Movement at last

 After an adoption drought (despite the rainy weather), there have been adoptions and movements of cats.

Dexter got adopted by a man who "has experience with difficult cats". It has been 4 days which is 3 days longer than the last time he was adopted. So fingers crossed. 

And Betty has gone to a foster home. And Hermionie has gone to Katie's to live. And two of Honey's kittens have been adopted naturally including the super friendly Socks. Left are Luna, Scarlett, Patches and Panther. Honey is posted as 10 months old. What a heroine!

Honey plus 4 this evening at dinnertime.

The Squee litter in Isolation has been moved out except for Pumpkin who is still there and being treated as infectious. Two have . . . ? been adopted. . .. disappeared. And two are in Dexter's condo. They are still dedicated to eating.

Spots and Marmalade

We have new cats on Better Row. Moet and Jerry were surrendered. I will try to find out why. They seem to be a lovely pair. Jerry is the ginger male who is friendly. Moet is the ginger and white girl who is wary. Or the other way around!

Jerry and Moet

And Calli is under Josie who is getting friendlier every day.

Calli

As are Theresa's big cats in the stand alone in Incoming. They are very food oriented. They loved it when they were getting 2 month old kitten rations.

Theresa's three

Trude and Prue would like to go back to those good old days. But with patience, Sue is getting them used to being touched.

Trude, Prue and Sue

And for entertainment we have: Meatball, PC and Derek. Meatball is a comedian, PC is an opportunist, Derek is a fanatic (aka a kitten).

Lily and Patches gone

 The nice couple came yesterday to adopt them. Even Tim agreed that they are nice people. But he didn't give them the round hidey hole that Lily lived in for the first month that she was with us. It is worn to tatters now and would hardly have been a pleasant gift to get. But Lily would have been comforted by its familiarity. 

I cut off the worst of the shredded covering cloth, cleaned it, gave it a good spray and put it into their Enclosure, in memorium, so to speak.

A woman and her wheelchair pusher came to visit some cats because Jiji's, the cat cafe on Eastern Valley Way, area for wheelchairs is in the open and the weather was not conducive to sitting outside today. They wheeled out the back and I immediately put Harry on her lap. They were both delighted and had a good pat and cuddle. He is such a tolerant cat.

But later, when he wanted food, he showed his loud side. And when he got out of his condo and wanted into the main cattery, he showed his determined side. Such a character.

Talking of which, Betty has been in the stand alone by the door. She tries to engage every person who walks through the door. I thought perhaps she wanted to play rather than just wanting more food. So I put up the Top Cat straight-wise, wheeled her stand alone into that area and had a vollie try to entice her out with a wand toy. No way was Betty going to go out of her stand alone, thank you. She might have for food, though. I gave up eventually and pushed her back to where Cooper was. She can watch other cats wander around and play. And Cooper can be the door warden when he is not sitting on his poof under the computer desk.

Later I let Pebbles and Sebastian into the Top Cat. On Wednesday they were very reluctant to venture out of their condo. This afternoon they came straight out and started to play.

Pebbles and Sebastian

The only other photo I took was of Barry and Blaze. They looked so comfy on a newly warmed up hot water bottle. Wonder what happened to the hotty cover?

Barry behind Blaze

A family (Mum, Dad and teenaged daughter) came to look at kittens. Luckily they rather fancied champagne kittens. They wanted to compare Ryan's colouration with Josh's. So we let Ryan walk in front of their condo. . . in the gutter. They all enjoyed that. The family has gone home to think about it and check out the foster kittens. Irene says that we have even more champagne kittens almost ready to be uploaded.

Today's two

 I was late again today because of DH's eye jabs. Thanks Sharon for feeding the breakfasts. And to Catsie for schlepping out some poo bags even though she put them in an already emptied Willoughby bin. I decanted them into our bins which are in the basement now. And filled the Cousins bins. Don't know if they had been emptied already today. I will find out on Friday if they are still full.

One of our vollies is being trained to be an animal carer and needed to be videotaped while playacting as a vet assistant talking about the diseases that you can get from being licked by a dog. I was horrified! So many worms. Not to mention bacteria and viruses! The script did not mention that the dog should be  treated with worming medication so I added that to her script.

Then an English accented couple arrived to look for a cat. They have always had long lived cats and decided when the last cat died that that was the last one. But after a year or so, they miss having a cat in their lives. They brought a 10 year old cat with them when they emigrated to Oz who lived to be 21 years old.

When they arrived, Cooper was wandering around. Turns out the first cat their  son adopted was called Cooper because he had another cat called Mini and loved the car! When Mini died he acquired a cat called John. So I thought our Cooper was a sure shoe in. But they liked Lily and Patches. We went around everybody. They like a pair of cats and not too young. We have lots like that. But they liked Lily and Patches. They needed to go home just to really decide and see what equipment they still have at home. Later this afternoon, they rang and said that they REALLY want Lily and Patches and will come in tomorrow (from Redfern) or Friday to take them home. Hurrah!

Lily and Patch

 Michelle who volunteered with us a year or two ago came to pick up a scratchy pole because she is going away on holiday and needs stuff for her cats to be entertained with by her house sitter while the family is away. She also took photos of cats that her daughter might like. . . . but won't decide about until they get back from holiday.

And another couple arrived at 4pm to look at our cats. They didn't know about our website so I pulled it up, they took a photo of the url and after a quick look around at the availables said they would look at the website and come back soon. Plus, she said she was interested in volunteering.

It was hard to find time to feed the cats let alone to take any photos. Here are some from last week. Yin and Yang haven't moved since then.

Yin

Yang

It was pointed out to me today by a vollie that Bassuria has some nasty looking lesions on his side. I noticed Julie licking him last week.

Julie and Bassuria

Shortest stay at the Safe cattery

 I arrived around noon and Chewy, Joda, Leia and Luke just beat me. They came from a foster home. By 4pm Leia had been adopted! The lady who met her in her foster home decided that she was needed in her home.

Luke and Leia

Chewy and Joda

They are next door to Lily and Patches who do not like to be able to see their neighbours. New or otherwise.

Lily and Patches

The kittens got a scratchy pole inserted into their condo when Geoff arrived. So we had to move them into the play place. Inserting a stratchy pole means that the whole enclosure needs to be moved, rescrewed, re curtained, and replaced. I imagine that the kittens will stay in the play place overnight. 

Martin had a turn there and was really happy running around and sitting with/on any visitors. He is a real sweety when out of the stand alone.

But the best news of the day is that Molly was adopted. A young woman came to meet our cats. We spent time saying hello to everybody. I thought that she was just doing a recee but after talking to Irene and getting Molly's background, she called her partner and said "I WANT HER". FIV, no teeth and all. Mind you, Molly behaved beautifully with her so it must have been a match made in heaven.

And late this afternoon Betty gave birth. When I left there were perhaps 5 wee slugs. There may be more by morning. I didn't like to disturb her so she missed out on afternoon tea but I imagine that Geoff gave her a good dinner.

Betty plus ?5

Hammock havoc

 On Wednesday I wondered why Mia's top shelf was on the balcony and her hammocks were gone. Tim told me today that she seemed to be stuck on the top shelf and couldn't get down. Subsequently, she had pee'd and poo'd up there. That is why it was drying out on the balcony.

Also on Wednesday, Robyn brought in a cat igloo that her Charlie had jumped on the top of and collapsed. We decided that if it was that frail it wouldn't cope with our cats, flattened it and put it in the recycle paper bin. Today it was still there so I re-erected it and gave it to Mia. It took her about a minute to settle into her pineapple.

Mia well camouflaged on a black blankie

I also reinstalled her top shelf lower down.

Mrs Claws and co are all desexed and ready to go. They love their hammocks so I gave them more.

Still not enough hammocks but some kittens should get adopted this weekend.

Patches uses her hammock. I knew that because it is covered in hair. I managed to grab their black igloo while they were both out if it and got another two kitten's worth of fur from inside it. Later, Lily was on the top shelf looking longingly at Patches in the rectangular hammock. When I placed her on the triangular one, she stepped, regally, back onto the shelf.

Patches

Cassie is slowly coming around to being away from her foster home. She is said to love cuddles, but she is a bit hard to reach.

Cassie

And Martin has come in from a foster home and is upset too.

Martin

Adoption Tails: Patches, Vinny and Andy

Andy Adopted April 9, 22 

1 day: He's going well. He has eaten and used his litter box. He's come out a couple of times for pats but has mostly stayed hidden under a cupboard. He escaped from the laundry and decided to make his new owner's office his room. 

Andy

1 week: He has explored around the house and is happy. 1 month: Andy has fully settled in. He moves around the whole house confidently, and is playing and eating normally. 

Andy at play

1 month: No message sent but the photo says it all.

Andy at work

Vinny, Adopted April 5, 22 

1 day: Vinny is doing quite well. He is eating, drinking and using the litter. Starting to explore out of his safe room a bit and is curious about our dog. Kept his name Vinny.

1 week: He is doing well!!! He is exploring the upstairs area and going on the balcony. He is slowly coming downstairs. 

Patches, Adopted April 4, 22 

1 day: Settling down... he has been drinking and eating. I think he is still trying to find his bearings as he hides under furniture but will be perfectly fine as he is actually quite playful.

His owner then sent photos rather than words.

Patches

 

Adoption tails: Santa Maria and her kittens

Santa Maria

 Santa Maria (Dolly) was adopted on 7/8/21
1 day, 8/8: Santa Maria is still hiding under the bed. She is eating well and using the litter box. She has poked her head out from under the bed to eat a treat from Caroline's hand.
1 week, 14/8: Dolly still spends a lot of time under the bed but last night she appeared at her new owner's bedroom door and jumped onto the bed when her name was called. She also ventured into the lounge room for a quick visit while her owner was working. She always comes to her owner when she sits down near her and chats to her and purrs.
1 month, 7/8: Dolly has settled in really well. She is sweet and loving and has started talking to her owner with squeaks and purrs. We have been recommended us to all her friends.

Petite (adopted on 8/8)
2 days: Petite settled in very quickly into half the house and is slowly exploring the other half now. She is very cuddly.
1 week: Petite is doing great. She is becoming more and more confident each day and couldn't be loved more.
1 month: Petite loves to sleep in human beds; she is very loved and seems really comfy in her new home.

Norma and Petite

Norma (adopted on 8/8)
1 day: Norma is doing well. She has come out of her shell and started asking for pats and is sleeping on her man's lap while he is working. She started exploring the rest of the flat. She is very affectionate.
1 week: Norma has settled in really well and loves her pats.
1 month: Norma is a massive attention seeker. She wakes her owner up by sleeping on his face.

Snowy (adopted on 12/8)
1 month: Snowy is a bit naughty at times, especially when she gets the zoomies, but her new family loves her unconditionally. Her owner is grateful for making the process easy and for guidance when required.
 

Snowy

Patches & George (adopted on 21/8)
1 day: Both are still hiding, as expected. Their owner has set up a wonderful separate room for them and knows that he can't rush things.
1 week: Patches and George are still in hiding and they are hissing sometimes too. They are eating and toileting well. Patches will eat food from her owner's hand and let him pat her when eating, George will not eat near that man but he will come within 3m of him and watch him.
1 month: Patches and George are quite comfy in their room now. They play with each other and make lots of noise when the owner is not in the room. Patches accepts pats, George only does when he is eating. Slow progress is being made. 

George (L) and Patches in "their" box

Adoption tails: Blockbuster weekend

 So many cats were adopted from Safe this past weekend:

On Saturday: Honey, Mini, Mixa, Patches with George, Sock

On Monday: Misty, Pooh

Misty

 

Pooh, Piglet and Tigger

 

Misty was still in Incoming last Friday. And I didn't get around to sorting out the Wind in the Willow kittens. It will be easier now there are only two left.

And remember the delightful Bailey? He is one happy cat now.

"Do we have to get up?"

"There is enough room for us both here"

 

His person's daughter is going to adopt Emerald who has been living with Irene and family.

News of Harry and Harley after a week in their new home:

They’re doing good. Took a little longer for Harry to come out from under the bed, but by the end of the week they’ll both play with their new owner. They also took their first steps out of the bedroom and have been exploring the rest of the apartment. 

Sudden noises or larger movements do make them retreat to the bedroom but they come back out shortly after. The owner can get quite close to them as long as s/he doesn’t touch them and they are comfortable enough to eat in the human's presence and outside the bedroom.

Will Silky stick?

 Soxy is back. His new owner is frightened of him. He was very pleased to see me this afternoon. I think he, like Mini, is really happy to be back home.

Soxy

 

Wilson went to the vet this afternoon for his vet check. So I took Petal into the play place to see how she would cope. She was fine while I sat on the floor with her while she explored. Then I got my lunch and took off my mask and she hid under the tall scratchy pole. After lunch, Robyn arrived as did some customers. Katie was going through the paperwork with another woman who adopted Daisy. So I popped the masked Robyn in with Petal. They had a lovely time. Lots of cuddles and happy to be carried back to her condo. Do masks make us more appealing to cats?

Petal

The customers were a mum and her two kids (under 10). They have been enjoying looking after a pair of older cats that a friend left with them when she went overseas. Covid struck, the friend was stuck overseas, the kids really got used to having cats to play with. Then the friend came back and claimed her cats back. They thought initially that they'd like older cats like the ones they looked after. So I introduced them to Marigold and Mini who both behaved beautifully and let little kids pat them (Who'd a thunk it!) After lots of consultation with mum, photos taken, extra pats with Patches (who didn't behave very well and George hid) they chose Tip (because that will make more boys in the family than girls). 

Tip

Tim quickly vaccinated him and they took him home. Lucky Tip will have a great life. And perhaps Socks will accept Mo as a hammock mate now.

Alice brought in her kittens (in floods of tears). They hid in the box until I coaxed them out with a magic ping pong ball. There are two black kittens, Barrington and Hiccup. Barrington is bigger. The tuxedo is Momo and the tabby is Gia.

Momo

Gia and Barrington or Hiccup

What goes around. . . .

A beautiful cat was surrendered today because his people plan to go travelling around Australia. His name is Wilson. But his name was Merry. He was adopted, as a kitten, from AWL in January, 2017. Unfortunately I don't have a photo from then. But do you recognise him?

He arrived with a very tearful owner and a trolley load of litter and food. Other cats arrived to take our numbers above the 50 who were there when I arrived early. I came with a gift of 6 pots of grass from Catsie. As they were such tall pots of grass I gave them to our adult cats, like Red.

Coco chewed on her's and Mason's and had a gratifying upchuck (which is exactly what Catsie's cat did when she taste tested the pots.) The nice man who came on Wednesday and took a photo of Snowy came back with his wife. Snowy was gone but Patches was on display because before breakfast I took away her and George's squat box. She retreated upstairs to the comfy bed, he stayed downstairs in the corner. After breakfast I gave them a taller, shorter box into which I cut two windows. George moved in but Patches stayed upstairs in a comfy bed. She stayed there all day long being a sensible cat. The wife rather fancied Dolly (who doesn't!) mostly because she is mostly white and they have cream carpets. All our cats are shedding hair at the moment. The wife was worried about black hair on her carpet. She rather liked Petal.

The lovely Kristine who rescued Petal brought in Tabitha, another cat from the same colony.

She had spent a lot of time cuddling with Petal, so Petal was in a very mellow mood until she saw the nice man's hat. When he took it off she was fine. Everybody was wearing masks but none of the cats seem to be phased by masks. I moved Mini's stand alone to the corner where she was before. She is happy there. Sue came this afternoon and wanted character references for each cat for the web page. I went from cat to cat, patting and chatting. That was when I discovered that Max seemed to have trouble fitting through the porthole in the single condo. So I put him into a stand alone. He complained loudly for a while but soon settled down and by dinner time, was quite happy with his position by the front door. It must be good luck to have a black cat beside your front door.

Last little one

Billie was desexed yesterday. She managed to get her leg through her collar while asleep in her igloo. She has potential adopters lined up being the smallest kitten until Christmas, probably. Opal was being adopted when I arrived this afternoon. I chatted to Sandy who was trying to engage Harry and Harley with the fuzzy three string interactive toy. Harley watched it. I found the last feather toy and Harley was much more interested in catching that. [I need more feathers. The birds around here don't seem to be loosing theirs. So if you have some, please may I have them to make more feather toys.] Opal did not enjoy being in a cat carrier. We could hear her next door. Her new owners were thrilled.

By the way, Jet is settling in beautifully to her new home. Other cats who were desexed include Dolly in incoming who is the mother of Socks, Mo and Tip. Mo is still very "don't touch me" while the other two are "Whatever". Rather like George who hides in the box clutching Patches while the rest of Santa Maria's kids are as friendly as she is. She rolled over to let me tickle her tummy this afternoon. What can I say. . . . . "cats!" A couple of sisters arrived to look at Charlie. One of them couldn't get away from him while I showed the other around. They changed places and Charlie liked the other sister too. Decision made. Adoption processed. Lucky them. I will miss Charlie.

The other cat with potential adopters is Valentino. He was more interested in MORE CHICKEN this afternoon.

So was Lucky. (Isn't she a pretty pus when she is not spitting?)

Of course, Harry and Harley were most interested in chicken. Somehow their door opened and Harry ventured out as far as the wheely trolley. All I had to do was to wave the chicken in the play place and he scurried back in. Such a relief.

Harley is in front with the black elbows and Harry is in the back with the white elbows.

Different digs

We decided that Lord Dudley needed a better box. The box he had was low and long. We found a box that he could sit in rather than having to crawl into.

He approved.

Petite and Norma were left overnight in the play place. I thought it would be nice if their sister who usually sits outside the box containing her brother and sister, could join them. The microchipper told me that she is Snowy. It is Patches who stays inside the box with Ginger. The other two were more interested in having pats from me when I took her into the play place. But they greeted her with licks and rubs. It was quite sad to put her back into the condo with the exclusive pair.

But somebody else needed a turn in the play place. I took Zelda thinking that if she ran around for a bit it might help her tummy. She sat in a corner. So I sat with her and gave her a massage concentrating on her tummy area. She loved it and purred and purred. Then I thought, perhaps she is taking air into her tummy as she purrs. Then she farted. Whatever . . . she enjoyed it.

I put her back into her condo which gets sunshine in the late afternoon, and wheeled in Harry and Harley who love it there because they have space to chase each other.

Then a neighbour arrived with his ?7 yr old daughter for their regular cat pat visit. It struck me that Miko came from a family with children. The father rang a couple of weeks ago because the kids had begged him to find out how she was getting on. Miko REALLY liked the kid. The kid liked the cat too. But dad said "What about the dog at home?"

Max in incoming was super friendly to Robyn while she was cleaning him until she tried to wipe his floor with some paper towel and then whap! Makes you wonder what his past experience with paper towel is.

Charlie is available. Wonder how long he will last.