June is Adopt A Cat Month!

While any time of year is a great time to bring a feline friend into your life, June is the special month set aside to highlight adoptable cats. We know the perfect home for each and every one of our cats is out there and one of those homes might be yours! If you've been thinking of adopting a new family member, our many kitties would be very pleased to see you stop by the cat room.

Timmy



Timmy is the King of Comfort. He's rarely found anywhere but his big comfy bed and looks lost when its in the wash. Timmy is laid back and mellow, the perfect cat for someone who doesn't want the energy of a kitten bouncing off their ceilings. He likes to sit on laps and loves to be petted, but generally waits for you to go to him. He is declawed, so he would prefer not to live with animals that might pick on him but is fine with other gentle cats.

Rosemary



Rosemary is one of many young mother cats that are looking for homes now that their kittens have been adopted. She's just a tiny cat herself, it's hard to imagine that she's a mother. She loves to cuddle and is definitely best friend material. When there's no one around to curl up with, she settles for snuggling into her blankets, but she'd really like a family to give her all the petting and attention she wants.

Oogie



You'd be hard pressed to find a more affectionate cat than Oogie. He's never happier than when he has a lap to sit on and someone to scratch his chin. There's just something about him that's perfect for hugging and he's more than happy to cuddle. He has some silly habits, like sleeping under the sink, and will probably wants to pick out a comfortable napping spot in his new home. Just don't be surprised if he picks somewhere you never thought of!

Callie



It's hardly fair that Callie got looks and personality, but some cats are just lucky. She keeps her long calico fur immaculate to show off for visitors and is just the sweetest girl. It's hard to resist a beautiful kitty like her, but she wants everyone to know that she's more than pretty fur! She also loves to be petted and is very outgoing. She has a bit of a silly side, as you can see, but she promises to behave herself when guests are over.

Brian



Brian sure is a hoot. Most people don't even notice that he's missing a leg when they first meet him. Brian was hit by a car and had to have his leg amputated, but we're not even sure if he's noticed yet. He certainly can chase and jump just as well as any other cat. He's always playing and loves toys of all kinds. He has a lot of energy and can be a little hard to keep up with, but if you're looking for a fun companion you won't find any cat better suited than Brian.

Virginia



Virginia is quite the explorer. She came to the shelter with kittens and wasn't pleased to be cooped up with them. She wants to see the world and go on adventures, and now that her kittens have all been adopted she has her chance! She wants to be part of everything going on around her and would love to have a home of her very own to explore.

If you're interested in any of our adoptable cats, just come on down to the shelter to meet them. We're open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to six and we'd be more than happy to introduce you to any of our cats.

In The News: Rocky

 

A favorite among staff and volunteers, Rocky was lucky enough to get some extra exposure on Thrusday morning. He has been with us at the Meriden Humane Society since May 2009 and he hopes he made an impression on someone out there who wants to give him a new home.



Isn't that the perfect picture of comfort? Rocky loves searching out the biggest, comfiest beds to sleep in and he doesn't care one bit if he looks silly. He's a very laid back cat, content to enjoy a slow-paced life, and he wants nothing more than to have his very own home to make himself comfortable in. He is very social with people and loves attention of all kinds. Rocky is just a big sweetheart.

Rocky is special needs, in that he has elbow dysplasia. That just means he takes joint supplements once a day and he walks with a limp. He takes his medication like a champ (it's just a capsule in his wet food, so he even enjoys it!) and doesn't let his limp get him down. He navigates the cat room with no trouble and behaves just like a normal cat.

If you think you could give Rocky the home he deserves, come on down to visit him. He doesn't want to celebrate an anniversary at the shelter. Instead, why not take him home so he can start a new, happier life?

Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Imagine having lived in a wonderful, loving home your whole life. You were always friendly with your special people, you weren’t ever a nuisance, and you gave nothing but love and kisses. You used to play and keep your family company, but now you’re getting old and maybe you don’t want to play as much. How would you feel if your family decided they don’t want you anymore, they want a young pet again?

In honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, why not consider making the golden years of these homeless cats and dogs just as joyful as their younger years? Give them the love they know they deserve, no matter what their age is.

Verizon



Verizon is the oldest resident of the shelter, at 22-years old. He hasn’t had an easy life and it shows in his face. We don’t know what happened to him before coming to us, but we know how he arrived. Verizon was thrown out of a moving car outside a local business, whose employees brought him to the shelter. He may be old, but he has so much love to give. He likes to climb up on people’s shoulders and go for a ride, all while purring like a freight train. You won’t meet a more affectionate and deserving cat anywhere.

Visit Verizon on Petfinder.


Bailey



Bailey is a senior Chihuahua who just wants to enjoy her golden years. She loves to go for walks, though she isn’t so sure about the rain, and enjoys rolling around in the grass. She also likes napping in her bed and cuddling into soft blankets. Bailey does need eye ointment, because she doesn’t produce tears, but that’s no trouble at all. Isn’t such a lovely and sweet dog worth it?

See Bailey on Petfinder here.

Sebastian



Sebastian is practically a baby compared to Verizon at only 12-years old. This guy doesn’t feel his age at all and doesn’t understand all the fuss about getting old. He can be awfully cuddly when he’s in the mood, but he’s an independent guy and mostly wants to do his own thing. A lot of the time ‘his own thing’ is napping in the sunny spot and trying to mooch food off anyone nearby, but at his age if he wants to be a little lazy or quirky it seems unfair to deny him. Sebastian can be a little grumpy sometimes, but if he were the only cat in the house that would make him a whole lot less grouchy.

Visit Sebastian on Petfinder here.

Herbie



Herbie is a sweet senior Beagle. His favorite part of the day is when he gets to go out for his walk. He is older, so he doesn’t want to go climbing mountains, but he’s no couch potato either. He just loves the fresh air and getting to sniff around at everything. He also loves his toys and treats, but he doesn’t like to share them very much. Since he’s such a laid-back dog, he would make a great companion for someone looking for a friend with a little less energy.

Visit Herbie on Petfinder here.

The Neediest

One of our favorite things to hear when someone comes to look at the animals is 'Who needs a home most?'. We love the meaning behind the question, that someone really cares which animals need them the most, rather than which are the prettiest, youngest, and most playful. And the answer to that question right now is, without a doubt, Alex.



Alex has the distinction of having lived at the shelter for longer than any other animal. He's been homeless for five years now, which makes him very sad. I can actually tell you exactly what it's like to live with this cat, because I do live with him. He's my foster, because after five years I couldn't stand to see him at the shelter any more.

He can be exceptionally frustrating and he isn't the cat for everyone. He's very shy when he's given free reign of a room, but is a massive sweetheart when he's crated. He loves to be brushed, he loves to chase moths, he loves to chow down on his wet food. For a cat as timid as he is, it's something big for him to perk his ears up and stay out in the open when you enter the room. It's something big for him to ask for attention, even if you are holding a plate of wet food. He might not be comfortable showing affection the way most cats do, but he is a good cat. He still has love to give.

He needs to be on a prescription diet to control diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel disease. He also needs (right now) twice weekly injections of B12, which are very easy to do and he puts up no fuss, and periodic steroid injections to control gum disease. He'll probably need a full dental cleaning and some tooth extractions in the future.

Loving an animal as simply pathetic as Alex is is never difficult, but he needs just the right home. He needs someone who is going to love him and stand by him no matter what messes he's made or what medical care he needs. He might be too nervous most of the time to show his appreciated physically, but it's not hard to tell that he really does care and love you in return.

If you think you might be the special person who has it in them to love this cat, please contact MHS or email h.gregory@live.com for more information.

Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable Day

August 12th is Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day! For someone who doesn’t spend very much time working in animal welfare, that might sound confusing, but it’s very simple. Many adopters want the “perfect” pet, the prettiest, friendliest, youngest, cutest pet. But think of all the homeless pets who are older, not the best looking, or need some training. There’s nothing wrong with pets like that, they can give all the love that the “perfect” pet can, and they’ll appreciate your love even more.

All sorts of silly things can affect how adoptable a pet is. Black cats and dogs are often overlooked, large dogs are the last to be adopted, senior cats are forgotten in the face of fresh young kittens. Pets with special needs can still be wonderful companions, they just need a little something extra.

These are some of the special animals at MHS that might be considered “less-adoptable”. If you’re open to adopting the “perfect” pet, you might find that one of these homeless pets is the purrfect one for you.

Lynx & Laurel



Lynx and Laurel are both semi-feral cats that just adore each other. Laurel is very shy with people on her own, but when she’s with Lynx she’s like a whole new cat! They rub on each other and meow with their little high-pitched voices when they want attention, so you always know when they’re in the mood for it. The advantage to adopting cats like Lynx and Laurel is that they won’t be bothering you every minute of the day like some cats that just crave attention all the time. They would be fine staying home alone during the day.

Visit Laurel and Lynx on Petfinder.

Ellen



Ellen came from a home where she lived with 47 other cats and two dogs. There’s nothing you can throw at her that will surprise her. She’s a bombproof kitty. Even though she’s an absolute sweetheart, Ellen hasn’t been chosen for adoption yet! She blends in with all of the other black cats, so she doesn’t get much attention. Her appearance doesn’t suggest that there’s anything special about her, but she is just so sweet that when you sit down with her you learn there’s something special under that dull black coat. And what’s wrong with a black cat really? They go with everything!

Visit Ellen on Petfinder.

Samson



Samson is a senior Chihuahua. He’s just tiny, the sort of dog you could put on your lap and enjoy a movie with. Older dogs might not have as many years left, but doesn’t that mean they should enjoy their golden years? He is calm and sweet, so he might make the perfect senior companion for a senior person. There are many health benefits to having pets as a senior citizen. They help lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of loneliness. Don’t you want to help make Samson’s golden years his best?

Visit Samson on Petfinder.

Dean



Dean is a five-year old hound mix. He needs an adult home that can work with training with him. He needs someone who can teach him the rules, what behavior is acceptable and what behavior isn’t. He’s very specific about who he likes, so he needs work accepting strangers. He doesn’t seem to like children much either, so he should live in a home with adults only. The fact that Dean needs training, and that’s he’s a large dog in a world where small dogs rules, means many people pass over him. Large dogs are wonderful, though. Need someone to keep you warm in the winter? A big dog can do that. Tired of looking for animals that hide when it’s time to go the vet? A big dog can’t do that.

Visit Dean on Petfinder.

Olivia



Olivia is an older cat with hyper-active thyroid. She needs daily medication, but she makes that a breeze. She is so gentle and sweet that when it’s pill time (and she needs it twice a day) she just swallows it likes it’s nothing. Olivia is so very loving and calm, she just wants to cuddle all the time. She has a big bed in our kitchen that she is always in. Nothing makes her happier than snuggling right into it. Admittedly, no matter how easy it is to do, giving daily medication really doesn’t have an upside. You’ll just have to settle for feeling great that you’re helping a special needs girl live a long and happy life.

Visit Olivia on Petfinder.

There are many other special animals at the Meriden Humane Society who need your help. These animals might be considered “unadoptable” by some, but we know that there is a home to fit every animal. What one person might consider a special need, someone else might think of as a quirk! If you’re looking for a quirky pet, come on down to visit with our cats and dogs. Even if everyone doesn’t consider a pet to be perfect, they might be the perfect one for you!

No Adoptable Dogs?

The Connecticut SPCA is bringing 400 dogs to Connecticut for adoption, on the premise that there are no adoptable dogs in the whole state. All animals deserve homes, of course, but bringing those 400 dogs here puts the animals already in Connecticut in danger. Since the remarks about there being a lack of adoptable animals in Connecticut are coming from a generally reputable source, people believe it, but it just isn't the case. There is a whole kennel of dogs here at the Meriden Humane Society who would disagree with the statement that there are no adoptable animals.

It doesn't stop with dogs, though, and there are plans to bring cats to Connecticut as well. Here at MHS we receive so many requests for help with cats and kittens that we can't possibly take every single one of them, and the situation is the same for every rescue group out there. If there is one thing Connecticut already has enough of, it's cats and kittens. Saying otherwise is extremely irresponsible and puts all shelter animals in Connecticut at risk.

Fred Acker, the director of the Connecticut SPCA, said, "There's a real shortage of adoptable dogs in Connecticut." Here are some of the dogs that would argue otherwise.

Herschal



Herschal is a big friendly guy. He wants a family that he can curl up in bed with and just fall asleep on. He gets along great with kids, dogs, and cats. If you love Pit Bulls, you will love this dog.

Visit Herschal on Petfinder.

Scotty



Scotty is an adorable Brussels Griffon who is just a blast to be around. If you're looking for a high energy dog that will love to play long and hard, this is him. This is the dog you've been looking for. He wiggles all over when you open his crate and is just bursting with energy. He can't wait to get outside for walks.

Visit Scotty on Petfinder.

Fluffernutter and Peppercorn





These two dogs are just so sweet. Peppercorn is a little more of an adventerous soul. Not too adventerous, though, and he doesn't stray much farther than his leash stretches. Fluffernutter is a bit of a slow walker and tends to lag behind on their walks, but is eager to catch up and be held. They absolutely love each other and desperately want a home together. These two would make great companions for anyone looking for calm, low-maintenance dogs.

Visit Fluffernutter and Peppercorn on Petfinder.

George



George is a young dog with tons of energy. He is a Great Dane/Bloodhound mix and is therefore very strong, so large breed experience would be useful with him. He loves to play in water and had a great time splashing around in the stream by the shelter. He is looking for a family that's as active as he is.

Visit George on Petfinder.