a difference in the lives of senior shelter cats, but can't adopt? Make a donation by clicking the link below!
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