On this closing look again at our most inspiring adoptions of 2024, we’re reminded that regardless of how difficult a cat’s journey could also be, each one among them deserves — and might discover — a loving house with the fitting care and help.
From overcoming medical hurdles to patiently rooting for our shyest cats, and supporting adopters by way of powerful moments, we’re right here for each cat, each step of the best way. Thanks for standing with us, making these transformations attainable, and altering lives!
Andrew’s PICK: Davis
When Davis arrived at Oakland Animal Providers in February, he was already dealing with an uphill battle. By March, when he transferred to Cat City, and I introduced him into my own residence to foster, I may inform immediately he was a particular cat. Davis was identified with pododermatitis — a painful situation affecting his paws — and we began remedy immediately with our veterinarian. However as we quickly found, there was extra to Davis’ story.
Andrew fostered Davis and monitored his well being.
Not lengthy after bringing him house, we observed one thing uncommon: Davis would expertise paroxysms in his sleep — sudden jerking episodes that usually left him urinating the place he slept. Over the following a number of months, Cat City labored intently with our veterinarian and a veterinary neurologist to resolve what was occurring. We dominated out infectious causes and tried a number of anticonvulsant drugs, hoping to ease his signs. Not one of the remedies labored, however by way of all of it, Davis stayed his candy, affectionate self.
Davis is a contented lap cat. Photograph by David Yeung.
Davis shortly grew to become some of the memorable cats I’ve ever fostered. He was a lap-warming skilled — all the time prepared to twist up for a snuggle. And when he wasn’t in a lap, he was clumsily chasing after toys, making everybody smile at his goofy willpower. We knew he wanted a really particular adopter — somebody who may handle his situation and love him for precisely who he’s.
In October, Davis bought his likelihood. A sort adopter agreed to a trial adoption, absolutely understanding the care he wanted. With Cat City’s help, they labored out a routine to handle Davis’ sleepy-time episodes and incontinence. Seeing him pleased, beloved, and thriving is the sort of ending that makes our work significant.
Davis’ story jogs my memory why we do what we do. Each cat deserves an opportunity, regardless of how sophisticated their care may be. I’m so grateful to everybody who supported Davis on his journey — and particularly to his adopter for seeing the unbelievable cat we noticed in him.
Davis. Photograph by David Yeung
Suzanne’s PicK: TOBLERONE
Toblerone got here to Cat City scared and avoidant. Photograph by Teresa Wooden.
It was a wet night time in early February after I first encountered a pair of putting chartreuse eyes with probably the most nervous expression I’ve ever seen. They belonged to Toblerone, a 9-year-old male from a house with 16 different cats whose guardian had handed away. Peering out at me from beneath a blanket within the darkest nook he may discover, Toblerone was clearly fearful and shell-shocked over his current transitions, and spent weeks hidden beneath his companions, nearly invisible.
Toblerone had a severe respiratory sickness upon arrival, and there was an extended highway forward to assist him be taught to belief new folks. He’d squish himself out of attain behind the opposite cats, and was so deferential and hesitant that they’d usually swoop in and take the treats meant for him. I needed to distract them so he may obtain direct consideration, and located him longing for affection, leaning closely into cheek pets, craning his neck for chin skritches, and pushing his head firmly into my hand. We knew it could take a really particular, very affected person individual to see what we may see in him.
Suzanne gaining Toblerone’s belief. Photograph by Nicole Dial.
Then, one afternoon in late September, I bought the decision that might change Toblerone’s life endlessly. One among Cat City’s month-to-month donors and her 17-year-old pal Kiki had attended a Cat City occasion the place Kiki spent a big portion of the night visiting with our good-looking panther. She fell in love along with his large inexperienced gold eyes and rumbly purr, and that was all it took. Kiki’s household understood he would require time and persistence, which they’d had already discovered because the guardians of one other senior cat from Cat City, who had handed away across the time Toblerone had initially arrived on the Adoption Middle.
Toblerone discovered to beat his fears. Photograph by Nicole Dial.
Now each time anybody asks, “The place’s Kiki?”, the reply is normally, “Oh, I believe she’s beneath the mattress with Toby!” When the 2 aren’t beneath the mattress, Toberlone (now Toby) will be discovered performing hallway acrobatics late at night time. The household experiences that he accepts head kisses with quite a lot of dignity, too. Listening to this made my coronary heart soar, and was a potent reminder of why I really like my job a lot.
Toby’s journey is emblematic of the Cat City mission: he’s proof that with time, persistence, and many love, cats like him can have their lives circled. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of a corporation that may see the potential behind a pair of extensive, fearful eyes peering out of the darkness and into the sunshine.
Dilara’s PICK: Magic & Pixie Mud
Cat City is a magical place: We watch cats rework from fearful to not, from sick to not. We watch them blossom, but typically there are hiccups alongside the best way. It is a story of a cat aptly named Magic who, because it turned out, simply wanted a sprinkle of Pixie Mud.
Magic. Photograph by David Yeung.
Pixie Mud. Photograph by Suzanne Hollis.
Magic was a stunning assured younger black cat, changed into Oakland Animal Providers as a stray, then adopted and returned inside a number of days for harmful conduct and vocalization. Once we noticed that, we thought, no biggie — he simply wanted extra time to settle in. We introduced him into our Cat Zone, a veritable playground for younger energetic cats like him.
Magic enjoying in his studio. Photograph by Nicole Dial.
Whereas Magic beloved each human he met, he struggled with different cats — a lot in order that we needed to home him solo. Once more we thought, no biggie. Such an exquisite boy, we are going to discover him the fitting house. And we did! An excellent house with a baby and a canine, each of whom he bought alongside superbly with, and a dad or mum who was cat-savvy. However inside days we had a name: He was wreaking havoc even with enrichment, consideration, and one other pet to play with — crying nonstop, and even knocking down the TV. We gave recommendation on feeding, enrichment, wand play, routine… however the behaviors continued, and the adopter reluctantly returned him.
At Cat City we attempt very exhausting to make good matches. And even so, returns can and do occur. We don’t see returns as failures — we see them as alternatives to be taught from, for all events. We’ve extra info now, and we prep the adopters for all of the behaviors we all know they might see. We do further screening and counseling, and set Magic and the adopters up for fulfillment.
However this occurred twice extra, each with good adopters dedicated to seeing it by way of, who nonetheless realized they have been in over their heads after Hurricane Magic landed! We determined we would have liked to attempt one thing completely different for him.
Pixie Mud helped soothe Magic’s power. Photograph by David Yeung.
One thing from our common playbook is to rigorously pair high-energy cats with different cats, as they get a lot train, enrichment, and social interplay.
Enter Pixie Mud! This little woman was a stray that had, by way of no fault of her personal, ended up in quarantine. However this perky kitten was so candy, social, and cat-friendly, that I knew she can be Magic’s finest likelihood at having a pal. After a really gradual introduction (our studios are nice for that!), and eventual integration, Magic’s conduct shifted to calmer. As one employees individual stated, he was a modified man after he bought married!
His subsequent adoption, along with Pixie Mud, was a hit! The 2 now reside with a canine and two great people, who ship us common updates. Magic by no means displayed the behaviors he had displayed in (at the least) 4 different houses.
I really like their story as a result of it each exhibits Cat City’s perseverance in the direction of making issues proper, and in addition serves as a humbling reminder: We people aren’t the be-all for cats. Typically, it’s one other cat who makes the distinction, and we serve solely to set the stage and permit for that magic to occur.
Finest buddies Magic & Pixie Mud. Photograph by David Yeung.
Wish to learn extra of those tales? Right here’s Half One and Half Two on this weblog sequence!
Cowl picture by Nicole Dial.
