From commentor FoxinSocks:
About a year and a half ago, I found out from a friend about three cats who were going to be shot and killed on a farm in West Virginia. I was unemployed at the time and exceedingly broke, but no one else would help them, so me and my friend made the short trip across the state line to pick them up. So there I was, with three sick and malnourished but very grateful kitties in my bathroom. Luckily for me, I was referred to the wonderful folks at the Montgomery County MD SPCA who helped me vet and place the cats. Now, over a year later, I’m a foster with the MCSPCA with a new group of kitties, but times are tough, as bad as I’ve ever seen, and all the rescue groups are struggling…
__
This is Chip, an eight-year-old Tabby who was given up by his family. The family claimed he couldn’t be handled and that he had litter box issues, but he’s been great for me. Heck, I can barely get him off my lap! I call Chip the WB Frog cat though, because at home, he’s this loving, devoted cat and at the shows, he’s miserable and grumpy. So I tell people how wonderful he is and then they see him in person and he’s nothing like I’ve described. But I swear, he’s a friendly boy!
There’s Natasha and Hemingway, who are most likely brother and sister, though they’re not bonded. They were rescued from a hoarder’s house that was filled with over 20 black cats. The MCSPCA came in there and spayed and neutered the whole bunch and has been slowly finding homes for the cats ever since. If someone adopted a black cat from our group in the last couple of years, chances are they came from that one single house!
__
When I got them, Natasha first, Hemingway about a month later, they were very under-socialized. Natasha quickly decided that people were great, especially when they had toys and treats, but Hemingway couldn’t even be touched at first. I was worried about the guy, but slowly, with a lot of patience and the help of the other foster cats, who I swear were telling him not to be so afraid, he learned that people were OK. He’s still quite shy, but as you can tell from the photo, he’s a much calmer, happier guy nowadays. And he actually comes up to me for a scratch behind the ears! I still can’t believe this is the same cat who hid under a cabinet for almost a week.
__
The funny thing is, coming from a hoarder, these cats are overjoyed by other cats and dogs. They hate being alone and whenever I get a new foster, they run right up to meet and greet. I just don’t usually see cats who are so…enthusiastic about cats they’ve never met.
__
Like I said, with the economy being so bad, rescue groups are really struggling right now. Adoptions are slow and we’re getting many more give-ups than usual. We desperately need more fosters. No matter where you might live, if you can foster, I urge you to give it a try! It’s incredibly rewarding and pretty easy to do. I’ve seen cats who were terrified of people, who were sick and starving, transform into happy, healthy cats who were adopted by loving families. The way it works, the rescue group pays for vetting, all you need is lots of love, a spare room, and to pay for food and litter. You will also have to take the cat to the occasional adoption event and to the vet. If you can’t foster, then please consider donating money or supplies to a local rescue. We’re always strapped for cash, and every donation is welcome.
Linda Featheringill
Bless you. Good Karma!
And pretty babies.
And Chip just might be smart. Maybe he wants to stay with you.
harlana
You have a great heart!
JGabriel
Clashes have broken out in Tahrir Square between pro and anti government forces. We have to assume this is co-ordinated by Mubarak’s administration.
.
Maude
@JGabriel:
I am in a mood, so pardon me in advance, but it is all Obama’s fault.
JGabriel
AJE is reporting that a tank has pulled up to block Mubarak supporters from attacking protestors.
.
JGabriel
Some Mubarak supporters are entering Tahrir Square on horses and camel, armed security guards also entering. Mubarak’s regime appears to be cracking down.
.
wobblybits
For those unable to access Al Jazeera English directly, you can watch their live stream via YouTube
JGabriel
No reports of gunfire. Mostly sticks and rocks. Assuming this is a crackdown, it seems to focused, so far, on injurious force rather than deadly force.
Still unclear whether the army will protect protesters or not. They seem to be trying to appear neutral, but are nmostly letting Mubarak’s supporters attack and foment violence without repercussion. The blocking tank(s?) have retreated.
.
stuckinred
Mornin Joe has the amazing ability to look at the feed from Cairo and tell you who are police and what they are doing.
stuckinred
Meanwhile the enormous cyclone Yasi is making landfall in Australia.
stuckinred
Wonderful kitty story.
wobblybits
Beautiful kitties and thank you for all that you are doing for them.
JGabriel
A protester asked for international pressure, specifically from Obama, on the army to protect protesters. Weird, didn’t see that one coming.
Protesters are showing the media Police ID’s they have found on Mubarak “supporters”.
.
Downpuppy
Michigan J. Frog doing his thang
AliceBlue
Beautiful group of kittehs. Chip looks just like our Gus.
JPL
Wonderful kitty story and it takes a special person to foster animals.
BBC also has an online feed about the occurrences in Cairo today. The view is that the Mubarak supporters are paid thugs. They interviewed a Professor from Israel who thinks it is a smart move. Yeah, right
schrodinger's cat
Another snow/ice day today! Ceiling cat please it make stop. I can has spring plz?
This is what I have been hearing. I’d rather be on the train to Ooty (where this song was shot) than in dreary, icy Massachusetts right now. I have been on that train (not dancing, of course,) when I was a teen.
ETA: Kittehs is beautiful, Chip looks a lot like my boss cat Yogi, who is also 8. Good luck with placing them.
Persia
What a beautiful kitty. When we first got our kittens they had litter box issues until we realized they didn’t like the fancy-ass litter. We switched to cheap clay, and slowly mixed the expensive stuff in, and lo and behold, no problems. I know it’s not always that simple, but something to keep in mind for all you potential foster families out there.
My daughter decided last year she wanted to support the local Humane Society and she’s given every year. We usually round up for her.
WereBear
I have heard of such things. The angel at home becomes a debbil in the new place. It could be as simple as the fact that cats misbehave when they are unhappy.
And, nine times out of ten, “litter box issues” for a cat abandonment means either an infection or a dirty litter box. Both of which are easily fixed!
If we had more room, we would foster. But we do donations and you know, the 3 week old we took in might have been a foster… but we fell in love.
Those who have missed his latest adventure:
Tristan is the Daily Kitten.
Mister Papercut
It wouldn’t be technically considered hoarding if I took Natasha or Hemingway as my black cat #3, would it?
In other Awesome Black Cat news, my Tucker’s (May page in the Balloon Juice Pet Calendar) unofficial 14th birthday was yesterday. He spent it being really obnoxious and loud with a catnip mouse.
FoxinSocks
Hey guys!
I sent an update to Anne Laurie, but all three cats have been adopted! Natasha and Hemingway were adopted together in December to a great couple and Chip was adopted last Sunday.
It’s funny, the day Chip was adopted, he wasn’t his usual grumpy self at the show, he was sweet and calm. He’s a funny cat, and I think he knew the right person was coming that day to adopt him. He’s still getting used to his new place, but he has a kitty friend to keep him company and a new owner who gives him lots of scratches behind the ears.
WereBear
Cats have powers beyond those of mortal men. OR women.
I haz a big happi
tesslibrarian
Ah, so lovely they all found homes!
Our tabby boy just entirely shuts down around strangers, is timid and skittish, but around us, he is just the most amazingly sweet, playful, talkative, engaging, and cuddly cat. I’m glad Chip found the human he could talk to, and that he’ll get some feline company.
asiangrrlMN
@FoxinSocks: That’s awesome that they all found good homes! It’s a wonderful thing you do.
@Mister Papercut: Heh. I was thinking the same thing, roughly. I have two black kittehs as well. Happy birthday, Tucker, from Raven and Shadow.
@WereBear: Awww! Baby Tristan, so adorable.
FoxinSocks
Well, if you live in or near Montgomery County MD and have the urge to adopt a black cat, we have a couple of Hemi and Natasha’s cousins still up for adoption: Sherry and Juice (Our local shelter uses weekly themes to name the cats…the week we pulled the cats from the shelter, it was drink week, so Hemingway was originally Kool-Aid and Natasha was originally Lemonade).
Also, I almost forgot, but the day Hemingway and Natasha got adopted, Hemi was sitting in his cat carrier waiting to go. That never happens.
WereBear
@asiangrrlMN: Thanks! He got so many virtual tummy rubs yesterday. He’s a Star.
MDavis
At the risk of becoming a cat lady, I just adopted a cat from our local rescue group (now I have 3)… she is AMAZING and it has been a terrific addition. She was one no one thought would get adopted as she was an adult and her kittens were gorgeous (so she was overlooked). She is funny and cute as hell, and believes she owns her world. Yep – times are tough and additional food, litter, vet care etc. IS a real issue, but worth it.
Comrade Nikolita
Scratch my earlier comment. Glad to hear he was adopted! :)
Svensker
This morning it’s about 10 degrees F in Toronto, snowing, with 4 inches snow on the ground. Hub and I check into the coffee shop and while we’re there, a young woman comes in with her daughter in a stroller and grandma. Outside in the cold they leave their doggie tied up — dog is medium sized looks like a beagle/basset mix, wearing a sweater. Dog is shivering uncontrollably and lifting up its paws to try to get them off the icy, snowy sidewalk, and crying, crying. The woman laughs and says to the little girl, “look, your doggie is making a lot of noise!”
So I go over to the woman and tell her the dog does NOT belong to the little girl but to her and she should not be letting the poor dog suffer in the cold out there. She gets very annoyed and tells me to mind my own business.
Was I wrong? I’m still mad.
WereBear
@Svensker: You weren’t wrong!
People like this just must not see animals as “alive.” Or what?
I’m at a loss.
JustPeachyAndYou
@FoxinSocks: Great news that the cats have lovely new homes (which of course leaves room for more in your foster care!).
@Svensker: You were totally right to talk to the woman (hereinafter, “Callous Pinhead”). In similar situations, I have ostentatiously called the local animal control office — “Hi, I’d like to report an abandoned dog tied up outside the ABC Coffee Shop on Main St., and the poor thing’s getting frostbite.” Callous Pinhead might have left in a snit, but she’d have to take the poor beast with her. Mr. JustPeachy is more direct and would have probably gone outside and brought the dog in and handed Callous Pinhead the leash, with a few choice words about her ancestry, personal habits, and probable destination.