My New Year’s resolution for 2002 was to start volunteering for an animal rescue organization.  After some research, I contacted Hope Alliance and went to meet Lisa and her “children”.  Within minutes of arriving, I noticed a handsome, very striking, though extremely timid, orange cat called Terrance.  Lisa explained that he had been born feral but had been rescued and brought to Hope Alliance at around eight months of age.  I was completely bowled over by him and his gentle personality (always being partial to orange cats,  or “ginger toms” as we call them in my native country, England),  and I knew that I wanted him to become part of our family.  I then had to persuade my husband since our family already included four cats (Georgia, the Siamese, Kit, our old ginger tom, Peaches, adopted from Petsmart and Rudy, found at 10 weeks of age on the roadside).  He agreed and after a few weeks of volunteering with my then eight year old daughter, Claudia and spending time with Terrance, we asked Lisa if we could adopt him and she agreed.   

Realising how timid Terrance was, I knew his transition was not going to be easy.  For several weeks, he hid in my younger daughter’s bed, only coming out at  night to eat and use the litterbox.   We took it in turns to sit in the room with him and quietly read or talk to him.  He was known as the “lump in the bed” even letting Sarah sleep at night with him.  We kept him confined to her bedroom but put a baby gate in the doorway so that the other cats could see him and get used to his smell.  Rudy, our big Maine Coon, would always spend a lot of time sitting at the gate, just looking into the room.   Occasionally in the dark, I would catch a glimpse of Terrance on the other side. 

One morning, the lump in the bed was gone…  Terrance had disappeared!   Remarkably, after a quick search, we found him under the couch in the living room with Rudy.  He had jumped the gate and was hanging out with his friend!    This was the turning point and gradually Terrance began to come out more and more and eventually didn’t have to eat his dinner under the couch! 

Now, three years later, he is much more relaxed, more confident and extremely content with his family.  His nickname is “Mr T” and he is very vocal, always miaowing at dinnertime and even nips at my ankles if he is impatient for his dinner.  He loves to play, carries toy mice around the house, is very nosey and loves to wrestle.   He is adored by the whole family and we are so glad that we were able to adopt him!

Ronda and Geoff Saunders
Middletown, CT

She has always had such a thick, shiny black coat including her pads and nose.  Years ago when I first adopted her she was so shy and I couldn't even pick her up.  these days she responds to her name; talks and now insists on my attention by climbing on my lap or talking to me in that "cat" tone.  She loves the "rake" brush and staying cool down in the basement sometimes.  What a life.

Zachary

He came to the shelter very young with a sister and mom.  We adopted out mom and named the babies Pebbles and Bam Bam.  When old enough Pebbles was adopted and I adopted this handsome young man.  I named him Zachary - can't have a Bam Bam without a Pebbles.  He is my "mellow" kitty with his thin physic and long tail.  He will call to me at the other end of the house like he forgot where I was and when I call his name he comes running like a little puppy.  He too is such a snuggler.

Carol Bohnert
Branford, CT