Hope And Grace: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Hope and Grace, each just over 1 year old, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

They are sisters from a litter of five — their three siblings did not survive, but they were born outside in a "very busy neighborhood," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"How are these two beautiful girls still in our shelter???" Larkin wrote.

Hope and Grace's mom disappeared a few weeks after they were born, prompting a good Samaritan to step in and help, Larkin said. The kittens arrived at 7 a.m. every morning for their daily feeding and head scratches. The good Samaritan eventually brought the two kittens inside, but they couldn't stay permanently because there were three dogs in the house, and not all of them were cat friendly.

Both girls were very friendly to humans, and also to the male felines on the block, and they both became pregnant at the same time and delivered their babies on the same exact day, according to Larkin.

"What are the odds of that happening?" she said. "But this wasn’t a happy ending for their babies, mainly because Hope and Grace were only about 8 months old when they got pregnant. They lost all babies due to the 'fading kitten syndrome'…heartbreaking for them and also for us to hear. That is when we received the call for help and the intake was immediately set up."

Hope and Grace are two white and gray kittens with long fuzzy tails and sparkling yellow eyes. Grace has a unique grey marking on her nose and more gray fur than her sister.

"It appears that there was an issue with one of Hope’s eye lids, but that doesn’t affect her vision at all," Larkin said. "Our vet fixed the eyelid when she was spayed and she is just fine. Now that they are in a room with others, they are making more friends and are interacting with everyone,
including the 2 nervous cats in that room!"

They both love to play with the feather toys, fuzzy mice and the springs, and can be seen checking
out all levels of both cat condos. They also have voracious appetites, Larkin said, so they are always waiting by the door for their meals when they see any of the volunteers in the hallway.

"Sometimes they get so excited they start running in the room and that gets all of the others up and charging the door so they don’t miss a meal!" Larkin said. "They love head and chin scratching which gets their motors going. When they finally wear themselves out, they curl up together or with one of the other younger cats (Norbert) on one of the soft beds."

Both girls have been totally vetted, tested negative for FELV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, had all of their vaccines, are litter box trained and both are spayed.

If you are interested in meeting Hope and Grace, 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.

"Originally when these girls arrived at the shelter we were insisting that they be adopted together, but since they have really blossomed in the room that is not a requirement," Larkin said. "We just want them to have good forever home. Both girls have had exposure to other cats, dogs and
older children so they would fit well into your family. They will both be available for adoption at our Kitten Adoption Day, this Saturday, July 6 from noon to 4 p.m. They are so tiny and petite they look like kittens and they deserve a chance like all of the others. Just look at those faces with those eyes and try not to fall in love…bet you can’t do that! Please, stop by the shelter this weekend and ask to meet them and make them feel that they are going to be the love of your life."