HUNTINGTON, NY — Five kittens. Five personalities. And, as Grateful Paw Cat Shelter puts it, one very special "box of chocolates."
Petey, Paulie, Polly, Penny and Pippa — three girls and two boys born in mid-July — are this week's Huntington adoptable pets of the week.
The kittens were discovered in a neighbor's backyard with their feral mother, according to the shelter.
Unlike their mother, however, the kittens were comfortable around people, giving rescuers an opportunity to bring them inside and place them in foster care.
"Sometimes the sweetest surprises are found in the most unexpected places," the shelter said.
Because each kitten has different coloring and a distinct personality, volunteers have begun comparing the litter to a mixed box of chocolates.
"Everyone is a different color, everyone has a different personality, and everyone is absolutely delicious," Grateful Paw said.
Petey is mostly white with orange markings and is one of the larger kittens in the group.
He also has a healthy appetite, according to the shelter.
Petey loves sitting in laps but is equally content to watch his siblings wrestle before deciding which one he wants to challenge next.
His favorite toy is usually a fluffy ball.
He proudly carries it around until one of the other kittens notices and tries to steal it.
Then Petey hides it.
Sometimes a little too well.
"He hides it so well that nobody, including Petey himself, can find it again," the shelter said.
Paulie is mostly orange with white markings and has emerged as the "alpha" of the litter, according to Grateful Paw.
But volunteers say his confidence comes with plenty of affection.
He loves his siblings, even if his size sometimes causes problems during wrestling matches.
"Sometimes, however, he forgets just how big he is and can accidentally squish one of his three sisters," the shelter said.
Paulie is also a cuddle bug who enjoys belly rubs.
When someone enters the room, he may greet them by stretching onto his back as though already prepared for attention.
"A big boy with an even bigger heart," Grateful Paw said.
Polly is the smallest of the five.
The calico kitten has hazel eyes and is somewhat more reserved than her siblings.
That does not mean she sits out playtime.
Polly happily joins the pretend biting and wrestling, according to the shelter, and particularly enjoys lap cuddles when the action dies down.
"Sometimes the quietest ones have the sweetest surprises," volunteers said.
Penny is also a calico with hazel eyes.
One marking makes it easier to distinguish her from Polly: a patch of black fur directly on her nose.
Penny loves wrestling and is described as the most inquisitive kitten in the litter.
"She's curious about everything and always wants to be part of whatever is happening," the shelter said.
She is also perfectly happy to spend extended periods being held.
Then there is Pippa.
The torbie — a cat with a combination of tortoiseshell and tabby coloring — is the high-energy athlete of the family.
Pippa loves running and jumping and can sometimes leave her siblings simply watching as she completes laps around the room.
"She can be a little bossy during playtime, but she never hurts anyone," the shelter said. "She's simply making sure everyone knows who's in charge."
Eventually, even Pippa runs out of energy.
When she does, she enjoys curling up with her siblings — or settling into a human lap if one happens to be available.
"We think her colorful markings are a pretty good reflection of her colorful personality," Grateful Paw said.
All five kittens are currently living in foster care.
Volunteers say the kittens are dearly loved there, and their foster family may have a difficult time saying goodbye when the time comes.
Their veterinary care is also progressing.
All five have tested negative for FeLV, FIV and parasites, according to the shelter.
They are awaiting their final two vaccinations and will be spayed or neutered and microchipped before adoption.
Grateful Paw expects the kittens to arrive at the shelter shortly after Thanksgiving.
The rescue hopes adopters will consider taking them in pairs.
"These babies are bonded, and while we realize adopting five kittens is a pretty big commitment, our hope is to see them find homes in pairs," the shelter said.
Single adoptions may also be considered when a home already has a young cat with the energy and personality to keep up with one of the kittens.
With the holiday season approaching, volunteers hope the five siblings can begin the next chapter of their lives with permanent families.
"Imagine having two little bundles of joy celebrating their first holiday season with you," Grateful Paw said.
The shelter also noted that finding homes for the litter would make room to help the next group of animals in need.
Those interested in Petey, Paulie, Polly, Penny or Pippa can call Grateful Paw Cat Shelter at 631-757-4517 or email cats@laphuntington.org.
Updates on the kittens will also be posted to the shelter's Facebook page.
Grateful Paw Cat Shelter is at 3 Verleye Ave. in East Northport and is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday evening visits from 7 to 9 p.m. are available by appointment.
"Please share to help these five little chocolates find their forever homes," the shelter said. "You never know who might fall in love with one — or two."
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Huntington Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.