Tommi, Who Wants Love: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Tommi, a 2-year-old female dark tabby, is the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pet of the Week.

"Tommi is still here at the Grateful Paw almost a year after rescuing her and we just don’t understand why," said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

Tommi was brought into the shelter last April with her two sisters from a "very unfortunate situation," Larkin said. Tommi was enclosed in a very tight space with more than 15 cats, which was just too much for her, according to Larkin.

"When she first came into the shelter, she and her siblings were totally confused because they had been relocated three times in less than one week," Larkin said. "One of her sisters was adopted shortly after admission and the other one (Lulu) is still here also. It took weeks for Tommi to feel safe. Every time someone would go into the room she would hide because she probably thought that someone was going to move her again."

Tommi has white paws and a white belly. She has beautiful gold eyes that sparkle when you stare into them, Larkin said. She loves to sit in one of the cubbies with any of the other cats in the room. She is always the first to greet someone at the door, especially if she sees the food plate or the treat jar coming. She will sound the alarm to the others when she sees the food plate. She is the official taste tester for the room, and will sample from each corner of the plate, Larkin said.

Tommi loves to climb to the highest spot on the condo where she is constantly on bird and squirrel patrol.

"It is a good thing she is an indoor cat because she would give the wildlife outside a good chase," Larkin said.

She is also very quick when playing with the balls and other assorted toys in the room. One of her favorite toys is a black stuffed mouse, which she parades around the room as if she just completed a successful hunt, Larkin said.

"Tommi is very good with the other cats in the room so she would do well with another cat in a quiet house…preferably one her age or a bit older. Kittens are too active, have too much energy and they can be too crazy for her. I guess she forgets she was a kitten at one time! She wants the attention and the love but is still not 100% sure how to react to strangers. She needs some extra patience and TLC with a person/family to coax her out of her shell."

Tommi has been totally vetted, is up to date on her vaccines, tested negative for FELV and FIV, checked for parasites, litter box trained and spayed.

If you are interested in meeting Tommi, 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.

"Tommi has spent the last year watching and waiting as the other kittens and cats her age get to go home and all she wants is that same chance," Larkin said. "She wants to love someone but doesn’t quite know how to show it. Won’t you be the one to give her that chance?"