Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week: Cassie

HUNTINGTON, NY — Cassie, a 16-year-old cat who has been through heartbreak, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

She is also the longest resident of the shelter and the "most requested" cat in its Sponsorship Program.

Cassie and her sister Connie were discovered when they were only a few days old and bottle fed by one of the rescue's volunteers until they were able to be checked by the shelter's vet and be placed up for adoption, said Debbi Larkin, president of the rescue.

Cassie, born in July 2007, has been with Grateful Paw almost 16 years.

"Both Cassie and her sister were always on the shy side, and although they loved other cats, they never made a connection with humans," Larkin said. "Unfortunately for Cassie, her sister passed away when she was only 8 years old from kidney failure, and that made Cassie even more reclusive. At that time we decided to make her one of our sponsorship cats because we were not sure she would ever find her forever home."

Cassie is a gray cat with a white chest and belly and tiny white feet.

"But don’t underestimate those tiny feet because she runs faster than any other cat in the shelter!" Larkin said. "We found that out one night when the vet was in and we were giving checkups and shots to the in-house cats. She was having no part of us trying to make sure she was in good health (and she is except for a little arthritis) and she gave three of us a run for our money!"

Cassie spent the past five years in a loving foster home until Grateful Paw reopened the new shelter. That is reflected in her personality, as she became more outgoing and will now greet people when they come to the door. The laser toy is her favorite, and she loves to snuggle in any one of the many beds that are available to all cats in the room. She has a very good appetite and insists on being the first one in line when Temptations treats are being handed out.

Cassie is fully vetted, tested negative for FELV and FIV, litter box trained and spayed.

"She would do very well with another quiet cat in the house to make her feel more comfortable," Larkin said.

If you are interested in meeting Cassie, 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.