My goal was to "foster" a cat. Adopting a cat really isn't an option considering we still have Lexie back in Canada and 2 kids returning to a small (by Canadian standards) bay area condo. So fostering seemed like a safe middle ground. Fostering a cat typically entails taking a younger kitten for ~8 weeks to both acclimatize it to humans (and I'm a highly sough after specimen to be acclimatized to), and prepare it for adoption by another family.
Google lead me to the 9 Lives Foundation - a "No-Kill" volunteer shelter right off the 101 in Redwood City. I was always aware of this location because of the patriotism of the neighboring building (straight out of a Toby Keith song).
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| Click on this, or any, image for the full size version |
Taking a chance on one (so I thought) of these guys seemed perfect. The cat gets to spend six months in a nice home which and - while the foundation was a much better place than being a stray - this was an improvement further.
9 Lives is located in a large warehouse, and its sectioned off with large steel cages to keep the cats separate.
The cats for adoption are kept in individual cages or as pairs, whereas the cats with FLV are kept separate, but communally, at the back.
While cats can certainly be finicky, I could see that they were all friendly. I knew right away the Foundation took good care of them, for this wouldn't be the case otherwise. There were some really nice looking guys. Here's a herd of FLV tabbies, Maria's favorite:
The vet asked if it would be possible to take two cats - given that I work every day this would give the cats companionship. That made sense. It also meant I wouldn't be torn in my decision - on one hand I wanted a nice, friendly, outgoing cat (like everyone), but I didn't think that was fair and instead I should have been giving some under-cat who might not be that 'marketable' a chance.
The friendly, outgoing cat was easy to choose. I like orange cats; Maria likes Tabbies. Some tricky math lead me to and Orange Tabby named Hobbes. Hobbes was born sometime in 2012 as a stray on the streets of Los Gatos. Los Gatos in spanish is "The Cats". I had no choice!
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| Much like myself, Hobbes owned the food bowl amid the competition |
The second choice was a bit tougher. All the cats where nice, but some where shy and tough to get a feel for. Then the volunteer talked to me about Emmie. Emmie is a black Tabby who had been in the shelter for almost a year (nearly all her life) after coming off the streets just south of us in Silicon Valley. She finally found a home in November of 2014, but on her first day (!) at her new house she fell from a 3rd floor balcony, breaking her pelvis and leg in multiple places. She had to have her leg amputated. I figured it made perfect sense to give Emmie a new home.
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| The missing patch of fur is where her back leg used to be. |
Most cats don't like crates. Emmie had no issues though - she went in and was relaxed (even fell asleep in the car). Hobbes had to be stuffed in, and he put up some resistance. He yowled too.
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| Happy |
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| Not Happy |
On top of this, they will provide vet care while the cats are being fostered. For anyone who can't afford cat, this might be a good option! Again, I was impressed with them.
We took a picture before we left
They have a blackboard where they fill in the name of the cats adopted each month. I co-signed for Hobbes and Emmie.
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| Fish & Chips: Best name(s) ever |
Once we got home, I opened the door to their cages. I wasnt sure what to expect. Would they bolt? Would they stay in? Would they attack?
When Emmie did come out, she made her way under the couch.
Hobbes set up shop quickly - scoping out the apartment. I showed him where the litter box was (Maria's closet; the smell isn't that bad, she won't mind), and he remembered that later in the night.
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| While neutered, he is well-endowed |
When not exploring, he is constantly under foot.
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| Actually, hes above foot in this picture. |
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| He likes to eat, grazing from the food bowl all night |
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| He dosent mind being picked up |
Emmie, while not visibly scared, spent most of the night under the couch. She didn't shy away from me when I reached under, she just didn't want to come out.
It didn't take Hobbes long to find the bed.
Emmie came out a few times that night, but only for short periods. I decided to let her get used to things at her own pace.
This worked, the next day she was out and about and rarely goes under the couch.
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| About to pounce on Hobbes - never let your guard down |
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| We need a carpet cleaning |
The two of them get along just fine. Even though she is smaller, she seems to be dominating him. I brought home a tasty Gangham Chicken tonight, and she ate quite a bit of it. Hobbes wasnt that interested. They chase each other, and play fight.
Her stiches (actually stables, ouch) were taken out the night before I got her. Her scar looks good, and while she hops/hobbles around, she seems in good shape.
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| There should be a leg here. |
Here are their official pictures.
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| Hobbes |
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| Emmie |
I still haven't finalized names. I may keep them the same, though Maria and I talked about a few options. We had always joked about have a pair of cats and naming them "Big Tuna" and "Little Tuna" (Big Tuna comes from The Office). We asked Allison and - big surprise - she wants to name one of them Elsa (from Frozen). My choice would be "Guns" and "Roses", but that likely won't fly.
Finally, I highly recommend the 9 Live Foundation. I was very impressed with what they do there.
The End.
