Aching to take a cat home with me from the shelter where I volunteer...

Hello everyone,

I've just posted a picture of Custard, a cat that has worked her way into my heart at the Cat Adoption Team shelter where I volunteer.  She's almost 9 years old, a chocolate point/snowshoe siamese mix.  The sweetest cat ever, quirky, lively, cuddly; she licked my shoes, buried her head in my armpit when I was sitting cross-legged on the floor in the free roam room she inhabits.

She's been adopted three times that I know of; the first time she was returned was 6 years after she was adopted as a kitten. She was declawed. After remodeling and other upheavels in the household, she began peeing and pooping outside the box, even when given more than one choice in boxes, litters, etc.

People fell in love with her, adopted her, and returned her when she didn't like using the litter box by the washing machine; I hope they tried giving her other options.

The next people kept her for 6 months, then returned her.

I hope and pray that someone will come along that can work with her and give her the calm and stable home that she deserves.  My roommate doesn't want me to try, and with the way my health has been going lately, I don't think I'd be up to the challenge in my apartment, which doesn't have the space to give her a few different litter box options.

I watched her go poo in a box with a pee-pad in it; I know she can adapt.  The right human just has to come along.

I talked to my supervisor at CAT at length, letting her know how much I wanted to take Custard home with me and discussing the challenges, worrying about how she'd be when I left for a week, even with the best of cat-sitters.  After a nice long talk, she assured me that everyone loves Custard, and that the shelter IS her home.

I go in on day's that I'm not volunteering, just to visit her and give her love.  Of course the other cats get some of my love, too.

Maybe it's best that I don't take home my very own cat; this way I share my love with many others that can use some loving attention.

Then again, love doesn't divide, it multiplies!  One of these days I'll bring home a furry friend.

A volunteer that grooms cats for a living adopted a Himalayan that will need frequent grooming, a couple of fosterers adopted the cats they were fostering.  The people that I volunteer with are awesome, and I know there are many people out there just like them.

Thanks to everyone that adopts hard-to-place cats, volunteers in shelters, fosters cats and kittens, and gives loves to their animals.

[opus88]

Hi K and welcome back, long time NO hear from!!.....you need a huge pat on the back for the loving work you do for these kitties, that is awesome. I too applaud anyone taking home one from a shelter esp hard to place older ones or otherwise unadoptables.

I too would fall in love with Custard she is gorgeous isn't she...too many homes and too many upsets in her life I would think, but you think she should have adapted after being at some of the places 6 months eh....this is strange, and she uses a litter box or pad when at the shelter so its not a litter aversion, I hope everyone tried using the exact same litter as the shelter uses? I would imagine that was tried.

I think you've come to a wise decision K, as much as poor Custard needs a loving home it is going to take time and tons of patience to work out.....but it IS POSSIBLE, but than I'm from the belief that nothing is impossible(nearly) with patience and love.

Theres also 'feliway' to help with calming them esp during stressful times like a new home....be sure to mention that to a prospective new family.

You will find the purrrfect baby one day hon, in the meanwhile look at all the ones that are benefiting from your love.....♥

[Fluffysmom]

CUSTARD WAS ADOPTED TODAY!

I hope and pray that she has found her loving forever home, sweet kitty that she is.

[Jade59]

Hi there, Kathy!  I just saw this post.  Oh, I hope and pray Custard has found her forever home!  Kinda thought it would be in YOUR home, but I certainly understand being unwell, in pain and trying to cope with a cat with issues.  Adopting a cat is a big responsibility as we all know.  Custard sure sounds like a sweetheart and hopefully her new owners will be understanding and help her deal with her issues.  

[Fluffysmom]

I went to visit her today, but she wasn't looking for attention.  Her new roommate, pumpkin was; he climbed all over me, sat on my lap, stood up & patted my face and licked my forehead.  I'll try to post some pictures of him tomorrow.

I'll be going in for a cervical and thoracic MRI tomorrow after my gentle yoga class. My neuro's office got serious quick when they got the messag about my new symptom & pushed the orders through.

Maybe Sunday I'll go visit Pumpkin and the other kitties.  :o)

[Jade59]

Sounds like heaven being around all those kitties.  Good luck tomorrow with the MRI.  Hope it's negative...or positive...whichever is Good! : )