KITTEN WIRE: SIBLINGS FILL NEW HOME WITH JOY

OAKLAND, Calif. — The two kittens couldn't be more different. Aspen, a mini snow tiger with blue eyes and an easy purr, was quick to warm to people, while Leaf, a fluffy girl with faded tortoiseshell markings, trembled in the corner anytime someone approached.

From our perspective, these sisters needed each other. And we needed adopters who understood that. Then on a Friday in September, we met Tricia and Aiden, a mother-son pair who visited Cat Town for Aiden's birthday.

"I didn't plan to adopt two kitties when we went in," Tricia said. 

We've heard that before. 

Tricia and Leaf on adoption day.

Finding the right family for our kitten pair was crucial to their success. 

Leaf (front) and Aspen, cuddling in their studio before going home. 

 "My son just fell in love with Aspen, and I took a liking to Leaf, and the fact that they had to come together, that was OK," Tricia said. "But I tell you, those two, they remind me of me and my older sister. They just adore each other."

And here's the thing: Kittens benefit from being raised together. They learn positive behaviors from each other and keep each other entertained. 

"Our house has come alive with these two little babies," Tricia said.

Just before Thanksgiving, we checked in to see how the two were adjusting. Cats can take weeks to get comfortable in a new space, and a shy one like Leaf could be prone to hiding and take extra patience to help her relax. 

Graduates of the Forgotten Kitten Project, Aspen and Willow Leaf, formerly known as just Leaf, cuddle at their home. Photo contributed

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

Leaf and Aspen illustrate key facets of the Forgotten Kitten Project. The siblings were deemed unadoptable at the municipal shelter because one had bitten someone when they were surrendered as strays. Their chances at a happy ending without Cat Town were low. The Forgotten Kitten Project is designed for cats just like these, to socialize kittens who didn't get positive human interactions in those crucial early months. Volunteers and staff worked with Aspen and Leaf for over a month.

But then it's up to adopters willing to help these kittens further develop in their new home. 

"This Thanksgiving we're so thankful we now have two precious baby girls in our house bringing all of this joy," Tricia said last week. "We were missing something in our hearts and they really filled a spot, together." 

Come meet the newest members of the Forgotten Kitten Project in the Studios and main adoption center, Wednesday through Sunday at 2869 Broadway. And if you are feeling moved to support the work we do, consider making a tax-deductible donation. All contributions will be matched through December 15th up to $30,000!

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 our last post.

Back to the Cat Town Blog.

5 Reasons to Adopt a Senior Cat

We're coming up on the end of Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, so to finish off our promotion, we’re highlighting five reasons you should consider adopting an older cat. Our senior cats will be the first to tell you that age is just a number! 

16-year-old Nancy is ready to charm her way into your heart. Photo by Cathy Niland.

SENIOR CATS HAVE ESTABLISHED PERSONALITIES

Unlike kittens, whose personalities can take a few years to develop, senior cats have already matured and established their character traits. Barring something traumatic, you usually have a pretty good idea of who you’re getting when you adopt an elderly cat.

Keep in mind it can take a senior cat (just like any animal, young and old) time to adjust to new living arrangements—particularly if they suddenly found themselves in a shelter after living with one family for several years. But with a little time and patience, you're sure to have your senior's heart in no time!

SENIORS GET PASSED OVER

All too often, senior cats are overlooked at shelters in favor of younger kittens. But elderly cats have just as much love and compassion to offer as a younger cat. Finding homes for shelter seniors can be difficult, so bringing one home is truly an incredible gift!

Aris is one of our younger seniors at just 7-years-old. Help her enjoy her golden years!

SENIOR CATS ARE ALREADY TRAINED

A huge benefit to adopting an older cat is that they’re probably well-trained when it comes to things like litter box usage and proper play behavior. They likely know they shouldn’t attack or bite your hands or feet during playtime, and that your furniture isn’t a scratching post. 

SENIOR CATS REQUIRE LESS SUPERVISION

Depending on your schedule, a senior cat may be a better fit for you and your family. Young kittens need a lot of attention and stimulation, and their natural curiosity means they also need a lot of supervision! In contrast, older cats tend to be much more independent and can be left home alone for most of the day. 

SENIOR CATS' HEALTH NEEDS ARE KNOWN

Unlike a kitten, a senior cat comes fully equipped with vaccinations and health records. Adopting a senior means you'll know your cat's full medical report, taking much of the guess work out of their care, and eliminating expensive vaccination costs. 

For some, adopting a senior with medical needs might not be an option. That's why at Cat Town, many of our elderly cats are part of our In-It-For-Life program, where we'll cover vet bills until the end. With the burden of medical costs removed, we can make sure our senior population has the very best chance at finding the loving home they deserve. 

Newman might be 10-years-old, but he doesn't let that stop him from playing to his heart's content!

Cats can live well into their teens or even into their twenties, so don’t let a cat’s age stop you from adopting!

Check out our complete gallery of seniors, and read their full bios by clicking on their photos. Be sure to email info@cattownoakland.org to learn more about adopting a senior companion.

Back to the Cat Town Blog.

Happy at Home Together: Meghan and Sadie's Story

Helping cats find the loving homes they deserve is at the center of everything we do at Cat Town. But it's stories like Meghan and Sadie's that remind us that we're not just helping cats find home, we're helping people find home, too. 

Read their full story below, and if you're moved by what you've read, you can help Cat Town win $25,000 by voting for Meghan's story in PetCo's Holiday Wishes Campaign on Facebook. 

Meghan and Sadie enjoy a sunny morning together. Photo courtesy of Meghan O'Neil.

I never thought of myself as a cat person. The cat my parents had growing up was temperamental and would bite so I thought all cats were like that. I thought I wanted a dog, but because we couldn’t have one in our apartment, I just accepted that now was not the right time for a pet.

When my animal loving mother in law came to visit, we took her to the cat café near our apartment for something to do. As we pet and played with the cats at Cat Town, I started to see the unique personalities of different cats. After that visit I started following them on Instagram, filling my feed with cute cats- why not?

Sadie, comfy and cozy in her forever home. Photo courtesy of Meghan O'Neil.

And then I saw her face. She popped up one day, just like all the cute cats before her, with her freckled nose and inquisitive look. But something was different this time- I knew she was my cat. When I went to meet her in her foster home, even though she just calmly napped and wasn’t that interested in me, I signed the paperwork on the spot.

The head of the foster program at Cat Town told me she cried when she saw that someone had inquired about Sadie, as she was so invested in her story. When they first found her years prior, she was miserable in a shelter. Through the help of Cat Town, her personality blossomed from shy and scared, to sweet and loving. Four or five years old, Sadie had been in and out of the foster program numerous times. Due to a variety of circumstances, she was adopted and later surrendered more than once. She had even lived in a car with a previous owner for a year and a half. Sadie had never been able to find her forever home.

A few months after adopting Sadie, my husband and I split. The stability I thought I had was shattered. When he moved out I found myself living on my own for the first time in my life. Except I wasn’t. Sadie sleeps curled up next to me every night. When I come home, I am greeted at the door. If I’m sitting, she’s in my lap. She even follows me into the bathroom, or will wait by the door if I close it. I used to scoff when people referred to their pet as their best friend, but now I totally get it. I cannot imagine going through a life change such as this without her patience and companionship. In a time of uncertainty, I can count on her.

On a sunny afternoon, Sadie like to curl up in a comfy chair. Photo courtesy of Meghan O'Neil.

We can’t plan everything in life. Sometimes relationships end. Sometimes a cat goes through a few owners before finding the perfect fit. Sometimes a skeptic falls in love with a cat at first sight. For the first time, Sadie is finally at home, and thanks to her, I am too. 

Vote for Meghan's story by following the steps below, and you could help Cat Town win $25,000 toward our life-saving work!

1. Visit petco-foundation.fbapp.io/2017-holiday-wishes-people-s-choice-award
2. Scroll down to the Cat Town submission for Meghan O'Neil (the submissions are listed alphabetically by organization). 
3. Select Meghan's Cat Tow story. NOTE: If you click "read more," it takes you away from the voting page. To vote, just click the picture so the box turns yellow).
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit submit.

That's all it takes! Thank you for helping us give Oakland's vulnerable shelter cats a second chance!

Back to the Cat Town Blog.

Volunteer of the Month: Michaela P

Often times, senior cats are overlooked at shelters in favor of younger kittens. But at Cat Town, our goal is to give every cat a chance to find home, and that's why seniors are a huge part of our mission. Often, this starts with finding the cat a good foster home where they can relax and take time to adjust.

Volunteer Michaela P. has fostered several senior cats for Cat Town, and also helps with the Forgotten Kitten Project. I talked with her about her fostering experience and why people should consider fostering or adopting a senior cat.

Michaela gets in some time with Huey before the end of her volunteer shift. Photos by Cathy Niland.

Larissa Church: How did you get involved with Cat Town?

Michaela P: I had heard about the foster program and wanted a cat in our lives again. We don’t have our own cat because we go on long trips several times a year and don’t want to leave a pet alone. Fostering seemed like the perfect solution, since we can still enjoy the company of a cat and help out when we’re in town. Cat Town makes fostering so easy: we just provide a home and love, and Cat Town provides everything else, including the lovely cat.

LC: Have you been a cat person your whole life?

MP: My mother loves animals, so I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have at least one cat in the house. The first cat I remember clearly lived to be 19-years-old and moved with us from Brazil, to Germany, and then to the U.S.

LC: What is/have been your role(s) at Cat Town?

MP: I have mostly fostered cats, and right now I’m working in the new studios with the Forgotten Kitten Project. I also visit Herman, our former foster, who is now in the Cat Zone.

During a visit with Herman, Michaela helps him feel safe with a slow approach to pets. Photo by Cathy Niland.

LC: November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month. You’ve fostered a few seniors for Cat Town. What draws you to helping the senior cat population?

MP: Francine, the last cat we adopted, was 6-years-old when she came to us. She loved to cuddle, wasn’t too active underfoot, and was just the perfect cat for us. We knew all that from the very beginning because she had already formed her personality.

For fostering, we prefer an adult or senior cat because even though kittens are cute and fun, we didn’t want to teach yet another kitten proper house manners. We also don’t have the energy for the amount of play time and activity that a kitten needs to grow into a healthy adult.

Michaela and Linda have fostered a number of Cat Town cats, including Tyge, pictured here on Linda's shoulders.

LC: What is your favorite thing about working with vulnerable shelter cats?

MP: It’s amazing to see how they turn from a frightened and withdrawn animal to a loving companion.

LC: What is something you’ve learned about cats during your time at Cat Town that you think people wouldn’t expect to be true?

Doris, one of the seniors Michaela has fostered through Cat Town.

MP: I’m amazed how a feral kitten or young cat can go from being scared to death of humans to enjoying our company and asking for pets. It’s a lengthy process, but so worth it!

LC: Why would you encourage people to adopt a senior cat?

MP: Senior cats have probably come from a loving home which they had to leave for any number of reasons. They’re sad and lonely and don’t know what’s happened to them. Don’t do it out of pity, though: when you find the right cat, you’ll have a wonderful buddy who already knows that it’s not ok to climb the curtains!

Interested in adopting a senior cat? Check out our gallery of seniors looking for homes. To celebrate Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, senior cat adoption fees at Cat Town are just $20 for the entire month of November.

Back to the Cat Town Blog.

Catching Up With Cat Town Alum: Woolsey

For Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month we’re turning the spotlight on Woolsey, a special senior cat whose story shows what a difference compassionate care can make in the life of a cat. His story also demonstrates the importance of Cat Town’s mission to help senior and less fortunate cats find their way out of the shelter and into loving homes.

Senior cat Woolsey came to Cat Town in the early summer of 2016, after enduring a rough few years. He had been surrendered at Oakland Animal Services (OAS) after his previous owner kept him outside in their yard. Woolsey also had some health issues and was losing weight. He was difficult to handle and would only allow a few quick pets while he was eating. Things didn’t look good for Woolsey.

Woolsey enjoying a cat nap at home. Photo courtesy of @woolseythecat.

Very quickly, he got on Cat Town’s radar. In a partnership with Feral Change, Woolsey went to their space in West Oakland. While initially fearful, it seemed as though he was also interested in being near humans.

“It was heartbreaking to see him look down the walkway for people,” shares Sarah Rogers, the founder of Feral Change. “It seemed like he was saying, ‘Where are my people?’” Eventually Woolsey was put into a larger room with more space so he could have more exposure to both volunteers and other cats. While he loved to eat, he continued to have digestive issues and medication didn’t seem to help. Woolsey was taken to the clinic at the Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City, where he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Woolsey started to blossom in the comfort of his foster home.

While receiving treatment, Woolsey was put into a foster home with a Feral Change volunteer for several months where he continued to open up to people. After over a year with Feral Change, he made his way to Cat Town. “It was the best thing that could have happened to him,” explains Rogers. “He needed the exposure there, he needed to be seen. It’s much better than seeing a photo on Facebook.”

After spending time in our adoption center studios,, he caught the eye of Clara H. and Kevin C. who lived nearby. “We had heard great things about Cat Town, so when the time came to adopt, it was a no brainer where to go,” says Clara. She and Kevin had been talking about adopting a cat for a while, and had decided they would adopt an older cat. They wanted a cat who was more “settled” in their ways and could be as independent as they were, and they knew senior cats also had a more difficult time finding homes.

Woolsey in his studio shortly before being adopted. Photo by Cathy Niland.

“When we read Woolsey’s profile online and learned more about his temperament from Cat Town, we just knew that he was the cat for us,” says Clara. She and Kevin decided to foster-to-adopt, and after a few short weeks, they made it official in August of 2017 and adopted Woolsey.  

“While we might not have decades with Woolsey, I love knowing we’ve given him his ‘forever home’ and some stability in his old age,” explains Clara. “Woolsey has been such a dream and it feels like he’s been a part of our family for years, rather than months. He’s very easy going, and also affectionate and loving. He fits right in and pretty much rules the house.”

Woolsey and his new family.

In his new home, Clara shares that Woolsey loves his scratching post, rubbing his head against her and Kevin’s fists, and perching on top of Kevin to wake up him up at 7:00 a.m. on the dot each morning.

For anyone considering adopting a senior cat from Cat Town, Clara recommends, “I would make sure you’re prepared to handle any health issues that arise and get as much information as you can before adopting. A senior cat might not be up for a lot of activity, so be prepared for a lot of cuddles instead!”

If you’re interested in adopting from Cat Town, check out our current adoptable cats and email info@cattownoakland.org to inquire. We have many senior cats available, and to celebrate Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, senior cat adoption fees are just $20 for the entire month of November. And don't forget to follow Woolsey's adventures on Instagram @woolseythecat.

Back to the Cat Town Blog.