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Butler | Featured Furkid

This is Butler, another one of our sweet and beloved FIV+ boys.  Butler has been enjoying the environs of the hallway at the main shelter, lately.  And believe me, he is eating up the attention and living up to all of the personality traits outlined in his online bio, which states:

“I am that cat you will fall in love with! I am spunky! I am playful! I also love attention. I am a black and white tuxedo with a beautiful black smudge marking on my nose. I am done with all the demands of kittenhood but I have turned into a very playful and loving young adult. I am such a delight to play with but when I am all played out, I will cuddle on your lap. I am an FIV+ cat but that will never stop me in my tracks. Please consider adopting me today!”

I can attest that it’s all true! 

Visitors, children, and even seasoned volunteers have been having a blast playing with Butler at the main shelter.  He especially likes wand toys and will keep himself (and you) entertained for long stretches of time if you agree to sit and wave one around for him.  He is funny!  He runs up and down the hallway and loves exploring every nook and cranny of his environment.  “What’s in here?  What’s that over there?”  He’s a great cat!

Butler is cat #12102.  If you would like to meet him, contact us to set up an appointment.  Or, you can apply to adopt Butler now.  Get more information on FIV+ cats.

All photos: Esther Julee Photography

Catsby | Featured Furkid

The beautiful orange boys of the FIV House seem to have some of the most vividly colored coats we’ve ever seen, and the Great Catsby is no exception!  Plus, look at those gorgeous eyes!

Catsby is a big orange boy full of love who will greet you at the door and watch you as you leave — looking longingly out the window. His healthy, substantial build makes him especially satisfying to hug. He has an impressive purr and a surprisingly sweet little meow for such a big guy.

Catsby makes friends quickly with both cats and people. He will patiently wait his turn for attention and will let you know he’s there by tapping you on the leg or arm. Once you notice him he’ll happily lavish you with love.

Catsby’s easygoing, even temper would be great in a house with children. 

He is cat #11010.  If you would like to meet him, contact us to set up an appointment.  Or, you can apply to adopt Catsby now.

Nick Littlefield

This week a fond friend of Furkids and of cats everywhere passed away.  Our thoughts are with his family.  He will be sorely missed.

Nick Littlefield first met Renee Cardona, our Animal Care Manager, in October 2010 at a TICA (The International Cat Association) cat show.  They became immediate friends, bonding over their respective love of tuxedo cats.  That day, Renee got to hold Nick’s beloved show cat Boots and Nick came to the Furkids booth to meet Orion.  Just two months later, in December of 2010, Nick came to visit the main Furkids shelter here in Atlanta and ended up adopting Orion’s brother (and Renee’s foster cat) Leo.

Nick was very impressed with the mission and work of Furkids and became an ardent supporter.  He was instrumental in helping Renee and our staff learn the ropes at cat shows.  Meanwhile, he started showing his adopted Furkid Leo — who went on to become a Grand Champion in the Household Pet category.

Nick and his wife, Judy, often stopped by the shelter on their way to a show just to say hello and to let the staff see Leo and Boots.  He once saved a hungry little cat outside a Waffle House near the state line along I-20.  Our very own Carol Purdy arranged an exchange meeting to bring the kitty back to Furkids.  That cat was soon adopted into a loving home.

This past October, a number of staff, including Renee and Carol were blessed to see Nick, his wife, and the cats at the Party Cats Cat Show.  Everyone was happy to see each other and it was hugs all around. Nick and Judy spent time with Renee, Carol, and all of the volunteers. They cheered on our cats as they began to place in several categories. As show patrons admired Leo, Nick was quick to let everyone know that Leo was a Furkids adoptee.

Nick loved all of his cats and they loved him. He loved everyone. He loved being part of the TICA family. He believed in Furkids’ mission and was glad to have gotten to know the Furkids family.  We are honored that he counted us among his friends.

Donations in honor and memory of Nick can be made here.

Doodle | Featured Furkid

This beautiful little domestic short hair tortie named Doodle is 10 months old.  She was found in a dumpster with her right front leg badly injured.  In the best interest of her health and well-being, the wounded leg was amputated.  Nonetheless, it did not slowed Doodle down in the least.  She has shown remarkable resilience and loves to run, leap, play and do everything else a healthy happy kitten enjoys.  Her personality shows regular signs of her being bossy, bold, and sweet.  She’s very cute, loves to talk to you, and will allow you to pet and hold her in small doses.  Then, she’s off again!

And, hey!  How about this: She’s a champion show cat!  Indeed, she was entered recently in the Sophisticats TICA-sanctioned cat show that was held in Forest Park in mid-April.  She won not one, but two, 1st-place prizes!  She also won one fifth place prize.  This means that Doodle now has TICA points.  She would make a beautiful show cat in the future. 

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Doodle would do well with a quiet laid-back cat companion or as an only cat.  She is cat #12080. If you would like to meet her, contact us to set up an appointment.  Or, you can apply to adopt Doodle now.

Gangster | Featured Furkid

Don’t be fooled by Gangster’s thick neck or tough-guy scowl — he’s a big softie inside!

Hanging out with Gangster is like hanging out with The Dude — he’s cool, he’s laid back, and he’s a loyal friend. In fact, he is quite protective of his buddies.  If he ever thinks one of his fellow kitties is in trouble he is quick to jump into action in case he needs to offer assistance. We’re sure he’ll show the same devotion to his human family.

His handsome pale orange coat is an uncommon delight and perfectly complements his deep gold eyes. He is truly a loveable and adorable boy and will instantly win you over.

He is good with other cats, but doesn’t like dogs. Take this big blonde boy home!

Big G was born in mid-2003, making him 9-years-old.  His ID number is 11447.  If you would like to meet him, contact us to set up an appointment.  Or, you can apply to adopt Gangster now.

Get more information on FIV+ cats here.

Volunteer Groups – March

With the month of March comes Spring Breaks across the country.  With those Spring Breaks come great college student groups to Furkids.  How lucky are we?!

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OSU ("OHIO") students at the Thrift Store

OSU students painting at the thrift store

Vanderbilt students at the main shelter

AmeriCorps group at the main shelter

Vanderbilt & AmeriCorps at the FIV House

Vanderbilt & AmeriCorps at the Thrift Store

OSU Students with Samantha Shelton at the main shelter

OSU students getting some kitty loving in Room 1.

OSU pre-vet majors get an opportunity to observe Dr. Gordon on surgery day at Furkids.

Simon | Featured Furkid

Note: A few weeks ago we featured a young cat named Simon.  No, he did not age rapidly!  This is our “Old Man Simon.”  He’s a sweetheart.

My name is Simon. I’m an older gentleman who loves everyone. I want to be in the middle of someone’s lap, table or desk and especially where you are working. In fact, I was sitting in the middle of this bio as it was being written. I will stick my nose in your cup, glass, or plate; rub my head against your chin; climb on your shoulders; or meow squeakily at you. I will do anything to get your complete attention. I am sweet and loving. Please consider meeting me today and taking to me to my forever home.

Simon’s ID number is 11389.   Contact us to make an appointment to meet Simon, or apply to adopt him now.

Photo credit: EstherJulee Photography

Volunteers Needed: PETCO Sandy Springs

Back in early January we posted a notice similar to this one asking for volunteers at one of our newest adoption centers — PETCO Sandy Springs, located at 5938 Roswell Road NE. 

We are posting again to ask for more wonderful, generous, appreciated volunteer support at this location.

Specific needs are :

Volunteer Manager — someone to organize schedules, fill open shifts, and generally oversee the operations of the center.  If you think you might be interested, we can arrange for you to speak with volunteer managers of other adoption centers, or you can e-mail our Volunteer Manager, Belinda Kach, at volunteer@furkids.org to ask for more specifics.  Someone to fill this volunteer need would be VERY appreciated.  

We also need volunteers for the following  days/times:

• Monday AM & PM
• Tuesday AM & PM
• Wednesday AM
• Friday AM
• Saturdays and Sundays

You can work as little as 1 hour per week or several hours.  The amount of time you want to commit is up to you.  The work is highly satisfying and great fun to do in pairs!  So grab a friend, spouse, sibling, co-worker, child — whomever — and complete a volunteer application today.  After we receive your application, we will contact you for training and get you ready to start working with some great cats and people at PETCO Sandy Springs.  To learn more about our volunteers please feel free to browse through our volunteer pages.

Volunteer duties would include:

• Socializing with the cats.  This includes letting them out of their cages, engaging them in play, grooming them, petting them, giving them individual attention, allowing them to stretch their legs, etc.  Socializers also do light cleaning duties and talk to potential adopters about the cats and Furkids’ adoption policies/procedures.
• Cleaning the cat cages and the adoption room in which the cats are housed.  This includes refreshing litter boxes, refreshing food and water bowls, making sure the cat beds and other cage linens are clean, wiping down all surfaces, sweeping and mopping the floor, cleaning windows, etc.
• Volunteers would also be asked to make observational notes in a notebook about each cat after each visit and work with the volunteer coordinator to ensure supplies are well-stocked and managed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Existing volunteers do not need to fill out a new application.  Just contact us at volunteer@furkids.org and let us know if you would like to start volunteering at this location.

Double Adoption Day!

We get so excited when bonded pairs of cats get adopted together.  Today, we sent Liliana and Devon off to their new forever home with their wonderful adopter.

A few months ago, Devon (left) and Liliana (right) were surrendered to Furkids by a long-time owner.  These beautiful girls are 10 and 12 years old, so you can imagine how difficult it must have been for them to lose everything that was familiar to them.  Soon after they arrived, it was discovered that Devon would have to have her left eye surgically removed due to cancer.  She came through well after the surgery.

So it is with great joy that we get to see them off to a new home where they can be together and begin familiarizing themselves again with all the creature comforts of being adopted kitties — a nice owner, beds, sofas, windows, etc.

What a great way to end our week!  What a great way for Lacey, Liliana, and Devon to begin their weekend..and forever lives together! 

Simon | Featured Furkid

Little black & white Simon Cowell was born in August 2011 — so he’s a young one. He’s a shelter favorite — very easy going with a loving, sophisticated temperament.  He is a mush-pie when turned on his back in your lap or arms to have a belly scratch until he dozes off.

He’s a bit of a “diva” as he prefers fluffy beds for his naps and he is quite vocal when hungry.  He likes to claim the feed dish before the others, gently pawing them to move over.  He is also very attached to his scratching post and dangling toys. 

This sweet little guy makes good eye contact with humans, is super gentle, and does well with children — he is used to lots of holding. He has never been around dogs so it is unknown how he would do in a household with a dog.

Furkids staff will be the first to tell you that Simon will make you laugh with his silly antics and facial expressions. He was found homeless at 6 weeks old with three of his litter mates. 

Simon is ready to join you!  Contact us to make an appointment to meet Simon, or apply to adopt him now.  His ID# is 11538.