Bear: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Bear, an 8-month-old male, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

Bear also responds to Care Bear, as his previous foster called him, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"Bear and his sister Calypso mysteriously appeared in someone’s backyard in West Islip when they were about 3 months old," Larkin said. "They were immediately trapped and placed into foster care until they could be assessed and given a thorough vet check."

Calypso was cleared for adoption and went to her forever home, Larkin said. Bear was still very shy
and needed some extra TLC while the foster mom determined whether he should be trap-neutered-released or socialized in order to be adopted. He started responding to head scratches and light petting so he was given the chance to stay indoors. The foster mom worked with him until it was determined he should be given the opportunity to be adopted.

It took about five months in foster care, and even despite his foster mom promoting him on social media, Bear has not found his forever home. She called Grateful Paw Cat Shelter for help getting him adopted.

Bear arrived at the end of May and after being re-checked by the shelter's veterinarian, he was placed in the "young adult" room with 10 other cats.

"Almost all of them with the same sad beginning but hopefully all will have a happy ending," Larkin said.

Bear has a striking brown tiger coat with dark symmetrical markings around his neck and down both front legs. His eyes are an unusual pale yellow that give one the illusion that he is trying to hypnotize them, said Larkin.

"Bear loves all of the other kittens/cats in the free roaming room and is constantly trying to play with someone or snuggle up," Larkin said.

He loves the big pink stuffed mouse and of course all of the spring toys. He gets excited when the feather toy comes out and will sometimes knock over the others trying to be the one to "make the kill."

"He is still a bit timid with people but he really wants to be your friend," Larkin said. "If you approach him, he will start to walk away or try a slow run, but he is always looking back over his shoulder to see if you will be following him! Once you have the opportunity to pet his head he stops, relaxes and turns on the charm. The purring starts and does not stop, unless you stop and then he looks at you with those eyes begging you to continue."

Bear also climbs into cubbies with fluffy beds and starts to make biscuits, which is a sign that he is relaxed and loving the attention. He also has a good appetite and will often nudge some of the others out of the way in order to make sure he gets to the food.

"That is probably something he learned when he was living outside and competing with the others not knowing when the next meal would be coming," Larkin said.

Bear has been given a total health check, tested negative for FELV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, had all of his vaccines, and is litter box trained and neutered. He does well with all of the others in the room and also good with dogs. The foster home had some dogs, and there were no problems, Larkin said. He would do well with another companion, but if you have a cat or dog in your home already, that would be "perfect," she said.

If you are interested in meeting Bear, 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.

"June is the perfect month to adopt a shelter cat so why don’t you give this guy a second chance and show him that his decision to allow human contact was the right one, and help him find a home where there is a roof over his head, a constant supply of food, toys to play with, maybe another companion, but most of all..LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!" Larkin said.