Thursday's Purrs: Savannah

"hullo there! I'm Savannah.

I'm known around these parts as the Grand Lady. I love greeting guests, and will reach up to you and 'knead' you with my declawed paws - right in your belly, if you're standing close enough for me to reach. And if you're not paying attention to me.

(I can't help it if I was raised to believe it's rude to ignore a lady sitting right in front of you, so a gentle paw-biscuit session is just my way of reminding you that I'm here)

Don't I have the most stunning green eyes?

"Due to certain circumstances, I was brought here to Great Plains, but I was very well loved in my last home and am ready to join yours -- today, if you'd like.

Because I'm declawed, I have a touch of arthritis in my back at the base of my tail, so I prefer that you focus all your attention on ear and cheek scritches, if you please. I simply adore them!

It's been said I'm a bit lippy, but can I help it if I am a lady who knows what she wants? I may reach out with my soft front paw and grab your hand to give it a gentle nip, but that's only to instruct you. Sometimes it's a gentle reminder that means you're ignoring me, and sometimes it may be to remind you I've got a touch of arthritis back there. But it's always gentle and quick."

(my opinion of shelter life. I'm soooo ready for my forever home!)

"Speaking of quick .... I'm not terribly fond of fast movements. They make me nervous and I may nip to let you know you spooked me! But honestly ... if you'll just go a bit slow with me, especially at first, we'll be fast friends in no time at all!

As you can see I am a beautiful girl. I'm considered a senior, but don't let that fool you. It just means that I've got all my kittenish behavior out of my system, and I now act like a civilized cat.

So if your looking for the perfect cat, please come down and say hello!

Purrs,
Savannah"

Savannah's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA, where she ruled the roost last week when our mom and her Hallmark crew filmed all morning long (shh, it's super top secret, and Savannah's sworn her lips are sealed!).

***

Thursday's Purrs: Cookie

"Hello! My name is Cookie, and I'm 3 years old - just out of my teenage years!"

This is me before my surgery. Hurt and scared, but safe now.

"Well, to be honest -- I haven't had much of a childhood. You see, I was abandoned when I was barely out of kittenhood. I had to grow up fast!

Thankfully, there have been a few kind souls who have looked out for me during these rough few years. A kind lady who fosters has been feeding me.

There are so many things that can harm a young girl forced to fend for herself, you know?"

Me, contemplating how scary life was ....

"One day, I showed up injured, and this kind human gathered me up and took me to get me the help I needed. She brought me to Dr. Bassett at Small Creatures Animal Hospital here in the Kansas City area.

Dr. Bassett discovered my injury was so severe my back leg had to be amputated. But no worries!  I get along just great with my remaining three!

Dr. Basset also says I'm a very healthy girl - and even gave me all my vaccinations."

Will anyone want me, after I lose this damaged leg?

"I have to admit, being homeless has made me a bit scared of new situations. After all, my first humans abandoned me  ....

But my foster human has shown me that humans - and other cats - can be trusted."

Me, safe and secure, dreaming of my forever home!

And the other cats have convinced me that there is a human waiting out there just for me. *sigh*  Wouldn't that be wonderful?  A home, safety, food ... and companionship.
Won't you help me find a forever home of my very own by sharing my story?"

With hopeful purrs,
Cookie"

Cookie's available at All Creatures Small Animal Hospital in Overland Park, KS.

***

Thursday's Purrs: Lilly

"Could I interest you in a steady companion? Someone calm and confident, with a lot of love to give? My name is Lilly, and I’m in the market for a human."

"I love nothing more than warm laps and great conversation. I'm the kind of cat you'd love hanging out with after the kids have gone to bed and you're looking to kick back and relax.

It's true, I don't mind kids - not one bit. I know that's kind of rare in a feline, so I thought I'd mention that straight out."

"My Felineality (feline personality)is Sidekick. That means I’m moderately brave in new situations and love nothing more in life than just hanging out with my favorite person or people, basking in a mutual lovefest.

Sound good to you? Then come on out to Wayside and let's hook up!
Purrs, Lilly"

Lilly's available at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs.

 

***

Thursday's Purrs: Harold

"Hi, I'm Harold!
I'm a handsome silver tabby cat, weighing about 10 pounds.
I was brought to Wayside Waifs when my last shelter ran out of space for me."

"I know this will be my last stop before I head to my fur-ever home with my new peeps, and can't wait to give all of my love to my purr-fect match. Think that could be you?

I'm a sweet guy who's looking for a family who will be patient and gentle with me while I get used to my new surroundings. I need to feel comfortable before I really feel confident enough to explore and interact."

"I'd love for you to bring the whole family out so I can meet them before heading home. I was given the feline-ality of Private Investigator because I'm an independent guy who knows how to keep to himself.

I'll be behind the scenes exploring and watching over the house for you! Even though I like my alone time, I'll be sure to give you plenty of quality time. I'm not much of a player, I'd rather just snuggle up next to you. I'll be sure to let you know how much I love you with plenty of head butts and purrs.

I'm a loving guy with a lot to offer and I hope you'll come by soon to get to know me!
Love,
Harold"

THIS JUST IN:
Harold challenges Maxwell 
to a Lip Curl Contest! 

You Decide: Who Wins?


BTW ... Harold's available today at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs.

***

Celebrating #Specially-AbledPetsDay

Annually on May 3, National Specially-abled Pets Day is celebrated. 

This day is set aside to educate the public about caring for disabled pets, to feature disabled animals looking for a home and encourage animal lovers to consider a disabled pet when they are looking to adopt a new family member. 
 ___________________

You've seen it countless times, those cats in a shelter who are overlooked for various reasons.
Tripod cats, one-eyed cats, deaf cats, cats with special medical conditions.

I think Julie of Sometimes Cats Herd You said it best in our video, For the Animals, when she stated "they're not damaged goods at all!"

Does this handsome blue boy look like damaged goods to you? We didn't think so!

Which is why I love the term Specially-abled (or Differently-abled) and not Disabled.

Because, although they may be different, they're not 'less than'. A cat missing an eye is not less lovable than one with both eyes. A cat who cannot hear can still feel your affection.

Sweet Marty was a Wayside kitty who found a loving home last year. His new family didn't care that he was FIV+.
They saw past that to the love he has to give.

And a cat with FIV may be immune-challenged, but hey - as of 2 months ago, so am I.

You wouldn't consider me to be a less-worthy human being just because I now have an autoimmune disease. (or at least I certainly hope you wouldn't! ;-)

So why so we do that with cats? Or dogs? Or ferrets, or any other companion animal?

As you know, Maxwell came to us as a cat with no eardrum, who was profoundly deaf. He's truly the sweetest cat I've ever been privileged to have in my life. And when the day comes that we're ready to adopt another animal - I'll look first at those who have lived the longest in a shelter.

Would you walk past this adorable girl just because she only has three legs?
Or perhaps it's because of the color of her fur. She's no less loving for that!

The ones that, day in and day out, are walked past. Overlooked. But still capable or great love, affection and companionship.

Won't you consider the same?

For more information: www.disabledpetday.com.

***

Thursday's Purrs: Millie

"Hello there! My name is Millie - but some of the people here at Great Plains call me Grace. Just the other day someone whispered to me that I was as sweet and graceful as could be.

They said that if my gorgeous dilute tortie fur doesn't draw you in, my sweet curious personality was sure to!"

"I have a bit of a hard-luck story to tell you. Someone found me in an elementary school playground, you see, all lost and alone. Then they brought me here to Great Plains SPCA.

They have taken very good care of me here, but I think I'm ready to go home and find my forever family. Don't be worried about me being an older girl, it just means I'm pre-loved and I know how to be a good kitty.

In fact, I'm still very curious and playful!"

 
"I may be on the quieter side, but I have a loud personality to make up for it.
And, I just love to be petted!

(P.S. I may look like I am sleeping when you come see me, but I am really just resting up, waiting to be loved, honest!)

Please won't you come pay me a visit?

Hopeful purrrs,
Millie"

Millie's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

***

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Julie

"Hi there, my name's Julie. I came to Great Plains with my sister when my people could no longer care for us and now I'm looking for my purrfect forever home."

"I'm a refined, middle-aged lady which means all that kitten craziness is far, far behind me. Nope, you won't have to worry about the drapes being pulled down with me around. I'm really only interested in spending time with you or lounging in a nice sun puddle, maybe looking out the window.

I'm no spring-kitten at ten years of age, but trust me on this - I have many years of love left to give.

I get along fine with the other kitties here in my room and in my last home, I even lived with a cat-friendly doggie. I also get along with all ages of respectful children.

I'm declawed which means you'll need to make sure I remain an indoor kitty; I have no way to defend myself in the big, scary outside world.

If you're looking for a laid-back, loving companion then won't you come over to meet me soon?
I'll be waiting...
Purrs, Julie"

Julie is available today at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

***

Wednesday's Waif on Thursday

"Hi there! I'm Bella Ladybug.

As you can see, I'm a gorgeous tortie cat who knows how to enjoy the finer things in life, like treats, feather wands, and the laser dot."

"I also like to relax in nice, dark hiding places, which may be why they call me a "private investigator". I can be a little skittish at first, but I'm very curious and once I feel comfortable I love to explore.

I'll need an adjustment period in my new home to get used to me new surroundings and will do best with my own room for at least a week while we get to know each other through quiet interactions.

I feel best when I'm in control of introductions so I'll let you know when I feel secure enough to venture out and meet my new family. I can co-exist with other furry friends but will need time to introduce myself to them."

"I'm a sweet girl who adores attention and give lots of head butts, kisses, and purrs! My foster mom says I'm totally adorable, and now that I feel comfortable with her I like to initiate some quality petting time by touching her with my paw. (It's okay if you want to squee a little bit at that...)

Please, though...I need a home with no kids under 5 years old. Older kids are fine if they understand that sometimes a kitty needs her personal space."

"I'll do best in a calm, quiet home. Once I warm up we'll be best buds in no time.

I promise I'm worth a little patience and time! I've been here for 273 days now. I'm not strong on math, but that feels like an eternity to me in kitten years, wouldn't you agree?

Come meet me soon, please?

Love,
Bella Ladybug"

Bella's available today - and dying for her very own forever home for the new year! - at Allie's Alma Mater, Wayside Waifs.

***

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Charlotte

"Hello,
My name is Charlotte, and I was brought in to Great Plains with my mother when our owner had to give us both up."

 
"As you can probably tell, I'm extremely shy and this new, strange place with all its strange smells is so very, very scary!

I spend my days hiding in a cardboard box, hoping this nightmare will end soon."

"I long for a quiet, calm home, and the soft understanding words of a human who will give me the time I need to come out of my shell, be a bit brave and learn about my new world and my new home.

Might you be that person who will rescue me?

Shy and fearful purrs,
Charlotte"

Charlotte is available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA.

Sunday's Shelter Sweetie: Kali

"Hullo humans,
You sure are big. And kinda scary."

"At least you seem tons and tons larger than li'l ol 6-month-old me.

I might be a bit skittish and try to hide when you first come meet me, but please don't let that put you off. I'm really a very sweet little girl, and I'm hoping to find a home that's a bit quiet and where someone nice like you might be willing to go slow as I get used to my new home."

"I dream of having a nice, safe, warm place of my own someday, with a nice lap to cuddle up in. Would that be your home, maybe?

Shy purrs,

Kali"

Kali is available today at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA!

*** 
 

Shelter Sweetie #SundaySelfie: Flopsy

"Hi there! I'm Flopsy. I'm pretty darn adorable, aren't I?
I know, I know. I hear it all the time. It hasn't gone to my head though.
I'm as sweet as anycat could be."

"You'll no doubt notice that I start my purr motor the second you say hello to me.
No one knows how I got separated from my family, but I was obviously very loved by someone. I have such great lovey kitty skills!

I've been through a lot of challenges, but I'm so grateful that I wound up here at Great Plains where they take such fantastic care of animals."

"What you'll notice first is I'm missing one of my hind legs. It was badly injured and the docs here knew I'd get along better without it.

Us tripods learn to get along just fine though. Unfortunately, due to some other conditions (that have all been treated by the great docs here), I wasn't able to get as much exercise as I should have after my surgery.

I need to find a family who will be patient with me and help me gain my strength back.

I promise that I'll pay you back with lots and lots of love. And cuteness.
Did you notice how cute I am?!?!
Come visit me soon and let's get acquainted!

Purrs,
Flopsy"

Flopsy's available at the Merriam Campus of Great Plains SPCA today!

***

Sunday's Shelter Sweeties: Cats Seeking Employment!

Did you know?

Photo: Great Plains SPCA

According to Great Plains SPCA, 

"The cat unemployment rate is at an all-time high in the Kansas City area. Experienced cats that are in the job market for best friend positions are concerned about the upcoming kitten season when the job market will be flooded with recent kitten graduates.

Experienced cats tend to have a harder time finding jobs compared to their younger kitten counterparts. Potential employers have a habit of hiring based on age and playfulness rather than the knowledge an experienced cat brings.

If you are looking to hire a best friend, there are several reasons why you should consider employing a more experienced cat...(click here to read more!)"

As for the eminently employable felines at Great Plains? Take a look at one recent graduate from foster who is ready for employment today! - you can read Tracey's own purrsonal job interview here at As the World Purrs.

Tracey is available for employment today, through the employment placement office at Great Plains SPCA, Merriam, KS.

For more employable felines, READ MORE HERE!