Shelter Cat Late Bloomers

If you love cats, sharing makes us purrrr :-)

Despite a steady adoption rate, some shelter cats linger. I’ve been hoping Kelly a cat I featured last December might have been adopted but no, his card was still up.

Ditto, Buddha the humongous tabby featured in February. Buddha has lost weight so that’s progress and both are out of cages but still it’s daunting. There are shelter cat late bloomers like Pablo, Uma or Marco who need more socialization, those timid or bored cats who’d rather hide or sleep or those older, black cats that fail to dazzle in a room of livelier competition. And these are the lucky ones because they aren’t in a cage like the majority of cats at New Rochelle Humane Society.

The cats living in a communal area have to work out their territorial issues in a relatively crowded room. There is some privacy and places to perch at different levels but all the litter boxes are in a row. There is one large water bowl and one kibble bowl. Wet food mealtimes twice daily are placed in the center of the room.

It’s not what I would do but it’s not up to me. Every shelter has a different protocol. NRHS usually only have 12-16 cats in a room the size of a large living room with a high ceiling. Some shelters will have 20+ and it’s more stressful. There is usually an alpha cat or bully or two jockeying for power. It’s mostly harmless squirmishes but if it gets really violent, someone will wind up in a cage.

Can you tell who the alpha cat is this this pic? You can be sure it’s never the one lurking in the shadows hiding unless they are thinking of an ambush. In this case, the large gorgeous, part Siamese boy and deceptively sweet Wolfie, is large and in charge. I’d love to see him as solo cat and give the others a rest.

I won’t even mention kittens and longtimers in cages but as always, you know every share, tweet, Pin may land in front of the person ready to adopt one of these deserving cats. Thanks and if you have a question for me about any of the cats features, please leave a comment.

Check out our Instagram page (or click on the widget below, right side for more shelter cats pics.

14 Comments

Skeeter and Izzy

August 21, 2015 at 8:09 AM Reply

It is so sad to see so many linger and for shelters not to follow good cat social set ups. The food and water and litter boxes should ALWAYS be spread out in any SITUATION WHERE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE CAT! These guys don’t ask for any of this and the least we can do is try to make it as stress free as possible. We are thankful that they at least have some chance at a decent loving life.

Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo >^..^^..^<~

Penelope

August 20, 2015 at 4:05 PM Reply

We always feels for the shelter cats and wants to take them all home.
Kisses
Nellie (and Mom)

Penelope

August 21, 2015 at 8:22 PM Reply

Mes dreamed mes was bubbles and mes floated to visit yous Merlin and mes put a picture of it on my blog today!
Kisses
Nellie

da tabbies o trout towne

August 20, 2015 at 12:40 PM Reply

guys….we hope everee single last one oh ewe finds & iz IN yur foreverz by de end oh thiz month ~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

Annabelle

August 20, 2015 at 12:22 PM Reply

The only thing that is good is that these kitties are indoors and have the chance of a forever family. We purr that they are all given their chance.

Flynn

August 19, 2015 at 5:54 PM Reply

It is very sad for the cats who have been in the shelter for too long. I hope they get their homes.

Maggie

August 19, 2015 at 3:04 PM Reply

There’s always hope and love. This week a shelter favorite, Jazmine was adopted. She is a black cat who was ten years old when she came to PAWS four years ago. At least she was in an open room with other cats and lots of visits from people (potential laps).
It is discouraging to see all the cats in cages- those too aggressive to be out with other cats or with special diets or medical problems.
Time spent with the shut ins is so important.
It’s wonderful that you visit with them and publicize the shelter cats.

Don’t you think it’s odd to mark “s” or “n” for sex on their information cards? What’s the equivalent in cat terms for dehumanizing?
xxoo

Brian Frum

August 19, 2015 at 2:32 PM Reply

We so hope they all find the love they so deserve.

Ellen Pilch

August 19, 2015 at 11:11 AM Reply

SO sad when kitties are in shelters for so long. Two of mine we in a NJ shelter for 2 years before I adopted them. I would have guesses the cat the highest up on the pole was in charge.

meowmeowmans

August 19, 2015 at 10:47 AM Reply

They’re all so beautiful. We have our paws and fingers crossed that they find homes very soon, so that the kitties still in cages can be sprung. Thank you for all you do, Layla.