Geoff is home

 He had trouble getting home after 6 grueling weeks living in a tent and fighting fires in a very small town in Saskacthewan (300 residents plus 60 Aussie fire fighters). They were out fighting not only burning trees but burning ground under the trees every day. Only the heavy snow cover of winter will put the fires out permanently. The trouble getting home was Air Canada. Don't use it. His is the second disaster I have heard of recently. They did get home eventually though and Air Canada will be charged for the excess baggage that United Airlines charged them!

I did the quickest adoption this afternoon. A woman came in to adopt a cat from foster home for herself. She had previously adopted a cat for her mother. So she knew the routine. 

I asked Rong to count the carriers and the condos. We have 122 carriers and 61 condos. So even if there is more than one cat in a condo there will be enough carriers if we have to exit in a hurry. 

I didn't take any photos because Joy spent time photographing cats on Wednesday and her photos are beautiful.

On Better Row: 

Yahtzee plus 3

Geoff was very impressed with the blond kittens. (He has a weakness for Burmese-ish cats).

Willow

Geoff was delighted at how clean and relaxed her downstairs neighbour Archie looked. He promised to make Archie a new box/bar. Even Tommy looked sprucer to Geoff. But not as sparkling as Archie.

In Boarding: 

Bree

Who looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but she has a very solid right fist full of claws.

Callie

Who is getting more used to people now that nobody is trying to give her medicine.

New in the Enclosures:

Sterling and Dorian

Who used to be on Better Row and then went home to Irene for some months. They are still shy.

In Welfare is Cody who has magnificent furnishings but is not availble yet. . . still.

Cody

And Rain who came in as a possible pregnant but failed to deliver

Rain

Is Autumn in Incoming going to be another?

Autumn

Thanks Joy for the lovely photos. 

Adoption Tails: Rachelle, Charley and Champ, Shadow, Ursula and Earl, Magnus and Sterling

Rachelle = June

Rachelle, now June

1 day: The owner has renamed Rachelle to June. She is doing great, settled in very quickly. She frequently sticks out her tongue.

1 week: The owner had a few concerns about June who has some eye discharge in the mornings and doesn't eat her dry food. They've been reassured about normal vs abnormal eye discharge. Other than that, she is great. June is now very comfortable around the house and with the owner.

1 month: June is doing great. The owner has yet to register her as she needed to move as the owner was selling.

June boarded with us for about a month and went home on Wednesday with her lovely, relaxed person. She was a delight to have at Safe!

Charlie & Champ

1 day: Charlie and Champ are doing really well, all things considered. They've eaten (or at least the food given last night was gone this morning so one could've eaten both bowls or both of them ate) and they've used the litter tray. They have chosen under the owner's bed as their safe spot rather than any of the hidey holes (2 cat towers with hidey holes and additional one created by a blanket) set up so the owner moved a storage tub out from under the bed and put in their cat bed they had from SAFE. Charlie and Champ now have a soft place to lay down under the bed. The owner is camping out in the living room until they've settled in so that the bedroom can truly be a safe room for them. In the afternoon, the owner took in a treat pouch to give the cats for being so brave! They both licked some from the pouch when she reached it under the bed to them and to her utter surprise and amazement, both licked some from the fingers when offered! The owner is so happy that they aren't too spooked and felt safe enough to get some treats from the hand. She is conscious about not pushing them but felt it was special that they were so receptive to treats.

1 week: The owner opened the door to the bedroom (their "safe room") about 2 nights ago and they have spent all night exploring the living/dining room, hallway and bathroom. The owner was quite sick and ended up sleeping on a bed in her room rather than camping out on the sofa. Poor Charlie and Champ did not like the arrangement and stayed in the living room almost all night and not in any of the hidey holes. On a more positive note, the owner has heard them playing when she is not in the room. they both are accepting treats from the owners, even from her hands! Champ has given a few hisses if they're too close. Starting yesterday, both Charlie and Champ started to follow the owner into the kitchen to explore. "They are both just so sweet. I really hope they are happy with me."

1 month: Charlie and Champ are doing really well. The owner can give Charlie pats if he is laying on one of his many cat beds! She can't go near Champ unless she has a treat tube at arm's length but given time, she's hopeful he will get there. Charlie likes to follow the owner around and see what is going on, especially if he thinks there is food involved! They both spend the late evening playing and chasing each other have a favourite night time sleep spot together in the study. The owner has registered them both with the council and she is going to get creative to work out how to give preventatives to Champ considering she can't get close yet. All in all, they are both adorable!

Shadow

1 day: Shadow's been settling in really well. He's been exploring the apartment a little each day and has been using the litter tray and eating and drinking a healthy amount of food and water.

1 week: It's going really well! He's settled in perfectly fine and is now very comfortable with the owner and their roommate. It took maybe about 3 days for him to fully settle in since he was rather skittish for the first few days.

Shadow

 1 month: He's going really well! Great with guests around. The owners have had a few guests once every few days and he's always warmed up to them really well, taking about 20-30 minutes for him to warm up and then becomes super cuddly with them.

2 months: He's been playing a bit and settled in really well. They've had some guests over at some stages and he's always warmed up to them after 30minutes. His more playful side came out recently. The owner also gave Shadow a catnip toy for his upcoming birthday and he's having so much fun!

Ursula & Earl

1 day: They're both doing fine. Ursula leads the way in most things, she is a lot more outgoing, adventurous and playful but also quite protective of Earl. She would run back to cover him on the first day. Earl is very shy and reluctant. He is going to need a lot of time, patience, persistence and treats. He will show the owners where all the hidey holes are. They both eat and drink well and had no issue with the kitty litter. The owners will be changing their names but haven't decided on what will suit their personalities just yet.

1 week: They're ok. Ursula is settling in well but Earl still hisses a lot when approached. Loves his food though. The owners are hoping it will just be a matter of time for him to come around.

1 month: They are both settling in and starting to show their comfortable/naughty sides. The owners no longer have to spend hours looking for Earl's new hiding spot and Ursula is a very vocal kitten. Many nights now they've awoken to some loud bang or crash as they play throughout the night chasing each other around. Still quite jumpy and shy but definitely getting there with treats. The owners will keep working on them to make sure they are comfortable and happy!

Magnus & Sterling

1 day: Magnus and Sterling are settling well. They've been eating, drinking and using the litter tray without issues. They're more active at night. The owner has noticed Sterling's breath as quite foul and even saw some blood in his mouth in the morning. They've been cleaning it with some baby wipes.

Magnus and Sterling

 1 week: It seems like Magnus and Sterling are not fully ready to explore beyond their safe room yet so the owners are taking it slow. The door is kept open to help them get familiar with all the different sounds. They usually sleep during the day and wake up around 5pm. Sometimes, they would venture out after dinner while the owners are watching TV. They pretend not to see the cats to let them explore on their own.

1 month: Sterling and Magnus are doing great and bring so much joy to the owners' days. Magnus is still quite sensitive to spaces outside his room.

LOVE THE BOX!

 

 

Adoption Tails: 48 in January

 Adoptions that is. 48 is an all time record. Well done us. 

And today there were 3 more: Celine Dion (she will be beloved) and Dorian and Sterling together, at last. 

Not only that but the people who adopted Suki Sioux the "Siamese" rang to say that she is "going really well with everything."

Willow's kittens

Scout

3 days: He's as happy as Larry! Very confident and settled in beautifully! Couldn't be happier. So purry and lovely. The owners have not decided whether they will change the name yet so he is Scout for now.

1 week: He's great, currently sleeping in air conditioned comfort! Very playful and affectionate.

Scout

1 month: Scout is going really well, gaining weight and lengthening before the family's eyes. He had his final vaccination just last week and the vets are very happy with him. He's a cutie and very affectionate!

Maple, now Nina

 

1 day: Maple is settling well. She’s eating, drinking and using the litter tray. The owner has renamed Maple to Nina (after Nina Simone). She’s definitely got a loud and constant purr. Nina is actually having a nap at the moment.

Maple, not Nina

1 week: Nina is doing well! Settling into her furever home. She met her housemate, Nico and they're slowly getting along with each other.

No 1 month response.

Hunter and Pippa - Both adopted on the same day but Pippa was picked up 4 days later

1 day: no response
Hunter’s 2 week & Pippa’s 1.5 week: “We have decided to keep his name. It’s very fitting, they are both adjusting well and are confident moving around the house now”

Hunter and Poppa

 1 month: “They are amazing. Hunter and Pippa have really come out of shells, Hunter is a proper alpha cat and makes sure to hunt down any pesky flies. Pippa is just the sweetest little thing and cuddles up every evening.”

Ranger

1 week: “Ranger has been settling in so well at the moment, on day one we had him in his little safe room but our resident cat just wanted to get to know him and they've actually been getting on so well! They love sleeping next to each other at night and playing through the day so I think he's settled in amazingly. He has eaten and used the litter tray and drinks heaps of water so everything seems good on that end. I actually think we're going to keep the name as well!”

Ranger and big friend

1 month: “He's growing so fast every day. I wish he could have stayed little for a little longer but he's been doing so great”. His owners recently moved places. “we were a little worried the adjustment for both cats would have been tough but they were excellent and really kept each other company the whole time and helped each other become comfortable in the new space. They're getting on so amazingly and love playing/sleeping/grooming each other”

Cricket, now Pepper

1 day: “She’s very happy and bonding very well with my daughter. She is eating and drinking and has used the litter tray (for all functions). She is playing and exploring the room. She has been very affectionate with my daughter. We have renamed her Pepper. We are absolutely thrilled with her. She is adorable!”

3 days: They found fleas on Pepper so they will be giving her a flea treatment. “She’s still a bit skittish and wary of noises but she is settling in. She’s been snuggling up with my daughter.”

Cricket

1 week: She dashed out of the daughter’s room into the owner’s room and explored the owner’s room. She’s also followed the daughter into the bathroom. “We’ve let her out for short periods into the living area. She runs back to the bedroom if she’s startled. If there’s anywhere with dust she managed to find it (under my bed, under the buffet, under the TV)”. Her owner thinks she is very comfortable and happy. She came into the lounge room this evening. She sat on the owner’s daughter’s lap and fell asleep. Pepper meows if she wants the owner’s daughter. “They are a beautiful pair!”

1 month: “She’s doing very well. She has us well trained already. We really love her and she seems very happy. She pretty much doesn’t let my daughter out of her sight. She’s definitely found her home!”

Oscar (not one of WIllow's kittens)

1 day: Oscar's been great and started to eat/drink when he came home. They will keep his name.

1 week: He's been wonderful!

Oscar

 1 month: Oscar is great and the hot spot is drying up after a vet visit with some medication.

Grey Guy

 We had an efficient cleaning team and a quiet visitor day. Plus Katie's cats have all gone home. I imagine that everybody is happy to be there.

One visitor was Rose who brought in a grey cat with a story that Helen, Tim and Irene knew all about it. He is desexed but has no papers. She left bags of fruit, etc for Tim and Irene and "lunch" for Helen. The grey cat was sweet and friendly so I accepted him.

Grey Guy

When Helen arrived, she denied all knowledge of the cat. When she called Irene, Irene said "Oh, Rose" or words to that effect. I put him into the condo where Cuddlepie used to be in Incoing.

Cuddlepie got moved because Irene will bring three of her foster cats in tonight. She wants them to be close so that they can play together in the Top Cat. So I moved Cuddlepie to above Jack and Jessie. I don't think she likes having two windows of her hiding box exposed.

Cuddlepie

Jitterbug doesn't seem to be missing Falco. In fact, she was more friendly today than when he was around.

Jitterbug

Jessie and Jack

Jessie and Jack will be available soon. Perhaps we should auction them off to the highest bidder.

Sterling and Dorian are available. They really liked Jack who had a wander (with hidey holes in stratchy polls blocked by packs of puppy pads).

Sterling and Dorian meet Jack

There is a new, lovely ginger boy Clyde in Incoming. He has had teeth out so is on wet food. And his coat is a bit patchy. I hope we don't have another food sensitive ginger. 

Clyde

More movements

 Gracie has finally moved out of Isolation. Her kittens were all adopted months ago. Now she is on Better Row and looks more comfortable already.

Gracie

The morning team was super efficient this morning and when I arrived several were wandering around asking for things to do. Luckily, there are always garbage bags to be organised. And kittens to be cuddled. Sineada came in the afternoon to learn how to be assistant day manager. She got to hand out the chicken which was her reward after she tidied up the bowl shelf (the bane of my afternoons!)

I thought to put Bonnie and Ricky into the play place which is empty. Tim said "make sure you can pick him up before you take him there". No way was he going to be picked up. Bonnie is perfectly happy to be given a cuddle though. So Sineada and I put up the top cat for them and they had a lovely time. Big Kahuna enjoyed watching their antics. All will sleep well tonight. So will Ricki who got to explore the play place.

Bonnie and Ricky below

Below Billy are Quinn and Harley. Don't know where they came from. Both are torties. I thought Quinn was a boy's name.

Harley and Quinn

Dorian and Sterling were in the Palace by themselves. Geoff said that he was happy to be able to feed them without being spat at by Starlight who was at the vet. I set up the condo above Ashley (their sister) for Starlight because he might stop his spitting if the competition of two brothers is removed.

Dorian and Sterling below

Lola gave me "the look" as I arrived. I was carrying a litter tray of grass pots from Joan. I gave her a pot.

Lola's new possie

She rewarded me by licking the chicken bowl very, very clean.