Cat Tales

Volunteers' tales from the trenches, and news of ASAP "alumni"...

 
Well, Who Would Have Guessed?
by Sharon Metsch & Deborah Shafritz

ASAP's mission is to eliminate the killing of adoptable cats impounded at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter by providing daily care, medical rehabilitation and adoptive homes.

Almost all cats and kittens come straight to ASAP but every once in a while one comes to us that isn’t entirely trusting of people and proves to be a threat to public safety. Since caging is the major issue with these cats, ASAP created a special outside run, complete with “condo” rooms and climbing trees, where they can live, unhandled if they so choose. We offer these cats to alternative homes such as ranches, where interaction with people isn’t a requirement.

This past spring, one distinctive snowshoe girl made it crystal clear that she wanted no part of people or other cats. To save Sophie from herself, we introduced her to Run 3, where she spent her days and nights. As she didn’t like other cats, Sophie had the run to herself. Volunteers would visit her often and she seemed eager for the interaction for a minute or two, but soon she would turn quite naughty and the volunteers would escape to safety. The days, weeks and months passed by.

 

Herbie would have been a candidate for run 3 if it weren’t being inhabitated by Sophie. He flat out hated other cats and made this clear at every opportunity.People were okay, but NO CATS!

Meryl was least understood by the volunteers. She kept to herself. Was she just timid? Was she close to striking out? Was she going to come out of her shell today? This week? This month? She just sat in that cage watching and watching and watching.

Fast-forward to a day in July when our webmaster received the following email:

I was looking at your website and wanted to get some information on adopting several cats. We recently purchased a 100 acre ranch in Santa Ynez. I am looking for maybe 3 or 4 barn cats. These cats would have free access indoor/outdoor to the barn at all times, they would have food, medical attention and lots of love. However they need to be good mousers and be able to roam freely outdoors. Although I love kittens, I think for the best interest of the cats, it would be best to have them be a little older to navigate the outside world. If you have some cats that get along well together and would fit with me, please let me know.

Thank you,
Kim

Kim was immediately invited to visit ASAP. After some very careful and thoughtful decision making by Beth, one of our most experienced lead volunteers, Kim left with Sophie, Herbie and Meryl. It was a long shot, but a good chance for each cat if they would just behave themselves.

We held our breath until we next heard from Kim:

I wanted to let you know that all three of our new children are doing great. Herbie has been turned loose in the barn and spends his days climbing around on the rafters which he thinks is just the cat's meow. He is king of his castle. Meryl is still very shy, but I have been able to get her to play. She tolerates some petting and is purring constantly but is still a little “nippy.” Sophie, who had been at your shelter for 6 months is truly a jewel. I was a little leery about a part Siamese cat, but she is the sweetest, loving and most affectionate of the three. I trust her completely. She is enjoying her new freedom of the barn and races up and down the aisles. Sophie and Herbie are already great friends. It will still be sometime before we are ready to let them venture outside, but for now they are all very happy. Meryl has moved into Herbie’s stall and sleeps in the hay. All 3 cats are together 100% of the time now and no problems whatsoever.

Kim has been very pleased with the result of these adoptions. All mice and snakes have left the barn, Meryl is holding her own, Herbie is king of the roost and Sophie has decided the family home, complete with people, is a good place for her. BUT WAIT! The story doesn't end there! Kim was so pleased with her ASAP kitties that she contacted us AGAIN!

Several months ago we adopted 3 cats from your shelter; Herbie, Sophie and Meryl. All 3 cats are doing wonderful. Herbie, who was 15 pounds when we got him, has gotten bigger and stronger. Sophie, who is a princess, prefers being a house cat. Meryl is a great hunter, and still very shy.

We have a very large property, over 100 acres with lots of room for cats. We would like to adopt one or two more ranch cats. They would have to be female, as Herbie is truly king of his domain. Please let me know if you have any ranch cats in need of a good home.

So, on a recent Saturday morning, Beth reported that Nancy, Joan and Terry were adopted to "that wonderful ranch home."

ASAP volunteers were especially excited about Nancy's adoption, as she had a long history with ASAP. When she arrived in April of 2004, she was described as a "neighborhood cat" who was no longer being cared for. She was hissy from the start, and let us know that while she occasionally tolerated people, she had no use whatsoever for other cats. Whenever anyone showed interest in her, Nancy put an end to it by getting cranky.

Finally, in November of 2004 Nancy's moment came. Lead volunteer Susan reported,

My friend, also Nancy, had been in to visit and returned intending to adopt. When she walked in, our Nancy was in the top double condo, first cage. She moved to the front of the cage and put both paws through the wire as if to call the adopter over. Nancy said that did it! Once home, adopter Nancy placed the carrier in the middle of the room. The cat got out, looked all around the room, then jumped on Nancy's lap and purred happily. Both Nancys are quite content!

Unfortunately, Nancy's adopter became ill and passed away in 2007, so Nancy found her self once more back at ASAP. She was still feisty, but would now tolerate sitting on a lap and being brushed. She was adopted after about a month, but returned again 3 months later, because, as a former "neighborhood cat," she was miserable being inside. Volunteers were very sad about this turn of events, with one noting, "Nancy needs a forever home next time..."

Joan and Terry were lucky enough to have short stays at ASAP. Joan was at the shelter for only a couple of months, but she quickly made a name for herself. She was an appealing little black and white girl, with a Jekyll and Hyde personality -- she could be affectionate one minute, then quickly turn into a spitfire, picking fights with everyone around her, feline and otherwise. Terry had arrived as the only female in a group of 4 terrified gray cats. She couldn't be moved without protective gloves, even for cage cleaning. It was recommended that she be moved to the County's room for feral cats.

Fortunately, before Terry could be moved, Kim was back at ASAP, making Nancy, Joan and Terry (now Snuggles or Rockette depending on her mood) very happy girls, indeed! Kim's most recent update includes photos of cats who hated other cats getting along and cats who couldn't be bothered with people cuddling up to their owners!

Well, who would have guessed?

 

www.(cat)match.com
by Anne Stewart

As anyone who has ever volunteered with ASAP knows, prolonged exposure to the cats results in the dreaded “Feline Yenta Syndrome”. This is a condition wherein you assess literally everyone you know as to their suitability as a potential cat adopter/owner. Most of my friends have either adopted their limit of cats, or have learned to run away quickly when the topic of needy cats arises.

However, my co-worker, Joe, let slip that he and his wife, Anne, were considering adopting a kitten for their son, Chris. I just happened to know that Sharon had a litter of foster kittens, and the adoption frenzy was on! (Uh, I was the frenzied one, everyone else seemed pretty calm…) Having adopted two of Sharon’s previous fosters, the late, truly great Mac cat, and current Badger the Cranky Scottish-Fold, I could highly recommend her foster kittens, chubby little bellies and all. Joe’s son chose two mostly black-with-white kittens, whom he christened Moses and Zephora (“Moe” and “Zeffie,” when they’re at home).

From what I hear, Moe and Zeffie pretty much run the household, graciously allowing the family to schedule their lives around the mandatory daily routine of cat feedings and petting. Moe, in particular, is in the running for the “Most Laid-Back Cat” award, and has the ability to stretch his frame to three times his actual size when sleeping.

All in all, a most excellent match. ASAP’s Foster Kitten Program and the Cat Yenta strike again!!!

 

Sylvie -- Special in Every Way       
by Beverly Farr

The little short-haired calico cat was very busy on that sunny afternoon I first visited – cavorting on the bed, retrieving a “mouse” thrown near her, scampering onto the top of the cat gym. A typical lively one-year-old, full of energy and curiosity.

Sylvie was anonymously deposited in the overnight box at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter. The vet determined that she was probably born with microphthalmia, a condition where the eyes are present but tiny and only partially functional. To avoid disease, her eyes were sewn shut. Sylvie is also missing her upper canines, but that would only be a problem if she were allowed outdoors and was able to catch a real mouse!

Generally, animals are more adaptable than humans when having lost the gift of sight. Because of their fine-tuned senses, visually impaired animals have an uncanny ability to get around. Sylvie can hear the slightest sound of a toy being thrown and judge where it will land. When you talk to her, she looks in your direction and knows when you approach her.

Sylvie was adopted from ASAP by Laurette and her small apartment is ideal. Sylvie knows intimately every nook and cranny and the furniture must not be moved around. Laurette has made a few safety modifications for this special-needs cat and Sylvie is, of course, kept strictly indoors, but by and large she leads a normal feline existence.

I visited Sylvie months later and found she had become an acrobat and high-wire artist. Laurette says she often turns graceful somersaults in the air when pursuing her “mouse” on a wand. She’s also part monkey – she hangs upside down by her front and back paws from the cat condo and then stretches her neck towards Laurette to make sure her feats are being properly appreciated. A real tree limb about 9 feet tall, with bands of sisal carpet attached, is braced against the ceiling in one corner, and the smell of real vegetation seems to entice Sylvie. She clambers up the trunk and lies on the top and then often naps at its base.

Thanks to Laurette and ASAP, this frisky calico charmer is enjoying a full life!

 

Sylvia & Sadie’s Patience Wins Out!
by Sharon Metsch

For ASAP, Sylvia and Sadie’s story began late last fall when they arrived needing to be isolated with the dreaded ringworm, which is much like athlete’s foot, a fungus, and hard to cure. It requires baths and ointments, but mostly time to conquer.

But, being 10 year old cats, Sylvia and Sadie’s story started much before ASAP. It seemed no one wanted these two sweet girls as they were passed from a daughter to her parents to a house sitter and then to a cat sanctuary, where they picked up kitty colds and ringworm. ASAP was their next destination, where the months of treatment and waiting continued.

All but a few volunteers were restricted from visiting these girls, because ringworm is one of the few afflictions that cats can give to humans. The best we could do was give them a big cage where they could stay together, keep the room door open, giving them fresh air, sunlight and human voices, while we awaited the “all clear” decree from our veterinarian, Dr. Wallace.

Their upper respiratory infections soon were conquered, but in the meanwhile Sylvia displayed a hind leg limp, requiring X-rays and additional treatment.

Sadie was the first to get cleared. Sylvia followed a week later. Nearly three months had passed. Sadie was moved to the adoption floor in a large cage so that her sister could join her once she was cleared.

Few people walk through ASAP’s doors with the intent of adopting two senior citizen cats. Now that the girls were healthy, the job of finding them a good home loomed before the volunteers. But this time, it worked out quickly. Within days of Sadie's relocation to the adoption floor, Susan Copeland came to find a new furry friend and was instantly charmed, but she didn’t know that there was a sister who was soon to be released. While talking over the adoption, she learned about Sylvia and asked to be notified when she became adoptable. When the call came, Susan rushed over to meet her. Sylvia left in Susan’s carrier, to be happily reunited with Sadie.

When Susan visited ASAP months later, she commented that Sylvia had lost a full three pounds and looks much better. She also told how affectionate and smart her new family members were. These gals now have the perfect home to live out the rest of their lives. And since cats can live to 20 or more, they have a lots of kitty naps ahead of them!

 

The Odd Couple      
by Deborah Shafritz

You might call them ASAP’s “Odd Couple.” He’s a big, round, long-haired mound of tuxedo cat, who initially tipped the scales at 21 pounds. He seldom moves without provocation and is often mistaken for a pillow. He’s a gentle giant who loves children and likes other cats. She’s a tiny, 5-pound bundle of hisses and yowls, a cat who has little use for people, but craves the attention of her peers. And boy, does she love him!

Doc and Luna. No one at ASAP would ever have imagined them. Doc and his two 15-year-old sisters had arrived at ASAP in February, 2006, after their owner passed away. From the start, Doc showed a penchant for being, well . . . inert. He’d sleep for hours in his box, frequently with one of his sisters on top of him. After a couple of months, his sisters were adopted. Doc was not fazed, content to resume his daily routine of sleeping and...sleeping.

Not much is known about Luna’s pre-ASAP life. A stray, she spent several weeks in Animal Service’s room for feral cats before arriving at ASAP in April, 2006. She was not spayed and probably had never had an owner. As ASAP’s Vet Assistant Alicia put it after Luna’s first veterinary examination, “she needs socializing.” Volunteers found her a challenge to handle, describing her as “hysterical and psycho.”

One Friday afternoon, Lead Volunteer Beth Rushing decided to try putting Luna together with Doc. Beth reported that "Luna was nearly ecstatic to have cat company. She stayed right up against Doc and half on top of him nearly every moment they were together. The fascinating thing is that now Luna doesn’t mind petting and handling (though she still does some growling)." Beth could now pick her up and carry her around the shelter.

A symbiotic relationship was born. As a large cat, Doc wasn’t always able to keep up with his personal hygiene, but Luna started right in on him, washing and grooming him for hours at a time. When she wasn’t attending to his toilette, she would sit on top of him and knead him like a cushion. And Doc’s mellow personality rubbed off on Luna. Volunteers found that she could be picked up, carried, even be treated like an ordinary cat.

After just a couple more months of waiting, this story got its happy ending in July, with the adoption for Doc and Luna, together! ASAP’s “Odd Couple” now has a happy home where they can keep company and savor their companionship.

 

It Pays to Advertise!      
by Sharon Metsch

It was March of 2006. The caption under Millicent’s photo in the Santa Barbara News-Press Pet of the Week write-up read:

Millicent’s owner had to go into a care facility, so this 9-year-old feline is looking for a quiet home and a lap to call her own. Because her fur was matted, this beautiful long-haired grey tabby is now sporting a lion haircut, i.e., long hair on face, tail and legs with the body
shaved -- although this is a temporary condition, it is quite delightful to see! Millicent is declawed and hence indoor only. Would be ideal as the only cat in an adult household.

Millicent had been with ASAP since early January. Volunteers were hopeful that the photo would draw someone to at least come to meet her. But, everyone was surprised to learn how determined a woman named Norma was to have Millicent for her very own.

The complete story unfolded after the adoption had happened: With no success, Patti, Norma’s daughter, had been encouraging her to adopt a new pet after the death of her cat over a year earlier. It took seeing the photo and reading the write-up to entice Norma into calling Patti right away to say, “I think I’ve found a kitty...“ Patti was delighted, but living in Morro Bay, a little too far away to dash over immediately. She made plans to head for ASAP the next afternoon, however. Quickly, the paperwork was completed and Millicent (now Millie) headed for her second quiet one-person household.

End of story? Well, not quite.

Patti writes:

Within a week or two Millie cheered up and began playing with all the toys provided her and now takes advantage of the 3-level condo by leaping through the railing in the dining room straight into the living room below. She demands daily grooming, undoubtedly not wanting to ever have that silly-looking lion cut again!

Patti adds that she cannot imagine how hard it must have been for her former owner to say goodbye to her dear friend and to put her trust in ASAP. She continues to say that Millie will be cared for by Norma, or if need be, one of Norma’s three children as “we all love our cats.”

Patti added a paragraph to Millie’s former owner:

I hope that the difficulties of your recent life changes are now behind you and that you have found health and happiness in your new surroundings. Through Millie, you are now part of my family and my thoughts will be with you. And I hope it helps you to know that your dear friend is safe and has a wonderful new home.

 

Helping Our Community      
by Sharon Metsch

ASAP has aided a local sanctuary by taking in sixty cats since spring of 2006. After many months of care and rehabilitation we are pleased to report that most have been placed in homes. We thought you would like to hear how a couple of them are doing now that they have been adopted.

Kingston
Kingston was one of the early arrivals at ASAP, early in May 2006. He was aged at nine years. It was late fall before he was ready to be placed on the adoption floor. Kingston, now strong and beefy, was given a home in one of our big condos. He was also given a roommate -- something he was delighted about. But, one after the other, his roommates would get adopted, leaving the volunteers scrambling to choose another one for him.

It was just days after Valentine’s Day when Sue and Hal Stevenson ventured into ASAP to find a companion to their now solo cat, Charlie. It seemed Kingston would be a good bet and so the adoption was completed and Kingston went to his new home after years of communal living.

Charlie wasn’t overjoyed about a younger interloper in his home at first, but after a month had gone by, Sue reported they do keep each other company. She also describes Kingston as a very well behaved fellow. That’s when he’s not darting around between her legs, acting much younger than his nine or so years. Perhaps he has revealed some of his lineage, too. As if those big ears hadn’t given him away, he has the most impressive Siamese howl -- enough to send Charlie under the bed.

We wish Charlie and Kingston many happy days together!

 

Kit Kat
Kit-Kat arrived in July 2006. This poor boy needed lots of help. It was touch and go for him at first. Putting it delicately, his digestive system was way out of whack and his teeth were in terrible shape, some needing pulling even after he was adopted by Beth. Beth lives in sunny Solvang where she and Kit-Kat share the home, including the bed. However, he is a lucky boy these days, as he frequently travels to Santa Barbara in a brand new Sherpa cat carrier to spend the day with Beth’s mother, Mary Lee. She is delighted to have him visit as he is quite the companion.

Beth reports he loves his food, laps, and being carried all over the place, something not all cats enjoy, or even tolerate.

Kit-Kat is one lucky kitty, finally. Now he has two women who are devoted to him and the best vet care money can afford. We are positive he is well aware of his good fortune.

 

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