MEOW25: Your Stories

Roo was born with radial hypoplasia in both front legs. This did not stop her enjoying life and after figuring out how to “Roo-ize” the house she basically ran the family. 

Roo did not pass away young because of her polydactylism mutation but because she was also born with many heart issues.  That broke our hearts.

Roo loved: being carried like a baby so her front legs were comfortable, stretching as long as she could for her head to toe torpedo belly rubs, curling up in a tiny ball sleeping in my arms at night, eating roasted Co-op chicken, discovering a new world in the garden and sunbathing at the back window.  Her motor boat purr of contentment told us everything was to her liking and that was important since the household revolved around her.

Roo’s congenital heart defects; enlarged heart, hear murmur, leaky valves, thickened walls, aortic outflow obstruction and a hole in her heart, were too extensive for a long life.  We packed in as much love, belly rubs, sunbeams, naps and treats (the day Roo discovered lobster was monumental) as we could in our short three years together.

Never be afraid of adopting a special needs cat.  Adopting Roo was one of the best things I did in life.

– Founder, Jake Forrest

Mog and Pharaoh were rescued by MEOW in the early days of our foundation. They were born and lived outside for the first 9 months of their lives, along with 2 other siblings. They were very shy/feral cats, but I cared for them at MEOW from the first days of their rescue and then in early 2001, after the passing of my senior cat, they came home with me and were soon joined by a well socialized kitten, Mort.

They were so shy, so funny , so smart and were referred to by the teenagers in the home at the time, as the ‘farm’ cats. They began to accept pets while eating, then some firm body pressure holds and finally some short nano second lifts off the floor to ensure they could be crated for their annual vet visits.

Slowly but surely, they became ‘ my’ cats and as typical ferals, they bonded tightly and solely with one person – me. They also became somewhat fond of the youngest teenager and so he was enlisted at the claw trimming times.

For their entire life, the doorbell, children and strangers would send them fleeing under the nearest bed to wait until the intruders had left their territory. They taught me more about cats than anyone could ever glean from a text book. Their loyalty and love was a gift. Moggie passed in 2012 with inflammatory bowel disease and Pharaoh passed in 2018 at the age of 19 years.

– Founder: Debbie Nelson

I was volunteering with the adoptions group, when one day I went to the old adoption centre to meet the new cats. Upon entering, I heard this mournful meow coming from one of the back rooms. To my wondering eyes I saw a very handsome white flame point cat sitting on top of one of the cages. Upon approaching this cat, he immediately walked up to me and gave me a head butt. Realizing this guy was friendly, I picked up Ming Hui and it was love at first bite. Yes, I do mean bite. Cuddling him in my arms, he reached up and gave me a soft love nibble on my chin. At that moment he captured my heart.

When my husband received the same welcome, he was ours.

He was feline number four in our household. The saying goes: one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, was exactly how we felt. He was the most amazing cat. Loveable, sweet, funny, cuddly, friends with all our other cats, peacemaker, handsome, did I mention loveable.? We had hm until he was 17 and got him through many years of IBD. He was our treasurer, and he is missed every day.

– Founder: Esther Davidchuk

A black cat probably isn’t what you imagine when you hear the name “Whiteout”. However, we needed a way to tell two tiny, indistinguishable black kittens apart, and a dab of whiteout on the forehead did the trick. Whiteout and his three siblings were just a week old when they were orphaned and came into our care.

They kept us busy and entertained, but they often had us worried – perhaps none more than Whiteout. While his sweetness was unmatched, his siblings quickly surpassed him in both size and playfulness. It became clear that Whiteout needed a veterinarian’s expertise when he struggled to keep food down, and his once-identical brother, Blackin, appeared to be nearly twice his size at the age of 10 weeks.

Our dear, little boy was diagnosed with megaesophagus, a condition where the esophagus is enlarged and has difficulty moving food to the stomach, often leaving it stuck in the esophagus. This can lead to regurgitation, a high risk of aspiration pneumonia, and poor nutrition. To make matters worse, Whiteout also experienced projectile vomiting. The prognosis was grim, but with proper management and extra care, we were hopeful Whiteout could still enjoy many happy, fulfilling years—and we were right!

Managing his condition required medication, as well as ensuring he stayed upright and relaxed during and after meals, and those meals had to be small, frequent, and soft. We elevated Whiteout’s food bowl by placing it on a small stool, then held him upright for about 10 minutes after each meal so gravity would help move his food down. Over time, his incurable condition was as well-controlled as possible and gradually improved.

Whiteout was our first foster “fail” as we were his first, last, and only home. We just couldn’t imagine him anywhere else. Gentle, patient, ready to play, and always happy to cuddle, he was the perfect big brother and helped us care for many more foster kittens.

To everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t megaesophagus, but kidney disease that claimed Whiteout at only seven years old. Whiteout will forever be one of the most beloved cats we’ve ever known.

– Kimiko M.

Glenn and I were volunteers with Meow Foundation, working and learning with feral cats. We met Budgie, a rescued female feline at Meow Shelter. Budgie, approximately 1-2 years old, displayed a highly feral demeanor. Due to extreme fearfulness, she sought refuge in a square box cat stand, hindering volunteers from working with her. Budgie needed a foster home, so we volunteered. We started her acclimation in a small room furnished with essentials. We interacted gently, maintaining eye contact, and engaging softly. Gradually, Budgie exhibited signs of increased comfort. Suddenly one day, she jumped up onto the couch beside Glenn, seeking pets. It was like a switch went on, and there was no turning back after that. She followed Glenn like a shadow, and there was no doubt that we had to adopt her.

She taught us so much and our experience in nurturing a feral cat was a novel endeavor, and we attribute our success in fostering trust to the tranquil ambiance of our home, gentle communication, sustained engagement, provision of toys, affectionate gestures, grooming sessions, and enticing treats. Budgie’s evolution from a timid, feral cat to an exuberant, affectionate companion was nothing short of remarkable, enriching our lives immeasurably. While Budgie has since departed for Cat Heaven, her legacy endures, immortalized in a poignant tattoo adorning Glenn’s shoulder.

Marley (MEOW name Zola) was living on the streets for a year before being rescued.   He was a beautiful Bengal and also my first foster fail.

It was discovered he had serious abdominal trauma requiring extensive surgery, after which I offered to care for him until he recovered and could be adopted.   After several weeks, he was integrated, comfortable with my cats and claimed my home as his own.   So he stayed.

Marley was a sensitive, independent soul but learned to live like my other cats—slept on the bed or my lap, loved watching the world from his outdoor catio or indoor tree, and wasn’t afraid to announce his presence with his unique Bengal yowls.

His favorite activity was the Temptations game, retrieving these tasty morsels from the numerous places I hid them on tables, shelves, windowsills, cat posts, furniture.   He led the pack of hunters and would even start doing the route before I had put the treats out—always made me smile.

I enjoyed Marley’s company for many years until cancer claimed him at the age of 13.   A beautiful cat in so many ways❤️.

Bruiser came to MEOW at the approximate age of 2-3 years. Someone in the neighbourhood had been feeding him, but he  arrived one day dragging his tail and with a bloody abscess near the base of his spine. Along with a severe case of ear mites, Bruiser really epitomized the tough life and injuries that intact tom cats are subject to.

He was beset with further medical issues with ear infections, multiple treatments and finally a specialist surgery called a lateral ear canal re-section of his right ear in hopes his ear issues would resolve and they did. He became a sweet loving boy who loved head and cheek  scratches and relished naps in soft beds.

He was rescued in February and adopted in June of 2006 and is a cat that proved that survivors just need a second chance and every cat can be changed by love.

Akira, her Mom Chablis, and litter mates Regan & Simcha were rescued from living in an alley by MEOW Foundation in the spring of 2007.  Akira’s mother had been abandoned outside to have her kittens. The little family was placed in foster care with MEOW so they could stay together, and for socialization as the kittens came to MEOW as ferals.  As time passed the Mom and kittens were ready for adoption to their forever homes.  Akira and her litter mates were sweet, but due to their shy nature the adoption process was slow. Eventually they were all adopted, and Akira was adopted by her foster mom.

After her adoption, it still took a bit more time and socialization for Akira to lose the last of her fears. Her sweet disposition was apparent through it all.  She was an inquisitive, playful, and friendly girl who was a pleasure to have around. She happily lived out her life until 2022, enjoying sunbeams and play with the other family cats who were also adopted from MEOW and other rescue charities.

In 2008, I used to clean the living room every Tuesday, at the old MEOW house. There was a cute little black and white cat that was always hiding in the “infamous” white cabinet. Every time I would open the door, she would hiss at me. I always had a real soft spot for her. One Tuesday, I told her if she hissed at me again, I was going to take her home, and the rest is history!!

Her MEOW name was Checkers. She was a very shy cat that had been with Meow for 3 years. I brought her home, we changed her name to Sophie, and her new life began. She NEVER hissed at me again!!

As shy as she was, Sophie was only in her safe room for about 2 weeks. During those 2 weeks, she made such a fuss, we finally just opened the door and let her out with the other cats. Shy cats are not usually so vocal, but she sure was. Her howling was driving all the other cats crazy!! When she came out, she strutted around the house like she had been there forever!! You would never know she was feral, except that she would not let us touch her. She would always stay just that arm length away. This lasted quite a few weeks. Then all of a sudden, she loved to be petted! She was very affectionate.

Sophie was the easiest cat you could ever ask for, and I have had a lot of experience with shy cats. She was actually a dream cat. She LOVED all her cat sisters. Dogs never bothered her and she never caused any problems with anyone.

She loved sleeping all snuggled up with the other cats and LOVED spending time out on her Catio. She could lay out there in the sun all day. She was such a content cat.

Sophie was very healthy all her life. Other than having a few teeth removed as she got older, she never had any health issues. She lived a long healthy life, and passed away when she was almost 18.

We were so blessed to have Sophie for all those years, although it never seems long enough. I am so glad I brought that hissy little girl home that day. The memories she left behind, will last forever.

Treacle’s story started when MEOW FOUNDATION reached out to find a foster home for an abandoned pregnant cat who was due to deliver very soon. Our kids persuaded us that our family needed to foster this cat.

Macenna arrived and within 2 weeks had a litter of 5 gorgeous kittens; 4 tabbies and one mini-me.

From the start, Treacle was one of the leader’s of the pack, full of energy and attitude. The minute I opened the door to the foster room, she came galloping out like a horse. The next minute, she would be jumping and leaping like a Ninja, or climbing like a monkey. Only when she fell asleep, exhausted, that she became a tiny vulnerable kitten.

When time came to post the kittens for adoption on the MEOW website, I had a lump in my throat and realized that I couldn’t let her go. So, Treacle had a fairy tale ending with our family.

All of the kittens (even mama Macenna) were quickly adopted. It was a surprise to no one that Treacle bonded with me…no other person or cat could take the place in her tiny little heart. Wherever I went , she followed and was always beside me.

Having Treacle (and our other 3 cats) has been an incredible and enriching experience in our lives. She had qualities which were so endearing and “human”….loyalty, love, empathy, intelligence. Treacle has a special place in my heart because she loved me wholeheartedly, and I couldn’t help but love her the same in return. She was definitely one of a kind .

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.”

– Anatole F.

Simcha was an exceptional companion. I first saw her at her foster home along with her mother, Chablis, her sister Akira and her brother Reagan.

They had the great luck to start o as kittens with their foster mom and soon after their 12 week birthdays, social kitten Reagan was adopted. Chablis, Akira and Simcha remained at the foster home for a bit longer before they came to the shelter. Both Akira and Simcha were shy, black youngsters…. Maybe dad carried the shy personality because Chablis was very social and soon she was also adopted.

I had been getting together with other MEOW volunteers every Thursday night to socialize these certain cats who were shy, feral or so timid they could not show how sweet they were when potential adopters came to choose their new fur friends. Over time, a small contingent of shy black cats were accumulating and so we socializers agreed as a group to each adopt one of these shy black cats. I chose Simcha. At this time I had just brought home Leonardo, a notorious angry 22 pound Manx, which infuriated my husband as he believed this big fellow would terrorize our senior Doberman cross dog. Sigh. I told him that I was about to adopt another shy cat who needed a home. Well, it has to be black he said. Oh yeah, don’t worry….she is black I said.

Meanwhile Leo kept to himself in my studio and was slowly opened up to being a cuddly sweet fellow. He passed away peacefully after living a long life. Catching these shy, feral types can usually lead to a sweaty workout…. Leo had been a challenge and Simcha was not to be outdone.

When I finally got her home, she was so scared she hid behind the piano for days, coming out to eat and drink and use the box when she felt no one was watching. Ha! I was a birdwatcher and could sit motionless for long periods of time, and I was happy to see her relax. Leo and Simcha agreed to live together but did not seem to bond so I started entertaining the thought of adopting a social cat.

Funny, my husband decided he wanted to adopt a Chin puppy, they were small and endearing but hard to nd. That is when Diddy, (MEOW Coconut) came into the shelter from a huge scoop of rescues coordinated by several organizations. She was small and endearing I said! And Simmie needed cat companionship. He adopted Coconut and named her Coco Pu Diddy. Diddy and Simcha bonded tight, they loved each other deeply. I moved house a couple of times and though Simcha regressed each move…. Diddy helped her come back to relaxation.

The last move took us to a small town in southern Alberta where I set up the outdoor cage-run again. It is blissfully quiet here and Simcha loved it. She cuddled for hours with Diddy in sunlit window seats but was still not a cat I could pick up and kiss. She loved to play and run around the house, but that shyness was her hallmark. Eventually the world turns so many times, and Simcha’s time had come, though I didn’t really realize she was passing. I had made an appointment for her to see the vet as I sensed she was not well, but the appointment was the day after the September 2023 long weekend. She died in my arms, I believe she felt safe finally being touched, and I kissed her several times. We miss her very very much. So did Diddy.

After one year of not having Simcha by her side, Diddy also passed the end of November 2024. You can see in the photos and video how close they were. We loved both dearly.

Joe Boxer and Annie Klein (now Joe and Annie) were 3 day old orphan bottle feds when they came to me 14 years ago.

They almost didn’t make it, and the odds were stacked against them. After a few close calls they started to thrive and we knew we just couldn’t let them go, so they became my first foster fails. They have enjoyed life here as 2 of 4 cats (all adopted) in our household.

Annie loves my husband, and follows him everywhere. She’s still just as cute as she was the day we got her. Joe is a mamma’s boy and enjoys sleeping on my pillow each night. He has retired from fetching toy mice and is now content with leaving them in food and water dishes almost daily.

intage and Original Joe 

Furrever names: Ninja and Samurai 

Ninja and Samurai are littermates (known collectively as the Bro-skis) who were adopted from the MEOW Foundation in 2011. Though they share genetics, they have very distinctive and separate personalities. 

They are living their best life – full of yummy meals, treats, 17 naps a day, and two other younger cat siblings to keep their wrestling skills up to par. They also have a doggo brother, whom they indulgently tolerate. They both keep busy making biscuits and muffins daily – if only they had opposable thumbs, they would be able to open a profitable bakery! 

Ninja is the bigger boy – 13 lbs and 100% lap cat. His favourite things are chicken wet food, bonito fish flakes, cat nip, lap snuggles, sitting in a window and trying to catch the rain from behind the window, and keeping the younger kitties in line by reminding them who the big boy of the house is from time to time with a good smackdown. He also likes to serenade his humans at dinner time with the songs of his people. 

Samurai is 11 lbs and not very good at being a cat. He’s always looking in the wrong direction while his kitty siblings are busy watching birds and squirrels from the windows. Instead of meowing, he has a vocabulary of chirping. His favourite things are dental kibbles, licking plastic containers (his humans are trying to figure out why, but have been unsuccessful thus far).  

I went to my MEOW adoption appointment knowing I’d bring Marius home. His story of living outside for three years had tugged at my heart. The only question was who would be coming home with us as I had decided it would be great to have two cats. After spending some time with Marius in the shy cat room, I met Jude, a beautiful B&W tuxedo, who had been brought to MEOW as a stray a few months after Marius’s arrival. I’d found his little ‘sister.’

I still remember their different reactions when we got home and their crates were opened. Marius bolted behind the basement couch while Jude stepped out on the bed in the spare room, plopped on her side and began to wiggle and purr. Marius came out of hiding after a couple of days and quickly grew to enjoy playtime, scritches and belly rubs but he remained a timid cat around strangers and would disappear when company came over. Friendly Jude would do the rounds, jumping on laps and demanding cuddles. They both loved to lie in the sun and check out the birds and squirrels in the yard.

There was the occasional sibling squabble but for the most part, they enjoyed each other’s company. I’d often enter a room to see the two of them snuggled up together sleeping. A few months after Jude crossed the rainbow bridge in 2018, I brought two 5-month old kittens home. They quickly won Marius over and the trio remained cuddle-buddies until Marius passed away in June 2024.

Bumper was a small for his age, feisty orange and white kitten. He came to me as a foster on Christmas Eve when he was about six months old. It was a foster fail that was a big win for me. 

When he was very young, he had a head injury. He was blind, his left side was weak, and he had diabetes insipidus. None of these things stopped him from being a regular, lively, super curious kitten. 

He insisted on coming out of his safe room after two days, that was the only time he was very vocal. I spent most of that evening covering the stair rails with chicken wire so he wouldn’t accidentally fall off the edge of the stairs. 

He learned how to use the stairs within 2-3 days. After he became very confident on the stairs, he would jump down the last two stairs and tear around. Once he learned the layout of the house, you couldn’t tell that he was blind. 

The first time he climbed up a tall cat tree, I was quite terrified, I couldn’t see how he would get down. I stood by the tree and watched him. He went to the edge of the top tree level backwards; he let his back legs and body dangle over the edge while he held on with his front claws. He let go with his claws and fell! Somehow, he managed to find the next level of the cat tree and landed there. He made his way down four levels of cat tree this way.  

Bumper was so much fun to live with. He was a bit goofy and entertained me and his cat roommates. He was fearless and tenacious, if he tried something and couldn’t do it, he kept trying until he could. 

Bumper was full of life and love. I thank MEOW for giving him a chance to be a wonderful companion to me and his cat roommates 

Misterssippi proves that anyone can get their fairy tale ending, even if it takes a long, long time. 

Misterssippi came into MEOW in 2007 as a very shy, scared, young cat, terrified of humans and other cats.  He spent years hiding on the highest perch of the highest post, hissing and spitting at any human or feline who came near. One day, after feeding Misterssippi once a week for over two years, a volunteer noticed Mister down from his post, eating cat grass.  She’d found his weakness! Over the next few months, she would bring him grass and lure him closer each visit, until one day in 2015 he climbed into her lap, and she knew it was meant to be, he deserved a home where he was understood.   

 Mister gained three very calm senior cat roommates and learned to appreciate love and attention from humans and cats.  As his senior roommates passed on, he gained two young, feisty feline friends and a small rambunctious human to cuddle.  

He spent his retirement years earning the nickname “Misterkissy” as he was always head butting and cuddling his cat and human friends.  He made up for lost time snuggled up at night wrapped in his human’s arms, reading books with the small human, and cuddling his late-in-life true love Fiona, a super shy young ginger cat also adopted from MEOW.  

In 2024, his doting human and feline family shared final hugs, cuddles, and a bit of grass.  His sweet and snuggly presence is missed but his memory is cherished, and they are grateful to MEOW for never giving up on Mister Kitty.   

‘Foxy’, my beautiful silver boy, showed up as a stray kitten in the spring of 2012 and disappeared for a while, later showing up with his father, Kells, whom I was also feeding.  

I didn’t have room at the Inn at the time, so I set up a cozy living arrangement and feeding area in my son’s treehouse for the remaining 3+ years, I would climb the ladder and leave food, water and heating pads for him every day. He would always be in the yard sunning himself or in the garden (even in the snow) washing himself, sleeping or just catching some rays, but I could not convince him to come in. 

I finally trapped him in February 2016 and took him into the MEOW Adoption Centre for some much-needed TLC, but after socializing him for about 3 months, I couldn’t go without him and brought him home in May 2016, as I had a vacancy. 

He was good with other cats at the Adoption Centre, so I was not surprised he fit right in with mine. He began to bloom into a very lovable and playful boy and graduated to the main living areas in short order. He was always curled up with his roommates, and even the laps of company. He was one of the best decisions I ever made. 

Jeremiah arrived at MEOW in 2008 with his littermates and was a very frightened and unsocialized kitten. He was adopted once, twice, a third and fourth time. Each time, due to his anxious nature, he was returned for inappropriately urinating in his homes.  

MEOW never judged his adoptive parents – they all loved him dearly, but this behaviour is challenging.  

Each time Jer was returned, he was so depressed and in the winter of 2017, our team made the decision to adopt him, and the MEOW Adoption Centre would become his forever home.  

In the summer of 2017, Jeremiah made the move to our new location and became our official reception greeter. His enthusiasm for welcoming visitors and the love he shared with hundreds of volunteers and staff over the years enriched all our lives.  

As Jeremiah entered his teen years, his health declined and in February 2024, he crossed over the rainbow bridge.  

I adopted Winnie in 2018, and she has been the most precious part of my life ever since. Winnie is a tiny, 3kg cat with the sweetest personality and the softest, most endearing meow. Despite being diagnosed with epilepsy, she is such a strong little fighter. I must give her medication every day, but thanks to that, her seizures are under control, and she can enjoy her days happily and healthily. 

Winnie lives with her three sisters, Annie, Mielle, and Lucy, and she has an especially close bond with Lucy. Watching them snuggle and play together melts my heart. Winnie loves belly rubs more than anything, and when she purrs, she gets so happy that she drools, which makes her even more adorable. She’s a tiny bundle of love and resilience, and I feel so lucky to have her in my life. Her gentle nature, her trust in me, and the joy she brings to our home make her so special. Winnie is more than just a pet; she’s family, and I couldn’t imagine life without her. I love her with all my heart. 

I’ve volunteered at the shelter for more than 25 years and in that time, I’ve only fallen truly in love with two cats who I later adopted, Matthew being the second. We had just adopted a dog a month prior, and I was unsure about adding him to the family, but his green-eyed gaze persuaded me to take him home.  

As it turns out, Matthew – estimated to be three when we adopted him – seems to believe he is a dog and is pictured here with his BFF Bonnie only days after they met in October 2019. In the second picture he is getting used to his wagon which he loves because it allows him to come on walks with Bonnie.  

In true cat style, Matthew treats me as if I am lowly staff and pursues attention from household members who like him much less than I do, but I continue undeterred to brush him daily and adore him in other ways in the hope he will return the love I have for him. Occasionally he will nudge me or show me his belly for a rub so I must be on the right course.  

Overall, Matthew is a happy, playful and valued member of the family. We don’t know where he came from, but his broken road led him straight to us! 

Since coming home in 2020, Bobie has fully embraced his life as the ultimate spoiled house cat. His daily routine is a well-oiled machine: morning dental snacks to start, followed by a hearty breakfast at 9am, then a four-hour nap to recharge. After his beauty rest, he’ll zoom with his new sister, Poppy (also a MEOW Alumni) before enjoying a dinner at 9pm and, of course, a bedtime snack.  

When it comes to food, Bobie is a true connoisseur. He knows the time for each meal and will let you know if you’re running behind. His chirps can go from polite reminders to full-blown protests, and if that doesn’t work, he’ll take matters into his own paws by sitting on your face until you get up.  

Bobie loves to curl up on his humans, pressing himself into your shoulder or chest, where he’ll let out the loudest, most content purrs. It’s his way of showing you he’s in his happy place. When he’s not snuggling or napping, Bobie works as a food critic for his mom’s cooking, though his contributions (mostly consisting of sniffing and unauthorized taste test) is rarely appreciated. 

 A fun fact: Bobie is leash-trained and knows commands like sit, shake paws, and even stands on his back feet for snacks. Treats are mandatory for full performance and participation!  

King Arthur, aka King, is a very handsome Bengal male cat who possibly spent most of his youth working as a stud in a breeding program. As a senior, he was found abandoned and MEOW found him on the streets – unsocialized, dehydrated, weak, and sick with an upper respiratory infection. MEOW nurtured him back to health but, unfortunately, his upper respiratory infection had become chronic, and King would have it for life. He is constantly congested, and his nose is plugged until he blows out a huge snot bomb. He was neutered (no more stud service!), had some dental work and socialized a bit to the point he wasn’t afraid of people.  

He was still shy, however, and had some, shall we say, “behavioural issues”. Because of all this, he remained at MEOW’s Adoption Centre for over a year. But like all cats in MEOW’s care, eventually, a forever home was found.  

King is now quite social and loves to be petted, especially when in a “cat group”. He loves to head-butt and schmooze with his cat friends while being petted. He has his favourite comfy high spot above a heat vent where he likes to sleep. When the weather is nice, he can choose to go out in a safe, enclosed yard to enjoy the fresh air and nature. He is loved, safe, healthy, happy and living his best life in retirement. 

Pelican first caught my eye when he was admitted as a stray to MEOW in late 2021. I had just recently joined the MEOW intake team and swiftly fell in love with every cat that came through the doors.  Pelican was so big, white and dirty, with horrifying breath – I was smitten.  He had been found wandering around a rural area in Carstairs; his rescuers were so kind and so invested in his health and happiness of this cat, I couldn’t help but share their enthusiasm. 

Pelican is an all-white, long-haired cat; the wear and tear of surviving outside was apparent. He was matted, dirty, full of worms and had heavily callused feet.  All four of his canine teeth were broken off at the gum line and the remaining tooth roots were turning green and needed to be surgically extracted.   

Once he was medically cleared, cleaned up and ready for adoption, I started to panic, thinking that I would never see him again.  The fear of losing him made me realize that I needed to have him in my life. I applied to adopt him and took him home the next day.  

Since living with us, Pelican has blossomed into a confident and incredibly affectionate cat.   

He is a very big boy but plays and runs around like a cat half his size.  We have had some health scares, including a very fascinating but sinister cancerous growth on his foot, which was surgically removed by his caring vet team. 

Pelican is such a happy boy and has had so many opportunities to make animal and human friends alike.  He was very close with his dog sister Albee until her passing in May of 2024. He has so many foster cats coming to visit, despite his reluctance to share the attention. 

We can’t imagine our lives without this big ball of fluff in our home. Thanks to MEOW, we have a wonderful feline family member that we adore. 

In the year 2023, our family was lucky enough to grow by one more crazy soul! We will forever be grateful to MEOW for introducing us to our angel Mrs. Kangaroo, or as we like to call her…Rue! 

We had been told that she was rescued with a litter of kittens she birthed, who had already been adopted out. And that she was a bit wild having lived in a barn for a few years, but we took one look at her crazy eyes and knew she was meant for our home! Our gorgeous senior cat, Imp had a hard time accepting the new addition at first but now she couldn’t live without the little demon that she loves to chase around the house at all hours of the day.  

Rue has the most amazing hilarious energy, between her funny little run and her obsession with forehead kisses she literally always has us laughing. She has a million beds that she does love to lounge in all day BUT her favourite place to sleep is between mama and papa in the big bed!  

Between Rue and our other Cat Imp (that we also found at the Regal Cat Cafe) we have built such a beautiful and fun family with our little fur babies, thank you MEOW Foundation for facilitating these adoptions we will be forever grateful! And to those out there considering adopting older cats, DO IT!!! It’s the best thing our family has ever done!  

We adopted  Boo Radley in February 2024, a few weeks after losing our 19-year-old black tomcat Percy (MEOW name McClinton, adopted 2009). Boo charmed us at our first visit, hopping up onto the couch between us and lavishing us with affection. Little did we know that it would take about six months for that to happen again!  

In the meantime, we discovered that he was good with other animals, our 2 other cats and 2 dogs (but especially our other ginger, Norton) and even charmed our vet and sat still for his annual exam.  

While his FIV status had initially been a bit of a concern, he’s adjusted well to his new companions, and some research and a good understanding from our vet has been reassuring.  

He has also helped us to tidy up our kitchen as he has been dedicated to finding every potential scrap of food that has been left unattended even for a minute or two. It’s apparent how he managed to maintain his solid tomcat figure while he was a stray! We’re glad we took a chance on Boo; he’s a sweet cat and adds fun and a bit of chaos to our household. 

I wasn’t exactly planning on adopting a second cat, but when I spotted Goose (formerly Igneous), it was love at first sight. He was shy, but sweet, and the cutest, fluffiest little cat I’d ever seen. At the time, I’d worked at MEOW Foundation for almost two years and had up until that point resisted the urge to adopt another cat, but I knew I’d regret it forever if I didn’t take him home.  

I wasn’t sure if my resident cat, Ozzy, would accept another cat, but the integration went better than I could ever hope for. Within a few days, they were co-existing peacefully, and within a few more days, they were watching the squirrels out the window together and playfully wrestling (something that they now do every day). 

Goose has made the perfect addition to my little fur family. He is six pounds of pure fluff and chaos. He’s an expert at playing fetch with his many spring toys, and he loves to zoom around my apartment at ultrasonic speeds. It has been so special getting to watch him explore and get more confident in the world around him. This summer, we started harness training, and I hope that one day Goose will be able to join Ozzy and I on outdoor adventures.  

 I am so grateful to have met my silly little Goose during my time at MEOW. He is a constant reminder of the amazing work that the organization does.