Jacqueline and Alley Cat, Mother and Daughter
Jacqueline, the white girl, lived way way out in the country, and her paw was run over by a vehicle. She needed medical attention but her owner was too poor to even feed the family. Jacqueline was sick and hurt and infection had started in. Her owner knew she would die so he did what he could to try and help. He attempted to perform an amputation.
Jacqueline was so sick that she didn't even object. Still laying in the yard the next day, with bone exposed, she gave birth to three premature kittens. Not knowing what else to do, and knowing that the local pound would euthanize her, he took her there, with tears in his eyes. One of our friends who have moved away from Orange County and way out to the mountains, was at the pound that day. She took Jacqueline home, got her much needed medical attention, and tried to save the three babies. Two of them didn't make it.
But little Alley Cat did. Jacqueline is still frightened of humans, though she is allowing me to touch her sometimes late at night when everything is quiet. Alley Cat is a super friendly little girl, about a year old now. And they are inseparable. When Jacqueline first came she trusted nobody but Alley Cat. They sleep together, they groom each other, and they play together.
We will never allow them to be separated. Many people have wanted to adopt Alley Cat. But nobody wanted Jacqueline. She's missing part of one front paw, and she's frightened, and that is enough to put her in the "unadoptable" category. But we will never let anyone take her baby away. If nobody ever loves them both equally they will continue to live happily at Rikki's Refuge.
BOOTS - is a very lovely lady. She's about eight years old, very lovely long-haired black and white, very well-behaved and polite. She lived with a nice little lady, who had to go to a nursing home, and poor Boots was left behind. She was absolutely terrified when she came here. She had never known anyone but her mommy before. She was depressed, terrified, and didn't even want to survive. Within six months she would come out to eat with everyone, but still spent most of her time in absolute solitude. After about two years she really started to warm up. And now, about three years later, she's one of the first to greet you, jump up on a cat tree, stand up and put her hands on her shoulders, and rub your face. She's spayed, current on everything, negative on the nasty stuff, and has no health problems (that we're aware of and all that fine print you know).
LUCKY - a gray and white little girl, probably about a year old, came to us a few months ago labeled as irritable bowel and irritable personality. Neither has turned out to be the case. Supposedly she needed to be on a special diet, something we didn't have. And she has done just fine on whatever gets donated. As for her personality? A little bit shy in large groups, didn't know how to play with other cats so had probably been an only cat since she was a very tiny kitten, but is playing fine now, very loving and sweet to people. Spayed, shot, tested - and ready for you.
BROTHER LAZLO (ORANGE TABBY) AND SISTER DINASHIA (BROWN TABBY) were born approximately November 20, and turned into a shelter with a group of cats shortly thereafter. One adult in that group tested a light positive for leukemia. He is still testing a light positive and now lives in our leukemia house. Everyone else in the group has continued to test negative. They just passed their final test and have moved out to Cat House Number Six. Wildflower, a dark tortie, and possibly their mother, is quite skittish and frightened, and is not bonded to these two. Saffron, an orange tabby, and probably an uncle or half brother, a semi-friendly, and plays with these two but is not seriously bonded. Lazlo & Dinashia are fixed, tested, shot and ready to go, and quite friendly little critters.
People frequently call and say I'd like to adopt a cat or dog. I'm so happy that maybe someone would give a good home to one of our misfits, I excitedly ask, "did you want a blind one, deaf, incontinent, kidney failure, cancer patient, diabetic, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic skin problems, perhaps a sprayer, or a biter, or ... hello, hello is anyone there?"
Some animals we get are repairable. They have a problem that can be cleared up with medical attention. A behavior issue that can be addressed. A fear or neurosis that can be corrected over time. Or they were simply misdiagnosed. For example from time to time we get an animal labels as feral. It's a hissing and a growling and a snarling in that cage, but once it's out in the open it's a perfectly happy nice animal. Others may have come from a very frightening situation and it may take them six months or several years to warm up and become friendly.
We have our own wonderful Eleanor and Paula, who devote their lives to caring for adoptable foster kitties and taking them to PetSmart every weekend. Of course, living in a small suburban home, they can only do so much. Usually, adoptable cats/kittens that accidentally fall through the cracks and end up here, end up with them. You can visit their kitties virtually every Saturday from noon until 4 pm and most Sundays (except the 3rd of the month). Meet the great kitties they are fostering, wonderfully nice and socialized, cats and kittens. Volunteer to help them out. You can reach Eleanor or Paula at 703-256-6846 or 240-535-1329. They adopt through the PetSmart at Potomac Yard Shopping Mall Alexandria, 3351 Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) Unit 10, Alexandria, VA 22305-3126 703-739-4844, From I-395 take the Glebe Road South exit, turn right onto Route 1 South, Potomac Yard is on your left at the next light.
There can be several dozen adoptable cats at Rikki's at any given time. Please contact the refuge via phone or email to see when an adoption coordinator will be available to show them to you.
Better yet, come on down and volunteer and you can meet and interact with the cats as you work.
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