Adoption Tails: Chanel, Tiger and Maxwell

 Chanel aka Winter

 1 day: She doesn’t seem to be eating or drinking yet. They think she has been in the litter tray but aren’t sure. She seems to be a bit lame in the back left leg. She won’t extend it and sort of moves around really close to the ground. She was definitely army crawling which she did at the shelter. She seems to be unable or unwilling to straighten her back left leg. That said, she jumps up onto the lounge. 

2 days

9 days: She has been renamed Winter and she is setting in. She is eating, using the litter box, gaining confidence, and exploring a little. “She is still very wary of our dog even though he isn’t really interested in her. She is still limping but improved slightly. She will get up on her toes and extend the joint a little.”

1 month: “She is settling nicely and we are all very happy”. They registered her with the council at no charge. “She has put on weight since coming home which is great because she was like a little kitten. She is also walking normally now.” It took her a couple of weeks to recover. Her owner suspects she doesn’t have the strongest legs and isn’t jumping to any great height. “That said she is fine and happy. She is much happier now so thanks again to the shelter she has been a great addition to the family.”

1 month

Tiger and Maxwell aka Bernie and Max

1 day: “The first night went amazing for Tiger. He certainly didn't waste any time making himself at home. He's eaten, used the litter tray and is finding all of his new favourite spots to snooze! He even slept with us on the bed the first night. He is currently lying on the bed under a ray of sunshine. I can't say the same for Maxwell. He ran under the spare room bed and hasn't come out since. He's eaten twice which is good. No litter tray use yet, though I did put it close by the bed in case he wanted to come out. We've been speaking softly to him and giving him space and time to come out on his own but I suspect it will take some time for him. Tiger is now Bernard. And depending on how Maxwell goes we may keep his name just for his comfort otherwise we were going to rename him Mo.”

2 days: They’re going to give Mo a wipe-down using fragrance-free cat wipes when he's more comfortable. “He came out and ate his food while I sat next to him which is big progress! He trusts us, just not enough to come fully out of his little room yet, but that's totally fine. We are patient with him.”

 

Bernie, 2 days

1 week: They decided to keep Max as his name because it stuck and he was familiar to him. “He's doing so well!” He ventures out into the hallway and is very chatty in the evening. He’s not yet comfortable coming all the way into the lounge room but his owners are confident he’ll get there. He has everything he needs in his safe room including a new scratching post, litter, food and a comfy little bed. “He's doing great. Bernie is just living his best life. Sleeps on the bed all day, has his daily zoomies at around 5-6 and does laps around the house playing with his toys. He's such a character! We got a big cat tower and he absolutely loves it. Spends his time there when he's not on our bed. Bernie certainly rules the house”

1 month: no message response but they sent photos

Bernie and Max, 1 month

She came

As promised to adopt Tiger and Maxwell. She brought her partner who had to sit on a stool because Tiger was on the guest chair! It will be interesting to see how they get on together. 

A woman arrived earlier to adopt Venus. But Venus hid in her carrier. Her condo mates/sisters were friendly enough but they aren't up for adoption. So I showed all the other available cats and the lovely lady feel for Lucky boy. I am sure they will be happy together as she is an experienced cat owner.

Robyn came to entertain the cats who were out. Helena usually runs around and plays but today Kate came out too. The toy was irresistible. Jagger needed it.

Jagger and Helena watch Kate play

Simon now jumps over the low barrier. He disappeared behind Opie's stand alone and pulled down his cover sheet. . . . just to annoy Opie.

Opie ignores Simon

 

While he was busy, his mum Ruby got head rubs from Robyn and was sent into a state of bliss

Happy Ruby

 

 

 

How many canines does Ginger George have?

I finished putting pockets for nametags on all of the aprons. It really helps to know names of vollies.

Pink carpet

 The blue Cousins bin (of cardboard/paper waste) was emptied today. But the red bin wasn't. Never mind. I promptly refilled the blue bin with the boxes that were delivered with merchandise for us to sell. Included were 5 large boxes with 4 large cat carriers in each. It took some time to put the first one together. But the second one was much quicker. It is a superior cat carrier and comes with a spare screw and a water/food bowl that attaches to the door. And the price was right.

And the blue bin is full again.

Two visitors this afternoon. One was doing the paperwork for Martini who is in a foster home. I assumed that Martini was a boy name (perhaps influenced by memories of Dean Martin). But this Martini is a girl. The new printer had a conniption fit and needed Katie and Tim's attention to get it to print out the relevant forms.

The other visitor spent lots of time looking for two boy cats, preferably with long hair to adopt. All his family have long haired cats. Kenzie and Hanna would have been perfect. . . . if they were boys (and available).

Hanna enjoyed her grass this afternoon

He fell in love with short haired Jordan. . . what is not to love.

And with Aster who is a girl and short haired.

And with Virgo's brood of boys who will be available later this weekend.

Eventually he decided to come back later this weekend when he has consulted his partner (who has 3 cats and a labradoodle) and his daughter who lives with him.

In the meantime, Maxwell had a bath yesterday. The water was brown. But he still looks grubby.

And Davo is wrapping the staff around his shaved paws.

Davo

 And finally I couldn't resist taking a photo of the house a few doors up the street with the newly landscaped front yard. Camellias have been spectacular this year.

Maeve returns

 Geoff brought her back. He dismantled the chest of drawers that she was hiding behind, sat beside her quietly for a little while, picked her up and put her in his small carrier. The woman who adopted her is in hospital with a cat bite. She has had lots of experience with cats, possums and bandicoots but has never been bitten before. 

By Maeve! 

Our purrball Maeve! 

Perhaps Maeve really wanted to be back with us and this was the only way she could manage it.

Maeve

Geoff decided that some of the back cats should have a wander while he did the feeds tonight as the usual suspects had a fine time out this afternoon. Maxwell was out in front. He settles down on top of Ginger George's stand alone after a short stretching walk.

Maxwell

Thelma and Louise ventured out but popped back into their condo when anybody approached.

Thelma and Louise

I really must find out who is who.

Geoff was going to give Pearl a wander as well as she is food motivated. Ginger Meggs is still not interested. There are two new cats on the other side of Gingi: Little Monster and Fluffy. No prizes for guessing who is who in this bonded pair!

Lucky day

 Lots of vollies today. I cleaned only one condo which took a good half an hour. Some clever person had put a pot of grass on one of the upper shelves in Luigi, Maria and Princess's stand alone. Some cat knocked it over. There was dirt over everything. Plus one of the ties on their hammock had broken, and water was everywhere and the litter was mostly under the stand alone and not in the litter tray. I forgot (couldn't bear to) take a before photo. Here is the after photo to prove that they can stay clean for more than 5 minutes.

top to bottom: Princess, Maria, Luigi

 

Ginger Meggs is in boarding again. He is to get play time every day. But he refused to come out of his condo today. Perhaps tomorrow. In the meantime, Milo got a good wander. Last time he was out he came when I called him. This time I had to search. He was on the very top of the boxes on top of the food shelves . . . . just to prove that he is a big, strong, athletic cat (and butter wouldn't melt in his mouth).

Milo

Simon likes high places too.

Simon

The surprise of the afternoon was Lucky boy. Cammy had him out on Monday afternoon and said that after an initial hiss, he was very friendly. He was the same this afternoon. He is a delightful fellow, with a kink on the end of his tail. He is good for a pat, a purr, a play and is willing to meet other cats.

Lucky boy

But the lucky cat of the day was Maxwell. Cammy was determined to give him a bath. I was going to help with the bandaging afterwards. But the cat shampoo was locked in the medicine cabinet. He missed out.

Maxwell

Roger's dirty face and grubby coat is probably due to ringworm. He must have the same fungus that Maxwell had when he arrived.

Roger

Still no new bins

 And, the garbos came early! Must be a new crew because as well as being early, they were extra neat. But it means that the bins are already full of yesterday's bags and we will have to all take home a bag or the balcony will be overfilled by next week.

There were adoptions so we had condos to sterilize and cats to move.

Another Stones kitten, Mick, was adopted so only Jagger and Ronnie were left on the play place. They moved into where Rajah and Genie were as they were adopted separately over the weekend. Virgo and her 6 kittens moved into the play place. The kittens had a marvelous time running, jumping, climbing. They will sleep soundly tonight. Virgo found a nice corner to lie in and was quiet for the first time ever.

Marmalade and Duchess were also adopted yesterday. Their condo is now occupied by Narnia and Angel from Quarantine. Cammie had some trouble to get them to go into a carrier and ended up just picking them up and carrying them there. We did the same thing for Jagger and Ronnie. Big kittens are more tractable than adult cats!

Narnia and Angel

Cammy thought it would be a good idea to let out McQueen and Donatella. Previously McQueen played around outside and Donatella stayed in the stand alone. This afternoon she came out to play and had such a good time that she didn't want to go back into the stand alone. Ginger George played ball with them.

Tiger supervised the play

On the other side of the Top Cat barrier, Simon and Maxwell played separately (as long as there was somebody to twitch the toy.) Later Aslan came out, climbed over the Top Cat and settled back to groom himself. When I lifted him back into his condo, he felt damp.

There is a new kitten in Incoming called Roger. He is a mess.

but cute, Roger

Loose screw . .

. . .  on the right side of Virgo's condo. There is a screwdriver in a jar on top of the filing cabinet to tighten it up. Nothing wrong with Virgo that won't be cured by her kittens growing up.

Vicky wanted photos of some of the cats that need to go up on the Adoption list. Joy took some beauties. I helped Vicky find out what the cats are like.

Maxwell is a love. He chirrups and loves to play and although he looks a bit rough he is really a sweetie.

Maxwell

Maeve is out on Better Row and hides on her upper shelf. I climbed the ladder and found that she wasn't a bit interested in the creamy treat but was very interested in being patted and petted.

Maeve

Just like Jasmine who is a lovely cat and couldn't get enough attention. 

Jasmine

She can't mix with other cats in Welfare because of her infection history. Her kittens, Rajah and Genie have been moved to Welfare and have the same quarantine restriction. They are where Milo used to be. Milo is around the back in Boarding.

Rajah

Genie

McQueen and Donatella have been taken off the adoption list (I thought they had been chosen) because they have an intestinal infection that is being treated. I decided not to change their hammocks which are looking grubby.

McQueen and Donnatella

They had an interesting afternoon because Cammy decided to tidy up the merch shelves. They look much better. We decided that duplicate of cat beds can be stored elsewhere (in Opies Room). And I think we should give everybody who adopts a cat a free cat bed for the rest of the month. . . . at least.

No show garbos

 After all Dean's effort to get the poo bags out on time, the garbos didn't come today. Shit!

There were heaps of vollies so the work got done in record time which meant that lots of cats got to be out together with lots of supervisors/cuddlers. Milo thought there was too much action at ground level so jumped to the trolly, to the top of Maxwell's stand alone, then straight up to the top of the condos. All we could see of him were his ears behind the row of carriers. There he stayed until Rosanna arrived with a very tall American, and his daughter (perhaps). He didn't need much talking into to help get Milo down. And Milo didn't need much prompting from the giant. I popped him back into his condo.

Later when the vollies had gone and it was quieter, I let out Maxwell (so that I could change his hammocks). He is a very handsome cat with stricking markings and black balls. Callie thought he was lovely and chirruped at him.

Maxwell and Callie

After I put him back in his stand alone, I was able to pat Callie for the first time ever. She is soft, soft, soft. (Rosie, the fluffy mum stayed in her carry cage, of course.)

Callie

Then I let Aslan out and he had a grand leg stretch and cheek marked every vertical surface. Charlie didn't appreciate Aslan looking at him but everybody else seemed cool.

Aslan

Later we had visitors. One couple came to check out our boarding facilities. They have to go to Argentina to do some family business (her's) which will take at least a month. They met Ginger Megs' folk at a luncheon who mentioned how convenient we are and how happy GM was with us. So they came to check us out. He got the details. She doted on every cat. 

Later a mother arrived with her 2 kids: girl about 8 and boy about 6. The kids, and dad, want a cat. She hasn't had one before. Daughter wants a kitten. Son wants a cat who will love him completely. Mum was undecided. Dad is in Melbourne. They will be back. Today the choice was between Simon, Miranda and Milo. Milo was very good with the overactive, loud boy.

Milo and friend

In Quarantine, where Joy slaved away, there are some kittens who might be added to their not-so-short list:

Aster

Dahlia

And if they are prepared to wait a little longer there is always Adele's three in the Junk Room. And others.

Adele + 3

A recurring pattern?

Today Marmalade and Duke went to be desexed. 

Duke and Marmalade

They are both ginger,  have been with us since they were tiny kittens and it was just assumed that they were both boys. They came back Marmalade and Duchess! They had a lovely trip to the vet on a sunny morning. They haven’t, perhaps, ever seen or felt sunshine. They pressed their bodies against the door of their carry cage to absorb the warmth.

And we are not quite sure if Saffron is a boy or a girl. His/her tummy has the typical, desexed female sag/spare handbag. We did manage to remove the remaining clumped bits of fur from his/her side this afternoon with the rechargeable trimmer.

The fluffy pair of the C kittens originally named Clementine, Claudius, Cornelius and Cordelia and all tortie, to a greater or lesser degree, went to be desexed and came back to their sisters all with Elizabethan collars this weekend. (The vast majority of torties are girls and if they are boys they are XXY and sterile which would save us money.) A group of young folk who are about to move into a flat where they have permission to have a cat came to look at some of our older cats. Then they saw the C kittens and fell for them. They will watch the website like demons and come in at the first listing to claim one.

There was lots of mixing of cats in the Top Cat in spread out mode. . . ie rather than just being the extension of one condo, you can stretch the Top Cat so that is creates a ”fenced” area in Welfare. Most cats don’t seem to realize that they can scale the mesh sides of the condos and climb up to the top where they can hide amongst the carriers (which is a great relief. Even though Opie often clambers up there to lord it over everybody else). So we mixed Tibby, Tabby, Alfredo, Helena and Kate who all got on well. After we put them away, we wheeled in Lola and let her out. She hissed at some cats but eventually agreed to play with a fluffy wand toy. She put herself back into her stand alone after 20 minuets so I wheeled her out and rewarded her with the chicken remnants. She licked the spoon clean.
Outside the Top Cat, Tiger, Ginger George and Maxwell all enjoyed separate, stretchy walks to entertain the confined cats in that area. Opie disported himself in Incoming.

Opie on (Katie's) his desk

Maxwell is a very handsome boy. His squinty right eye is because that eyelid has had surgery to correct  an inward roll which made his eyelashes scratch his retina. It doesn't stop him talking. . . as long as there is someone  to talk back to  him.

Maxwell

Jolene is boarding

 Her new owner picked her up as planned but then a pipe burst in her apartment so Jolene is staying with us for a week while it is fixed. The vollies were overjoyed. She got lots of cuddles. She wears a very fetching pink collar which matches her ears.

This morning a couple arrived to look at Prada (adopted over the weekend), Milo and Baloo who walked straight into their hearts. Their 20year old cat died late last year and they were ready to fall in love. Baloo was IT. They got the urinary problems are common in cats especially in highly (in-)bred ones lecture and went away very happy.

Baloo last week

We have a new B cat who lives where Tiger used to be: ie beside Biscuit and above Bissie. She came from a vet where there were barking dogs and she attacked the vet nurses. She seems as sweet as she can be with us. Her back end is bronzed.

Bella

Because Baloo vacated the stand alone, Maxwell moved in. He came into quarantine with rampant ring worm but is all good now. He likes to chat. All you have to do is look at him and he will talk to you.

Maxwell

Salazar is settling into his AWL condo slowly. The vet decided that he has a dicky heart as well as a warty chin. He wouldn't survive chin surgery. We should offer him to somebody who wants a fragile but super-loving cat to foster.

Salazar

Saffron has moved into Salazar's old digs above Bassuria and Julie. He looks somewhat overwhelmed. His owner visited over the weekend and is adamant that we not "give him away" to anybody else. He is still boarding with us.

Saffron

Julie and Bassuria

Milo has a funny toe.

Milo's missing toe

what about the other foot?