Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Pink Collars and Other Stuff

I went to the shelter today to assess a couple of Himalayans that are on the shelter website. They're very frightened and it isn't always a slam dunk to rescue cats like this. The male is very frightened. Who wouldn't be?

The part that surprised me the most about my visit today was the enormous number of PINK collars hanging from the cages. I counted 8 of them! When a cat is brought in as a stray and wearing a collar, they hang the collar from the cage:
This is "Miriam". She's trying to get as close to me as she can. She has her little face pressed to the cage bars - it's gut wrenching. She's SO sweet. I took pictures of her today because my friend in rescue may have somebody interested in helping her. My fingers are crossed for Miriam!

I find the whole pink collar thing really unsettling. There's even a really cute male cat with a hot pink collar on his cage.

A piece of good news: Last night, I interviewed a nice sounding family interested in adopting a declawed cat. They went to the shelter today and adopted my LuLu:

When Lulu first came in, she was SO hissy and nasty! She had a big "Caution" on her cage and I honestly thought that maybe she wouldn't make it. But I received an email from her new Mommy tonight:

...We changed her name to cleo she is doing great! She is getting along with my boy cat so well she is following him around and she is even playing with a ball she is so affectionate I love her!!...

Nothing makes my heart soar than a mature black cat getting out of the shelter! :)

I've decided that there's one sure fire way to make sure your foster cat gets sick: Send pictures of him for the website. Sure enough - I sent pictures of Boris last night because he's ready to be adopted. Boris wakes up with a fever and is now on antibiotics. He's not eating and of course, I'm worried.

Other than my sick little guy, it was a good day to be part of rescue :)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hooray for Lulu! It broke my heart to leave her behind the last time I was at HAC. I'm so thrilled to hear that she is blooming in her new home.

Ecochica said...

YES YES YES!!! Seeing black cats get out is always extra special! Lets hope Miriam has the same fate as Lulu!

Shannon said...

Beth, How else to guarantee your fosters get sick. Go away for a few days. They'll stay healthy for the cat sitter but the second you walk in the door the sniffing and sneezing starts. So do the antibiotics and the frantically crossed fingers that she beats the cold before the babies come.

Lisa said...

Yay for Lulu

Awwwwwwww for Mariam

Fingers crossed for Boris. He's ornery enough to pull through anything ;)

...and if any potential adopters are saying they're not really interested in getting a black cat, show them this picture:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5f32J1CEh5M/R9RXtrdvIpI/AAAAAAAAABY/LckTFrrzaR4/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG

Salem was a rescue of mine and he was adorable! Luckily I found him a home in the country with an atrium and staff (owners) available to him all day long...kitty heaven

Caroline said...

Thanks Beth for checking out the Himalayans and congrats for getting Lulu adopted. Best wishes to Boris for a speedy recovery!

RHz said...

I hate that shelters label certain cats as aggressive/caution, etc. My Itsy (she passed 2 years ago) was labeled as such. She was on her way to be PTS because she was absolutely horrific in the cage. But, she was SCARED.
When the shelter staff called to check up on how things were working out about a week later, they couldn't believe she was so sweet and loving.
I'm glad Cleo is adjusting so well. Please let us know how Miriam makes out... That just breaks my heart.

Anonymous said...

Any news on Miriam?

House of the Discarded said...

Anonymous: Miriam is still at the shelter - I saw her today, in fact! She came down with that nasty upper respiratory infection but is on the mend and ready to be rescued.
Can you help her? :)

-B

Anonymous said...

I wish! Unfortunately, I've still got Jenny, Jupiter and Jilly. And a mom who hates fostering.

Please keep us posted on Miriam if you can.

Anonymous said...

Any word on Miriam? I know you're super busy, but I still thought I'd ask.

House of the Discarded said...

Little Miriam is still at the shelter, but has an Upper Respiratory Infection. Things are becoming more desperate for her resuce :(