An Adopted Cat

Today's visit was a little different for me.  I decided to try the shelter out when its closed!  Closed to the public that is.  To my surprise it was still very busy with staff, clinicians, and volunteers.  Though, I wasn't bumping into kid's groups and the like. 

One of the first things I do is check the adoption records, and to my delight, a cat I had worked with was adopted!  Fluffy white, Snowball found a home!  Its always a good feeling when that happens.  After talking to some of the staff, I went to see the kitties.

I usually try to get the non-FIV cats out first for a spell.  For starters, Majken, as she and I go back together, we both came to the shelter at the same time!  She was so shy at first, but my constant handling of her made her snap out of that, and now she is eager to get out of her cage.  She loves to go by the window and scratch on the cat tree.  It would be her dream to stay there for a few hours, but new rules won't let us have the caged cats out roaming anymore. :(  So, off we go to the maternity room.  She is getting used to it.

Blackie

Next, I like to socialize at least one black cat on my visit, and Blackie is always my first pick as she is very difficult.  This time, she hissed at me when I stood in front of her cage, not even opening it!  Not good.  After I opened it, she put up a fuss even worse.  I couldn't seem to get my hand behind her to scoot her forward in the cage, so I gave up on this visit. Some cats would rather stay in their cages 24/7!

After Majken stretched out, I reluctantly put her back in her cage.  The FIVs were next on the list.  By now, they all awoke and were meowing like crazy to get out and play!  Alvin was pawing at me through his cage.  I decided to get them out in two groups.  The first had Oliver, Little One, Miss Ellie, Talullah, and Alvin.  Quite a haul for one cat sitter. I usually don't have that many at once, but I had a lot of ground to cover.

Oliver

Talullah

Oliver came out, but with a struggle.  He just sat on a perch the entire time sort of dozing in and out.  Little One has improved in shyness, instead of hiding under the cages, he is sitting in a corner.  Miss Ellie stayed on top of the cages, chasing the laser beam whenever it came to her.  Alvin was playful as usual, running up and down the room after beams and balls.  To my surprise, Talullah played for the first time!  She usually just walks around greeting cats and people but never plays.  This time she chased the laser beam and balls around. It seems like time flies during playtime.  Before I knew it, time for the second group.  At least Alvin can stay on because he can handle the more aggressive boys(hides) in the second group.

Finally, Loverboy was very excited when I came to his cage.  He knows what its about!  I took him to the window for a moment so he could see the sunshine!  He just loves any minute he gets.  After I drop him off in maternity, I go for Thomas.  I guess he just came out of surgery as he had a weird, hard plastic collar on so he wouldn't like his arm with stitches.  poor guy.  I was going to get Ginger out, but he had a note on the cage saying he is fasting for surgery and is not to be walked.  Poor guy.  He was meowing and meowing when I came by.  I never leave him locked up. So, I went and got him a comfy bed to make up for it. Beats laying on a towel.

So playtime went as usual with the boys.  Thomas even ran a little bit, inspite of that awful bib.  Loverboy seemed to make fun of him, going up to him, sniffing around the bib and finally slapping him on the back when he knew Thomas couldn't do anything about it.  Alvin was a sweetie as usual.  He crawled up on my lap and went to sleep.  All the playtime tired him out(just what I want).

Finally, after all the cats go back to their cages, I hunt down some cushy bedding for them.  I found pillows, pet beds, and cushions to replace all their towels with.  I hope they have them for a day or two before someone changes them out to towels again! So at least now they know they get playtime and comfy beds from me! 

Clipping a Cat's Claws

As usual, a visit to the shelter is never dull.  To think I was tired on this trip, was going to take it easy and lay low.  Well surprise, the shelter world would have nothing to do with that!  Firstly, it must have been field trip day from the local Jr high school. The place was crawling with teenagers, and also little children from the kid's animal education class.  Secondly, I had a lesson in clipping a cat's claws.  Finally, Lauren told me a long term resident, Castle, was sent to a Sr cat rescue group and apparently was adopted within a few days!  Quite heartwarming since he was at the shelter for ~ five years! 

I decide to take a few of the non-FIV cats out first.  Majken is always my first pick since she was the very first cat I got to know and is the sweetest (IMO).  She is cool and never gives me drama.  She will cuddle very easily in one's arms.  I take her to the window to get a sniff of fresh air, and she claws away at the cat tree she is on.  I would like to leave her there for my stay, but the shelter forbids the caged cats to run loose on the floor anymore. So we go off to the little room called the maternity ward. 

Next, I decide to go for drama.  Something in me must always long for problems in order to feel normal.  Blackie is troublesome.  I would try to get her out for a bit.  Well, she refused as usual.  Eventually, after much struggle, hissing, and growling I get her out of the back of the cage.  I keep saying I am not going to bother with these kinds of cats, but still, they need some socializing too.

It bothers me to see them passed up over and over again for adoption.  She is a black cat and they are not as popular for adoption. So we have to overcome her disposition AND her coloring.  When there are at last count, about 25 black cats at the shelter, it is competitive for Blackie to get a home of her own.  I don't know what's going to become of her, and I guess I am trying to be a friend to her for now.

Blackie started to panic in the maternity room much like last time.  She started to climb up the cages with these amazing claws.  They are so long, they curl like little hooks, so she can climb steel cages like a monkey.  It is impossible to get her off with those claws making this unbreakable loop around each cage bar.  I never saw anything like it.  I kept trying to get her off the cages, and she kept scaffolding up, knocking bowls of water in her wake,  getting paper and bedding wet in each cage she passed.  It was nerve wracking to say the least!  Luckily, to my embarrassment a vet walked in the room and saw the situation and asked if I needed help.  I hesitated, but then it was clear I wasn't going to resolve this on my own,
I said, "yes"!
The vet simply pulled the cat by the scruff of her neck and down she came. Ok, no problem, just another day for them.  I was worn out by now.  Don't know how I got into this situation.  I had to mention these hook like claws of hers were a problem!  The vet suggested cutting her claws.
I said, "I will observe!"
After going through many sets of clippers that weren't right, the vet found a pair she approved of (kind of like wire cutters), and clipped away.  This, on a cat that I thought would be impossible to manage.  Really, it was quite simple; just hold the cat by the scruff of its neck and no issues.  Cut the white tip of the claw, don't go into the quick or where the color is more pinkish. Blackie won't be scaffolding the cages anytime soon!  I held her for a while after such a drama.  Needless to say, she is ok with being held.  She would turn around every now and then and look up at my face with those big yellow eyes of hers.  It made me think there is hope for her.  After all, she did have a home once.

My visit is not complete until I get all the FIVs out for their playtime.  Lauren helped me with this task, so at least I didn't have to talk to only cats for the next 1.5 hours!  Thomas, Ginger, Loverboy, Alvin, and Tahlullah came out for play this time.  Miss Ellie would not come out of her cage easily.  Playing was typical, Alvin and Loverboy running after balls and laser beams, Thomas was less active than them, but more than he has been in the past.  He really liked the attention Lauren was giving him, grooming him and relieving him of his hideous bib for a bit.

Ginger made me mad.  He attacked Thomas two times and I had to block the two of them. I put him back in his cage.  I am thinking Ginger is jealous of the attention I give the other cats.  I may try holding Ginger next time.  Its just that he weighs in ~ 18 pounds and is a strain on my back to move him around!

Tahlullah was her usual social, sweet self.  Having to walk around and greet every being in the room is always her style.  While this isn't always good with the Toms present, one has to help her keep her space from them.  Balls and laser beams do not interest her.  Lauren sat on the floor and patted her leg and Tahlullah came up to her and let her stroke her back, just like a dog!  I am jealous.

Getting a depressed Cat to Play

Of all the efforts I put into to socializing these outcasted kittys at the Anderson Animal Shelter, I never think that it means much to anyone let alone the animals; however, on this Thursday's visit Thomas totally surprised me.  He actually ran and played for the first time since I met him months ago!  He went from a cat that looked like he was dead in his cage to a cat that runs and chases a laser pointer!  It was hopeful, and made me feel better about the efforts I made for these cats.  This took months of taking him out of his cage to isolated rooms with a couple other of the FIV+ cats, and after watching the other cats chase the laser beam, he finally decided to try too!  I just wish the hope floats and someone would help me and adopt these cats into good homes.  Though, I keep saying when I get enough funds, I am going to add-on a three season room and take all the FIV+ cats out of the shelter and permanently foster them! 

Thomas(blue bib) & Alvin playing

This play session was quite active with all the FIVs+ playing except for Ginger, who just laid in a basket the whole time.  Makes no sense; he can do that in his cage.  He still insists on coming into the play room anyway, making more work for me by having to carry him! I am hoping he will surprise me one day by running after the laser pointer beam too.

As the play session ended, I took each cat back to their respective cages, not without drama, however.  It is getting harder to round them up as they don't want to go back in there.  Loverboy bit and scratched me (for the first time) and I could not get him out of the tunnel he was hiding in; Miss Ellie started hissing and clawing me all the way back to her cage. Ok, its clear they don't want to go back to the cage, I'm sorry, I don't have a better option. I can't blame them.

When Cat's Attack You

Yesterday's visit at the Anderson Animal Shelter was met with mixed results. A couple of cats attacked me! Yes, really.  One was a cat that is often ignored and has been there about one year, Blackie, and the other is one that I have handled before, Memphis. While the shelter is an environment where one will encounter every cat personality, one likes to think they can help these difficult ones, but its not always the case. At best, I ended on a kind note, cuddling with one of my fav's, Loverboy!

Blackie

Blackie is a 3 year old DSH, black female.  Apparently, she had a family before coming to Anderson. While I managed to get her out of her cage, it was not without cause.  She managed to get all her front claws and even the hind ones into my shirt and gloves!  Her claws seemed to curve under more so than the other cats.  I had a real time trying to get her loose!  I tried placing her on my lap to see if she would sit with me, and to my surprise she was OK with that and would have sat there forever!  So she just needs some time out of her cage!

Next, I let Memphis out of his cage(see the cat showcase for his pix).  He just walked out on his own, once I opened his cage door.  He was quite normal acting, did not cause a stir with Blackie or Majken (also out for a break).  So, I thought I would try him out on my lap and see if he can just be a lap cat.  This is where all Hell let loose, Memphis turned into some demon cat like I had never seen before!  I was scared for my life.  He totally freaked out: clawing, biting, slicing my arm at warp speed! My heart skipped a few beats for sure!  Now, I understand he does have neurological issues and then some.  I have to believe a cat like this would benefit from some sort of drug therapy, just like its human counterparts.

Tiger

I also let another cat out for a stretch, Tiger. She walked out of her cage on her own, and seemed to enjoy exploring the maternity room. Though, I didn't try to pick her up(been scratched enough already).  Apparently, the former owner had her locked in a bathroom for a few years as he didn't want her scratching furniture!  She was a little hissy, but hopefully, with play dates she will overcome that.

Oliver

Finally, after these kitties were put back, I started the play session with the FIV+'s:  Thomas, Loverboy, Ginger, Miss Ellie, Alvin, and Oliver.  I had to go in two groups as they all don't play nicely together.  Miss Ellie was playing with the laser as I hoped.  Though she was cautious with Alvin romping nearby.  Alvin plays wildly with the laser or flying balls.  Oliver hasn't been out of his cage in a while, but today I decided to get him out.  It was a struggle, but he was good about it(no claw marks!).  He is not up to par, he just seemed to curl up and want to sleep.  I will have to make him a priority next visit.

Finally, the visit isn't complete without getting Thomas, (jailbreak)Loverboy, and Ginger out.  These cats see me, sit up, and start meowing loudly; they know their playtime has arrived! Loverboy is no trouble at all to get out of his cage; he needs no help whatsoever. Ginger on the other hand, weighs a ton, so he steps into a basket I put in his cage, then I lift him with the basket, and its easier for me to move him.  We all go to the maternity room and the fun begins as usual.

Thomas and Ginger: Brothers in Arms

Loverboy chases the laser beam, Alvin runs after the ball, Loverboy runs after Alvin.  See, Alvin can mitigate both groups of cats fairly well, and seems to get more animated with Loverboy in the picture.  I don't trust any of the females in this second group as Ginger, Loverboy, and occasionally Thomas will attack one another, and they have to be policed accordingly!

Once the play session is up, the cats know it, as their expressions drop! They know it when I  carry each cat back to its cage one by one.  They learn fast. The lively atmosphere has turned gloomy!  I leave Loverboy last as I wanted to take him to the window for some fresh air. He loved it. Too bad he only had a minute there!  I wish I had a 'get out of jail free' card for him! 

Loverboy back in his cage, turns sad.

Socializing a Difficult Cat

Last Thursday's visit was a happy time, at the Anderson Animal shelter in South Elgin, IL. For one, Thomas was out of clinic and back to his old cage. Secondly,  Miss Ellie played with us! Also, I tried to get in a little earlier this time so I could spend some time with new cats. Thankfully, volunteer uber alles and mentor, Lauren, showed up on the scene to help me out.

The happiest instant was with Miss Ellie, a very pretty calico, and a typically moody, hissy lady, that could lay her claws or teeth into one's hand without warning, I have the scars to prove it!  This time she came out of her cage willingly.  Now I wonder if its because volunteer(Uber Alles) and friend,  Lauren was present, and Miss Ellie may be more familiar with her. She even played catch with a ball, and chased the laser pointer around too! All this coming from a cat that never played with me before. This cat has made a complete turnaround! It shows that there is hope for a difficult cat! Adding to it, she is FIV+ too.

 

Snowball

I let Snowball, Tidbit, and Lucky1 out of their cages. Since its my first time with these cats, I don't know their personalities yet. Snowball is a pretty, long haired all-white cat. Tidbit, also long-haired, with a calico pattern. Quite nice natured and enjoyed her brief visit to the maternity room. She did not like returning to her cage, and started growling(not many do!). Lucky1 is a black cat, and I don't think he has ever been out of his cage! He was quite disoriented when put on the floor!

Tidbit

I also let Memphis out- a black and white tuxedo, and a purported neurologically problematic cat. Sometimes, I feel bad when I pass his cage; I don't know what's going to happen to him. He is not popular with anyone, and is always passed over by potential adopters. He just seems very energetic at times. But today, he acted fairly normal on this instant.  I opened his cage, he simply walked out, checked out the surrounds(maternity room) and when he was tired of it, walked back into his cage on his own. He really goes crazy chasing the laser pointer image around.

Memphis