Once again, I’m hoping the wonderful Balloon Juice community can help some wonderful cats find homes.
Last November, I took in three cats – Cornelia, Julius, and Portia. They’re pretty unusual, in that they’re an actual family: Mom, Dad, and daughter, and both parents dote on their child. My plan was to try and get Mom and daughter adopted together, which is hard enough, but it’s become clear Dad is equally attached to his kid. They’re so adorable together, I’d really like all three to go to the same home, but that’s almost impossible to do in rescue.
Here are their PetFinder bios:
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25518313
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25518315
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25518320
I know most orange cats are males, but the orange cat in the photos is Cornelia. She’s the most confident of the three. Then there’s the Dad, Julius, who’s a small brown tabby. He’s timid at first, but once he comes out of his shell, he’ll sit in your lap all day long or perch on the back of the chair and put his paw on your shoulder. Their daughter, Portia, is a perfect combination of the two, a fluffy torbie (brown with orange patches) who was born on July 18, 2012. She’s fascinated by computers and loves to watch me work.
They’re some of the most good-natured well-behaved cats I’ve ever fostered, and I’ve fostered lots of cats. They like to be held. They like to sit in laps. They have excellent litterbox manners. They’re good with kids, dogs, and other cats (though Julius can be a bit of a bully at first). It’s a joy to watch them play together. The other day, Portia was hiding in a paper bag and both parents were batting at the bag. They’re fostered through the Montgomery County MD SPCA – http://www.mcspca.org/. So if anyone was interested in adopting them, they’d have to fill out an application and get approved, but that also means they’ve been fully vetted and are spayed/neutered and up-to-date on shots. Also, as their foster, I’d be more than happy to answer any questions anyone might have.
If you’re interested in a ready-made cat family, or know someone who might be, send me an email at annelauire (at) verizon dot net (click on my name in the right-hand column) and I’ll put you in touch with Mel.
JPL
Where’s John Cole? He might be interested in three more.
jenn
They’re gorgeous – good luck in finding them a home!
Amir Khalid
Just curious: was Portia the lone kitten in the litter? (Not common, as I understand, but it does happen.) If not, what happened to her siblings?
OmerosPeanut
This makes me wish I could handle three cats at once in my place.
FoxinSocks
@Amir Khalid:
Portia was one of seven kittens, but their former owner gave them no vetting and for reasons we don’t know, the other kittens all died before a concerned neighbor intervened and got us involved.
It certainly wasn’t from motherly neglect, which can happen. Cornelia was by all accounts a devoted mother, which is why I’d really like her to stay with the one kitten she does have left.
jenn
Kind of hoping this might be reposted later, when Glenn Greenwald griping isn’t sucking all the air out of the room.
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
I think male cats are often underrated as parents — Keaton spent a lot of time grooming and caring for Annie and Charlotte when they were young, and Charlotte still treats him as her “mommy.”
It may be different for un-neutered males, but neutered ones seem to have a lot of nurturing instincts.
TriassicSands
@OmerosPeanut:
You can do it! I have three cats in a small house and two can never be allowed access to the third. I’ve been dealing with it for more than 9 years. We’re all pretty used to it at this point, but a brouhaha is always just one minor slip (I don’t make sure a door is tightly closed) away.The last time I made a mistake (about 7 years ago, the result was a broken lamp and a dislocated tail. The lamp was mine; the tail belonged to the aggressor.
Three cats who all get along would be too good to believe. Take a chance. Your life will never be the same.
qtip
I’m already at 5 in 1200 square feet so I’m at capacity. They are cute though!
Jude Butler
I would love to have them but I live in northeastern Kansas. Can anything at all be worked out?
greenergood
I am too far away (in the UK) but know of a cat family like this: my neighbour first encountered a feral male, who she fed for a couple of months, and then he showed up with a female and young one, and they all moved into her house. They were a lovely cat family, and eventually welcomed a couple of other ferals into their gang, and so did my friend. I’m actually convinced that none were really feral – they’d been tossed out of cars or left by the roadside – because they were simultaneiously fearful and eager to make friends with people. Humans can be so casual with their feline companions – it’s sad.
WereBear
Three cats who already get along? This is an awesome instant Cat Civilization (three or more cats.)
MazeDancer
Three cats who love each other is a great number to have in a home. They entertain each other. They are not lonely when you have to be away for a night or two. Yet, they still like to interact with their People Parent.
Anyone, anywhere who would like an instant family, remember, BJ folks contribute happily to transport funds.
These are very cute kitties. Interesting about the female being orange and the male tabby when it’s usually the other way around.
catperson
I can’t tell you how much I wish I could take these guys. *sigh*
FoxinSocks
@WereBear:
Ha! “Cat civilization.” I love the term.
Thanks, guys, for all the support and well wishes. Just the positive energy makes a difference.
CorbinDallasMultipass
You may want to contact a local montgomery county patch.com chapter to work with them to post an adoption notice. Here is Bethesda: http://bethesda.patch.com/
lurker dean
I really hope they can be kept together, so cute. I’m at my limit with 3 or I’d be interested. I’d definitely contribute. to pet transport if they can be kept together
WereBear
Set up a tweet with all 3 links in it. Good luck!