Every spring and summer, animal rescues across the country brace themselves for what’s known as kitten season, the time of year from early spring through summer when unspayed female cats give birth to their litters. While the idea of new kittens may seem like a joy at first, kitten season can often be overwhelming for new mothers as well as overfilled shelters and rescues such as Fat Kitty City, which are already home to dozens of cats for adoption.  ​

Thousands of kittens are born outdoors to community cats each year, and many struggle to live without adequate shelter, food, or protection. Too often, well-meaning people who discover kittens assume they have been abandoned and immediately scoop them up to take in or surrender to shelters.  
Unfortunately, this can put both the kittens and shelters in difficult positions. Newborns rely heavily on their mothers for comfort and nutrition, so removing them from their mothers too soon can significantly lower their chance of survival. At the same time, shelters become overwhelmed with new litters, sometimes receiving dozens of tiny kittens in a single day. In fact, data from Shelter Animals Count, the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, showed that nearly half (47%) of felines entering shelters in 2023 were kittens under five months, which made up nearly a quarter of the total animal intake across all shelters. Many of these babies require bottle-feeding every two to three hours as well as consistent supervision, which is an impossible demand for most shelter staff and volunteers to meet.  
By better understanding what kitten season means and learning the right steps to take to care for stray kittens, we can all help to reduce this strain and protect vulnerable animals in our community. ​

Check for Signs of the Mother 

• Don’t pick up the kittens immediately. Removing the kittens too soon can reduce their chances of survival, since very young kittens depend on their mother’s milk and warmth to stay alive.  
  

• The mother cat is often close by, just out of sight. She may be out hunting for food or shelter, moving her kittens one by one, or just hiding nearby to avoid humans. 
  

• Check the area for paw prints, strands of fur, droppings, or any other signs of a nearby cat. 
  

• You can also sprinkle flour around the nesting spot and leave for an hour or so. If the mother returns in the meantime, you’ll see new paw marks in the flour. 
  

Assess the Situation 

• If the kitten appears to be sick, injured, or in unstable condition, you should absolutely contact your local rescue, shelter, or veterinarian immediately before anything else.  
  

• If the kitten is in immediate danger such as being exposed to extreme weather, near traffic, or threatened by predators, relocate them to a safer area nearby so the mother can still find them. If there is no safer area nearby, it’s okay to take them home to put them in a safer position. 
  

• Even if seemingly healthy, a kitten that is cold to the touch, crying constantly, dirty, and underweight, is very likely to have been orphaned.  
  

• If the situation seems otherwise safe but the mother has still not returned after a significant amount of time, then it still may be necessary to step in and intervene. 
  

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When intervention becomes unavoidable, your first priority should be to provide the kitten with warmth, safety, and security. 

• Give the kitten somewhere safe to rest. Bring the kittens home and into a warm, quiet space with soft bedding to help stabilize their nervous system.  
  

• Even if you don’t have any cat supplies, a box with a soft blanket or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel can provide warmth and safety for the kitten.  
  

• Feeding options:  
  

• Try feeding them a bit of wet kitten food, or some plain and unseasoned tuna or chicken.  
  

• No matter what, do not feed them cow’s milk as it can cause diarrhea and dehydration. If you have it, kitten replacement formula is the safest option, and if not goat’s milk may work in a pinch.  
  

Once the kitten is stable and safe, contact a veterinarian or local rescue as soon as you possibly can. You can also refer to a number of online resources for orphaned kittens.  ​

Q: How long can kittens survive without a mother cat? 
A: Very young kittens can deteriorate very quickly without their mother’s warmth, nutrition, and care. Depending on their age, kittens can only be left alone for 3 hours up to one day before their health is in critical condition.  
Q: What is the best way to care for a stray kitten? 
A: Keep the kitten warm, feed an appropriate diet (KMR or wet kitten food depending on age), and provide a safe, quiet space. Contact a veterinarian or rescue as soon as possible to ensure the kitten gets proper medical care and a plan for adoption. 
Q: How do I keep kittens warm? 
A: Use a box or carrier lined with soft blankets and place a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel nearby (not directly under them). Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature, so a consistent source of warmth is essential. 
Q: When should kittens go to a shelter? 
A: Contact a shelter or rescue if they’re sick, injured, or truly orphaned—but fostering at home is often better if they’re healthy. 
Q: When can kittens be adopted? 
A: Kittens typically go to adoptive homes between 8–12 weeks old, depending on development and local regulations. Interested in adding a kitten to your family? Check out our kittens for adoption list.  ​

​Cats are extremely social animals, and multiple sources suggest that cats see you as a part of their own cat colony. To put it in simpler terms: to them, you are an over-sized hairless cat that walks on two legs. Therefore, it’s not unusual to observe certain feline behaviors being extended to you — such as licking your hair, face, hands, or legs. This could happen right before bed, after a shower, or first thing in the morning. Whenever your cat sees fit, they might try and give you a cat bath: this is an obvious sign of love!

​Nibbling and playful biting are two behaviors that are very well-known among cat owners. This type of behavior has nothing to do with food — no, your cat is not trying to eat you… They are way more intelligent than that! —but instead are a sign of appreciation and affection. In some cases, especially with inexpert kittens that are gifted with particularly sharp teeth, this can become a little painful for us humans. In case your kitten nibbling on your fingers makes you uncomfortable, avoid negative reactions to not confuse them and redirect their attention to a chewy toy instead.

​Among cats, like for many other animals, staring and sustaining eye contact can be interpreted as a challenging or threatening behavior. If a cat is comfortable looking at you, it usually means they like you a lot. A very famous eye-contact-based cat behavior is the “cat kiss”, aka a slow blink executed whilst looking at you. Cat kisses are the ultimate sign of feline love, and it’s an honor to be showered in them! If you feel like communicating your love back to your feline friend, you can also try and replicate it when you look at them, and see if they reciprocate!

​Whilst the dead drop is a dramatic dance performance among humans, in cats it is labeled as a sign of comfort, happiness, and availability to show affection. If your cat comes to you, rubs against your legs, and then drops on the floor and rolls on their belly, rest assured: your cat wants some attention from you, and they are unashamedly asking you to pet them! This type of behavior is observed among cats that are surrounded by humans they deeply trust.

A lot of cat owners that allow their kitties outside are sometimes surprised to find dead birds, mice, or lizards on their doorstep (and sometimes even inside the house). Cats don’t quite understand the way a grocery store works, and if they are presenting you with their prey it might mean they are trying to teach you the way — just as they would with their own kitties. Some suggest that they are trying to provide food for you, the same way you do it for them. Cats that come from a lineage of indoor kitties are less likely to exhibit this behavior, whilst cats whose outdoorsy moms have taught them the way may want to pass on this survivalist knowledge… To you.

Cats don’t really meow at each other once they’ve grown out their kittenhood, but some researchers suggest that they have maintained this kittenish behavior for humans as it appeals to them. Are they in the wrong? I mean, most of the time we think a cat meowing is adorable, and more often than not cats meowing and chirping at humans get treats and cuddles, so… 
Some breeds are more talkative than others (for example, Siamese and Thai cats are known for their chattiness), and are characterized by a peculiar voice. If your cat spends time talking to you, that is to be recognized as a great sign of trust! If your cat is meowing loudly and mimicking the sound of a “cry”, you may be dealing with “yowling” instead — a sign of discomfort caused by the presence of someone they don’t like, hunger, loneliness, physical pain, or other issues.

​Perhaps the most obvious and well-known sign of cat appreciation: purring! When a cat starts purring after you pet them, when you talk to them in a soothing voice, or simply if you sit or lay down next to them, chances are you make them feel comfortable and loved. Purring can sometimes also be a symptom of discomfort, as cats use purring as a self-soothing coping mechanism too.

Cats like rubbing their faces against surfaces. Why? Well, cats have pheromone glands on their cheeks and chins, and they rub their faces against people and things that they like to mark their territory. This happens to neutered and fertile cats alike, and it’s their own way of saying: “I like it, it’s mine!”. That said, cats often headbutt their human companions (and other pets) to show their affection, not just to claim them as their property. Sometimes they can be a little energetic in their nudging, but it’s never a violent or harmful behavior — they’re just showing you their love and appreciation! On top of bonding, head butting is a form of self-soothing. In other words: cat headbutts are good for us, and for our feline friends alike!

If you’re sitting on the couch and your cat jumps on your legs and starts to knead an invisible loaf of bread, don’t fret: your cat is regressing a bit in a common kitten behavior. As kittens, cats tend to use their front paws to “knead” around their mother’s teat to stimulate the production of milk. As adults, cats regress in this behavior when they are extremely comfortable, as a way to show affection and communicate that you are officially part of the family. You thought you adopted a cat? Well… Turns out it may be the other way around, instead! 

A cat’s tail is an essential part of their body to keep an eye on to get an idea of how they’re feeling. Just like in dogs, cats can express a variety of emotions through the motion or position of their tails! When a cat walks towards a loved one, it’s not unusual to see them raising their tail up straight, or forming a hook with the tip of their tail. These are tell-tale signs that your cat loves you, and is excited to see you. Oftentimes this happens when you’re serving them food, too — of course! 

​Now that you know more about cats’ love language, you can easily interpret your kitty’s behavior and tick off all these love signs from the list! With time and patience, and by regularly engaging with your furry friend, you can easily strengthen the bond with your cat and watch them become your inseparable companion, day by day!

Coordinated by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, the Big Day Of Giving is a 24h event where people can discover new causes to support, or make their donation to their local charity or non-profits. This helps the precious work of volunteers and supporters that work hard all-year-round for their cause.
While any day is a good day to give to your local no-profit, participating in the Big Day Of Giving can help even the smallest of donations to be boosted with match funds and prize dollars. 

The easiest way to give a gift is via credit card. During the open window, you can check the website https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/ to find a local organization supporting the cause the matters the most to you, and make your donation. 

This year, the Big Day Of Giving window will be open from April 18th for early giving, with the official event starting on May the 2nd. You can also set up monthly donations if you’d like to show continuous support to the cause(s) close to your heart!

Our Humane Society works to rescue, protect, and rehome cats. Fat Kitty City aims to give cats a place to stay where they are not secluded in a warehouse or in small compartments, helping less fortunate cats to find peace in an outdoor and indoor mixed environment, constantly supported by volunteers of all sorts. Whether it’s building a cozy wooden chalet for our furry residents, cleaning after them, feeding them, or keeping up with veterinary expenses, running the organization is very expensive. We want to make our feline friends as happy as we can during their stay at Fat Kitty City, and help them find a loving family in the meantime. Any donation helps us giving them all the comfort they need, from quality food to litter, toys, and maintenance to their little houses. Your contribution — even as small as $10 —Can help us (please insert here for reference)!

Mark your calendars and come join us on the Big Day Of Giving — your support matters!

 Okay, let’s start with the basics. The average lifespan for a domestic cat ranges from 12 to 18 years, give or take. There have been quite a few exceptions on record, with some of the oldest cats in the world living well into their thirties. This is why it’s essential to recognize that adopting a cat can’t be done on a whim: it’s a lifelong commitment, and it’s important that you are well prepared when the time to welcome a new feline friend to your family comes!
If you adopt a kitten that has no known health issues that could affect their lifespan, it’s safe to expect them to be able to give you all their love for a whole decade — at the very least. Of course, this cannot be exactly predicted — as genetics play a big factor into this, too.
And, with the right amount of tender love and caring (and a bit of luck!), even senior cats can be expected to achieve a longer lifespan that will fill your life with plenty of purrfect cuddling sessions with your fur-baby.

 The conversation “Nature vs Nurture” goes a long way when talking about cat longevity, just the same way as it does when talking about human longevity. Cats living in the streets may face lots of challenges, malnourishment, and diseases — factors that could negatively impact their longevity. This is why Fat Kitty City strives to get as many cats as they can away from the streets, providing them with a safe and monitored environment where they can live while waiting for a loving family to adopt them. It seems like cross-breed cats — such as Domestic Short Hair cats (sometimes referred to as DSH) have a longer average lifespan than purebred cats, although there are some specific breeds that have been reported as more longevously than some others. Let’s see them together!

Siamese
The Siamese cat, characterized by their darkened extremities (a fur color pattern known as “color point”), is a well-known domestic cat. Renowned for their chatty and playful personalities, Siamese cats make the perfect companion for those cat owners that are ready to get lots of attentions to these clingy felines. With their large ears and mesmerizing blue eyes, these kitties appeal to a very specific type of humans.
Average lifespan: 15-20 years.

Burmese
This active and sociable cat is characterized by a solid, muscular build. No wonder they are huge fans of intense playing sessions and pursue an active lifestyle! If you don’t mind the zoomies, Burmese cats are great companions with lots of love to give. Just like the Siamese cat, Burmese kitties are known for being quite vocal. And, despite their elegant appearance, they are surprisingly heavy for their size!
Average lifespan: 10-16 years.

Persian
Persian cats have an ethereal allure, and it’s easy to see why they have been often picked to star in movies as the companions of glamorous dames and eccentric villains alike. Their beautiful long coat and elegant snub nose make this breed’s appearance unique — and their charming personality even more so! This breed is quite high-maintenance too, meaning that they are best suited for an experienced cat owner willing to keep up with their grooming and nose-cleaning.
Average lifespan: 12-17 years.

Savannah
This fascinating breed originated in the 1980s by crossing a Serval (a wildcat originally from the sub-Saharan regions of Africa) with a Siamese cat, and are still banned as domestic animals in many countries. The rare Savannah cats make interesting companions for highly-experienced cat owners, requiring lots of training due to their high intelligence and semi-wild nature. Savannah cats are characterized by an independent yet loyal attitude, and can be leash trained too.
Average lifespan: 15-20 years.

Egyptian Mau
Affectionate and friendly, the Egyptian Mau cats are stunning short-haired companions characterized by a spotted pattern and a scarab-like tabby marking on their foreheads. Elegant and composed, these kitties are not afraid of showing their playful side, but only once they have established their comfort. They tend to get attached to one family member specifically.
Average lifespan: 12-15 years.

Some believe that cat years can be “calculated” in human years the same way you do it with a dog, aka multiplying each year after the first by seven. However, this method isn’t quite correct.
Cats reach full behavioral development around the third year of their life, meaning that despite they will look all grown up around the age of 18 months, they will still be in their kittenhood… Mentally!
Cats that are still in their “transitional phase” (behavior-wise) will most likely be very playtime- focused, active, and inquisitive. That said, each cat is unique and has their own personality — some may calm down after being neutered/spayed, some others retain their playful traits well into adulthood, and some others are calm by nature and will prefer dozing on the couch and basking in the sun rather than chasing birds and feather toys, no matter their age.
If you’d like to calculate your cat’s age in human years to better understand their behavior and needs, you can do so by taking in consideration these key factors:
Your cat will be considered a kitten from age 0-6 months old. Their first month of life can be compared to the first year of life of a human being. From 6 months to 2 years old, your cat is usually considered a junior. At 7 months old, your cat’s age is comparable to that of a 12-year-old human. At 2 years old, your cat’s age can be compared to the one of a 24-year-old human. From age 3 to 6, cats are considered adults — where 3 cat years are comparable to 28 human years, and 6 cat years are comparable to 40 human years. From age 7 to the 10, our furry felines are considered mature! At 7 years old, a cat’s age is more or less equivalent to 44 human years, while 10 feline years are equivalent to 56 human years.
Seniority! A cat from age 11 to 14 is now a senior. These sweet, older kitties’ ages are
comparable to human years the following way: 11 cat years = 60 human years, while 14 cat years = 72 human years. 15+ years: your cat is a… super senior! These longevous kitties start their 15th year of life comparing their age to 76 human years. From there on, you can count every cat year by skip- counting four human years.

There are many factors that can impact your cat’s longevity, both genetic and environmental. Keeping up with regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and neutering your pets are generally considered good customs to ensure a long, happy, and healthy life for your pets. At Fat Kitty City our cats undergo regular checkups with a certified veterinarian practitioner to make sure that any issue of our beloved furry guests can be identified and tackled at an early stage, should they ever arise. When you adopt a cat, it’s essential that you keep on top of their check ups and anti parasitical treatments. Last but not least, a balanced diet and regular exercise, together with providing them with a clean environment and taking care of their litter box regularly can help keep both cats and humans happy and healthy while living together.

On average, it’s been observed that female cats have a slightly longer lifespan than male cats. This might be due to female cats being less interested in engaging in activities that could potentially be dangerous, such as territorial fights that can lead to injuries, infections, and disease. They are also less prone to contract urinary trait infections when compared to male kitties. That said, both male and female cats can enjoy a healthy and happy long life when properly cared for. Neutering/spaying your cats, their specific breed, and genetics also play a huge factor in determining their lifespan regardless of their gender.

Cats that live indoors tend to live longer lives than outdoorsy kitties, as they are unlikely to be victims of car accidents, attacks by wild animals, and contracting diseases from strays or parasites. However, indoor cats will need particular attention to their diet and exercise — as a sedentary apartment life could lead to potential risks to their health related to obesity, especially after neutering.

Despite often depicted as independent and detached animals, cats are incredibly social pets and can terribly suffer from loneliness and isolation. In the wild, feral cats are known for forming small to large colonies that loosely resemble miniature lion prides — based on the availability of resources such as food, water, shelter, and reproductive possibilities. These colonies can form a certain type of hierarchy too, although experts have observed many different behaviors and disagree on a standard, common structure. Some colonies see female cats co-operating to raise kittens, for example. If you live a busy life, consider gifting your cat a feline companion to care for their mental health, too! Some suggest in fact that cats can get great benefit from having a playtime companion, keeping boredom and loneliness at bay.

Now that you know everything about your cat’s aging and the most longevous cat breeds, you have all you need to make sure you make the kittenhood, adulthood, and seniority of your furry friends their best time ever. Check out our blog: Adopting A Senior Cat to know more about older kitties, and read our Kitten 101: Are You Ready To Adopt A Kitten? guide to get your very own kitten checklist ready for a new fur baby in your home!

What is a senior cat? By definition, senior cats are those older kitties over the age of ten years.  The first thing to address in senior cats is their behavior and temperament. If you’re looking for  a bonkers pet that zooms around the house and brings a whole lot of energy in your home,  perhaps senior kitties are not the right fit for you. The same way people usually don’t expect  trying out bungee jumping with their grandparents, well… You shouldn’t adopt a senior cat  expecting the same type of energy that a young adult furry friend would have!

Senior cats are known for their mellow temperament, enjoying the simpler things in life. They  are the perfect pet for someone looking to find a fur ball curled-up on the couch to cuddle after  a long day spent at work. They don’t seek constant entertainment, but enjoy human (and feline)  companionship based on mutual respect and a gentle approach. 
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This doesn’t mean that senior cats don’t enjoy playing at all: after all, it’s cats we’re talking  about. These mischievous little creatures never fully lose their lust for life, and if your cat enjoys  playing, they will let you know when they’re in the mood for it. All it takes is a little patience! 

Welcoming a senior cat in the house might require a few extra steps that you wouldn’t think of  when adopting a kitten or a young, adult cat. For example, you may want to take more care in  placing their litter boxes, toys, food and water bowls, and beds in places that are easily  reachable and don’t require climbing. You should also purchase a cat gym or scratching tree  too, but be mindful and also provide them with options that require less effort for them to enjoy. 
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If you have younger cats around, make sure you create some space for your senior so that they  can enjoy some peace on their own, away from more high-energy siblings. Cats are pretty  efficient in communicating between each other, and an older cat will be more than capable of  making themselves respected by younger newcomers — but giving them the option to be able  to time out whenever they feel like it is always a good idea.  

This also works for other situations that may make a newly-adopted cat uncomfortable, such  as visitors and guests in the house that are unknown to them. 
Sign your senior kitty up to a trusted veterinarian immediately. As unfortunate as it may sound,  just like elderly people older cats are more prone to certain health issues. And whilst there are  plenty of cats that live well into their twenties without much of a hassle, it’s always best to be  safe than sorry. 

Senior cats ore often overlooked due to myths such as “they are likely to have poor health”,  “they are likely to have behavioral issues”, and last but not least, many mistakenly believe that  older cats won’t be able to bond with new owners. This, of course, couldn’t be further from the  truth! Adopting a senior cat has its very own pros, for sure. 

They Give Lots Of Love 
Cats are highly intelligent animals, and they will notice all you do for them. As the years go by,  they will notice that their bodies no longer allow certain activities, and senior cats are extremely  appreciative of everything we do to make their last years as comfortable and happy as we can.  They no longer get distracted by activities such as intensely playing, fighting, or hunting as  they may have been used to during their youth, and are perfectly content with being stroked  whilst watching tv together, or sleeping at the end of your bed. In other words: senior cats may  not be here for a long time, but they surely are in for a good time. 

They Are Less Of A Hassle 
Senior cats have established their routines and know what they like and what they don’t like.  They aren’t likely to need any litter box training, to name one — and will quickly show you their  preferred spots for napping, cuddling, or playing. On top of that, they will take brief but  numerous naps here and there throughout the day, so they aren’t likely to disturb any Zoom  meetings for those who work from home!  

It’s A Kind Gesture 
You, as a human, can make a great difference in a senior cat’s final years, providing them with  the love, warmth, and security they may have never known before. It’s your chance to do the  right thing and make a cat happy in a world that more often than not favors kittens and  younger cats.

Once you’ve found your perfect companion, it will take some time for them to adjust. Unlike for  younger cats, seniors may find it a little difficult to explore your place, especially if it’s a  multiple-story house. Give them time to explore on their own, without pushing things. Place  their toys, bowls, litter box(es) in places that are easily reachable for them, and provide more  than one option for their beds. Certain cats are particularly keen in staying close to their  humans, so make sure you create some space for them in places where you usually hang out  — the couch, the bedroom, your studio… You name it.

​Make sure you also stock up on selected food that is designed to cater to the needs of a senior  cat. Some diets focus on joints health, heart care, or urinary trait health for example. At the  point of adoption, don’t be scared to ask as many questions as you need: after all, we want our  adoptee to be happy and comfortable, just as much as you do. Asking questions is never a  mistake: if anything, it tells us that you really, really care. And we love seeing that! 

A lot of times people are put off the idea of adopting a senior cat because they believe that  they won’t be able to bond with them. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Senior cats have  lots of love to give, and once settled they will be just as loving to you as they may have been  with a previous owner. This is because a bond with a cat is built on trust, respect, and  consistency!
Cats are creatures of habits, and establishing a routine for them will make them get  comfortable in no time. Some tricks, such as hand feeding them food/treats every now and  then, can help you build a significant bond between yourself and your newly adopted cat — no  matter their age. 
​Respect their time and don’t force them to cuddle with you if they don’t feel like it. Don’t pick  them up against their will (unless strictly necessary), and don’t push their limits! When the time  is right, they will come to you. You can better understand if a cat likes you and enjoys being pet  by reading our dedicated blog: 10 Signs Your Cat Loves You. 

Some people simply prefer active, energetic pets. If this is you, and you’re not ready to commit  to the needs of a senior cat, you should perhaps consider a younger cat. This depends on the  lifestyle you are willing to achieve with your furry companion. Senior cats, in most cases, are  quite low energy — and this is not for everyone.
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Another reason why senior cats might not be the best fit for certain people, is the fact that they  are more likely to incur certain health issues when compared to younger cats. This can be  costly, and if you’re not ready to face these expenses at this specific time of your life, perhaps  you should reconsider adopting a senior cat that might need medical attention in the  immediate future. 

Last but not least, senior cats have a limited time left. Some seniors can get adopted and  happily live an extra ten years or so, filled with joyful memories and lots of love — but some  people prefer to adopt a younger pet and keep the day they will cross the rainbow bridge as far  off as they can. 

​Senior cats, just like kittens and younger furry friends, can make great companion for certain  people. They are loving, wise, and mellow — and they are sure to bring joy, warmth, and  happiness to any house that will take them in. If you’re looking forward to welcoming an older  cat and fill their remaining years with all the love they deserve, contact Fat Kitty City to discuss  the options and get some free snuggles by our senior furry residents!

​When she came to me from Fat Kitty City she was only a week out of the woods — her name reflects the Coyote Country she came from — and scrawny and understandably skittish. She weighed barely three pounds, her boniness obscured some by her abundant gray fluff. Early on, she used the litter box but also went in the living room a couple of times. A Fat Kitty City consultation suggested it was her upset tummy more than anything that led her outside the litter box, and since identifying food she likes she’s loyal to the box.

In an effort to get her fed adequately I offered her many menu options — brands, flavors and textures — and finally found a regime she seems content with and which has brought her up to a steady five pounds. There’s a bowl of Purina Naturals – Indoors I always keep filled, and on a separate plate I give her a big tablespoon of Fancy Feast two or three times a day. She doesn’t always rush over when I put out the canned food, but the plate’s usually clean when I look over an hour later. She prefers the chunky and flaked varieties to the wetter ones and pâtés.

But even now — now that she eats well, has solid poop and shows affection — she doesn’t really do anything. She eats, sleeps, lies around in various places, and naps on my lap.

Because of her torturous past I’ve indulged her in ways I wouldn’t with other cats. For one thing, I toss her scraps of meat when I’m preparing food in the kitchen. I’ve also broken my cardinal rule of pets: no tidbits from the table. But considering her life before me, and the need to get weight onto her, I think the tradeoff was fair. She also doesn’t turn down Temptations treats and she knows the sound of the package opening.

There’s of course no way to predict how CC would do around other animals, though my inclination is to say she’ll be best off in a quiet household with a person or people content to let her be herself on her own terms and not demand too much in the way of performance.

I believe that animals who have endured mistreatment understand and appreciate when they’re subsequently treated well, and so in this context CC’s sweet nature has emerged. She’ll be a good companion in her forever home. Just don’t expect her to play fetch.

​To inquire about adopting CC, fill out the Adopt a Cat form!

​We went to work providing her with nourishment, and necessary fluids and warmed her body as best we could and loved on her, told her how special she was, and asked her to hang on and fight.  To our surprise, this sweet little angel was bright-eyed and just a little more bushy-tailed in the morning and asking for food. She hasn't stopped eating since and thanks to her foster home she has put on several pounds and is now ready for a new beginning and a forever home.  

​We choose not to think about how she ended up so far out in the woods, but our sweet Forest reminds us every day through her forgiveness and affection how resilient our and trusting our companion animals are and she is the epitome of what unconditional love is because she gives it every day even though at some point it wasn't given to her.