By Mary Baroch

What are the TH kitties thankful for this year? A comfy lap (or computer keyboard) to snooze on? The perfect window perch from which to gaze at falling leaves and pesky squirrels? The tireless, passionate efforts of our adoption advocates and volunteers?

We at Tails High truly give thanks for our four adoptions this past weekend at the Annandale Petco.  Even though it was a bit quiet in the Annandale store, the lack of hustle and bustle only allowed our kitties’ personalities to shine more brightly. A wonderfully helpful volunteer family of a mom and her three boys socialized the cats and made sure
they were comfortable. We were also so grateful to receive donations at the event, ensuring our kitties still waiting for their forever homes will have food and supplies over the holiday season.

The first cats to go were the pair Megan and Whitley. This event seemed like déjà vu to them, as they had been adopted together about a year ago. But recently their mom could no longer take care of them, so Tails High took them back in to foster, confident that their loving, friendly personalities would have them placed in a new home soon. Sure enough, on Saturday their new adopted parents loved that they were a bonded pair and wanted to keep them together. Their go-with-the-flow nature will surely allow them to adjust quickly to their brand new surroundings.

Squirt, a brown tabby boy, also found his forever home on Saturday. His new mom had seen him last weekend, but wanted to wait until her son could meet him before they made any big adoption decisions. Coincidentally, despite his tall stature, her son’s nickname is “Squirt.” We declared it was a “sign” that Squirt the kitten was meant for them, and of course, he won them both over. Squirt’s new family said they’d probably change his name to avoid confusion between cat and human son.

Squirt’s luck must run in the family, as his sister, Raven, found her forever home at her first adoption event! This black haired girl with a white spot on her neck came to the event very shy, but Adoption Advocate Melinda noticed a drastic difference in her personality after being held by volunteers and visitors all day. In the afternoon she came out of her shell, and a husband and wife took her home for more permanent TLC.

In other adoption news this weekend: Tails High kitties were invited to attend the grand opening of the Petco in Vienna. Assistant Manager Ally, formerly of the Annandale Petco, asked specifically that we show cats and kittens at the event. Many children with and without parents attended the opening and doted on a very kid-friendly pair: a 10-week-old orange and white kitten and his calico sister.

And apparently we are quite popular: Petco has given us the go ahead to host adoption events in any Petco store in the region! We are very thankful for this opportunity to share the love of our fabulous cats and kittens with a larger pool of potential adopters in Northern Virginia and the entire DC metro area.