Protectors of Animals, 144 Main Street, East Hartford, CT (2025)

11/25/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Protectors of Animals Holiday Fair this past Saturday! The day was filled with so much holiday cheer 🎄from festive photos with Santa and Mrs.
Claus, to hearts being warmed (literally!) at our hot cocoa bar.

Our vendors brought incredible gifts and goodies for everyone on your "nice list," and the tradition of our annual bake sale and raffle made spirits extra bright. ✨

We're so grateful to every volunteer, vendor, supporter, and visitor who joined us. Your kindness and generosity help us continue our mission of rescuing and caring for animals in need. 🐶 🐱

📸 shout out to our talented
photographers (and POA volunteers)
Ariel and Christine for capturing the joy of the day.

11/25/2025

We are starting the countdown to what for many people is the most stressful time of the year. We enter into the season promising ourselves that we will practice self- care, embrace the meaning of the season, catch up with friends and loved ones, and notice and enjoy all of the special moments. But many of us soon find ourselves standing in lines at the mall, agonizing over late deliveries, or yelling at the car who stole ourspot in a parking spot.

Take a moment.

Breathe.

Think about what it would mean to be kind to yourself and to others, to do something that will be fun and festive, but will also make your heart full. Think of what it would mean to spend a few hours this holiday season eating cake or quiche, drinking hot chocolate or a mimosa, and cuddling a cat. Now think of what it would mean to do that at Protectors of Animals’ cat shelter, where you get to see- boots on the ground- what we do, and where you know that the cost of your ticket is going to help a kitten who needs surgery or to help feed an adult cat who has been living outside in the cold for years… Think of how you would feel knowing that you are quite literally helping to save lives.

This isn’t an adoption event, and nobody will ask you (or let you) take a cat home. Really, we will check your pockets. Instead, it is an event to raise money and awareness, while reminding everyone that doing good can be magical.

Ask your sister or boyfriend or best friend to join you. Wear a holiday sweater or antlers. Kiss a cat under the mistletoe. Eat, drink, and know that you are making a difference.

Every year we post photos like these (taken at last year’s Holiday Event), and someone says, “oh, how did I miss this. I needed this event.” Don’t let that be you. We have 14 tickets left and this event has always sold out. Tickets can be purchased here:
https://poainc.networkforgood.com/events/94259-holiday-cat-social-2025. Please only purchase from the link. We have sadly had scammers in the past, The event is at 144 Main Street, East Hartford, Sunday December 14 from 11-1.

Take a moment.

Breathe.

And get ready to make a memory.

11/24/2025

We know the news is almost always disheartening. And watching people bicker on social media won’t exactly put you in a Thanksgiving mood either! But there are good things and good people everywhere if you know where to look. And here is just one example of someone seeing an opportunity and deciding to make a difference.

This photo was taken at our Holiday Fair this weekend. It is a photo of Joyce Willing, a longtime POA supporter and animal lover, handing POA President Jody Macrina a check for $25,210.00!

This money was raised one coin at a time by collecting returnables, so you can imagine how much work it entailed! And we are sure you can also imagine how much good it will do.

Our sincere thanks to Joyce for her consistency and hard work, and to all that helped with this program and continue to help make a difference. We could not be more thankful.

11/24/2025

Tigger is a name typically reserved for an orange tabby tomcat prone to high energy and bouncing off the walls like the namesake character in Winnie the Pooh. This Tigger, though a male, is a different version from the standard offering, both in looks and demeanor.

Found as a stray, 10-month old Tigger wants love - all the love he didn't receive when he didn't have a person or a home. At the shelter, he rubs his head against his visitors and is a leaner, trying to press himself against a person who is nearby to maximize surface area contact and absorb as much affection as he can. Tigger equates security and safety with physical affection and he wants to both give and receive.

Because he is in the teenage range, there may be some traditionally-Tigger-like bursts of energy, but he's so far shown no signs that he's a climb the curtains or unroll the toilet paper kind of fellow. And well, we are still assessing him with other cats, we suspect he may partner well with another feline friend so long as he receives the love and attention he craves from people. Of which he is completely deserving.

To find out more to make an appointment to meet the available cats, please start by filling out the application on our website. Our placement team will be in touch by email to answer your questions, tell you about our adoption process, and make you an appointment. As always, even if you are not looking to adopt, you can help Tigger find his home by spreading the word about him.

11/23/2025

Alright Wheezy, we’re writing your post today. Want to tell everyone how we first met?”

🐶 Wheezy: “Yes. Please tell them you thought I was a HUGE strong dog from my picture.”

It’s true—I saw his photo and thought, “Wow, this guy is big.”

🐶 Wheezy: “And strong.”

Yes, yes… and strong.
But when I finally met him in person? He wasn’t nearly as big as I expected.

🐶Wheezy: “Still handsome, though?”

Absolutely handsome. Just look at that face!! Wheezy is still a strong walker, but he’s learning fast. With treats, simple commands, and a little consistency, he’s already making great progress. And he’s got such a playful, eager-to-please energy.

🐶 Wheezy: “Tell them I like fun!”

He really does. Playtime is his love language. He may even do well with another active, similar-sized dog who can match his enthusiasm.

What Wheezy truly wants most? A forever person. Someone who’ll take him on hikes, take him for car rides, and then let him curl up beside you to watch a game - snacks optional, but he highly recommends.

If this handsome “strong but not that big” sweetheart has caught your eye, come meet him. He’s ready to make someone very happy. Fill out an adoption application at poainc.org and contact his adoption counselor with any questions at: 📩 [email protected]

11/23/2025

Happy Sunday, everyone! Mia asked to do the adoption report this week, so take it away Mia!

Mia: (checking her notes) Okay, well before I do that I’m supposed to thank everybody who went to the Holiday Fair yesterday and all of the vendors and volunteers who helped!

POA: Oh yeah, thanks for reminding us. We want to thank everyone for coming out and for helping out. It was a great day!

Mia: It was a really good day for adoptions too! Ten adult cats were adopted this week. Three cats from the Café- Freya, Ichabod and Gatsby. And seven cats from the Shelter- Mars, Teddy, Juno, Toby, Paris, Grace and Brewer. I was especially glad when I heard about Paris because I know she’s a little shy. Oh, and I am so happy about Mars. She’s been waiting a while.

POA: Well, that’s very sweet of you, Mia. We know you don’t really like cats that much so we’re kind of surprised that you’re so happy.

Mia: I don’t like cats near me. They scare me. And when I’m scared I get mad- because I don’t like being scared. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for them. I’m always happy when a cat gets a home. I just don’t want to share a home with another cat.

POA: I guess that makes sense. Sorry for misjudging you. What about the kittens? Were any kittens adopted?

Mia: My foster mom said a whole bunch of kittens were adopted! The best news was that Rupert got adopted!! Everybody talking about how important it was to look at the shyer cats must have worked! (Mia claps her paws.)

POA: That is great news! Who else?

Mia: Ummmm, (checking her notes again) let’s see… Maple & Pecan, Lazlo & Nadja, Boba & Charles, Elle, Nandor and Rupert. Yup, I think that’s everyone.

POA: Great job! Thanks for doing the adoption report, Mia, but can we ask why you wanted to? I mean, you don’t even live at the shelter. You live in your foster home. So we understand that you’re glad for them, but you don’t know any of the cats or kittens who were adopted.

Mia: Yes, but my foster mom tells me about the adoptions every week. She reads me the post and it makes me happy to hear about all the cats and kittens finding their homes. I like to think about when it’s my turn and everyone reads my name on a Sunday morning. That wil be so cool.

POA: Yes, it will. We know you have been waiting a little while. It’s harder for cats who need to be only cats and who don’t live at the shelter.

Mia: Yup. Like Rupert, I don’t show well at the shelter. It’s all those other cats. (Shudders) I love my foster home. We snuggle every day. I love to sit in laps and my foster mom likes that too so I get to spend a lot of time doing that. And we play a lot. I am happy here, but…

POA: We understand. It’s wonderful but it’s not your forever.

Mia: Exactly. I know it will be my turn soon but I thought that if I offered to do the adoption report, I could tell everybody who is looking to adopt to remember to ask about the cats like me that aren’t living at the shelter. Sometimes special arrangements can be made for a cat to come in. Or we could maybe do a Zoom visit. I mean, everybody knows cats are great at Zoom.

POA: That’s true. My cat likes to join all my work meetings.

Mia: Yep. And that way people could see me when I’m not nervous and mad like I get at the shelter. And they could talk to my foster mom about what I like. She knows me best, after all.

POA: That is a super idea, Mia. Is there anything else you want to tell the people about you?

Mia: hmmm, I am about five so that means that I can be trusted to be alone while you work. I’m not going to make a mess like some crazy kitten. I don’t like other cats or a lot of chaos. In fact, I like it pretty quiet. But I love my people and my absolute favorite thing is hanging out in your lap and making biscuits and purring. I could do that for hours… I think that’s it. (Checks notes a third time then balls up the paper and tosses it.) Oh, and we need to congratulate all of the adopters and adoptees this week. I don’t want to forget that!

POA: Thanks Mia. You did a great job. And we hope your name will be on the adoption report very soon.

Mia: I’m keeping my paws crossed! (Mia hops off the couch and starts chasing the ball of paper around the room.)

POA: Us too!

If anyone out there wants to find out more about Mia or is interested in meeting her via zoom, please fill out the application on our website and ask about Mia.

11/22/2025

🎉 Aggie’s First Birthday Wish: A Family of Her Very Own!

Sweet Aggie is just 11 months old, and this joyful girl lights up every moment with her expressive face of pure happiness. She has a smile as bright as her eyes and is simply cute as a button. One look at her and you can’t help but smile back!

Aggie can be a tiny bit shy when meeting new friends, but give her a few minutes and she turns into a wiggly lanky lovebug who happily hands out kisses. She adores running, playing with her stuffed toys, and soaking up all the cuddles she can get. She loves treats so learning comands is lots of fun and she’s practicing leash manners and is doing great.

With her first birthday right around the corner, our biggest hope is that she gets to celebrate it in a home with a family -not alone in a shelter kennel.

Please help us share this beautiful girl far and wide! If you’d like to meet Aggie or learn more, reach out to her adoption counselor at 📩 [email protected] and fill out an adoption application at poainc.org

11/22/2025

Today is the day!

Our 28th Holiday Fair will be going on from 9-3 at 538 Brewer Street in East Hartford. Great vendors, great people, and a great cause. There will be hot chocolate, baked goods to purchase, and, of course, we will have raffles! Pick up a holiday gift for someone else and maybe a little something for yourself.

But let’s not forget what this is for. This event will help raise money for abandoned and stray cats and dogs right here in your community. Adult cats and dogs like Callie and Zeppelin pictured here, and tinies who don’t even have names yet, like this little one recently born in one of our foster homes.This is a perfect opportunity to be kind, do good, and have fun. Hope to see you there!

11/21/2025

Hi! My name is Cyrus and I am ready for some good mischief! I’m 4 months old and in my “perpetual motion” phase - exploring the world and learning are my favorite things! I am hoping for a family to help me grow and learn and be my forever playmate(s) and snuggle buddies.

Check out more about me at https://poainc.org/adoptable-dogs/cyrus/

11/21/2025

Two-year-old Arwen shares her name with an elven character from J. R. R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series. This connection is possibly due to her engaging impish ways. Arwen is a 'best of both worlds' cat. She is a lap lover who enjoys a warm snuggle on a toasty person to relax and have a snooze. And she is an energetic nosey-Rosy who likes to be involved in everything. Arwen runs her own surveillance program and keeps up-to-date on the goings on around her. She's thorough and misses nothing.

Because Arwen is versatile - offering both a traditional lazy cat side and a silly mischievous cat side - she's an ideal candidate for a broad range of adopters. Arwen has a little something for everyone. She's even shown that she can coexist with other respectful felines if offered the proper introduction. If you are an adopter looking for a little elvish magic, Arwen can deliver.

Arwen is FIV+ but that doesn’t mean you can’t live along and healthy life ot that she can’t live safely with FIV- cats. Ask our placement team for information about FIV.

To find out more or to make an appointment to meet the available cats and kittens, please start by filling out the application on our website. Our placement team will be in touch to answer your questions, tell you about our adoption process and make you an appointment. If you already have an approved application, and are looking for an appointment, please email [email protected].

11/20/2025

When we say that a cat has social difficulties, we generally mean that the cat is either shy or has been aggressive with either people or other cats. But that is emphatically NOT what we mean when we say it about 2 year old Wesley. Wesley has not been aggressive at all and he is anything but shy. He is confident and outgoing and very, very talkative. This guy dares you to try to ignore him!

Wesley may have the sad eyes of a pre-Raphaelite poet, but he has the personality- and energy level- of an engaging kindergartener. Everyone Wesley meets is a new friend. Every item he sees would make a great toy if you have the imagination to see it (and Wesley does). Every day is a bright new adventure, and Wesley can’t wait to get started!

And therein lies the social difficulties. Because Wesley does not read the social cues of other cats. He is bouncy and eager and right up in their grill. (Or rather often right up in the other end, giving his new pal a friendly sniff.) He means no harm, but Wesley is a good sized boy, and the other cats are often unsure of his intentions. And cats who have boundaries just despise him.

When they give him a hiss or a smack, Wesley seems genuinely hurt and perplexed. He slinks away with a “don’t they want to be my friend?” look on his beautiful face. Often the answer is no, no they don’t.

But the people he has met absolutely do want to be his friend. Who could resist that blend of innocence and mischief? Not us! And probably not you.

Wesley is ready to go home. He would be fine as an only cat, with a lot of playtime. He would also be okay with a very tolerant and playful cat. We do not know his history with dogs, but Wesley might even do well with a cat savvy dog, and a slow introduction.

Regardless of your situation, we are sure that Wesley will bound forward, full of enthusiasm and questionable judgment. You just can’t help but love him.

To find out more or to make an appointment to meet the available, cats and kittens, please start by filling out the application on our website. Our placement team will be in touch by email to answer your questions, tell you about our adoption process, and make you an appointment. As always if you are not in a place to adopt right now, you can still help by spreading the word about Wesley.

Protectors of Animals

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