“I grew up around cats and dogs,” Lovi says. “My family has had four cats and three dogs over 24 years, but because Sylvester is the first pet I’m personally responsible for and invested in, I consider him my first cat.
I’m unique in that I volunteer my writing skills to this amazing rescue in Vancouver, WA from my home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! As for the journey that brought me here? Words are my passion and were my profession. A journalism graduate from The American University in Washington, D.C., I’m the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles.
Nothing gives Betsy Sanford more joy than getting to know the cats who live at the Furry Friends house and giving them “cuddles and a little fun.”
“They are each so unique,” she said. “I really enjoy trying to help a cat adjust to human touch and maybe relax a little if they are stressed.”
Furry Friends is a nonprofit no-kill cat rescue and adoption organization based in Vancouver. Serving the greater Vancouver-Portland metro area, Furry Friends seeks to provide local cats in need with proper medical and emotional care while waiting for a forever home, rescuing abused, abandoned, or otherwise unhoused or unadopted cats with a safe place to stay while searching for their perfect human companion.
“Leila is kitty number 22 and our fifth fully black cat,” Gail says. “We LOVE black cats and their chill personalities. Leila was part of a litter in which all of her siblings had been adopted, and she was moved into the Halfway House when she reached 6 months of age. As a Socializer with Furry Friends, I got to know her sweet, gentle and playful personality and couldn’t resist taking her home with me.
“She was a bit shy for the first couple of weeks, but curious and good-natured at the same time. She was given her own room with lots of space to play and to feel safe. She and our other cats could see and sniff at each other through a screen door that we had installed just for that purpose. They would also stick their paws under the sliding door and bat at each other by way of introduction. Before long, though, she was roaming the house as if she’d lived here forever.
“We love the playful energy that Leila has brought to our home. She’s always so happy, and she comes to greet us every morning and when we get home from running errands. She has a cute way of lying with her front paws straight out in front of her and her back legs flat out in back of her – as if she’s doing a yoga pose! She ‘chirps’ when she jumps down from the furniture or her cat tree, tilts her head from side to side when she’s trying to figure out something new, and loves playing hide and seek in the sheets.
“Since our other cats are 6 and 14, they look at her kittenish energy with disdain, and we can almost hear them saying, ‘Doesn’t she know that cats are supposed to be regal and aloof?’
“Leila’s favorite toys are her string toy with a mouse and streamers on the end and her two stuffed fish with feather tails. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, she leads us into her room to play. She also plays independently in a Chewy box that we filled with crinkly paper and little toys, but she seems to prefer the company of people, and is always checking out the other cats in case they want to play.
“When she first arrived, she didn’t really understand being hugged and cuddled, although she did like being petted and was a champion purrer. After working with her for a few months to get her used to being picked up and cuddled, she now enjoys her hugs and cuddles. She often lies on my lap or on my feet in the evenings while we watch TV and contentedly purrs. One of the gentlest kitties we’ve ever had, she also LOVES having her tummy rubbed!
“While she’s allowed to sleep wherever she wants, she most often sleeps in her cat tree in her room. Sometimes, though, we find her sleeping on a blanket at the foot of the bed, stretched out to her full length.”
Furry Friends Fur-Ever Stories are compiled and written by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA. She lives with her adopted Maltese named Mini.
“Otis, whose original name was U2 when I adopted him, isn’t my first kitty,” Erica explains. “And the reason I chose him is because I simply couldn’t resist his tiny little face and his baby pink pig nose.
April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and we at Furry Friends ask that you consider saving a life by adopting a pet – purr-eferably one (or two) of the fabulous felines WE shelter.
Don’t let the Easter Bunny forget about your fluffy feline when he comes a hopping down the bunny trail. Remember the kitties with a basket filled with goodies they will like.
For the container, use a plastic basket or bucket, a decorative box or container made with untreated wood. Some of the purchased Easter baskets may be treated with toxic chemicals or paint. Handling the basket may be okay, but if your pet likes to chew on these tempting baskets, he/she may end up with an upset stomach.
“When I adopted Tuxedo Mask (previously Isosceles) in December 2020, he became my beloved foster fail!” says Elizabeth.
“I received my first batch of five 2-week-old foster kittens in late August 2020. Tux instantly became attached to my fiancé and followed him everywhere as soon as he was old enough to free roam.
Although she’s been a Furry Friends volunteer for less than a year, Aly Benson is already involved in working at the Halfway House, fostering difficult to place kitties and adopting. At the house, Aly is part of the “awesome Monday morning crew.” “I really enjoy getting to know these ladies and hanging out with them each week,” she said.
“I had lost my special Jack Jack last year,” explains Tracy. “A handsome black and white tuxedo, adopted at two, he was 16 when we had to say goodbye. It took some time for me to open up to adopting again. When I was finally ready, I searched and searched to find a special boy in need of a home. My search was specific: a young male black and white tuxedo.
When Jack and Rayne, both 14, passed away, Donne was “not in a position to get a new cat”; so she researched volunteer opportunities with cats in Vancouver and found Furry Friends. She has been a member for a year and is a shift lead on Wednesday nights.
“These little black beauties aren’t our first cats,” Tanna explains. “We did, though, change their names from Padme and Rey – too much ‘Star Wars’ in them — to Nova and Luna.
“After losing my 14-year-old brother and sister cats within two months of each other, I was hesitant to adopt because I’m a senior and didn’t want an active kitten. Then, on the Furry Friends website, I saw photos of Bailey, a 6-year-old female tuxedo.
A true animal lover, Lorien Kelly owns five cats and fosters others as needed, and she has a “little back patio sanctuary” where she feeds a family of raccoons and a pair of opossums. Lorien became involved with Furry Friends in April 2018 while she was caring for an injured stray that showed up one day on her patio.
“Frankie, formerly Anubis, is the first cat of my own although I’ve lived with cats my whole life,” Ahnna says. “I went to the shelter looking for a black cat, and when one of your volunteers and my close friend Jazmynn placed him in my arms, he purred and seemed safe and content there. Seeing him so relaxed that way made him the one for me!
“Gideon (formerly Scarlett) and Piranesi (formerly Sammy) are my eighth and ninth kitties,” Freya says. “I’ve been fortunate in that most of my cats have lived long lives. And since they each preferred being the only cat in my home, I haven’t had that many.
Fury Friends and our supporters are ending a most challenging year as 2022 draws to a close. The aftereffects of Covid on the veterinary profession and on animal welfare overall caused many trials, but we have risen to the challenges and look forward to growing and improving in 2023 with the help of our many dedicated volunteers.
“Our last kitty ran away in December of 2021,” explains Farrah. “We are still heartbroken, but being kittyless was pure agony.
“We were originally looking at another cat, but we weren’t her humans. Then they showed us Cleopatra and it was instant love! And although we kept her original name, we call her Cleo most of the time. Her adjustment to our home was so very fast. It only took about four days for her to be completely adjusted because we also have a dog. Other than that, she’s the Queen and we’re her loyal staff. I still can’t believe she was returned for not being able to adjust to someone else’s home. She acts as if she’s lived here all of her life!
When Sandra learned that Furry Friends is a no-kill cat rescue, the animal-lover who has devoted her life to helping animals knew that the organization was the perfect place for her.
“We recently adopted Cleo from Furry Friends,” says Bethany. “We’ve had pets before, a Beagle named Baxter and a cat named Lucky, both of whom have since passed. After that, we went without a pet for many years — until our daughter asked us to cat sit for her and we fell in love with her cat! Of course we had to give her cat back, but we sure missed having him around.
Furry Friends is lucky to have hundreds of amazing volunteers who dedicate hours upon hours of their time caring for our cats. Cathy McCanta is one such volunteer; she spends three mornings a week at our Halfway House shelter making sure our cats are fed, their rooms are cleaned, and most importantly that our cats are happy and healthy!
“After the death of our 17-year-old cat in January, we looked at the Furry Friends’ adoption website,” explains Alison.
“Darrell and I were immediately attracted to the photos of Ghost, a young Russian Blue, but he was bonded to an orange tabby kitten named Cheese. We talked it through and decided we could easily expand from a one-cat household to a two-cat household.
“I adopted Lucifee from Furry Friends in October 2021,” Madison says, “and although I haven’t technically changed her name, I honestly call her Lucy for short.
“Having grown up with cats, this isn’t my first experience living with them, but Lucy is the first one of my own. In looking for a companion pet, I knew that I wanted one who was friendly and snuggly. And when I read that Lucy really liked people, I felt that I should meet her. I visited her at the shelter and she was immediately very friendly and wanted pets. She also looked so cute and had such an adorable demeanor that I promptly adopted her.
“Several months after making herself happily at home in my home, I decided to move to another location, and Lucy’s had to re-adjust both to a new environment and to the presence of other cats. They’re more than welcoming and only want to be friends with her but she’s not yet that friendly towards them. Given her naturally outgoing personality, though, and a little more time, I’m sure she’ll feel the same way they do.
“Lucy is the best companion pet. I always look forward to spending time with her. We sit on the couch and she comes and cuddles up with me. When I’m working at home she comes and sits on a stool next to my desk and chills with me. I’m very happy to have her as a pet, and my family and friends love her too.
“Lucy likes to play with a toy on a string and also likes the laser pointer and her scratching stations. But most of all she likes exploring our new home. She was used to carpeting in our previous place and now, with hardwood floors, she slips and slides about in the cutest way. She also loves to flop, and since she’s heavy, she makes a ‘thudding’ sound. When she wants to rub against you, it’s more ‘ramming’ than rubbing, and when she tries to scratch herself, she often ends up scratching the air. In short, my Lucy is as funny as she is endearing.
“I’m very grateful to Furry Friends for taking Lucy in and for allowing me to adopt her. Thank you!”
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Furry Friends Fur-Ever Stories are compiled and written by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA. She lives with her adopted Maltese named Mini.