Petfinder Post: Cats in Teams

I keep saying that social cats are special and wonderful, so readers may be wondering how they can possibly find specialness and wonderfulness at an animal shelter.

Well, it's not easy. I once had a nightmarish experience of looking for a cat in a shelter where they all seemed to be hanging out together. In one big room, set up to look like a very large front room in someone's house, about forty cats of all sorts and sizes were lolling around on cushions and couches. The cats all seemed friendly. Too friendly. Too mellow. Not like real cats. And I realized they'd all achieved this mellowness by being doped out of their minds, so who knows what kind of pets any of them could ever be, but probably very weird ones. When the word gets around that people are looking for a particular kind of animal, horrible things can happen to animals who aren't really that kind.

Social cats aren't dogs; they don't bond with just every other animal. Some social cats, like our Founding Queen Black Magic, at least offer friendliness to everyone they meet. Some form tight, jealous bonds and make themselves disagreeable to others who come between them. Some cats are capable of teamwork with a mate, or in a sibling or parent/kitten relationship, but may not be capable of teamwork with any other cats. 

However, these tabby cats have been selected for their documented bonding with at least one other cat. 

1. Zipcode 10101, New York: Ryan and Bella 

The big male--a gray tabby verging on "torbie," like our Mackerel--"adopted" the smaller tortie when she came to the shelter. They act like a couple but the shelter staff assure us that they won't have kittens. To meet them, click or paste https://www.petfinder.com/cat/ryan-24759595/ny/bronx/animals-saved-by-grace-ny652/ .

2. Zipcode 20202, Washington: Jimmy and Francine 

Reportedly rescued from a hoarder, these cats are neither wild nor pets. They bonded at a shelter that encourages "pair adoptions" with discounts on reasonable veterinary fees. What might give Washingtonians pause for thought is that they're all the way up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A long drive...but a scenic one. Click or paste here: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/jimmy-and-francine-45144240/pa/gettysburg/forever-love-rescue-inc-pa886/.

3. Zipcode 30303, Atlanta: Nala and Simba 

Brother and sister are available for adoption at a reasonable fee that covers the veterinary care they've had. According to the shelter staff, it's the interaction between bouncy brother and snuggly sister that makes them irresistible. Click or paste: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/nala-and-simba-48211105/ga/atlanta/snap-2-it-ga644/.

There ought to be an update on the Blountville shelter situation, but it's late and I've had a head cold, which makes looking at screens very tiring, all day. More about Blountville later...