January 10, 2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎: 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲

Today was your typical busy Saturday. After several days of poor weather keeping traffic sparse, people were finally back in the shelter.

I started my day checking on all the cats in medical, then making rounds through the shelter. The cats who recently returned from the cat cafe are doing great—it was a pleasure to see. The change in them when they're amongst the other cats is amazing. They are safe here and I believe they know it. We also retrieved our remaining nine kittens, so we are officially done with that part of our adventure.

We had two intakes today. Sadly, one of the adult cats that originated from a Phoenix-based rescue and was at the cat cafe was returned. The reason? Because the adopter didn't realize the short-haired cat had an undercoat. Yeah, that was the reason...The second intake is a special senior whose mom had to go into assisted living back before Thanksgiving. She thought she would be coming back home. It's a long story how her vet found out that she wasn't at home, but they were able to get the keys mailed to them and started going to her home to take care of the cats every day. The 16-year-old they brought us today is absolutely stunning! They didn't think she would do well with the intake process at the local animal control (they're not in the Tucson area), so they took care of her until they could find someone to take her.

I was absolutely appalled at the shape she arrived in. She's in great body condition, but she has the absolute worst matting I have ever seen. How vet professionals were taking care of this cat and didn't do anything about that is way beyond me. It took me five minutes before I had all the mats off. Most of them weren't even attached to her body, so they came out easily. Poor girl was so itchy! I am glad she made her way to us.

We also had five kitten adoptions today! We also had one special needs adoption. She's been with her family since December 2024 when she came in with ringworm. While in foster, she began having seizures. We worked hard to find a combination of medication that would keep the seizures at bay. It was a long road. She was supposed to be seizure-free for 30 days in order to get her spay surgery done. Right at the mark, she had another seizure. We finally got to that point and well beyond, and today, they made an honest woman out of her.

These fosters are absolutely incredible and have been so good to us and the cats. They are our only willing ringworm fosters and I could never say enough good things to really convey how amazing they are. They fell in love with her and the friend that joined her in foster and adopted them both! I am so thankful that people like them exist.

Today, we had a diabetic in crisis. I don't necessarily think it's a diabetic crisis, but she's got something going on with her for sure. She's been on antibiotics but her white cell count almost tripled when we rechecked it today. So, we placed an IV catheter and got our orders from the doctor on what to start her on. Praying for the best for her but worried that there's something sinister going on. We are going to fight hard for her as long as she's willing. When we left her this evening, she was eating, so that was a good sign.

Other than that, we're still managing the same cases: the kitten with FIP, the new(ish) senior who is not pooping consistently, and the pair of bonded boys who need to eat better after the one brother pulled his feeding tube. Sometimes these treatments are slow going. We can only do so much and then it's up to their bodies to respond if they're able. Some turn the corner and their ailments become a distant memory. Some of them have other plans.

Now I am home to tend to my mini shelter of alumni plus my OG's. Good night all!