Tommi: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Tommi, a 2-and-a-half-year-old female dark tabby cat with white paws and a white belly, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

"Tommi is still waiting for her 'people' to come and take her home," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

Tommi was brought into the shelter in April 2023 with her two sisters from a "very unfortunate" situation, Larkin said. Tommi was enclosed in a very tight space with more than 15 cats, which was "just too much for her," according to Larkin. When she first came into the shelter, Tommi and her siblings were totally confused because they had been relocated three times in less than one week. One of her sisters was adopted shortly after admission and the other one, Lulu, is still at the shelter, also.

"It took weeks for Tommi to feel safe," Larkin said. "Every time someone would go into the room, she would hide because she probably thought that someone was going to move her again."

Tommi has beautiful gold eyes that sparkle when someone stares into them. She loves to sit in one of the cubbies with any of the other cats in the room. She is always the first to greet someone at
the door, especially if she sees the food plate or the treat jar coming, Larkin said. She will sound the alarm to the others when she sees the food plate. She is the official taste tester for the room, and will sample from each corner of the plate.

Tommi loves to climb to the highest spot on the condo where she is constantly on bird and squirrel patrol.

"It is a good thing she is an indoor cat because she would give the wildlife outside a good chase," Larkin said. "She is also very quick when playing with the balls and other assorted toys in
the room...and one of her favorite toys is one of the springs which she parades around the room as if she just completed a successful hunt."

Tommi is very good with the other cats in the room so she would do well with another cat in a quiet house, Larkin said. She would preferably pair with a cat her age or a bit older.

"Young kittens are much too active for her. I guess she forgets she was a kitten at one time! Tommi needs a little extra TLC and patience to coax her out of her shell."

Tommi has been totally vetted, up to date on her vaccines, tested negative for FELV and FIV, checked for parasites, litter box trained and spayed.

If you are interested in meeting Tommi, 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.

"Tommi has spent the last year watching and waiting as the other kittens and cats her age get to go home and all she wants is that same chance," Larkin said. "She can sometimes be found sitting in the room with her eyes squeezed shut, almost as if she is taking a line from The Wizard of Oz: 'Close your eyes and click your heels three times (in her case her paws) and repeat there is no place like home.' Won’t you be the one to give her that chance?"