Cats:
Handsome and sweet Chester is now the companion of a guy who loves cats and really misses sharing his apartment with one.  Chester will be an indoor cat and well cared for, I’m sure.  Chester may even learn to respond to Spanish.

Veronica is being introduced to the second cat room.  She could lose a pound or two so this is the perfect place for her.  Since Veronica is also a black and white tuxedo, there may be some confusion with Iris.  However, their photos are next to each other on the boards so it’s easy to determine which tuxedo cat is Iris or maybe Veronica. White markings on the faces are quite different for each cat.  Iris will be leaving in a couple of weeks so that will put an end to any confusion.

Cats:
Another senior cat has joined the lobby girls.  As the only male, Tonto doesn’t seem to notice the snoozing girls around him.  He’s a handsome gray and black tabby but very thin.  His geriatric blood test indicates he is hyperthyroid, so he is on the same medication as ‘old girl’ Mitzi.  You’ll find Tonto sleeping on the window sill above the computer quite often.  We’ve offered him an assortment of cozy beds but he continues to balance on the narrow window sill.  He’s a sweet cat.  Too bad his former person didn’t want to care for him in his dotage.

Veronica is a short haired, black and white tuxedo that came to us at the end of January as a stray.  We know she belonged to someone since she is a bit round. Officially, she is now ours and we’ll get her ready for adoption asap.  Veronica has the run of cat iso and loves to do figure eights around your legs.  Do be careful when petting her as she has whacked a few folks unexpectedly with claws extended.

Kitten Dexter certainly didn’t last very long with us.  His new family adopted from us in the past and I’m sure he’ll get lots of attention.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, call the Orcas Animal Shelter at 376-6777.  The shelter is open daily from 2 until 5 or you can leave your name and number for a return call.

Cats:
Good reports from Topper’s new home indicate he has settled in nicely and become quite frisky.  He’s still trying to lure his people into feeding him whenever they enter the kitchen just as he did with us.  Topper has also claimed a spot on the bed at night.  Sounds like he’s another lottery winner.

Smokey Joe seems to miss the cats in his former room but we don’t think they miss him.  All is calm in the second cat room and everyone seems quite content. Smokey Joe has wandered into the lobby a time or two.  If he continues to behave, maybe we’ll make him a lobby cat.

Sheldon is now on an diet of Science Diet i/d for easy digestibility.  The canned variety seems to work for him and we hope the dry kibble will as well.  In order for Sheldon to have access only to i/d, the dry food in the lobby for the old girls will now be i/d.

A charming, beautifully marked kitten joined us yesterday as a transfer from the Lopez APS.  Dexter is 4 months old, quite gangly and long with big ears and a pointed face.  Mary commented that he look like an Egyptian cat except for his coloring.  Dexter has distinct tabby markings with four white paws, chest and white on his face.  It helps to think of him as an orange tabby tuxedo.  He was fostered with his sister and two older cats so he is super social and anxious to play with everyone.  As soon as he gets over hissing at the lobby cats, he’ll be free to leave the meeting room.  With Sheldon in the kitten room, we wanted Dexter to have his own place until he adapts to us.  He’s a special kitten and won’t be with us long.

A big thank you to:
Kt for giving Rusty a pre-trip bath
Mary for washing his dog beds
Phil for organizing Rusty’s early morning departure
Debra for driving ‘Rusty Express’ to Bellingham
and the following for offering to provide transportation other days of the week – Kt, Kathryn, Robyn, Barbara E, Margot and Midge.  I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone.

Cats:
One of our special cats found a home today.  Dear Topper is now the beloved cat of a couple who have admired him for quite some time.  The husband is allergic to cats but is crazy about the felines.  A stray cat triggered this adoption.  For the last week, a handsome, medium haired cat hung around their home in Deer Harbor.  They knew this cat belonged to someone because he was in great shape and super friendly.  The cat’s description didn’t fit any in our lost log so we provided a carrier and asked that the cat be brought in for a microchip check.  Yes!  The cat has a chip and was adopted from our shelter in 2009.  Mikey’s people were notified and picked him up today before we opened.  A big celebration all around since Mikey has been missing for 2 years.  He has, obviously, been cared for by someone because he is quite healthy and ‘large.’  The husband in Topper’s new home discovered he isn’t as allergic as he thought with Mikey around.

Topper is a special needs cat due to testing positive for FIV.  HIs new home is fully aware that he can’t be with other cats.  This is a great opportunity for one of our favorites to have a home supportive of his special needs.  We’ll all miss the big boy but can celebrate that he will have more space to exercise and lose weight.

Smokey Joe continues his ‘bad boy’ attitude with the cats in his community room so he is now residing in the space vacated by Topper.  We can contain Smokey Joe in the first mini cat room when we need to but, in general, he’ll have access to the hallway and kitchen areas.  Let’s see if his attitude improves.

Shy Shelton is now in the kitten room with access to the lobby.  We’re still monitoring his dietary needs but, so far, it seems wet/canned food is the best for his internal workings.

Dear old Rusty is adapting to the shelter but would certainly rather be with a person.  Dr. Joe has concerns about some of Rusty’s firm ‘lumps’ so samples were sent to the lab to determine exactly what they are.  Rusty also received a nail trim but the nails can only be cut a bit at a time. We’ve received blood test results but are still waiting for the remainder of the lab reports.  Rusty is amazingly active and still enjoys a good run.  I’ve been in touch with folks at Vizsla rescue and will send them the results of Rusty’s tests as soon as they are in hand and reviewed by Dr. Joe.

Cats:
Two of our younger cats will probably be leaving this week.  Rudy and Libby are going to separate homes but both will have a dog to train to respect cats.  Rudy’s home will include another cat as well.  Cat room 1 will certainly be a bit quieter without the very loud chatter from Libby.

Two cats have joined the shelter and will fill in the spaces when Rudy and Libby are adopted.  Chester came to us from a family on San Juan Island since their shelter is full and not accepting any more cats.  He’s about 3 years old and is a handsome light brown tabby with enormous eyes.  Chester is a very sweet cat and is now being integrated into the second cat room.  Today, we’ll move the black and white tuxedo into the second room as well.  Presently, she is un-named but I hope to correct that today.  She’s been hanging around the maintenance building at the school for several weeks and been fed by the caring crew there.