Category Archives: Pets

A new member of the family: Bertie!

Last week we got a new family member: Bertie!

Bertie, a blue tabby and white shorthair cat, looking outside in front of a mottled white background. (Marc C. Perkins)
Bertie looking sharp

We weren’t planning on adding another family member (haven’t you heard that before?), but Bertie adopted us and we couldn’t turn him down. Bertie is, as you can tell from the pictures, a blue tabby and white domestic shorthair cat.

Bertie, a blue tabby and white shorthair cat, relaxing on a bed all curled up with his eyes open looking out a window. (Marc C. Perkins)
Lazy day

Bertie was a stray; we first met him when he meowed outside our window as we were feeding our own cats. He was super-friendly right from the start, wanting no end of petting and company. We ended up catching him, and discovered (thanks to his chip) that he was an abandoned kitty: the owner registered on his chip no longer wanted him. 🙁

Bertie, a blue tabby and white shorthair cat, looking a bit surprised as he stares directly into the camera. (Marc C. Perkins)
I was abandoned 🙁

So, we’ve decided to give Bertie a home, with the blessing of the prior owner. He’s currently indoors, isolated from our other two cats as we wait on test results to make sure he won’t transmit anything to them. When we first met him he was starving and thus wolfing down food (he hunts about as well as your average pine tree), but he’s back to normal eating habits now. He’s also spent nearly all of his non-sleeping hours grooming himself.

Bertie is definitely into comfort:

Bertie, a blue tabby and white shorthair cat, laying on his side all cutely with his eyes closed and paws curled up. (Marc C. Perkins)
Nap time!

Continue reading A new member of the family: Bertie!

Chicken cat

While photographing Oliver for my cats up for adoption series, I captured this image of him looking just like a chicken, which I thought would make a great post to end the week:

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, looks like a chicken in this picture.  Here he's perked up and stretched his neck as far up as it'll go, looking intently at something off camera.  He really does look like a chicken here.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver: chicken cat.

He was standing on top of a bank of cages at the rescue, and had just been mildly startled by something off in the distance.  So he stretched his neck up to see better.

Can’t you just hear the clucking?

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Sad shelter pictures: cats behind bars

I don’t like pictures of animals in cages, especially ones that are clearly behind bars.  But while I was photographing cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue last week I decided to take a few “behind the bars” images, and I’ll hesitantly share them here.

The reason for sharing them is simple: living in cages is the reality for many cats. There are simply too many cats, and not enough loving enough homes for them all.

Awesome cats like Oliver and Trista end up being born feral or getting tossed out onto the street by an unloving owner.  If they’re lucky, they’re picked up by a rescue like Miss Kitty’s, who befriends them and sees if they could make a good pet. If they can make a good pet they live in a foster home for some time, then move to a cage at a display location like Petsmart in the hopes that someone will adopt them, enduring the hundreds of kids and dogs that knock on their cage’s window and bark at them.  And that’s if they’re lucky.

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, looks out from behind the bars of his cage.  I don't like pictures of cats behind bars, but it's what happens when people abandon their cats or let them have offspring uncontrolled.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver looks out from behind the bars of his cage.
Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat, comes up to the bars of his cage to ask for petting in the rescue shelter he's currently living in.   I don't like pictures of cats behind bars, but it's what happens when people abandon their cats or let them have offspring uncontrolled.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista comes up to the bars of her cage to ask for petting. Mindy, who runs the rescue, pets her.

Won’t you help?  

When you do want a new companion, adopt a pet in need (not from a breeder).  But if you can’t adopt right now, you can also help spread the word about pets in need of adoption.  You could also volunteer to help at your local rescue or shelter; they’re always looking for good people (and if you’re a photographer, see if they want a volunteer photographer).  Or donate to organizations like the Humane Society, an organization that works to, among other things, fund efforts to spay and neuter cats and dogs to help reduce the pet overpopulation problem.

Whatever you do, just make it so that I don’t need to take pictures of cats in need of a home anymore.

Both of these cats (as of this writing) are currently available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information on the rescue, and to find out how to adopt them, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cat for adoption: Trista

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes, is looking for a new home in Orange County, CA.

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), playing with a feather toy from behind a sisal-wrapped cat tree post.   Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista.

Trista is a gorgeous cat; her face reminds both Michelle and me a bit of a mountain lion’s. And when she stands or sits, she emanates grace and power.

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), standing proud.  Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista looking proud.
Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), staring off into the distance in this super-closeup image focusing just on her face.  I love how proud and strong she looks here; "don't mess with me" is almost certainly her motto.  Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista up close.

Trista has a calm facade (and a white chin!), but underneath it she’s a playful, outgoing kitty.

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), playing with a feather toy from behind a sisal-wrapped cat tree post.   Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista playing with a feather toy from behind a sisal-wrapped cat tree post.

You know how sometimes when you head to a rescue, a cat just grabs your attention? For me on this trip, that cat was Trista – she’s got a beautiful pattern, a unique face, and she was a ton of fun to photograph.

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), standing on all four legs and staring straight into the camera.   Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista.

Trista is currently available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information, and to find out how to adopt her, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cat for adoption: Molly [updated]

[Update: Happy news!  Molly has been adopted!]

Molly, a two year old bicolor tuxedo white and black short-haired female cat, is looking for a new home in Orange County, CA.

Molly, a two year old bicolor tuxedo white and black short-haired cat, sits in Mindy's arms.  Molly is a very playful and fun loving cat who loves to ride on people's shoulders and interact with dogs; she would not be good with small children.  Molly is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Molly in Mindy's arms.

Molly is a very playful and fun loving cat who loves to ride on people’s shoulders and interact with dogs; she would not be good with small children.

Molly, a two year old bicolor tuxedo white and black short-haired cat, looks at her cage door.  Molly is a very playful and fun loving cat who loves to ride on people's shoulders and interact with dogs; she would not be good with small children.  Molly is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Molly.

Molly is currently no longer available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information, and to find out how to adopt her, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cat for Adoption: Oliver [updated]

[Update: Happy news!  Oliver has been adopted!]

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, is waiting for a home in Orange County, CA.

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, looks peacefully just off camera.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver.

Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids. He loves to explore his environment, and can be frequently found sneaking through a fabric tube in the rescue.

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, looks intently at the camera after having just popped out of a fabric tube that he loves to crawl through.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver popping out of a fabric tube.
Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, sniffs the corner of a cat cage at a rescue shelter.  Oliver likes to climb on top of the cages and explore who is in each one.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver sniffs the corner of a cat cage at his rescue.

Oliver is currently no longer available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information, and to find out how to adopt him, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cat for adoption: Hurricane

Hurricane is a seven year old male short-haired black cat waiting for a home in Orange County, CA.

Hurricane, a seven year old male short-haired black cat, staring into the camera for a portrait.  Hurricane is a very intelligent, outgoing cat who loves people and is not afraid of anything, but who needs to live in a house without other pets as he can be aggressive to other dogs and cats.  Hurricane is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Hurricane.

Hurricane is a very intelligent, outgoing cat who loves people and is not afraid of anything, but who needs to live in a house without other pets as he can be aggressive to other cats and dogs.

Hurricane, a seven year old male short-haired black cat, being held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Hurricane is a very intelligent, outgoing cat who loves people and is not afraid of anything, but who needs to live in a house without other pets as he can be aggressive to other dogs and cats.  Hurricane is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Hurricane in Mindy Millers arms.
Hurricane, a seven year old male short-haired black cat, looking up at a toy while playing at the rescue shelter.   Hurricane is a very intelligent, outgoing cat who loves people and is not afraid of anything, but who needs to live in a house without other pets as he can be aggressive to other dogs and cats.  Hurricane is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Hurricane looking playful.

Hurricane is currently available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information, and to find out how to adopt him, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cats for adoption: Zoey and Porsche

Zoey and Porsche are two sisters waiting for a home in Orange County, CA.  They’re both short-haired white and black bicolor female cats with yellow-green eyes.

Zoey, a less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA, is held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Zoey is sisters with Porsche, and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  Zoey has a little bit of lipstick on her face, thanks to a recent "kiss" from Mindy.  Zoey has a nipped left ear, a sign that she may have been captured in a catch-and-release spay program for feral cats.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Zoey
Porsche, a less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA, is held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Porsche is sisters with Zoey (seen in other pictures), and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  She has a cute black spot on her pink nose, and is probably a mask-and-mantle pattern. Porsche has a nipped left ear, a sign that she may have been captured in a catch-and-release spay program for feral cats.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Porsche

They’re both less than a year old, and they need to be adopted together as a pair. They’re  a bit shy and scared in the rescue, but they’re very playful with toys and each other, and will warm up once they get to a house where they’re given a space they can call their own.

Zoey (front; black nose) and Porsche (rear; black dot on her pink nose) are two sisters waiting for adoption.  They're both less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cats with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  The two need to be adopted together as a pair.  Both have nipped left ears, a sign that they may have been captured in a catch-and-release spay program for feral cats.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Zoey (front; black nose) and Porsche (rear; black dot on her pink nose)
Zoey peers out from behind a wall, wondering who's taking pictures of her.  Zoey, a less than year old white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA, is held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Zoey is sisters with Porsche, and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Zoey peers out from behind a wall.
A close-up view of Zoey, a less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  Zoey is sisters with Porsche (seen blurred in the background), and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Zoey

Zoey and Porsche are currently available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA. For more information on the cats, and to find out how to adopt them, contact Mindy at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.

More kitties?

To see more cats available for adoption at Miss Kitty’s Rescue in Orange County, CA, head to my cats available for adoption in Orange County, CA page.

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.

Cats up for adoption in Orange County, CA

Are you looking for a cute cat or kitten to adopt in Costa Mesa, California?  Here’s a list of some of the cats currently available for adoption through Miss Kitty’s Rescue:

[Note: Click each cat’s image or name to see more information about the cat.]

Zoey, a less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA, is held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Zoey is sisters with Porsche, and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  Zoey has a little bit of lipstick on her face, thanks to a recent "kiss" from Mindy.  Zoey has a nipped left ear, a sign that she may have been captured in a catch-and-release spay program for feral cats.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins) Porsche, a less than year old short-haired white and black bicolor female cat with yellow green eyes up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA, is held by Mindy, owner of Miss Kitty's Rescue.  Porsche is sisters with Zoey (seen in other pictures), and the two need to be adopted together as a pair.  She has a cute black spot on her pink nose, and is probably a mask-and-mantle pattern. Porsche has a nipped left ear, a sign that she may have been captured in a catch-and-release spay program for feral cats.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Zoey and Porsche

Hurricane, a seven year old male short-haired black cat, staring into the camera for a portrait.  Hurricane is a very intelligent, outgoing cat who loves people and is not afraid of anything, but who needs to live in a house without other pets as he can be aggressive to other dogs and cats.  Hurricane is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Hurricane

Trista, a three year old female short-haired brown tabby cat with green eyes (and a white chin), playing with a feather toy from behind a sisal-wrapped cat tree post.   Trista has a face that looks somewhat like a mountain lion to me; a bit more elongated than your typical domesticated cat.  Trista is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Trista

If you’re interested in adopting any of these cats, please contact Mindy of Miss Kitty’s Rescue at misskittysrescue@yahoo.com.  Some of these cats may also be available to be seen at the Petsmart at 620 West 17th St in Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

Kitties who have found a home

These cats have been adopted into a loving home:

Oliver, a two year old male short-haired brown tabby and white cat, looks peacefully just off camera.  Oliver is a sweet cat who needs a home with no dogs and no kids.  Oliver is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Oliver

Molly, a two year old bicolor tuxedo white and black short-haired cat, looks at her cage door.  Molly is a very playful and fun loving cat who loves to ride on people's shoulders and interact with dogs; she would not be good with small children.  Molly is up for adoption at Miss Kitty's Rescue in Costa Mesa, CA.  This picture was taken pro bono for Miss Kitty's Rescue to help them advertise the cats for adoption. (Marc C. Perkins)
Molly

About Miss Kitty’s Rescue

Miss Kitty’s Rescue is a cat rescue group run by Mindy Miller in Costa Mesa, California.  Michelle and I adopted our two cats from Mindy; they were both former feral cats that Mindy tamed herself, and she turned the two of them from fearful, nearly wild cats into two kitties who love spending time with us.

As with most cat rescues, however, Mindy’s rescue is constantly full, and she has trouble finding people to adopt her rescued cats, especially since many of the cats need special homes. To help her out I’ve volunteered to take pictures of her cats pro bono, so she can use them in her own advertising.  She has also asked me to do whatever advertising I can for the cats, and thus I’ve created this post, which will link to all the cats.

More kitties?

To see more cat pictures I’ve taken, you can see a list of all of my pet posts, or head straight to my pets portfolio page.