September 16-22 is Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week, one of the most important weeks on my calendar, mainly because of our Bella. When she came into our lives 11 years ago, she was definitely one of the “less-adoptables.” She’d been found blind and pregnant, walking around a junkyard. She was about to be euthanized at a municipal shelter when North Shore Animal League America scooped her up and brought her to safety. That was her new beginning.

Don’t tell anyone, but Bella is my favorite. I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but I’m only human and she touches my heart in such a deep way.

I remember her rescue like it was this morning. After she weaned her four healthy kittens at NSALA — she was a wonderful mother — I quickly found them good homes through my program. Then I went back and picked up the mamma to foster. I took her to many eye specialists, and she had to have one of her eyes removed. She can detect shadows from her remaining eye, but she is definitely blind. Howard named her Bella because she is so beautiful.

Well, it came time for her to be adopted, and I remember having dinner with Howard, and he looked at me and said, ‘Bella’s not going anywhere, is she?’ And I said no. She was a foster failure. She has asthma, allergies, and a few other issues, but she is perfect. She is my love.

If I could send just one message to the world, it would be about the joy of saving animals overlooked in shelters because there is something “wrong” with them. For many, it’s nothing more than the color of their coat. Black dogs and cats constantly fall victim to Black Dog/Cat Syndrome. I talked about this in last month’s blog, but it bears repeating because it’s completely irrational and makes me so angry.

Of course, there are other reasons shelter pets fall into the less-adoptable category. Right now, I have my fingers crossed for Nebel, #BF4111, (at left) a sweet five-year-old kitty rescued by a good Samaritan and brought to NSALA in 2021. He has spinal neuropathy, which made him incontinent and paralyzed in his hind legs. Despite this, he is a happy, purring little guy who loves people and playtime. As the newest member of NSALA’s Pet Sponsorship Program, Nebel receives the special care he needs while he waits for the perfect home. I know there’s a family out there who will love Nebel for the brave, good boy he is.

I want to share three more long-term less-adoptables at NSALA, each a treasure. My colleagues there have put together these adorable bios to introduce them to you. These sweethearts were rescued from a hoarding site in September 2021, and although they’ve done well in our care, they are more than ready for homes of their own.

Mohawk, #BF2526 & Oneonta, BF2530: Special senior Oneonta spent her entire life surrounded by a large clowder of male cats, all sharing an uncertain future. Through all the ups and downs, she’s depended on her lifelong friend Mohawk to help her feel safe. A move to Bianca’s Furry Friends from the quieter space they shared has only proven their friendship is enduring. While Mohawk enjoys playing with toys between snuggle fests with furriends, Oneonta takes a more cautious approach to her new space. You might find her tucked inside a blanket, eager to devour your treat offering. They always come together to catch up on their days, recharging their courage with head bumps. We’ve promised them we’ll be by their side to support them as we search for the heroes who are meant to be their pawents. Adults experienced in boosting the confidence of these friends will continue their path to success.

Delaware, #BF2527: A funny thing happened when we invited our friend Delaware to try living in Bianca’s Furry Friends after time in a less public space: He liked it! So much so that we’re seeing more of his purrsonality emerge as he navigates his room and lays claim to the sunny window beds he shares with his favorite cat friends. Originally rescued from a frightening situation, along with Oneonta and Mohawk, he was the most troubled of his clowder. Fortunately, he’s been in the care of our compassionate team, who asks nothing of this stoic gentleman other than he feels comfortable in the first safe place he’s ever inhabited. We’re seeing Delaware settle into being cared for by experienced, patient humans, so a predictable home with no children is needed to create a space he’ll thrive in. He’s a buddy of Oneonta and Mohawk, and in our wildest dreams, we imagine the three of them going home together. But while Oneonta and Mohawk are truly bonded, Delaware would do well on his own, too. 

Check out this video that highlights these three very special kitties!

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know about Bailey and Gramma, two seniors who might be called less-adoptable but are truly just more lovable. Bailey had two homes before entering my program, both huge disappointments. In her first home, this lovely Himalayan was bullied by the resident dog and declawed. (Ouch!) She shared her second home with another cat, but they only co-existed. Then… well, I’ll just say that divorce sucks for pets. I felt so sorry for her when she came to me, and I told her that her bad luck was about to change. And it did! Her happy new mamma is ready to spoil her for the rest of her life.

Perhaps the most less-adoptable animals are those facing the last weeks or months of their lives. On September 3, we lost our hospice kitty, Sammie Sunshine Stern, who we adopted in May. She was found abandoned in a carrier on a cold spring night, covered in blood from her mammary tumor exploding. How could her family abandon her when she needed them most?

After being cared for in the hospital, she came to me, and Howard and I immediately fell in love with her and made her a Stern. She did well with us until the morning she told me it was time to go, and I listened. As much as it was expected, losing Sammie was devastating. From the start, I promised her she would never suffer again. I miss her, I’m heartbroken, and I would do it all over again.

I will never forget Sammie’s courage and her forgiving spirit. Like our Bella, she proved how valuable life is and how much our lives are made more valuable by our connection to animals, especially those labeled less adoptable.

That’s their lesson for us, one that resonates with me every year on Remember Me Thursday^®, which this year falls on September 26. In case you’re new to this event, it’s an international social media awareness day that focuses on the millions of adoptable pets waiting in shelters…and remembers those who never got a second chance …those who, unlike Bella and her kittens, were not “scooped up” just in time and never knew love and home. I hope you’ll visit RememberMe Thursday.org and join me and many others by posting your pets’ rescue stories on your social media…because they deserve to be remembered every day and always.

xo
Beth

P.S. September 19th marks the start of NSALA’s 30-day Walk & Wag, a nationwide, month-long fundraising challenge for homeless pets. This unique event offers many ways to participate, including a three-mile walk on Saturday, October 19, at Hudson River Park, Pier 84, in Manhattan. But no matter where you live, you can help save lives by taking part in your community. Our website has all the details to inspire you and your friends to make a difference. Because your pups were made for walkin’ and waggin’!