The Courthouse Crew: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Knuckles, Angel Face, Baby Face and Doll Face — dubbed, "The Courthouse Crew," are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

"Shortly after Mother’s Day we received an urgent call about a mom cat that was running around the courthouses in Islip," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter. "It was a very rainy day and she seemed frantic...as if she was looking for something...and she was…her four babies."

The Grateful Paw team reached out to a local rescuer named John, and he set out to trap her and find her babies.

"Even though the babies were hidden in a storm drain, on the median of a very busy road, they were an easy rescue," Larkin said. "Mom not so much..and she was very protective of her kittens and showed us how fierce she was."

That is how the "courthouse babies" and their mother were apprehended and brought to the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, Larkin said.

"What a harrowing start for such little ones, but currently they are in foster care getting the love and attention they need from mom (who is feral) and the foster parents," Larkin said.

Angel Face, Baby Face, Doll Face and their brother, Knuckles, are approximately 8 weeks old, according to the shelter's veterinarian, so they will not be ready to be available for adoption until the end of June/beginning of July.

They currently are under a month-long house arrest sentence before they will be available for parole, Larkin said.

"Hoping the judge (Dr. Rob) will be lenient and let them come into the shelter after being completely vetted," she said. "Each one of the 'gangster' babies has a different appearance and look nothing like their mom, Bandit."

Angel Face, a soft grey and white kitten with some tiger stripes on her legs, is always carrying whatever toys she is playing with in her mouth, according to Larkin.

"You very rarely see her without a toy, even when racing around the room, as if she is being chased by the police. I guess her mom told her to hide the evidence!"

Doll Face is the smallest of the litter and seems younger, but don’t let that fool you, Larkin said. She is a white and tabby kitten with very large ears that she hasn’t grown into yet. She is always ready to play fight with the rest of them. She is constantly 'on the run,' chasing, jumping and tackling the others.

"If she were being pursued by the police she would be knocking everyone out of her way so she doesn’t get caught," Larkin said.

Baby Face is a dark grey and white tuxedo with eyes to match. She is the most adventurous of the group, according to Larkin. She is always the first to try and explore new situations, with the others copying everything she does.

"She was the first to try solid food, the first to march out of the holding pen (her crate) and the first to climb the cat tree. I guess she is the designated lookout for all!"

And last but not least is Knuckles, the only male to his sisters and "definitely not the leader" of this pack, even though he looks like a tough guy with his piercing grey eyes, Larkin said.

"He is very vocal and has an opinion about everything (typical male) but doesn’t always follow through," Larkin said.

All four have tested negative for FELV and FIV and also negative for parasites. They have had their ears, eyes and hearts checked. They will be receiving their first vaccines this week and will be on a schedule for the rest of the vaccines and their S/N surgery, Larkin said.

If you are interested in meeting any of the "Courthouse Kittens," 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.

"These four cuties will need a loving, law abiding and adventurous home once they arrive at the shelter," Larkin said. "They are full of non-stop energy and will definitely keep you on your toes. You will have to keep an eye on them to make sure they are not stealing anything that you may leave around the house and removing the evidence of their actions!"