HAPPY "TAILS"

Stanley

In June 2002, CARES received a call from Brookswood Vet. A young male cat had been housed there for a month, ever since the cat had been found abandoned in an apartment after the owners had moved out.
Stanley was a stunning cat, but he had the most unpredictable personality the CARES volunteers had ever seen – the word “incorrigible” comes to mind! One moment Stanley would be most charming, and would lull you into thinking how wonderful he was....then....slash! Many volunteers bear scars from the unforgettable Stanley! One volunteer reported that when she was leaving one day and was almost at the door, she heard a sort of screech coming from behind her and out of nowhere came kamikaze Stanley, who flew through the air and landed on her back! His bottom feet dug into her buttocks while the top ones tried to grasp her back. Fortunately for her she was wearing a thicker jacket and Stanley was unable to keep hold! Poor Stanley had to be kept segregated most of the time, as most of the other cats were afraid of him. Only his buddy, an orange tabby named Mango, would hang out with him. Stanley needed to be kept on a drug called Amitriptyline to keep him "level". It did help him a great deal, and volunteers felt a little safer, as he tended to behave himself more while he was on it.
So when CARES designed its first brochure, guess who was on the front? Why, Stanley of course! One day a nice lady named Vanessa called the shelter line to inquire about this beautiful cat she saw on the front of our brochure. "Ya right", we thought, "Stanley get adopted. That'll be the day!" One of the volunteers called Vanessa to thank her for her interest, and told her that he probably wasn't adoptable due to his unpredictable nature. But Vanessa was not to be deterred! She explained that she was not afraid of "crazy" cats, and that she had one some years ago. So Vanessa was invited to come and meet Stanley....and she loved him! It was decided that it would be best for her to foster Stanley to see how it would be. Well, that was in January 2004 and on February 25, 2004 Vanessa signed his adoption form! Stanley still needs his meds but he resides happily with Vanessa and another cat Olivia, and a new dog has also been added to the family. God bless you, Vanessa, for giving Stanley a wonderful home!

Jasmine

Jasmine was first adopted out by CARES as a young lady....but several months later the Vancouver SPCA found her abandoned. Fortunately her tattoo enabled them to trace her back to CARES. That was in 2001. Four years later, Jasmine was still at the shelter waiting for a new home. Jasmine was not an easy cat to adopt – she was moody, and didn't allow anyone to pet her for very long before she would take a swipe at them. She also kept pretty much to herself regarding the other cats. Over time she began to soften (because of those CARES volunteers who kept working with her!) and Jasmine would actually jump up on your lap and allow you to pet her for awhile.

Then in June 2005 the miracle happened....Norma Peddle came in to the shelter to view cats. She was looking for a cat to keep her male cat company. Jasmine was not the cat that the volunteer had in mind to show Norma! But lo and behold, who should put on a show but our Jasmine! It has been said many times that quite often the cat picks the person rather than the other way around! This appeared to be the case, as Jasmine was being very charming. Norma told the volunteer that she would come back the next evening with her husband, Bill. And so they did, but Jasmine was not in the same charming mood that she was in the night before! Fortunately that did not daunt Norma and Bill. They took Jasmine home on a foster basis with the intent to adopt if it worked out.

Well.....shortly after that the CARES volunteers received several emails reporting how well Jasmine was adapting in their home. They loved her and would be adopting her! We think if Jasmine could talk she would say it was worth the four year wait for this wonderful home! Thank you Norma and Bill for opening your home to this deserving gal!

Foreman

Foreman was a stray trapped by CARES volunteer Lisa MacDonald in early 2004. At first it was thought that Foreman was wild, although time revealed that he must have belonged to somebody...but it had been awhile ago! Foreman was in rough shape when he came to the shelter. His ears looked like cauliflower, probably due to being in fights and ravaged by ear mites. He needed surgery to fix an eye injury, and he was just generally scruffy looking. He had that "face only a mother could love"! But we really did love him....in spite of his looks and his unpredictable nature.
On the one hand Foreman was gentle, affectionate, and craved attention – he’d even jump up on the laps of some volunteers and cuddle with them – but try to put him in a cat carrier or cage (even a large one) or even just try to pick him up, and he would turn and aggressively attack you! He would also pick on some of the other cats – actually stalk them – which is why poor Foreman often had to be kept on his own.

One of the young volunteers Shona MacDonald and her family tried to foster Foreman. He very much enjoyed his time there and would cozily sleep with Shona on her bed. But the family had a dog that seemed to trigger Foreman's aggressive side. He would attack the dog! Regrettably the family had to return Foreman to the shelter. It took Foreman several days to cheer up after his return. It was decided by the Board of Directors that Foreman be placed in a safe barn as he was miserable at the shelter.

Two volunteers, Beryl and Larry Fardo, begged to take him home but the Board feared for their safety and said no. But quietly, Beryl and Larry removed Foreman from his barn and brought him to their home....and miracles happened! Foreman became the most loving, non-aggressive guy you could ever meet. The right home can really do a lot for a guy! He now resides happily up in Vernon, BC with Beryl, Larry and their 3 other cats. Thanks to the Fardos for giving Foreman the chance to live in a wonderful home!