These Three Cats Were Almost Euthanized

Shirley, Sheela and Twist were rescued on March 10 after spending the past two weeks in cat jail. I hadn't planned on rescuing Twist. It just kind of worked out that way.

These three cats were almost euthanized.

I have a habit of watching the GCAC urgents list on Facebook to see which cats are adopted or rescued. When it looked as though Shirley and Sheela weren't going to be rescued or picked to go up for adoption, I emailed Andrea at the shelter and told her if no one spoke up for them I'd take them. Andrea got back to me that there were two other siblings (Shirley and Sheela are nine month old sisters). I emailed Andrea back that I could only take the two of them. I'm hoping someone will step up and take their two sisters. I don't like to take too many newbies in at one time as to not stress out the cats I already have.

Shirley - an interesting coat type

I'd been watching Twist for the past week. The expression on his face was heartbreaking. His shelter photo reminded me of Lily. Twist was actually crying in his photo. No one was stepping up to rescue him and his name was quickly coming to the top of the euthanasia list. I'd already agreed to pick up Shirley and Sheela on Thursday. On Tuesday I emailed Andrea and confirmed Twist, who was sponsored by a lady who didn't want to see him die. He was already neutered so I knew his rescue wouldn't be any problem. I'll probably change his name. I'm just waiting for him to tell me what he'd like to be called.

So Thursday morning after work I headed to Greenville, SC to pick up the newest members of Furby's Halfway House. A good day to go because it was raining cats and dogs. I didn't get a good look at Shirley and Sheela as they were hiding in the very back of my cat carrier. Twist is a beautiful gold and white tabby. I kept him in the front passenger seat and he watched me from his carrier all the way home. Yes people, I talked to a cat for an hour and a half. And yes, I think he listened. He asked for chin rubs through the mesh of the carrier.

When I arrived home with my new babies we opened the carrier Twist was in and let him explore. All of the other cats were in Laura's room so as not to frighten him. He walked around a bit then hid behind the couch. At some point he went into Laura's room and went under her bed. I like to call this the transition phase. He'll probably be under the bed for at least 2-3 weeks before he's comfortable to come out with the rest of the cats. He did come out long enough to eat, drink and go to the litter box.

Andrea had told me at the shelter that both Shirley and Sheela had been pregnant. That put them into high risk after their surgery. She gave me Clavimox for them as they felt a little warm to her Thursday morning. We put blankets down in the tub. The two part food and water dish is in the tub with them. Their litter box is on the floor near the tub. We didn't close the bathroom off in case they wanted to explore.

Shirley came out on a couple of occasions. My breath caught the first time I saw her. She has to have a LOT of Maine Coon in her. She and Sheela are both gold and gray. A very strange but beautiful color combination. Shirley is the brave and beautiful one, and Sheela is the sweetheart. I don't think they'll have a long transition in the tub before merging into the population. The younger the cat the shorter the hiding time.

Shirley and Sheela both like being petted. I just wonder what they think when the kittens come into the bathroom and use the litter box set up for them. The kittens haven't tried to play with the new arrivals. I believe they know the two sisters aren't feeling up to playing yet. The funny thing is my daughter caught Furby taking a nap in the tub with them Thursday afternoon. I think he's going to be extra close to these two cats.

In closing, I'd like to mention I have a chip-in account started for spay/neuter on Mandy, Sammy, Jasper and Casper. Here's the link -- link broken late March 2013 sorry. They didn't go through the regular system at the shelter where their surgery was included in the pull fee. They were too sick or too young for it to be included. As you may recall, my first rescue didn't even have names on the kittens. So I'm trying to raise money for their surgery and any inoculations they need. Any help at all is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping everyone who supports my work and my writing will each donate $2.

I also have a new website at Furby the Cat. Here I have photos from each of the rescues, plus a sanctuary page. I also have a page there I call "What Love Can Do" when you'll find before and after photos of my rescues. It's amazing how quickly their expressions change from hopeless to happy.

Elisa