TWINKIE

Hi, they call me Twinkie. They tell me you are having some sort of contest, and want me to share my story. Back in late 2004, I was hit by a car. As I lay in the road, thinking this might be it, some kind people scooped me up and rushed me to an Animal Emergency Clinic. They were able to patch me up, but unfortunately, I had nowhere to go. So they sent me to some place called McHenry County Animal Control.

They treated me nice there, and I put on quite a show. Even though I had both lingering injuries from the recent car crash, as well as injuries from previous accidents (one of my back legs is permanently damaged, so they say I walk like a hyena), I showed them how affectionate and energetic I could still be. Unfortunately, they had lots and lots of cats there, and I still needed a lot of costly medical help, and I didn't have any money because....well....I'm a cat.

I heard them say they might have to euthanize me, and I didn't like the sound of that. But then someone from some group called Animal Outreach agreed with the animal control people that I deserved another chance for a permanent home. Apparently, Animal Outreach has worked with Animal Control for many years, and has helped Animal Control by taking over 150 cats from them over the last few years.

So the Animal Outreach people took me to their doctor, and he said my one injured eye needed to be removed. That was fine by me, as it wasn't working and it hurt a lot. I also had such severe upper respiratory problems they thought for awhile I might not make it, but I did. I was a homeless lady for a long time, I raised many kittens, and I've had to deal with lots of problems these people will never know, I wasn't going to let something like this finish me off.

Once I recovered from the surgery, I went to some place called a foster home. I spent over two and a half years in that home, hanging out with my foster family, and doing things like watching TV (I thought I had a crazy life until I saw those Desperate Housewives). Anyways, just when it seemed I would never find a permanent home to call my own, it happened. A woman who had seen me on something called petfinder.com had a special place in her heart for unique cats like me, and adopted me. I'm hoping my journey is finally over. I'm still only 10 you know, I've got lots of lives still left in me, but I'm ready to settle down.

I can't thank all of you that support Animal Outreach enough. Without you, they wouldn't have been able to give me a chance. Thank you for saving me through them, and if you elect me queen I will add it to the list of amazing things that have happened to me over the last 3 years.

FEISTY

Hi. They call me Feisty. Someone told me you're having a contest, and that last year, a feral mom just like me won it, so I should give it a try. I've been living large and enjoying the good life outside for as long as I can remember. I come and go when I want and where I want, and I've never had much contact with any of you humans.

It wasn't always the easiest life, since sometimes I didn't really know where the next meal was coming from, but I am quite good at catching small rodents. I've also learned that there are these places called houses that have people in them, and if I hang around and act real hungry they'll put food outside for me to eat! Every day! Can you believe it? I don't like to get too close though, who knows what kind of germs these people have- bleh! Kooties!!!

I've had maybe four or five boyfriends over the years, we hang out and then bam! - there are these kittens running all over the place. They usually grow up and move on to their own territory. I figure I must have oh, I don't know, 100 or more grandkids by now. They're good kids most of them. This year though, I made a BIG mistake. I got too close to this lady who gives me food, and when she saw me and my latest batch of kids, we ended up in this thing called a humane trap.

We're hanging out in a cage for now, until I can wean my babies. The kids are having a blast playing with the fake mice and feathery things, I think they're called toys. As for me, I just go to back of the cage when the lady comes to bring fresh food and water. It's ok, but I need to feel the grass under my feet. The kids are talking about getting adopted and going to new homes. The lady tells me as soon as this batch of kids are big enough, she'll "fix me up" and I can go back to my old stomping grounds, but this time there will be no more kittens, and I'll have someone watching over me to help with my food and shelter, making my life a lot easier. I guess that's fair. Not sure what fixed means, but I guess I'll find out soon enough. 

ABBY

Hi my name is Abby. Last fall when it was really, really cold, I was outside looking for a place to have my babies. I didn't have a warm home to go to and I was pretty much on my own. There aren't any homes for single pregnant moms like myself so I had to settle for the next best thing, someone's garage.

Thank goodness they left the door open that bitter cold day. I made a place in the garage to lie on as best I could. Through that long cold night, I gave birth to, all by myself, five of the most adorable babies you ever set eyes on! I kept them close to me to stay warm. We tried to stay hidden but my babies mewing got noticed and the next thing I knew we were in this big cage inside.

At least it was warmer but I wasn't sure what to make of these people who kept poking their heads and hands into my space and picking up my babies!!! My boys and girls got bigger every day and played and played. The women who fed us kept telling me they were going to new homes and I should be proud at how well they behaved and how loved they were going to be.

Then one day she told me they were going to try to get me a new permanent home too. I went to this bright place they call a Petsmart Adoption Center, but I didn't want any part of it. I just wasn't ready for something so big, with lots of people staring at me and picking me up. For some reason I just got very depressed. I guess they got the hint that this wasn't helping me find my permanent home, because now I am back at my foster mom's house. I like it when she pets me and it's fun to sit in the living room and watch the pictures on the big box they have in there.

I'm still not too sure about this indoor life, but at least I get regular meals and these people here are nice to me. They say thanks to things like petfinder.com and other creative ways of promoting cats like me, I still have a chance at being adopted, like my babies were. Maybe even someone reading this story will want to give me a chance. For now, I think I'll just sit in the ray of sunshine and think about it tomorrow.