Cat Tales

Thanks to the efforts of ASAP volunteers and the tremendous level of community support given the program, all adoptable cats are able to have a second chance at a happy, healthy life. Here are the stories of some "ASAP Alumni" who beat the odds to become cherished companions.

 

Oreo

Oreo's story isn't one of drama or trauma. Nope, Oreo's story is one of perseverance, both on the part of Oreo and ASAP. This beautiful long-haired black and white 10-year-old was with us for a very long time. Why? Well, we volunteers aren't sure. He was a big boy who made it known that he didn't want to be picked up, or even fussed over for very long at a time. But, other, more difficult cats came and went while Oreo remained.

He never was a bad boy. He never threatened to bite or even scratch anyone. Maybe a bat of a paw every once in awhile, but nothing anyone could call serious. Oh, but how he could growl! It was loud enough and threatening enough that despite his handsome appearance, most volunteers kept their distance and did not recommend him for one's lap in the evening.

Oreo didn't like ASAP. He had no reason to like ASAP, by his way of thinking. You see, this senior citizen had come from a quiet, all-indoor home with just one adult where he was the only cat, fully in charge of the household.

So hearing, seeing and smelling other cats made him cranky. Hence, during his outdoor-run time he was all by himself. And due to his size and disposition, he was given one of the large show cages when they arrived last spring.

Despite his salty personality, he had his fans, and even some almost adoptions. But, he seemed to nix the chance for a new home at the very last minute, with, you got it, a big growl.

Oreo remained with ASAP, never getting ill and never actually causing a problem for 16 long months. Eventually he mellowed out a bit, but those growls never did stop.

Then, as all the volunteers on duty that day held their breath, Oreo actually got adopted!

The lead volunteer who facilitated the adoption wrote the following when she reported to the other ASAP leads that night:

ADOPTIONS: OREO!!!!!! If this does not work out it is his own fault. The woman (Madeline) was drawn to him; she whistled at him and he came running, and that was it. She sat with him in a visiting room for quite awhile. Oreo spent the whole time rubbing against her and growling because he wanted out of the little room. That didn't faze her at all.

Madeline reported the next day:

Wow, was I surprised when Oreo climbed up on my lap and laid on my belly in the recliner with me until I just had to get up. With his unexpected growling he sounds like a tough cookie, but he is really a sweetheart -- as long as you don't pick him up.

Thank you ASAP. I really don't think I'd be happier with any other cat.

We contacted Madeline recently to see how things were going. She gave us lots of details about his activities, likes and dislikes and how loving he has become. She ended by saying:

Thanks for loving Oreo and thinking of us. We are a couple of very happy cookies.

 

Talli

Talli would make herself known to shelter visitors before they came to her cage in the adoptable room. It was her commanding voice that first carried visitors to her cage with a degree of urgency. And what did you find when you located her? A determined gal with a handsome black and white coat.

But it wasn't always that way. No, when Talli came to ASAP she looked like moths had taken their toll on her. She had what turned out to be troublesome skin problems, so bad that it was months before volunteers could place her in the adoptable room. During that time, Talli came to be loved by all the volunteers, despite their comments like, "Will Talli ever pipe down today?"

When Talli finally graduated to the adoptable area, she was given a double cage right near the entrance, where she took joy in greeting all who walked in with a long line of conversation. One would have thought that she had a strong dose of Siamese in her, but it sure didn't show in her markings.

It took Talli time to talk someone into adopting her, as she was not a youngster, but she wasn't very old, either. Often, these cats wait longer than even the very old to be adopted, for no one feels sorry for them. And of course, the kittens find homes instantly. But the day came when Talli left us for what we thought was to be a good home for her.

Alas, after many months, Talli was returned to ASAP, and sadly, we had to start all over rehabilitating her coat. We knew how to make her beautiful again, but what worried us most was that she seemed to have lost her spirit. She chose not to talk with people who passed by her cage. It took weeks and weeks for her coat to recover and months before her talking returned.

Well, as so many ASAP stories go, Talli once again made it to the adoptable area and began her wait for a home. It took time but her lucky day came when Molly Schaf decided that she could handle Talli's medical needs. We are all convinced this home is the winner for Talli:

Dear ASAP Volunteers,

It has been four weeks since I adopted Talli, the little cat which had been with ASAP for 15 months and nobody wanted. I'll admit, I felt virtuous taking her -- she was not the most attractive with her skin problems. But I did tell her before she left that she would grow prettier every day. Today, since her nose is like Barbra Streisand's and she has the loudest persistent voice of any cat I've met, her name is Barbra. Sometimes I think I should have named her "Glue," since she sticks to my lap like glue. She is very loving and very pretty, too, but most of all, she loves everyone, and I and my family love her dearly. I could not possibly have found a dearer pet. Barbra's skin problem is much improved, and her coat is looking lovely.

Thank you all,

Molly Schaf

 

Mr. Big

Handsome. That is only one of the words used to describe this big -- very big -- brown tabby. Gentle, playful, laid-back and outrageously healthy could also be used to describe him. ASAP volunteers knew Mr. Big would have no problem winning an adopter's heart in just days of his arrival.

Alas, his screening blood test indicated that he was a carrier of the Feline immunodeficiency virus, better known as FIV. The second test confirmed this devastating news.

Mr. Big would need to wait for a very special home where he would never be allowed outside. If he were to fight with a neighbor's cat, he could pass on the virus.

He would also need an adopter who would keep very close watch on his health and could afford veterinary intervention, perhaps more often than for a FIV negative cat. While Mr. Big was the picture of health at the time, he could be more susceptible to any passing bugs.

And so, Mr. Big began waiting. While he was allowed in a run with the other FIV cats, he hated his double (yet too small for him) cage.

Enter James. A well-known caricature artist, James arrived at ASAP one afternoon to find the dream kitten for himself and his wife. Sharon Metsch, that afternoon's Lead Volunteer, began showing him all the available kittens, and even young adults. But none seemed right. Further questioning revealed that he wanted a brown tabby that would grow into a big cat. Sharon held her breath and led James to Mr. Big's cage. Why not just fast forward past kittenhood to this handsome hunk of a cat?

Within minutes of meeting, James wanted to visit Mr. Big in one of the runs, where they spent the next hour together.

Closing time was quickly ascending upon the shelter and James was in a quandary. What would his wife say if he came home with a 15 pound "kitten?" Sharon suggested, in jest, that she might not notice.

James took a chance and ASAP loaned him one of its biggest carriers to transport Mr. Big to his new home in Carpinteria.

Well, as you can see from the above picture, this all worked out nicely. Mr. Big, now named Cabo, has fallen into cat heaven with two doting adopters. And since James works from home, Cabo has him at his beck and call all day long. James reported that Cabo has no desire to venture outside. Why should he? He has all he wants right there at his paw tips.

Everyone is optimistic that Cabo will be with James and his wife for many, many years. Once again, ASAP has saved a cat that would not have been allowed to live in nearly any other shelter.

Spring, 2007 postscript!
James made his way to ASAP recently, looking for a friend for Cabo/Mr. Big. Lo and behold, there was Ziegfield, a cuddly, FIV+ cat who had been waiting for his opportunity for nearly a year -- James fell in love, and Ziegfield was adopted just 2 days shy of his 1-year anniversary at ASAP. Thanks again, James!

 

 

 

Maxine

Maxine came to ASAP with her hind end and legs paralyzed. She had been found hanging in a tree where she'd spent the cold February night. She quickly became a favorite of ASAP volunteers because of her sweet disposition and fighting spirit. Through ASAP's care and TLC, Maxine gradually regained use of her legs. She was even well enough after a few weeks to be adopted to a great home. We recently received a happy email from Maxine's adopter:

I just wanted to update you on a cat that I adopted back in February. When Maxine originally came to you, she had been found dangling from a tree, and her two back legs were paralyzed. By the time I got her, she still had a limp, as she hadn't yet regained feeling in her back right leg. Both Michelle [ASAP's vet tech] and the vet seemed confident that she would enjoy a full recovery, and I'm happy to report that she has! I kind of expected her to hide under a bed for a week or so, but she was on top of my bed and purring within two days! After about a month, I noticed that there was no trace of a limp left, and now it's hard to imagine that she ever had any problems getting around. Maxine (now Eleanor) is a wonderful, loving cat who comes to meet me when I get home, chases the dog (just because she can), and licks my neck with her scratchy little tongue to say she'll keep me around. She's been nothing but a joy, and I look forward to many years with her!

Thanks!
Jessica

Thank YOU, Jessica, for taking a chance on a special needs cat!

 

Amore

Amore arrived at the shelter in January, 2004. A beautiful Lynx Point, she was nervous and unpredictable, and ended up being quarantined for biting a volunteer. While we knew her good looks would attract many adopters, we worried about her suitability as a pet. Luckily, Valentines Day brought the perfect match for Amore. Just a few days after she was adopted, ASAP received this email message:

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to ASAP Cats for the wonderful addition to our family! We adopted Amore this past weekend on Valentine's Day. We have decided to name her Valentina, or Tina for short.

At the shelter our poor little girl was overstimulated and very thin. We were warned by the volunteers that she may be a tough kitty to acclimate to a new home (she was hissing and batting at us from her cage). The card on her cage stated that she did not like to be petted anywhere behind the neck. We decided to adopt her in the hopes that she would feel more comfortable once the stress of living around all of the other cats was gone.

We brought Tina home and put her in the bedroom so that she could have some time to adjust. She immediately went under the bed and we were sure we wouldn't see her for days. I went out for about an hour to purchase new toys and food for Tina. By the time I got home she was out from under the bed and purring! We have only had Tina for three days and already she is part of the family! She is a great "talker" and she even sleeps in between us on the bed at night! She enjoys full body pets and I'm pretty sure she is the most spoiled cat I have ever known. She is eating well and we already think she is gaining some much needed weight.

Please forward this on to any volunteers that may have helped take care of Amore. She seems to be very happy in her new home!

Thanks again for everything!
Matt, Julie and Tina

 

Simi

She was all cat; contented and restless, affectionate and hissy, nice and not very nice, according to her moods. But who could blame the little orange cat named Simi for any of her transgressions? She had been living at the County Animal Shelter for some time, and this was almost too much to ask of a cat who hated being around other cats. Although she was sometimes allowed the run of the shelter, very little of Simi's life was of her choosing and that bothered her a lot. Like people, cats like to have options and shelter life didn't afford enough of them for her. There were too many people wanting to touch her and (horror of horrors!), pick her up. Simi liked people just fine, but on her own terms.

Time after time, prospective adopters -- and there were many -- were rebuffed by a timely hiss or swat. This was the same cat who would cheerfully claim the lap of a volunteer, purring and nudging. The difference? Simi got to choose. We tried explaining diplomacy to her, how just a little restraint might get her a good home, but our wisdom fell of deaf cat ears. What to do with a cat who wasn't all that happy at the shelter but managed to discourage every potential adopter? The answer, for Simi at least, turned out to be gainful employment. Our friends at Island Feed & Seed asked whether we had a cat who might like to fill the position of Store Mascot and Rodent Control Manager. We sent Simi over on a trial basis, not knowing whether she had any interest in or talent for the rodent control part of the job. Knowing this independent cat as we did, we were certain of only one thing: she would do no hunting unless she wanted to. Most of us would have bet against Simi being an effective pest control kitty. We were secretly hoping that the nice people at the feed store would fall in love with her and keep her whether she produced or not. Imagine our surprise when we began to hear of Simi's rodent control prowess! She is fulfilling that part of her job description admirably and is much more tolerant of the store customers than she was of the shelter visitors. Store employees can even pick her up and carry her around! Several volunteers have visited Simi (now Semilla, Spanish for seed) to see for themselves that our friend is happy in her new home. We see a little orange cat, perched on a stack of cat food bags, holding court and being admired by all. Many thanks to Island Feed & Seed for giving Semilla a job and a home that made all the difference.

 

Mandy

On April 1, 2002, ASAP received 24 cats from Santa Maria. These poor kitties had been living under not-so-nice conditions. But with the help of our dedicated volunteers and the support the of community, ASAP was able to rehabilitate these mostly older cats and find new homes for them.

Mandy was the youngest of these cats by far. She was underweight for her age, her coat was dull and her teeth needed cleaning at the young age of eight months due to a poor diet. A young couple, newly volunteering with ASAP, took pity on her and filled out their Adoption Agreement as soon as she was available. Instantly, ASAP began receiving progress reports on how Mandy was responding to a good diet and a loving home. Within weeks she doubled her weight, her coat began to glisten and her teeth began to sparkle. But those were only some of the changes. Shy and scared little Mandy, who at first only tolerated a little touching, began to enjoy Michelle and John's affection. Soon, she was settling herself down on any free lap and sleeping with them under the covers. Not content to keep Mandy's beauty to themselves, Michelle and John decided to enter her in the Compadres de los Gatos cat show, which was held in Oxnard, November 2002 -- just eight months after her arrival at ASAP.

So many cats! The competition was tough! Mandy was looked at by six judges and behaved like a real lady with all of them. In the end, all six judges were extremely impressed by her, and she received five first place awards and one second place. And if that wasn't enough, Mandy won Best Cat in the Household Pet division -- she had stolen the show!! No one (judges or spectators) could believe that just months before, this gorgeous cat had been pulled out of a home with dozens of other cats, all of whom had suffered terrible neglect. Michelle and John were so proud of Mandy that day -- and that feeling has only grown. Mandy's road certainly has smoothed out, but her days of fame may not be over. Michelle and John have big plans for her in other shows. Soon Mandy will be on the road again!

 

Paulie

Paulie had one heck of a time convincing someone to take a chance on him. Shy, with a chronic runny eye, sadly, he just kept getting passed by. Fortunately for Paulie, an angel named Tessa Clark took the gamble. Here's a letter to ASAP from Tessa:

Greetings to the staff at ASAP for cats. I just wanted to send you a photo of the cat that my husband and I adopted this past spring.

He was named Paulie at the shelter. Small and all black, his card indicated that he was a 1-2 year old male, who had been abandoned on Painted Cave Road. ASAP treated his ear mites and worms and did their very best to cure the weeping eye. Then he waited a full five months before we adopted him. It took a month of reaching under the couch or bed with a brush to pet and brush him. Now he has no problem cuddling against me on the couch or sleeping right next to me at night.

He has warmed up to people just fine, and enjoys the run of our house. He plays with our 3 year old tabby that we adopted last June from ASAP. His coat looks great, and his eye that waters doesn't seem to be as bad. He just loves to be brushed and is quite vocal in asking for and thus receiving, attention.

Thanks for encouraging us to adopt this sweet cat who was a little shy at the shelter -- he just needed some gentle persistent loving to bring out the sweet cat that he is.

--Tessa Clark

 

ASAP also tries to reunite lost cats with their families. Here's one of our favorite success stories:

Gregory Peck

You may recall that the actor Gregory Peck passed away last year. But why would we be reminding you of this? Well, here's the story. One day In October of 2001, a handsome tabby-and-white boy arrived at the ASAP shelter. Soon he was named Ben by the ASAP volunteers. His owner had put an ID tag around his neck, but, when the number was called, it was reported to be located in New Mexico AND no longer in service. Meanwhile, a new volunteer reported seeing a tattered LOST CAT sign in her neighborhood, of a cat that looked a lot like Ben. Alas, when this number was called it was of no help either. Not giving up, Animal Services began a search that finally produced a new number, and this time a name, too. The new number indicated that the owner now lived in Soquel, CA. The phone call was made and a very happy owner reported that he had stopped in Santa Barbara to visit friends while on his way to live in Soquel. Ben, we learned, was actually named Gregory Peck. He had escaped from the car in the strange neighborhood and had been lost for nine months! To complete the rematch, Jan Glick, Director of Animal Services for Santa Barbara County, enlisted her sister, Nancy Costanza (pictured above), to transport Gregory up the coast and back to his owner, Bill Hay. Mr. Hay called us soon after actor Mr. Peck's death to report that cat Gregory was now an indoor only cat, very healthy and seemed to be thankful to be home for good this time. He hinted that a donation was on its way to help ASAP make many other happy reunions.

 

Sometimes success is where you find it. Here's a fond farewell to a sweet ol' chap who created his own success by touching our hearts:

Skipper

Skipper came to ASAP in October 2002. Looking like a crusty old sailor with twisted-up ears, ASAP volunteers named him Skipper. He was examined by Dr. Bill Wallace, DVM and, as ASAP does for cats deemed 10 years and older, a full blood panel was taken. Skipper was proclaimed healthy and adoptable.

Skipper hadn't lived one of those "quiet indoor" lives. He'd been around the block a time or two. And boy, did he have the "charm" down. All the volunteers would make a point of greeting him before starting their shifts. Some of the other cats would get a little jealous at first, but then they'd soon be charmed themselves. For Skipper was never haughty, and once he got started telling his "stories," he'd entertain the others all night long. Skipper waited for the purrfect home for many months, but alas, his health began to decline. Despite much medical intervention, ASAP volunteers were unable to save him and the day arrived when Skipper was bid a tearful farewell. Skipper will now have a special place at ASAP in our Memorial Garden. Ahoy, Skipper! You will always have a place in our hearts.