'Little Instigator' Natalie: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Natalie, a 4-month-old female gray and white kitten, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

"She is another case of a kitten born into a colony that clearly does not belong," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter. "Natalie came to us in October of this year with another sibling...but not
from the same mother."

She and her sibling, Nathan, spent weeks in a foster home and were then spayed or neutered. They went into the Grateful Paw Thanksgiving weekend.

"Nathan was adopted a few days later but Natalie was so timid and overwhelmed when she was placed in the room, she was overlooked," Larkin said.

Natalie was born with an orthopedic irregularity to her front legs that gave her a slightly bowed appearance. This difference has "clearly corrected itself," Larkin said, as she is growing and it does not influence her mobility or comfort.

"If you look at her now, she just appears to be very petite and has short legs, but boy can she run!" Larkin said. "Good luck trying to catch her if she is having her 'zoomie' moment."

Natalie has really come out of her shell the past week, according to Larkin. She is not hiding
under the cubbies or in the condo. She takes the top perch on the condo so she can look out the window at the birds and squirrels and all of the traffic going in and out of the 7-Eleven parking lot.

"If everyone else in the room is resting quietly, Natalie decides to start trouble," Larkin said. "She will poke at the others to wake them up. If she gets poked back then the fun begins. If they ignore her, she runs to find her squishy ball, picks it up in her mouth and runs past everyone to get their attention. She is a little instigator. She is always running up to the volunteers and visitors because she wants to be picked up and snuggle with you. You will always get a 'head bop' or a 'nose kiss.' And she loves to look out the door to the room to see what is going on in the hallway. The only issue with that is she looks like she is standing on her tippy toes to reach. Quite a sight to behold."

If you are interested in meeting Natalie, 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.

"This pint sized kitten would love for Santa to find her a forever home for the holidays," Larkin said. "She would love another playmate but that is not a requirement. She has proven that she is fearless and has lots of love to give, so why don’t you come meet her so she can show you and you can show her what a 'real' home with a family looks like."