Successful Adoption Stories
We are so grateful to the hundreds of families and individuals each year who welcome one of the Cat Care Society cats into their homes. Check up on how the cats are doing now and see the positive impact that these adopters made on our furry friends.
Read These Recent Success Stories
We have an #adoptionupdate from Lauren, who adopted the 2-year-old black and white Serena in April!
Lauren renamed her Emmy for her green eyes and say she’s “my little gem!” When Lauren first came in, they were open to any and all cats and planned to wait for a cat that she connected with and wanted to bring home. “I loved Emerald right away and knew she was special. She was playful and cuddly. I applied for adoption right away and I couldn’t wait to take her home. Emmy came in to my life at the perfect time!”
Now, “Emmy is doing amazing! She seems really happy and playful. She loves my big bernadoodle, Ollie. She has found special places in the home that are hers – like a window perch and many beds. Sleeps with me most nights!”
“I took Emmy to the vet within the first couple days to establish care and ensure good health. They said she is in great health after being through so much. She is closer to 1 year. Excellent teeth. Provided guidance on food and care. Eating well – loves food – and gained some good healthy weight. She loves toys! Got some KONG ones! Her favorites are balls she can chase around and the teaser toys. I spend quality time playing with her everyday. She is an EARLY riser at 4 am. She loves cuddles and giving kisses and nibbles. She loves a cat scratcher.
“I’m so fortunate to Cat Care Society. I’ve fostered through Cat Care and quickly learned the quality of life and health they provide to their cats. I knew exactly where I would find my new furry companion. Emmy has positively impacted my happiness and my new home. I can’t believe I found such an incredible match in Emmy. I’m going to provide her a happy, healthy and fun long life.”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Bruce, who adopted bonded pair Cleo and Phoenix (formerly known as Cleopatrick) last October. This kitten duo was only at the shelter for about a month and were treated for ringworm before finding their new home.
Bruce says he saw the two online and immediately fell in love. “Cleo and Phoenix have adjusted extremely well. They are such a joy to have, and provide plenty of entertainment. I can’t imagine life before them.
“I work from home, and they enjoy spending time in my home office while I’m working. They can be found under my desk, on top of a pirate chair, under the pirate chair, in the middle of the floor, or taking my office chair when I get up to go do something. They also have easy access to the window sill to observe the world outside. They love boxes, so I have several scattered around my apt for them.
“At night, Phoenix likes to sleep on the edge of the bed, like he’s keeping guard. Cleo tends to sleep up against my legs or next to my chest. Phoenix loves to be held and lick my nose. Cleo is a typical cat and doesn’t like to be held much. She likes to play a game where she meows at me and then walks away when I try to pet her.
“June 1st was their birthday, and I made them catcakes, but they didn’t eat them.”
We thank Bruce for offering these two a loving home!
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Angelia, who came in with her family to adopt two kittens in May! Dill and Squirrel are now named Crybaby and Coraline.
“We were looking for a friendly cat to join our family. We were only looking for 1 but fell in love with both kittens! They’ve adjusted great, they love to run and play and explore the house.
“Both cats have been great, they did get sick a couple days after adoption but got taken to the vet and have been great since. They love you eat, they will both meow very loud to let you know they are hungry. Crybaby loves his tunnel and Coraline loves her toy balls to chase! They both love their naps in the cat tree! Their favorite thing has to be being awake early mornings and playing on us while we sleep. Crybaby will start his job at 5am making biscuits in your neck while asleep while purring and meowing very loudly every morning 🙂 And coraline joins him by jumping on our hair. They are both so playful and sweet.
“They have been the perfect addition to our family!”
Did you know that two kittens are better than one? If you’re interested in adopting, we hope you consider bringing two home together!
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Dorothy, who adopted Tinder (now Pepper, renamed for her spicy personality that matches her fur color) last April!
Back in November 2022, 10-year-old Gopher came in as a transfer from another area shelter with degenerative joint disease, feline herpes virus, chronic conjunctivitis and upper respiratory disease. She was immediately treated for ear mites and badly needed dental work.
Gopher was sweet and loved pets but did not like other cats. She went into a foster home for a calmer environment and regular medication schedule. After some health ups and downs, she unfortunately was returned after her first adoption.
While Gopher struggled to find her perfect home, she quickly was growing on the CCS team. Our lead veterinarian, Dr. Cecily Palamara, called her “one of her favorites.” “She is a spunky but beautiful old lady that has a lot of love in her! I had the pleasure of working with her for many months. She had a life-threatening kidney insult while in care, but responded very well to intensive IV treatment. She haaaated to see us in the clinic, but we all love her so much!”
Finally, one full year after coming through our doors, Gopher — who now goes by Elise — found her forever home.
Her adopter Ed was happy to share this update: “Elise is doing well. Her favorite spot is probably my lap! Or in front of the fireplace. True to form, she likes a food for a while then opts out and I have to change. She loves treats and, surprisingly, likes the kidney support kibble my vet gave me to try as treats. I continue to give her Hydra Care as she likes it. I have a wand with a bee she likes to play with.
“She slept with me one night but seems to prefer the living room. I have a fuzzy cat bed she latched onto and sleeps in when I’m gone or it is cool overnight.
“I’m so glad I found her. She hasn’t had a great life and really needed and deserved someone to be her champion and give her a good, safe home where she’s loved and taken care of. She’s got that now. I think she struck gold!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
Abandoned, neglected and wounded after surviving a house fire, Fish Stick was found by a kind neighbor just in the nick of time. Little did anyone know, he was already up against more struggles than met the eye.
Believed to be the only surviving pet, this senior Siamese mix was down to 6 pounds and in dire need of medical attention. Realizing the level of care he needed, the neighbor reached out to our friends at Cooper’s Companions Animal Rescue for help. They brought him to Cat Care Society, knowing our specialty in helping cats that others would give up on.
Fish Stick had severe lesions on his face, neck, back and paw pads. He immediately received antibiotics, fluids and pain medication. He needed a cone to stop scratching at the sites.
Without veterinary treatment for so long, Fish Stick’s wounds were infected and bleeding.
“His teeth were horrific, his skin was falling off, and he was just a complete mess,” our lead veterinarian Dr. Cecily Palamara, recalled.
Further exams revealed he also had a heart murmur, severe periodontal disease, conjunctivitis, upper respiratory infection, anemia and about 8 more underlying conditions. Not to mention a positive ringworm test. Add to that, he was blind in one eye from a previous trauma. We called it his wizard eye.
Considering his multitude of issues, a successful long-term outcome was unclear. Our goal shifted to maintain his quality of life while treating what we could.
From the start, Fish Stick was a total lovebug. Regardless of any pain he felt, he maintained the sweetest disposition, purring constantly and rubbing affectionately on staff during every treatment. It seemed he was up for the fight.
After addressing his most urgent needs, we slowly started ticking concerns off the list. Within a couple weeks, we saw significant improvement. He was gaining weight, hydrated again, his conjunctivitis was resolved, and his skin was looking better. Test results showed that some of his skin issues were not burn related, but were actually allergies. A month in, his liver values were completely resolved, anemia was on the right track, but his lymphocytosis was worsened.
Just when he took one step forward, there were another two steps back.
One employee stepped up to foster Fish Stick for close monitoring and an aggressive medication regimen.
After numerous medical setbacks, Fish Stick turned the corner in his foster home.
In foster, Fish Stick began to thrive. Just weeks in, he was markedly improved on nearly all accounts and finally clear of ringworm. His fur grew back in and he was at an ideal weight.
“He kind of became a celebrity,” Dr. Palamara recalled. “The whole team would come down for his rechecks. Every time we saw him, he looked better and better. He just needed some time and TLC, and he got that here.”
About 100 days after he came through our doors, Fish Stick was ready to become a candidate for adoption — with no less than 14 medical disclaimers. To make sure his adopter knew the extent of his conditions, a consult with our vet was required.
A host of medical issues was no concern for his adopter ready to open his heart and home.
Michael came to the shelter looking for a Siamese cat after losing his own. He learned about Fish Stick’s history and ongoing concerns but was unfazed, willing to take on whatever came with this friendly boy.
After going home with Michael, Fish Stick settled right in. He even gained a new friend, as Michael adopted another CCS cat, Jack, from us the same day.
“Every day, both cats are getting more comfortable, and I’ve spent a lot of time playing with them,” Michael updated. “Jack is renamed Taz after the Tasmanian devil since he runs around like a tornado. Both cats are super smart and such a joy.”
Looking at him now, you’d never suspect Fish Stick made it through such a horrific event. The time and energy we put into this cat was significant, and his glow-up is a perfect example of who we are and what we do best. All in all, the cost of Fish Stick’s medical care alone was near $3,000. This does not include everyday expenses of living in a shelter, such as his food, litter, supplies or staff time.
Fish Stick pioneers a way for so many other cats who deserve a second chance after a bleak outlook.
We simply wouldn’t be able to take care of cats like Fish Stick if it weren’t for your support. Your tax-deductible donation ensures that more cats facing the worst have a chance at finding health and happiness in a new loving home.
With hope and gratitude,
EC Michaels
Executive Director
Cat Care Society
P.S. Thanks to you, Cat Care Society was able to help over 1,000 cats last year! Because we rely 100% on donations to keep up, we need your help to find loving homes for cats in need.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Nathaniel, who adopted Kane (now Dumpling) in March 2024.
“Kane, now named Dumpling, is doing very well! We were looking at a handful of cats, none of which were Dumpling, but one cat was sleeping in the same huddle as Dumpling. We wanted to meet the cat sleeping with him, but Dumpling kept butting his head into us for attention, and a volunteer told us she had never seen him be so friendly with anyone before. That was when we turned our attention to him and decided to take him home.
“It took several days, lots of patience, and a small mountain of treats to get Dumpling to come out of his various hiding places and interact with us. He did not play for the first two weeks we had him. He did not want anything to do with us or our other cats during this time. Now, Dumpling can’t go one minute without giving someone affection, whether it’s us or our other cats. He loves to play with bird-like toys, and he loves salmon flavor squeezy treats!
“Upon his arrival, Dumpling refused to eat or drink for a few days, but, after some treat bribery, he began to eat. Now, he will eat anything and everything, even if we don’t want him too. Dumpling has never voided outside of his litter boxes, but does occasionally bring his favorite clothes of ours into them (very adorable).
“Overall, Dumpling has had many issues he has had to work through. He was a fearful cat release with higher levels of anxiety than I’ve ever dealt with in a cat. He had sensitive digestion and is mildly uncoordinated. But Dumpling has worked so hard throughout the past month, from living in a cat tree to sleeping in the middle of the room, from only eating his specialized wet food to his new raw diet (which he can’t get enough of), and from being afraid of myself and my partner to constantly asking for cuddles. We could not have made a better choice for our family and don’t regret a moment of work we’ve put into making his life better!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
The sweetest senior tabby journeyed up from Colorado Springs to Cat Care Society last August. One of our shelter partners there sent him our way because they knew we were better equipped to handle the host of medical issues he had. Sir Winston Winthrop brought with him a FIV+ diagnosis, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, stomatitis, anemia, periodontal disease, arthritis, a heart murmur and hyperglobulinemia. But immediate attention was needed on a painful mass on his face.
Not surprisingly, Sir Winston was a bit grumpy when he came in due to the discomfort and swelling on his cheek. Our team quickly removed the mass and got to work treating his other medical needs, including extracting all of his teeth. At first, his prognosis was very guarded. Staff was warned to not get to attached because we weren’t yet positive he would be an adoptions candidate considering all of his issues.
Despite it all, he remained so loving, literally reaching out for affection from the staff. He did great with his FIV roommates, too.
Sir Winston went to a foster home for some TLC. By the second day, he was following his new humans around, never leaving their side and taking his medication like a champ.
It was going so well in his foster home that Madison couldn’t help but officially adopt him. 156 days into our care, he found his forever home.
“After a couple months of Winnie getting used to us and our house, a flip switched,” she said. “One morning, we were all laying in bed waking up (Winnie has always slept at the foot of our bed) and Winnie decided to come up and cuddle with us for the first time! He laid on my chest and rested his face on my face. It felt like he was finally starting to really feel safe and he wanted to let us know. He cuddled up with us for over an hour! I turned to my boyfriend and said, ‘There’s no way we are letting anyone else adopt him.’ It felt like he belonged with us. Later that month, we had to take him back for the shelter for a week while we were out of town. We hated the thought of him getting adopted while we were gone and us never being able to see him again! We told the shelter that we would like to begin the process to adopt him because we fell in love with him! It was the best decision! We love him so, so much!”
Now known as Winnie, Madison says you could never tell that he had any health issues. When he first went to their home, he would startle easily and wasn’t very interested in toys. “He is a completely different cat now!” she said. “He loves to play with us and by himself. He greets us at the door and brings us his favorite toys to play with. We always say that there is no way he is 13, because he is as playful as a kitten.”
“When we first got him, he was a bit timid and very insecure about his food. Although we fed him twice a day (and he loved his food!), he would act feral trying to get any kind of food scraps. It took him a few months to feel secure and know he was going to be fed every day. He couldn’t care less about our human food now because he knows he will always be fed. It’s so sweet to see this change in him! We are so glad he feels secure and safe with us now.”
Madison calls Winnie’s personality the sweetest. “He loves to give hugs and greet you with a chirpy meow.” Other loves include:
- Fuzzy blankets
- Burying his head in blankets and kneading them
- Getting tucked in the covers before bedtime
- Giving kisses
- Licking faces and gently biting noses
- When his humans come home from work
- Fabric toy balls that jingle, his octopus string toy, and a Hello Kitty stuffy he carries everywhere in his mouth
Winnie has even won non-cat people over with his loving nature. “He loves giving our friends kisses and hugs and sitting next to them to get pets. All of our friends adore him! Some of our friends have even told us they never liked cats until they met Winnie!”
Madison says they loved the experience fostering with Cat Care Society. “We did not have any prior experience with FIV kitties before Winnie, so we had no idea what to expect. FIV does not affect Winnie’s day-to-day life or his loving personality! We are so glad we gave an FIV kitty a chance. He is the best cat in the world!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Claire, who adopted Coffee (now Birdie) in early January of this year.
Claire originally came to CCS to look at a different cat in Birdie’s room. She didn’t want a ‘nervous’ cat, but Birdie would not stop staring, and Claire decided she wanted to be a good home for her to come out of her shell.
Birdie has adjusted well, though she is still scared of loud noises, sudden movements and new people. However, her confidence grows each day. As the only pet, she has really opened up and isn’t afraid to get into mischief. Her favorites include stealing socks and attempting to climb photos on the walls!
She did great at her first vet visit and got a clean bill of health, too. She loves to eat any food, but is picky about treats. Her favorite toys are the mouse on a string and her pom pom balls. She started playing fetch (without being taught), and now plays fetch each night before bed. She loves cuddling, and will often demand that Claire lays on her back so that she can sleep on her chest tucked in her arm.
Claire says: “Birdie is a great cat, and as someone who didn’t want a ‘nervous’ cat at first, she’s really changed my mind about cats that may be shy in the shelter. I made a Tik Tok about adopting Birdie and giving nervous shelter cats a chance and it got almost 90k views, so she’s famous too! I’m so happy to have Birdie, she’s helped me in more ways than I’ve helped her, and I can’t wait to see what adventures we have together in the future.”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Lauren, who adopted the 2-year-old black and white Serena in April!
Lauren renamed her Emmy for her green eyes and say she’s “my little gem!” When Lauren first came in, they were open to any and all cats and planned to wait for a cat that she connected with and wanted to bring home. “I loved Emerald right away and knew she was special. She was playful and cuddly. I applied for adoption right away and I couldn’t wait to take her home. Emmy came in to my life at the perfect time!”
Now, “Emmy is doing amazing! She seems really happy and playful. She loves my big bernadoodle, Ollie. She has found special places in the home that are hers – like a window perch and many beds. Sleeps with me most nights!”
“I took Emmy to the vet within the first couple days to establish care and ensure good health. They said she is in great health after being through so much. She is closer to 1 year. Excellent teeth. Provided guidance on food and care. Eating well – loves food – and gained some good healthy weight. She loves toys! Got some KONG ones! Her favorites are balls she can chase around and the teaser toys. I spend quality time playing with her everyday. She is an EARLY riser at 4 am. She loves cuddles and giving kisses and nibbles. She loves a cat scratcher.
“I’m so fortunate to Cat Care Society. I’ve fostered through Cat Care and quickly learned the quality of life and health they provide to their cats. I knew exactly where I would find my new furry companion. Emmy has positively impacted my happiness and my new home. I can’t believe I found such an incredible match in Emmy. I’m going to provide her a happy, healthy and fun long life.”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Bruce, who adopted bonded pair Cleo and Phoenix (formerly known as Cleopatrick) last October. This kitten duo was only at the shelter for about a month and were treated for ringworm before finding their new home.
Bruce says he saw the two online and immediately fell in love. “Cleo and Phoenix have adjusted extremely well. They are such a joy to have, and provide plenty of entertainment. I can’t imagine life before them.
“I work from home, and they enjoy spending time in my home office while I’m working. They can be found under my desk, on top of a pirate chair, under the pirate chair, in the middle of the floor, or taking my office chair when I get up to go do something. They also have easy access to the window sill to observe the world outside. They love boxes, so I have several scattered around my apt for them.
“At night, Phoenix likes to sleep on the edge of the bed, like he’s keeping guard. Cleo tends to sleep up against my legs or next to my chest. Phoenix loves to be held and lick my nose. Cleo is a typical cat and doesn’t like to be held much. She likes to play a game where she meows at me and then walks away when I try to pet her.
“June 1st was their birthday, and I made them catcakes, but they didn’t eat them.”
We thank Bruce for offering these two a loving home!
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Angelia, who came in with her family to adopt two kittens in May! Dill and Squirrel are now named Crybaby and Coraline.
“We were looking for a friendly cat to join our family. We were only looking for 1 but fell in love with both kittens! They’ve adjusted great, they love to run and play and explore the house.
“Both cats have been great, they did get sick a couple days after adoption but got taken to the vet and have been great since. They love you eat, they will both meow very loud to let you know they are hungry. Crybaby loves his tunnel and Coraline loves her toy balls to chase! They both love their naps in the cat tree! Their favorite thing has to be being awake early mornings and playing on us while we sleep. Crybaby will start his job at 5am making biscuits in your neck while asleep while purring and meowing very loudly every morning 🙂 And coraline joins him by jumping on our hair. They are both so playful and sweet.
“They have been the perfect addition to our family!”
Did you know that two kittens are better than one? If you’re interested in adopting, we hope you consider bringing two home together!
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Dorothy, who adopted Tinder (now Pepper, renamed for her spicy personality that matches her fur color) last April!
Back in November 2022, 10-year-old Gopher came in as a transfer from another area shelter with degenerative joint disease, feline herpes virus, chronic conjunctivitis and upper respiratory disease. She was immediately treated for ear mites and badly needed dental work.
Gopher was sweet and loved pets but did not like other cats. She went into a foster home for a calmer environment and regular medication schedule. After some health ups and downs, she unfortunately was returned after her first adoption.
While Gopher struggled to find her perfect home, she quickly was growing on the CCS team. Our lead veterinarian, Dr. Cecily Palamara, called her “one of her favorites.” “She is a spunky but beautiful old lady that has a lot of love in her! I had the pleasure of working with her for many months. She had a life-threatening kidney insult while in care, but responded very well to intensive IV treatment. She haaaated to see us in the clinic, but we all love her so much!”
Finally, one full year after coming through our doors, Gopher — who now goes by Elise — found her forever home.
Her adopter Ed was happy to share this update: “Elise is doing well. Her favorite spot is probably my lap! Or in front of the fireplace. True to form, she likes a food for a while then opts out and I have to change. She loves treats and, surprisingly, likes the kidney support kibble my vet gave me to try as treats. I continue to give her Hydra Care as she likes it. I have a wand with a bee she likes to play with.
“She slept with me one night but seems to prefer the living room. I have a fuzzy cat bed she latched onto and sleeps in when I’m gone or it is cool overnight.
“I’m so glad I found her. She hasn’t had a great life and really needed and deserved someone to be her champion and give her a good, safe home where she’s loved and taken care of. She’s got that now. I think she struck gold!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
Abandoned, neglected and wounded after surviving a house fire, Fish Stick was found by a kind neighbor just in the nick of time. Little did anyone know, he was already up against more struggles than met the eye.
Believed to be the only surviving pet, this senior Siamese mix was down to 6 pounds and in dire need of medical attention. Realizing the level of care he needed, the neighbor reached out to our friends at Cooper’s Companions Animal Rescue for help. They brought him to Cat Care Society, knowing our specialty in helping cats that others would give up on.
Fish Stick had severe lesions on his face, neck, back and paw pads. He immediately received antibiotics, fluids and pain medication. He needed a cone to stop scratching at the sites.
Without veterinary treatment for so long, Fish Stick’s wounds were infected and bleeding.
“His teeth were horrific, his skin was falling off, and he was just a complete mess,” our lead veterinarian Dr. Cecily Palamara, recalled.
Further exams revealed he also had a heart murmur, severe periodontal disease, conjunctivitis, upper respiratory infection, anemia and about 8 more underlying conditions. Not to mention a positive ringworm test. Add to that, he was blind in one eye from a previous trauma. We called it his wizard eye.
Considering his multitude of issues, a successful long-term outcome was unclear. Our goal shifted to maintain his quality of life while treating what we could.
From the start, Fish Stick was a total lovebug. Regardless of any pain he felt, he maintained the sweetest disposition, purring constantly and rubbing affectionately on staff during every treatment. It seemed he was up for the fight.
After addressing his most urgent needs, we slowly started ticking concerns off the list. Within a couple weeks, we saw significant improvement. He was gaining weight, hydrated again, his conjunctivitis was resolved, and his skin was looking better. Test results showed that some of his skin issues were not burn related, but were actually allergies. A month in, his liver values were completely resolved, anemia was on the right track, but his lymphocytosis was worsened.
Just when he took one step forward, there were another two steps back.
One employee stepped up to foster Fish Stick for close monitoring and an aggressive medication regimen.
After numerous medical setbacks, Fish Stick turned the corner in his foster home.
In foster, Fish Stick began to thrive. Just weeks in, he was markedly improved on nearly all accounts and finally clear of ringworm. His fur grew back in and he was at an ideal weight.
“He kind of became a celebrity,” Dr. Palamara recalled. “The whole team would come down for his rechecks. Every time we saw him, he looked better and better. He just needed some time and TLC, and he got that here.”
About 100 days after he came through our doors, Fish Stick was ready to become a candidate for adoption — with no less than 14 medical disclaimers. To make sure his adopter knew the extent of his conditions, a consult with our vet was required.
A host of medical issues was no concern for his adopter ready to open his heart and home.
Michael came to the shelter looking for a Siamese cat after losing his own. He learned about Fish Stick’s history and ongoing concerns but was unfazed, willing to take on whatever came with this friendly boy.
After going home with Michael, Fish Stick settled right in. He even gained a new friend, as Michael adopted another CCS cat, Jack, from us the same day.
“Every day, both cats are getting more comfortable, and I’ve spent a lot of time playing with them,” Michael updated. “Jack is renamed Taz after the Tasmanian devil since he runs around like a tornado. Both cats are super smart and such a joy.”
Looking at him now, you’d never suspect Fish Stick made it through such a horrific event. The time and energy we put into this cat was significant, and his glow-up is a perfect example of who we are and what we do best. All in all, the cost of Fish Stick’s medical care alone was near $3,000. This does not include everyday expenses of living in a shelter, such as his food, litter, supplies or staff time.
Fish Stick pioneers a way for so many other cats who deserve a second chance after a bleak outlook.
We simply wouldn’t be able to take care of cats like Fish Stick if it weren’t for your support. Your tax-deductible donation ensures that more cats facing the worst have a chance at finding health and happiness in a new loving home.
With hope and gratitude,
EC Michaels
Executive Director
Cat Care Society
P.S. Thanks to you, Cat Care Society was able to help over 1,000 cats last year! Because we rely 100% on donations to keep up, we need your help to find loving homes for cats in need.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Nathaniel, who adopted Kane (now Dumpling) in March 2024.
“Kane, now named Dumpling, is doing very well! We were looking at a handful of cats, none of which were Dumpling, but one cat was sleeping in the same huddle as Dumpling. We wanted to meet the cat sleeping with him, but Dumpling kept butting his head into us for attention, and a volunteer told us she had never seen him be so friendly with anyone before. That was when we turned our attention to him and decided to take him home.
“It took several days, lots of patience, and a small mountain of treats to get Dumpling to come out of his various hiding places and interact with us. He did not play for the first two weeks we had him. He did not want anything to do with us or our other cats during this time. Now, Dumpling can’t go one minute without giving someone affection, whether it’s us or our other cats. He loves to play with bird-like toys, and he loves salmon flavor squeezy treats!
“Upon his arrival, Dumpling refused to eat or drink for a few days, but, after some treat bribery, he began to eat. Now, he will eat anything and everything, even if we don’t want him too. Dumpling has never voided outside of his litter boxes, but does occasionally bring his favorite clothes of ours into them (very adorable).
“Overall, Dumpling has had many issues he has had to work through. He was a fearful cat release with higher levels of anxiety than I’ve ever dealt with in a cat. He had sensitive digestion and is mildly uncoordinated. But Dumpling has worked so hard throughout the past month, from living in a cat tree to sleeping in the middle of the room, from only eating his specialized wet food to his new raw diet (which he can’t get enough of), and from being afraid of myself and my partner to constantly asking for cuddles. We could not have made a better choice for our family and don’t regret a moment of work we’ve put into making his life better!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
The sweetest senior tabby journeyed up from Colorado Springs to Cat Care Society last August. One of our shelter partners there sent him our way because they knew we were better equipped to handle the host of medical issues he had. Sir Winston Winthrop brought with him a FIV+ diagnosis, Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, stomatitis, anemia, periodontal disease, arthritis, a heart murmur and hyperglobulinemia. But immediate attention was needed on a painful mass on his face.
Not surprisingly, Sir Winston was a bit grumpy when he came in due to the discomfort and swelling on his cheek. Our team quickly removed the mass and got to work treating his other medical needs, including extracting all of his teeth. At first, his prognosis was very guarded. Staff was warned to not get to attached because we weren’t yet positive he would be an adoptions candidate considering all of his issues.
Despite it all, he remained so loving, literally reaching out for affection from the staff. He did great with his FIV roommates, too.
Sir Winston went to a foster home for some TLC. By the second day, he was following his new humans around, never leaving their side and taking his medication like a champ.
It was going so well in his foster home that Madison couldn’t help but officially adopt him. 156 days into our care, he found his forever home.
“After a couple months of Winnie getting used to us and our house, a flip switched,” she said. “One morning, we were all laying in bed waking up (Winnie has always slept at the foot of our bed) and Winnie decided to come up and cuddle with us for the first time! He laid on my chest and rested his face on my face. It felt like he was finally starting to really feel safe and he wanted to let us know. He cuddled up with us for over an hour! I turned to my boyfriend and said, ‘There’s no way we are letting anyone else adopt him.’ It felt like he belonged with us. Later that month, we had to take him back for the shelter for a week while we were out of town. We hated the thought of him getting adopted while we were gone and us never being able to see him again! We told the shelter that we would like to begin the process to adopt him because we fell in love with him! It was the best decision! We love him so, so much!”
Now known as Winnie, Madison says you could never tell that he had any health issues. When he first went to their home, he would startle easily and wasn’t very interested in toys. “He is a completely different cat now!” she said. “He loves to play with us and by himself. He greets us at the door and brings us his favorite toys to play with. We always say that there is no way he is 13, because he is as playful as a kitten.”
“When we first got him, he was a bit timid and very insecure about his food. Although we fed him twice a day (and he loved his food!), he would act feral trying to get any kind of food scraps. It took him a few months to feel secure and know he was going to be fed every day. He couldn’t care less about our human food now because he knows he will always be fed. It’s so sweet to see this change in him! We are so glad he feels secure and safe with us now.”
Madison calls Winnie’s personality the sweetest. “He loves to give hugs and greet you with a chirpy meow.” Other loves include:
- Fuzzy blankets
- Burying his head in blankets and kneading them
- Getting tucked in the covers before bedtime
- Giving kisses
- Licking faces and gently biting noses
- When his humans come home from work
- Fabric toy balls that jingle, his octopus string toy, and a Hello Kitty stuffy he carries everywhere in his mouth
Winnie has even won non-cat people over with his loving nature. “He loves giving our friends kisses and hugs and sitting next to them to get pets. All of our friends adore him! Some of our friends have even told us they never liked cats until they met Winnie!”
Madison says they loved the experience fostering with Cat Care Society. “We did not have any prior experience with FIV kitties before Winnie, so we had no idea what to expect. FIV does not affect Winnie’s day-to-day life or his loving personality! We are so glad we gave an FIV kitty a chance. He is the best cat in the world!”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
We have an #adoptionupdate from Claire, who adopted Coffee (now Birdie) in early January of this year.
Claire originally came to CCS to look at a different cat in Birdie’s room. She didn’t want a ‘nervous’ cat, but Birdie would not stop staring, and Claire decided she wanted to be a good home for her to come out of her shell.
Birdie has adjusted well, though she is still scared of loud noises, sudden movements and new people. However, her confidence grows each day. As the only pet, she has really opened up and isn’t afraid to get into mischief. Her favorites include stealing socks and attempting to climb photos on the walls!
She did great at her first vet visit and got a clean bill of health, too. She loves to eat any food, but is picky about treats. Her favorite toys are the mouse on a string and her pom pom balls. She started playing fetch (without being taught), and now plays fetch each night before bed. She loves cuddling, and will often demand that Claire lays on her back so that she can sleep on her chest tucked in her arm.
Claire says: “Birdie is a great cat, and as someone who didn’t want a ‘nervous’ cat at first, she’s really changed my mind about cats that may be shy in the shelter. I made a Tik Tok about adopting Birdie and giving nervous shelter cats a chance and it got almost 90k views, so she’s famous too! I’m so happy to have Birdie, she’s helped me in more ways than I’ve helped her, and I can’t wait to see what adventures we have together in the future.”
Have you adopted from CCS in the past? We’d love to hear how it’s going! Send us your adoption success stories (and photos!) to be featured in our #adoptionupdate series on social media or on our website.
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