A Sick Cat at the Shelter

Today was my first day back to the Anderson Animal shelter in almost a week. A lot can go on in one week at the shelter.  Firstly, I noticed Thomas was not in his cage, but a large sign was posted on it saying, "Save for Thomas."  Well, it relieved me at least that he was still around, but why was he not there?  I asked a shelter worker his whereabouts and was told Thomas was taken ill a few days ago and is under observation in clinic. Oh no! I am worried for him.

It was quiet in the shelter as no kids programs were going on and not all the staff was present, I assume because of spring break. That also meant I had to help out inquiring visitors with the cats. Actually, it worked out ok, as one fireman and his daughter were interested in Ginger(see cat showcase page for a photo), a large white cat with a few orange splotches. Excitedly, I offered to take him to the maternity room so they could interact with him. Ginger was more intent on cleaning himself and curling up in a basket. Though, I suggested Ginger will climb up on one's lap and do the same thing, given the opportunity. For a moment, I thought I may actually be able to find a home for Ginger. Could it be... Well, the daughter quickly moved on to other cats, like Pixie, who wouldn't come out of her cage. Good one.

Then the big news: a new Siamese kitten arrived on the scene! Poor guy was found abandoned. I got to believe he is a pedigree, just by looking at his points/markings. Very classic Siamese colors of light and dark browns, and of course, the blue eyes. Very sweet, he should get scarfed up right away by someone. I don't have a picture of him, but maybe on my next visit if he is still around.

I managed to get Alvin, Talullah, Loverboy, and Ginger all into the maternity room for their play session. They were about as active as usual: Ginger cleaning himself and trying to get situated in his basket, Alvin chasing a ball, and Loverboy chasing after him. Talullah tried to make friends but I had to keep a close watch on her with these rambunctious boys around.

Finally, I was more concerned about Thomas, whom was not in his cage. I asked a clinic worker(Steve) where he was and found out he had been taken with a fever, vomiting, and not eating. He had been given an IV and put on observation. Feeling like I failed this cat somehow, I asked to see him.

My uber alles volunteer and friend, Lauren, arrived at the same moment. So we all strolled together, to the rear of the shelter where no one but staff gets to go, the operating room, to find other sickly creatures: a diabetic cat named Mathis, and another orange cat named Alek, interned for irritable bowel syndrome. They are long term tenants back there, but are treated quite well from what I understand. Mathis is free-roaming and collects insulin twice daily.  Alek gets to dine on pricey raw foods and gets to roam as long as no surgery is scheduled.

Thomas was sitting up in a cage, right as rain. I screamed with excitement, "Thomas, you missed playtime, you need to get out of there, your my baby, I missed you!" Needless to say, he looked like he was on the mend to me, giving me head butts and rubs. We interacted for about 15 minutes, me talking to him about his friends he missed during playtime, and he took great interest, purring and rubbing my forehead. Hopefully, he will be back in cat country soon!

The Cat's Playing at the Shelter

If there is one thing for sure, a visit to the Anderson Animal shelter in South Elgin, IL is never dull! 

My cats were a real side show today. Maybe, its the unseasonably warm weather we are enjoying in Chicago.


It started with Loverboy bolting straight out of his cage, slipping right through my hands, around the perimeter of cat country(a cat gym), into the next room, up onto the top of the cages, where I finally cornered him!

I fetched a ladder and grabbed him and carried him to the maternity room(a small secluded room). He really didn't want that, a slight whimper, but he doesn't have a lot of say in the matter.

Then, I brought the other willing cats out: Thomas(blue collar), Ginger, and Alvin(tabby). Thomas had poop on the edge of his collar! However,  I was able to wash it off being in the maternity room, which has a sink! Alvin and Loverboy played catch with a couple of balls, until Loverboy went after Alvin, and being too active,  I had to throw him back in his cage. Loverboy will pick fights with moving cats. You can see him in the video, the cat with the arched back and bushy tail, trying to look bigger than he is. He is definitely the alpha male on this chain gang, and is always trying to prove it!

Once things settled back down, Alvin climbed up on my lap of his own doings. I was pleasantly flattered. He tried to get comfy moving about, and finally settled with his body half on my chest so his face was looking up at me, with an expression, "why don't you take me home?" I did not have a good answer. :(

I didn't get the girls out(Miss Ellie and Talullah); I don't want them out if Loverboy is out at the same time. By the time Loverboy was put back, there wasn't anytime left. Poor girls. Miss Ellie is still not budging from her cage, and I petted Talullah, who is always ready to escape her cage.

All kitties listed here are waiting for their forever homes!