'Overlooked' Joy: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Joy, a 4-year-old female cat, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week. She is one of the longest tenured residents of the shelter.

Joy arrived at the shelter's doorstep in the middle of February 2023.

"We received a call about a cat wandering around the parking lot at Bed Bath & Beyond and we sent out two volunteers to trap her," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

The rescue was able to trap her "very quickly" — in just 15 minutes.

"Obviously she was cold, hungry, confused and lost," Larkin said.

Joy was brought directly into the shelter and looked at by a veterinarian. A scan found she had no chip, and although she was nervous, the shelter felt she was "obviously someone's pet at one time."

"She either escaped from her home or she was tossed out into the streets," Larkin said.

Joy had been spayed, a veterinarian's test found, so she did belong to someone, Larkin said.

"Not sure exactly what happened, but she is safe with us and when she came back we named her JOY," she said.

Joy is all black with yellow eyes. She is in good health, Larkin said.

"She is on the shy and timid side, but she loves being in the free roaming room with the other cats," she said. "She has bonded with the other black cat in that room (Serendipity) and whenever you see one black cat you see the other. And has also been trying to join Janine and Sundance every time they get in one of the big cuddle beds…it doesn’t matter to her if she is hanging over the edge, she squeezes herself in. When she is not hanging with them you can find her inside her favorite condo by the window watching everything that is going on. She may be unsure when you first approach her, and she may give a little hiss but once you start giving her head rubs and chin scratches, she closes her eyes and relaxes."

Treats and brushing always get Joy's attention, as well. And if someone brings her down on the floor in one of the beds, she will let you pet her until SHE decides it is time to stop, Larkin said.

Joy is fully vetted, had all of her vaccines, tested negative for FELV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, and is litter box trained and spayed.

"We are not sure how she is with dogs, but she would definitely do well with another cat (no young kittens) and a quiet home to make her feel more comfortable," Larkin said.

If you are interested in meeting Joy, 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.

People can also meet Joy at the shelter's "Spring Fling" on Saturday April 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the shelter.

"We are heartbroken that someone has never looked for her in the time we have been open because she clearly was well taken care of and not hesitant around the other cats," Larkin said. "She is always overlooked when people come into the room, most likely because she is black and we all know that black cats have that stigma of superstitions, historical myths and tales. She waits for someone to approach her but that is part of a black cat personality...they are vigilant, intelligent, very observant and aloof. As a shelter cat, Joy deserves a chance for a forever family to love and cherish her AGAIN."

Larkin said the "best reason" to adopt a black cat is because "they are just like every other cat."

"Some are sweet, some are sassy. Some are outgoing, some are shy. Some are lap cats and some are not. Why don’t you give this beauty a chance to show you which of the above traits she possesses and take it from there? Spring is here, a time for renewal and second chances and JOY would bloom, grow and blossom with the right care."