January Adoptions
January brought 20 amazing adoptions, each one made possible by you. Elderly cats like Olaf and fearful Forgotten Kittens like KitKat, BonBon, and Phoenix received the time and care they needed to feel healthy, safe, and confident. Your support helped these cats let their personalities shine, to win the hearts of adopters with whom safety, care, and love would continue.
January brought 20 amazing adoptions, each one made possible by you. Elderly cats like Olaf and fearful Forgotten Kittens like KitKat, BonBon, and Phoenix received the time and care they needed to feel healthy, safe, and confident. Your support helped these cats let their personalities shine, to win the hearts of adopters with whom safety, care, and love would continue. Every Cat Town cat has a unique journey — a special reason they need more help to have a happy adoption filled with hope and love — and these stories are just a fraction of the incredible transformations that happen when they’re given the chance to flourish and heal.
This community gave these cats the chance to find the safety and love they deserve, and is the backbone of these success stories. Because of your generosity, vulnerable cats have a second chance at a fulfilling life.
Here are just a few of the cats you helped in January!
From the moment we met Phoenix, we fell in love — he, however, wasn’t so sure about us. At five months old, he arrived at the city shelter scared, angry, and undersocialized, with burns on his face and ears, and nerve damage to one of his legs. His medical and socialization needs made him the perfect fit for Cat Town, where we gave him his own studio for the time and care he needed to heal. At first, he hid in the back of his carrier and gave hard stares with his piercing green eyes. But he loved Churu, and we fed him with a long spoon until he began to tentatively accept pets. Soon, he’d be spotted peeking curiously out of his studio window, and eventually leaning into pets and purring. His injured leg required amputation, and we worried it might set back his progress, but instead he took his new life in a stride and his playful personality emerged even more. A Cat Town volunteer quickly swooped him up into their new home once he became available for adoption. Thanks to our supporters, Phoenix got the second chance he needed, and we can’t wait to see him rule his new home with confidence.
Olaf is proof that even grumpy, scared, senior black cats can turn into the sweetest companions with time and care. When this ten-year-old cat was surrendered to the city shelter, he looked skinny, unkempt, and unwell. Olaf was understandably fearful and hissy, but he soon melted into a sweet boy when he learned to love the affection shelter volunteers gave him. We brought the little gentleman into our foster program for his best chance at finding a loving home. In his first foster home, he really leaned into becoming a cuddlebug, but would meow for company constantly. We gave him enrichment like puzzles and toys to help him adjust, but realized he needed more companionship than humans alone could provide. His second foster home had another cat, and we saw a shift — having a feline friend helped him feel more secure and less anxious. Seeing how well he thrived with another cat, we were thrilled that a cat-savvy family with another senior cat wanted to adopt him.
Flirty and full of personality, 3-year-old Patches came to Cat Town with a history of play biting, having been adopted as a single kitten. He charmed people right away, but struggled with other cats, sometimes playing, sometimes hissing and swatting. When he developed ringworm symptoms, we quickly moved him into a studio for quarantine and followed a strict treatment plan — including daily medication and special protective garments for anybody who entered. His weeks of medical confinement made him antsy, and he gained the reputation of being a door dasher, eager to explore. Once cleared of ringworm, we softened his visitation requirements, and Patches relaxed and regained his playful and affectionate personality. When an adopter with an 8-year-old cat friend for Patches came along, we knew it’d be a great match. Now, Patches spends his days watching birds through the window, wrestling with his new playmate, and curling up on his adopter’s lap.
As 3-month-old strays, KitKat and BonBon arrived at the city shelter with little experience interacting with people, and very scared. We brought them and two other littermates into our Forgotten Kitten Program, and gave them their own quiet studio where our staff and volunteers slowly but surely helped bring them out of their shells. We limited touch and focused on play and positive reinforcement, adding occasional junk food to give them the attention they needed to develop trust. We bonded the more confident and playful BonBon with the still timid KitKat knowing that she would begin engaging with us more with her brother at her side — and KitKat, although still easily overwhelmed and shy, began coming out of her cubby more to play. In our open Cat Zone, the two really thrived: they relaxed into a daily routine of playing, napping, purring when pet, and showing off their unique personalities. The kittens found a home with an adopter who could nurture their confidence and growth, and after just a couple weeks, their adopter tells us, “Surprisingly, KitKat is pretty fearless and took the lead when venturing out. They both love running around and playing with each other and me. BonBon has also been warming up to being pet! They are truly a joy and I already can't imagine life without them!”
Sweet Spirit came to the city shelter at 7 years old and carrying the weight of multiple health issues: scabs on her nose, sore joints, dental pain, stomach problems, and a limp in her back leg. Despite her injuries and shyness, she leaned into gentle pets, showing us she had plenty of love to give, and we brought her to a Cat Town foster to give her time to heal before finding a home. In her foster home, her timid nature melted away, revealing a cuddly lovebug who would tap her foster’s hand with her paw when she wanted more pets, and showed off her steady rumble of a purr. Although she startled easily, she bravely learned to trust and explore the home, and even met the resident cat through a very slow introduction. Spirit fit right in! This gentle girl needed a comfortable home to spend her golden years, and her foster family to realize that home was right where she was — with the person who helped her blossom, and would keep her safe, cozy, and adored.
From everyone at Cat Town, thank you for helping these cats, and so many others!
All of our January Adoptions!
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
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November & December Adoptions
Cat Town ended 2024 with 378 adoptions — our third biggest year for adoptions in our history! In the last two months alone, 57 cats found homes where they’ll be treasured for the quirky creatures they are.
Cat Town ended 2024 with 378 adoptions — our third biggest year for adoptions in our history! In the last two months alone, 57 cats found homes where they’ll be treasured for the quirky creatures they are. None of this could happen without your support, and we’re grateful to have this community behind us supporting our mission. Cheers to another year of saving the cats who need us the most!
Goose needed an urgent transfer to Cat Town from the city shelter after being diagnosed with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in addition to other health problems: a mouthful of painful teeth that needed to be removed, asthma, a yeast infection, cherry eye, and stomach and skin issues. Working with a dermatologist and our veterinary partners, we resolved some of these problems, and found daily medication and a special diet to help ease and maintain other symptoms. Throughout these challenges, Goose was the biggest lovebug. He adored cozying onto people’s laps, giving head nudges, and peering out of his studio windows, his bright green eyes and unique meow asking for more pets. We knew that even though he needed more care and attention than most cats, whoever adopted him would be constantly showered with love and cuddles. After many months, the adoring boy found a trial adopter who fell in love with him and made his adoption official after one month. We’re so grateful he’s found a home where he’s loved and treasured exactly as he is.
Davis came to Cat Town as a stray with pododermatitis on top of old injuries to his rear paws and a history of urinary crystals. We treated his injuries and put him on a special diet, but then noticed that in addition to being unsteady on his feet, he had also begun experiencing short spasms in his sleep that caused him to urinate. Working closely with our veterinarian and a veterinary neurologist, we ruled out infectious causes and tried several anticonvulsant medications, hoping to ease his symptoms. None of the treatments worked, but through it all, Davis stayed his sweet, affectionate self. We knew he needed a very special adopter — someone who could manage his condition and love him for exactly who he is, and in October, Davis got his chance. A kind adopter agreed to a trial adoption, fully understanding the care he needed. Last month, his adopter finalized Davis’ adoption, and shared: “I am grateful to have him and your team rocks for setting up such a wonderful companionship. So excited to make the adoption official!”
After spending almost a year in another adoption program, Huey and Louie transferred to Cat Town for more exposure and a better chance at finding a home. The sweet but shy bonded pair needed to build confidence around people, and our open Cat Zone offered them cat company and exposure to humans at their own pace. Though they didn’t become quite as boisterous as their confident role models, their gentle nature nevertheless attracted the attention of kind and understanding adopters. Their new guardians tell us, “They are doing really well! They still get spooked easily, but they have explored most of the house and enjoy playing with us and each other.”
Cashmere and Argyle arrived in our care at 11 weeks old. Neither had experience being with people, and were scared to let us near them or be touched, preferring to run, swat, or hiss than have someone pet them. With slow exposure to our staff and trained volunteers, the sisters became braver, first calmly observing people from the corner of their cubby, then purring when pet, and running around their studio playing when people were around. We’re incredibly proud of these two for becoming so brave, letting their spirit shine, and charming their way into an adopter’s heart.
Orchid returned to Cat Town when things didn’t work out in her first adoptive home. This 2-year-old tabby needed space and time to decompress, and spent most of her time hiding in the back of her Quiet Zone cubby. We knew she accepted pets and gave head bumps for more affection, and knew she just needed more time before she’d become brave enough to venture out and approach people on her own. After a few months, the girl was flopping around in the open, and we’re thrilled her confidence has grown even more with her adopter, who tells us, “Orchid (now Chloe) gallops around the apartment caring and tossing a toy mouse around. Yesterday she sat next to me on the couch watching TV. I can’t believe how quickly she’s settled in here.”
From everyone at Cat Town, thank you for helping these cats, and so many others!
All of our November & December Adoptions!
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
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October Adoptions
Last month we saw 41 cats get adopted — seniors, playful kittens, and many cats in need of medical intervention. Some of these cats were reeling after losing their loved ones, others shut down when their new surroundings proved too stressful for them to handle. Some of them, after spending weeks in shelter cages, became defensive. Some bounced back quickly, and some needed extra time to finally feel safe again.
Last month we saw 41 cats get adopted — seniors, playful kittens, and many cats in need of medical intervention. Some of these cats were reeling after losing their loved ones, others shut down when their new surroundings proved too stressful for them to handle. Some of them, after spending weeks in shelter cages, became defensive. Some bounced back quickly, and some needed extra time to finally feel safe again.
Your support gave them the help they needed to recover from life’s curveballs. You gave them safety. You gave them comfort. You gave them health. You gave them dignity. You gave them a path forward, and created a space where their value could be appreciated.
Every cat has a story worth telling and a life worth living, and when you support Cat Town, you ensure these high-risk cats can find a stage where they can dazzle someone looking for a little friend to love. Here are just a few of their stories — we’re incredibly grateful to you for all the kindness you gift to cats in need of a second chance!
Sylvie was found at a feral feeding site severely thin and hungry. Emaciated, stressed, and suffering from both food and flea allergies, this one-year-old kitten had overgroomed to the point that she had no fur remaining on her hind legs. After Cat Garden Rescue took her in for safe keeping, Sylvie came to Cat Town and began healing from her shock and anxiousness in a foster home. She was still shy and nervous, often retreating to her hiding spots after brief moments of play and affection, but over time, she began trusting her foster guardian more and more, and showing her sweet and chatty side. Her foster fell in love with her spirit and decided to join our foster-to-family club, adopting Sylvie with the knowledge that she just needed safety and patience to truly come out of her shell. Sylvie’s now-guardian tells us: “Any time I think of the name Sylvie, I think of Sylvie Vartan (1960's Yé-yé singer) which has been pretty perfect for this sweet and sassy little meow.”
At 8-years-old, Babygirl found herself stressed and confused when her guardian passed away. Already quite shy, she became even more sad and shut down in the shelter, although her wariness would sometimes wane if someone gently presented her with treats. We brought her to Cat Town to help her feel safer, and to stabilize her health — she struggled with stomach issues, and heavy mouth-breathing indicated she had an upper respiratory infection. In a more peaceful setting, and with her health improving, she slowly began letting her guard down — and in a foster home, she blossomed even more. Relaxed in a quiet and loving home, she began spending her days playing, cuddling on the couch, and napping with her foster. We’re so proud of Babygirl for regaining her confidence and showing her light to an adopter who fell in love with her and wanted to give this now playful girl a calm and happy home.
After their guardian passed away, these 10-year-old bonded boys were brought to the city shelter, scared and shut down. Flick had a heart murmur and dental disease, while CJ needed dental care and help for his sensitive skin. We knew that these seniors’ best chance at adoption would be in a Cat Town foster home, where the affectionate but cautious pair could recover from this sudden life change and regain their confidence. While they mostly hid and only came out for food, they began showing their foster guardian their cuddly, affectionate personalities more and more. We’re grateful to their adopter — a cat-savvy former veterinarian — for seeing these boys’ spirits, and giving them the time and trust they need to find their way into greater confidence.
Finch was brought to the Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter when a caretaker housing dozens of cats passed away. The 8-year-old tabby arrived at the shelter scared and unhandleable in a cage setting, and we believed Cat Town’s studio setting — where she would live with a few other cats from the same home — would help ease her fears. Once she felt calmer, she received a medical assessment, and we learned that she had hyperthyroidism, dental disease, and had been exposed to calicivirus, leaving her in fragile health. Despite these health issues, Finch’s sweet spirit began to shine: although she would often hide in the back corner of her cubby, her gentle eyes would lift and brighten when she saw people she recognized, and when visited she’d lean into pets. We’re so glad a loving adopter, ready to give Finch the care and attention she needs, wanted to embrace her into their home. They tell us: “Finch is doing great! She’s taken to exploring the house and accepts lots of pets all the time. We love her so much!”
Meme came to the city shelter after her guardian passed away, severely obese at 30 pounds. Her situation became critical when she became too stressed to eat, risking hepatic lipidosis — a life-threatening liver disease that can occur when an overweight cat loses weight too quickly. At her weight, Meme was also unable to properly groom herself and required a sanitary shave. Once clean, comfortable, and in a calm foster home, she began to eat again and her sweet and loving personality began to shine: Meme would easily purr and ask for pets, and gradually began to lose weight. Her foster guardian, smitten with Meme and now familiar with the monthly injections she would need to stay healthy and pain-free, decided to make Meme part of the family, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
From everyone at Cat Town, thank you for helping these cats, and so many others!
All of our OCTOBER Adoptions!
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
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September Adoptions
At Cat Town, we believe in the power of relationships, whether it’s between cats and the people who care for them — or between the cats themselves. Last month, we celebrated 29 adoptions, and saw 8 bonded pairs find loving homes with their best friends. Bonded pairs often face the challenge of finding homes together, but we’ve witnessed firsthand how bonded pairs give each other the comfort and confidence to overcome obstacles and thrive.
At Cat Town, we believe in the power of relationships, whether it’s between cats and the people who care for them — or between the cats themselves. Last month, we celebrated 29 adoptions, and saw 8 bonded pairs find loving homes with their best friends. Bonded pairs often face the challenge of finding homes together, but we’ve witnessed firsthand how bonded pairs give each other the comfort and confidence to overcome obstacles and thrive. We’re grateful to the adopters who kept them together to give them their best chance in a new home, and to see these families rewarded with twice the love, joy, and companionship.
Your generosity helps ensure that every cat, especially those who rely on each other, gets a second chance at a happy life. Thanks to your donations and steadfast support, we can continue our mission of helping these cats find the homes they deserve. Please enjoy the stories of these duos you’ve helped!
8-month-olds Mochiko and Nori were surrendered to the city shelter when the guardian of their mother decided not to keep the litter. Finding comfort in each other, the longhaired duo came out of their shells at Cat Town — Nori quickly began flirting with other humans, while Mochiko spent more time in our quiet zone, watching his sister and other cats interact with humans before bravely venturing out on his own. By the time an adopter fell in love with the pair, they had truly blossomed, confidently playing and winning the affection of everybody they met.
Stella and Geneva returned to Cat Town, 9.5 years after they were first adopted from us as 8 month old kittens, when life changes prevented their previous guardians from keeping them. Our “always a Cat Town cat” policy meant that we were happy to see these cautious yet playful girls back in our care, and we found them a foster home so they could continue feeling as comfortable as possible. We also placed the senior sisters on treatments for urinary discomfort and constipation, and soon, they were feeling their best! We’re so grateful to see them adopted by people who wanted to open their hearts to a senior bonded pair to live out their sunset years in love and comfort.
Blackbeard and Black Pearl arrived at the city shelter with severe upper respiratory infections that injured their eyes, and Black Pearl’s was so bad that she needed to have one eye surgically removed as part of her recovery. Once the kittens were on the mend, we moved them to our Pet Food Express location for further recovery, where they snuggled together as their confidence and playfulness grew. Their adopter reports: “They are right at home and adjusted very quickly. No litter box or feeding issues. Of all the shelter cats I've adopted these are two of the sweetest and gentlest! Thank you for everything Cat Town does and did to bring these two into our lives! You did such a wonderful job socializing them.”
We placed Milay and Eliot into our Forgotten Kitten Project so these hissing and hiding 3-month-old strays could learn to feel safe around humans.The bonded pair got their own studio where we treated Milay for conjunctivitis, and staff and volunteers helped turn them from skittish and suspicious to playful and full of purrs. The siblings were quickly adopted, and once Belle, our Cat Care Coordinator, helped their new adopters find the best way acclimate the kittens to their new home, the adopters told us: “Your time with us, moving them to a better place in the house and you walking us through the care they both need has set us on a path to truly become a family. We are so grateful to you and Cat Town for the support!”
Arthur arrived into our care after a Cat Town volunteer experienced in trapping strays saw the 5-month-old trying to get into a poison-baited rat trap, and wanted to give them a second chance in a safer environment. The volunteer temporarily fostered Arthur with another 4-month-old, Linus, whom she found hiding and crying under cars, before transferring the shy and undersocialized kittens to Cat Town. In the safety and comfort of their own little studio, the kittens slowly came out of their shells and charmed an adopter into falling in love with them and bringing them into their family.
From everyone at Cat Town, thank you for helping these cats, and so many others!
All of our September Adoptions!
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
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July and August Adoptions
This July and August, 53 cats found loving guardians who wanted to bring them joyful lives. These 53 bring our 2024 adoption total to 236, and 3,683 cats adopted throughout our entire history! Each one of these adoptions tells a story of transformation. From tiny kittens making way for older cats to find the spotlight, to shy and scared cats learning to relax and trust their environment — every adoption is a reminder that when these cats receive the love and care they deserve, they also find their way into happy and loving homes.
This July and August, 53 cats found loving guardians who wanted to bring them joyful lives. These cats bring our 2024 adoption total to 236, and 3,683 cats adopted throughout our entire history!
Because of your help in these past two months:
29 tiny kittens made space for older cats at the shelter
23 bonded pairs could stay together in their new homes
23 sick and injured cats found good health and happiness
12 black cats got the attention they deserved
14 stressed cats could relax and feel safe again
7 senior cats landed on their feet
2 cats with FIV found caring adopters
Each one of these adoptions tells a story of transformation. From tiny kittens making way for older cats to find the spotlight, to shy and scared cats learning to relax and trust their environment — every adoption is a reminder that when these cats receive the love and care they deserve, they also find their way into happy and loving homes.
Thanks to your unwavering support, we’re able to continue helping cats often overlooked, and we’re endlessly grateful. Here are some of the cats you helped us save these last couple of months.
Lola came to Cat Town when a volunteer experienced in trapping realized she’d been abandoned in an empty apartment without care, and wanted to give her a second chance at finding a home. We reached out to her previous guardian and learned that Lola had become reserved and fearful after her littermate had passed away, choosing to hide in cabinets, avoid the litter box, and swat in order to maintain a sense of safety away from the large family and family dog. At Cat Town, Lola was understandably scared and wary, hissing and growling her first days here, but in the quiet and comfortable care in her own studio, revealed herself to be a snuggly lap cat, and quickly charmed an adopter into bringing her into their home. They tell us, “She will be a spoiled rotten princess. Thank you once again for allowing me to become her guardian. This is a very loving (and kinda silly) girl. I’m lucky to have her in my life.”
Milo, a 16-year-old orange tabby, arrived at the shelter underweight, weak, facing severe medical challenges, and in need of immediate specialized care. With the shelter unable to provide the level of treatment he required, Cat Town stepped in and helped address the senior boy’s anemia, heart issues, and chronic pain. Despite his health problems, Milo remained affectionate and gentle, and flourished even more as his pain began to diminish. He developed a strong loving bond with his foster guardian, who fell in love with him and officially adopted him, ensuring Milo can spend his golden years basking in love, comfort, and cuddles.
At 11-months young, Laezel and Shadowheart came from Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue to Cat Town after they were found at a mobile home park. The extremely shy Snowshoe Siamese sisters were extremely shut down, and after being adopted once, had been returned for continuing to hide. After spending time in our Adoption Center surrounded by confident role models and friendly guests, the girls became social and friendly sweethearts, and were adopted into a home that knew they would require patience and gentle care as they became more comfortable to show their true loving selves.
Nerine, an extremely frightened Forgotten Kitten spent her time at the city shelter, wary and hissing at the back of her cage with her ears flattened, only accepting a few brief pets if she was given treats. At Cat Town, volunteers patiently worked to gain her trust, and she became even more accepting of pets, and started showing her own confident personality with chirps and meows. The kitten’s confidence continued to blossom at her foster home, and her fosters soon joined our “foster-to-family” club and adopted the happy and playful girl.
When 10-year-old Olaf arrived at the city shelter, worrisomely skinny, unkempt, and hiding, but on occasion seeking and giving purrs and nuzzles of affection, we knew this senior black cat’s best chance at finding a home would be in the attentive comfort of a foster home. With his foster guardian, the conflicted boy continued to greet humans with brief and soft hisses, but would then find the confidence and trust to turn into a chatty cuddlebug with the loudest purrs. The wonderfully sweet boy snagged an adopter’s heart, and they tell us: “Olaf (I'm calling him Ollie) is the sweetest, most affectionate cat ever. He was shy and anxious at first, but has been adjusting, and we have had some really sweet bonding moments. He's on my lap purring right now.”
So many adopters fell in love with Magic’s sweet, chatty, and lively nature, but this energetic boy was nevertheless returned to us four times for his exuberant antics and nighttime vocalizations, which seemed to escalate in a home environment. Believing his behavior might be helped with a cat friend to go home with, our Program Manager, Dilara, found another sweet, social, and energetic kitten, Pixie Dust, who would match Magic’s needs and help sooth his energy and anxiety. Sure enough, the two black cats bonded beautifully, and have settled into a lively dog-friendly home with ease.
After being transferred between various shelters who couldn’t hold her due to her fearful nature, swatting, and FIV status, Big Dog landed at Cat Town where staff and volunteers spent months earning her trust and helping her feel safe among other people. After several months, the fluffy 4-year-old transformed from a timid girl warily hiding in the back of her cubby, to roaming around the Adoption Center making biscuits and flopping around with joy. We’re thrilled to hear she’s settling into her new home so well. The adopters tell us: “She will beg for pets, purrs loudly when touched, plays, and loves treats. We love having her around. She’s an absolute sweetheart.”
Macaroon was one of 17 cats who needed a home when an overwhelmed caretaker could no longer take care of them. At the city shelter, the 5-year-old would hiss and hide in the corner of his cage to protect himself — not only was he in physical pain, the change in environment was stressful for him. In Cat Town’s foster program, the beautiful boy could recover from an 18 teeth removal due to severe stomatitis, and receive antibiotics and eye drops for his pre-existing conditions. With his medical needs managed in a calm environment where he could experience a sense of comfort and safety, Macaroon revealed himself to be a sweetheart who loved elevator butt scratches and couch cuddles. He’s now happy in his adopter’s home where he is reportedly “very affectionate and cute.”
From everyone at Cat Town, thank you for helping these cats, and so many others!
All of our July & August Adoptions!
Did you adopt from Cat Town? Tell us how your cat is doing! We always love to hear updates from our alumni.
Back to the Cat Town Blog.
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