Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Dooley

"Hello! Please, let me introduce myself. I'm Dooley. I'm four years young, and quite the dashing mancat in my tuxedo outfit, don't you think?

And - if I do say so myself - I'm really the perfect feline companion for you and your children."

"I just love kids of all ages (as long as they are kind and gentle).

How do I know? Well, for one thing I just love attention. If you pet me I will reward you with purrs and kneading paws! And if you stroke me, I will arch my back for closer contact.

In addition to having the most loving nature you've ever seen, I'm a handsome guy too. Wait until you see my beautiful green eyes. You'll be impressed.

Please come to GPSPCA Independence campus and let's get to know each other. I'd love nothing more than to come home for the holidays t\with you.

Holiday purrs,
Dooley"



Handsome Dooley is available to come home with you today at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA. 

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Flynn

"Hello, my name is Flynn and I have been waiting for my furrever home for quite some time. I am a petite girl with a beautiful velvety thick coat and the most gorgeous green eyes - and perfectly symmetrical tuxedo markings, too!"

"I spent quite a while at the shelter hiding under blankets until my foster mom took me home and discovered that I am actually very loving and affectionate.

I just prefer to lay beside my person and get endless petting and snuggling, rather than being picked up.

I also like other cats and I was a very good substitute mommy for many litters of scared kittens in my foster home.

I would love to have chance to prove what a wonderful companion I can be....

I would happily be your best friend forever, girl-scout's honor.

Hopeful purrs,
Flynn"

Sweet Flynn is available at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA!

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Albony

"Hello, thank you so much for stopping by to chat.

My name's Albony, and I'm a 4 year old grey girl with beautiful blue eyes."

"The nice lady says I just might have a touch of lynx point Siamese in me.
If that describes a girl who is eager to be friends and hungry for a loving touch, then that's me.

I've had a pretty tough few years. I can tell you from personal experience that being a single girl on the streets is no fun. In fact, it's downright scary.

I'm so glad I found my way here to Great Plains, but to be honest, I long for a relationship to call my own. A human who will love me forever.

Some of the kitties around me tease me, saying I shouldn't read so many happily-ever-after romance novels, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Do you know someone in the area who is looking for a girl? I'd love a chance to meet.
Who knows? Today might be my lucky day.

Forever dreaming,
Albony"

Sweet, beautiful Albony is available tpday at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA. Wouldn't you like to meet her?

***

Click here to help increase our donation to Great Plains SPCA!

Birthday Commentathon...and Giveaway!

Today's the big day: we're celebrating Allie's 7th birthday.
As you can see, she's out on the deck, supervising as dad fires up the grill.

Won't you join us? We're hosting a Kansas City-style barbecue, with all the fixin's.

Lovely fall-like weather - are the leaves turning in your neck of the woods, too?

In lieu of a birthday gift, Allie has asked this year for a donation to Great Plains SPCA in honor of her special day.

Now, as you know, that's not her Alma Mater. But we know the folks at Wayside Waifs will understand, given that they currently only have 30 available cats and Great Plains has over 400.

We're going to be donating cans of Merrick grain-free cat food
that we purchased from our local Petco!

So we're holding a commentathon all weekend, and the funds we raise will go toward purchasing loads of yummy cat food for the kitties.

Sweet Surprise!

We were surprised and thrilled when Merrick contacted us a few days ago and asked if they could join in the celebration, too.

Guess what?
They're offering one of you an entire case of delicious Purrfect Bistro canned food!

All you need to do to enter the drawing is comment below. Be sure to tell us if you have a preferred flavor, too.

Then scroll back up and hit the big green "I commented!" button in the Rafflecopter widget below.  You'll have until midnight Sunday evening, November 2, to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Allie: Thank you so much for coming to my birthday party!

Please enjoy delish grilled chicken and fish - prepared Kansas City-style, especially for you by our dad.

And don't forget to grab a few of these pawesome pink princess cookies too! Mother got them for me instead of a cake this year, and they're just too purrfect, don't you think?

Please, encourage friends to leave a comment, so our donation to Great Plains will be huuuuuge!

***

Many thanks to Merrick Pet Care for their unexpected partnership in this blog post. We were not compensated for this in any way, and the giveaway was entirely their idea. Cool, huh? 


Thank you! 

Allie received this lovely birthday card today from Truffles over at Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries & Meows - thank you so much for thinking of her!

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Swatch!

"Arrr, Mateys!  I'm Swatch and I'm ready for Meow Like a Pirate Day! Or to be a swashbuckling pirate this Halloween. All I need is a kitty sized eye patch and I'm good to go.

Some people call me a Special Needs kitty because I have one eye. And I hear whispers that people think I'm less adoptable because of it.

Arr, I say!  Make'em walk the plank!

I get around just fine!  And when I get time out of my kennel, I jump up and down off the chairs, visit all my buds in their kennels and can spot a cat treat a mile away with my remaining eye.
WORD.
I'm still living the good life, so no pity party for this little dude, 'k?"

"I'm friendly - which goes without saying for orange tabbies. We are known for our friendly personalities. In fact, a lot of people with very little cat experience are advised to choose one of us as we're very easy-going guys and would be a great practice cat.

Notice I said guys, because there are hardly ever any female orange tabbies. Maybe once in a blue moon, but Mother Nature simply doesn't make them. That's okay though - you have ME!

And see?  I'm a very educational fellow to have around, too.

I'm so sweet, loving and playful (Well I'm hardly out of the kitten stage - so I have been known to get a case of the Zoomies once in a while. I'm just TONS of fun!)

I especially like wand toys that I can chase or catch. Do you have any toys like that at your house? I'd love to see 'em. And if the answer is "no", not to worry, we can buy one at the Great Plains gift shop before we go home.

I'm so looking forward to meeting you - thanks for reading about me.
Your buddy,
Swatch"

Swatch is available to come home with you and zoom-zoom-zoom around your living room, TODAY!  Come meet him at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Grizwald!

"Clark Griswald here. I am looking for my forever home."

"I don't ask for much. I would like a few toys like a feather or string to chase. I also would like someone who I can cuddle with and take some Cat naps.

I'm a lot of fun, if a bit shy at first. And I'm still very much a kitten - I'm only 7 months old!

Are you my special person? Come visit me and I will win over your heart. Pinky swear!

Baby purrs,
Griswald"

Griz is available at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA!

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: France

"Bonjour! Hello!
I'm France, a sweet little year and a half old tortie-point snowshoe girl.
I came in with Italy, my sister. You met her a few days ago."

"I am really sweet, if a tiny bit shy. But I warm up quickly, and just looove to ronrons-- uh, I mean purr for you!

Won't you come meet me? They say France is the place to fall in love - and right now, the place where I'm living is having a "Fall in Love" shelter special. You can come make me yours for only $30 of your American dollars.

What a deal, oui?

Let's start our "forever" together, this weekend!

Ronrons,
France"

France is available for adoption today at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

#LightForPets & Shelter Double-Header

Since someone went AWOL on Sunday *looks meaningfully at Mommy* we missed our regularly scheduled Shelter Sweetie. And yesterday's post for Wednesday's Waif, too.

But that's okay, because today is the perfect day to rectify that.

Today we join with the Helen Woodward Center - and all participating shelters across the U.S. - for Remember Me Thursday. The aim is to shed light on the plight of those animals in shelters still in need of a home.

According to the Helen Woodward Animal Center, only 30% of American households claim rescue animals for a pet. That's shamefully low! And this accounts, in part, for the 3.4 million pets euthanized annually here in America.

So today, we join in lighting a candle (virtually for us, but you can check for participating shelters in your area at this link here) in honor of those homeless pets.

And we wish to shed a light today on two such animals in need right here in our backyard.

Up first, this week's Shelter Sweetie from Great Plains SPCA in Independence:

"Ciao, amici! Hello friends!
My name is Italy. (Betcha couldn't tell, huh?)
I'm a lovely little siamese mix girl just waiting to purr her way into your heart.
Be warned! I'm a real charmer!"

 "The staff here at Great Plains love to pet me and call me Mia Bella, "my beauty." That's so sweet of them, don't you think? So when they pet me, I purr up a storm!

I'd love to purr for you, too. Won't you come meet me?

Ciao for now,
Italy"

Italy is available at the Independence Missouri Campus of Great Plains SPCA. 

  ***

Next, our Wednesday's Waif from Wayside Waifs in Kansas City is a Super Double Top Secret girl.

Any fan of the TV show NCIS will instantly recognize Zivah, that show's stunningly gorgeous Mossad agent. Our Zivah's equally captivating, don't you think?

Zivah is a long-haired tortie girl who is affectionate and loves attention.
She's ready to come celebrate the High Holy Days with you, today!"

Come meet her at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs!

***

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Sebastian

"Well hello there!
My name's Sebastian."

"I'll bet you're wondering why I'm sticking my tongue out.
 Well, it's not because I'm not appreciative or anything - it's just that I really, reeeeally want a forever home of my own, and I'm just getting a bit impatient.

Do you think my forever family might come this weekend?
I sure hope so!

I am such a handsome fellow. Look how bright my yellow eyes are against my sleek black coat.

I would love for you to come visit and tell me what a good kitty boy I am.
Then we could go home together forever.

Searching for my special person,
Sebastian"

Sebastian is available - along with hundreds of his fellow kennel-mates - at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA. Won't you come out and meet him for yourself?

Shelter Sweetie: Jake Thomas

"Hey you! Over here! Check it out - I'm the most handsome Tabby boy around this place!"

"Jake Thomas here. Sorry 'bout that - I was just trying to get your attention so you'd come visit with me.

Let me show you what a handsome grey striped Tabby I am. I love it when you scratch my ears. My purr motor will start running and I would just die for a little cuddle in your arms.

I need to be an indoor kitty as the good doctors here have noted that I am FIV positive. That is no big deal, really. It just means I'm a bit immune suppressed, so I like to stay away from all those outdoor cats who might be sporting a kitty cold, you know?

I'll be an excellent companion for you - promise! And if you have other kitties in your house already, noooo prob. Just ask anyone at the shelter about this - I'm a real regular guy when it comes to hanging with others!

Waiting patiently for my forever home,
Jake Thomas"

Jake's available at the Independence campus of Great Plains SPCA!

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Chad!

"Hello. I'll bet you're wondering what a handsome mancat like me is doing in a place like this."

"Actually, I'm kind of wondering that myself.

Not that it's bad here at all. Three squares and a nice cozy blanket.
But when the lady who took my photo opened my cage to say hello...

Oh my. Attention. Scritches, even.  Sheer bliss.

Is that what it's like in a forever home?
I can hardly wait to find out.

Please come say hello. Who knows? Perhaps we'll never have to say goodbye.
I'd like that, I would.

Yours with rumbling purrs,
Chad"

Chad is extraordinarily sweet and desperate for some loving. If he sounds like he might be your furry soulmate, head on out to Great plains SPCA and tell them Chad sent you.

He's just one of the many adorable adoptables available at the Independence Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

#DailyDoseofIndependence

Here's your #DailyDoseofIndependence!

Isn't Goober a foxy looking boy?
Seriously, with that sleek, long nose, he resembles that trendy little animal, dontcha think?

Only foxes don't purr, or rub up against you and snuggle like this guy does.
And Goober is the kind of kitty who sets his own trends. Like nightly belly rubs in front of the TV while you watch your fave show.

Sound good to you? If so, he's waiting for you!

Goober's available for adoption today - along with literally hundreds of other kitties - at Great Plains SPCA in Independence, MO!

#DailyDoseOfIndependence: Great Plains SPCA

Many of you have heard us talk about the dire straits of one of the shelters we support.
Here's the back-story:

Great Plains SPCA "crossed the line" last April - the state line, that is.

You see, the Kansas City metro area straddles the border of Kansas and Missouri, and last year, this Kansas-based No-Kill shelter took over management of the city shelter in Independence, Missouri.

And the Great Plains Independence Campus was born.

It's being run by many of the fabulous people we have known for years at Wayside Waifs, Allie's Alma Mater. And we couldn't be prouder of what they have sought to accomplish: turning a kill shelter into No Kill. Sometimes, we even refer to it as Wayside 2.0 - simply because we don't want you to think we've casually switched loyalties. Both shelters are No Kill, and both deserve our appreciation and support for jobs well done.

But lately, our focus has been on Great Plains, because quite frankly, right now their need is greater.

By the end of the first three months of operation, the shelter had already taken in the equivalent of a full year's worth of cats. And this is a shelter whose numbers had held steady for years and years and years, so this phenomenon was completely unexpected.

At their peak two weeks ago, they had well over 700 cats and the trend looked to top 800.

These little guys are lined up in hallways, stacked in offices - basically every available nook and cranny!

There is speculation as to what might be behind this, but no definitive answers. And to be honest, though the "why" behind the situation is important, especially for shelter management going forward, it doesn't do much to help the situation right now.

No, the only thing that'll help is adoption - and transfers to partner shelters.

We're trying to do our small part by following in the footsteps of the blog, Sebastian the Sensitive Soul, whose owner, Amy Palmer, instituted the #DailyDoseOfIndependence tradition on Facebook.

We're posting there, too. But we'll also be reposting about these eminently adoptable cats right here on A Tonk's Tail, as well.

So without further ado, we present to you today's Daily Dose of Independence: Harvey Dent.

I Has a Sads.

Hullo. My name's Alexander.
Yeah, I know I probably look a bit long in the face.

It's not that I don't appreciate being warm and dry and having food in my belly. I do, honest!

But... I hear stories. Stories about a place where humans will cuddle you and give you chin scritches and belly rubs. Some place called "home."

And, oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm a bit of a dreamer, but I long for that. Yet I look around me and I see cute kittens, and literally hundreds of other cats in exactly my predicament and I worry.

I worry.

Won't you please come out and meet me? I promise to keep all your secrets and be loyal to you - just you - forever til the end.

Wistfully yours,
Alexander.

Alexander is waiting for you at Great Plains SPCA, Independence, MO.