Tag: Tallahassee Animal Services

I Tawt I Taw a Pudding Cat

  
Pudding is a beautiful Siamese-mix female with a sweet disposition. The staff at TAS believe she is about a year old. She gets a lot of attention at Tallahassee Animal Services, but the right person hasn’t come along yet.

Yesterday Pudding and I had a long talk. It went something like this:

Me: Hey Pudding baby, what’s going on?

Pudding: Well, I’m still here. In this (sniff) kennel, so how do you THINK it’s going?

Me: I’m sorry. That was really insensitive of me.

Pudding: That’s ok. You’re only human. 

Me: True.

Pudding: Listen, would you remind people that cats need homes. I hear people ooh and ahh over all these kittens. Can’t they see I’m worth oohing and aging over, too?

Me: oooooh! Aaaaaaah!

Pudding: (Sniff) Not you silly. REAL people. You’re a volunteer. Unless of course you want to take me home….

Me: (backing away from the kennel) Gotta go Pudding–I’ll steer people your way.

Pudding: Chicken!!! Bok bok bok!

Pudding really is adorable! And she’s ready to be oohed and aahed over!

Remember, adopt, don’t shop! Visit your local shelter today.

Peace, people!

Badger

At Tallahassee Animal Services there’s an adult male cat named Badger. He’s the sweetest guy and loves to be snuggled and groomed. But Badger has only one eye, so people barely pause by his kennel. 

Sometimes they look in, but I’ve not seen one person ask to take him out and hold him. Of course I’m only at the shelter for a couple of hours each week. I fervently hope that he gets some attention when I’m not there.

I’ve begun taking him out of his kennel at the beginning of my shift and again before I leave. We talk. I tell him my problems and he listens like a pro. He, on the other hand, never complains. But he does wink, and you know a girl enjoys a good wink.

Badger is an easygoing guy with a sweet personality. He’d make a fine companion. 

 

Showing his best side.
 
Remember, don’t shop, adopt!

Earning My Stripes

I volunteered for an extra shift at Tallahassee Animal Services this afternoon to help with the monthly rabies vaccination and micro chipping clinic. To start off on the wrong foot I was thirty minutes late–apparently I’d read the directions incorrectly, so by the time I arrived everything was set up and people were already in line with their pets.

After a quick orientation I was placed next to the folks standing in line to help answer questions, provide assistance, and direct traffic. Mainly I held stuff: leashes attached to excited dogs, carriers containing nervous cats, one with a pair of ferrets, and a car seat with a precious baby girl inside. 

I’d expected to be nervous around the larger dogs, but for the most part all the pets were well behaved. A couple had to spend time in the calming area because it was too darned exciting out in the fray.

The most exciting part of my afternoon was being peed on by an English bull dog. Yep. I was standing there holding his leash so his owner could complete the necessary paperwork when I felt this wet warmth on my ankle. Of course then he tried to cover up his pee, so he kicked dirt all over me. Oh, I also stepped in a steaming pile of poo. 

If I tell you I had fun will you think I’m crazy?

Peace, people!

  

Volunteering at Tallahassee Animal Services

My second shift as a volunteer at Tallahassee Animal Services went well. We were really busy this afternoon with a great many potential adopters coming through the cat lobby. 

So far, I have resisted the urge to begin adoption procedures, but I find myself being a cheerleader for certain cats. There are several who’ve been at the center since I first signed up to volunteer.

One of my favorites is a pretty adult female named Kandy. She’s got such a sweet personality and loves to talk. Another is Margarita. What a gorgeous darling! She’s also an adult cat with a friendly nature. 

Then there’s Peter Parker. He was surrendered by his owner who became too ill to care for him. Peter loves to be petted, but is nervous about coming out of his kennel. He needs a loving, stable home.

Of course kittens are all the rage, and they’re awfully cute. One sibling pair, Paul and Newman are so playful. I doubt if they’ll still be at the shelter next Wednesday. And that’s a very good thing.

Remember, adopt, don’t shop!

I’m a really lousy cat photographer, but this is Newman. he liked me. He’d love going home with his very own human.

Kittens

I had my first two hour stint as a volunteer at Tallahassee Animal Services this afternoon. I had first date jitters, I was so excited.

First, I have to give props to the extraordinarily organized and thorough volunteer coordinator at Tallahassee Animal Services, Grayson Walters. Ms. Walters conducted a top notch volunteer orientation and followed up today with a great tour of the facility and suggestions on how to best help out during my two hours onsite.

Of course once I saw the kittens I pretty much forgot everything Grayson said. It was like, “Oooooooohhhhhh kitties!” I did manage to fold and put away a load of laundry and sweep under the kitty dorms before I allowed myself to take a few of the cats out for some interaction.

There’s a pair of kitten siblings, mostly black, with beautiful white chests and socks, named Frito and Dorito, that I fell in love with. Holy cow! They are so cute. I honestly couldn’t tell them apart, but one was on the shy side, but loved being cuddled and the other was full of curiosity.

I’d show photos, but I left my phone in Grayson’s office so no pics this week. I promise I’ll do better next time. Instead, I found this message on Pinterest. I think it’s appropriate.

Pretty please? Adopt an animal from your local shelter.

Volunteer Gig

One week from today I will begin volunteering at Tallahassee Animal Services. I’ve passed the interview process, attended an orientation, and even successfully answered a brief quiz. I’m so ready!

Lately I’ve been dreaming about the cats I’ll be working with. Cats and kittens of all sizes visit my subconscious, demanding love, food, and care. In my dreams I also feel I am responsible for naming them: Vader, Anakin, Katniss, Four, and Tris. Okay, I read way too many young adult and scifi novels. 

Sometimes in my dreams the cats carry on full blown conversations with me. We discuss their days and the people they saw come through the shelter since my last scheduled visit. These cats have a lot of hopes and dreams for their futures. I sure hope I can help them with that.

Peace, people! 

sample cat