Success Stories

Kitty the Pitty

When we get calls from dog owners looking for a new home for their pets, we usually refer them to shelters or rescues that we work with and trust. In this case, the call came from a young woman living in a homeless shelter, about to be evicted. She knew that she would not be able to care properly for Kitty while living on the street and she was desperate to find a new home for her.

We arranged for Kitty to be boarded at Pet Samaritan Vet while we looked for a rescue partner to help us place her permanently. While there, we arranged for Kitty to be examined, spayed, and vaccinated. Family Dogs New Life Shelter agreed to take Kitty into their foster program as soon as a spot opened up, and to place her in a permanent home from there. A gracious volunteer offered to visit Kitty daily at the clinic and take her for walks, since the clinic is not set up for long-term boarding and daily exercise. Kitty was unfailingly polite and gracious on her outings, and won the hearts of all she encountered.

Fortunately, Kelli met Kitty just before she was due to be transferred to the FDNLS foster home. Because it’s so important that new dogs fit into the pack already in the home, we arranged for Kelli to take Kitty for a “sleepover” weekend. Here is Kelli’s update:

Kitty first came to our house on a Saturday afternoon. We wanted her to meet our two dogs, one at a time. We decided to have them meet outside in our fenced yard. First Kitty met Carmela, our 18-month-old pit bull and they both did great; they started running around and playing right away! So we let them play until they were both looking tired.

Then I put Carmela inside and brought out Chewy, the Chihuahua. He is the one I was worried about because he is not the friendliest little guy, but he didn't even give a hoot about Kitty. He walked right by her (I think he thought she was Carmela) then spun around and they did the doggie "how do you do" and that was that. Chewy even ran around a bit with Kitty in the yard.

Next we put all three of them together. Carmela and Kitty started playing again, running circles around the house. Poor little Chewy tried to run with them but couldn't keep up so he made little yips to cheer them on as they ran their laps around the house.

On Sunday, they were so worn out from playing all day Saturday that they couldn’t even get off the couch. We had a wonderful day full of tired puppy naps.

We have had Kitty for a few weeks now and everyone is still just as happy. Carmela and Kitty are constantly joined at the hip. They share toys and play tug of war together every day. My fiancé and I don't know how we ever lived with just two dogs! Kitty fits in so well and is such a good friend for Carmela—we didn't know what we were missing.

-Kelli

Miles & Petunia

We rescued Miles (formerly known as Snapdragon) and Petunia as kittens in 2004. They were adopted by Ann Harrison, who doted on them. A few months ago, we were contacted by Rose, a close friend of Ann’s who told us Ann had died suddenly. Rose took Miles and Petunia home with her, because no family members could take them. In an all too common scenario, Rose had just lost her job and her apartment, and was going to live with family, where no more cats were allowed. We arranged for Miles and Petunia to board with our vet, since no foster homes were available.

A few days later, we heard from another Annie, who had recently lost her two cats. She was devastated and missing feline company, so we asked if she would foster Miles and Petunia. She instantly agreed. The cats were very stressed out from so much upheaval in their life–showing teeth and growling at everyone they encountered. We warned Annie they would need time and patience while they adjusted to yet another change.

About one hour after they arrived in her home, Annie called to tell us that both Miles and Petunia were crawling into her lap, purring, and nuzzling. She was ready to call them her own right that minute. Sweet Petunia and gorgeous Miles needed a new home exactly when fate created a clearing in Annie's home and heart.  It was love at first lick and a perfect match.

Petunia enjoys snuggling and loves to lay her head on my shoulder and look up at me with those big melty, yellow eyes. Who could possibly resist? She loves the brush and pushes her face into it and purrs as I tell her she looks beautiful.  Miles notices that she's getting attention and he quickly joins the love-fest with head butts and purrs. After brushing, playing, and loving them up, they curl up together for a nice long nap.

They both love to play, jump, and chase toys and each other.  Miles especially likes to join me on the Wii Fit, stretching to get my attention as I'm trying to exceed my highest score.  Petunia watches the screen from atop the side table seemingly mesmerized by the balls shooting in my direction.

At bedtime, they love to cuddle and burrow under the covers, and when I wake up Miles and Petunia are smushed up against me, so warm and loving that it's hard to get up.

I'm so grateful to have them, they are wonderful creatures.

-Annie

Dexter & Lucy (formerly Carmela)

Dexter was rescued and adopted shortly afterward. Soon, financial pressures forced a move out of state for his owner, and we all agreed that Dexter would not thrive in the new situation. Dexter came back to us about the time that Lucy was returned by her adopter (she didn’t seem to bond with all members of the family). They met for the first time in their foster home and instantly fell in love. We introduced them to Megan, who was looking for a pair of loving kitties to share her life. Megan’s update:

My life has changed for the better since adopting Dexter and Lucy (formerly Carmela). I never could have imagined how much more I'd love coming home after a long day at work to purring, warm kitties in my bed. I have never met two cats who love cuddling so much, nor have I ever met such little burrowers! It's funny to be folding blankets only to find that there's a cat curled up inside. Dexter especially loves to be held like a baby, and he strategically turns himself to be oriented toward my neck when I pick him up so he can give me hugs and kisses. Lucy loves to cuddle and give kisses in bed at night, and wakes me up in the morning that way, too.

I can't remember what life was like before having Dexter and Lucy, and couldn't have changed for the better without the help of all the awesome and friendly volunteers with ARCF. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to love two kitties who love me back tenfold!

-Megan

Wilbur

It’s a familiar story: friendly, hungry cats suddenly appear at a rural home on a quiet road. Unwanted pets have been abandoned by their owners, who assume the cats will find their way to a cat-friendly home. But those cat-friendly homes in the country already have all the cats they need, and so they call us for help. In this case, two sweet tuxedo cats appeared together, and one of them is Wilbur. After a few vet visits and some recovery time in our foster home, Wilbur was lucky enough to meet Leslie. She sent us this update:

Greetings!

I’m writing to let you know that Wilbur is adapting very well to his new home.  He’s found all the toys and scattered them about the house.  He’s been accepted by the two other cats in the house and has found his favorite spots.  He’s still a little skittish when it comes to people love, but he’s slowly coming around and is turning out to be a very affectionate cat.

Thank you so much for being there for the animals.  It was great working with Ruth and finding a new home for Wilbur (aka Wilbur von Purrbles).

-Leslie

Sophie

Sophie was adopted as a kitten in 2005 with her brother. We recently received a call from her adopter, who wanted to return Sophie to us because the family was moving and didn't intend to take her along. Her littermate had died some years earlier of unknown causes, and the family wished to be cat-free, effective immediately. We didn't really have a foster home available, but we recruited a wonderful foster home out of retirement and Sophie was back in our care. Not long after, we heard from Jean, who was looking for a friendly feline companion for her handsome flame point Siamese male, Giacomo. Jean knew how to do a proper introduction and she gave us this update:

Sophie settled in immediately! I put her in her own room with the door shut, sat with her for an hour and a half, and read the paper. She jumped up and sat next to me and purred, then I brushed her, then we played with some string. Then I shut Giacomo in the bedroom and let Sophie explore the house. I shut her in her room overnight, and the next morning I just opened the door. She walked all around and then, with Giacomo sitting three feet away, she played with the mouse and the string. They ate their breakfast, used their own litter box, just like they'd been living together for years. I'm relieved it was so easy.

Sophie is very easygoing. Giacomo really likes her, too, and she manages him well. Giacomo really needed a friend. We are a happy family.

-Jean

Renato

Renato came to us as a feral kitten. He quickly adapted to home life and, to Renato's great fortune, we found Eva and Jared to give him a permanent home.

It had been a few years since I had owned a cat and my partner, Jared, had never had a pet to call his own. I was a bit nervous about finding the right cat to fit our lifestyle. I watched the ARCF website for a couple of months. The cats were all great but I just was not ready until the day I saw Renato's profile. I kept looking at it and finally decided to make a phone call. We are so happy we did because Renato has been a fantastic addition to our lives. He has always been sweet and was a bit shy at first. Now he lounges around wherever we are with confidence. He loves to play fetch with his white mouse toy. It is super cute and hilarious. He also loves belly rubs and will roll over on his back. He enjoys a snuggle before I get up for work and he patiently watches me get ready. He has good manners, wears a white shirt and gloves always. We could not imagine life without him now. He makes a fabulous companion and suits us perfectly.

-Eva and Jared

Jasper & Eleanor (formerly Lorenzo & Paloma)

We were contacted by a woman who had been rescuing cats from her friends and neighbors, and hadn’t yet learned to say no. She was becoming overwhelmed and in danger of losing her home. She asked us for help in finding a new home for these two beautiful cats and we were lucky enough to find Kristen, who recently sent us this update:

Jasper (formerly Lorenzo) and Eleanor (formerly Paloma) are doing great, and I adore them. Jasper is very loving and cuddles up to me often. He's also gotten very comfortable in my apartment. He even greets friends who come over to visit. Eleanor is much more skittish, but she warmed up to me after a month or so. She walks up to me and then starts rolling around on the floor to get my attention. They're both really playful, and they have the run of the apartment when I'm asleep at night.

I thought you would like to know that, at the vet's suggestion I switched the cats to canned food only, and ever since, Eleanor has been MUCH better. She no longer throws up and she has much more energy. Also, my allergies no longer bother me.

I love my babies! Thank you for letting me adopt them.

-Kristen

Miss Nugget

Miss Nugget appeared on my porch one day over a year ago. She didn’t want to be touched, but she clearly needed care, so I captured her using a humane trap and took her to the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon to be spayed. My intention was to return her to my yard and continue caring for her. I had already gone through this process with two other stray cats in our neighborhood that stuck around and eventually became my adored and pampered house cats, Boyfriend and Tripod.

We were surprised to learn that this little tabby girl had already been spayed and microchipped. We were able to track down her owners from the microchip number, so I called with the wonderful news that their cat had been found. They replied, “It's been over two years since she ran away, and we don't want her back.” Poor little Nugget!

Because she shrank from contact with people and didn’t want to come indoors, I made a small shelter for her and released her back to my yard. After a couple of months and as the weather got colder, I decided to bring her inside to foster and socialize her. ARCF agreed to help find her a new home since our duplex already contained a total of four cats. After nearly a year, Nugget is still afraid of strangers, but she loves us and our cats. She snuggles in to sleep with me and my two boys every night, without fail. She and my big Siamese cat Boyfriend, another feral-cat-turned-family-member, are best friends, playing and romping together through the house like littermates. I decided that Miss Nugget was already part of our family, so I chose to adopt her, and we’re all very happy with this decision.

-Dave, Boyfriend, and Tripod

Goose & Porter (formerly Gustavo & Arturo)

Goose and Porter were adopted from a public shelter but returned when the family found the cats needed more attention than they were able to provide as the family grew to include children. The shelter asked for our help in placing this handsome young pair. David and Minna were looking for a cat to be a playmate for their young cat, Coconut, so their older cat, Xena, could have some peace and quiet. Here is their report:

We've had such a great time with our two new family members, Goose and Porter. These guys are the greatest companions ever! They are tuxedo twins, absolutely handsome and totally rambunctious. More than anything, they just want to be around us and our two other kitties. Any time is playtime to these guys! That is, unless they are curled up on a lap or parked in front of a window watching birds and squirrels, tails a-swishing.

They love meeting new people and are not shy at all about giving and receiving affection. And they love to have conversations with anyone who'll chat with them. Goose likes to get up on his hind legs and "conduct" by waving his arms in front of him; it's absolutely endearing to watch. Porter's thing is to sneak up behind us in the kitchen, put his paws on the back of our legs, have a good stretch and chirp “Hello”. They also love to box with Coconut, our young female cat, and have even been spotted cuddling with our older cat, Xena. They are true lover boys, through and through!

-David and Minna

The Bulldozer

This bundle of orange tabby exuberance was rescued as a stray. He had a terrible respiratory infection and had picked up every parasite imaginable but he still had more energy than any other cat we know. “Bulldozer” seemed to be the only appropriate name for him. He became a pest to the more sedate cats in his foster home, made friends with the big dog, and showed no fear of anything. We knew The Dozer would need a home tolerant of his high energy level–hopefully also including a dog–so we were thrilled to hear from Marci. She recently wrote us:

Our little whirling dervish, Bulldozer, has been nicknamed “Fred” by my husband. What a character he is! I’ve never had a kitty make me laugh so much. When I decided to get a new kitty, I was concerned that our overactive dog, Reed, would be overwhelming and scary, which was one of the main reasons for adopting Bulldozer. He is everything you wrote in his description: fearless, energetic, and crazy, but sweet and easygoing at the same time. He and Reed are already best pals. It's amazing to see them play like crazy, yet they are both gentle with claws and teeth. His favorite activities are playing hide and pounce with Reed or anyone in the house, running and sliding on the hardwood floors, and chasing everything that moves. We all just adore him! He definitely moved in and made our house his home.

-Marci and Darin

Petey & Jack

Petey was found abandoned with a couple of cans of cat food at a home in the country. As with all homes in the country, there are already enough cats available, so Petey came to us. Jack came to us from a family who had been trying to feed all the cats that were dumped off near their rural home, but they were getting overwhelmed. Jack lost one eye to a bad infection but his little heart was just overflowing with good feelings for everyone. He and Petey met in their foster home and instantly bonded. Shortly afterward, they met Kate and began their happily ever after. Kate writes us:

Jack and Petey are the most charming, curious, friendly boys I or any visitors to my home have met. Petey is an unusually confident, laid-back, fluffy guy and Jack is sweet, lanky, and a bit mischievous. After moving into my apartment it took them barely any time to get comfortable and start ruling the place. They love to play with their toys, follow me around and check out whatever it is I'm doing (including typing on my laptop), cuddle together, and of course, they like to eat, eat, eat. I loved them both as soon as I met them at their foster home and love them more every day. I'm so glad to have them in my home as companions. It's a great feeling when I open my door and they run down the stairs to greet me.

Thanks again to ARCF! They are wonderful kitties.

-Kate

Rosie (formerly Peekaboo)

Our introduction to Rosie is best summed up by our seven-year-old daughter, Athene: “Rosie is a sweet cat. When we went to find her, she was hissing. I put my face next to hers and she licked me gently on my face. I knew she wanted to come home with me.”

After some initial shyness, she has come out of her shell. She is affectionate, fun, curious, and a wonderful companion. When we come home, she runs to greet us, and follows us, meowing, until we give her the proper attention. This usually includes belly rubs (she likes to throw herself on the floor and show us where she likes to be scratched), chatting, and brushing. When Stanley talks to her, she readily answers and follows his directions obediently. We are starting to wonder if she really does understand people language!

Thank you, ARCF, for finding our tortoiseshell princess. She was just the cat we were looking for and we are grateful that you brought us together.

-Karla, Stanley, & Athene

BenFrank

BenFrank’s story started with us in 2008. He was rescued with a badly broken leg that required amputation. He recovered well, then went through a period of fighting minor medical issues. He tolerated all of the treatments and recovery, and maintained a loving and playful attitude. Everyone who met BenFrank was totally charmed by him, but we just never found the right home until Sabrina and Brigitt came along.

We asked ourselves: How does a fabulous, handsome, sweetheart of a cat not get adopted? Of course, we are talking about the distinguished BenFrank. And the answer is: this was always meant to be his home.

Last year we lost a family member, our fourteen-year-old Border Collie. She left behind her companion of thirteen years, a Golden Retriever mix named Maggie. When we decided to add a new feline member to our family, we could not have dreamed we would find such a perfect fit. BenFrank is exactly what we needed and wanted.

He is a big lap cat, starved for all the attention we have to offer. He is constantly talking, seeming to say, “Hey, what about me?” We are more than happy to shower him with the affection he desires. His absolute favorite place is the windowsill. We extended it out two feet and topped it with fleece. We toss birdseed on the ground in front of the window, and he bird-watches all day. When we tell him it is time to go “night-night” he runs to the bed, where he stays sprawled at our feet until morning.

We cannot thank you enough for bringing BenFrank into our lives. He is the perfect addition to our family, and we absolutely adore him. In a home full of females, BenFrank is King–and that is exactly as it should be.

-Sabrina, Brigitt, & Maggie

Grace & Duke

Grace and Duke were found underneath a porch by a kind person who asked us to help. Both kittens suffered from feline herpes, a common infection that can cause blindness if not treated. Grace's infection spread to her tear ducts, and she lost her right eye as a result. They came to an ARCF foster home for loving care while they healed, then they were lucky enough to meet Betsy.

It is working out great! Grace's early trials and loss of an eye haven’t stopped her from being an energetic kitty who loves everyone and promptly comes running when called. She purrs like a motor with a steady hum; and sleeps against my pillow. Duke is a shy, gentle boy who loves his sister. He likes to play and cuddle. Thank you to ARCF for allowing me the pleasure and privilege of these wonderful companions!

-Betsy

Jack & Adele

Jack and Adele were part of a colony of abandoned cats living around and under an apartment complex. The management had decided to rid the area of the cats using an exterminator, and one of the residents called us for help. We were able to capture all the cats, provide much needed veterinary care, and find them new homes.

Last July, we adopted Jack and Adele (formerly Eli and Nina). They were just baby kittens, but now they are huge, snuggly cats. We simply adore them. Jack (the black one) is our snuggle bug--he will take any opportunity to curl up in or near a lap. He even snuggles with the dog! Adele (the gray one) is a little more aloof, but not much. Neither of them is content without the other for long. The enclosed picture shows them in a typical pose.

Adopting these two was one of the best decisions we've made. They bring so much joy and comfort to our lives.

Thank you so much,
Beth & Jeff

Mr. Morris & Daffodil

Mr. Morris (formerly Maurice) and Daffodil were two of our “swamp kitties,” rescued in April when they were abandoned in a vacant lot near a creek. In spite of that rough episode, they became very happy, energetic cats that waited many months for just the right home. They wanted a young person of their own, and they were so lucky to find Jennifer and her daughter, Marissa.

They are so full of energy. When Marissa is not here they just look so bored and beg me to play with them. They will chase the laser pointer until they are panting. It is a lot of work having more than one cat but I couldn’t imagine them without each other. They are such a good fit for us, and we are so happy to have them.

Thank you for rescuing them and giving them a happy home before they came to us. I know that is why they are such good-natured kitties.

-Jennifer & Marissa

Anna & Simon

Anna and Simon were born to a barn cat and started life a bit wild. With loving care and patience from their foster families, they learned to enjoy the company of people and the indoor life. Soon they met Mary, who has a special understanding of shy kitties, and found love at first sight.

These are the most beautiful kittens I've seen in a long time. Anna has already become a lap sleeper, and Simon is at least watching now! I want to thank you so much. They couldn't be more precious.

-Mary

Jack & Jewell

Jack and Jewell were rescued by one of our supporters as kittens. They were soon adopted by Carla and we recently received this report:

Jewel is very much the big sister. She checks out everything: sounds, smells, food–with Jack following closely behind. And Jewel is a talker! She has quite a vocabulary; from a long, drawn out meow (asking for treats) to little chirps of happiness when she's being held. Jack has a special toy (we call it his “binky”) that he'll drag around and leave in different rooms. It's a feather on a string with a stick handle. We have hardwood floors so we can hear him coming!

-Carla

Ladykin & Crackerjack

Our regular readers will remember from our summer issue the story of Helena, who lost her dear Watson, adopted from ARCF in 2006. Watson was a very good correspondent and we received letters from him right up to (and even after!) his demise. Helena quickly realized that she missed having feline housemates and, as it happened, we had two mature and well-behaved cats, a lovely pure white mother and her pure black son, who were in desperate need of a home just such as Helena’s. It was a quite a good match, and we recently received this letter from Ladykin:

Dear Cat Persons,

Well! My son and I are here this small house. Our housekeeper hobbles around trying to make us welcome. But we have indicated to her that food is the primary social duty of herself.

The occasional (daily) brush-wielding helps loosen our lovely fur so that we have plenty to ingest and make furballs, which leads to depositing food in unwanted places.

And if I hear once more, “They’re nice, but they are not Watson,” I shall knock over something else. My son is not “fatty;” he is buff. That’s buff, as in handsome. Also, one has come to expect food on demand, not just by schedule.

Well! Thank you for finding us this nice, if somewhat low-class, establishment.

Love,
Ladykin & Crackerjack

Duncan & Dudley

Duncan was left in a box on a stranger's doorstep. He was taken to a vet, who contacted us for our help in finding him a new home. Dudley was trapped with a colony of feral cats. His coat was so badly matted that he had to be shaved. Our foster volunteer suspected there was a very sweet cat under all that fur, and that turned out to be Dudley's first big lucky day. He and Duncan at first seemed to be a very odd couple, but they quickly bonded at their foster home. Their second big lucky day came when Andrea and Brian came to meet them.

Here's an update from Andrea:

The guys are doing very well and have really settled in. We now have a nice routine and if they get a good play before bedtime, they allow me to sleep until 5 am! They are super friendly to visitors and they keep us entertained. My job is pretty stressful these days and they are such a nice gift at the end of a long day. I love them very much and feel so lucky to have them in my home.

-Andrea

Macchu & Pichu (formerly Huey & Louie)

Thanks so much for helping us find these boys. Machu and Picchu are a joy to have as members of our family. They are perfect for us: affectionate, playful, and so sweet.

-Ann, Zack, & Mika

Colette

Colette appeared at the home of one of our volunteers during the coldest part of last winter. After a month of searching for her owners with no success, we were able to find her the perfect new home.

Colette is very affectionate and outgoing. She is active and loves to play. Her favorite game is chasing the laser beam. Even when tired or sleepy, she is eager to accompany me up and down the stairs. And she gets very excited each time I go to the kitchen. When I open the refrigerator, she sticks her entire body in there to investigate. All of my friends are amazed to see how friendly and beautiful she is and they cannot believe that she was a homeless cat.

-Grace

Misty (formerly Toffee)

Misty now has us both wrapped around her tail so well we could never give her up. She sleeps with us every night at the foot of our bed. Thanks so much for our very loved kitty!

-Virginia & Keith

Marigold

When Marigold first came home with me, it was quite a challenge as she didn't have any of the qualities that I was seeking: an affectionate, mellow lap cat. She wanted to play all day, would not let me pick her up, and had no experience living in a home with rules! But with patience, an open heart, time and support from Pam at ARCF, who was committed to finding me a cat that would blend into my life, I have come to love Marigold for the qualities she does possess and I just can't imagine my life without her. I am just crazy about her! As is Jasmine, my other adopted cat. They are inseparable and I refer to them as two peas in a pod.

Thank you, ARCF!
Kim

Mezza

We adopted Mezza over a month ago. She is an older, wiser kitty of nine years and has lots of stories to tell us. When we first met her she seemed a little aloof but she warmed up as soon as we got her home. By the end of that day she was on her back between us getting her (very hairy) belly rubbed. She is a very social cat who enjoys meeting our friends who come to visit. I am very glad we were able to provide a home for an older cat. She is a great companion and addition to our home.

-Shannon

Tabitha & Dusty

The girls are doing great. They think my big male cat is best thing since canned food, and he enjoys their company. The three of them generally travel in a mini-cat parade around my feet. They are still wary of the dogs, but getting less so. Tabitha and Dusty recently met a toddler, found her fascinating, and were happy to be pet by a tiny hand. We have decided to keep their names; both of them seem know their names and we like them, too.

-Kristen

Roxy & Cartman (formerly Misty & Truman)

Roxy is like a guardian angel who watches over my family and me. Cartman is Roxy's other half. They have been such a joy and, we couldn't have asked for sweeter cats than these two.

Thank you, ARCF and Pam for such sweet and loving companions.
Sophia

Flash & Black Lantern (formerly Marney & Wiley)

Just wanted to let you know the boys are doing well. They are growing fast and are very healthy. Wrestle-mania every morning! Our friends love the boys as they are so outgoing when new people come over. I have never had indoor cats before, but they run around and play all over the house to their hearts' content. They are certainly the cats for us!

-Anna, Matt, & Shep

Arnie

Arnie is doing great! He loves to cuddle, snuggle and nap under the covers as much as possible. He purrs very loudly and has recently started playing with toys, too! He loves chasing a giant feather around the apartment and loves his cardboard scratching boards, too. Arnie is a very sweet, affectionate, and sometimes silly cat. We love having him as part of our family.

-Kristin

Chouquette (formerly Tali)

Bonjour from Chouquette! My mom gave me the name of a French pastry she likes a lot. She says chouquettes in France are very sweet and tender-hearted, just like me. I was a little sad to leave my foster mom but I am glad to say I found a very good home. My new mom is a little funny because she sometimes speaks English, sometimes French, so I had to learn all that—this is the reason I need to chew on the dictionary so often. I try to teach her to meow like me but we are not there yet. Still, we talk a lot to each other, especially about food as we both like fish a lot. We share a passion for the laptop too since it is always warm and purring. And sometimes we take a break and watch some old movies. So far my favorite is James Bond. He makes my whiskers quiver!

Thank you to Pam, Yvonne, and Erin who worked hard to help me find a good family!

From,
Katy (secretary to Choquette)

Cinco & Luna (formerly Cinco de Gato & Hula)

Cinco has decided that the best time to snuggle is in the middle of the night. His favorite spot is to lay with his back to my chest and his head tucked under my chin. We're still negotiating acceptable positions for my upper arm. During the day, I think he's made of springs. If you pick him up, you can almost feel him vibrate with the need to get away. He's chosen a small fleece blanket from the sofa as a security blanket; when we come home from work there's no telling where we'll find it—under the dining room table, in the upstairs hallway, on the stairs...

Luna has turned into the real lap cat. When I work from home, it's almost guaranteed that I'll have a lap warmer for most of the day. She purrs when you pick her up for snuggles and doesn't ever “have to get down!” She seems content to let you hold her until you've had your fill.

Our other cat Mitzi still isn't sure about these interlopers, but she's starting to stand up for herself. She will demand lap time, and look disgusted if it's already occupied. But rather than walk away, she'll often lay on the desk nearby. She and Luna get along fairly well—often sniffing and licking each other with only the occasional hiss. Cinco is still too playful, I think, for Mitzi's tastes. He wants to bat and pounce; she hisses and growls; he goes away and finds his sister.

-Linn

Serge & Martina (formerly Bruno & Sasha)

Serge and Martina are playing and exploring all over our house. They are currently learning, with some curiosity, the cat door that connects our kitchen door to the basement. They are sweet, purr-filled and inquisitive, and our four-year-old son loves rolling cat toys and catnip mice to them. They also love the Cat Dancer. Serge has jumped up more than four feet to catch it!

Thanks so much for all your help in bringing them into our lives.

-Lisa, Douglas, & Sterling

Huck & Phinn

It has been so relaxing to come home to cats who greet you at the door every day, anxiously awaiting your arrival and the soon-to-come cuddle time. Huck and Phinn are very outgoing and people-friendly, and they have quickly won over our hearts. We have turned into those people who show pictures of their “kids” at parties and somehow find the conversation leading back to the time Huck and Phinn did something absolutely adorable. We will stop there before we start sounding too cheesy and sentimental.

Thanks ARCF,
Amanda & Claire

ChiChi & Luka

ChiChi and Luka are fabulous. I recently moved and got married. My wife had one cat named Baloney and now all three get along great. We are expecting a baby in the near future and are looking forward to the cats meeting baby Mia. ChiChi and Luka absolutely love Christe and she has grown very fond of them. I would like others to know how great your organization is and how happy I am with my decision to adopt these wonderful kitties!

Best wishes,
Matt

Boris & Natasha

Our house was very empty and quiet after we lost our kitty of 19 years. After several months we figured it was time to start looking for new friends. The search was unsuccessful for weeks until we met Boris and Natasha! Two coincidences told us they were meant to be ours: All of our previous cats were named after cartoon characters and we met and adopted Boris and Natasha on the same day we had adopted our previous kitty, 15 years earlier.

They are sassy, happy and loving. They mean the world to us. Many thanks to Ron and ARCF for their foster care of Boris and Natasha before they came home.

-Ken & Michelle

Asia (formerly Bonnie)

Asia loves to roam the house, sitting in different windows to observe the night. She sleeps in the bed with Musta and us. She loves to play with catnip mice and toys that have feathers. Our Musta loves chasing a red pen light, but Asia just looks at us as if to say, ”Do you think that I am really that gullible?” Asia also loves the cat tree. She is getting used to being brushed every day and she is fascinated by the self-cleaning litter box. Asia is also starting to talk to us more, she and Musta chat with each other quite a bit. The conclusion is that we now have ‘big sweetie’ Musta and ‘little sweetie’ Asia.

We now have also a German Shepherd puppy that Musta and Asia are training together. Most cats want their own dog anyway. Asia is getting to be quite a self-assured young lady and is now enjoying her life worry free.

-Hannamari & Michel

Zoe & Miles (formerly Fontina & Cheddar)

Zoe and Miles are incredible, and we are crazy about them. They entertain us all the time. Miles is a little purr machine. Zoe is still a bit stand-offish at times, but we are patient. They having a great time exploring the house. Who knew that bathtubs could be so fascinating?

-Andrea & Rob

Charlie Chaplin

We adopted Charlie from you and we are overjoyed to have him. He has managed to seamlessly fit himself into our life, and has become a wonderful companion and playmate for our other cat, MungoJerry.

Although Charlie was initially very shy and reserved, they now tumble about the apartment chasing each other and both sprawl out on the bed with us every night. Charlie has completely won us over with his easy going personality and extreme self confidence. He likes nothing better than to lie on my chest, paws around my neck, head tucked under my chin and purr. And drool. And he always manages to be there as soon as I wake up.

Adopting from ARCF was so easy and wonderful. Your program really puts the cats’ need for a good home first and foremost. Thank you for a wonderful addition to our family!

Lucy

I was 10 months old when I was brought home by my new adopted family, Don and Mary Feller, on October 27, 2003. Patty Davies of Animal Rescue certainly did a wonderful job matching me to Don and Mary. As they left the Western Pet store in Raleigh Hills with wonderful things to make me feel at home, they said they spent more on me than they did their daughter, Amanda, when she was born in 1969. Amanda is my big sister but she has her own home in Tacoma because she is a college professor at Pacific Lutheran University. I like having her as a big sister, but I am glad I don't share "my space" with her. I get all my parents attention around the house!

My mom, Mary, has a plaque in the kitchen that says, "Dogs have masters, cats have staff". That certainly is true around my home! If I want to eat, I sit by my bowl until my Dad pets me! Then I eat. I have him well trained! When I want to play hide-and-seek I make very strong eye contact with Don. He knows that it is time to run upstairs and then find me! I always make it easy for him to find me!

Mary knows that I like to sleep on top of her when she reads in bed. However, I have not been able to train her to let me sleep on her all night. She does let me sleep next to her with my body tight against her side. Unfortunately, she make me get up in the morning before I am really ready. Sometimes, I leave the living room and go back to sleep on their bed in the master suite. Actually I call it the Mistress Cat suite!

There are only two things I would change in my life. The neighborhood cats invade my yard. Sometimes, I get so upset I run into the glass window trying to scare them away. An even worse thing is when my parents travel internationally. They hire a cat sitter for me but it is just not the same. I usually punish them for a day or two upon their return to show my displeasure!

Thank you again for my wonderful home!
Lucy Cat Feller

Bob

This is in response to your call for updates. I adopted Tom - now known as Bob - last November. He is a sweet, loving boy and has fit right in with my other cat, Iggy. We just celebrated his first anniversary with us early last month. When Bob came here, he had just had stitches on his tail. I am happy to report that his tail hair has grown back and his tail is now in great shape. Here is a picture of Bob/Tom.

Please keep up your wonderful work. I'll send a donation along in a couple of weeks.

Sincerely,
Grace

Banshee & Alani

Banshee and Alani, (formerly Madison and KieKie) came home with us May 2006. Having lost 2 old cats in less than a year, we knew we wanted two more and preferably sisters. Even before we had seen the kittens (we knew one was calico and one was orange tabby) we decided we would name the tabby Alani because it means orange in Hawaiian. Banshee came by her name after we observed them at home for a couple hours. She's a wild one! She is also sweet sweet and loves to snuggle. Her favorite toys can be found in her food dish when she's finished playing with them.

Alani is a little more selective with her snuggle time, while she loves to be petted, she doesn't like to be held. She does curl up between our legs when we're reclining on the couch with a soft blanket. The softer and more plush the better for Alani. Alani's also the talker. We call her the “howler monkey” because her meows are shrill and often for no reason at all.

These sisters love each other and we are continuously entertained by their wrestling and grooming each other. We know when they're racing upstairs as we can hear them tear through the hallways—sometimes in the middle of the night!

We love the girls and are so glad we brought them into our home. Thank you ARCF!

-Rob, Brenda, Bethany, & Elizabeth

Marshmallow & Tabitha

Wanted to let you know how well my girls were doing. I got them from ARCF in April 2006 at 16 weeks. They are very active and happy girls that keep life interesting (it is amazing how many things they can get into). Can't believe they will be 2 in January 2008 (they are growing too fast).

-Debra

Poncho & Lefty

Hi Team,

I wanted to thank you all again for bringing Poncho & Lefty into my life. My two shy boys are such loves now, I don't know what I would do without them. I'm enclosing a photo of the two of them snoozing on my bed.

Thank you again,
Nona

Patches

Hi Pam,

We just wanted to let you know that she's doing great! We've re-named her "Eva" which she seems to respond to. She's been very friendly and playful and just a joy to have. She's been eating fine and seems content in the room we have her set up in. We let her wander around the house when we're home, although we are still keeping her separated from our pug with a baby gate since she's not used to him yet.

We are so pleased to have her as a part of the family! I've already taken several pictures of her to "show her off" to our friends and family, and have attached a couple for you to see.

Sincerely,
Lori & Samuel

Lucy

Pam,

I wanted to let you know that I've had Lucy for a little over a year now and she is doing very well. We have 3 other cats that we've had for 10 to 15 years. They are our family since we have no children. We also are taking care of my mother in law's Persian since she passed a year ago. It's funny Lucy has taken over as the head cat. She loves having a home. She sits in the flower box on the front porch and watches everything that moves. This is her house!

Thanks,
Sig

Rainy & Dot

Hello! I just wanted to give you an update on my darling kitties that came to live with me late last summer. You may recall that I came to visit you looking for a companion for my 8 year old male kitty, Hazie, who had just lost his best friend Julius to renal failure. Hazie was miserable and wandered around the house howling. I was pretty miserable, too.

I came to the house determined not to take the mother and daughter that you had home with me but I took one look at those girls and it was all over. I remember Zoey followed me around making the funniest “blork” noises. I've never heard a cat make such a noise and I've never heard it again. When I got the girls home, at first Hazie would have nothing to do with them. They trotted around after him until he found a way to escape their attentions. Ali especially seemed quite enamored with big, beautiful Hazie.

It became pretty clear to me that Zoey was not hearing everything that went on around her. She was constantly surprised that I had come into the house and she was totally easy to sneak up on. I decided to rename her after my lovely, but quite deaf Grandma Lorraine. So, from that day forward, she became known as Lorraine (or Rainy). Of course her daughter then had to be renamed Dot which was what my Granny Lorraine called my Mother. The names suit them so well that they had to be meant to be.

It wasn't too awfully long that Hazie decided that they were sorta kinda okay to hang out with. And then it wasn't too long after that, that I caught Hazie and Dot licking each other and finally snuggled up on the bed just like Hazie used to do with Julius.

So, now I've got a pack of prancing, preening, playing, black and white (with a little orange) beautiful cats making me laugh and cuddling with me at night. Thank you so much for all you do and know that they're having a wonderful life. Here are some photos of the gang.

-Nadine, Hazie, Lorraine, & Dot

Lizzie Burnside

Lizzie came to live with me last September, after my sweet Phoebe's death, and has been brightening my home ever since. Word is she was found on a construction site, with worms, fleas, ear mites, giardia and an omnivorous hunger. As you can see from this photo, she's now healthy and beautiful.

Lizzie appears to be loving her new role as Only Cat and turns out to be the Class Clown. She frequently joins me in the shower in the morning, races to the door to greet all guests and flirts shamelessly with the plumber and the electrician. I recently discovered that she comes running if I sing to her, jumps on my lap purring loudly and rolls over to have her tummy rubbed. She's not really a lap cat, but makes regular middle of the night demands for snuggles. Not the cat I had in mind, but clearly the cat I was meant to love.

-Marion

Emmie & Crewcut

My husband and I moved to Portland recently from Austin, TX, where we had had cats for the past 20 years. Our last one died a few months before we came to Oregon, and the house was too quiet. We really wanted a bonded pair of Manx kittens, but we were OK with one. Pam told us about a bonded pair that were up for adoption! We have had them now for six weeks: Emma, aka Emmie, and Ringo, now Crewcut. Our cats in the past mostly tolerated one another, so we wanted to see what it would be like to have kittens that were inseparable. What a joy they are! They groom each other, sleep together, and entertain each other when we are not around.

Thanks so much to Pam and the kittens' foster mom for helping us find them. Your organization is wonderful!

-Christy & Joe

Frankie

Thank you to everyone who helped me to adopt my cat Frankie (previously Chloe) last summer!

Frankie's story of her early life is spotty, but didn't sound good. She had been rescued from a hoarder at about 1 year of age, and had been living in a dog run with other cats, so was not well socialized with humans. It seems she had a litter her first heat. I suspect these early stresses of life have contributed to her small size (only 7 pounds!). When I met Frankie, she spent most of her time hiding, cuddling with other cats, and generally avoiding humans.

But her foster mom had gotten to know her and seen that she could grow to trust humans in time. The primary reason I knew Frankie was a good match for my home was that I was looking for a cat to pair with my 4 year old mellow and lonely male cat. Frankie showed that she yearned for cuddling and playing with other cats!

It's bee about 8 months since I brought Frankie home, and we continue to see improvements in her comfort with humans. At first she showed small signs like climbing up to cuddle when I was in bed. Then she got brave enough to approach us while sitting on the couch. Now she easily plays and often seeks out human attention. She does still run away sometimes, like an old habit, when a human walks through the room or reaches at her.

She and my other cat, Julep, have bonded very deeply! I have included a picture I just took today when I got home from school. Frankie is the grey and black tabby, Julep is the orange tabby. They are always found cuddling or wrestling and would prefer to never be apart! Julep is a much happier cat with his companion Frankie!

Isabell

Dear ARCF:

Thank you so much for all the good work that you do for the animals -- especially the cats. I watch your website, and enjoy seeing the kitties come and go. I was an adoption counselor for C.A.T. for a few months, and I know how wonderful it is to do a successful adoption from both sides of the transaction -- as a counselor and as an adopter.

Just about a year ago, we adopted out little "girl", Isabell, from you. We had a cat, a purebred Chartreux -- Mazel Tov. She was lonely and needed a companion while we were at work. Having worked at C.A.T., I knew how many stray kitties needed a home and was determined to adopt a kitty from a shelter. I hounded the Internet, and of course, kept an eye on the cats coming through C.A.T. What impressed me about your organization was that you fostered all of the cats and could give us an insight into their personalities. Your wonderful photos and descriptions made it much easier to find a kitty who was perfect for us and our purebred princess. Her kennel name was Betty, and she was a wonderful tortie who was fostered by a lovely lady out in Northeast Portland. One visit was all that it took to convince us that she was the perfect girl for us. We brought her home, and she would have none of the "breaking in" routine that I had taught my adopters; she broke out of the bedroom within an hour and ran up to Mazzie, purring away. As we held our breath, they sniffed each other, and have been best buds ever since. They sleep together, play together, and she is a perfect addition to our family.

Keep up the great work that you do for the animals!

Violet

Dear ARCF,

I've attached a photo of Violet which I shot just yesterday. I just wanted to let you know that she's healthy and happy here with Marnie and me and her best cat friend, Ned. We have a large house and she can always find a peaceful spot when she needs her solitude, but she also makes it her business to know exactly where her people are at all times.

Best regards,
Doug

Wiley

Hello,

Wiley came to live with me about two years ago. I was told his foster family had given him the nickname Loverboy. Boy, does it apply! He's the most affectionate, easy going, love-monkey ever. He keeps his two dog sisters on their toes while holding down a full-time job as my office mate (I work from home). But here's what really makes Wiley special: Everyone thinks he's cool. Even people who don't like cats. Yes, he's really that special.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Stacey

Cosimo

Hello there,

Cosimo is doing very well. He loves hiding under clothes and bed sheets. His new habit is dragging clothes from the living room upstairs to the hallway. Currently he is trying to transport a pair of jeans from the garage. He is small and scrappy. My Max still pushes him around a lot. However there times of quiet where both share the same spot to sleep. I’ve enclosed a photo.

-Hal