New guy in town

Aaron leaves town for a couple weeks and I bring this guy home!

I have been talking about getting a second cat for awhile. It's rough when I see them constantly coming into the Rochester Animal Services shelter I do volunteer social media work for. I would send a kitty picture to Aaron and he would reply NOPE.

Then my friend Liz who photographs animals at the shelter sent me Pablo's picture. HE HAD A MUSTACHE! This time Aaron said "maybe" so I jumped on the opportunity. I had to move fast so I didn't lose this chance. I went to the shelter to meet him (the pics above was in the visitation room) and he was just as nice as I could have hoped. He let me pick him up and purred like an engine.

I put my name on his waiting list, (he was a stray so there is a several day hold to make sure an owner doesn't show up) and then today he was ready to come home with me!

They say he is 8 months old but he looks so much smaller than Stewie did when he was 8 months old. So either Stewie was older than 8 months or this guy is younger.

He is what is called a Tuxedo Cat, a type of Bi-Color cat. A Bi-Color cat has white fur combined with another color. In the case of a Tuxedo Cat, it's black. Apparenly to be a true tuxedo cat - "the feline's coloring should consist of a solid black coat, with white fur limited to the paws, belly, chest, throat, and often the chin."

Sometimes tuxedo cats are called "Jellicle cats" from the T.S. Elliot poem  "The Song of the Jellicles" his book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats". T.S. Elliot describes Jellicle Cats as black and white.

We aren't keeping the name Pablo, so there has been a lot of brainstorming. We liked the idea of something like Stewart/Stewie... perhaps Franklin/Frankie, Fredrick/Freddie. I'm starting to think it has to be the name of another famous mustache wearer like Dali, Tom Selleck or Sam Elliott. Right now we are calling him Kitten. Stay tuned.

The Fast & The Furriest® 2015

In a few short weeks the pugs will be lacing up their sneakers and walking at The Fast & The Furriest® to raise money to help homeless pets in Rochester. I will be working the festival as a volunteer. We would all appreciate any donations toward our fundraising. This is our donation page. Even $5 buys peanut butter for dog enrichment in the Rocheste Animal Services shelter. Thank you!

Weekend Events

We have family in town this weekend, but if you are free, there are two events you should check out today. This afternoon, Spokes and Ink is at the Genesee Center for Arts and Education. There is a bike poster sale, printing demos, live music and more.

I had a poster in the sale again this year. I featured an enterprising spider who wished he had a bike.

In the morning, The Fast & The Furriest is being held near Rochester Animal Services at Brown Square Park. There is a 5K, 10K, Dog Walk and a Pet Festival with food trucks, pet vendors, pet contests and more. Plus adoptable cats are $10 and dogs are $20! Take home a new friend!

VSAS, RAS and Social Media

Today I stopped at the Channel 8 studio to do an interview with the Director of Rochester Animal Services about the Verona Street Animal Services Facebook page.

It was a chance to talk about how social media helps the RAS shelter and assists in getting cats and dogs adopted. Here is the interview. It was great to see some of the RAS cats and dogs show up in the clip too!

Pet of the Week

Meet Colton, an 8 month old Domestic Short Hair at Rochester Animal Serivices. Colton is a playful, fun little kitty who enjoys playing with his cat nip toys. He also loves to explore and then settle down for some serious snuggle time. Please pay Colton a visit; he could be the new best friend you’ve been looking for! If interested please contact RAS at 428-7274.

Kendall #21675139

Kendall is a 10 year old female domestic long hair mix with gorgeous green eyes! She's a lovely lady who would love to find a place in your home and your heart.

VSAS Pedaling for Paws Charity Spin

Today Verona Street Animal Society had a charity spin to raise money for Rochester Animal Services.

Paulette very kindly made an inspirational poster to cheer Tina on with her spinning.

There were also a few adoptable dogs from the shelter there to meet and greet spinners. This one, Corey, was tuckered out from his busy morning!

Pet of the Week

Meet Dutch, 9 months old Male/Neutered Terrier Pit Bull Mix at Rochester Animal Services. Meet Dutch, he's an inquisitive boy who likes checking out new things during his walks. He likes to cuddle and enjoys tummy rubs and will give you kisses as his way of saying thank you. This handsome boy is easy to walk on a leash and appears kennel trained. Dutch enjoys playing with other dogs in the play yard and is quiet in his kennel. He can’t wait to curl up on the couch with you to snuggle while watching TV together. Please stop by and pay Dutch a visit so he can show you what a great dog he is, he might be the new best friend you've been looking for. Take the time to visit with this handsome guy at 184 Verona Street.

 

Dorian #21439250

Dorian is a 1 year old male Australian Cattledog mix who weighs 49 pounds. He's a cute, scruffy guy with short little legs and a long body. Unique appearance aside, Dorian is just a regular guy with lots of love to give. He'll do best in a home where any children are older. Bring the whole family down to meet him (dogs included).

Pet of the Week & Fall Free Foster Felines

RAS Fall Free Foster Feline Event! This Saturday, September 21, many of the RAS foster cats, like Baby, will be at the shelter at 184 Verona Street from 11am to 4pm. All current foster cats are up for adoption FREE of charge. Stop by and meet your purrfect new friend! Check out the foster cats here http://bit.ly/RAScats and share the news!

Sasquatch #20624124 Sasquatch is a 2 year old female domestic shorthair in need of a new home. She's small and sweet and has lots of love to give! Come meet her at Lollypop Farm!

Pet of the Week

Meet Bruno, 1 year old Male Terrier, Pit Bull/Mix at Rochester Animal Services. Bruno seems like his been through some tough times already in his young life. Despite his history, he is a very nice and gentle boy. He's easy to walk on a leash and appears house trained. Bruno is very happy, relaxed and has an appropriate greeting style playing with other shelter dogs in the play group. He is a smart guy and a nice size that he could fit into any family nicely. Stop down and pay this nice dog a visit, he could be the new friend you've been looking for. Take the time to meet this guy; he is a really nice dog. If you would like to foster Bruno, please contact Ginny at 585-355-7203.

Daisy #19768418 Daisy is a 7 year old female pit bull mix who weighs 59 pounds. She's got lots of get up and go so she'll be a good match for someone who likes nice, long walks. She's a friendly girl with a mind of her own when it comes to some things so training will be required to polish up her doggy manners. Our Behavior Department will meet with any potential adopters to discuss Daisy's training needs. She'll do best as an only dog in a home where any children are age 14 and over. Come meet this blonde beauty at Lollypop Farm! www.lollypop.org/petoftheweek

World Cat Day & Pet of the Week

Today, August 8, is World Cat Day! In addition, all Rochester Animal Services cat adoptions are only $5 for the month of August! Stop by 184 Verona Street and meet some of the lovely kitties looking for good homes. At http://bit.ly/RAScats you will also find many RAS cats like Domina, Sammy, Chipmunk, Buji and Baby, that are in foster homes. We so appreciate the families that take in cats while they are waiting for homes but we need to find them forever homes too!

Sam #20384541 Sam is a 6 year old male domestic shorthair mix. He's in the market for a new home and some new laps for his lounging pleasure. Sam is available free of charge to approved adopters, age 60 and over, through our Seniors-for-Seniors program. Come meet Sam and his many feline friends at Lollypop Farm!

Pet of the Week

The Rochester Animal Services shelter, foster homes and rescue group partners are all packed with animals, so RAS is running special summer promotions on cat and dog adoptions!

From now until July 31, all dog adoptions at RAS are 50% off! You can see the available dogs at http:bit.ly/RASdogs

The cats wanted to get in on the action too, so until the end of the month RAS is running Midsummer Meow Markdown days! All cat adoptions are only $5! See the adoptable cats at http://bit.ly/RAScats

I was so happy to have a Rochester Animal Services happy tails story right in our own office! My co-worker Debbie just adopted Molly from RAS. Look how happy this pooch is!

Lollypop Farm is also running a special on cats. Until the end of July their cats are also $5. You can find out more about their Five Dollar Felines on their web site.

Pumpkin #18003489 Pumpkin is a 5 year old male domestic longhair mix. He's looking for a new home for his handsome self. Come meet him at Lollypop Farm! He's eligible for our Five Dollar Felines program which means approved adopters can take him home for an adoption fee of $5 through July 31.

Pet of the Week

Meet Stormy, a 1 year 7 months old female Domestic Shorthair/Purebred at Rochester Animal Services. Stormy is a very talkative solid gray female who wants to be the center of your attention. She loves lots of scratches and gives head-nudges and meows to tell you she wants more! Stormy would liven up your life by "helping" with all those little chores around the house. June is Adopt-a-Cat month so cats under 8 years of age are half price and cats over 8 years are free. Meet Stormy at the RAS Center at 184 Verona Street, downtown Rochester.

Eliza #19076943 - Eliza came to Lollypop Farm because she needed surgery her family could not afford. That's all taken care of but now Eliza needs a new home. Eliza has been supervising the humans in the Administrative offices because the cattery was a bit much for her while her medical issues were being cared for. She's an expert lap warmer and very into being petted. She is not, however, a fan of other cats so we'd like her to be an only cat in her new home. Come meet her at Lollypop Farm. You can ask to meet her at the adoption desk and she'll be right down!

The Fast and The Furriest 2013

Today was The Fast and The Furriest! Oscar, Hugo and I are so grateful to everyone that supported us for the fundraising dog walk. We raised $365 for Rochester Animal Services!

The pugs enjoyed the walk. They were very enthusiastic.

Oscar made a new friend, Sable. What can I say, he likes the ladies.

Water pit-stop.

The Fast and the Furriest was a huge success. They surpassed their fundraising goal at $70K, adoped 16 dogs, 9 cats, 2 rabbits and one bearded dragon. Also they did 143 rabies vaccinations and 63 microchips!