'Lovable' Bootsy And Earl Grey: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Bootsy and Earl Grey, 8-month-old brothers, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

The brothers arrived in the backyard of a family that loves cats, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"They dragged their sister along with them and decided the house they arrived at was going to be their final destination," Larkin said. "Nobody is sure exactly where they came from but their human family made sure they weren’t leaving."

The shelter received a call about a young female black kitten that appeared to be the runt of the litter that needed a safe place to go to back in November. That became the shelter, according to Larkin. Sally arrived at the shelter after being checked by the shelter's in-house veterinarian and was placed in the kitten room waiting for her forever home. She is still waiting for her forever home but she is going to be reunited with her brothers.

"Earl Grey (his color speaks for itself) is a handsome boy with eyes that look like yellow marbles," Larkin said. "He is very curious and smart, not afraid of loud noises and not afraid of water. Springs, fluffy balls and boxes are his favorite toys, until he sees your shoelaces, then he is in attack mode...especially if you are trying to get away from him."

Earl Grey loves to sleep in human beds and will lay horizontally when everyone else is laying vertically. He loves to be brushed and loves his catnip toys. Instead of meowing he chirps to get one's attention. He also loves to groom the other cats in the house and if the humans will allow, he will groom them also.

Bootsy is a dark tabby with symmetrical markings. Of course, he has white boots on his feet. He, too, is very curious and sometimes too smart for his own good, according to Larkin. His favorite toy is the balls on the track, which he spins around so fast they almost go flying off into outer space. He prefers fresh catnip plants to the dried version. Bootsy also loves to sleep in the human beds, but he prefers to be tucked under the covers but only after he gets a belly rub.

"The Lion King" is his favorite movie and he sits mesmerized in front of the television.

"He is a human shadow and will always bring you a gift, and if you missed seeing it or are not paying attention, he will tap your legs or tap the floor in front of you to get your attention!" Larkin said. "He also chirps like a bird instead of meowing."

Both boys are in a foster home currently — the house they arrived at — and will be checked by the shelter's veterinarian next week. At that time, they will receive all of their vaccines, worming medication, get checked for parasites and fleas, tested for FELV and FIV and neutered. Their sister, Sally, tested negative for FELV and FIV, so Larkin said the shelter is "not worried." They are already litter box trained.

They will be arriving at Grateful Paw on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and will be available for adoption at that time, Larkin said.

If you are interested in meeting Bootsy and Earl Grey, 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.

They will not be at the shelter for its Valentine's Day Adoption Event on Sunday, Feb. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. But the shelter will have photos and info for Bootsy and Earl Grey on its photo board, and it will take pre-adoption interview forms for the duo for when they arrive, Larkin said.

"These bonded boys would love to be able to join your family and show you how lovable and playful they are and how they can bring so much joy to your lives..and they would also love to see you check out their sister Sally."