My name is Sarah, and I want to talk to you about committment

My name is Sarah. It's been a while since I saw the folks here at advoCATs. I was adopted five years ago when I was just a baby. The couple who adopted me said they were ready to make a 20 year commitment to take care of me. In return, I promised to purr when they petted me, play when they dangled toys, and comfort them when they needed it. I kept my promise and grew to be their loving companion, giving of myself, sharing my sometimes funny, sometimes curious, always interesting feline ways. We had a good thing going for a while there.

Now I'm homeless and back with the rescue. I'm trying very hard not to sound ungrateful or bitter, but a promise was broken. They brought me back to advoCATs, hoping advoCATs will find me a new home. They said I was a good cat, just a little too playful with their new baby. They weren't willing to help me learn how not to be too playful. They weren't willing to let me in on what was happening or prepare me for the little one's arrival.

I was talking to Sweet Rosie, who just came back, also. She really has no clue what's going on. She too was just a kitten when she was adopted six years ago, and had no understanding when her pet parents went their separate ways and decided their was no room in either of their lives for her. She just sits in fear - afraid and alone. It really scared her and broke her heart when the people she called her family decided to bring her back to advoCATs and left her in a room with a whole bunch of strange cats. People don't realize how much that hurts. They think "ech, she's just a cat. She'll be fine! She's so sweet, someone will adopt her an a heartbeat." Well, a lot of heartbeats have gone by, my friends. Cats like us, cats who are 5, 6, even 10 years old, we don't find homes so easily. I worry about Sweet Rosie.

And, I worry about Emerald and Cody and Abby, Rusty and Phillip, and Esmeralda and others who, after years of laps, purrs, and trust, have all become homeless because their guardians and protectors, for one reason or another, or one excuse after another, failed to keep their promise to love them and provide for them as true members of their families.

If you're thinking about adopting me, or Sweet Rosie, or maybe a pair of kittens, please be ready to make the commitment. Be ready for a 20 year friendship. Be ready for us to be with you through the really great days and the really rough ones. Be ready to take us with you if you move to a new home. Be ready to introduce us to new arrivals (no matter how many legs they have). Teach us what we need to know. Teach yourself what you need to know (I hear www.petvideo.com has some excellent segments on introducing your cat or dog to a new baby). We are members of the family too.

Make the promise to be there for us until the end. We promise we will be there with you.

Good Guy seeks Good Family

I'm a good guy, a regular cat, a Charlie. I love people and their wonderful hands. I love kicking back in a sunny spot and taking a nap. I like good food, well prepared and presented (nothing fancy, but a ceramic bowl is always a nice touch). I'm ready with a steady purr that'll melt even the coldest heart.

Considering that short list of wants and needs, I can't understand why I haven't met The Right Family! I'm sure they're out there, just waiting to run across my picture on the web or to walk into PetCo and see my big mug looking out from the cage. I have to believe that's true.

If you're out there, if you're reading this, please come get me. I'm a good guy, really.

A Most Misunderstood Lady

Hello, my name is Bella, and when I came to AdvoCATs two years ago, I was optimistic of finding a purrfect family. You see my family left me when they moved, and if it were not for the lady who bought the place, I would be lost. She got to know me and then, when it got cold, let me live in a spare room. She had a “crotchety old man cat” who did not like me much, or, as she told me sadly, she would have kept me. Everyday she played with me, groomed me, and took me for walks outside (always supervised) for exercise. She took me to the vet to make sure I was okay. I stayed with her for six months, and all the while she tried to find me a good home.

She found AdvoCATs and worked with them to help me find a new home. She was so sad but she checks on me a lot (she's my virtual foster). At first, I was feeling a bit abandoned again, but the AdvoCATs has turnout out to be a good place to stay (for now). I love the humans here and the other cats are really cool. We have a great time. It is not the same as having my own family though.

I love to play, and I'm very affectionate: I purr, kneed, play patty pat, slobber a bit, and talk and talk. It sounds a lot like I’m growling, but I can’t help it: I just love humans, I forget myself! I can tell you all kinds of terrific stories. The lady who found me said I tell best stories ever, I love to chat. I do not like to be in a cage very much, so I do not go to the adoptions that often, but if you ask about me, I will be there, I promise.

I like kids and other cats, so big families are not a problem. I do not go outside anymore (it's just not good for me in the long run) and will be happy with a window or two. I am not very big, rather petite actually, so I do not take up a lot of space, even on your lap. I have watched a lot of my friends come and go, and as much as I like it at AdvoCATs, I sure would like a family of my own.

I hope if your reading this, you are “my person.” They say I have one just waiting for me, are you it?

Debonair gentleman seeks devil-may-care family!

I'm Tully, or Mr. Tully. It depends on my mood for the day. Should I be the happy housecat, playing with toys, twining around ankles, and lounging in the warm sun in the living room? Or should I be the classic, mysterious, and aloof Felix domesticus? Each has their time and place.

My life has been full of both personae. I've played with kids and puppies and learned to love their spunky energy. I've snuggled with grownups and enjoyed the quiet peace of a summer evening spent lounging on laps. Now, of course, I'm learning how to live with a room full of my comrades, young and old, fit and infirm. We're a motley crew, to say they least.

I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my days (and there are many, many ahead of me) with a great family who will appreciate my many sides. As I've said, I have lived with kids and canines and learned to love them all. I'm a relaxed, amiable fellow who can fit in wherever I make my home.

Once a mom, now on her own

Pardon me, I'm lamenting my former girlish figure. When the good people here at AdvoCATs found me and took me in, I was, well, knocked up. I was hungry, so very hungry. And so thin! They kept looking at me and frowing, and tsk-ing over how underweight I was. I admit, I didn't take great care of myself back then, but it's hard when you're on your own.

I'm so glad they found me. I had a room to myself where I gave birth to three beautiful kittens. I nursed them and groomed them. Two of them have moved out to homes of their own. My oldest, Reed, is here with me and waiting for his new family, whoever they are.

So I'm still here, waiting. I've gone to adoption fairs, where everyone ooooos and aaaaahhs over how petite I am, and how could I possibly have had three children!

No, it wasn't easy. But the wonderful people here made it a little less hard.

Rene and Ryan: Siblings ready to strike out on their own

Hi, I'm Ryan.

I'm the big brother. I look out for my sister, not that she really needs it. We live in the Playroom at AdvoCATs with a bunch of other cats and kittens. It sounds awful, but it's not, really. We have plenty of friends to play with. The people here give us lots of really good food. There's a porch where we can go sit outside, without really going outside.

But I think we're ready to find our forever home. You see, as much fun as it is to have all these friends around, it's a little crowded. I'd like to have my own space, my own bowls, my own litterbox. I know Rene would, too.

Hang on, I'll put her on...

Ummm, hi? Is this on? Well, there are my words, it must be working! OK, so I'm Rene. My brother put it all into words, so the only thing I'd add is that we'd love to stay together, but I think we could both survive on our own, so long as we had another cat or two to play with. AdvoCATs has this rule about kittens not living alone and we totally agree!

Ryan and I are both playful, but he's a little more outgoing than I am. I love a good tussle, now and then, though. So, please give AdvoCATs a call if you'd like to meet us!

Wanna add anything, Ryan?

Nope, I'm good. Happy New Year!

A lady who needs her space

I like my space. Don't get me wrong, cats are great, but I prefer people.

See, people have these clever hands. They can open cans of food. They can throw toy mice. They can push buttons. They can scratch all those places I just can't reach. They can sink those long digits into my gloriously soft fur and make me purr for hours!

People also have laps, something cats really should look into. Laps are convenient resting places for us: they're flat, warm, and very close to those clever hands. And they're always there when you need them. Personally, I prefer the lap in front of the computer. That way I can keep a watchful eye on my person and still get a good scratch.

When cats come around, they make me edgy. They're fine across the room or, even better, in a whole other room. Next thing you know, they're in my space wanting to be cleaned or something. It's much better if it's just me and my people.

Your lap looks comfortable.