Eighth Cativersary

Eight years ago this week I brought Shelley (formerly "Little Gray") home from the East Harlem ASPCA. She was 20 months old, very underweight, timid, and FIV+, the last of which might explain the "owner surrender" notation on her adoption papers. Shelley was so freaked out upon arrival in my apartment that she first tried to escape by climbing up the chimney, then spent the next three days cowering under the sofa. Today she's a healthy ten pounds, the friendliest cat I've ever worked for, and spends her days growling at pigeons and ensuring that the elderly German shepherd across the alley doesn't even think about climbing the fire escape. As I like to do on this date, I encourage you to visit your local shelter and consider adopting an adult cat. At this writing there are dozens of adult cats up for adoption at the East Harlem shelter.

RELATED: The ASPCA has a fantastic "cats over three are free" program for adult cats: "The Free Over Three adoption package includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations and micro-chipping. Adopters will also receive a certificate for free follow-up veterinary care at the ASPCA Animal Hospital within 14 days of adoption, a pet carrier and literature about cat behavior." The APSCA also supports a no-kill coalition of animal shelters all over the New York City area.

Free Cat Week At NYC ASPCA

Sixteen months ago I adopted my beloved Shelley at the wonderful East Harlem ASPCA, so I must mention that this week they are waiving their adoption fees on all adult cats over three years old.

Free Cats! For a limited time only, we’re making an offer you can’t refuse. From September 20 to 28, the ASPCA is hosting “Free Over Three,” and adopting all adult cats—ages three and older—for FREE! The regular adoption process still applies and you can only take home two cats, but we’re waiving all fees. You’ll also receive a pet carrier and a 14-day voucher for a free exam at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. All of our cats are up-to-date on vaccinations, spayed/neutered and microchipped. So come on down to 424 East 92nd Street in New York City, and meet the feline of your dreams!

Everybody seems to want a kitten, but I found so many beautiful adult cats at the East Harlem shelter that I broke my heart to leave with only Shelley in my arms.

Click here to see the adult cats presently available; I'm partial to tough guy Ricky. As you can see above, Shelley is still a wee thing at nine pounds, but that's about 30% more than when I got her. The shelter has called twice to follow up on her and inquired about her weight and health each time. Wonderful people.

Kitty: Day Two

I swear that JMG is not going become a cat blog (not that there's anything wrong with that), but since there was such an interest in yesterday's post, I thought I'd give y'all an update.

Last night Shelter Kitty slept on the sofa instead of under the bed, which is pleasingly rapid progress, yes? She's still very quiet, I haven't heard her meow once, but she does chirp and purr loudly. I put a comforter on the windowsill and she's been hopping up there to look out at the rain, in between manic gallops from one end of the apartment to the other. I do notice that if I approach her bowl she will rush over to eat, as if she's used to having her food removed. But best of all, she comes when I call her or snap my fingers.

The APSCA's vet called this morning and gave me a rather lengthy and informational instruction about FIV, telling me that Shelter Kitty's diminutive stature could be because of her positive status. (Hey, I could do a Paris Hilton and carry her around in a murse, since she's about the size of a chihuahua!) I also learned that some cats "clear" the virus on their own, but that mine probably won't, because she's tested positive three separate times over the last year. There's more than a good chance she'll live a healthy, normal lifespan, but I should especially vigilant to respiratory infections and make sure she not be vaccinated again, as the shot can sometimes trigger the virus into action.

I cannot praise the people at the Manhattan ASPCA more highly. From their vet to their adoption staff to their volunteers, everyone I've dealt with have been absolutely brilliant. It goes without saying that I urge you to use the ASPCA or a no-kill shelter if you are looking to adopt. Paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a pure-bred animal versus the APSCA's very modest $75 fee (which includes spaying, shots, microchip, and more) is just appalling. And by the way, when I mentioned "Sanjaya" as a possible name, the vet screamed.