Adoptable Pets
Memorials
Fatima
1/11/12: We will miss you, Fatima. MANY hands were involved in saving her life. She was found LAST winter starving… with a mouth of painful, infected teeth. Two kind ladies took care of her until she came to us. Furrever Friends and Siamese Rescue fostered her while we looked for a home for this old, special lady. She went to live with Sally in August, where she was spoiled each and every day. Sadly, Fatima developed cancer and passed on her own, peacefully. The world is much too quiet now that she is gone.
Pilar
November 21, 2011: Pilar, rescued in June 2011 after being dumped in a parking lot with her tiny kittens, lost her battle to mammary, bone and lung cancer today. A beautiful cat with a sweet little spirit, she spent every night sleeping next to her foster mommy. In rescue, she found the quiet, warm, safe, loving environment she always wanted. She is now free from pain, having crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you for loving us Pilar…know we loved you too.
Yacko and Wacko
Nov 20,2009: On this horrible day…we learned…that one of our adopted kittens was put to sleep at Gloucester County Animal Shelter. YACKO, who was adopted with his brother WACKO, was taken to the shelter when he was no longer wanted by his adoptive human mother. He was euthanized 2 days after being taken to the shelter…on 11/20/09….which we discovered just one day late. Sadly, WACKO “ran away” or so the adopter claimed, and we will never know if he is alive or dead. After taking this person to court a settlement was reached (minimal and disappointing). Although this adopter passed our application process, our team will NEVER forgive ourselves for sending kittens off to irresponsible and unstable “guardians”. THIS IS WHY WE SCREEN ALL POTENTIAL ADOPTERS MORE CAREFULLY THAN EVER BEFORE.
Holyfield
November 15, 2011: Affectionate and loving, Holyfield was a good friend to humans and other animals. Rescued 12/2/2010 in *horrible* condition from a feral colony, this sweet boy had medical issues from the day he came to us. Dehydrated, with a horrible respiratory infection and a thyroid condition, he was just skin and bones. We estimated that he was atleast 10 years old. He would have never survived last year’s weather if left outdoors. For a year, he was sheltered, loved and given all the medications he needed by his foster mama to stay healthy. He gained weight and made friends with the dogs and cats in his foster home. But the old boy declined very quickly over this weekend, and he lost his battle last night. It was heartbreaking, but Holyfield knew he was loved.
Candyapple
Candyapple crossed the rainbow bridge on October 13, 2011. She and her siblings came from an outdoor feral colony where previously rescued kittens passed away without explanation. This litter appeared to be very healthy, so her passing was unexpected. Although we are unsure exactly what the cause was, we believe that this sweet little kitten had an undetectable congenital defect. Many life saving measures were taken, including CPR. Her siblings are all just fine, and will move on to find furrever homes. Our thoughts are with her wonderful foster family, who are mourning her loss more then any of us can imagine. Thank you, Candyapple, for giving us the honor of getting to know you before you left us for…whatever beautiful place you are now. Please know that we loved you.
Rufus
Our friend Rufus passed on August 25, 2011 suffering a heart attack. Our condolences to Maryann and George. His RESCUE story: On January 1, another rescue told us about Rufus, who was living outside in the cold. After numerous pleas for a foster, were were grateful when Maryann and George offered their home. He arrived on January 21, and Rufus was “at home” the moment his HUGE paws touched the floor. He was by far one of these most special, loving, laid back cats ever. Maryanne and George fell in love, and adopted him even after he tested FIV+. Rufus was a healthy cat – and never showed any signs of illness until early this week. A trip to the vet diagnosed his heart attack, and Rufus passed away in his sleep that night. Our friend will be so very missed: we were so lucky to have known him.
Prince Kashmir…
This handsome Siamese boy showed up in a volunteer’s back yard in April 2011. Oversized with clear-as-a-blue-sky eyes, we were all shocked when tests confirmed he was FELV+ (feline leukemia). In foster care, he was a bit timid, but loved to be petted. Because the Prince was contagious to other kitties, we made arrangements to have him transferred to a sanctuary for FELV cats. He made a three hour trip to Maryland, where he was welcome by his new foster mom. She was taken aback by his beauty and size! Sadly, the FELV was too much for the Prince’s body, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep this July. Although we are very sad that he did not have a longer time with us, we are grateful that we found him in time that his passing could be with humans who loved him…and not outside in the woods. A special thank you to Mary, who cared for him at the time he needed the most help. Sweet Dreams, handsome Prince.
Paris…
Paris crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 5/5/11. Shortly after her adoption, the beautiful girl showed signs of a severe medical and/or mental problem. Unable to diagnose her illness, the decision was made to end her pain. May her sweet little soul rest in peace, as she was here on Earth for much too short a time.
Rigatoni…
Energetic and funloving, Rigatoni’s daily antics ALWAYS made his family laugh. Riggy loved to jump and play and race through the house, knocking over anything in his way! So when he began to act a bit quiet, it was obvious that he was not feeling well. Rigatoni passed from a sudden onset of cancer on 2/23/2011. His human family and animal family, including his sister Anelli and mom Jet, will miss him.
Background: Rigatoni was rescued on 6/7/07 with his siblings from under a deck as tiny kittens. He and his sister Anelli were adopted together, but were RE-RESCUED by Furrever Friends when the cats were dumped at a local county shelter only a few months later. They were placed in foster care with their original rescuers, who officially adopted them on 6/5/08 to ensure they would be safe forever.
Saki…
Saki came to Furrever Friends in October 2006 after being in a very disruptive and possibly abusive home: at that time, he was estimated to be 18 years old. Because of his age, we decided to keep Saki in foster care to ensure that all of his geriatric needs were met (such as dental cleanings and yearly comprehensive blood work). Saki was one of the kindest, most affectionate cats Furrever Friends has ever seen. He enjoyed sitting propped up on the back of the sofa observing the day’s events. He was also a real sucker for a good meal, like a can of tuna. Honestly, we did not expect Saki to be with us long, but years passed and he continued to be in good health. Sadly, cancer caught up to Saki, and at the age of 22, our friend crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 2/15/2011. We are sure that his friends Benny The Rat and Spike the Dog were there to welcome him.
Kiddo…
Kiddo came to Furrever Friends on 7/9/2009 from a high kill shelter in Northern NJ. A handsome orange boy, he was only a few months old. However, from his first meeting with us Kiddo displayed very aggressive behavior – very odd for a cat – and unexplained physical symptoms. All avenues of training, treatment and medical attention did not help him. Although an animal communicator did give some insight to what Kiddo might be experiencing, his illness went undiagnosed. His foster mom will always appreciate his cute little face, adorable pink nose and fondness for tearing up each and every cat toy! He loved the feather-on-a-stick but would EAT the feathers! He crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 2/15/2011: perhaps he will return to his next life as the creature he most yearned to be…a snake.
Toe…
Toe was a lovable, handsome boy who was adored by all who knew him. Rescued as a tiny kitten with 2 siblings, he was first fostered by a kind volunteer who saw how very special he was. So special that she wanted to adopt him and his sister! But a foster mom’s job is to rehabilitate each kitty and let them find a new home, so that is what she did. Toe and his sister, Tac, went to the Petsmart Adoption Center to find a home! A promise was made that they would stay together, so together they waited for a family to love them.
But time passed, and they waited and waited. They began to grow up. Kittens and cats came and went , and Toe and Tac stayed. But they were not sad – the volunteers spoiled and pampered them. And most importantly, the volunteers LOVED them. They turned into gangly teenagers, then into beautiful, regal adults.
Finally, a family fell in love with Tac and Toe! And home they went! The volunteers who had so lovingly cared for them for 6 months celebrated!
However, after only 1 week in his new home, our beloved Toe succumbed to sudden cardiomyopathy and passed away on October 11, 2010. He will be remembered as a sweet, handsome, laid back kitty with an adorable expression, who brightened the days of all the Furrever Friends Volunteers who tried so hard to help him have his “Happily Ever After”.
Mandy…
Mandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Sept 17, 2010. Here is a note from Jenna, who fostered Mandy in her home since November 2007:
For several days, Mandy has been trying to tell me that she wanted to be done with this whole cancer thing. This morning, the fact that she would not eat was the confirmation I needed. I spent a half hour with her outside, where she walked my back yard on a harness. On the way to the vet, I reminded her how I had found her….
I was at my friend Diane’s barn when Mandy came up to me and rubbed against my leg. I had never seen her before and asked Diane where she came from: the cutie was on death row at a local shelter, and Diane thought she was so cute that she brought her home to the barn. I asked Diane if I could take her, as I was sure I would find a home for her. Diane said yes, and that is how Mandy became a Furrever Friends cat!
As I drove, Mandy sat in a little pink carrier with a see-through top on the passenger seat. I told her that I felt terrible that she did not find a home with someone else: I work so much, and spend so much time volunteering, that I always felt she would get more attention with someone else. But the fact she did not get adopted, I told her, was lucky for me. I had the chance to love her, and play with her, and goodness knows she repaid me everyday by making me laugh at her energy and her antics. I thanked her for being a good friend, and apologized for getting impatient with her when she was unruly.
Before she was put to sleep, I had a few minutes alone with her at the vet. I put my head against hers while she purred and kneed: Mandy lost her friend Lola to cancer this winter. I assured her that she would see Lola soon. I told her I loved her. And in the end, she passed quietly and peacefully. It has only been a few hours and I am still crying, as I will miss her cute round little face and her little tongue that always stuck out of her mouth. I will miss how she tore through the house chasing nothing. I will miss the wet, sloppy cat nip toys that she loved to suck on. How lucky, how very fortunate I was…that Mandy did not get adopted.
Greta…
Our long time friend Greta, fostered with new foster Marci, was put to sleep today, 9/29/2010.
We already knew that Greta was in kidney failure: however, she seemed to be comfortable and eating. The foster reported that for the last few days, she has stopped eating and going to the bathroom. A mobile vet, Dr Lisa, went to see her today, and said that Greta is having trouble breathing, can hardly stand, is dehydrated, and very very pale. Dr Lisa felt she was in pain, and it was time to let her move on.
Her foster, Marci, agreed.
Greta was owned by a woman with a horrible drug habit. Greta was found locked in a basement when this woman left with not notice, her sister dead next to her. Greta was dumped off on one of our volunteers, and was later fostered by a nice man named ANDY until just recently when a new job caused him to do extensive travel.
