'Love Bug' Sirius Black: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Sirius Black, named for the "Harry Potter" character and estimated to be 1 year old, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week. He is due to arrive at the shelter in mid-April, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

The feline is currently in foster care until he can be totally vetted, neutered and prepped for entry into the shelter's kitten room.

Sirius Black has had a "really difficult" life already, Larkin said. He was recently found in Mastic Beach at a feeding station that was already established for a few other TNR’d cats. He appeared one very stormy weekend evening after the others had been fed and was screaming at the top of his lungs.

"This kind feeder heard him, immediately brought out some food and watched to make sure he was eating…and he did…but starting screaming again after he finished the first plate of food," Larkin said. "He continued to chow down until after the third plate of food and the feeder decided she didn’t want to make him sick from all of the food, as he was obviously starving and hadn’t eaten in quite some time."

Sirius Black left the feeder's yard and decided to go across the street and started this act again at another house, Larkin said. The home belonged to one of the shelter's volunteers. The homeowner heard a commotion underneath her deck stairs and went out to investigate, wondering why and how there was a cat outside during a "terrible storm."

The woman felt sorry for the cat and gave him some food, not knowing he had already eaten across the street.

"Our volunteer called her neighbor to let her know what happened and compare stories," Larkin said. "Needless to say, he was scooped up and placed in a very large dog crate until they could take this baby to our in-house vet on Monday."

Sirius Black, a "love bug," was examined by the veterinarian, snap tested and checked for parasites (there were none, "miraculously," Larkin said). He was also given his first set of vaccines. He is scheduled to be neutered on April 15 and will complete his vaccines.

"Unfortunately, he is so very emaciated that it was difficult to determine his real age," Larkin said. "Our vet thinks he is probably about a year old but until he fills out we cannot be sure. We are hoping with consistent feeding, grooming and maybe some supplements he will start to look like a healthy cat once again."

Another cat appeared in the neighbor's yard looking extremely sickly, and he was taken to the shelter's veterinarian also, Larkin said. The vet and his staff think the kitten was possibly abused in some manner, but the staff at the hospital are taking good care of him, Larkin said. Someone on the staff is going to adopt him once they nurse him back to health, she said.

"We are hoping that Sirius Black was not abused like the second cat, but we can’t be sure. But both of these cats are getting the best care they can."

Sirius Black is very lovable but on his terms, Larkin said. He loves to sit on one's lap or right next to them, but if they decide they are going to hug him or try to hold him, he will get down, Larkin said.

"He most likely has not been shown any love at all so he doesn’t realize nobody is trying to hurt him," she said. "He loves to be pet and believe it or not, will sometimes let you rub his belly, but that may be a bit uncomfortable for him because he really has no fur on his belly! He will always fall asleep next to you. He has not figured out how to play with any toys yet but that is normal. And he is slowly learning that the other cats in his foster home are not there to attack him or steal his food. He still eats as if it is his last meal and will only drink his water by scooping it out of the bowl
and leaving a dirty fuzzy mess behind. In time, he should learn some more manners. But while he is adjusting to life inside he is starting to add some weight (only in ounces right now) but that is a good sign!"

Sirius Black has one small patch of white on his chest and three white toes on his back left paw, but is really an all black cat with gorgeous, round sparkling eyes and ears that he has not grown into yet because of his lack of growth, Larkin said.

"Please don’t let his scrawny looks deter you from giving this young boy the good home he deserves," she said.

If you are interested in meeting Sirius Black, 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.

"For those of you who are not familiar with 'Harry Potter,' Sirius Black was named after one of the
main characters in the series," Larkin said. "He was also known as Padfoot or Snuffles and was an English pure-blood wizard and the godfather of Harry Potter. He was also recognized for his
unwavering loyalty and love for Harry and friends. He absolutely loved Harry and considered
him the most important person in the world. Won’t you be the most important person in the
world to this Sirius Black? He will repay you with everything he has!"