By Jean Clement
MSRPAC Volunteer
The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside and its feline residents are fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteer cat socializers. The volunteers make the cats' stay at the center, however long that may be, a pleasurable experience by playing with and socializing them, brushing them, and even reading to them.
The volunteers also work with the staff to observe the cats' behaviors and modify any social behavior that may pose a problem for living in a home. Continual interaction between the volunteers and the cats helps reduce the stress associated with life in a cattery and increases the cats' trust of humans and their tolerance for handling and grooming. So, when that lucky day comes for each kitten and adult cat, they'll leave the center ready to settle into their forever homes.
One of the newest cat socializers is Jesse Stidham, 26, of Riverside, who started volunteering in April. He says it makes him feel good to contribute to animals and be of service to the community. He chose the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center specifically because it's a no-kill shelter. Further, Jesse's an advocate for animal adoption.
Jesse has two cats of his own, as well as two large dogs...none from breeders and pet shops. He's had as many as five cats in the past.
For now, Jesse has chosen to spend his volunteer time two days a week working solely with the cats.
"Cats are fun," he says. "I like to play with them, cuddle them."
"These are really good cats," Jesse adds as he dangles a cat teaser in over two young fur balls in one of the cat condos. "They all need homes, love and attention."
Conversely, it's not only the cats that benefit from the socialization. The volunteers benefit, as well.
John James at 89 has the distinction of being the oldest volunteer at the Pet Adoption Center. Three days a week he leaves his wife and their two cats at their assisted-living apartment in Riverside, travels to the center via a senior shuttle with his lunch in hand to spend as much as five hours with the cats and other volunteers.
"I absolutely believe he's doing so well because he has a job to do," says his daughter-in-law Lisa James, who's also a MSRPAC volunteer. "He volunteered with various organizations during the 30 or more years he lived in Buena Park. He'd be bored out of his mind if he had nothing to do now."
John helps out at MSRPAC's events, especially where children are involved, like the annual Walk With The Animals. However, he particularly enjoys his hours in the center's cattery, petting and playing with the felines big and small. Obviously, they like his company as well, judging from the furry crowd that gathers at his feet every time he walks in.
"I get as much from them as they get from me," John says.
Longest Feline Residents
The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center currently has available for adoption 34 adult cats and 27 kittens. There are approximately 100 kittens and some mother cats in foster care that when they're ready, will be brought to the center, spayed or neutered and put up for adoption. However, due to the huge over-population problem and so many unspayed and unneutered cats in Riverside County and beyond, these numbers change daily.
The two cats featured here are the longest-term residents of the cattery. The adoption center's staff really would like this to be their lucky month when they finally find their forever homes.
Fay is a sweet, but shy black domestic short-hair girl who has spent the entire three years of her life at the Pet Adoption Center. She gets along with other cats, as long as they're calm like she is. Fay would do best in a household with adults or a family with older children.
Kareem is a black-and-white domestic short-hair who also is shy. He, too, gets along with other calm cats and would do best in a quiet household. At nine years of age, Kareem is considered a senior cat. However, cats can live a long time. He's healthy and is still living his first of nine lives.
Special Adoption Fees
To recognize June as Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is offering special adoption fees for all felines. Adult cats one year and older are $50 each. Kittens are $75 each, or $75 for one and $49 for the second when adopted together.
All cats and kittens have been FeLv tested, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and litter-box trained. The fees also include one free veterinarian exam and for June only, a cuddly Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat bed.
To see all the cats available for adoption at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, visit the center at 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside, Tues.-Fri. 10 - 7 and Sat. and Sun. 10 - 5. Or go online at www.petsadoption.org.
The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond. As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies. Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped. Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization.
