‘I’ve never seen a tuxedo cat with markings like Lilly — striking white whiskers, framing an all black face except for an up-arrow between her eyes and two opposing spots on her lips, giving her an almost jack-o’-lantern smile.
“Lilly is a friendly cat that likes to be petted and held, but like many of our black and tuxedo cats, she is being overlooked at the shelter because she doesn’t stand out like the colorful ones. Even a cat like Lilly, with clear green eyes and distinctive markings, gets overlooked.
“Halloween is an additional challenge facing black and predominantly black cats. Sadly, some people see Halloween as an excuse to mistreat black cats. In response to this, animal shelters across the country limit or even prohibit black cat adoptions until Halloween has passed.
“The county animal shelter strikes a balance between protecting and finding homes for black cats. Instead of banning Halloween adoptions, shelter staff will meet with prospective adopters of black and mostly black cats in the weeks leading up to Halloween.
“Pranksters will be discouraged while caring people, appreciating the extra precaution being taken, will come to adopt.
“The shelter has a number of lovely black and tuxedo cats of varying ages and coats waiting for homes.
“For instance, across the room from Lilly is a kennel filled with playful 4-month-old black kittens that have been at the shelter since Aug. 10.
“Though if you’re of the mind to adopt a one-of-a-kind adult cat in need, Lilly, with her white paws crossed, is waiting for you.”
— Shelter volunteer Ellen Perryess
The Animal Services Division shelter is at 885 Oklahoma Ave., off Highway 1 west of San Luis Obispo.
To see more shelter animals available for adoption, visit www.slo sheriff.org.
The adoption fee is $70 for cats and $95 for dogs, plus a $15 county license fee for dogs if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents.
The adoption fee includes spaying or neutering, basic vaccinations, an identification microchip, eligibility for a free veterinarian check, a new collar and identification tag and a carrier for cats.
Horse competition
Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Futurity runs Thursday through Nov. 1 at the Paso Robles Event Center.
The competitions begin about 8 a.m. each day and can run late in the evening.
For information, visit www.pccha.com.
Wiggle Waggle Walk
Woods Humane Society’s Wiggle Waggle Walk for Woods will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo.
The event includes a one-mile walk, working police dog demonstrations, West Coast freestyle, dog “good citizen” testing, barbecue, a Cold Stone Creamery dessert booth, raffle and contests.
Event registration and pledge fundraising forms are available at www.firstgiving.com/whs.
If you have a story and/or photo of your animal companions please e-mail to pettales@thetribunenews.com or mail to Pet Tales, c/o The Tribune, P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.