After a Tough Start, This Cat Hopes To Find a Forever Home: Huntington Adoptable Pet of the Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Candy, a striking white-and-gray tabby with bright green eyes, is this week’s Huntington Adoptable Pet of the Week. At just about 2 years old, she has already endured a difficult journey marked by resilience, maternal devotion, and a quiet hope for a home of her own, according to Debbi Larkin, a volunteer with the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

Candy’s story began in April 2024 when a feeder caring for a Springfield Gardens cat colony noticed her tending to five tiny nursing kittens.

“She was brought to the safety of our shelter where she was immediately placed into foster care to keep her little family sheltered and secure,” Larkin said.

Candy proved to be an exceptional mother. Her kittens “climbed all over her, clung to her and sought constant comfort,” Larkin said, and Candy lovingly cared for them until they were old enough for adoption.

Within three weeks, all five kittens had been adopted into homes of their own — but Candy remained.

Larkin said the transition has not been easy. Candy has grown shy at times, except with a few trusted socializers she has bonded with. She gets along well with the other cats in her room, but loud noises or raised voices can still make her nervous.

Most days, Candy can be found perched atop one of the cat condos or curled up in a bed facing the window, watching “birds, squirrels, leaves, cars… her own little ‘window TV,’” Larkin said.

Despite her timid nature, Candy becomes animated with encouragement. She loves batting around plastic springs, chasing wand toys “like an Olympic athlete,” and watching bird and squirrel videos on tablets — her version of prime-time entertainment. At mealtime, she is often one of the first at the door and is known to finish another cat’s meal “if they aren’t quick enough,” Larkin said with a laugh.

Candy is fully vetted and healthy. She has tested negative for FELV and FIV, is parasite-free, fully vaccinated, spayed, litter box–trained, and has had her ears, eyes, heart, and mouth checked.

Larkin said Candy is affectionate in her own way, but not a cat who wants to be picked up or held on a lap. She prefers attention on her terms and thrives with people who are patient and understanding. She would do well in a quiet home and could also flourish with another gentle, friendly cat. Because she still carries strong protective instincts from her time outdoors, she may need to start in a small room while she adjusts to a new environment.

“Candy is one of those wonderful cats who often get overlooked simply because she isn’t a kitten,” Larkin said. “But she deserves a chance — a real chance — to bond with a person of her own. She is ready, so ready, to find the family who will finally choose her.”

Anyone interested in meeting Candy can visit the shelter Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., or by appointment on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. The Grateful Paw Cat Shelter is located at 3 Verleye Avenue, East Northport. For more information, call 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, or visit the shelter’s Facebook page.