I have some news about Vincent, the orange tabby rescue cat whose best buddy is Torti, a dark tortoiseshell. Both live at Zeus’ Place, a genuine no-kill cat rescue.
I want to thank Jo Singer very much for telephoning the shelter. Because of her conversations with Kevin at Zeus she’s able to provide the following information.
Firstly, I am pleased to state that Vincent is not in a cage 24/7. Vincent is not being confined all the time. He gets out to play and romp and the staff and volunteers adore these kitties and give them a LOT of TLC. Zeus’s rescue cats get out overnight to freely roam the facility – they all get along – not too many at the rescue at this time. Vincent and Torti are now visiting Michelle, the owner of the facility, and are loose with her other animals. The two cats hang out together for the most part and are not concerned about the other animals. They are having a blast being in a home!
They have had Vincent since he was about 2 years old, and he is now around 5ish or 6ish – they are not exactly sure about his age.
Vincent has always been somewhat “grumpy”- does not particularly like people but he can warm up somewhat. He and Torti are completely inseperable and they do not want them split up. That is one of their requirements. These cats are simply bonded very deeply.
Kevin does not want them leaving the country. This is a response to the long shot suggestion that they might be homed in the UK if no one comes forward. The suggestion was born out of desperation really and a back stop position. However, knowing, now, how well the cats at Zeus are cared for and that they are strictly no-kill, the suggestion is redundant anyway.
They were extremely moved by the donation offers and they are interested in learning more about the declaw repair surgery if that is what is causing Vincent not to trust people and be aloof. If he is in pain. He seems to run around fine when he is loose. We talked about how cats hide pain. But they are open to have their vet evaluate the condition of Vincent’s paws.
Anyone within flying distance who is truly committed to adopting both cats will not only have to be vetted by us, but by Zeus. They will have to pass their requirements. They are very fussy about who gets their cats which is a good thing. I explained that we would also be vetting anyone coming forward.
That is the latest. Jo Singer is trying to get hold of Pilots N Paws to find out if any ground transport could be arranged for a potential adopter who lives a longer distance away than the 350 miles, They sometimes do this. Jo has called the pilot that she had interviewed but so far no response and no response to an email either although it has been read. Jo will write to Pilots N Paws directly again about the kitties.
Note: the words are 95% Jo Singers. Thank you so much Jo for your excellent work in updating and reassuring us. Thank you too for obtaining information that corrects our previous misconceptions. Extremely useful and most welcome.
I am pleased too because I had this dread that Vincent would be euthanised at some stage. Perhaps I have a jaundiced view of US cat shelters. Probably have.
It’s great that there is no urgency to get Vincent and Tori out of that shelter and I have a feeling the right person will come along soon if we wait patiently.
I’m sure they are ‘at home’ and comfortable enough, but as good as a Sanctuary is and as kind as the people are who look after the cats, there is nothing to compare with having a forever home.
Also if Vincent and Torti were adopted it would free up their space for 2 more cats who might otherwise be roaming the streets hungry and cold, or killed for lack of space in another shelter.
I think the upheavel of being taken out of their present comfort zone would be well worth it when they settle in their very own home.
You don’t think they are too comfortable or at home where they are?
The urgency was my big worry. The stories we read about no-kill shelters creates a sense of urgency.
I was concerned that he was going to be euthanised at some stage but not knowing when.
The position, I am delighted to see, if somewhat different.
I am not sure how this will work out now. The PoC funding offer still stands so everything is in place for an adoption. When you think what is on offer: free transport, no adoption fee and $600 funding, if Vincent and Torti aren’t adopted I’ll be flabbergasted. In fact it will say something about cat “ownership”.
Well said. Good points. The fact that he is almost permanently at a cat rescue and badly obese does tell us that declawing isn’t a solution to anything. It is the opposite for me.