Why did you return us? Update Katie and Lilly
HIYA!! SAVANNAH HERE!!!
Getting right to the point—Katie and Lilly were returned to Contra Costa Humane Society on Wednesday, February 20. They were adopted by a young family that just knew these two bonded young cats were purrfect for their family. They were adopted on January 11. This family had the girls for five weeks.
First up, let’s get past the blame. Let’s all look at how we manage the adoption counseling process for kittens. adult cats who have been fostered by loving care givers. This family thought they could manage having the older girl being shy and they would win her over. They could teach their very young children how to play carefully with the younger girl. None of that proved doable. No one is to “blame”.
But, how do we help kittens and adult cats who have suffered trauma at the hands of humans get adopted by truly willing and caring guardians who are committed to the cats they adopt for the long term? Give me your thoughts in comments please! We need to get better at selecting adoptive families!!
Truth be told, Mom L and Dad P and I have no idea. Everyone tried to do their best. But in the long and short term, when humans fail to be caring, patient guardians, the cats they adopt—no matter their age—are the collateral damage.
Long story short, Mom L and Dad P had to make the painful decision to separate Katie and Lilly. Lilly is still very outgoing, although she does now have issues with “stress biting” after having been played with by the children with their hands—nonetheless she is highly adoptable. Katie remains, with any other humans than Mom L and Dad P, shy and fearful.
Lilly remains at Contra Costa Humane Society’s Kitty Corner, where she will likely be adopted quickly. PAWS CROSSED.
Lilly is no longer the skinny lanky youngster she was six weeks ago. She is still her same feisty self!
But seriously, how can Mom L and Dad P be the ONLY humans that sweet, lovable Katie can feel comfy with??
Yep, that is just the right touch
It doesn’t take rocket science to learn how to give a very scared and shy kitty some space to become comfortable with human touch.
If any of my remaining readers have any suggestions about how we can best promote Katie’s adopt-ability, and show off her true loving self, please leave a comment or message Mom L.
We cannot, and I mean CANNOT, give Katie her long desired permanent home. She deserves humans who are younger who will not likely leave her before she is herself a “senior” gal. Yep, I said that honestly and Mom L and Dad P gave me permission to say so. Mom L and Dad P are in their seventies and Katie will likely outlive them.
Katie is playful, energetic, even with her permanent limp on her right front leg; likely from a birth defect or lack of care from being born in a hoarder’s household.
Katie had only been back with Mom L and Dad P for about six hours and she was already giving them her tummy for full on tummy rubs. How hard is that???
I will be creating a badge for Katie’s Adoption Campaign and I hope my readers will display it on their blogs, Face Book pages and Tweets. Please help us give Katie her chance for a loving, permanent home.
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The Wonderpurr Gang is made up of mostly unadoptable strays. Yep. That’s the truth. Everyone who arrived from the cat colony has issues being held, picked up, going to the vet, getting medication…door bells, strangers…the list is endless. There are now 14 of us. Me, Herman, arrived while the parents lived in Kentucky, a stray in the wilderness. Dori arrived with her mom and dad and three siblings from the cat colony, bringing feline herpes with them. It’s hard to adopt out cats and kittens who have experienced some kind of trauma at the hands of humans. But it can be done through extreme patience and the understanding that sharing a home with a cat doesn’t mean they will sleep with you, let you pet them or pick them up. Jack has been with us for almost 9 years, but is our worst case having suffered head trauma at the hands of a stranger, and therefore lost trust in everyone. Permanently. I believe there are people out there who are willing to take on a cat with delicate needs. Look how many special needs cats there are on Instagram! Katie is a Special Needs kitty. By labeling her as one with honest bullet points of what to expect, you remove those people who want the Disney version of cats.
This breaks our hearts. Just as it does when cats get returned to PAWS. I honestly don’t know what the answer is, but I do believe that the right home is out there for every kitty.
How sad they are being separated. I wish I could adopt them both.
We would like that too. Lilly was adopted today into what appears a far more appropriate home. Now we must help Katie find her permanent home
Poor girls. Your parents are special kitty people. Not everyone “gets it” and very few have the patience they do.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I am going to go against the flow here and say that, yes, it is somebody’s fault. Adopting animals into a home is a major decision that should be considered thoroughly and implemented with patience and the desire to make it work. I am sorry but, in our society, it is far too easy to return a pair of shoes, a dress, a kitten or cat. It’s not perfect? Just take it back! I think that sucks. I am really sorry for these two girls. Thank goodness they have you.
We are sorry to hear about this. Nobody’s fault, really, but sad anyway. We are also sorry that keeping them together didn’t help Katie adjust. Purrayers that they both find comfortable, loving homes.
That’s so sad the adoption didn’t work out. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just that knowledge about what it takes to be good cat guardians isn’t really out there in the general population, so sometimes people don’t know what to do. It admittedly can be a learning curve. My human has friends who adore their cats, but it’s clear they’re not 100% understanding of feline behavior. I am purring lots for both the girls to find homes, and I’m bummed they had to be separated.
That’s so sad… We cross our paws and hope they hit the jackpot next time ! Purrs
We have shared a few places on FB and advised others to share. That is a sad situation for Katie and poor Savvy. I hope with our sharing, it all works out for the best for all involved.
CK this is a real blow. Katie is a very nice kitty. She just needs patience and a few months to trust someone new. Lilly should do well and get adopted quickly from Kitty Corner. We can’t thank you enough for sharing this
katie N lilly we are troo lee sorree and hope hope N ask st francis’ ta pleez guide ewe both; yes even two gether…two yur for evers for ever home. we R sorree we have noe tipz; may bee sum shelters round town could offer sum add vize mom L and dad P haz knot tried yet ??? ♥♥♥♥♥
We are sorry to hear this news, thank you for helping,
This really upset me. How must Katie and Lilly feel maybe relieved but also sad to be returned to the shelter. I hope and pray some loving,caring person or people will give them their forever home. 😿💜🐾
I am deeply sorry that happened to the girls, and that they are separated now. I recall when the adoption was made that there were young children. It worried me when I read it.
It’s very difficult to know what to do in these cases. You want the cats adopted…but it’s always a toss up when they go to a family with very young children. Parents have to be dedicated to teaching them and that takes time and effort. Times are very different now. I’m just grateful they didn’t turn the cats out to fend for themselves.
My, this was not the outcome we would have wanted for two special girls, alas I fear young children will have such an effect with all but the most very tolerant of felines.
My only thoughts would be a home like your own–sensible mature in mind folk who will love and nurture them. The similarities between your own life and the new carers will be most important it seems.
Please pass on the badge so we can share.
Purrs
ERin & Mrs H
PS life throws curve balls, I know, but I hope you will be around a while yet!
I agree it can be difficult with children around. A total,calm,loving caring environment.
That is so sad, I just hate it for them both.
It is sad, but a shy cat should not be given to a family with kids too young to understand the concept of personal space and with not enough empathy to be patient. No, it is not the fault of the kids – it was just a mismatch!
we hope all the best for Katie and Lilly and all furfriends who had such a past … it can be very difficult to find a new way to live together, but it is possible if we remember the history of our pets …
Ooh man! Of course we will help. I am sorry things didn’t work out but, it happens.
May I suggest a separate blog ‘page’ with all the details and a point of contact? We can share the badge and sync people straight yhere.