Pumpkin the orange tabby kitten needs a new home for the holidays

Pumpkin spice and everything nice — that’s what this kitten is made of.

When Pumpkin was found as a stray at 2 months old, the green leaves of summer were starting to turn orange to match the color of her soft fur.

This fur makes her fairly unique because orange tabbies are usually male. Her beautiful markings include an adorable handlebar mustache.

Pumpkin arrived at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter in September. She’s a bit shy at the first meeting, although she definitely warms to gentle, soft-spoken people who take time with her.

Pumpkin especially appreciates people who know that slowly blinking to a cat is the feline equivalent of a warm, friendly smile.

Once trust is established, strokes down her back and rubs under her chin elicit purrs of thanks. And if you’ve got a toy, she’d like to play.

Many cats need their people to help them with change, especially to a new home.

To help Pumpkin transition from a tiny space to a whole house, she’ll initially be most comfortable living in a bathroom or other small space. Then, as she begins to acclimate to more space, she’ll enjoy roaming the entire house and begin to build family bonds.

Can you picture hanging a stocking for Pumpkin on your mantle? It would be a dream come true for this autumn girl to find a patient adopter who will give her a home for the holidays.

For more information about Pumpkin (ID No. 235025), call the volunteer line at the Animal Services shelter at 805-781-4400 or visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/aserv. The shelter is located at 885 Oklahoma Ave., off Highway 1, in San Luis Obispo.

The full-price adoption fee is $81 for cats and $115 for dogs, plus a $28 county license fee for dogs, if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents.

The adoption fee includes a new collar, a spay or neuter operation, basic vaccinations, a microchip and eligibility for a free veterinary check within San Luis Obispo County. Cats also are tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and adopters receive a carrier.

HART Cat of the Month

At 5 years old, George is hilarious, spunky and super personable.

With his bright green eyes and soft, fluffy tail, George is a handsome representative of his species — but that’s not all.

At Homeless Animal Rescue Team in Cambria, this indoor-only kitty is admired as a comically entertaining fellow, and we have a sneaking suspicion that George will become even more appealing with age.

He’s a bit shy with strangers, but he is a natural-born charmer who will make a fine companion for his lucky adopter.

George has always been an indoor-only kitty, so that’s where he feels most comfortable and safe. However, he loves our catio here at HART where he can watch the birds and bask in the unfiltered light, safe from predators.

George has a personality that is bigger than the room he’s in, exemplified by his luxurious, long gray tail that wraps around your legs when he’s in the mood for full body cuddles.

This kitty is the cat’s meow. He enjoys head scratches, playing with wand toys and lasers, and meal times.

His favorite place to hang out is a cardboard box. And, believe it or not, he’s still available for adoption.

As HART’s Cat of the Month for December, George’s adoption fees are waived.

HART is a cage-free, no-kill shelter located in lovely downtown Cambria. We love what we do.

Come on by to meet George and all of our other available cats and kittens at 2638 Main Street in Cambria. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 805-927-7377, visit www.slohart.org and follow HART on Facebook and Instagram at @HARTCambria.

This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 1:47 PM.