Welcome to the PAWS Report – an ongoing collaboration between Eastern Oregon Living and the Pioneer Humane Society (better known as PAWS).
I’m a volunteer at PAWS, where I try to spend a few hours a week hanging out with cats who’ve been brought in from around Pendleton and Eastern Oregon, getting to know their quirks, personalities and temperaments and sharing their stories and photos in order to help them find their forever homes.
If you’re interested in meeting these cats or others (dogs too!) please contact PAWS directly at 541-276-0181 / [email protected] / 517 SE 3rd St, Pendleton, OR 97801 or stop by during business hours (12-4pm Tuesday through Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday).
Click here to learn about adoption fees & see a more complete list of available cats & dogs.
On any given day you’ll find dozens of cats needing homes at PAWS, and getting to know them all (let alone getting them all to pose for pictures) would be, well…there’s a reason they came up with the phrase “like herding cats.”
So instead I try to spend a short block of quality time with a few cats each shift, in some cases getting to know them over several weeks and helping them to socialize. (Some of them are already way socialized!)
Birdie: F, 8 months old
This gal, for example – Birdie is an 8 month old female, barely out of kittenhood. She jumped right into my lap and wanted to snuggle. As far as I can tell, she gets along with other cats (she had a litter-mate who got adopted out), and is a bit of an attention hog. I think she’d make a great cat for any home, kids, other cats, whatever.
Jellyroll: F, 2 years
Jellyroll is on the other end of the sociability spectrum. A gorgeous 2 year old calico, I’ve been working on socializing Jellyroll for about a month. When we first met she wouldn’t let me approach her, but now she’s accepting face scratches and gentle body petting without complaint. She’s usually found hiding in an enclosure, and would probably be best suited in a quiet home. (She would probably make an excellent familiar for any aspiring witch, wizard or druid.)
Party: F, 2 (ish)
The adorable-enough to win the lead photo spot Party was a bit shy at first, but by my second shift she was letting me pet her belly. Very sweet temperament, gorgeous eyes & soft fur. Haven’t observed her playing with other cats – she tends to spend her days hanging out on top of the shy kitty cage. But I’m willing to bet she’d adapt to any home where she could have a bit of her own space.
ADOPTED!!! Tiger: M, 8 Months ADOPTED!!!
Speaking of soft fur, this little guy’s fur was like a cloud- wasn’t able to get a full-body picture because after I lifted him out of the perch it was full-on snuggle and my hands were full. He seems to get along with other cats just fine – unless I’m mistaken, he had some litter-mates who’ve since been adopted out. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb calling Tiger an excellent choice for anyone looking for a cuddly all-purpose cat.
Junior, M (I think), 2-ish
Junior is an adult cat currently living in the shy cage, but they let me pet them for a bit. According to PAWS staff, they’re a bit shy but love being brushed. I’d wager that they’d warm up quickly with the right human(s).
Cauliflower, M, 8 Months
Finally, I’m no cat scientist, but after hanging out with this one-eyed kitty several times I’m willing to bet that a cat’s purr gets louder when it loses an eye. Cauliflower wins the “PAWS Loudest Purr” prize hands down. He has a great temperament, gets along with other cats, and likes being pet and snuggled. He seems to do fine with one eye, and would make a great pet (or ship cat on a pirate ship, maybe?)
That about wraps it up for this installment. I may update this page over the month to reflect cats who’ve been adopted out (or others who’ve been brought in). If you’re interested in adopting any of these cats – or the many other cats (and dogs) currently at PAWS, drop in during business hours. Click here for more information about PAWS (Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter).
