'Approachable' Oreo: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Oreo, a 10-year-old male, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

"Sometimes a cat is surrendered to us due to unforeseen circumstances, but when you receive one that wants to do nothing but sit on your lap and be pet all day or 'make biscuits,' you jump for joy, and that is what we did with Oreo," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

Oreo's planned adoption last week fell through, but "through no fault of his own," Larkin said.

Oreo was brought into the shelter in March because his one and only mom recently died, according to Larkin. Oreo was found in a car engine when he was about 6 months old and was adopted by the aunt of one of the policemen who rescued him.

He had a younger companion, Leo, who arrived a few years later, who he spent his life with. Leo was able to be placed with another family member, but they already had a full house, and Oreo was not part of the relocation, Larkin said.

"Very sad for Oreo who only knew his mom and his brother Leo, but we have tried to do everything possible to make him feel at home while he is with us," she said. "We thought he had found his person(s) because he bonded so well with a particular family and we got him ready to go home."

The shelter brought out his two beds, toys and brush that arrived with him at the shelter.

"We always put their personal items away so that when they finally go to their forever homes, they have something very familiar to make the transition a bit easier," she said. "He was checked one more time by our vet to make sure there were no underlying issues that might surface, and we also ran some additional tests because of his age, and nothing was found. Considering the fact that he just turned 10 years young, he is in perfect health. Sometimes people get nervous when you hear about a cat that is 10 but you have to remember that most indoor cats (which is what Oreo is) can live to be 20! That means you still have plenty of time with him."

Oreo is a "big, chunky boy" — weighing in at 14 pounds — with typical tuxedo markings. It looks like he is "wearing his special evening clothes to attend a black-tie event," Larkin said. His white fur runs from his mouth down his chest and all the way to his back legs. He has "short socks" on his front paws and "knee socks" on his back paws.

"His fur is so thick and luxurious and that is how you get roped into petting him and not wanting to stop!" Larkin said. "His eyes are like marbles, except that right now they appear to be very sad and expressive probably because he misses his mom and brother and we think he is getting depressed because he is getting passed by."

When Oreo was placed in one of the rescue's free-roaming rooms, he was "very nonchalant," Larkin said. He made the rounds checking out who his roommates were, or maybe looking to see if his brother was there, Larkin said. He plopped himself down on the bottom of one of the condos and just relaxed in front of a group of five cats — lovingly referred to as "the lunch bunch" by shelter staff —and surveyed the room.

"They were not exactly happy that he decided to sit there," Larkin said. "After all they had no idea who he was, and proceeded to let him know he should move elsewhere until a proper introduction was made (they were giving small hisses and growls to him but he wasn’t paying any attention to their objections) Finally everyone calmed down when they saw he wasn’t moving."

Oreo is "very sociable and approachable," Larkin said.

"Just walk into the room and his head pops up out of his bed and those eyes are what draw you
towards him," she said. "He then proceeds to roll over indicating you can start petting him ASAP…he doesn’t want you to wait, he wants the attention, NOW! Once you start, the purring motor begins and does not stop. He also loves having his head and chin scratched. Your arms will get tired, but Oreo will let you know when it is time to stop. He will play with you with his favorite toy, his big blue mouse, but what he really wants is your undivided attention. He is the perfect companion cat if that is what you are looking for."

He is older so he has a routine, which Larkin said does not include running around the house like a kitten would be doing and causing all sorts of chaos.

"He has polite manners and is perfectly happy lounging all day with you," she said.

Oreo has tested negative for FELV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, had his ears, eyes, mouth and heart all checked, received all of his vaccines, has been neutered, is litter box trained and
microchipped.

If you are interested in meeting Oreo, you may call the shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, visit the Facebook page or visit at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

The rescue is at 3 Verleye Ave., East Northport, and visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The shelter is also open from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday nights only for those who cannot make it during the daytime hours.

"This dapper boy deserves to be back in his own forever home again…it breaks our hearts that he is still at the shelter, most likely because of his age," Larkin said. "Please come in to meet him, you will not be disappointed in his looks or his personality, and he will make himself comfortable with you almost as if he has always been there. He can be an only cat if that is what you prefer or he can be a companion to one other older cat in your household. This is a match made in heaven if only you
would give him a chance!"