Whiskers of Hope

01/21/2025

[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer.]

Haru is a five-year-old girl with striking calico markings, who's about 90% sweetness and 10% sassiness. Like many cats, Haru can be wary of people at first, but, once she warms up, she REALLY warms up! She's a cat who'll rub against your leg or flop over for a belly rub. She came from a home where she didn't get enough play time and was free-fed low-quality dry food, so she's a little chubby. We've put her on a weight-loss diet and used a zigzag bowl for her dry food, and it seems to be working. She should go to a home where she'll get lots of interactive play time. Sometimes she needs a bit of space, but doesn't everyone? Mostly, though, she seems to thrive on the presence of humans. We have not observed her with kids; we think she would be good with older kids who know how to treat cats respectfully, but probably not with very young children. She's not a fan of other cats. Overall, Haru is a sweet cat who needs a little patience and gentle care. In return, she'll curl up in bed with you and love you for the rest of her life.

Haru has been:
- spayed
- vaccinated against rabies and distemper
- tested negative for FIV and FeLV.
- examined by a vet

Her adopter will receive her medical records. She's being fostered in Allston

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.

01/21/2025

[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]

Chino is a friendly black boy, about seven months old, who needs a home. Once he entered his foster home, it did not take long for him to show himself to be a warm, friendly, playful boy with a ready. He is a social cat who should be adopted into an interactive home where he will not be unaccompanied for long periods of time ideally with at least one other cat, as he has not known any life without at least one other cat. We have not observed him with dogs or kids, but we believe he'd do well with kids who know how to treat cats respectfully. Chino is an easy cat who radiates an abundance of love and warmth-- even the vet staff commented on this. He would be suitable for a first-time adopter.

Chino has been:
- neutered
- vaccinated against rabies and distemper
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Chino occasionally makes breathing noises. A sedated exam revealed no polyps or other abnormalities. Our vet determined he has mild sinusitis that requires no further treatment. It does not affect his quality of life. You remember that kid in elementary school who often had a stuffy nose? Chino is the feline version of that kid. His adopter will receive his medical records.

There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. To facilitate a quick adoption, his adoption fee has been reduced. He's being fostered in Malden.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to him and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for him as we try to match people with the right cats.

01/21/2025

[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]

The first thing that stands out pretty much as soon as anyone meets ten-year-old Smokey is that he's a big, friendly lug who seems to like everyone. Even people at the clinic commented about this when he was there to get his exam, which he experienced without complaint. The poor guy needs a home because he belonged to an octogenarian who went into a nursing home.

Smokey's a loveably large gentle boy who has managed to remain about as easy-going a cat as anyone is ever likely to meet. All he wants is someone to give him love, which he will return a thousand times over. He does not like other cats, so he must be the sole feline King of his castle. We have not observed him with dogs or kids, although we think he would do well with older kids who understand how to treat cats respectfully. SMOKEY should be adopted into an interactive home where he will get lots of play and won't be left unaccompanied for long. Weighing in at 17 lbs., he's not fat-- he's just a big, beefy boy. He seems to be an easy cat who would be suitable for a first-time adopter.

He has been:
- neutered
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

His adopter will receive his medical records, which include exam reports from two different veterinarians giving him a clean bill of health. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. He's being fostered in Somerville. The world does not beat a path to ten-year-old cats, so his adoption fee has been discounted accordingly.

Cats can live up to 20 years, and don't be surprised if Smokey lives that long, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to him and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for him as we try to match people with the right cats.

01/20/2025

[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Oreo is a sweet Turkish van mix, about a year old. This lovable little girl was surrendered because she belonged to an elderly person who was too old to care for her. It took her a little over a week to adjust to her foster home, but now she sleeps with her foster mom and contentedly kneads the blanket. She responds to petting with a warm purr. She would do best in a home where she will not be left unaccompanied for long hours. She's not a fan of other cats. We have not observed her with dogs or kids; we think she'd probably be OK with kids who know how to treat cats respectfully. Oreo is a sweet girl who is likely to be appropriate for a suitably patient first-time adopter.

She has been:
- spayed
- vaccinated against rabies and distemper
- tested negative for FIV and FeLV.
- treated for internal parasites and fleas
- examined by a vet

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. She is being fostered in the Medford, where potential adopters can arrange to meet her.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to them and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.

12/23/2024

{Couretsy post for an independent rescuer]
Fern, Poppy, Yasmin, and Thornley are a litter cute, smart, affectionate little kittens, only about four-five months old, who need homes. They like people and enjoys chasing and catching wand toys. Their foster mom can cradle them as though they were human babies. We haven't observed them with kids, but kittens almost always do well with kids who know how to treat them respectfully. They should be adopted into interactive homes where they'll get lots of attention and won't be left unaccompanied for long. Kittens tend to do best if adopted in pairs or into the homes that already have a cat or a cat-friendly dog, and that is the case with these little ones. They can be adopted separately if there is another four-legged pal in their new home, or with one of their siblings. They are adorable kittens who seem suitable for first-time adopters.

They have been:
- spayed/neutered
- vaccinated as age-appropriate
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Their adopters will receive their medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. They're being fostered in Danvers.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to them and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide as we try to match people with the right cats.

12/23/2024

UPDATE: ADOPTED
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Maine c**n mix Abel is a warm, friendly, playful deaf boy about a year and a half old, a social cat who loves playing, being pet, and being around his foster family. He was rescued as a kitten having been trapped inside a wall. Later, his family added other animals to their household. His deafness often made him startled by their presence, with the result that he was often on edge, so they surrendered him. Abel should be adopted into a quiet home, without dogs or other cats, where he will get lots of interaction, and with people who will be cognizant of his need. He's pretty much an easy cat with "good boy" written all over him, and who radiates an abundance of love and warmth.

He has been:
- neutered
- vaccinated against rabies and distemper
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

His adopter will receive his medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. He's being fostered in Medford.

Abel's long fur exhibits his Maine c**n ancestry, but his size does not; he's an average-sized cat. He will require occasional grooming. (NEVER attempt to cut mats from a cat's fur with scissors, as too often flesh is cut along with the fur!)

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to him and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for him as we try to match people with the right cats.

12/13/2024

12/11/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Little Shera is a cute tortoiseshell kitten, about five-six months old, who needs a home. She's a mischievous little girl who doesn't hold still for very long. She'll purr if you pet her, but she's just a little shy about that at first. Unlike most kittens, she could be adopted into a home without other felines, but one in which she will get lots of attention and won't be left unaccompanied for long, although she does well with other cats. Shera is loads of fun and enjoys playing with anything she can get her little mitts on. She'll bring joy to anyone lucky enough to adopt her.

She has been:
- spayed
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. She's being fostered in the Northeastern University area.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.

12/11/2024

ADOPTED!
{Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Yoyo is a buff-orange-and-white boy, about five to six months old, who needs a home. Like most kittens, he's a tad shy until his trust is earned, but that doesn't take very long. He purrs a ton when he's being pet. He loves to play with his foster dad and with the other kitten in his foster home,. We haven't observed him with dogs or kids; most kittens do well with kids who know how to treat cats respectfully. He should be adopted into an interactive home where he'll get lots of attention and won't be left unaccompanied for long. Kittens tend to do best if adopted in pairs or into the homes that already have a cat or a cat-friendly dog, and that is the case with this boy. Yoyo will bring love and laughter to any home lucky enough to have him.

He has been:
- neutered
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

His adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. He's being fostered in the Northeastern University area.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to him and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats

12/11/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
What we have here is a sort of odd-couple pair between a kitten and an adult. Tuxedo-girl Trinity is as cute and friendly a kitten as anyone could ever hope for. Six-year-old Neo is a tuxedo boy who came out of a hoarding situation where he did not receive much human attention. Once placed in foster care, he mostly reclusively hid, although he played, accepted some petting, and even ate hand-held treats. Still, he remained shy until Trinity, about six months old, came along. Neo took to the little girl quickly, adopting the role of a nurturing uncle: watching over her, gently playing with her, and generally looking after her. In turn, Trinity helped Neo come out of his shell with her playful, outgoing antics, and he gradually accepted more human interaction to the point where he no longer hides all the time. He sees little purring machine Trinity enjoy being pet and otherwise interact with their foster mom, which has helped Neo's caring nature emerge. Little Trinity can play with his tail or chew on his ear, but Neo is always gentle and protective. It's quite touching to see. We haven't observed them with children or dogs. We think they would do well with children who are mature enough to treat cats respectfully and understand their dynamic.

Trinity is one of the world’s cuddliest kittens. She loves to be held and pet. She’s also full of mischief. and loves toys. Neo is also very playful. All you need is a pole toy for him to entertain you with hijinks. Both are very well-behaved.

These two should be adopted into an interactive home where they’ll get lots of play and attention, and it would be best if they were the only cats in their adoptive home. They’d be an excellent pair for an adopter who wants a friendly little kitten, and is willing to be patient with Neo as he adjusts more slowly. They must be adopted together and should be the only four-legged creatures in the home, at least for the time being.

They have been spayed/neutered, given rabies and distemper vaccinations, tested negative for FeLV and FIV, and treated for worms and fleas. Their adopter will receive their medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. Their adoption fee has been reduced to a mere $265 for the pair-- a bargain for a couple of new family members who will fill your home with love and laughter. They’re being fostered in Somerville. Please inquire via email to [email protected] and include your phone number for a faster response.

11/25/2024

[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
If there were a contest for the World's Friendliest Cat, eight-year-old tuxedo boy Cider would surely be a contender. The poor little guy lost his home when the person who meant the world to him moved and chose not to keep him. He was understandably depressed at this betrayal, but he eventually recognized that his fosters were being nice to him, and he showed himself to be an affectionate boy who responds to petting with a warm purr. As you can see in one of the photos, he even hugs hands that pet him. We have not observed him with dogs or kids; we think he would do well with kids who know how to treat a cat respectfully. He is not fond of other cats. Cider would do best in an interactive home where he will get play time and not be left unaccompanied for long periods of time. He seems to be an easy cat who would be suitable for a first-time adopter.

He has been:
- neutered
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

His adopter will receive his medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. His adoption fee is a mere $75-- a bargain for a new best friend who will love you with all his heart for the rest of his life. He's being fostered in Wellesley.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to him and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for him, as we try to match people with the right cats.

11/25/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Little Shera is a cute tortoiseshell kitten, about five months old, who needs a home. She's a mischievous little girl who doesn't hold still for very long. She'll purr if you pet her, but she's just a little shy about that at first. Unlike most kittens, she should be adopted into a home without other felines, but one in which she will get lots of attention and won't be left unaccompanied for long. Shera is loads of fun and enjoys playing with anything she can get her little mitts on. She'll bring joy to anyone lucky enough to adopt her.

She has been:
- spayed
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. She's being fostered in the Northeastern University area.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.

11/25/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Eight-year-old girl Fauna might be the saddest cat you could ever meet. The poor girl lost her home when the person who meant the world to her died, and her grief is overwhelming. When she arrived in her foster home, she only wanted to withdraw into a closet. She has made progress and no longer spends all of her time in seclusion. She now sleeps on her foster mom's bed and accepts petting in small doses, so she has progressed to the point where she is adoptable, but she is not yet the cat who will happily greet her adopter at the door because happiness is not something she can feel yet. She needs to be adopted by someone who can give her the time and patience a vulnerable little girl like her needs, someone who understands the profound heartache that comes with the loss of a loved one, and who is willing to help her through her grief so she can emerge as the loving, affectionate, following-room-to-room cat she longs to be. She needs patience, but she will be worth it.

She has been:
- spayed
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- examined by a vet and determined to be healthy.

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. The world does not beat a path to cats like Fauna, so that fee has been reduced to a mere $25-- a bargain for a new best friend who will come to love you for the rest of her life. She's being fostered in Medford.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected] this is the most direct way to proceed. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her, as we try to match people with the right cats.

11/23/2024

I've helped a good many cats over the years, some of whom have had litter-box problem. Here are several solutions.

1. There are cats who are attracted to plastic/rubber. The issue may not be that she's attracted to the bathtub, but a rubber bathtub mat. Try one that's made of a different material.

2. There's a brand of litter called "Cat Attract" that has a very good track record.

3. The most common cause of litter-box problems is not from cats, but humans for not scooping out the box often enough. This should be *at least* once per day. Fussier cats need it more often,

4. The second-most common cause is not putting enough litter in the box. I've seen litter boxes with barely enough litter to cover the bottom. What cat would want to use that? Litter should be *at least* an inch (2.54 cm) deep.

5. Yes, some cats are attracted to the surfaces of bathtubs and bathroom sinks. I once fostered such a cat. The bathtub and bathroom sink were the only places she'd use, so I just gave her what she wanted. I went on Craigslist and found a, old sink that someone was giving away, so I fashioned a litter box out of it: problem solved.

11/21/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer (MA)]
Ice Man and Cougar are a cute, bonded pair of brother-and-sister kittens, about four-five months old, who need a home. These adorable little bundles of energy are a pair of imps who enjoy playing and curling up with each other. They go from playfully wrestling with each other to grooming each other within seconds. We think they would do well with children who are mature enough to treat cats respectfully-- kittens almost always do. Because they are bonded to each other, they must be adopted together. These two are little treasures who will add love and laughter to their new homes.

They have:
- been spayed/neutered
- been vaccinated as age-appropriate
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV.
- been treated for fleas and worms

Their adopter will receive their medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. A small discount will apply if they are adopted in together. They're being fostered in Boston.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to them and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for them as we try to match people with the right cats.

11/21/2024

Fosters desperately needed for rescued cats (MA)

Cat rescuer needs volunteers to assist cats of all ages in need. Most needed are fosters to provide temporary homes for cats awaiting adoption. Nearly all are adopted within a few weeks. With very few exceptions, all will have been vaccinated, tested for FIV and FeLV, and spayed/neutered prior to placement into a foster home. The most common exceptions are of extremely young kittens who are too young to have had certain procedures or certain emergency situations. Vet care is provided at our vet.

If cats need rescuing, but they have no place to go, they don't get rescued. If you do this, you WILL help save the lives of cats who would have died otherwise.

Also needed are volunteers to assist in transporting cats to foster homes and to the veterinarian (most frequently Charlestown, Medford, Revere, or Lowell.

Please reply via email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. Someone will contact you ASAP, probably within 48 hours.

11/15/2024

ADOPTED!
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Stevie is an ultra-cute, little brown-tabby girl, about six months old, who needs a home. She's a mischievous little lass who doesn't hold still for very long and responds to petting with an enthusiastic purr. She gets along well with the other cat in her foster home, even the grumpy one who wants nothing to do with her. Like most kittens, she would do best adopted into a home that already another cat or cat-friendly dog, and one in which she will get lots of attention and play time. She should not be the sole four-legged creature in her home. We haven't observed her with kids, but we think she would do well with kids who know how to treat cats respectfully-- most kittens do. Stevie will give lots of love and laughter to any home fortunate enough to have her.

She has been:
- spayed
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. She's being fostered in Medford.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.

11/15/2024

Update: ADOPTED
[Courtesy post for an independent rescuer]
Little Reya is a petite brown-tabby-and-white girl, about a year old, who lost the only home she'd ever known because the person who meant the world to her moved and chose not to bring her along. That person also chose not to spay her, so she soon got pregnant and gave birth to a couple of kittens, both of whom have pending adoptions. She's not much larger than a kitten herself, and she's still got lots of kitten energy. She's an adorable little girl who likes to play and responds to petting with an enthusiastic purr. Reya is more of a curl-up-next-to-you cat than a lap cat, and very affectionate. Her foster moms say she's very curious. She should be adopted into a home in which she will get lots of attention and play time. We haven't observed her with other cats, dogs, or kids, but we think she would do well with kids who know how to treat cats respectfully-- she seems to like all the people she has met. Reya will give lots of love and laughter to any home fortunate enough to have her. She seems to be an easy cat who would be suitable for a first-time adopter.

She has been:
- spayed
- given rabies and distemper vaccinations
- tested negative for FeLV and FIV
- treated for worms and fleas

Her adopter will receive her medical records. There is a simple adoption process and an adoption fee so we can continue to help cats in need. She's being fostered in the Northeastern University area.

Cats can live up to 20 years, so give careful thought to the changes that are likely to occur in your life during that time. If you can and will commit to her and provide a safe, loving home for life, then respond to [email protected]. Please include your phone number for a faster response and say a little about yourself and the home you would provide for her as we try to match people with the right cats.