KissKiss's Sweet 16 Wishlist
KissKiss has been with us for one year, and we’re celebrating her 16th birthday! KissKiss is a very sweet cat, just like her name implies — but when we thought about what she might want for her birthday, we were a bit stumped. Aside from being adopted, she’s got everything she could want…
KissKiss has been with us for one year, and we’re celebrating her 16th birthday!
KissKiss is a very sweet cat, just like her name implies — but when we thought about what she might want for her birthday, we were a bit stumped. Aside from being adopted, she’s got everything she could want: her adoption fee is sponsored, she’s got an adorable flower costume and matching penguin friend, and she even has a beautiful portrait that will go with her when she finds a home.
KissKiss also has exquisite taste! Since the only thing she really needs is an adopter, she’s offered to “donate” her Sweet Sixteen to her Cat Town cat friends. We’ve put together a list of KissKiss-approved supplies to help all of our cats share in her favorite things!
If you’d like to celebrate her birthday with us, please consider purchasing some of her recommendations for the other wonderful cats in our care! You can find them all on our wish lists at Amazon and Chewy.
Supplies to Stay in Good Health
As a senior gal, KissKiss takes her health seriously. That means she puts a high premium on staying hydrated and maintaining her digestive health. Knowing that our other senior cats like Oats and Grits, Emilio, McKenzie, and Parmesan can benefit from following her example, here are her picks for staying healthy!
Fortiflora is not only good for gut health, it tastes great, and can help entice cats to eat more.
Digestive Enzymes are great for gut health, too, and because they come in a big tub, it makes it easy to share this supply with all the cats at our Adoption Center.
Hydra Care keeps a cat’s hydration game on point! It’s especially helpful for cats with kidney disease, which is so common in senior cats like her.
Special Food and Treats
KissKiss knows that it’s never fun to have your dinner plans spoiled by yucky food, so she’s recommending the good stuff to encourage our fussy eaters to dig in!
Fussie Cat wet food is great for cats with particular tastes, like Neblina. It’s important that these cats keep their weight up by eating enough, and when food is extra delicious, we can even hide their medication in their meals!
Freeze-dried shrimp can be invaluable when cats are tricky to medicate, like Merlot and Tahiti. With choosy cats like these, we try lots of different flavors to see what they find irresistible. If we can hide their medication in something they really enjoy, it makes it a stress-free experience for the cats (and for our staff).
Churu is more than a special treat — for shy cats, and cats like Quilt who take medication, it’s an invaluable tool! Churu helps us build trust in shy cats, and it can help earn trust back when cats need to take medication they dislike. KissKiss knows how important it is to stay on top of medication, so this was an easy pick for her.
Important Equipment
The best things in life are often food — which means essential equipment can fall by the wayside. But older cats need to keep their weight up (as well as their water intake), which means we need to include less exciting stuff on her birthday list, too.
Water fountains ensure that water flows, so it stays fresh and tasty for foster cats like Rudy and McKenzie. We never have enough of these, so KissKiss suggested we get a few more.
Cardboard scratchers are king for Cat Town’s cats! But because we deep clean our facility on the regular, we go through them quickly. That’s especially true when we have cats undergoing medical treatment for contagious afflictions like ringworm. We can never, ever ever have enough of these!
Scales ensure we know if kittens are gaining enough weight, or if cats with medical needs are losing weight at an unhealthy pace. These flat scales make it easy to lure cats on top, so they work really well for keeping everyone’s weight in check.
Toys!
KissKiss may be 16, but she still loves to have a good time. These are her favorite toys, and we’re pretty sure other cats will like them just as much.
Da Bird wand toys are great for active cats like Yosemite! The way they fly through the air is simply too tempting, and cats will leap after them to burn off lots of playful energy quickly.
Tunnels help shy cats like Toast and Jam come out of their shells. When guests play with wand toys at a tunnel’s edge, shy cats will venture out little by little to try to catch their prey!
LickiMats are great for cats who need more stimulation (or need to eat slower). If a cat wants to play while you’re scoping their litter, a LickiMat can keep them distracted. If a cat is still too nervous to play with people, a LickiMat can help them get the mental stimulation they need on their own.
We’re grateful to KissKiss for her wisdom and expertise on all the finest things a cat could ever want — and for donating her birthday to her friends at Cat Town. If you’d like to give her an even better gift and adopt this little lady, learn more about her and complete an Adoption Inquiry form to ask for a meeting!
Photos of KissKiss by David Yeung
Artist Profile: Olivia Yu
At Cat Town, we’re lucky to have volunteers whose talents seem to know no bounds, and one of them is Olivia! We sat down for a chat with her to learn more about what she loves about making art, why she got involved in animal welfare, and how she combined these two passions to make an impact in her community.
At Cat Town, we’re lucky to have volunteers whose talents seem to know no bounds, and one of them is Olivia! We sat down for a chat with her to learn more about what she loves about making art, why she got involved in animal welfare, and how she combined these two passions to make an impact in her community.
Cat Town: You're an artist for a living, and have worked at a lot of big name companies in a creative capacity. Have you always liked making art? What made you want to pursue a career in visual design?
Olivia: Yes! I’ve always loved art. I started art school in third grade because I liked to doodle, and attended all through high school in China and after I moved to Houston when I was 18. Everything was so new to me, and my high school had no Chinese students, so I knew that I had to learn English to make friends. Luckily, my English as a Second Language class had people from all over the world, and I made friends with them, but communicating in a new language was still hard.
I had no idea what career to aim for, but I loved art, so I figured I’d study at the University of Houston’s graphic design program. It was a happy accident that I picked the right major. I learn better with visuals than with writing, and since English isn’t my first language, it's also easier to express myself through illustration!
“Don’t be afraid. Offer your support, and you’ll learn that all kinds of organizations need lots of help. They might be too busy to even ask, so take the first step, and make yourself available.”
CT: What artistic stuff do you do just for fun — and do you have a favorite medium?
OY: I actually make buttons for my friends for fun, and would like to make some to benefit animal welfare groups, too. All my friends have cool traits and hobbies, so I merged their names with their personalities for these buttons — for example, Sophie likes to sew, and I incorporated that into the illustration. I used Procreate to make the artwork, and bought a button maker.
I also draw for fun, and my favorite medium for that is pencil. I love how it looks on textured paper. I feel like I lose myself in a peaceful state of mind — I love hearing the pencil scratch on the paper, and I love playing with shapes and lines. I also draw in my sketchbook. The first thing that pops into my head when I grab a pen is to draw cats and people, so I draw them both a lot.
Buttons for Olivia’s friends
CT: What other artists inspire you?
OY: Lately I feel really inspired by Gemma Correll. She’s a really good comic artist. I do enjoy super colorful, perfect vector illustrations, but her style is the total opposite. It’s kind of like a doodly sketch, which feels really natural and organic compared to a lot of other art I see right now. I appreciate that there are still artists whose work feels organic and fresh in this digital world!
CT: Do you have a favorite project in your portfolio?
OY: When I was packing to move from Houston to San Francisco, I was cleaning out my stuff and found my portfolio, which had a drawing I’d made of Aladdin from when I was living in China. Back then, my dad was already in America. Even though he didn’t speak English, he’d wanted to follow the American Dream, and lived by himself for 4 years to prepare for moving me and my mom to the United States with him. I wrote him a letter, and at the time Disney’s Aladdin was really popular, so I included a color drawing of the movie poster art on watercolor paper.
Olivia’s prize-winning pencil drawing of her dad
I was surprised to like it so much when I saw it again! On the back I had written my dad a letter about missing him and hoping he was safe, healthy, and not lonely. It felt like I’d been transported to a time centuries ago. Ultimately, I gave it to my dad so it wouldn’t just hide in my portfolio. It wasn’t the art itself, but the time I made it and the meaning behind it that made that piece special to me.
Another piece that has a lot of meaning for me is a pencil drawing of my dad that I made a year after I moved to the US. There was an art contest in which I won first place and $5,000, and I used the money to buy my parents a second-hand car. It’s a very special piece to me, because I wanted to thank my dad for bringing me here.
CT: What inspired you to get involved with animal welfare?
OY: When I was little, I loved animals. I had a pet bird, but when she died, I became so sad that I never got another pet. I think I was protecting my heart. Then I started dating my partner, and his roommate had a cat named Muffin. Everyone in the apartment took care of her and bought her food and treats. She was really, really sassy. It took me 6 months to be able to touch her without getting scratched!
When I started hanging out with Muffin, I was scared of being heartbroken again, but I also remembered how much I loved animals when I was younger. Soon, I started to get close to her, and buy her presents. I made her a little bed out of a cardboard box I decorated. I finally earned her trust, and was even able to hold her and kiss her. When my partner moved in with me, Muffin stayed in his friend’s apartment. She’s completely forgotten me, but I continue to love her! I still buy her toys and treats anytime I go shopping.
Because of Muffin, I started thinking about how I could support animals again. I looked up some local animal rescues, and learned that Cat Town was looking for volunteers. When I reached out, Cat Town was excited to get support on some design work, and I pretty quickly started doing illustration projects — making signs, refreshing the windows at the Adoption Center, making stickers for Instagram, and other little things here and there.
Instagram stickers by Olivia
CT: Do you have any advice for artists looking to get more involved with their community?
OY: I think the biggest step is reaching out, and really thinking broadly about what you can do to contribute. You might not even have something in mind when you find a group you’d like to support, but talk to them anyway! Don’t be afraid. Offer your support, and you’ll learn that all kinds of organizations need lots of help. They might be too busy to even ask, so take the first step, and make yourself available.
I’m sure a lot of people are like me. Yes, I work with a lot of wonderful people in my day job, but it’s volunteering that makes me feel valuable and fulfilled. That’s why I reach out and put myself out there. It adds passion and meaning to my life!
“I think the biggest step is reaching out, and really thinking broadly about what you can do to contribute.”
Olivia’s illustrations on display on the windows of our Adoption Center. Photo by David Yeung.
Find more of Olivia’s work on her website and social media!
What Would a Cat Bid On?
We’ve got so many one-of-a-kind finds in our Summer Yard Sale this year that even our cats have had their eyes on some items. Read on to find out what’s tickling their whiskers — and don’t forget to place your bids by Thursday, August 10!
We’ve got so many one-of-a-kind finds in our Summer Yard Sale this year that even our cats have had their eyes on some items. Read on to find out what’s tickling their whiskers — and don’t forget to get your bids in by Thursday, August 10!
Gorby’S PICKS
Gorby has never read a book he didn’t like! He can’t read per se, but that’s a different story…
Haven’S PICKS
Now that all her kittens are adopted, this little mama could use some pampering.
ROSEMARY AND SAGE’S PICKS
Our herb girls pair well with sugar and spice.
Prasad’S PICKS
Now all this eligible bachelor needs is someone special to join him on his classy night out.
EARL GREY’S PICKS
These items are Earl Grey’s cup of tea!
Malkovich’s Picks
As a bit of a vintage gem himself, Malkovich appreciates all the hidden treasures our Yard Sale has to offer.
SAMANTHA’S PICKS
Samantha couldn’t pass up her namesake American Girl doll — or these other fun toys and games!
OPAL AND PEARL’S PICKS
These gemstone accessories are perfect for Opal and Pearl!
SHALLOT’S PICKS
As her name implies, Shallot is a bit of a foodie — and luckily for her, our Yard Sale has a great selection of local food and dining experiences.
Carlo’S PICKS
This handsome boy may have a future career in modeling, so he wouldn’t mind getting some practice in with these custom pet portraits!
Artist Profile: Ann Marie Itamura
We sat down with Ann Marie Itamura, Cat Town volunteer and 2023 T-Shirt design contest winner, to learn more about her craft and her involvement in the community.
We sat down with Ann Marie Itamura, Cat Town volunteer and 2023 T-Shirt design contest winner, to learn more about her craft and her involvement in the community. Her “All Things Cat Town” design has already proven to be quite popular, and we’re doubly excited that it was created by someone who knows each of the cats featured in the new shirt. Take it away, Ann Marie!
Cat Town: Have you always loved cats, and do you have any at home?
Ann Marie: Yes! When I was growing up, my family had a dog. I got on the family computer and made powerpoint presentations about why we should get a cat, explaining the things I'd do to take care of them and how responsible I’d be. I was 7 years old.
We got a cat when I turned 8 — and it turns out, I was NOT responsible (haha). In fact, I was actually allergic to cats. I'm still allergic, but now I take allergy medicine. Why deprive myself of one of my favorite joys? When I was 12, I volunteered at Valley Humane Society. I took care of a cat for a week through their Critter Camp, and we ended up adopting him as well.
Right now, I have one cat, Tilly, and I started fostering for Cat Town in 2021. Ben and Jerry were my first fosters, and I helped other Forgotten Kittens before they came to the Adoption Center — like our herby girls (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme), who had a medical scare while at the shelter and needed urgent placement.
CT: How did you come up with the design for "All Things Cat Town”?
AM: I was thinking about how many pictures I have of all the cats at Cat Town, and how many of those cats make the experience of being there so rewarding. With the theme of “Community” in mind, I thought, “The cats are our community too!”
I also wanted to include the ways we interact — like the toys that volunteers bring in, and the Party Mix treats we give guests to give to the cats when they’re sleepy in the afternoon. I have a video of Sage running toward the big windows, and then the other cats running after her to look at the pigeons outside.
There are just so many little pieces that make Cat Town a wonderful place to be. I tried to put all those things into my design.
“There are just so many little pieces that make Cat Town a wonderful place to be. I tried to put all those things into my design.”
Ann Marie offers Padrick a treat at our Adoption Center. Photo by David Yeung.
CT: Can you tell us a little about the other volunteer work you've done for Cat Town?
AM: I made a cat bed for Cat Town after talking with staff about how some of the beds were looking well-loved (and weren't that cute anymore). I learned that Cat Town tries not to waste anything, so I repurposed an old bed and used all of its materials to make a new one. I made Rosemary a tiny pillow too, and just loved seeing her use it. I know the cats aren't using what I've made to be nice to me — they're using them because they like them.
Jerry snoozes in a cat bed made by Ann Marie.
I also took on a project to fix the upholstery on the chairs. I noticed the seams bursting on some of the chair covers, and saw staff struggling to get them on after they'd shrunk from countless washings. I was like — I have a sewing machine, and know how to do this. If it makes anything about the experience better for everyone, why not ask if I can try to help? I let out the seams, and everyone was so appreciative of the difference it made!
I'm planning my next Cat Town project right now: touching up the paint on the mini buildings in the big room at the Adoption Center! The cats put a lot of wear and tear on those buildings, and I have the time to give them some extra TLC.
“If it makes anything about the experience better for everyone, why not ask if I can try to help?”
CT: What type of creative projects do you like best?
AM: I like to paint... walls and furniture (haha). But in all seriousness, I never really took up what people might consider "traditional" art, like oil painting, but I LOVE crafts and interior design. It feels so good to enhance a space, and I take inspiration from design work I see around me. I also watch interior design shows and YouTube videos.
I love making things from fabric. Anything you can sew, I've attempted. I've sewn a lot of cat beds, and I made Tilly little blankets, pillows, and sheets for her tiny IKEA bed. I find it so satisfying when she actually uses it like a bed! I've embroidered a couple of collars for Tilly too.
I only recently picked up illustration during the pandemic. I started painting watercolors of my cat after he passed away in 2020, which was therapeutic. I've tried my hand at linocut prints too. The process of carving the stamps makes a huge mess — much to the dismay of my partner. Almost all of my watercolors and prints are cat portraits.
CT: What inspired you to learn sewing and craftwork?
AM: My mom used to make my sister and I very elaborate Halloween costumes. She'd be up sewing at 1am the night before to finish them. When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to make a costume for one of the school plays, and she helped me with that. Then I picked up loom work, knitting, and crochet. After college I got access to a sewing machine again, and got back into sewing. I made quilts for cats — my own and other people's cats — and started making my own clothes.
CT: Do you have a favorite project in your portfolio?
AM: I did a lot of DIY for my wedding last year, which was so fulfilling. I made my own wedding dress, and I bought a plain veil, then handsewed little pieces of my mom's veil onto mine. Our wedding was in my mom's backyard, and we planted plants a year in advance to create beautiful landscaping. I made our invitations and save-the-dates, and created our floral arrangements with my sister and cousin. It felt incredible to make the vision my partner and I had a reality.
CT: What are you currently working on?
AM: For every finished project I have two other unfinished projects. Everything is a work in progress. There's lots of ongoing little things that I work on every day, while finishing small projects in between. My current big project is restoring some antique furniture my aunt and uncle handed down to me!
CT: Do you have any advice for artists looking to get more involved with their community?
AM: There are more creative opportunities as a volunteer than I ever thought! My advice is to get to know an organization doing something you care about, and then offer to help with the things you're good at.
I didn't realize that using my arts and crafts for Cat Town would be so beneficial and helpful. I never would have expected crafting to make a big impact on cat rescue, but I got involved, and in doing so, I learned about those needs. Usually this type of support isn't something that's explicitly written out, but if you have the skills to make and repair things, you can see the little things and address them. In my experience, those projects have been deeply appreciated.
“My advice is to get to know an organization doing something you care about, and then offer to help with the things you're good at.”
Ann Marie and fellow volunteer Laurie pose in their “All Things Cat Town” T-shirts. Photo by David Yeung.
Tempo Saves the Day!
July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, a day to raise awareness on how to prevent and protect people and pets from fires at home. Emergencies can strike anyone at any time, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for as many steps of the way as you can.
July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, a day to raise awareness on how to prevent and protect people and pets from fires at home. Emergencies can strike anyone at any time, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for as many steps of the way as you can. Learn more about what you can do by checking out these resources from ASPCA, Catster, and Daily Paws!
When danger struck Cat Town alum Tempo and his family, Tempo became a hero — and thanks to his fast-acting senses, his adopters’ attentiveness, and their emergency preparation, everyone in their building got out safe as well! Tempo’s adopters recount:
“My partner and I adopted Tempo from Cat Town in the summer of 2021, and have been overjoyed at the love he has brought to our home. I knew we wanted a cat to cuddle with at the end of a long day, but what I didn't realize was how playful and curious he would be! I didn't know how much I also needed his playful spirit in my life. It has made me a happier and more active person.
“Not only is Tempo a wonderful addition to the family, he is also a hero! A fire broke out in our apartment building last year. Tempo sniffed out and alerted us to the smoke before the fire alarms even went off — we heard him scratching at the floorboards right above where the fire started. Luckily no one was hurt, and the fire did not enter anyone's apartments. The firefighters came and told us that we were lucky to have caught the fire so early before any serious damage happened. We definitely have Tempo to thank for keeping us and many others safe!
“I also want to thank everyone at Cat Town for all the work done for the cats in their care. I am especially grateful for the advice given to adopters. At the advice of the Cat Town staff, we left our cat carrier out in the apartment living space so Tempo would be comfortable going in it when we needed to take him somewhere. Easily getting him out of the house to safety was a huge relief in a very scary moment. We made sure to reward him with treats for his courageous efforts once it was safe to enter the building again!”
We may not all have a built-in feline fire alarm on our hands, but with a little advance planning, we can all be prepared to keep our pets (and ourselves!) safe during an emergency — just like Tempo’s adopters did by making sure he was comfortable with his carrier. Carrier training takes time, so get started today with this video from International Cat Care!
Tempo’s story is also a reminder that while we often talk about how we can save cats, that’s just one half to the story — because cats can save us, just as much as we can save them! Maybe they aren’t saving us from actual fires, but that doesn’t mean the impact they have on our lives is any less special. That’s what makes every cat and every adoption unique, and why we believe in taking chances on overlooked cats. Thank you for believing with us, and making each of these stories possible.
Photography by David Yeung