Cats In The City

Mila looking extra dapper after her groom day! 🐾

Luna giving us her biggest stretch during cat-nip playtime 🥰

Our Senior Supervisor Graham, someone needs to make sure the breakfast rounds get completed!

Today's rescue highlight is Sweet Samson!

Samson has been making some big progress on his journey to becoming a house cat, and we couldn’t be more proud of him!

When Samson first came to us, he was very thin and had been living in a primarily outdoor colony-type setting. Since then, he’s been slowly learning that life indoors can be safe, comfortable, and full of good things. He has gained a healthy amount of weight, grown back his beautiful silky coat, and is beginning to understand that food will always be there for him. Watching him become more relaxed and confident with each step has been pretty special. He loves spending time with people and, once he’s comfortable, is more than happy to zoom around the house, sing you a sonnet, or settle in for some quality snuggle time. ❤️

He still has some learning to do, but the transformation has been wonderful to watch. We couldn’t be more excited about what comes next for him.

Samson will be up to date on his vaccinations and final veterinary exams soon and should be ready for adoption by the end of next week! 🏡🐱

We can’t wait to help this silly, sweet guy find the forever home he’s been working toward. Reach out if you would like to learn more about him or how you can help.

How do we keep track of six cats sharing one Grand Master boarding room?

Very carefully. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 🐾

Because not every cat is ready to party the moment they arrive.

This six-cat family has just arrived, and everyone is doing what many cats naturally do in a new environment: finding a protected spot, becoming quiet, and watching while they begin to learn that their room—and the people caring for them—are safe.

For most cats, this is a temporary part of settling in. As the environment, routines, and caregivers become familiar, we expect to see them venture out, explore, rest in the open, and show us when they are ready for more interaction. Then we meet them there—with play, affection, conversation, treats, and companionship in the ways each cat seems to enjoy.

At Cats in the City, we do not assume that because cats arrived together, they will all settle in at the same pace.

We want to know how each individual cat is progressing.

So we map them.

Using our camera views, we note where each cat has chosen to hide. As they relax and begin moving around more freely, we can identify who is coming out, eating, drinking, using the litter box, exploring, and who may need a little more time or support.

The room helps with that transition too, offering elevated spaces, enclosed hiding places, soft bedding, separate litter areas, and plenty of choices for perching, retreating, and exploring.

A cat can have privacy while still being carefully observed.

We do not need to pull a hiding cat out just to prove they are okay. We give them time to discover that their surroundings are safe and their caregivers are predictable. As they begin to come forward, we gently build from there.

Before long, the cats tucked behind curtains and under beds are often the same ones greeting us at the door, rolling over for attention, joining us for play, or simply choosing to settle nearby.

That is one of our favorite parts of boarding: watching unfamiliar become familiar, and seeing each cat decide, in their own time and with gentle support, that we can be part of their safe place too. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 🐾

Jambo and Spider in between wrestling and play fighting ❤

Saying “see you later” to our buddy Zuzu. ❤️

Today is likely the last time we will get to groom him before his big move to the East Coast, and this goodbye feels especially meaningful.

Our bond with Zuzu goes back to when he was just a kitten — a tiny gray ball of fluff with a stare and meow that would make your heart skip a beat. He came to us for a kitten spa day and charmed us from day one. We were completely hooked!

Years ago, Zuzu suffered a serious injury while in a neglectful care situation that ultimately required the amputation of one of his hind legs. When his family was unable to pay for the surgery and provide the care he needed, Zuzu was relinquished to Cats in the City. We facilitated his surgery, cared for him for months through his recovery, and eventually had the incredible joy of placing him with a wonderful person who had already been part of the Cats in the City family for years.

And that was only the beginning of our story with Zuzu.

Since then, we have had the incredible privilege of watching him mature, thrive, and truly love his life. Over the years, we have been his groomers, his boarders, his pet sitters, and part of the village that has loved and cared for him along the way.

There have been so many visits, so many stays, so many little moments, and so many memories that we will cherish. Getting to know Zuzu so well — and having the privilege of continuing to care for him year after year — has been one of those very special relationships we will carry with us forever.

Zuzu, we have so loved caring for you and your clowder over the years. Thank you for being exactly who you are.

All the very best to you and your family on your next adventure! ❤️🐾

Potato, otherwise known as 'tater 🤣😻

Kitty Purry is nearly 17 years old, but that doesn't stop her from demanding pets and treats! 🐾

What a purrrfect day!- Johnny