Thursday, September 26, 2013

Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week

Its Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet week and we wanted to add our two cents.  We've unknowingly adopted several less desirable cats and would like to share our experiences.


The first "less adoptable" who came into the mom's life was Robbie, a handsome silver tabby mancat.  He started greeting the mom when she came home from work and eventually took up residence on her porch.  She doesn't believe he was a stray, just a young kitty looking for a different home.  When she took him in one very cold and stormy night, his owners never responded to her efforts to find them.


So what was his undesirable trait?  He was FeLV positive.  She was heart broken when he died of leukemia a short 6 years later.  The other resident cats, Leia and Attila, never came down with the disease and both lived to 15.  In these days of testing, he might never have found a home, even though he was fun, loving and a joy to live with.

The second undesirable was Lumpy.  The mom always loved him when she visited her sister.  He was quirky in just the right ways.  So when her sister had to move and the apartment didn't allow animals, she asked the mom to take him.  His undesirable trait?  He was 10 years old!

Lumpy the Elderly.

Lumpy was a survivor who succumbed to kidney failure and cancer at 18.  That tough old bird lived with the mom longer than Robbie, who was about a year old when he came to live with us.  So you never know how long you have to enjoy a pet, regardless of their age when adopted.

The third undesirable you know well.  That's right!  Its Carl.  We're sure you sympathize with us for having to live with such a horrid cat.  The blight he has caused is astonishing!  

Carl the Menace.

In all honesty, when the mom adopted him, she thought the trouble with black cats involved possible cat-nappings around Halloween.  She's since learned the worst problem is how hard they are to photograph.  To the superstitious who really believe black cats are bad luck and won't adopt them because of it, the mom has some advice.  Buy an amulet, go have your blood let and leeches applied to your head.  That will put your humors back in balance and will help you think straight.

Mica Minnie Moo the Shy.

Its possible Mica Moo many fit into the less adoptable category.  At the root of her problems is a basic mistrust of people.  She certainly would be fearful and shy, and not "show" well.  She was far too young and on the streets far too long to act like a socialized cat.  We're sure some people would have given up on her.  Even the mom had serious doubts in the beginning, but she hated to go back on her promise to give MMM a good home.  She has been more work than all the other cats put together, but maybe one day she will be comfortable around people and react just like a normal house cat.  What a pay off that will be!


So here's to all the lovely, different animals out there!  Remember, variety is the spice of life!  Lets practice it when adopting our pets.  

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!  Stay safe and we're purring for all to have good weather.

16 comments:

Pat Hatt said...

We've had a few growing up too and with Cassie Cat and her issues, many would have gave up on her as well.

The Island Cats said...

What a great post. Y'know, I'm a black cat and am considered less adoptable. Phooey I say! And one of the reasons why Zoey lives here is because she is considered less adoptable. Like MMM, her mistrust of peoples would never score her any points.

Ernie

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

When my human brought Boodie home, she was not a less-adoptable cat - she was a NON-adoptable cat! She was nine months old and hissed and cringed when approached by humans. It was my human's job to socialize her. Which she pretty much did - Boodie is still shy around company, but she is fine with my human and her boyfriend. She would have gladly handed Boodie back for adoption... except the rescue never called for her! That was over 10 years ago.

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Great post! Less Adoptables make wonderful furbabies!

Jenn said...

I love 'less adoptable' pets, they can make wonderful additions to a family just like any other pet.

Kitties Blue said...

Every kitty has a redeeming quality, even if he or she has bad habits/traits, is ill or shy. They all deserve loving and caring families and homes. You are blessed because you understand this and have opened your doors and home to kitties that others would not have. They're the ones who missed out. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

AnnStaub said...

I hadn't heard about this week yet. Thanks for sharing. That is sad about your Felv cat, but 6 years seems like a nice long time for a cat with that disease. Glad he got a chance :)

Marg said...

So true, the less adoptable cats are the easiest to love. It just takes some patience too. Glad you gave all those cats so much love and good care. Have a great day.

Cats Herd You said...

We love less-adoptable pet week, and din't know that Petfinder was having it again this year. We were trying to find information on it recently and couldn't.

Ashton is our household's current less adoptable pet. Found injured and with one badly damaged eye that required removal, she wasn't going to "show" well. She is still very shy and afraid of male humans, even the one she lives with. But she is talkative with the people she does accept, and cuddly with the head peep. Less adoptable pets make wonderful companions!

Brian's Home Blog said...

I really enjoyed you post and it just proves that love conquers the less adoptable image!

Admiral Hestorb said...

I can't find the words to tell you what a wonderful and uplifting post this is. Thank you so much. I wish it were posted on the door of every shelter!!!

Texas, a Cat in... Austin said...

It was a really lovely post and very originally put! The kitties are lucky to have found you!
Purrs

Anonymous said...

Thank you! We love people like your humans who see the less-adoptable are some of the best pets around! Purrs...

meowmeowmans said...

Excellent! Thank you, dear friends, for adopting by looking deeper, and with a kind and loving heart.

Most of our kitties have been "less adoptable," too. But what amazing companions they were. It's amazing to think that we would not have had Moosey, Gracie or Zoe. Or Angels Sammy, Maggie, or Graphite, either.

Katie Isabella said...

I am so grateful for this blog. This is the truth if I ever read it. These babies are perfect the way they are and deserve love just as do all the other kitties out there.

Saku said...

What a inspiring post! I had one cat I would call less-adoptable, Silver who disliked most humans, and most cats too.

I never regretted bringing her home. I only wish we'd more time, as she passed away after an unknown illness at the age of eight. I miss her still.