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The Santa Paws Drive was created to bring holiday cheer in the form of treats and toys to pets in six shelters around the world. While the Santa Paws Drive is finished with its work for the year, it’s not too late for you to bring some joy to the cats at your local shelter.
Toys are always a big hit. Play helps cats de-stress and learn how to socialize with people and with other felines, which increases the chance that they will be adopted. Animal shelters always have “wish lists” of basic needs: food, dish or laundry detergent, sanitizer, dishes, paper towels, gift cards for supermarkets or pet stores, and so on. Call your local shelter or visit their website to see what they need. While you’re at the shelter, take some time to visit with the cats. Even if you’re not planning to adopt right now, most shelter kitties enjoy some love from a friendly human. Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people. |
December 24th, 2009
I’m going on 71 and volunteer at our little No Kill Shelter every week for the last two years. Mostly I take treats and toys for the cats, I do change a litter box now and then or water anyone out of water, but mostly I just go to love each and every one of them. I spend a lot of time with each one and it does help sometimes with getting them adopted. I love them all and it is hard to see them go out, but I’m happy for them to have a home.
I have two boys of my own, Shadow and Boo and love them so much. They mean the world to me- give me so much love and understanding.
We delivered toys and treats to every cat and dog in all four shelters/adoption facilities in our city. We got bulk toys and got counts six weeks ago, The cat count has risen 30% in area shelters in just six weeks, dogs have gone down a bit w/ adoptions.
While at one adoption facility we discovered a cat named Loopy (because of her tail forms a loop) who was born in 2001 and has been in shelters since 2003. She has no teeth because she was housed by a hoarder, but eats wet food and some dry. She gets along with all the other cats and is so sweet. My Xmas wish is that we find her a home this year, 6 years in a shelter is too long for any cat. At least they keep her alive and well fed and very healthy.
SENDING OUT PRAYERS for Loopy to find the very special loving, forever home she so deserves. And thank you, Ms. Kelley, for your wonderful post on cats in shelters, as well as your post encouraging adoptions of ADULT cats. We adore adult cats here and all of our beloved feline family members are rescued, most as adults, from “the streets”. Happy holidays to you!
Just a couple of notes from a shelter volunteer. Toys are definitely appreciated, but please check with your shelter before bringing anything with catnip. Some shelters cannot accept/use toys with catnip because of the unpredictable reaction possible with cats. Also, regarding the suggestion to go in and spend time with cats, this is best done by volunteering. If you do not want to commit to volunteering, please be considerate about your visiting. In many shelters, your desire to just pet and play with kitties means a volunteer has to accompany you and spend their time watching you pet or play instead of cleaning boxes and caring for the cats. Please also observe sanitizing guidelines! Thanks!