'Future Olympians': Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — The Grateful Paw Cat Shelter has a "kindle" of kittens this week: meaning three or more possibly unrelated puffballs.

Lucy, Lacey, Lily, and Lola, around 8 weeks old, are the Huntington Pets of the Week.

The foursome were part of a very large colony in close proximity to the railroad station in Huntington, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"The mom is being TNR’d because she is not social at all but we are giving these puffballs a chance at a safe, healthy, loving life," Larkin said.

The girls were born approximately at the beginning of June and were rescued by one of the shelter's experienced trappers. She reached out to the shelter for help.

All four girls have tested negative for FELV and FIV, had their first set of vaccines and worming, tested negative for parasites and are litter box trained.

While they are young, their size can be deceiving, and they should be coming into the shelter at the beginning of September, Larkin said.

They are currently in foster care and will stay there, getting all of the socialization and love they need, before joining the others in the kitten room, according to Larkin.

Lola, an "exceptional beauty," sports a tiger coat of warm caramel and dark brown in a "wonderful pattern of stripes and swirls," Larkin said.

"Lola is the resident wrestling champ, and loves to roll around with a willing sister (or two) who are in the mood for a challenge," she said. "Lola is quite energetic, and one of her favorite things to do is grab her toy mouse, climb to the top of the cat condo and leap to the nearest piece of furniture. Maybe she should be trying out for the next Olympics as a pole vaulter. And after
she plays off some of her kitten energy she will want to cuddle with her human."

Lily is a petite and shy tiger. She has a beautiful light gray and white swirl coat with a white tummy and paws, Larkin said.

"Although she loves to race around her playroom and interact with her sisters, Lily is equally happy snuggling and purring on her human’s lap," Larkin said. "Her favorite thing is to climb to the top of the homemade tent for exercise. She can be seen going up and down numerous times each day. She is building up her stamina to be able to keep up with her sisters."

Lucy, "adorable to say the least," is a black and white tuxedo kitten with a white chest, tummy and paws, according to Larkin. She has mile-long white whiskers and her mouth is outlined in white, giving her a sweet little "milk mouth."

"Lucy has the most gentle personality, although she does enjoy some rough and tumble games with her sisters. She loves to carry the fluffy balls in her mouth or kick them around the room
like she is playing soccer! Another Olympian in training! But when playtime is over she looks for
the nearest human to hold and pet her until she falls asleep."

Lacey is almost a twin with her sister, is a black and white tuxedo with a white chest, tummy and paws, and long white whiskers that are "just gorgeous," Larkin said.

Lacey has a white mark on her cheek instead of a "milk mouth," which sets her apart.

"In common with all her sisters, Lacey loves to play and she especially enjoys climbing objects and her special humans. Lacey is the fastest runner of the group and can be seen running laps around the room until she is exhausted, almost as if she is running the 3000 meters steeplechase which involves jumping over barriers (sometimes her sisters) and jumping over water (probably her food and water bowl) During nap time she can usually be found curled around Lucy, warm, comfortable, and purring. She also loves lap time with her humans."

If you are interested in meeting Lucy, Lacey, Lily, or Lola, 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.

"We would love to see these girls adopted in pairs since they are so bonded (Lacey & Lucy) but if you have another feline in the house then that would work because then they would have a companion," Larkin said. "Won’t you open up you hearts and your home to 1, 2, 3 or the whole kindle of kittens? They will show you how rewarding it is to save a life."