Ash- Our Longest Kitty Resident

Are you looking to make a huge difference in a cat's life and save a kitty that has been passed over time and time again, and who has been dealt an unfair hand in life? Ash has been waiting for her person for EIGHT long months, and frankly, she thinks that's ridiculous!<br/><br/>She was abandoned at a firehouse and brought to us by the firefighters who found her. She was understandably terrified and very uncertain of people. She had some teeth that were causing her pain (they have since been removed), she had obviously had kittens before (she has since been spayed) and she winced when she was approached. Ash isn’t a kitty who will immediately throw herself into your arms and pretend she's never had a bad day in her life. She's a girl with opinions. But after everything she's been through, can you really blame her?<br/>Ash has an estimated birthdate of 2/8/19, so she’s about 7 12 years old. She has big, beautiful eyes and a gorgeous gray/blue coat. She’s a beauty and she knows it. <br/> <br/>When Ash first arrived at the shelter, and over the following month or so, she was incredibly stressed out and obviously miserable. Thankfully a foster family stepped up and rescued her from the stressful shelter environment. She made her way into her foster home, where she has a room of her own, but also roams free with the resident kitties on a daily basis. When Ash first arrived at her foster home, she hated everything under the sun, probably INCLUDING the sun. Over time, however, she's made what we in the rescue world call “significant personal growth” and she's been figuring out how to "cat" appropriately. <br/><br/>This fabulously fussy feline has a personality that can best be described as "confusingly selective." She is equal parts, affection and contempt, often delivered simultaneously. One minute she'll demand pets and purr like a tiny engine. The next, she'll stare at you with such disappointment that you'll find yourself apologizing for things you did in 2017. Some days she's as sweet as pie. Some days she's a little sassy. Some days she's both at once. Personal growth is a journey, and Ash has chosen to share that journey with those around her. The funny thing (and don’t tell her that we are telling you this) is that we have figured out that she is mostly all talk when it comes to her displeasure with things. Sure, she may hiss, but if she does take the occasional “swat”, the claws are usually not out. This girl has seemingly lived her life having to defend herself, and old habits die hard sometimes! One thing that we do want to make clear is that while Ash is a bit of a sassy gal, she does NOT have a bite history. She’s got some sass for sure, biting has not been anything that she's done in the 8 months that we have had her. <br/><br/>Despite her somewhat prickly exterior, Ash has a playful side that shines through once she feels comfortable. Wand toys are her absolute favorite, and she'll happily unleash her inner hunter in pursuit of feathers and strings. Watching her play is one of the best ways to see the softer cat hiding beneath that attitude. Her expectations are high and she has a firm belief that wand toy playtime should be a part of every single day. She's looking for a home with someone willing to take their wand-toy responsibilities very seriously!<br/><br/>In addition to her fun and playful side, she likes to cuddle up next to her people too. Sometimes she just wants to be close and sometimes she will lay on the chest of her foster dad. Her love and affection truly is something special to behold and it feels darn good when she chooses you! <br/><br/>Ash has opinions about everything and living with other cats is no exception. Can she live with other cats? Yes. Will she love their company and romp around your home with them in sheer delight? Actually, MAYBE.... she has made HUGE strides over the last few months! She still wants to make it clear that she is the boss of her personal space. When irritated by other cats, she will hiss dramatically at them from a safe distance. While she does consider herself to be the boss, if she encounters a cat with bigger boss energy, she immediately remembers an important appointment, tucks tail and runs for the hills. So yeah, she's more talk than action. <br/><br/>Ash's opinion on dogs remains a mystery. We honestly have no idea. Ash declined to answer questions regarding canine relations and requested legal representation. But all jokes aside, her foster mom thinks that if she has vertical spaces (cat trees and towers), that she will be fine with a gentle, cat-friendly dog. Now there is the remote possibility that she will appoint herself the dog's supervisor, steal its bed, eat first, and occasionally ride it around like a tiny, furry cowboy. But that's just part of the journey and adventure that is Ash!<br/><br/>Ash has had one UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) since coming to us, and we strongly suspect that this was due to stress. She was living in an extreme multi cat household, then got moved to a tiny cage in a shelter for a while (for UTI treatment and more exposure to the public). Being stuck in a loud shelter, with lots of sounds and smells, in a tiny cage, is a lot for any kitty and for her it was just too much. Her foster mom knew that it wasn't fair to her to be at the shelter, so she brought her back home. She has done really well at her foster home, but she really wants a more quiet home with less hustle and bustle, and a smaller amount of cats. Her foster home is a busy place with a lot of kitties, and that too is a big ask and not all kitties are able to handle living with a fleet of feline counterparts. <br/><br/>Ash is currently eating a urinary diet of wet and dry food. She may be ok with store bought dry urinary tract care food (Iams Urinary Diet), or she may need prescription food (Science Diet C/D). Or she may not need anything at all special once she lands in a loving, more peaceful home. We are just erring on the side of caution right now when it comes to the food, knowing that she's in a stressful environment. She currently has access to both store bought and prescription food and likes both foods. She loves most wet food and it is very important for the moisture content in her diet, so it’s important that she receives her wet food at least twice a day. <br/><br/>A moisture rich diet is important for all cats, but especially important for a kitty who may be more prone to UTIs. For this reason, we are huge advocates of kitty water fountains, and Ash has her very own that she will be bringing along to her forever home. <br/><br/>What Ash really needs isn't complicated: she needs peace, stability, and someone willing to meet her where she is. Her dream home would be more on the quiet side and predictable. While she can coexist with other cats, she'd prefer a much smaller social circle made up of calm, respectful feline roommates. Honestly? Ash would be perfectly happy being the center of someone's universe as an only cat as well. She would be an amazing work from home partner! <br/><br/>Ash deserves so much more than life has given her. Right now, she's safe and loved in foster care, but she only has a bedroom to call her own. She dreams of having windows to watch birds from, a tall cat tree to conquer, and a whole home or apartment to explore at her own pace.<br/><br/>What Ash needs is a unicorn adopter. Someone patient. Someone kind. Someone who understands that the best relationships aren't always instant. Someone who can appreciate a cat with a little sass, a little spice, and a whole lot of heart. Someone willing to go the extra mile and make sure that she receives the care that she deserves. We know that her adopter HAS to be out there, and we hope that they find her soon as she is starting to lose hope. <br/><br/>Underneath her opinions there is a good girl who has spent her entire life trying to find a place where she belongs. If you can love Ash exactly as she is, she’ll finally get the chance she’s been waiting for all along. And when she curls up next to you after a long day of judging your life choices, you’ll understand why she’s worth the extra work that she may need.<br/><br/>Would you like to give this sweet and sassy gal the loving forever home that she so deserves? If so, please complete an application and help this girl find the loving, permanent home that has so far evaded her. Once your application is approved, we will call you to schedule a meet and greet with her and her foster mom. <br/><br/>West Jefferson, Ohio<br/>#hsmcohio<br/><br/>A Petfinder inquiry is not a substitute for an application. For detailed information about our adoption process, including fees, please visit our website www.hsmcohio.org<br/><br/>Our adoption fee is $100.00 for kittens up to 6 months of age and $80 for cats 7 months and older. It includes: a microchip, spay or neuter, set of shots, de-worming, and a 1-year rabies vaccine (if old enough). Fees can be made by cash or credit card. Please go to our website, www.hsmcohio.org to fill out an application.

Are you looking to make a huge difference in a cat's life and save a kitty that has been passed over time and time again, and who has been dealt an unfair hand in life? Ash has been waiting for her person for EIGHT long months, and frankly, she thinks that's ridiculous!

She was abandoned at a firehouse and brought to us by the firefighters who found her. She was understandably terrified and very uncertain of people. She had some teeth that were causing her pain (they have since been removed), she had obviously had kittens before (she has since been spayed) and she winced when she was approached. Ash isn’t a kitty who will immediately throw herself into your arms and pretend she's never had a bad day in her life. She's a girl with opinions. But after everything she's been through, can you really blame her?
Ash has an estimated birthdate of 2/8/19, so she’s about 7 12 years old. She has big, beautiful eyes and a gorgeous gray/blue coat. She’s a beauty and she knows it.

When Ash first arrived at the

Are you looking to make a huge difference in a cat's life and save a kitty that has been passed over time and time again, and who has been dealt an unfair hand in life? Ash has been waiting for her person for EIGHT long months, and frankly, she thinks that's ridiculous!

She was abandoned at a firehouse and brought to us by the firefighters who found her. She was understandably terrified and very uncertain of people. She had some teeth that were causing her pain (they have since been removed), she had obviously had kittens before (she has since been spayed) and she winced when she was approached. Ash isn’t a kitty who will immediately throw herself into your arms and pretend she's never had a bad day in her life. She's a girl with opinions. But after everything she's been through, can you really blame her?
Ash has an estimated birthdate of 2/8/19, so she’s about 7 12 years old. She has big, beautiful eyes and a gorgeous gray/blue coat. She’s a beauty and she knows it.

When Ash first arrived at the shelter, and over the following month or so, she was incredibly stressed out and obviously miserable. Thankfully a foster family stepped up and rescued her from the stressful shelter environment. She made her way into her foster home, where she has a room of her own, but also roams free with the resident kitties on a daily basis. When Ash first arrived at her foster home, she hated everything