Hudson And Harley: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Hudson and Harley, 7-week-old kittens, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

"These two little boys were the messiest and dirtiest kittens we have seen in a long time," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

They arrived at the shelter when they were only 4 weeks old. The pair came from one of the shelter's favorite rescuers, according to Larkin. The rescuer was on another emergency call when someone reached out about "two tiny babies who had no place to go," Larkin said.

"Not sure if they belonged to the person who called or that person found them wandering the streets of Jamaica, Queens," Larkin said. "Our rescuer contacted us to see if we had any room. And of course, we said, 'Yes, bring them right over,'" Larkin said.

When Hudson and Harley arrived at the shelter, they were covered in dirt, urine and poop, Larkin said. Both boys had to have a bath before the shelter could even examine them.

"They were not happy about that experience and screamed like they were being murdered, but as soon as the warm, dry towel was wrapped around them they settled down," Larkin said.

The shelter's in-house veterinarian tested them for FELV and FIV — "another screaming session" —and medicated them for parasites.

"They were too young at that time for vaccines, so we put them on the calendar for another day and got them ready to go into foster care," Larkin said. "And off they went, and by the time they arrived at the foster mom’s house, they were sleeping peacefully until they woke up and decided they needed a bedtime snack! Thankfully, even as tiny as they were, they both had good appetites and we knew they were in good hands."

Hudson is a tabby with lots of white on his chest and legs, Larkin noted. He has the "roundest" grey eyes and "looks like he is wearing eyeliner." He also has a dark spot on his nose that "makes him look like someone tried to color his nose with a magic marker."

"Hudson is so sweet," Larkin said. "He is very playful and loves to attack anything within his reach. You cannot sit on the floor without him climbing all over you and trying to bite anything that he can get his mouth on — pants, shirts, slippers, blankets! Hoping that this is his teething stage and nothing else. He is a very good eater and will sometimes push his brother out of the way. He will play with any toy you show him, but make sure he is getting your undivided attention, otherwise if he has to share your playtime with another (like his brother, Harley) he will lose interest. He is not much of a cuddler, but the foster family is working on that!"

Harley is all black with a small patch of white on his upper chest and on his groin, Larkin said. He has sparkling marble eyes that are a "beautiful soft shade of yellow," she added.

"He looks so serious when he is looking at you and when his ears are standing straight up, they look like they belong on a much larger kitten," she said. "Hoping he will grow into them. Harley is the shy boy, he is not the one who runs up to you first, but that will change with his foster family. He can be very vocal, especially when hungry or when his brother gets taken out of the room without him. He has the appetite of a full- grown cat, which is great, because he was barely a pound when he came to us."

Harley loves to play hide and seek and will come out for someone if they call him when he is hiding. He also loves the rope toy.

"He is also not a snuggler yet, but loves having his chin, cheeks and jaw scratched. Once you start that routine he will be putty in your hands."

Both Hudson and Harley have tested negative for FELV and FIV, had their ears and heart checked, have been wormed and received their first vaccinations. They are also litter box trained.

"They both have 5 more weeks in foster care and will receive all of the vaccines during that time,
will both be neutered and microchipped before they will be available for adoption," Larkin said. "We estimate they will be joining the rest of the crew at the shelter at the beginning of June."

If you are interested in meeting Hudson and Harley, 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 do not have the whole 'old' story of their beginning, but we would love to give them a 'new' story, where they find their forever home and live happily ever after," Larkin said. "Every kitten deserves that chance. Don’t you agree?"