'Real Love Bug' Maui: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Maui, an 8-month-old male kitten, is set to arrive at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter in Huntington this week.

Maui was part of a backyard colony that was never spayed or neutered, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"The elderly couple who was taking care of him, eight other kittens and approximately a dozen adults were trying their best but just feeding and giving shelter does not help the overabundance of kittens and cats that seem to populate every town on Long Island," Larkin said.

Maui is healthy and well-adjusted since being trapped, however, Larkin said.

Maui was trapped with his other siblings when he was only about 5 weeks old. He was starting to eat on his own so he was immediately placed in a foster home so he could adjust to living inside and begin the process of getting him ready to be adopted, according to Larkin.

"Maui is a real love bug who is always looking for attention and is ALWAYS purring…he has a non-stop motor!" she said. "He is always talking, whether you are listening or not and if he feels you are not paying attention to what he is saying he will follow you around the house…even into the bathroom. As you can see, he does not understand the concept of 'personal space.'"

Maui will be one's alarm clock in the morning and the official door-greeter when they arrive home after a day at work or school.

Maui is currently in a foster home with two dogs (one large and one small), various other cats and kittens and two young girls who adore him.

"He gets along with EVERYONE (2 legged and 4 legged) and loves to be groomed by the older cats in the house…he is always grooming himself but he loves the extra attention," Larkin said.

Maui loves to play with the bouncy balls, spring toys and anything that is dangling from a stick or wand. And he does not discriminate who he is playing with …if the cats are not interested he engages the dogs to do so and they lovingly and willingly comply.

"He is happiest when he is running and playing with his siblings," Larkin said. "He definitely needs a home with another cat or two and a dog."

Maui has very mischievous eyes that are always checking out the surroundings and the "cutest" black freckle on his nose, Larkin said.

He has been vetted and neutered, received all but one of his vaccines (which Larkin said the shelter's in-house veterinarian will complete when he arrives), is litter box-trained and microchipped.

If you are interested in meeting Maui, 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.

He will also be at the shelter just in time for its Valentine's Day Adoption Event on Sunday, Feb. 11 from noon to 4 p.m.

"We know that everyone is looking for the 'baby kittens' right now, but this guy has so much love and personality he deserves to be somebody’s Valentine even if he isn’t a baby…don’t you think?" Larkin said.