by Lupe Gore

Feral Paws Rescue Group in Fresno shares with us some of their animal rescue adventures every month. Check out KRL’s article about Feral Paws to learn more about them. Lupe Gore is a FPRG volunteer.

Two months ago, on June 8, 2018, Feral Paws Rescue received a call from the Tulare (California) Shelter that they had several cats and kittens who needed to be rescued. This shelter is a small one and they were full. One of the cats saved that day is a stunning white cat with beautiful black markings on her back and tail, and a black “half-mustache.” She is approximately two years old. She was brought to the Rescue and put in one of the kennels, where I would take care of her along with almost 30 other cats.

Lady Samantha

Each time I would go into my area, she would rub up against the kennel and when I opened the door I would pick her up, pet her, and hold her while retrieving her food and water bowls, and litter pan in order to clean it. She was always so happy to have the attention and love and would sit inside her kennel watching me as I took care of the other cats. By the time I would be ready to leave for the day, she would be asleep on her blanket inside her kennel.
Meanwhile, during the summer, I saw photos of three cats who belong to two close friends of mine in Los Angeles, posted on Facebook. I thought of their cats each time I’d go over to the Rescue to take care of this cat, as they all look so much alike, especially one of their cats who has a “full mustache.” I had yet to give the Rescue cat a name, and told my two friends about her, along with sending them photos of her. They named her Lady Samantha (after a song by Three Dog Night in 1969) and my friends also became her “honorary adopters.” That same day I brought Lady Samantha to my house, mainly to get to know her better in order to write this article. So, needless to say, Lady Samantha isn’t going back to the Rescue.

Lady Samantha is doing very well with me, being able to roam freely around my home along with my other cats. I don’t know if she had a home previously, as Animal Control had picked her up as a stray in a small town near Tulare, but she settled in very quickly here after hissing at the others only for a brief time. She is still a little apprehensive about the vacuum cleaner, but becoming less afraid every day. Since she has been with me, she enjoys sitting in the front window where she can watch traffic and people. She will never be outside again except for trips in the car. Lady Samantha still loves to be held and the other night made herself comfortable on the bed for a while, before getting too warm and retreating to the cooler tile floor. She has checked out some of the cat toys, but due to the summer heat she isn’t much into playing with them for any length of time. She mainly just enjoys lounging around, watching the other cats, having a home to be in and being loved as all cats deserve. And now she knows where I was when I wasn’t over at the Rescue taking care of her and the others!

There are way too many cats and kittens who are in shelters for whatever reason, be it being picked up as Lady Samantha was, or surrendered by their owners, and so often it is up to a Rescue such as Feral Paws Rescue to save their lives. Each life is so precious, and so worthy of being saved.

Editor’s note: Samantha has been adopted!

On August 31 from 5-7 there will be several adoptable cats from Feral Paws that you can come visit at new Catpuccino Cafe at Bitwise in Fresno. More info can be found on their event page.

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories from Feral Paws every other month, and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to Feral Paws.