Category: Uncategorized

Possum’s adoption story: A few years ago my former next door neighbor from childhood, a neighbor I used to babysit with her two brothers, posted a picture of a kitten she had rescued with her local rescue after a hurricane. I commented that it was the cutest kitten I’d seen and that it would be adopted quickly! My friend fostered the kitten and was coming home and did I want to adopt the kitten? I did! I am a sucker for a kitten, but had just winnowed the herd down and had no cats and two dogs. Well, from 2,000 miles away at the R.E.A.L Cruzan Cats Rescue on the shores of Fredericksted in the US Virgin Islands via two different types of airplane and one very devoted foster mother came my little Possum. I drove to the airport in Cleveland from Erie along the shores of Lake Erie, thunder and lightning booming, I thought we should have called her Stormy instead! She quickly became the queen of the roost and commandeers the dogs to do her bidding. She is THE best cat I have ever, EVER had and I am grateful every single day that we have her! Thank you Cruzan Cats! #catdaysofsummer

About REAL Cruzan Cats: R.E.A.L. Cruzan Cats is dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats on St. Croix through Rescue Education Adoption and Love. We are committed to a single goal – to improve the lives of cats living on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Explore our website to learn more about everything that we are doing to evoke a change. We are a private, non-profit organization dedicated to working with devoted volunteers and concerned individuals to help these cats in need to get neutered/spayed, vaccinated, and ultimately off the streets and into loving homes!

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Winnie’s adoption story: Winnie is a kitten that was rescued by Lynn with Lynn’s Rescue Kittens in Fort Worth, TX. Her mama was a feral cat and she was rescued along with her siblings from a life on the streets! And thank goodness, considering she is a PRINCESS at home. She has a corgi best friend that she likes to play and take naps with, and spends most of her day sleeping in her hammock or playing with ice cubes (they’re her favorite). She’s very social and friendly and likes to snuggle under blankets with us. We knew Winnie was the one by the adorable videos Lynn sent us and her silly little face when she was a baby. We are so incredibly thankful for the wonderful rescue that Lynn runs (on her own!) and how much she cares for every kitten she rescues. Winnie is such a perfect fit for our home and we love her more than we thought possible! #catdaysofsummer

About Lynn’s Rescue Kittens: Lynn’s Rescue Kittens is a small, independently owned and run business that provides rescue for abandoned kittens who don’t have anyone to care for them. Little did I know that 3 years after I retired early, to care for my husband full time who had a stroke a few years prior, that my life’s purpose and focus would be changed forever by rescuing one feral kitten in my community! My focus is in rescuing kittens who are 4 to 8 weeks old. I’m now providing a great start to their lives and ensuring they find the perfect forever home. All kittens are spay/neutered, microchipped and have 1st series of vaccines.

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Beatrice’s adoption story: When I was 11-years-old I really wanted a cat. I saved my Christmas money as well as some money from chores. Before we got the cat my mom and I bought a litter box, food, collar, and some toys so we would be ready for the cat. The day my mom and I went to the PALNV Cat Cafe to look at cats I was very excited. When we got there the first thing we saw was a black cat meowing loudly at the door. She almost ran out when we opened the door to see the cats. I saw a cute calico cat, but it was too scared. I looked at some Siamese cats and one had a broken tail. We also looked at a gray kitten, but she was too little. As we were looking at other cats the black one kept running up and climbing on my lap. Her name was Beatrice. We decided that we would keep looking before making a final decision. After seeing all the cats there wasn’t another cat as friendly or curious as Beatrice. We brought her home that day and she meowed for forty-five minutes in the car. Once we got home and I saw that Beatrice loved to chase toys I knew she was the best choice for us. Beatrice is a one-of-a-kind cat and I am grateful that she is my pet.

About PALNV: PALNV started in California in 1993 to help abandoned, abused and neglected pets. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, after the recession. It took a couple of years to decide what was needed most in our new community and the decision was made to help community cats find their forever homes.

We opened Rescued Treasures Cat Café in August of 2019 and adopted 40 cats. We were shut down for three months in 2020 due to the Pandemic but still managed to take in 335 cats and kittens and find homes for 299. The first quarter of 2021 we took in 146 cats and adopted 84.

Our cats are from the streets. They have been abandoned and even though they are living on the streets they are very sweet loving cats. We also take out medical cats and kittens from our local shelter. We are always looking for volunteers, donors and fosters to help save more lives. Our passion is being a part of the solution to saving our community cats!

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Violet Louise and Rube Mae’s adoption story: These two lovelies were found wandering the streets in northwest Indiana where they were dropped off at the county humane society. From there they made their way in a couple of days to the wonderful St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines in Wheaton, Illinois. It was there my husband and I saw them and immediately fell in love. We actually had gone to adopt another cat we had seen on St. Sophia’s website. That kitty was not anxious to leave St. Sophia’s. As we looked around we saw these tiny twins of grey fluff; tiny even though they were two years old. Our previous cat, Tyger, had died the year before at the age of 22 and our dog of 18 years had just died a few weeks before. Our home did not seem complete with no furry ones about. Named Reeses and Pieces they were ready to cuddle with us. Reeses was quite friendly, inquisitive and ready to play. Her sister just wanted a comfortable lap to snuggle in. We gathered them up, signed the papers and, headed home. There was only one problem, their names. Our son, who lives five hours away, suggested in a phone call, that since they were wearing red and purple collars we call them Ruby and Violet. I added the second names after my aunts because they reflected their personalities. Ruby & Violet have provided hours of fun and love. Violet has gone from six pounds to nine and Ruby from just under six pounds to seven. They feel secure and will greet visitors giving their stamps of approval before wandering off to watch the wildlife outside the patio door. Our home is now complete again.

About St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines: St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines is a non-profit foster-based cat rescue in Wheaton, IL. Established in late 2010, St. Sophia’s strives to be the best in temporary care for cats in transition. What does this mean? It means that the cats in our care aren’t intended to stay in our care. Our hope is a home for every adoptable cat — no more homeless cats!

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Rocky’s adoption story:  Rocky loves other cats! There is no cat the Rocky won’t cuddle with! Rocky came to Pets Lifeline from an overcrowded shelter in Santa Cruz. He came with his three housemates who were quickly adopted. I had spent time with Rocky at the shelter as a volunteer and knew he was a special boy. I was sad to see his housemates go without him. It appeared he missed them terribly. I decided to adopt Rocky, who is a senior cat, perfect for my household. I also have a special needs foster kitty at home. When he first arrived at my home he went looking for his former housemates. Fortunately, he met my foster girl and immediately began sleeping with her and they quickly bonded. He is a joy to have in my family. Rocky now welcomes any new kitties.

About Pets Lifeline: Before 1982 there were no local animal shelters or resources available to help the Sonoma community cope with the problem of stray and abandoned animals. This lack of animal services motivated a handful of dedicated animal lovers to create a local animal welfare organization. Thanks to the community, Pets Lifeline was established.

It was in 1987 that Pets Lifeline bought the property on which it now stands and built the main shelter structure. The house on the property became a thrift store serving as a fundraising source for the fledgling shelter. Over the last three decades, additions and modifications have been made to bring the Shelter into its current living form. In 2000, the thrift store was replaced with the beautiful fenced dog yard and later, a new roof along with temporary mobile structures were added.

Today, Pets Lifeline (PLL) has adopted over 15,000 animals, staying with its core mission to find forever homes for the stray and homeless cats and dogs in Sonoma Valley. In addition, PLL offers a wide variety of programs, such as a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, dog training classes, a kitten fostering program, and a feral program that is the most successful in the county. The shelter prides itself on its Humane Education curriculum that offers an after school program and a 10-week summer camp.

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Sophie, Sebastian, and Ash’s story: We adopted three cats from Purrfect Cat Rescue in Crystal Lake IL. We had just lost our two senior kitties that I had since I was a teenager (a year apart) and so we went to Purrfect Cat Rescue to help heal the hole in our hearts. We first adopted Sophie and Sebastian. They were a year old and had been relinquished back to the shelter because they had tummy troubles. We saw them and scooped them up right away and fell in love! My husband (who was not a cat person until he met me lol) decided that we needed another cat!! I was hesitant, but warmed up to the idea and then a few months later we adopted Ash as a kitten. Now our home is complete with our three wonderful fur babies all thanks to Purrfect Cat Rescue!! The ladies who run the shelter are some of the best people we know #catdaysofsummer

About Purrfect Cat Rescue: This organization started out of need. Cats left behind at a mobile home park were being fed by residents, but cats were multiplying. Animal Control was going to trap and euthanize the cats. I stepped in to catch the cats and get them spayed/neutered. This is how it started more than 10 years ago.

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Beauty, Marcel, and Juniper’s adoption story: We lost our orange tabby Bella early this year to a hawk. Broke my husbands heart. I have been following House of the Happy Cats website for many months looking for the perfect orange tabby to bring home found out she was having an adoption day at our local Petco so I went. My plan was to pick up an orange tabby named Juniper, well as the picture will show, I fell in love with three so now we have Ginger, Poppy, and Bogo. Told my husband it was adopt two get one free. Our hearts are full. #catdaysofsummer

About House of the Happy Cats: We are first and foremost a sanctuary that provides safe haven for cats who otherwise would be killed at potential kill shelters. We do public adoption events on weekends at our local Petsmart, but we can also do private meetings at the rescue if requested. We greatly appreciate and use fosters when available and allow for trial ‘foster to adopt’ situations as well. Also, we do our best to assist people who are trying to rehome an animal to make sure it has the best chance of finding a safe, suitable new home.

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Frankie’s adoption story: I had been wanting a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia for a few years after coming down with a neurological condition of my own. I had grown up with dogs, but once I became chronically ill, I knew I would not be a good dog mom. I had applied for a few cats, but they were a plane ride away so it didn’t work out. I joined a Facebook group that focuses on cats with CH. I saw a post about a new organization (Rise Again Animal Rescue) starting up and they had two kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia. I applied for both but the boy had a lot of applicants. I awoke to a text the next morning saying it was between me and one other applicant for the girl. That evening, I got the message saying she would be mine. I cried tears of joy. Six days later, my stepdad, mom, and I left for a 3.5 hour drive to New Jersey to pick up my baby! She is now 9.5 months old and 10.8 pounds. She is hilarious, which is fitting because I named her Frankie (Bergstein) after my favorite character on Netflix. She enjoys puzzles, watching TV with me, bathing her sister Grace, and sitting for treats.

About Rise Again Animal Rescue: Our mission is to focus on the welfare of the most vulnerable abandoned animals – newborn kittens, special needs animals, and medically urgent cases. By providing a nurturing foster home environment and comprehensive veterinary care prior to adoption, we ensure their ability to rise above their past challenges and forge a resilient and trusting relationship with their new families. We will also offer post-adoption support, educational resources, and collaborative opportunities to local municipal shelters, TNVR groups, and other nonprofit organizations which fall under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are operated for charitable purposes.

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Bella’s adoption story: Angels are often disguised in different forms and animals can be earth angels, pointing us to a path of loyalty, optimism, faith, joy, hope and love. Bella helped me through losing my Brother. She is truly my angel.

Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by all kinds of animals. But kitties, especially, have always brightened my days in so many ways. When I adopted Bella she weighed only 2lbs 13oz, came with preset auto-purr installed, and she found her forever home with me. Who would believe such pleasure could come from a wee ball of fur. The first time I set eyes on this little silver tabby I fell in love instantly and decided Bella, which means “beautiful” in Italian was the best name for her. Everyday Bella exudes warm happiness and love, proof that what the heart gives away is never gone, it is kept in the hearts of others. Mother Teresa said “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

Adopt and love a shelter pet. In saving an animal’s life, you may even save your own. Bella’s love has given me the strength to bounce back from difficult challenges. She is an angel. She was rescued from Fearless Kity Rescue which is an amazing organization in Fountain Hills that I will always be grateful for. Bella, found motherless and starving in a field with her siblings (by Fearless Kitty Rescue), makes me realize I have to be the survivor she is, resilient and possessing a bulletproof spirit. She helped me through the grief of losing my brother after he passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Thankfully I had Bella to help me through that grief and she is truly my angel. Love her with all my heart.

About Fearless Kitty Rescue: We are an all-volunteer rescue group who save cats and kittens. Our volunteers are committed and passionate about what they do! We are always looking for individuals who love cats and kittens and want to make a difference in our community by volunteering. Fearless Kitty Rescue celebrated its eight year anniversary and we are excited about all we can accomplish in the future. So c’mon, join us!

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Zippy’s Adoption Story: Oh, my sweet friend Zippy! I first met Zippy while volunteering on a Sunday morning at New Beginnings Animal Rescue in East Brunswick NJ. He had just arrived and was in the Sunshine Room, where cats are kept due to illness or to recover from surgery. Turns out that even though Zippy was about 4-years-old, he had not been neutered until he arrived at our rescue and he was recovering. Zippy was so skinny and incredibly nervous. I didn’t even see him at first. He had been allowed to freely move about the small room and was peeking out from behind some boxes. When I reached out my finger, he did lean over to sniff me, but I could tell he was skittish, so I just talked to him quietly and went about my tasks. When it was time to eat though…Wow! This cat plowed through his breakfast like he hadn’t eaten in days. Unfortunately, because he ate so fast, most of it came back up. I later found out he had come from a hoarding situation and I wondered if that was why he ate so ravenously. Did he have to fight to get his share of food in his previous home? When I went home, I told my family all about Zippy.

Zippy soon made his way to the main adoption room and I was able to see him every Sunday. He would scream at me through the bars until I served his breakfast. When I let him out, he would jump from his upper cage to a lower cabinet and back again. Very quickly, back and forth, back and forth. True to his name!

Zippy would let me pet him and his purrs were more like very loud trills. I had never heard a cat purr like this before. I would go home after my shift every week and tell my family all about Zippy. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I couldn’t wait to see him again. Maybe he would get adopted soon but so far there hadn’t been any serious inquiries. After some convincing, (my family was worried how our resident solo cat would react) I brought my husband to meet him and Zippy came home with us as a “foster to adopt” in June 2017. I was so excited! We were going to have some fun #catdaysofsummer.

Zippy hid in our basement for 4 days. He was so scared. I would sit quietly on the basement floor and he would gingerly come out from his hiding spot so I could pet him and give him treats. Then he would run away and hide. Lots of time and patience‚ and treats‚ and Zippy eventually joined us in the rest of the house for longer stretches. Our older cat Ringo wasn’t overly fond of this new addition, but the two boys learned to peacefully co-exist. We would occasionally catch them napping side by side as if the whole “not getting along thing‚” was just an act.

Within a couple of months, we officially adopted Zippy and he has been with us for six years. He is still anxious, especially where loud noises, heavy footsteps and visitors are concerned and will find refuge in the basement. He still eats too fast, but we use a full-size dinner plate to slow him down. I do wonder, however, if we should change his name to “NotSoZippy.” He has put on a few pounds and spends most of his days moving from one comfortable blanket or cat bed to another.

I am so thankful that I met this nervous, sweet, quirky Zippy cat and that I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He captured my heart from the first time we met!

About New Beginnings Animal Rescue: The mission of New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR) is to provide a safe haven for homeless animals through meeting their medical, physical and emotional needs. We accomplish this mission by matching homeless animals with qualified loving adopters; providing daily essentials for residents to alleviate financial burdens of pet ownership