'Sweetest' Buster And Penny: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Buster and Penny, about 9 months old, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

They are "very shy" kittens who were abandoned by their mother, "probably a young cat herself," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"Their mom was tossed out by a homeowner about 2 years ago in Farmingville by Suffolk Community College. The street they were born on was one of high traffic and loud noises, not exactly what you would want for yourself or your furbabies."

The mother cat joined a colony but stayed by herself most of the time, according to Larkin. As it turns out, she did not like any other cats, not even her own babies after they were born in April 2023, and she moved on to another feeding area, Larkin said.

"We can only assume that she didn’t feel like she could fit in with the others and take care of herself, let alone her two babies. Someone in the neighborhood saw what was happening and moved these babies to a safer place but unfortunately this good Samaritan could not take care of them either. They reached out for help so they could at least get them spayed and neutered so they were attempting to put an end to the ever- growing overpopulation of cats and kittens here on Long Island."

They were placed in foster care and added to the shelter's waitlist until there was no more room at the foster home and the shelter received the call of it it could get them into the shelter.

"They were not getting the attention they needed and getting bigger every day," Larkin said. "They needed a chance that they never got. We had room this week and told the foster, 'Bring them over.'"

Buster (soft grey tiger) and Penny (brown tiger) are constantly cuddling with one another and love being around other cats and kittens, Larkin said.

"They were very shy when they arrived at the Grateful Paw this week and it may take some time to adjust to their new surroundings, but they do not run from human contact and love when you are
scratching their heads and ears. Both cats are calm, cool and collected. They like to observe what is happening before they dive in. While in the foster home they grew attached to the other cats in the home so we know they don’t have issues with any others. They were also the first ones in bed at night…you had better hope there is room for you when you take them home! Buster loves to cuddle under the blankets and Penny prefers sleeping on your pillow, right next to your head."

Buster and Penny have been fully vetted, had all of their vaccines (including rabies), were checked for parasites, tested negative for FELV and FIV, are litter box trained and spayed /neutered.

If you are interested in meeting Buster and Penny, 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.

"Since they are really bonded, we are urging people to adopt both of them," Larkin said. "We would hate to see them separated after what they have been through. They are both snuggling together [Sunday night] at the shelter while everyone is at home watching the Super Bowl and they are hoping that they will be the grand prize winners by being adopted together to a forever
home where they are loved and pampered and not pushed aside or left behind. Won’t you be that family?"