Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a time when many of my friends will be showing their appreciation for some of the activities I love most: eating and napping.

Although the Adoption Centers are closed on Thanksgiving, the staff here at the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society work 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to ensure all of our animal residents receive daily care. In addition to their usual daily tasks, the staff will be preparing for our Black Friday Felines Adoption Event, which will take place on Friday, November 25, at both the Leverett and Springfield Adoption Centers from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.

This Friday only, any cat or kitten with even a hint of black fur will have his usual adoption fee—$150 for kittens and $95 for adults—waived. Dakin exists thanks to donations from people who care about the animals in our community, so adopters are welcome to make a donation when they take home their new family member. The adoption includes sterilization surgery, rabies and distemper vaccinations, appropriate blood tests, parasite treatment, a collar and ID tag, a bag of kitty food, and thirty days of emergency health insurance, so it’s quite a deal!

I’m pretty excited for this event. No, we’re not opening at some ungodly hour or serving hors d’oeuvres to our visitors (darn!), but we are proud to devote this day to our black cats. Black cats are often overlooked, and they find homes at a slower rate than other cats. Isn’t that silly? As a gentleman with a lovely black and white coat myself, I am quite fond of the color.

This year, Black Friday Felines include any cat or kitten with black on his or her fur. Solid black? You’re ace. Torties? Meow! Tuxedos? Looking snazzy! Calicos? We’ve got those! They’re all up for adoption at our fee-waived adoption event. Now where did I put that black Sharpie…

Before I depart for my pre-Thanksgiving feast, I’d like to profile just a few of my friends who will be featured at our Black Friday Felines event.

Let’s start with my friends Siegfried, Dingo, and Darren who are all Feline Immunodeficiency Virus positive (FIV+). This feline-only virus is not easily spread between cats and cannot be spread through casual contact. It’s typically spread through deep bite wounds. (That’s why intact males who live outside are more likely to contract FIV. This is yet another reason to neuter your feline friends!) Most FIV+ cats live normal lives. We recommend FIV+ cats either be the only cat in your home or live with other FIV+ cats. Check out this FIV fact sheet:

Siegfried and Dingo are both here in Springfield and can be adopted together or separately.

My friend Darren is available for adoption in Leverett. He is really a trooper. He was found as a stray, and his left eye was so badly infected that the vet staff had to remove it. Even so, Darren seems like a pretty happy fellow. He must know that he’s in good hands now! He is looking forward to meeting his forever family and enjoying all the luxuries that come with being a house cat.

Speaking of one-eyed wonders, did you catch Twinkle on 22 News Pet Corner last Monday, November 22? Found by a dumpster, she came in on November 2 with an injured, infected eye. Twinkle is no throw-away! She is a marvelous cat who, after two eye surgeries, holds no grudges. She has a zest for life and is looking forward to living with a family who will love her. She is up for adoption here in Springfield.

 

My friend Baby Girl also came in with severe eye infections, but thanks to the wonderful veterinarians who work with Dakin, Baby Girl was able to keep both her eyes. She is a doll with her long, black fur and stub-tail. She came to Dakin in August but spent two months in foster care while undergoing treatment for her eye infections. She is now in a colony room here in Springfield and can’t wait to move in with her new family. She has experience living with other cats, so if you’re looking to have a multi-cat household, Baby Girl won’t mind. Be sure to swing by the sports department after your adopt Baby Girl. She loves to play with ping-pong balls!

Speaking of love, Sam Adams has a lot to give. Now, he isn’t fond of other animals. He’s made it pretty clear that he wants to be an only cat. But, Sam is a relentless lover if you’re a human. He will actually climb on to your lap and wrap his arms around your neck, mooshing his face into yours. In short, he’s a hugging cat. He’s also a lap cat, a talker, and he’d make a great companion for someone who is looking to share his or her home with only one animal friend. Yes, it’s been harder for us to find him a home because he doesn’t like other animals, but for the right person, he could be the best cat ever (aside from me, of course). When you come to the Springfield Adoption Center, ask to meet Sam Adams!

Missy is a seven-year-old beauty with long, black and white hair. She grew up in a household with adults and no other animals, yet she’s adjusted fine to living in a colony room here in Springfield. She’s an independent cat who is happy to spend some time by herself, but on the other hand, she does like attention and likes to play. She would be a good match for someone with a typical work schedule because she is content to spend some time by herself, yet she’s friendly and would like to spend part of the day hanging out with her family.

Lulu is a charmer. Like Missy, Lulu spent her entire life living in one household. When her person passed away, she came to Dakin to find a new family. She immediately made an impression on staff with her cute kitten antics. You would never guess she is eight! She is available for adoption in Leverett.

Baby is also available for adoption in Leverett. At just two years old, Baby is looking for a home to call her own. She’s got a beautiful black and orange tortoiseshell coat with a white bib. She can be shy around new people, but will warm up quickly. She loves to play, so be sure to stock up on cat toys before you adopt Baby!

Like Lulu, my friend Damien is also a charmer. When he first came to Dakin, he was so shy that he hid right under his blanket. But within a week, we saw the true Damien shine through. He is now hanging out with the other kitties in one of the colony rooms here in Springfield. Damien would be happy to share his home with another cat, and would be overjoyed to share a spot on your bed.

 

We also have lots of kittens here at Dakin. They come and go so fast, I can hardly keep track! Check our website, www.dpvhs.org, for the latest list of animals for adoption.

The staff at the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. Appreciate your loved ones, eat a tasty meal, and set up that spare room for your new kitty! See you Friday.

~Chip ^..^