Anchovy, a spirited calico kitten, was surrendered to Austin Pets Alive! through their P.A.S.S. Program (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) by a Good Samaritan who found her. The P.A.S.S. Program offers emergency medical assistance, temporary fostering, and behavioral and training recommendations to save at-risk animals in Texas.
Halle Eckel Hamilton, cat adoption manager for APA! and a frequent foster cat mom, fell in love with Anchovy at first sight and brought her home to provide her with some much-needed TLC. Anchovy was too small to be placed in group rooms with larger cats and needed a safe environment where she could explore, play, and just be a kitten.
When Anchovy arrived at her foster home, she needed a buddy to keep her company. That’s when Jeff Goldbum, a dashing, 3-month-old, ginger Manx kitten with Manx syndrome, was brought in. Manx syndrome is a condition where the spine and spinal cord are shortened, leading to an array of problems, including nerve damage and incontinence. Jeff, however, can poop on his own, while Anchovy needs assistance in that regard.
Halle says that the two kittens adored each other from the first moment they met. Jeff was immediately excited to tackle Anchovy and play with her. They also groomed each other and slept together, often holding paws. Halle said that despite their disabilities, neither cat seemed to feel differently abled. Anchovy is fearless and loves to climb tree towers and catch bugs, while Jeff is a purring, cuddling love machine.
Halle would have loved to see the two kittens adopted together, but she is happy to report that they have both recently found loving homes. She will miss them, but she is grateful to have been a part of their adoption journeys.
Austin Pets Alive! is a local nonprofit that has had a record year finding loving homes for their incontinent cat population. Halle says that without people like her and APA!, needy, wonky cats like Anchovy and Jeff would be euthanized at other shelters due to a lack of resources and knowledge. APA! “pre-adopts” cats for at least 60 days to get them into a routine. The shelter also gives adopters access to internal vets and techs, as well as training – all at no additional cost so that people can take a chance on a cat who didn’t have a chance.
Halle is proud of the work that APA! does and encourages people to learn more about the organization by visiting their website at austinpetsalive.org or following them on Instagram and Facebook @austinpetsalive.
In conclusion, Anchovy and Jeff’s heartwarming story is a testament to the power of fostering and adoption. With the right care and love, all animals, regardless of their disabilities, can thrive and find their forever homes. Thanks to kind-hearted people like Halle and supportive organizations like APA!, the lives of countless animals can be changed for the better.
