'Extremely Sweet' Rover: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Rover, a 9-month-old male grey tuxedo kitten, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week. He has yellow, marble-like eyes and a long, sleek body, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"He is a bit on the shy side but once he has determined that you are 'his people,' that will quickly change," Larkin said.

Rover, his four siblings, and mom were found living under a deck in a neighborhood that is "not necessarily cat friendly," Larkin said. His mom was trapped, spayed and released. The homeowner had no issue taking her back and feeding her, but they just couldn’t deal with the kittens, Larkin said.

All of the kittens went into a foster home while they were waiting to be adopted. Rover was the runt of the litter, so he was always overlooked, according to Larkin. He hated being in a crate so the foster mom, Jasmine, let him loose in her room, and he quickly found the bed and made himself quite comfortable. He became her "cuddle buddy."

Jasmine reached out to the shelter because she was trying to help others and needed the room, Larkin said.

"We took him in knowing he would find a good home," Larkin said. "He is extremely sweet but can be shy when first meeting new people, but he warms up quickly, and the minute you start petting and scratching him, his purring motor starts!"

Rover has made a lot of new friends in the room.

He loves other cats — he showed that trait to his foster mom — so the shelter knows he is fine in the kitten room. He loves the scratching post and will stretch to show people how big he is and pretend he is so fierce, but he is not, Larkin said.

He also likes playing with the balls and the springs in the room. He likes to cuddle in one of the cubbies, but he is always facing out in the room so he can keep an eye on the activities that are happening, according to Larkin.

Rover can often be seen carrying around a small stuffed mouse that he will drop in front of people to show "what a fearless hunter he is," Larkin said.

He likes to cuddle in one of the cubbies or on the top of the tallest condo, but he is always facing out in the room so he can keep an eye on the activities that are happening, according to Larkin.

"I don’t think he wants to miss any of the action, even though he sometimes has to think about it before joining in," she said.

Tuxedo cats have some specific personality traits which Rover has, and "some of them which will surface once he adjusts to his new surroundings," Larkin said.

"We know tuxedos are very loving and cuddly, they form strong attachments to their humans and they have a playful personality which can make them very entertaining and endearing companions," she said. "Rover will be all of these things if just given a chance."

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

If you are interested in meeting Rover, 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.

"If you are looking for a kitten that will give you his undivided attention and be your forever cuddle buddy, then this is your guy," Larkin said. "He is waiting for his new family to arrive to show you how wonderful he is, so don’t wait any longer to come and meet him. You won’t be disappointed! Since Rover loves all of the others, he would do best if there were another kitten/cat his age so he won’t get lonely."

Rover will be available at the shelter's Spring Fling Adoption Event on May 31 at the shelter.

"He deserves a chance at his forever home before he gets overlooked because of the younger kittens," Larkin said.