We are showcasing here just a few of the many cats that the SPCA of Northern Virginia has adopted out over the years.

If you have adopted an animal from us and would like to have your pet included, we would love to hear from you. Please email the webmaster at Webmaster@SPCANoVA.org with a photo of the pet (.jpg or .gif), it's name (plus name it had before you got it - if appropriate), when you adopted your pet and a description of how it's doing now.

You can also mail your pictures to:
SPCA of Northern Virginia
Attn: Mary Portelly
P.O. Box 100220
Arlington, VA 22210

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 Murphy, Malley & Mini

Betsy has adopted three kitties from SPCA NOVA since 1997: Murphy (Romeo), Malley (Susam) and Mini. Here is a story about what these kitties mean to her:
On July 10th of 2010 I lost my Murphy (formerly Romeo). He was an SPCA rescue adopted by me in 1997. Murphy was such a big part of my life. I soon found that my house was just not the same without a kitty. So in August of 2010, I contacted the SPCA and volunteered to foster until I found a kitty that I “clicked” with. Well it didn’t take very long until I got my Malley (formerly Susam).
After Malley settled in, it seemed like she was a little lonely. I contacted the SPCA again and asked if they could find Malley a good companion. In July of 2011, along came Mini (who arrived with no name other than "Molly's kitten"). The original plan was to foster her for a bit to see how the two girls would get along. Well, it took all of about 24 hours before the girls were spooning, wrestling and preening each other. They have become inseparable. Favorite activities for the girls include watching “Cat TV” out the front storm door and waiting for me to get out of the shower. "Cat TV" is always good but the programming gets even better when I put peanuts out for the squirrels.
Thank you to the SPCA of Northern Virginia. I am so happy with the additions to my family.
Added 1/13/12

 Eli and Lilly

Robin and Marlon adopted Eli and Lilly (renamed Theo and Rudy Huxtable from the Cosby Show). Here is an update on how they are doing in their new home:
My husband I were very excited about adopting two kittens! We had never owned cats before but we thought that they would be the perfect addition to our new home. We were right! The kittens quickly adapted to our house and every day they keep us entertained with their antics. My husband works from home so they get to hang out with him all day and keep him company. And every day when I come home from work, they come to the door to greet me. They love to play together and we often hear their feet pitter-pattering on the floors as they chase each other all over the house and play with their toys!
But both of them also love quiet time. They love to nap in the sun on our bed and when I'm reading or working on the computer, they will both curl up next to me and purr. Rudy likes to lay next to me and flip over onto her back to entice me to give her a belly rub! And Theo likes to lay in my lap curled up in a furry ball. Every night Theo comes and sleeps at the foot of our bed, although when my parents were in town for the holidays, he decided to sleep in their bed in the guest room! So, as you can guess, they are both very friendly and enjoy visitors. I couldn't have asked for two better kittens than Rudy and Theo!
Added 1/3/12

 Sula/Tina and Inka/Priscilla

Susan and Kenny adopted Sula/Tina and Inka/Priscilla from SPCA NOVA 16 years ago! Below is an update.
We send greetings of the season to SPCA NOVA, especially from our cat Sula (previously named Tina). Sula and her buddy, Inka (previously named Priscilla), were rescued as kittens from Lorton Prison and adopted to us in 1995. We now live in Kennebunk, Maine. Sula, who rules our home, is a healthy 16 ½ year old and the light of our lives. Our dear Inka passed away four years ago from lymphoma. We made a donation in her memory to our local shelter, the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, and there is a memorial brick with her name on it out in their courtyard. So your initial efforts continue to benefit other needy animals. We think of Penny Moore often for the work she did to rescue hundreds of cats from Lorton Prison and the great gift you all have given us. Please, please thank Penny for us.
Added 1/3/12

 Zoey

Kathleen Bennett adopted Zoey (formerly known as Snuggles) and sent this update:
I moved to Nor VA from CA in 2002 and really missed my cats. When I found my first job, I told myself I could finally get another cat. I went to a cat adoption fair at the Springfield Pets Mart and met Kathleen. She set me up to go see a few kitties.
So, after my first day of work, I headed off to see her. When I first met Zoey, she was very friendly towards me and I loved the calico/tabby look about her. She was 5 years old, but that didn't bother me. Well, 8 years later, we are still a team. She has a wonderful personality and I am so happy and lucky that we found each other.
Her favorite food is leaves and flowers, so we try to avoid those. She loves being up high, near a window, in a box, in or on a bag, or on the arm of the sofa, near me.
Waiting to adopt her was a real blessing, or we wouldn't be together. She has been a real joy and a true member of the family!!
Added 11/1/11

 Harley & Rhu

Colette, Alexandra and Jaron began fostering kittens for SPCA NOVA in December 2010. They quickly fell in love with their first foster kittens, Harley and Rhu, and decided they couldn't part with them. So they adopted them! When kitten season came around in 2011, they decided to continue fostering kittens. So far this year, they have fostered seven kittens. Five of them have been adopted; two kittens are still in their care. Below is what Jaron (age 12) has to say about their experience with fostering and adopting kitties.
"In December of last year, we got Harley and Rhu. When we first got them we were just fostering but we adopted them within a week. It was a couple of days before Christmas so we put up our Christmas tree and the both of them continuously went behind it and knocked it over.
After the two kittens got used to their new surroundings, we got them a six foot kitty condo that they adore. Ever since we started getting new foster kittens, our cats have been trying to get along. And we really love our two kitties and we are happy we got to adopt them."
Added 7/14/11

 Marley & Scarlet

Chelsea Almer adopted Marley & Scarlet. She sent us this note about them:
We are so happy with our kitties that we adopted from SPCA. Marley is so sweet and cuddly and Scarlet is a pistol! They are both playful and friendly. They sleep with us every night and lay on our laps when we are on the couch. Thank you for giving us the perfect pets to match our personalities.
Added 6/28/11

 Pip/Lucy & Squeek/Tiger Lily

Hana Kissling and her husband Trey adopted Pip & Squeek and renamed them Lucy and Tiger Lily. Here is their story:
We adopted these beautiful sisters at an adoption fair on October 9th, 2010 and brought them home the next day. They were so timid and tiny (they fit into the palm of a hand!) at first, but now they have grown into lovely kitties! Both kitties love attention and sitting on our laps, though Lucy will often sit by herself; enjoying some alone time. She is a very curious and very athletic kitty! Lucy will sometimes jump high onto our table and then several more feet onto the top of our dartboard! She is our little princess - sometimes at night she'd rather be left alone, and meows to let us know how she feels. Tiger Lily is a little bigger than her sister, and she has grown into a lovely lap cat. She is also becoming a big talker - meowing when we come home, when she wants to play, and often at random! Both girls are really well behaved and enjoy time with each other in playing, play-fighting, napping, and watching birds and other things out of the windows.
These kittens are two wonderful additions to our house, and we love them very, very much! Thank you so much for letting us adpot them (letting us rescue two kittens) - they add so much to our lives!
Added 6/21/11

   Georgie

Amy and Paul adopted George (now called Georgie) a short while ago. Here is their update on how George is doing:
Georgie is acclimating well to her new home. She seems to enjoy being the only cat and just this week is getting close enough to our dog, Cody, to be nose to nose. She hissed and ran away from him for quite awhile. Cody has been curiously patient and I believe will enjoy her company. Georgie is becoming playful and social, joining us on the couch and chasing pull toys. She enjoys her "bed" which allows her to look out the window and bask in the afternoon sun.
Paul confessed he "loves" Georgie! And,she she adores him also. Case in point - Georgie's first "close encounter" with the dog was while Paul was lying on the couch with Cody on his chest when Georgie jumped up and curled up by his knees. Georgie is a beautiful girl who is growing more content and confident every day.
Thank you for all you do to help animals like Georgie find homes where they will be loved and thrive.
Added 6/14/11

   Tom/Ben and Rose

Sue Stanley adopted Tom (now called Ben) and Rose in December 2011. Here is her update on how the kitties are doing!
Ben and Rose adapted wonderfully to their new home. It only took about two weeks before they were fully comfortable with their surroundings. We just love them to death and have spoiled them rotten. Rose has become a lap cat, surprisingly, and is especially attracted to my husband. Ben hangs with me mostly and loves me to drape him over my shoulder and walkabout. Ben and Rose daily chase each other up and down two flights of stairs and all thru the house. They play hide and seek with each other which is quite amusing for us to watch this behavior. They love their new cat condo and kitty furniture and love bird watching out of the many windows in the house. We couldn’t have chosen a better pair of cats. Although adult cats at time of adoption (age 1 & 3) they are just like kittens, just bigger. I wish more people would consider adult cats when adopting.. Kittens are only little a short while but play as kittens many many many years.
Added 6/1/11

   Cali/Charlie

Bess and Ken adopted Cali (now called Charlie) about a year ago. Charlie is doing great with her new family - including her new feline friend, Sohpie. Here is a little description of her "new" life:
Charlie is doing great and she and our other cat, Sophie, get along so well -- it is really a great match! We love her :) We were a little worried when we were looking for a second cat because our resident cat, Sophie, could be a little bit of a bully. But Charlie (formerly Cali) was not intimidated by Sophie's behavior at all and, in fact, she was excited to play with Sophie and chase her right back. Apparently, Sophie respected Charlie's fearlessness and they quickly became good friends. Now they have "chase" sessions several times a day and also enjoy wrestling matches with each other. Charlie loves playing with her toy mice and ping pong balls, which she loves to toss down the stairs to the next level so she can chase them all the way down. She also takes plenty of nap-breaks and often curls up in our laps and purrs away. She is so much fun to have around and she has fit right in with our family. We are so happy to have found her!
Added 5/18/11

   Meiling & Qingling

These two beauties were adopted by one of our volunteers, Alysoun Mahoney. This is what she wrote about them:
Named after the famous Chinese sisters of the 20th century ... these two both caught my eye when I was looking to adopt in October 2009. I settled on Qingling, who was in a foster home near my house....but a year later, I was ready to adopt again, and Meiling was still in a foster home. I knew it was meant to be .... and now these two beautiful ladies are together at last!
Added 5/9/11

   Tinker & Taylor

When Abby and her fiance applied to adopt these kitties, the SPCA needed to make a careful evaluation of the situation because they planned to relocate to Texas in the near future! But the adopters were already fostering Tinker & Taylor and were very bonded with these kitties. Also Taylor is special needs (asthma and partially collapsed lung) - making it especially challenging to find him a home (with his brother). We were especially pleased to hear that all went well ...
The boys have settled in easily into their new home in Dallas, TX. Their mom, Abby, says they behaved very well on the plane ride. But the woman sitting next to them on the plan didn't! Abby says the boys didn't make a peep but once the woman realized they weren't luggage she shrieked "on my GOD is that an animal? I don't do animals. Is this allowed? Excuse me, Flight Attendant, she has an animal on the plane!" The Flight Attendant moved the woman to a new seat although their mom, Abby, thought they should have thrown her off the plane! Abby says "the way that woman was acting, you'd think I had a pair of grenades!" Anyway - the boys settled right into their new home. They jumped right out of the carrier and explored their new home. And they love TX - the weather has been nice and warm. Their new home has big windowsills and Tinker loves to sit next to whichever window is open and take in the fresh air. Taylor's new thing is drinking from the decorative water fountain. These boys are so lucky Abby decided to adopt them and take them to TX with her.
Added 5/2/11

   Mickey and Tabasco

Liz and Joe adopted these boys a few months ago. Here's an update on how they are doing in their new home!
Tabasco and Mickey have been a great addition to our family. Mickey has grown into his little round tummy and now resembles a sleek panther. Tabasco is still as orange and cuddly as the day he moved in. After a short adjustment period, the boys have claimed our house and bed as their own. Tabasco loves this teaser toy that is fluffy and has feathers on the end. If he gets it away from you he picks it up and walks off with it. Mickey, on the other hand, loves the laser pointer which is shaped like a mouse. When he hears the click of the button, his face lights up and he comes looking for that little red mouse. Tabasco plays with it too, but he tends to prefer something he can actually catch and run off with.
We built them a fort out of a card table and some blankets on a hot day. We set it up over one of the air vents so that the cold air would collect in a nice spot for them to sit. The air conditioning really wasn't helping much that day and the whole house was pretty hot. So other than putting ice cubes in their water, I thought this would help them cool off. They seemed to really like it, they either hung out in it or they chased each other in and out of it.
Added 5/1/11

  Harry and Lloyd (formerly Cookie and Tummy)

Dan and Trish (Biggio) sent us this:
As we reach the one year anniversary of having adopted our two kittens (now adult cats) from SPCA NOVA, we thought now was an appropriate time to provide an update on their status. These brothers have brought so much joy to our life and we're so happy to have them.
Harry: The black and white tuxedo cat. Harry (formerly Cookie) has put on 6.5 pounds in the last twelve months, now weighing in at 10.5 pounds. Despite a >150% increase in weight since last February, Harry still maintains the frame of an Olympic gymnast. Quick and agile, this tuxedo cat has an amazing ability to jump and run around the house and he can often times be found hanging nearly upside down from a scratching post. Harry’s agility can get him into trouble on occasion, as he needs to be called down from spaces that are high off the ground (such as the banister that overhangs a flight of stairs). In fact, blankets have been placed below this ledge, in the event that Harry decides to wander into the space he is not supposed to go while we are at work and has a fall. So far, though, his incredible agility has kept him out of harm’s way.
Harry was the first cat of the two to develop separation anxiety: even upon shutting the bathroom door to take a shower, this tuxedo cat can be heard crying outside the door. Harry is usually the first one to come to the door when we get home from work, and is also the one who can typically be expected to hop up on your lap when trying to sit down and catch up on a favorite TV show. Harry appears to be most happy when 3 or 4 hands are petting him at one time, and he will actually lie on his back and encourage people to pet his belly.
Favorite Toys: laser pointers, crinkle toys

Lloyd: The orange/buff colored tabby cat. Lloyd (formerly Tummy) has become much more comfortable here in recent months, and really seems to like being paired with his brother. These two guys are like two peas in a pod, and Lloyd can often times be seen instigating a wrestling match with Harry. If the wrestling match comes down to pure size, Lloyd will win out, as he weighed in at 11.2 pounds at the vet last month. He is still not a large cat by any stretch, but the larger of these two brothers does not seem to possess quite the same desire to run around as often as his brother Harry. Lloyd is still a reasonably active cat.
Lloyd’s personality can be described as a bit more independent than Harry’s; he is the cat that tends to be a bit more skittish when company comes to visit or someone he does not recognize. Once Lloyd warms up to you, though, he will let you know that he is comfortable with a long lasting and real loud purr. While not as quick to hop on a lap as Harry, Lloyd will do so from time to time, often times when sitting at the computer. Recently, Lloyd seems to have developed a bit of separation anxiety himself, as he can be heard bellowing out his very high pitched meow. Merely picking him up and placing his front two paws over a shoulder typically puts Lloyd at ease, and seconds later the patented Lloyd purr we have become accustomed to hearing is out in full force.
Favorite Toys: laser pointers, feather toys
Added 2/14/11

   Sugarless/Caspen

Lana adopted Sugarless (now called Caspen) in December 2010. Here is her update:
Caspen is doing excellent! My other cat, Emy, has a new brother and they love each other! I don't think I could have found a better match. They play with each other, sleep together. They also seem concerned about each other when one whines or meows!
Thanks for everything! We are so happy we found him! :)
Added 1/30/11

   Fritz

We received this email from Melanie & Andy:
Fritz (formerly Sunkist) has been a great addition to our family! After spending most of his first day with us hiding under the bed, he evolved into a social and curious cat. So curious, in fact, that after he had been with us for just a few weeks, he ran straight out the front door one morning! Luckily, we found him less than twenty four hours later, hiding in some thick brush nearby. After his rainy night in the wild, we think he gained a greater appreciation for his new home. :)
Fritz likes to be aware of what we are doing at all times, and will curl up next to us on the couch (as he is right now), or will run to follow us up and downstairs if he thinks we might be doing something exciting. He also runs downstairs to greet us when we come home from work, and usually likes to sleep on our bed (while sometimes excessively kneading the covers). Fritz loves to play with his toy mice, and has even managed to set off our Roomba by himself - twice! He never lets us forget to feed him, as he'll reach out a paw to tap our leg if we happen to walk past him around breakfast or dinnertime. He purrs and purrs when being groomed with a Furminator, though if we happen to go near his belly, he sees it as an invitation for attack!
Overall, we are so happy with Fritz's transition into our home as an (approximately) eight year old cat. Before seeing his picture on the web site, we had never considered adopting an adult cat, but now we are very glad that we did!
Added 12/9/2010

   Inky/Donny & Socks/Marie

We received this email from Jen Linck:
Hi. I adopted Donny & Marie (formerly Inky & Socks) in May 2009 when they were about 3 months old. They came from the same litter but are very different kitties.
Marie still has her trademark white smudge on her lip – she was a tiny thing when I got her, but the hormones and the appetite have, unfortunately, turned her into quite a heavy girl. She’s on a diet now and it’s made her a little cranky and demanding, but I can certainly relate. She’s not very cuddly, but she does like to curl up next to me in bed, and in the bathroom sink – her favorite place in the whole house. She’s the loud, chatty one, but absolutely the better behaved of the two. Donny is a snuggler, and definitely a handful. He loves to sit in my lap and is always anxious to be cuddled. But then he’s also constantly into things he’s not supposed to be – he’s very curious, although not as agile as he thinks and no grace at all, poor thing. Both of them LOVE to look out the windows – especially when they’re open – and their favorite toy is a broken stick with a string on the end of it where the feather has been eaten off. They’ll jump and run for that thing until they start to pant.
They’re both spoiled rotten and perfectly wonderful. Thanks to the SPCA for bringing us together!

Added 10/10/2010

   Ashley/Coco and Tigress/Nutmeg

We received this email from Lindsey and Stephen Medlock:
Coco Mademoiselle (formerly Ashley) and her sister Nutmeg (formerly Tigress) are absolute dolls. Nutmeg is definitely a “Mamma’s Girl” and she follows me everywhere. Coco is definitely a “Daddy’s Girl”. When she’s not unraveling the toilet paper in our bathrooms, she can be found sitting in Stephen’s lap purring up a storm and watching ESPN.
The girls are both very playful. Nutmeg loves batting her plastic springs and flying across the hardwood floor to race after them. Coco likes her furry mice and feather toys, but her most favorite toys are paper products. She loves to attack sheets of paper, chew on cardboard boxes, and tear holes in paper bags. She also loves water. She recognizes the sound of the shower running and eagerly awaits the opportunity to roll on the damp shower floor. She also loves to play with bubbles in the bath tub while the tub drains. We think she knows the risk involved, as she's fallen in several times! Each time she jumps out and sits patiently on the bathroom floor while we franticly ask if she's alright and dry her off with towels. We can always count on Nutmeg to pitch in by licking the water off of her fur.
Nutmeg is less daring, but still very playful and curious. She learned very quickly if she sits on her motorized Zhu Zhu pet hamster it stops moving and making noise. She continues to try this same tactic with our printer. Her most recent fascination is with the air conditioning. As soon as the air conditioner clicks on she races back and forth, trying to find a way into the air ducts or HVAC closet.
Both girls are very affectionate and love attention. After an avid bird watching session from the ledges of their kitty condo or a playful wrestling match, the girls are always ready to cuddle. Nutmeg loves to nap on our bed. She will sometimes cry and paw at the blanket we keep on the bed until I pull it over her and tuck her in. If a lap isn’t available, Coco likes to sleep close to the headboard on our bed so she can snuggle with a pillow. We love both of our girls dearly and thank SPCA for matching us with our little love bugs.
Added 9/22/2010

   Creamsicle and Lion

We received this email from Maddy Clark:
Creamsicle and Lion have been an amazing addition to our house. No matter where they are, they are always doing something. They love to jump high into the air and catch toys, or chase bugs around the house. They sit near the door, and watch whatever is happening in the outside world, whether it is a beautiful summer day, a thunderstorm, or a giant snowstorm. All they want to do is be around people, and they come to whichever room in the house where the action is. They sleep half the day, completley stretched out on the floor or the couch, or curled up into small corners, or the ends of our beds. The other half of the day they play. For a while our house was empty, since we didn't have a cat. But after getting these two, it was filled right back up again immediately. At the beginning, they were shy, since it was a big space that they weren't used too. But now it has turned into their kingdom, and they rule the house. I, personally, am so happy that we stumbled across these kittens, because I can come home after school, and be really stressed, and then just see Cream and Lion running across the floor chasing each other. It puts a smile on my face. Thank you, to the SPCA, for giving us the chance to get these amazing little furballs.
Added 9/7/2010

   Chino and Foxy

Valerie Smith adopted these kitties on October 31, 2009. Here's her update on their new lives with their new family:
I thought you might like an update on Chico (formerly Chino) and Foxy Tygra (formerly Foxy). I always say good things happen to me on Halloween and these two cats are no exception. They settled in well and now rule the house. Chico loves to find places to hide and pounce out on whatever happens by: a foot, Foxy Tygra, or, best of all, a favorite mousy. I call him my recycled kitty because one of his favorite hiding spots is the recycling bin. He has developed a love of those small furry toy mice. He carefully hides them away until play time and guards them jealously from his sister. Chico is usually waiting for me at the door when I come home with lots of purrs and head butts. Foxy Tygra is a sweet, loving girl who just can't resist killing a string. I love watching her play because she always goes all out. Foxy Tygra spends hours watching out the patio door for birds, squirrels and chipmunks. She is the official greeter of visitors and lets us know when someone is coming. When all else fails, she can usually be found sleeping in the bathtub.
Chico develped a small granuloma on his eyelids, now almost gone. He's been sooo good about taking his eyedrops (better than I would be). The picture of them on their backs was not long after he was diagnosed and is giving him the rakish look. The second picture is one of their favorite morning activities - looking out the front window. I sincerely enjoy having both of these wonderful cats in my life. Thank you for all your good work.
Added 6/28/2010

   Joey and Tiger

Michaelanne and her family recently adopted these boys. Here's her update on their new lives with their new family:
The boys are quite a pair. They are convinced that everything has play value. They just have to figure out how to make it work. They are eternal optimists and go after any random thing until it moves and gets in the game. So, topsy turvy go the lamps and the picture frames and anything (and I do mean anything) is fair game. They take a different approach to glasses, however. Before they are upended, they first taste what's inside. Water is their number one favorite. Their motto is, what is yours, is mine!
They are also trying out for the kitty olympics. They chase each other on all three levels of our home -- watch out knick knacks and watch out dog. Running is just one of their sports. They like to propel themselves through the air, no pole necessary, and attach themselves to the screens. Rather like Garfield stuck to the wall. Wrestling is something else they are good at. They can do if for an hour, sometimes they don't play fair and need a time out. But in the end you'll find them curled up together sleeping soundly.
Their names have stayed the same. Mostly because it was pointed out to me that Joey is very much like the character in "Friends." He is very sweet and comically clueless. Tiger is the smart one and teaches Joey new tricks. One of Tiger's talents is that he loves to play fetch. You throw and he will bring it right back to you, over and over. One day he found an extra thick pipe cleaner that he just adored. So we rolled it up into a ball and played fetch. He upped the anti in this game by immersing his furry pipe cleaner in the dog's water bowl and bringing it back sopping wet. We have bought him more pipe cleaners and you will find them all over the house, some in water some not. Being a clever sort, he has tried to engage us in play, by dropping a wet pipe cleaner on our bodies as we sleep. It's really a wake up call. We oblige by throwing the dripping thing out of the room and close the door. Don't feel sorry for him though. He and Joey cruise through the house looking for something else fun to do, and they always find it.
We think they are a great pair and are very happy to have them.
Added 6/25/2010

   Ziva and McGee

Anne and Jason Ward adopted Ziva and McGee a few months ago. Here's their update on the kitties:
Ziva and McGee (new names Santino and Constanzia aka Sonny and Conny aka "Porkchop" and "Little Girl") have settled in very well into their new home. Sonny Boy likes to sit next to his Dad on the couch and Conny likes to help Mom get ready in the morning. Recently they got a really tall play structure to climb on - one just wasn't enough! So now everyone has someplace to climb and lay. They enjoy watching the bugs, birds, and folks swimming and playing tennis from their 5th floor condo. "Porkchop" and "Little Girl" make their parents very happy and they can't imagine life without them!
Added 6/24/2010

   Tiger & Wrigley

Amanda Long and Sheldon Moseley adopted these boys in January 2010 and gave us this update:
Hello. I just wanted to give you guys an update on how Tiger and Wrigley are doing together...Absolutely great :)
They are sooooo playful and sweet. They both love to purr and rub their head on your leg or hand. They love to chase the laser light, and the light up ball. They both love to get on top of the cabinets and computer desks. Tiger really loves to meow, such a chatterbox (esp. in the kitchen). Getting along just great, they roll around and fight like playful little kitties do. Wrigley loves to take his nap under the bed and sits behind the blinds. And he watches the wall, tries to jump up and open the little door knob to where the breaker switches are. Tiger likes to sit right on top of me, purring while we sleep.
Added 6/6/2010

   Chase & Chester

Lorraine Brasseur adopted these sweet boys from SPCA. Here is her update on how they are doing:
Chase and Chester are doing great! They're both very affectionate and loving. They tend to follow me from room to room when I'm home. And, Chase (since renamed Dukie or Ducat when he's being formal) is entirely too curious for his own good. I got a harness for him and am getting him used to it so i can take him for supervised outside walks on the leash to walk off some of his exuberance. Chester is the biggest sweetie. He's grown quite a bit and is probably a pound or 2 heavier than his brother. Here's a picture of the boys sitting at the top of the cat tree together and a more recent picture of Dukie packing himself into my suitcase as Chester looks on in amusement!
Added 6/3/2010

   Angel/Bethany & Diablo/Briggs

Elizabeth and Chris adopted Angel and Diablo (re-named Bethany and Briggs) in June of 2009 and sent us this update:
They have been such a joy to come home to each day! Bethany is smaller and quicker and loves a good scamper around the apartment. She is very inquisitive and loves to inspect anything new that comes into the apartment. Briggs is the snuggler - he is always up for a good cuddle. He also loves to sniff out the window behind his favorite blue couch. Their favorite toy is the red laser - they could spend hours running after it. They greet us at the door each time we come home with loud purrs. They have been a wonderful addition to our family and we consider ourselves so lucky to have adopted them!
Added 5/7/2010

   Columbus/Harry & Jersey/Penny

Beth Fertich sent us this about their adopted kittys, Columbus & Jersey (renamed to Harry & Penny):
I wanted to write with an update on the cats I adopted in June 2002, Harry and Penny. They have given me so much happiness over the past 8 years. I moved here after graduating from college and missed my cats at my parents house very much. They had been my cats since I was very young and would not have adapted well to living in the city, but lived long, happy lives with my parents. Adopting Harry and Penny was one of the first things I did after renting my first apartment in Alexandria. They have grown from wild, playful kittens who used to keep my up all night chasing each other around to more mellow, but still very playful adults. They still love to play with catnip toys and will sit in the window and watch the birds outside for hours. Penny is definitely the queen and Harry is a gentle, sensitive giant. They still get into things (mostly my closet) and I often say Penny is the brains and Harry is the muscle. In the past year, the 3 of us moved in with my boyfriend Chris. It has been fun to see them bond and I've had the satisfaction of turning him into a cat person.
Thank you for all your work in helping cats find their forever homes. I can't imagine my life without Harry and Penny.
Added 5/2/2010

   Antonio

Valerie & Nathan McCarry sent us this about their adopted kitty, Antonio:
We saw your article in the Winter 2009 “Paws to Consider” about alumni pets and thought we’d share our adorable Antonio with you. We adopted Antonio on December 15th, 2007 and his first adventure was climbing the Christmas tree. Boy was he disappointed when it got taken down in January! We adopted Antonio because we had lost a cat to anaphylactic shock from a distemper shot the previous January, leaving his brother, PJ, alone and growing more depressed every month. We had many concerns about Antonio still having his claws and PJ having come to us already declawed and the age difference, PJ was 7 and Antonio was only 9 months. But Dana Meeker of the SPCA gave us lots of encouragement and we were amazed to find out that PJ and Antonio bonded literally overnight. By morning we had to open the door to the room we were keeping Antonio in and they’ve been pals ever since. The attached photos show them Christmas morning 2009 exploring the packages and a composite photo my husband made of PJ and Antonio. Antonio is the little orange guy standing up. But the greatest story of all was just this morning when I needed to take PJ to the vet for a blood test. Ever since his brother died PJ gets very nervous any time he has to get in his cage, so this morning when I put the cage in the living room and went to get PJ to put him in, Antonio had jumped in and was waiting for him. As soon as I put PJ in, Antonio jumped out and I had no trouble taking PJ to the vet and home. He stayed calm the entire time for the first time in four years! I sure wish I understood cat-speak so I could know what Antonio told him. Whatever it was, it worked and we are very thankful to the SPCA and Dana Meeker for helping us quite obviously choose the perfect roommate for PJ.
Added 4/21/2010

   Alex & Ashley

Jenn and Brent recently adopted Alex and Ashley. They first met them literally in the midst of the December 2009 blizzard - trekking from Fairfax, VA to NE DC to visit them in their foster home. They tell us that their kitties would easily win the "cute brown tabby" competition hands down! Here's what they have to say about their kitties:
Alex and Ashley are awesome. They were a little shy at first but that didn't last long. Now, we have come to expect the racing across the living room, the random toys in odd places, a nosey buddy hopping into the shower shortly after the water has been turned off, and the occasional 4:30am "wake up and play with me" headbutting or pouncing on our feet. We feel very lucky because they have certainly brought endless entertainment into our lives.

Added 4/6/2010

  Lindsey

Stephanie Hofelich recently sent us this update about her SPCA-adopted kitty Lindsey:

Well, the simplest way to put it is to say that Lindsey is definitely the queen of her castle. She's just taken over and has decided that she is in charge. No matter what time of day it may be, it's always "time to adore Lindsey." In fact, she refuses to sleep in her little kitty bed unless it is placed on my bed. Also, she loves the hassock that my parents gave to me. I've placed it in front of my sliding glass doors and she'll lay there all day in the late afternoon sun. As you can see, I'm not the only person who is spoiling this little princess. Every person that meets her just completely falls in love with her - especially her big green eyes and the way she just falls over onto her back waiting for a good belly rub. Lindsey is just so talkative with everyone she meets - just chattering away to anyone who will listen. For Christmas, my parents bought some cat grass for their "grandkitty." She's gone completely nuts over it. I've had to go out and buy another plant because she goes through it too fast to allow it go grow back!
Thanks for everything you do for these animals, it really makes a difference.

Added 4/6/2010

   Julius/Kango

Melissa & Jori Reilly-Diakun adopted Julius in late September/early October 2008. Here's an update that Melissa sent us:
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I just wanted to send over an update of our wonderful cat. We've had him for about a year and 4 months now and he's the sweetest cat either of us have ever seen. He was named Julius while he was in foster care but we re-named him Kango, which means "lion" in an African language spoken in Malawi, since he looks so much like a little lion. When we first got him, we heard that he hadn't been very interested in toys, but we've found that his interest in them has grown and he especially loves chasing anything that you can drag around. When we're relaxing, he'll come and snuggle up with us and he has a loud soothing purr. We were given the information when we first went to visit Kango in his foster home that he is FIV positive (meaning he has feline AIDS), and the scar tissue over his right eye will always be a distinctive feature on him, but Kango is the perfect cat for us and we couldn't be happier to have him here with us.
Thanks for everything you do for these animals, it really makes a difference.

Added 1/20/2010

   Timmy

Maggie George recently adopted our BIG BOY Timmy. Here's a little story on his new life with Maggie and Bhadra.
My new robust friend came into my life after I decided to become a foster parent for SPCA NOVA. My cat Bhadra really needed a partner in crime and once I saw Timmy’s face...I knew fostering would soon turn into adoption. Kathleen, the SPCA Cat Foster Home Coordinator, told me that there was an 8 year old orange tabby at the Fairfax shelter whom SPCA was taking into their care. Timmy had been brought there by his former owner b/c she was pregnant and just didn't have time for her cat anymore. I couldn’t believe that after 8 years they were willing to give up their pet to a shelter…it absolutely broke my heart. I decided once Timmy stepped foot into my home that I could never put him through the trauma of having to move again. And those huge, sweet eyes!!!   After a few weeks of Bhadra trying to show his new roommate how things are done on Capitol Hill, Timmy finally felt at home and started showing Bhadra that he too belonged there. Now Bhadra and Timmy spend many hours sleeping next to each other, grooming one another, and, of course, the occasional kitty sparring that will hopefully lead to Timmy’s weight reduction. He’s slightly large…18lbs! I don’t know what I would do without him now…I love coming home and seeing not only one cat, but two cats running towards the door to say welcome home Mom!

  Update 3/7/11 - Timmy is doing wonderfully and I just adore him so much. He is a first class mouser! He caught a rather large mouse one night about a year ago. Generally I hate the idea of any animal being harmed, but in this case – it was Timmy’s present to us. LOL!!! He and his feline brother, Bhadra, get along wonderfully. Added 6/4/2008

   Iris&Violet/Nola&Stella

Megan Watson adopted Iris and Violet (now called Nola and Stella) in 2007. Here's an update on how her kitties are doing:
It's been several months and I just wanted to send you a quick update and a couple of pictures I snapped this past weekend. I love my little ones and they are the bestest of buds. The first picture is them napping in a chair with Nola's arm around Stella. The other picture is how I found them one afternoon. They were napping together in a cat bed on my bed. It really only fits one of them but they somehow crammed themselves both in there. It was so cute. They are getting big. Well, Nola more than Stella. They run around and play and I've even taught Stella how to play fetch with mice. They both love to hang out in the window sills on nice days and soak up the sun. They also love to find fun hiding places like under my bed or in the shower (which they love to get in after I'm done with my showers!). They make me laugh a lot. Stella has gotten to be quite the lap cat and Nola loves to sleep near my feet. They are doing well and I am so grateful to have them. Thank you so much for everything you both do. I hope many others get the joy of adopting kittens/cats from the SPCA.

Added 6/3/2008

  Bella

Katie Pope recently adopted Bella. Here's an update on Bella and her buddy Jingles.
Bella came to my home as a foster, but ended up being a forever pet we could not adopt out! We fell in love with her amazing personality, as well as her need to give us attention all the time. Not only that but our cat Jingles found a life long companion. Bella and Jingles became instant friends, even though they are complete opposites! Bella is a 10 month old female obsessed with playing and being the center of attention. While Jingles is a 14 month old female who is fine giving up the spot light (for the most part). Bella follows Jingles around the house like a little sister, even places that are only meant for one!   Nap time is the best though, the cuddle up right next to one another and groom for a while before sleeping, once awake they are off to the races! Jumping, tackling, and playing until they get tired and start all over again. These two girls were meant for one another and without the SPCA they never would have found each other.

Added 6/2/2008

  Jerry & Jesse

We received this email from Kevin and Tracee about their adoptees:
We adopted our two cats, Jerry and Jesse, in November 2007 and have enjoyed the nice dynamic they've brought to our home. At first, Jesse was the more timid of the two, but once he was comfortable in his new home, he joined us in our kitchen, bedroom, and everywhere in between, and is the first one on our bed each night. He is extremely affectionate, loves a good scratch, and has turned into a real cuddler.
Jerry, known around these parts as "Chunker", is a big boy weighing in about 13 pounds. He likes to instigate trouble with his brother, and we've seen him many times sneak up behind Jesse for a bit of a "rumble." But when he's done playing, he retreats to his bed and is out like a light in the blink of an eye. He actually snores! He is truly a character.
We think highly of your organization and what you do. We've had nothing but positive experiences with the SPCA of Northern Virginia, and will enthusiastically recommend you to anyone we know who is looking to adopt a pet. Caring for those creatures who can not shelter and feed themselves is a noble pursuit for sure!

Added 3/23/2008

  Cookie & Whiskers

Pat and Jim Rehill adopted Cookie and Whiskers in February 2007. Here's what they have to say about their newest family members:
When Jim saw Cookie and Whiskers on the SPCA NOVA web site, he knew immediately they were the ones for us! SPCA clearly made a difference in our decision to choose Cookie and Whiskers. SPCA gave them tremendous love and care and it shows. They are so friendly and loving in return. They love to be petted and even flirt for our attention. We have nothing but love and happiness in our home all the time. Thank you, Nancy and Kathleen.

Added 3/9/2008

  Izzie & Denny

Tearrah Cristiani and her family adopted Yoda (now Izzy) and Luke (now Denny) several months ago.
My kittys continue to be a source of many smiles! The Lavender Pointe "Denny" is such a curious, mischievious one - he loves exploring and inspecting everything. "Izzie," the Chocolate Pointe, is a little lady. She's very sweet - will jump on your lap and let you hold her. They both love catching a nap in the sun filled living room or snuggling up with my daughter's dog, Indy. The kitties just adore Indy! I can't thank SPCA enough. I have thoroughly enjoyed them both, my husband has also been guilty of having them both on his lap while reading or using his laptop, and my father-in-law frequently comments on how beautiful they are.
We love them, love them, love them!!!

Added 3/2/2008

  Sasha & Ella

Chris and Todd adopted Sasha and Ella in 2007. Here is a recent update on how their girls are doing!
Sasha has gone from being a little ball of fur to being a small ball of fur =) She is curious, playful and vocal as ever. One of her functions is "Alarm Clock Kitty" who ensures that one of us is up by 5 am to feed her the wet food she loves. She loves her toys and loves to annoy her "sister," who, being older, has much less patience for Sasha's antics. Definitely one of the sweetest, softest, friendliest cats we've ever known! Ella has really come out of her shell since she got here. She spent the first week hiding under our bed, and now waits for us by the door to come home. Ella loves to be stroked and loves to give kisses to show her affection. Her relations with Sasha can be rocky, but they seem to have reached a mutual agreement of no claws, and no serious biting! She's a sweetheart but definitely not a pushover, as Sasha can attest. Ella is, however, a bit more wary of unfamiliar people or sounds, and while Sasha comes right out and tries to get attention from all newcomers, Ella prefers to lie in wait, scoping out the crowd, and waiting for her own family to give her attention!

Added 3/2/2008

  Tom & Pepper

We received this update from Jack, Sheryll & Nick Jones:
Brothers Tom & Pepper (AKA Sylvester) came to us as 9 month olds. This was our first experience with the SPCA and we have been delighted not only with our new furry friends but with the knowledge and care we received from you all. Some of your recommendations were new to us, no declawing and adopting two young ones together, but they have made all the difference to our experience. Tom and 'Vester are so much fun to watch. They have explored their new house together; wherever one has gone the other must go too. They charge around the house at break neck speed, up and down the stairs, between our legs and then plop down in a big pile of furriness and nap together. By having each other, we don't have to worry when we have to leave them; we know they'll keep each other company. There's no end to their comical antics, one minute "aggressively" wrestling as most young boys do, followed by bathing each other's faces. They'll climb into the laundry basket together and curl up for some zzzzz's. I could go on and on but suffice it to say we three are head-over-heels in love with our feline friends. Thanks so much NoVA SPCA.

Added 2/26/2008

  Ditto/Simon & Otto/Theodore

We received this update from Alicia Gailliot:
I adopted Simon (all black) and Theodore (tuxedo) in October 2007. They are both very sweet and loving! They sleep with me in my bed at night and love there new home!! Simon was very reserved and quiet when first arriving at my home, but he is quickly adapting and is very attached to me (the mommy). Simon will snuggle up like a person with both his front paws around my neck at nighttime. Theodore is my little trouble maker, he loves to chase his tail and get into trouble and coerce his brother to join in!
I love my new boys and I am so happy with them. Thanks again!

Added 1/1/2008

  Toby/Merry and Sox/Pippin

We received this update from Nick and Crystal Nikish:
We adopted Merry and Pippin in November of 2006 (they came to us as Toby and Sox), so they're just about coming up on one year with us now. They are our spoiled babies and it shows in their round little tummies! Pip's personality is a bit neurotic, he likes to splash his water out of his bowl before drinking it and loves to stare out the windows, but this scaredy-cat hates leaving the house. He especially likes to follow us around from room to room and his favorite thing to do (when he's not sleeping under our bed) is to run, hop, and skid around the room chasing a ping pong ball, mousey, or feather toy.
Merry is a bit more of a slacker and likes to sit on the couch with us at night, but only until he gets starts to get hot. Then he moves to the coffee table or the top of the refrigerator to sprawl out and purr himself to sleep. They are such good brothers and love to chase each other around the house, give each other baths and fall asleep on in a pile of kitty goodness. So thank you, SPCA, for finding our babies for us, we really don't know what we would do without them!

Added 10/14/2007

  Charlie & Cassie/Patsy

We received this update from Ellen and John Schwab:
just had to write to tell you how much Ellen and I continue to enjoy Charlie and Patsy (the cat formerly known as Cassie). They are just wonderful animals, and we are so glad that we lucked into them.
Sorry the photo below (taken in May 2007) doesn't quite show them in all of their glory. Charlie--who we think is a real stunner--clearly needs a brushing (which, along with food, he seems to live for). As for personalities, Charlie lives in a permanent state of irrational exhuberance. He's very loving but completely undisciplined. Never learns. Patsy, on the other hand, is quite affectionate and a sometime lap cat. She seems to have gotten the brains of the family.
Ellen and I continue to be thrilled and amazed that we managed to find and adopt these guys, and we think of you often.

Added 10/2/2007

Itsy & Domino

Chris and Nancy adopted Itsy and Domino in 2006. Here's what Chris had to say about them now!
We got the girls when they were about 2/3 months old. We were warned to keep them in a small room for a little while when we got them home so they wouldn’t get too anxious. That lasted about 5 minutes before they were ready to explore every aspect of our condo. At the start they got a little crazy when they smelled our food, but that didn’t last very long ... now they just want Greenie treats 24/7. A really fun part of having them has been when we recently moved into a much bigger house. They had never seen stairs before and after 7 months they are still fascinated with them. They also love the fire place. The house is a rambler so we have long hallways. They just LOVE to run the length of the house (usually chasing treats) and then slide on the wood floors. They will only drink water from a bottle that is poured onto their heads or from the running sink. Itsy likes to put her head under the water and lick from the drips that fall on her paws. Domino likes to drink the water off of Itsy’s head. I guess when you were born under a deck you learn to love dripping water. I had never had a cat before and we got these as a concession to my wife, but now I really love my two girls and can’t imagine life without them.

Added 9/23/2007

Bruno and Rocco

Eric and Julie Drews (formerly Crimmins) adopted Bruno and Rocco (they didn't change the names) in April 2005. Julia writes:
When we first got them we lived in a tiny apartment in the city, but have since moved to a two-story townhouse in Virginia. The cats love having the extra space, and especially love to chase each other (and us!) up and down the stairs. As brothers they have always gotten along famously and enjoy both cuddling and wrestling together. Of course they are generally rambunctious and are constantly climbing and knocking things over on purpose. But at the end of the day, they both curl up on the bed for belly rubs and sleep. We're so grateful to the SPCA for connecting us with these two wonderful cats!

Added 7/4/2007

Amilee/Amalie & Dreamer/Jezabel

We got these photos from Annie and David, along with this note:
In February 2007, my husband and I adopted two kittens, Amilee and Dreamer…. Well they are now Jezabel and Amalie (like the French movie).
They have been the joy of our lives and have been doing wonderful. Thank you for giving us our two little trouble makers.

Added 5/20/2007

Zahara

Beth Underkoffler adopted Zahara from SPCA in March 2007. Here's what she has to say about the new addition to her family:
After only a month with my cat, Grendel, and myself, it feels like Zahara has always been a part of our lives. She is so sweet and playful and does something funny every day! Zahara and Grendel are becoming even better friends than I had hoped for. They both sleep on the bed with me regularly now rather than "taking turns" like they did initially. Grendel still grooms Zahara, but the really surprising thing is: Grendel is now letting Zahara groom him from time to time! And finally, last night I actually caught them snuggling. I have a feeling that after some more time passes I'll be coming home to kitty snuggle piles. I'm so happy that I found a friend for Grendel (and other one for me!). When I come home after work, he is no longer at the door, caterwauling for me. I open the door to find them hanging out together, calm as can be. They play together, too. More often than not, I see a mousie go airborne and them chasing it. Grendel also likes to get her to chase his tail. He'll hide under the throw rug and stick his tail out, flicking it at her until she chases it. This is truly a success story and a good reason for you guys to keep doing what you so so well!

Added 5/16/2007

Sedona/Gina and Sienna/Coco

Yong Lee adopted Gina and Coco (formerly Sedona and Sienna) in November 2006. Here's what Yong has to say about his kitties:
Gina is the long-haired tortie who loves to snooze in front of windows, play with Coco, and be fed treats. So much so that every time she thinks I’m going to feed her, she arches her back, spins around in joy and gives short meows at the same time. Coco likes to follow me around wherever I go in my house, likes to chase her bigger “sister” Gina, and likes to move small objects from one part of the house to another – much to my confusion! Coco has been known to move pillows twice her size as well! Gina and Coco are incredibly sweet and affectionate cats – both to each other and to me. And they provide hours of comic relief on weekends. A hearty thanks to the SPCA for having taken such good care of Gina and Coco before they came home to me.

Added 5/16/2007

Mickey

Lisa Hochberg adopted Mickey to keep herself, her husband, and their other kitty, Zoe, company. Here's what she says about them:
As I sit here writing, Zoe and Mickey are chasing ice cubes on our kitchen floor and then chasing each other around the house. I am so glad we adopted Mickey!! He and Zoe are best friends. They groom and snuggle with each other all the time. I think Zoe is much happier and I know I am, too! We didn't have any problem integrating Mickey into our family. Here are two photos of them. My favorite is the one of them snuggled together taken shortly after Mickey joined our family. The photo looks like "one ball of cat with two heads!" (Mickey is on the top). In the other photo they are "holding paws." (Mickey right, Zoe left). They bonded instantly! We kept Mickey's nickname "Mickey Moo" but right away started calling him "Marching Mickey Moo" because he likes to loves to stand in place and knead with his front paws...looks like he's marching in place. Thank you for helping us choose the right kitty for our family!

Added 4/24/2007

Lizzie, Callie & Trixie

Jennifer Porto and her family have adopted three cats from SPCA! Here's what she says about them:
We adopted Lizzie and Callie in 2003 when they were 7 months old. Lizzie is incredibly good natured, very docile, and sweet. She is very attached to my daughter and will lay with her for a long time. Lizzie visits with me every night as I make my daughter's school lunch for the next day, waiting for her morsel of turkey! Callie is more playful. She "helps" me make the beds in the morning by chasing me around the bed and grabbing at my hands. She also loves to run under the sheets when I fluff them up. When I get into bed at night, Callie always climbs on my chest while I watch the news. Lately, she has decided that she is just not "close enough" to me and will sit practically on my neck with her nose an inch from mine! We added Trixie to our household in 2006 when she was just 8 weeks old. Trixie is very soft and sweet. She loves to be cradled in my arms like a baby. She also enjoys sleeping close to my daughter or myself or snuggling up with her big stuffed animals (see photo at left)! Trixie loves to chase after her big "sister" Callie and to play and cuddle with her other "sister" Lizzie. Trixie is very friendly and outgoing and likes to greet our friends at the door...the girl has no fear!
Added 3/15/2007

OLIVER

Mary Kakareka adopted Oliver. He is a foster brother to Liesel and Oden, who are also alumni. This is what she wrote about him:
Oliver came to our foster family very timid and uncertain, often hiding under beds or running away when someone came near. Slowly he began to warm up to his foster siblings, mom and dad. He became a big brother to any foster kittens who came to the house, letting them snuggle up with him (as seen in the picture!), and grooming them upon request! He slowly blossomed, and his foster family (and their friends) all fell in love with him, as he began to follow his foster mom around the house, greet her when she woke up in the morning, and cry for love! One of his favorite things is to crawl up in the crook of someone's arm while they are reading, or lay nearby in his special cat bed, purring happily. Soon we decided that Oliver really was part of the family, and adopted him ourselves. He is one of the most gentle, sweet and funny cats I have known, and we are all glad he is ours forever!

Added 3/6/2007

BLUEBERRY/BELLA & STAR/CHANEL

Lauren Burnette adopted Bluebery and Star and renamed them to Bella and Chanel. This is what she wrote about them:
Bella and Chanel didn’t hesitate to adapt to their new home and to becoming sisters. Their favorite activities include chasing each other around the apartment and sleeping next to each other in the top perch of their kitty condo. Contrary to most cats they are fascinated with water and anytime they hear the faucet turn on they come running to dip their paws in and splash around. They love their new water fountain they received from Santa a few weeks after they were adopted. They are definitely lap cats in every sense of the phrase. I usually have one laying across my chest and the other one by my head or feet. For me, there’s nothing better than coming home and being greeted at the door by the girls. They love meeting new people and never run away from strangers.
Chanel may be a month younger than her sister but what she lacks in size she makes up for in attitude. She’s never afraid to scream when she wants something and doesn’t let her bigger sister push her around. Bella is more relaxed but will definitely cry for your attention. One thing I have learned is to watch my feet when I walk. They are constantly following me everywhere I go and zigzagging between my legs. They are probably best known for being sleep contortionists. You never know what wacky position they will be sleeping in next. My two little social butterflies definitely brighten my life and keep my family, friends and I plenty entertained! Thank you to the SPCA and their foster moms for doing such a great job!!

Added 3/5/2007

FLIRT/LUKE & MIZZY/LEIA

Jean adopted Flirt/Luke and Mizzy/Leia in November 2006. Here's what she has to say about her new kitties:
Since Thanksgiving weekend, I’ve woken up after my alarm rings (because he’s a GOOD boy!) with Luke (formerly Flirt) perched on my chest staring at me and purring like a fiend until I start my day by cuddling him. In a moment or two, he is joined by his nearly identical sister, Leia (formerly Mizzy), who is usually chilly from resting on a cushion in a window, watching the critters and people of Del Ray. She is chattier and loves prey-looking toys; he is pushier and has never met a stuffed animal he didn’t like. He plays fetch; she chases balls. The laser pointer is their mortal enemy. His vaguely lazy eye is the cutest thing. Her habit of muttering to herself as she investigates cracks me up. They’re both smart and sweet and obsessed with running water. I’ve never had young cats, “teenagers” as they were called by volunteers, but they act exactly like kittens just a little unfamiliar with how large their bodies have gotten. I’ve also never had two cats before and I am so entertained by their mock battles and tag-team play sessions, the way they groom each other and call to each other if something interesting is going on. It has been a wonderful few months of getting to know them as individuals and helping them grow into healthy, happy cats. They are my very favorite thing about coming home. Everything about the SPCA adoption process was so easy and thorough and helped me feel very confident that I was being matched with the right family of kitties. They had a little leftover medical treatment to be done, but the SPCA is brilliantly supportive at making sure their pets are healthy and happy and ready for their new homes, so with very little incident, the twins have become a permanent fixture in my life. Thanks to all of the kind-hearted and generous SPCA staff and volunteers, especially Evelyn, who as far as I am concerned is Foster Mom of the Year, for giving so much to two wonderful little kittens when they needed someone special to start them off the right way. From now on, every Thanksgiving, I have two more things to be grateful for!

Added 3/5/2007

ALLEGRA/DOLLY & ASHLEIGH/DOODLE

Marcy Cook sent us this about their new family member:
I adopted Dolly (formerly Allegra) and Doodle (formerly Ashleigh) in September 2005. Dolly and Doodle are the perfect sister/brother pair. Doodle is kind of a doofus, and Dolly is my pretty little girl. They play and wrestle together, and settle down to groom each other as well. Doodle loves playing with his strings, and will bring one to you to play with, he also plays fetch, purring all the time. Dolly likes to bring each of her toys out of their box every day, and sits by my head at night on the bed to purr and be petted. They both come running to greet me when I get home from work -- I just love having them as part of my family! Thanks so much to SPCA.

Added 3/4/2007

BLONDIE/BONNIE

Janice Seeger sent us this about their new family member:
We adopted Bonnie in mid December 2006, after our dear Sally's long fight with cancer came to an end. Our Angie (alias Kamikaze - click on her name to read more about her) needed a new playmate to keep her occupied so that she would quit bugging her other sister, Rita. Rita doesn't want anything to do with Angie, and without Sally around Angie was driving her crazy.
Thanks to Kathleen and Sandy we ended up with our dear Bonnie - a great match/playmate for Angie. Bonnie is the sweetest little kitty!! We are really enjoying having two extremely affectionate cats. She adds a lot of fun and love to the household. It took no time at all for her and Angie to start playing together. Now both Angie and Bonnie come running to greet Cliff when he comes home. As for Rita, Angie leaves her alone more, but now Bonnie is chasing her some. Rita doesn't seem threatened by her - and starts it most the time. So we frequently has a circus-like atmosphere with all three running all over the house. It's hard to get good pictures because they run so fast. The picture of Angie and Bonnie on the counter - shows "bad girls" eating Rita's food.
Thanks to Kathleen and Sandy for matching us up with our dear Bon Bon!

Added 2/4/2007

RAQUEL

Amanda Moss recently adopted Raquel. This is what she had to say about her new best friend!
Raquel and I are still getting along famously. She's discovered my chair now and loves to sit in it. I only have one chair in my tiny apartment so it's a race to see who gets the chair first. She always wins, but she lets me sit with her. She's also doing really well around other people. She hides at first when they come over, but after a few minutes she comes out to check them out. I remember the first time I met Raquel and she sprinted into hiding as fast as she could. Now, she still goes under the bed, but she doesn't have that look of panic in her eyes anymore.
She's doing really great and I'm completely head over heels for her. As one of my friends aptly said, "she's got you wrapped around her extra toe." It's true. Everyday she becomes more and more affectionate, she loves to play and she sleeps next to me everynight. She used to wake me up in the mornings. Now she's realized that when she wakes me up, I get up and leave for work. So now she sits on me in the mornings to ensure that I can't get up.
She's so special. I look at her and it still brings me to tears wondering how anyone could have looked at her and hurt her the way they did. Thanks so much for everything!

Added 11/5/2006

BONNIE/WREN & CLYDE/CHRISTOPHER

Elizabeth Keys adopted Christopher and Wren (formerly Bonnie and Clyde) in May 2005. Both kitties have adapted very well to their new home. They love to sit at the window bird watching or snooze belly up, especially in a sun pool. They are always up for a romp around the house together, a quick sibling bath, or even watching television. Big boy Christopher is quite social, and loves when mom has guests over for dinner so he can flop over on his back and chat with the visitors. He likes to chase balls of paper, and sometimes even brings them back to mom for her to throw again. Wren spends lots of time managing the toy mouse population by "drowning" them and then leaving them as presents for mom. One time she even left a wet present for mom right in the middle of a fully set dining room table! Christopher and Wren are named after the late 17th-, early 18th-century English architect Sir Christopher Wren, who is thought to have designed, among other things, the Wren Building at the College of William & Mary.

Added 4/21/2006

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