Watson is available for adoption.

Editor’s Note: We are continuing our monthly publications provided by West Philly’s volunteer-run cat rescue organization Project MEOW. This post is about a cat currently available for adoption through Project MEOW and PAWS and also about the importance of keeping your cat away from toxic plants and flowers, like lilies.

Everyone, or almost everyone loves flowers. Especially in the dead of winter, what could be nicer than a big vase full of flowers to make us believe that spring has not abandoned us? Unfortunately, many kinds, including the lovely white Easter Lilies, gorgeous Asian Lilies and even plants in the lily family – Astromeria for example, are highly toxic to cats. Toxic in that they are lethal if consumed and sometimes the damage cannot be reversed even if you get your cat to the vet shortly after ingestion.

Most florists do not mention this in their shops, although Project MEOW gives a shout-out to any florists that DO tell customers that lilies are deadly to cats. Sadly, a few years ago one of our recently adopted cats died from ingesting lilies, so it’s not as unusual as we would like to hope. What do you do if someone gives you a stunning arrangement that contains lilies? Pull them out of the arrangement and give them to a pet-free neighbor.  Continue Reading

Editor’s Note: After a break, we’re resuming our posts about rescued cats and kittens available for adoption and other posts provided by Project MEOW, a volunteer-run organization that helps control West Philly’s stray and feral cat population through their TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program and also has a rescued cat foster program. This story showcases that there is a special home for every cat.

Once upon a time a kitten named Newt was rescued in West Philly. Very typical orange boy lover… and also NOT! You see, Newt is one of those cats who must go outside to keep his behavior more moderate or else the demons take hold.

Diagnosed with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome he became unpredictable, and even with medication he was biting and clawing the humans. Several adoptions failed because of his behavior. Fast forward to today, where Newt enjoys both the indoor life and outdoor life with his new human who understands his quirks.

He is fully vetted, microchipped and a neighborhood escort, walking folks to the bus stop when the mood strikes. Over time he might moderate his behavior and enjoy being indoors more and more. But for now, Newt is well, a neighborhood fixture, ambassador of good will and all around happy guy.  Continue Reading

Elsa.

Elsa and Emily are lovely, petite tuxedo kittens (about 10-12 months old), rescued this past summer near Penn’s campus. Elsa is the cutest grey & white girl, with a white triangle outlining her little grey nose. She was a bit shy at first, but has become quite the cuddle bug and is very receptive to hugs and kisses from her foster mom & dad. Elsa has an irresistible raspy chirp (much like a lion cub’s), is quite chatty, and purrs whenever you’re nearby.

Lovely Emily is the black & white babe. She adores belly and chin rubs. She’s got a streak of tomboy in her; loves to chase and wrestle with our big tabby guy! They’re just the sweetest and gentlest of girls. Both are fine with being held, and will be happy to sit on your lap and be combed and fussed over. Neither is over demanding of attention. Elsa and Em’ have become companion kitties since their respective rescues, so we would love for them to be adopted as a pair.

Emily.

Kitty FACTS: The girls have been fully vetted (tested, spayed, vaccinated, microchipped) and are disease free. Paperwork from their vetting will be included, along with a few of their favorite things. Indoor only. Kitties must keep their claws! They eat a primarily canned food diet. Excellent litterbox manners. Okay with gentle dogs. Appropriate screening and a willingness to contribute towards their vetting (or donation to a local rescue group) shouldn’t be a problem for potential adopters. Feel free to email with any questions about the girls or to arrange a meeting. Including a brief history of your experience with kitties, description of current home situation, and the name of your vet would be most helpful.

For more information contact Linda at lml3@verizon.net.

These two terrific kittens are looking for a home! They would make a great pair to adopt together – they keep each other endlessly entertained and exercised, but when they’ve burned off all their kitten energy, love to curl up in your lap. They are spayed/neutered, and have been dewormed and begun their first vaccinations. They are being fostered in West Philadelphia. If interested, please contact elizabeth.elzer@gmail.com.

Little Orange Boy: This little man is soooo sweet. He came down with a nasty kitty cold in the shelter, and was pretty sick for a while, but he’s all better now, and we think all the handling he got during treatments made him more attached to people. Since he is so social, we would prefer he go to a home where there are other animals, or at least where people around much of the time. He loves to curl up with us, his sister, and our dog.

Iggy: This little girl is pretty special. First, she has a pretty tortie coat that she is very fastidious about. Secondly, when she had the same kitty cold as the rest of her family, she was by far the best about medication. And finally, she is a smartypants — she used the litter box from day one, and she was the only kitten to figure out how to escape all the makeshift barriers we used to keep them in the living room – we would come home to find her curled up in the office with our dog, with the rest of her family back in the living room! We prefer that she go to a home where there are other animals, or at least where people are around much of the time.

This week’s featured cats are Rocco and Red. They are available for adoption through City Kitties.

Rocco and Red lost their home in a foreclosure. Their mom was desperate to find them a place where they could stay together. She contacted City Kitties and these great guys moved into foster care.

Rocco is the adventurer of the pair. He likes to be the life of the party whenever you have guests and is a frequent couch companion. Rocco is not intimidated by dogs, cats or people.

Rocco’s sister Red is a bit more shy and reserved. She likes her people, but rarely comes out to play when there are guests around. She will happily sit with people and likes quiet time. Red loves catnip, but is much less competitive in her play than her brother Rocco.

Rocco and Red are a bit of an odd couple. They will curl up on the same person, but rarely curl up with each other when there isn’t a person involved. Rocco and Red do enjoy each other’s companionship and will wrestle together with a bit of sibling rivalry.

They have been in foster care for almost six months. They are looking for home either together or separately. Rocco and Red are spayed/neutered, FIV/FeLV negative, FVRCP and rabies vaccinated, use the litterbox, and were treated for fleas and parasites as needed.

To fill out an adoption application, go here. If you have questions, please visit this page or email: arockar@gmail.com.

Neighbor Anna is looking for a permanent home for a young calico cat she found on her doorstep during a storm:

“Super-friendly, cuddly, and beautiful young calico kitty needs a home. She was lost during a storm and was found on our doorstep. After several days we took her inside because of her super-friendly behavior and had no luck finding her original owner. She is clean, healthy, litter trained, and does well with our other 2 older cats.

We had her tested (FeLV/FIV negative) and got all of her shots up-to-date. We also gave her flea treatment just in case. She is a young kitty, less than one year old, doctor says. We are out of room with 2 other cats in the house and looking for a loving home for this adorable kitty. She is a great addition to any house and she loves to be around people.”

If you would like to adopt this cat, please contact Anna at: milk_angel@hotmail.com, phone: (267) 348-4208. More photos are available here.