2 Months Later, No One Has Asked To Adopt Tiger And Mittens: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — More than two months after Tiger and Mittens arrived looking for a family, the bonded siblings are still waiting and according to Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, not one person has expressed interest in adopting them.

Known around the shelter as “The Twins” and “Double Trouble,” Tiger and Mittens are this week’s Huntington adoptable pets of the week.

“They’re beautiful. They’re friendly. They’re curious, playful, and affectionate,” the shelter said. “We just can’t understand why.”

The tabby-and-white siblings came into Grateful Paw’s care in August, when they were about 3 months old. They had been found wandering inside and outside a home in Babylon where numerous cats were living, according to the shelter.
Their circumstances were uncertain, but their bond was not.

Since reaching safety, Tiger and Mittens have continued doing almost everything together — playing, exploring, eating and curling up for naps.

But their personalities are distinctly their own. Tiger, the darker of the pair, is the adventurer. He has striking tabby markings, white paws and a small brown mark on the side of his nose that shelter workers initially mistook for dirt.

“When our vet first examined him, we all thought it was dirt and even tried to rub it off,” the shelter said. “Nope, Tiger is constantly looking for his next activity.

Balls are among his favorite toys, and volunteers said he can often be heard enthusiastically batting them against walls — and sometimes litter boxes — while his feline roommates are attempting to rest. He runs, chases, climbs and explores. And if Mittens is unavailable for playtime? Tiger starts recruiting.

“He’ll happily poke and prod the other cats until someone gets moving,” the shelter said. “Life with Tiger will never be boring.”

Mittens brings a different energy to the partnership. Her signature feature, volunteers say, is a purr with “absolutely no volume control.”

She enjoys playing and exploring alongside her brother but is also an enthusiastic cuddler.

“Pick her up, cuddle her close, and prepare to melt,” the shelter said.

Mittens loves being held, sitting in laps and soaking up attention. Volunteers said it does not particularly matter whether a person sits on a couch, chair, floor or bed.

“She is already on your lap before you can get comfortable,” Grateful Paw said.

Together, the siblings have become familiar faces in the shelter. When they hear activity in the hallway, Tiger and Mittens often run toward the door to investigate.

“Perhaps hoping that this time, someone has come just for them,” volunteers said.

Even mealtime has produced its share of sibling stories.
When the pair first entered the room, they would position themselves around the dry-food bowl and growl warnings at the other cats. Their roommates responded in kind.

The standoff generally ended with everyone putting their heads down and eating together, the shelter said.

Today, Tiger and Mittens are healthy, social and ready for homes.

Both have tested negative for FeLV, FIV and parasites. They are fully vaccinated, spayed and neutered, microchipped and litter-box trained. Their eyes, ears and hearts have also been checked.

Yet the shelter says they continue to be passed over.

“Perhaps people see two kittens and think they can come back another day,” Grateful Paw said. “Perhaps they’re waiting for someone else to take the first step.”

Whatever the reason, volunteers believe Tiger and Mittens have waited long enough.

The shelter would strongly prefer to see them adopted together. They have shared their uncertain beginnings, their transition into foster care and shelter life, and every new experience that has followed.

“They found comfort in one another when everything else was unfamiliar,” Grateful Paw said.

Now volunteers want them to grow up together in a home where their future is no longer uncertain.

Those interested in meeting Tiger and Mittens can call Grateful Paw Cat Shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, follow the shelter on Facebook or visit them in person. Grateful Paw Cat Shelter is located at 3 Verleye Ave. in East Northport and is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday evening visits are available by appointment from 7 to 9 p.m.

“Tiger and Mittens found each other,” the shelter said. “They found safety. Now they just need to find you.”