Ida, Returned Twice, 'Deserves' Forever Home: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Ida, an 8-month-old dark tabby female, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

Ida went to the shelter in mid-June as part of a small family of kittens, all girls, who were living undercover in a good Samaritan's backyard, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter. Ida was born outside to a totally feral mom, but the mom knew where to bring her babies for food, according to Larkin.

"We received the call to lend a hand and we set out to trap the babies and the mom," Larkin said.

The four babies were easy to catch, but Larkin said it took dedication to finally get and TNR the mother. The kittens were split into two groups and placed in foster care.

"Ida and her sister, Izzy, took much longer than their 2 siblings to come around and not be terrified of humans," Larkin said.

Ida was adopted in August. The shelter crew hoped she could relax enough in her new home and enjoy her new family, since she was going to be an only kitten, Larkin said.

"Unfortunately, that did not happen," she said. "Within 24 hours of her leaving the shelter, we received a call that the family wanted to return her…she was not the kitten they really wanted but settled for Ida because they wanted to take home a kitten the same day they visited shelter. And to make matters worse, she was not the 'right color' kitten that they really wanted. So Ida came back, went back into the kitten room with the others and kept to herself for about a week. Poor baby had no idea what was happening."

The volunteers and socializers started working with Ida to bring her out of her shell that she had grown into since coming back, according to Larkin. She found some new playmates in the kitten room and started to buddy up with them. She loved to play with the feather toy and chase the balls and could be found sleeping with some of the others.

"And for such a beautiful little girl she has the manners of the boy kittens in the room...trying to eat everyone’s share of food!"

In October someone came into the shelter after seeing her photo in Petfinder and on the rescue's Facebook page and fell in love with her beautiful looks and her gentle and sweet disposition, Larkin said.

"We were all excited that Ida was going home, hopefully this time for good, and as it turns out there was already another cat in the house so it would be a perfect fit for her," Larkin said.

The shelter's veterinarian checked Ida out one last time, and off she went. Shelter personnel kept their fingers crossed that Ida had found her forever home.

"Within a week we received a call from her family saying it was not working out and they had to return her…they made a mistake. Their other cat was terrified of Ida (very difficult for us to believe) and he was urinating all over the house and they weren’t going to deal with that. We tried to give them some suggestions as to how to handle the situation but they were not really agreeable to anything we said."

The shelter told the family to bring Ida back to the shelter.

"Major disappointment all around, not just for the volunteers but for Ida. When Ida returned we placed her back into one of the other rooms with some of her previous buddies. There were very young kittens in the kitten room and their activity level was just too much for her and we wanted her to not be traumatized. She is doing very well right now, although still a bit shy but that is understandable considering what she has been through. She still loves to play with the toys and always finds someone to cuddle up with in the cubbies or on the condo, maybe she is trying to stay warm with this bitter cold weather we have been having!"

Ida's eyes change colors in the lighting...sometimes they appear pale yellow and sometimes they appear gray, Larkin said.

"Whatever color they are, they tell a story and not a happy one…not just yet. She has the softest fur coat that almost looks like she is wearing an impeccably made ski sweater."

Ida has been checked by the shelter's veterinarian numerous times after her failed adoptions, she has received all of her vaccines, tested negative for FELV and FIV, spayed and litter box trained.

If you are interested in meeting Ida, 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.

"All of us are hoping the third time will be the charm for Ida, she so deserves to find her forever home. Isn’t there someone out there who will come into the shelter, make the connection with her, and take her home to let her have her own share of happiness and love. After all, Valentine’s Day is coming up and she would make the perfect Valentine for the right person or family …please…she is waiting for you!"