'Gentle, Loving' Norbert: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Norbert, a 7-month-old gray kitten, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

The shelter does not have a lot of background info on Norbert, but what it does know is that he showed up in someone's backyard with an injured front paw, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter. He was being fed by a good Samaritan who then reached out to get him checked by their veterinarian and off the streets where "he clearly did not belong," Larkin said.

The injured paw turned out to not be an issue, according to Larkin. She thinks Norbert could have twisted it running away from another animal or hurt himself when trying to find a warm, safe place to sleep.

"If only they could talk and tell us their story, but we know that would be heartbreaking to hear for many people," Larkin said.

When Norbert arrived at the shelter back in December, it placed him in one of the free roaming rooms with about eight other cats and kittens.

"We wanted to see how he would react," Larkin said. "At first he was very shy and was hiding in the cubbies but was always interested in what was happening in the room. He was not brave enough to come out to the food and water bowls so we made sure he had his own 'special plate'
of food. The last thing you want when bringing in new cats is for them to stop eating because they are too nervous."

The shelter also checked for bathroom issues outside of the litter boxes and saw none, so Norbert came out at night when the shelter was quiet, according to Larkin.

Little by little, with lots of encouragement from the socializers and the visitors, he would come out of the condo and allow brief moments of petting.

"Along with those quiet moments he also started purring so we could tell he was relaxing," Larkin said. "Currently he has found some 'good friends' that he is hanging out with either playing with the laser toy or the toy mice and has been seen cuddling in the big beds with either Blackberry,
Ida or Felix. And he is brave enough now to eat with the older cats in the room when the food is served 'family' style!"

Norbert has beautiful eyes that sometimes show how timid he is, Larkin said, and he has the softest gray fur "you can imagine."

He has tested negative for FELV and FIV, had all of his vaccines, been neutered and is litter box trained.

If you are interested in meeting Norbert, you may call the shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, visit the Facebook page or visit at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

The rescue is at 3 Verleye Ave., East Northport, and visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The shelter is also open from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday nights only for those who cannot make it during the daytime hours.

"Norbert would fare well with another cat/kitten in the home," Larkin said. "He would be able to learn that he doesn’t need to be afraid because he is safe now and not hurting like he was when he first showed up. He would have a sibling who could show him the ropes and let him grow into his
gentle, loving personality that we know is deep down inside of him waiting to come out. Won’t you be the one to help him along this journey?"