Report Card Day - 5 out of 6

These sweet faces are just a few of the many cats who have been adopted from Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter in Kansas City where I volunteer. I'm fairly sure my blogging about them wasn't really a factor in them finding their furr-ever homes, but you never know. So I'll keep doing my best to spread the word about my furry little friends. I blogged about these guys and happily got to hear or see them going home. Remember any of these?

From left to right and top to bottom, they were Rocket, Biscuit, Mandaga, Lou and Jazz Man. They all seem to be settled in happily with their new families. The only one I blogged about that hasn't found her home yet is Miss Baily. This is Miss Baily below.

She's still waiting for the right family. We know people are hearing and reading about her, because they're calling and asking about her. Just not the right people yet. But Baily will be patient a while longer, her foster mother less so. Patience is a foreign concept to her, but she's working on it. She really just wants Baily to find the happy ending to her story. So if you're out there, Prince Charming, come and claim your princess.  And while we wait, we'll enjoy our time together. 

Mandaga - a very special kitty

This wonderful kitty named Mandega is available for adoption at Wayside Waifs. She's had a spot of trouble in her young life, but things are looking up for her. She may not be able to see quite as well as some, but she's a sweetheart and deserving of a good home. She's affecgtionate and likes other cats.  Do you have room in your heart for her? Read more about her.

You may be wondering if there is something wrong with my right eye or if the camera just caught me at a funny angle that makes it look a little unusual. Let's clear that question up right away. Yes, I had damage to that eye when I was rescued by an area animal control. The vet clinic here at Wayside did surgery on it to relieve my pain and discomfort. Yes, I am non-visual on my right side. But I just want to tell you that this has not affected my love abilities. It has made it a little harder not to get scared when people or things approach me from that side. Eventually when I am more familiar with my environment and the people in it, I may get more comfortable with that, but for now it is still kind of scary. Sometimes I have heard people around here say that they are inspired by me because I have gone through some pretty hard experiences lately and have managed to stay so positive and ready to be petted. What inspires me is the hope that some caring family will be able to see past my little challenge and love me for who I am. Who am I, really? I am a sweet, shy feline who just curls up into petting with a purr in my voice and in my heart. That just about sums me up in one sentence. What am I looking for in a family? One where I can be totally appreciated for my optimism and positive outlook. One where gentleness reigns supreme and relaxation involves cat play and snuggles. One where my basic needs for food, fresh water, a tidy litter box and a place to clean paws/claws are always met. One where my people keep me inside because they know my ability to survive outdoors is compromised by my impaired vision. One that understands my need to be a valued, respected family member and accepts that I may always be quite timid with strangers. (Wow, I really had to use a lot more sentences to answer this question!! Not being a super-talkative kitty, it just about tuckered me out!) Are we a great match? We will only figure that out if you come to meet me in person Let's try to do that because I truly do want and need my new family really soon. And if you are a cat lover, I think you might need me too!

Kansas City Jazz

This one cool cat, I tell you. He's friendly and funny and oh so loveable, and best of all he's available for adoption today at Wayside Waifs. Read all about him and consider putting your very own spin on KC's great jazz history with this special feline of your very own. You can make beautiful music together. And he comes with a gorgeous red bed and musical print kennel pad of his very own. Somebody liked this special guy to get him some things of his very own. Come meet him today. Here's more about him

Hello, I'm the Jazz Man. I'm a pretty low-key Jazz Man, the 2:00 a.m., slow, mellow kind of jazz. And I'm a senior cat, ten years old. I'm popular around here because I'm quite the lover. I don't just walk up to everyone though. I take my time, just to make sure we are in the same key. And if we are, I'll look up into your eyes and ask you if you luuuuv me. And if you pet me and love on me, I'll love you right back. My feline-ality type is Love Bug. That means I scored pretty low on the bravery test. I like to just hang out in my cool jazz pad and watch the action. If it looks mellow enough for me, I'll step out for a bit, but only as long it stays quiet. So I would like a quiet household and a special place for my own red bed which goes home with me. The other part of the Love Bug type is that I scored high on the affectionate scale. I do love people. But sometimes I like to play, too. I used to have a sparkle ball that I played with when I thought no one was looking. Even us seniors like to kick up our heels now and then! Although I have lived with other cats, it's definitely not my thing. My most recent household had cats that I didn't care for. So I did what cats sometimes do when we are unhappy - since we don't speak Human - I pooped outside the box. Gasp! Yep. It sure gets people's attention. So I went to live in foster care for a while, and I did fine, no "accidents." I tell you this just in case you might think that SURELY I'd love your own sweet cats. I'm sure they are great cats, don't get me wrong. But I have my ways of communicating. So. I really need to be the only cat in the household. That way I can have my people all to myself. And you won't have to clean up my "messages." As for the litter boxes, I had TWO covered litter boxes in my foster home, which were changed morning and evening. And I used them every single time. I really like a clean litter box, so I thought I'd let you know. During my foster time, I got to have my own room. One time an outdoor cat came right up to the window and peeked in at me, and I screamed! Wouldn't you?? Anyway, I don't want to have to be around other cats anymore. Please. Being a senior cat I enjoy my long cat naps, so it's okay if you are at work all day. But when you are home, I will want to spend time with you, sit beside you or on your lap, and share the love. Everyone here says that I'm really sweet and affectionate as soon as I get to know you. So, are you looking for a mellow, loving companion? If so, I'm the cat for you. Leave the kittens for the households with kids and dogs and cats and parties. If you think that you and I would make beautiful music together, come on by and see me. Hope to see you soon. Love, Jazz Man

Photo courtesy of Cathy Sherman

Friday - fire day

Two wonderful volunteers who I get to work with sometimes at Wayside Waifs are recovering from the after effects of a fire at their apartment complex a day ago. Best wishes go out to them both as they replace all their lost possessions. Unfortunately, one lost one of her animals and the other is at the vet being treated for the effects of the fire.

Feline Fridays with picks for adoptions will resume next week.

Feline Friday - Rocket

This sweet little guy is called Rocket. He has come a long, long way in the time he's been at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City MO. He started out such a scared little guy who refused to come out of his kennel to meet some of  his adoring fans. Now you can't get him back in. What a difference a little kindness and patience makes. He'll probably take a step back when he goes home with a new owner, but give him time and he'll  make a great pet for you. Read his story below. For more information about Rocket, go to www.waysidewaifs. org to find out more about him. You won't regret it.

Hello, I'm Rocket. When you take me home, I'll be off like a rocket - looking for somewhere to hide! I was found as a stray in Belton and I must have had a bad experience, because I was really scared of people when I arrived here at the shelter. I used to always flinch and cower when being petted. But I have always been very sweet and gentle.

Some great people have been working with me here, and I've become less fearful of being petted. I really like treats, and sometimes that's a good way to help me relax if I'm cowering in my sleeping box. 

I used to always stay in my sleeping box until things were really quiet here, then I would come to the front of my kennel and check things out. Now I've become more confident, and when the shelter is closed and I'm around people that I know and trust, I enjoy coming out of my kennel and exploring. Sometimes I even meow for attention! This is great progress for me, and everyone is quite happy for me.

But when the shelter is open I generally stay in my sleeping box where I feel safe. This is probably how I will be when I go to my new home. I'll want my own special cat bed in an out of the way corner where I can feel safe while I get used to the new environment. And I will need a calm, quiet, patient owner and household. If your house is like a private library, I would LOVE that! Just you, me, and all that peace and quiet!

Guess what! I also like to play! Usually you have to gain my confidence first by petting me, or just letting me lay my head in the palm of your hand for a while. After I begin to relax, I will perk up, and then we can play! I especially like to play with a cat charmer - you know, a ribbon on a stick? But first I have to relax and make sure that I trust you.

I can't imagine myself being around dogs or children. I have enjoyed meowing at another cat who sometimes comes by my kennel, but I haven't interacted much with the other cats here yet. Sometimes we shy cats are helped along by a friendly feline companion though. 

Everyone here agrees that I am very sweet, it's just that I get so scared at first when people come to visit me. But I'm making progress, and everyone is so happy for me. 

I use my litter box faithfully, as a good kitty should. I have a short-haired coat which is easy to take care of. I'm not much trouble, and I'm very gentle.

Are you that special person who has a way with shy cats? If so, I do hope you will stop by to see me. I had kind of a rough life before I arrived here, and I look forward to being in a relaxing environment where I can live in peace and share my sweet, gentle self with you.

Love and Peace,

Rocket

Feline Friday - Lou

Lovely Lou is a beautiful Siamese Mix who's gotten a little bit tired of waiting for his forever family. Please read about this sweet guy and if you live in the Kansas City MO area, come by and meet him. He'd make a great addition to your family. Here's what he has to say for himself.


They tell me that my photos are almost as lovely as I am.  They also tell me that I appear to be a white/orange point Siamese, and that some people just love that kind of cat so maybe I won't have to wait a long time to be adopted.  That would be wonderful, because like all of us felines out at Wayside, I just want to go to a new forever home.

I was transferred from one of Wayside's partner shelters because they were out of space and wanted to give me the best chance they could to find a family of my own.  There is always a little waiting period after a transfer before we are available for adoption.  That gives people who may have lost us time to find us, but in my case that did not happen.  So here I am, all ready for out mutual interview where we can decide if we "click".

If you are ready for an addition to your family, I wish you would come out to visit me very soon.  I can sniff you and if you approach me gently, you can touch me.  We can look into each others' eyes and read the character and personality we see there.  You can talk and I can listen or meow if you inspire me to comment.  We can spend a bit of time just hanging out in a special room together.  Then we can decide if we are an ideal match.  If that happens, you can meet with the adoption counselor and take me right home with you the same day!

Just waiting for you at Wayside,
Lou

Friday Feline - Biscuit

My pick for Feline Friday is a gorgeous 10 month old female cat named Biscuit. She's coming along nicely  and becoming friendlier and less scared as she learns humans can be quite nice toys. Read her auto-biography below and view her video too. She's a sweet and loving girl. ?Watch her video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYuhDMyr7o8&feature=player_embedded#!
She's available for adoption at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City Mo.


As a stray kitten last October, I was lucky enough to be helped out by the person who found me struggling to survive outside all alone.  After a time, she made sure that I got to Wayside so that the people here could help me find a family who will take me home to love forever.



After coming here, I had some trouble not bothering the stitches on my tummy after being spayed, and until the incision healed up I was not able to get out to the adoption floor.  I had to wear a band around my tummy and one of the humiliating head cones.  Being a somewhat shy girl to start with, that did not help my self-confidence with people.  I know it was necessary for my healing, but kept me wondering "What next?" when humans were approaching me.


Though I am starting to be trustful and to want human friendship, I am going to need a lot of support from the family that adopts me.  They will need to be patient and gentle and kind as they help me to learn all about my new home.  That will help me understand that they want me to succeed in being their kitty.  With bashful girls like us, changes can take some time to adjust to ... and it may be a while before I start reaching out to give and receive affection like I want to do.  Can you handle still loving me without a lot of touching right away?


With all the people there are in the world, I believe that there is a special place for me to call home, with human hearts full of compassion to help me overcome my shyness.  The people here at Wayside are already working with me on it and say they see progress.  But what I really need now is a family of my own.  Are you the one(s) that need me too?


Hope to meet you really soon,  Biscuit