For cat adoptions, always see LAST HOPE first!

Zinnia loves to play at our cat tree

 Click HERE to see the rest of our Beautiful Black Cats!

Pets, Pets, Pets- by Joanne Anderson BEACON 7/10/08 “Mr. & Mrs. Smith, do you take Kitty to have and to hold, to cherish in sickness and in health, for as long as she shall live?” “We do.” Purrfect cat adoptions like the one above last ‘til death do we part. However, most folks select a cat or kitten superficially- usually by coat color which is not a reliable predictor of compatibility. The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match –Feline-ality™ suggests that the adopter look deeper into the cat’s true colors- purple, green or orange. No, this program is not taken from a Dr. Seuss book. Meet Your Match-Feline-ality™ is based on the idea that all cats (and cat owners) are NOT created equal. The personalities, wants and needs of individuals from both species differ. Replacing your beloved deceased tuxedo with another tuxedo cat is not a guarantee of a match made in heaven. These 2 cats could be as opposite as night and day. The brainchild of Dr. Emily Weiss, certified animal behaviorist for the ASPCA, Meet Your Match (both Canine-ality™ and Feline-ality™) is scientifically designed to increase adoptions, and more important, to make the adoptions stick, by first assessing behavior traits of the cats and desires of the prospective owners, then pairing them up in a fun, color-coded way. Here’s how: CAT CRAYOLA: As part of Meet Your Match, the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) method analyzes a series of behaviors in each cat awaiting adoption. It rates Felix on confidence and sociability, which Dr. Weiss notes are independent of each other. Felix is let out in an unfamiliar room. The rater uses a stopwatch to log the amount of social interactions, for example, counting the seconds spent as a lap cat. The tester also monitors cat noises and blink rate- also indicators of sociability. Then the shelter worker initiates some interaction, offering varied toys, a hand, and a hug. Each interest earns Felix some points. Results assign the cat one of 3 color category tags, additionally broken down into 3 subtypes: * “Green” cats are unflappable and adventurous, further classified as the “MVP”, “Party Animal” or “Leader of the Band”. The “Party Animal” is described as saying “I’m a cat on a mission. PARTY! I love to…explore and test my limits. I’d love to play with you but I can make a toy out of anything: pencils, post-it notes, potatoes. If you’re looking for some laughs and someone to liven up the party, think about inviting me.” * “Orange” cats- the “Executive”, “Sidekick” or “Personal Assistant” put the “good’ in good company. * “Purple” felines- the “Private Investigator”, “Secret Admirer” or “Love Bug”- are fairly quiet and tend to stay out of trouble. FINDING YOUR DREAM FELINE: Shelter visitors are asked to fill out a Cat Adopter Survey containing 19 short questions. This provides insight into preferences (eg. “Do you like a cat that is talkative?”), expectations, lifestyle (such as “I would consider my household to be like: a) a library, b) middle of the road 3) a carnival”.), and pet expertise. Your results tell the shelter which type cat suits you best: * “Green” adopters are most successful with cats who adapt quickly to new situations. * “Purple” people are perfect for pussycats who need time and TLC to adjust to new surroundings. * “Orange” folks are a good fit with the all around companion cat. I’LL TAKE BACHELOR CAT#1: Of course, adopters aren’t obligated to choose a cat that is their color match, but statistical testing of Feline-ality™ in 5 pilot shelters has shown to be highly successful- 40-45% increase in cat adoptions, and 45-50% decrease in returns and euthanasia. Since the program was launched last fall, many more shelters are beginning to use Dr. Weiss’s model. The bond between pet and guardian is crucial. I’ve heard Dr. Weiss speak about Meet Your Match. She stresses how important it is to cement the relationship between the new animal and owner. Once attached to the pet, people are more apt to forgive or work out small transgressions and address unforeseen health issues; hence, less likely to return the pet to the shelter. Sadly, we live in a disposable society. Pets are too often tossed out like ripped pantyhose. Forming forever friendships is the goal of shelter placements. MORE CAT TIPS: If your shelter doesn’t use a rating system, you can still see beyond color and age when adopting a cat. Take the cat out of the cage. Preferably go to a quiet “Meet N’ Greet” room where you can get to know each other. Watch how interested the cat is in you and in distractions. How does he act when you pet him or when someone else enters the room? Final advice- opt for a finished product. Yes, kittens are adorable, but it is harder to tell “que sera”. Most adult cats will show their “true hues” now- just like a permanent magic marker. FOR ADOPTION: This week “The Evicted” pose as our featured cats at Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon. A group of 18 cats were peripheral victims of an eviction in May. As a cooperative effort, Last Hope Animal Rescue fostered some and asked Dr. Laura Gay Senk to do dentals and neutering at the shelter. (The procedures happened the same day Ch. 12 came to film the lost Feist heading home to Atlanta.) Dr. Senk also spayed two females at her hospital. The outgoing (Sidekick?) black and white and a gray tabby (shown here) are both boys. The remaining eviction cats are housed in the shelter’s maternity. Out in a lobby cage this kitten wearing an “Adopt Me” vest must have read what I said about choosing adults over kittens so he’s campaigning for all the youngsters at shelters. Male Dogs: young Rottweiler Cage 2; “Panda” the Border Collie mix Cage 7; “Jefferson” Shepherd/Shiba pup Cage 19; “Scooby”-comical Pit mix Cage 4. Female Dogs: “Brandy”-Pit/Lab Cage 39; Jack Russell in the Puppy Room.

In the beginning, God created man, but seeing him so feeble, He gave him the cat ~ Warren Eckstein

Our Cats For Adoption are Spayed and Neutered, Feline Leukemia and Aids Negative, Inoculated, Wormed, and LOVED by Our Volunteers

REASONS TO ADOPT A CAT

A cat can reduce your blood pressure and help prevent heart disease
Cats are affectionate
Having a cat fights depression and loneliness
Cats are entertaining to watch and fun to play with
Cats provide companionship
Cats will cuddle up with you on a cold evening
Cats are independent and can be left alone while you're at work
A cat's mere presence will ward off unwanted mice and pests
Cats are comfortable in small spaces like apartments
Cats are very clean; they bathe themselves!
A cat's purr is instantly calming and relaxing
Cats are affectionate
Just 15 minutes a day of playing with you will satisfy a cat
Cats are easy to house train, especially adult cats, who are probably already house trained
 

HOW TO PROPERLY INTRODUCE A NEW CAT OR KITTEN THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS TO GO SLOWLY !!! Keep in mind that the resident cat most likely will view the new cat as an intruder.  It may take a month or more before the new cat is accepted by the resident. Keep the new cat confined to a room with his own. Provide food, water bowl, litter box, toys and bed or sleeping spot. Allow the resident cat full run of the house except for this room. Let them sniff under the door at each other even if he hisses or growls etc. Give something the new cat has slept on to the resident cat and vice versa everyday. After several days to a week, depending on the reaction of the resident cat to the newcomer, let the resident see the new cat by mean of a screen across the doorway or while you are closely supervising the interaction. Give them short periods of contact, slowly increasing the time as they adapt to each other as judged by the various signs of aggression such as hissing, growling, etc. Give more attention to the resident cat than the newcomer especially in the presence of the new one until the resident cat accepts the newer one completely. Do not permit actual physical contact until both your resident and new cat seem comfortable with each other. Do not leave them unsupervised until certain no physical aggression will take place. Never permit any fighting whatsoever! Avoid future conflicts after the introduction period by not letting the new addition take over the resident's favorite snoozing spots or toys. Keep feeding/water bowls & litter pans separate until resident cat shows complete acceptance of newcomer. Remember to: 1. Always make sure the resident cat is healthy & current on vaccinations. 2. Be sure new cat has been tested for Feline Leukemia and Aids before bringing it into the household. 3. ALWAYS adopt from Last Hope!

 

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT FOR LAST HOPE Download a volunteer application

THE LAST HOPE CAT ADOPTION CENTER
OPEN DAILY
581 West Jericho Turnpike
Huntington, NY

Monday 1-3
Tuesday 1-6
Wednesday 4-6
Thursday 1-6
Friday 1-6
Saturday 12-5
Sunday 12-5

   

If you would like to adopt one of our cats, please call
631-425-1884 and leave a message