Mom has been telling me about Bandit, a six year old male cat available for adoption from Wayside Waifs in Kansas City. She says he's a very nice boy, but people just don't know about him because he's not in the Cat Adoption area at Wayside.
He's not hidden away because he's been bad or anything-he's quite loving and playful actually! It's just that, well, Bandit likes to think of himself as the only cat. In the world. Ever.
Bandit definitely needs to be a single cat in his new forever home. But with him, one cat is all you need! He'll be happy to snuggle with you or sit on your lap. He'll follow you around the house and keep you company. When you're ready for a good game of "Kitty Fishing" just bring out the wand toy and he'll be ready to chase it!
If you're interested in meeting Bandit, just tell one of the nice people at Wayside that you want to meet him and that he's in the CAT room. Oh, and tell them Sebastian sent you!
Well, pals, we've reached the end of Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week. I hope that you've kept up with all the posts here and over at Ryker's blog. We've covered a lot of issues that might make cats seem less adoptable, but hopefully we've given you lots of reasons to overlook those issues and see all the benefits to taking one of these kitties into your home.
Remember, just because we blogged about these pets this week, doesn't mean that there aren't pets like these waiting for homes all year long. There will always be a homeless pet that's just a little different, but they will give just as much love as any other pet you adopt. They will be likely to linger in shelters, however. Give them another look when you're trying to decide who will be your next family member. If you're not sure if your shelter has one of these "less adoptable" pets, ask a volunteer or staff member if they have a hard to place pet. They will be more than happy to direct you to one of these animals and will tell you all the things that make him special.
Today's guest blogger is Bonnie Still who leads the Feline Comfort Crew at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City. All the kitties tell her their special requests. She's going to share about Alex, who was adopted despite being "less-adoptable."
For 1 week, I fostered a 10 month old kitten named
Alex.He had been surrendered to Wayside
Waifs in Kansas City, Missouri because his owner had to move.Before I met Alex, one of the ladies I work
with told me I would immediately fall in love with him, but did not mention
anything “different” about him.
Photo by Bonnie Still.
Alex was in the C.A.T. room (Cats Awaiting Transition), one
of the rooms new cats are housed until they are ready to move to the adoption
floor.I walked in and said hello to all
the cats, including Alex.I didn’t
notice anything “different” about him, he was lying down watching
everything.My co-worker had said Alex
was fine to be let out into the room, so when it came time to clean his kennel,
I opened the door, and out walked this shaky, wobbly, kitten.I then looked at his paperwork and saw that
he had Cerebellar Hypoplasia aka Wobbly-Cat Syndrome.The vets told me Alex’s condition was mild.
Definition of Cerebellar Hypoplasia adapted
from Wikipedia
Symptoms
Usually symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia can be seen immediately at birth
in cats, but sometimes can take two months or so to become apparent in dogs.
Cerebellar hypoplasia causes jerky movements, tremors and generally
uncoordinated motion. The animal often falls down and has trouble walking.
Tremors increase when the animal is excited and subside when at ease.
Causes
There are several bacterial infections and viral infections such as feline
panleukopenia, caused by feline parvovirus,[1] that can result in the disorder
in both cats and dogs. However, the disease can also be caused by malnutrition,
poisoning, injury or general accidents during development in the fetus.
Prognosis
The disease does not get better or worse with age, but the cat or dog can
usually learn to somewhat compensate for it and should have a normal lifespan.
Most afflicted animals can lead a fairly normal life if special considerations
for the animal's disability are taken by the pet's owner.
I had seen much younger kittens with CH at the shelter
before, but this was the first time I’d seen an older cat/kitten.For some reason, this made me more emotional
towards a cat than normal.Maybe it was
because he wasn’t a stray that had been brought in, but someone had owned him,
and gave him up.
I watched Alex walking around the room.I realized he was wobbliest when he first
came out of his kennel, but as he continued to move around, it lessened.I picked him up and snuggled right into me,
purring and making biscuits (kneading with his paws).Yep, I fell in love completely.
Photo by Bonnie Still.
The following day, I found out that before Alex could move
to the adoption floor, we had to know for certain that he could use his
litterbox consistently.I offered to
foster him, and within a few days, I was able to take him home with me.
Alex did very well in my home, using the litterbox
consistently and properly.He enjoyed
snuggle time and play time.It was a new
experience for me.I was used to
allowing a cat to go wherever s/he wanted in our basement, but I couldn’t do
that with Alex unless I was there to supervise him.He was not afraid or timid of anything, I was
the one constantly worrying!Nothing
stopped Alex. When he first saw the stairs, his eyes lit up.He was cautious at first, and then became so
confident that I had to stop him before he would overdo it and possibly hurt
himself – he was not happy with me for that.
I had researched CH and found a fantastic yahoo group
devoted to CH cats.http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/chkittyclub/These cat owners are phenomenal!I was blown away by their passion for these
cats, and the extremes they would go to for them to have a safe, comfortable,
loving home.They offered so many
wonderful tips.One of the most
important ones I probably never would have thought of – CH cats can not have
their nails trimmed short – they need them to pull themselves up onto
furniture.
Our last day together in my home, I brought him upstairs
into our den.I watched him shakily
reach up to look out the window, and then pull himself up onto the futon to
curl up next to me for a nap.That is
one of the sweetest fostering moments I have had and will always cherish.
I love all the cats that I have fostered, but there is
definitely a special place in my heart just for Alex.He taught me to not feel sorry for him, but
to encourage and help him.I also
learned it takes a special person to adopt a CH cat.
Thank you Alex, for allowing me to be a small part of your
life.Alex was adopted a few weeks after
being fostered!
Thank you, Ms. Bonnie for telling us about Alex and CH. I bet you miss him, but you helped him find his forever home by sharing yours with him for a week.
CH kitties need a little more supervision, but an experienced cat owner could be a great match for a wobbly cat. Please consider these special kitties when looking for your next family member!
Today's guest blogger is none other than Ryker's mom, Lisa Richman from A Tonk's Tail...er, Tale... and Mom's partner in crime at Wayside Waifs. She's going to share about Arnet, a kitty with calicivirus.
Meet Arnet, a 3 month old darling who’ll purr her
way straight to your heart!Arnet was
almost adopted a few days ago…until they learned she had just recovered from
calicivirus.
Photo by Cathy Sherman.
Calici is one of two viruses responsible for most
upper respiratory infections, or “kitty colds,” in cats. (The second is feline
herpes virus or FHV-1.)
Don’t blame the adopters – this time. They have an
older cat undergoing treatment for cancer. In their case, with an older cat who
has a compromised immune system, it was the right thing to do.
But most cats have healthy immune systems. And many
cats have not only been exposed to calicivirus, they’ve been vaccinated against
it as well.Responsible cat owners
continue to vaccinate against it annually.
Every feline wellness exam includes FVRCP, the core
vaccine that inoculates kitties against both calici and FHV-1. And while it can’t
guarantee your cat won’t ever catch the kitty flu, it’s a good way to ensure
that any upper respiratory infection they come down with is much milder.
Does this make Arnet less adoptable? Yes.
Arnet taking a break from a play session.
A responsible shelter has to provide full disclosure
to any potential adopter, and that full disclosure includes the fact that a cat
infected with calicivirus can become a lifelong carrier. And those are scary
words to the uninformed.
Here’s what those words don’t mean.
They don’t mean a cat like Arnet is contagious all
the time.
In
fact, barring any stress in this young lady’s life, it’s possible she’ll never
show signs of calici again.Usually
after the age of three these kinds of infections are mild or asymptomatic,
according to one feline medical journal.
However,
things happen. A move to a new home. The introduction of a new pet – or a child
– to the family. Disruption in routine. These stressers could cause Arnet’s
calicivirus to flare up. If she were to get sick again, then it’s important that
Arnet see a vet…for the same reasons you’d take your child to see a doctor if
she came down with the flu.
And
just like the flu, calicivirus symptoms can include a runny, snotty nose,
sneezing, lethargy, a fever, achy joints and disinterest in food. Like your
child, you’ll want to push the liquids, make sure they stay warm and rested,
and get plenty of good things to eat. Unlike your child, you can’t exactly
tell a cat she needs to eat and drink more! Food doesn’t taste as flavorful
when your nose is all stuffy whether you’re human or feline…so warming it a bit
may help entice her to eat.
I
speak from experience. If you’ve read my blog on deaf cats at A Tonk’s
Tail…err, Tale… then you’ve met Maxwell and heard about his early run-in with
ear infections. What I didn’t mention in my blog was that poor Maxie also came
down with calicivirus in the middle of it all! (Have you ever heard a snotty
cat purr? *purr SKRANKKKK purr SKRANKKKK*
Kinda noisy…) But today he’s hale & hearty, and my vet’s not a bit worried
about our other cats contracting it.
Bottom line: do what
you can to educate potential adopters. Often it’s the unknown that’s the
boogeyman in the closet. Shed a little light on medical conditions like
calicivirus and FHV-1 and help adopters understand it’s not something they
necessarily need to shy away from.
I have great news! Arnet went to her forever home yesterday! She was adopted by a Wayside Waifs volunteer who has renamed her Cloe. What a lucky girl! There are other kitties out there like Arnet though. Make sure everyone knows that calicivirus doesn't have to be a reason to NOT adopt a cat.
I welcome Michelle Cour as guest blogger once again.
Hey there, Halley here! My name was formerly Luna because I had a
crescent moon shaped patch of light fur on my dark fur. One of mom’s roommates
used to call me Lunatic and unfortunately the name fit, so I had to get my
attitude adjusted and stop being such a diva. I whined a lot at the shelter and
wanted tons of attention from everyone, but nobody wanted me. I missed my
family I had for 11 years and had to come to Wayside Waifs because my owner had
to report for basic training. It would be fair to say I was rather cranky, and
some people called me a diva.
Photo by Michelle Cour.
I’m Hannah (formerly Josie). I loved free time out of my
kennel and I’d purr like crazy for anyone who took me out and gave me loving,
but then I’d swat them when it was time to put me back. I didn’t get it that my
behavior discouraged them from letting me out, which I loved. The worst was
when I slapped a nice lady who fed and cared for me because I was mad she
brought kittens to live next door to me. I wasn’t getting enough attention
already, and kittens are huge competition for a scrawny 10 year old like me. I
wasn’t very friendly and made little effort to meet adopters. Lots of people
called me a holy terror.
Photo by Michelle Cour.
I’m mom. I adopted these two. They needed and deserved a
home, and I knew their behavior was most likely due to the stress of living in
the shelter so long, more than 6 months. Halley was 11, a tortoiseshell which
many people don’t find attractive, and black too; 3 strikes against her. Hannah
also a senior was skinny and swatty. I’m an experienced cat owner so took a
chance knowing life in a shelter can turn even the sweetest cat into a diva. Hannah
has only swatted me once, more than a year ago. Halley whines far less often
and learned to share my attention with Hannah and Harrison, my male cat. We’re all good!
No happy ending so far for Annabella, who’s available for
adoption at Wayside Waifs. She’s also 10 and wouldn’t have been given up but
for the failing health of her owner. She’s an example of a cat who sometimes
behaves like a diva, but actually is a very nice cat. She acts territorial
about her kennel, (hey, it’s all she has left after losing her person and her
home) so is particular about who can visit her at her kennel and how they
interact. She also doesn’t like the Comfort Crew changing her litter or
cleaning the kennel. She hangs out in the sunroom while they work and grouches if
they put her back in her kennel. If they leave the door open, she goes back in
on her own, especially if they leave a few dry treats for her.
Photo by Cathy Sherman.
I’d
encourage anyone who’s an experienced cat owner and open minded to consider Annabella.
It’s tough on some cats, with different volunteers and adopters walking through
all the time. It’s too busy and noisy a place for some, so they can begin to act
out. When our “diva” cats go to their forever homes, we almost always get a
note or email how the cat’s personality changed once they got in a stable quiet
place with a person of their very own. And the adopters? So happy they chose
them.
I sure hope somebody adopts Annabella from Wayside Waifs very soon! Too much time in a shelter can make any cat a little grumpy, but once you get settled into your forever home, you start enjoying life a whole lot more!
This is post #9 in the series. You can read post #10 at A Tonk's Tail...er, Tale... Once again, I welcome Kathryn Bloomer, volunteer at Wayside Waifs. She spoke with Jason, a diabetic kitty who went from a very sick kitty to thriving and enjoying life.
Jason the Argonaut here. I'm one of those shelter cat success stories that you sometimes hear about. I came to Wayside Waifs as an elderly stray in September of 2010. I was very thin, very loving, but unfortunately I turned out to be diabetic. I had won the hearts of everyone who met me, and they were going to try to treat the diabetes, but bad turned to worse when my frequent upper respiratory infections became systemic. Not a good prognosis for a shelter kitty.
Jason on his first night home with his foster mom, October 2010. Photo by Sarah Dieterle.
I was pretty sick by then, but one of the vet clinic staff decided to foster me, to give me a good end of life experience. My life expectancy at that point was a couple of weeks. But, enterprising woman that she is, Sarah my foster mom decided to treat the diabetes and the systemic infection while she had me. First she tried several antibiotics to find one that worked for me. And, just like for human diabetes, my new mom learned how to give me insulin shots, how to test my blood sugar to make sure I was okay for the insulin shot, and how to track how the insulin was affecting my blood sugar. I even got to go on a diabetic friendly low-carb diet. You can't go wrong with high protein for a cat!
And guess what. After about a month of insulin and antibiotics, I was doing a lot better. My URI symptoms resolved and my blood sugar began to reach more normal levels. Finally, I didn't even need the insulin any longer. I was officially an in-remission diabetic.
Jason in May 2011. Photo by Sarah Dieterle.
And here I am, a year later, still a kitty to be reckoned with. My foster mom officially adopted me last December. I was a calendar kitty for our 2011 calendar, and you can see from my photo how good I look now. Although I'm in remission, I still am, and always will be a diabetic, and there is always the possibility that I might go back on insulin at some point. But I just wanted to let you know that you CAN deal with us diabetic kitties. I may be old and sometimes bratty, but I'm a dearly loved miracle kitty. Thank you so much to my foster mom Sarah. Like her, maybe you, too, will someday make a difference in the life of a less adoptable shelter cat.
Thanks Kathryn and Jason! And special thanks to Jason's mom Sarah for making such a difference in the life of a shelter cat! Just because a cat has special health needs, it doesn't mean they should be overlooked at the shelter.
