CeCe's Adoption Story

CeCe

Pet's name: CeCe
Adopted by: Rebecca Sebek
From: The Arizona Humane Society (South Mountain location), Phoenix, Arizona

Rebecca, who writes about animal and environmental advocacy at The Savvy Advocator, contributed stories about her cats, Benny and CeCe. Benny's story was posted yesterday, and this is CeCe's:

"It was August 2009, and I decided that Benny needed a playmate. Everyone I spoke with said, 'It’s best to have two cats because they can use the companionship.' By this time, I was very educated about cats and kittens. Again, I was not going to experience what I did with Salem, my first cat who was feral. I was living in a brand new apartment complex which allowed residents to have a maximum of two pets. The apartment was bigger and perfect for two cats.

"I learned about the Arizona Humane Society and decided to drive to the South Mountain facility, located on W. Dobbins Road in Phoenix, Arizona. I couldn’t believe how packed it was. I was approached by a 'cat' adoptions counselor and told her I wasn’t sure if I wanted to adopt a kitten. I explained that Benny was a year and a few months. She helped me decide that a kitten wasn’t in my or Benny’s best interest.

"I looked at the cats in the kitty 'casitas,' and a female brown tabby named CiCi, whose name is now spelled CeCe, caught my eye. The adoptions counselor took CeCe out of her casita and placed us in one of the adoptions rooms. CeCe was very playful and friendly. She rubbed up against me and purred. I knew she was the cat for me and Benny and adopted her on August 9. I didn’t realize until I got home that CeCe came to AHS on August 4, one day before my birthday, which is August 5. Was this a coincidence? Maybe it was.

"It took CeCe time to adjust. First, she had a home. Then, she’s surrendered to the Arizona Humane Society. Now, CeCe had a new home and owner who had another cat. Two weeks later, she developed URI [upper respiratory infection], which was another learning experience for me. Since August 2009, she’s experienced a 32-hour road trip and an introduction to a dog. She’s come a long way!

"Adopting CeCe made me realize I wanted to help shelter animals. In October 2009, I became a volunteer for the Arizona Humane Society; I loved every minute of it. I began as a dog-walker and transitioned into the Humane Education area, which educates children 7-14 about shelter animals and animals in general. Unfortunately, I had to move away from Arizona in July 2010 but hope to return. Fingers crossed!"

Benny’s Adoption Story

Benny on top of the fridge

Pet's name: Benny
Adopted by: Rebecca Sebek
From: PetSmart in Chandler, Arizona, by way of Mixed Up Mutts and Shepherds Too, which partners with selected PetSmart stores

Rebecca, who writes about animal and environmental advocacy at The Savvy Advocator, contributed stories about her cats, Benny and CeCe. CeCe's story will appear in tomorrow's post, and this is Benny's story:

"Benny’s a dapper black-and-white tuxedo cat. His story begins with Salem, a black feral cat who came into my life in June 2008, but was unprepared to care for. I’d been living in Chandler, Arizona, for nine months and was still adjusting to my new home. One day, as I came down the stairs of my apartment, a fellow tenant walked by and said, 'That kitten has been there for weeks.' I had no idea what she was talking about. I looked to where she was pointing, and lo and behold there was a black kitten sitting on the patio of the 'model' apartment that was below mine. I brought Salem into my apartment but had no idea how to care for a kitten, let alone a feral one.

"I ended up taking Salem to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in Mesa, Arizona. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I was riddled with guilt and called the next day to see if I could get him back. I was told he was euthanized. I was devastated and cried every day. My mom, who was in Ohio, paid for my sister to fly out to Arizona to be with me; she was worried the guilt would consume my being. I did everything I could for Salem. I even hired a pet behavioral specialist, but she said there was no guarantee that Salem would adapt, since he was feral. One month passed, and I decided to adopt a kitten as a way to memorialize Salem, perhaps even redeem myself. I didn’t realize the healing I would receive from adopting Benny.

"In July 2008, I discovered PetSmart on Chandler Blvd. had adoptable cats; I wasn’t going back to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. By this time, I educated myself about cats and kittens. I drove to PetSmart and saw three-month-old Benny. Normally, kittens are adopted straight away. But Benny had been there for two weeks. The adoptions counselor couldn’t believe he wasn’t adopted. She said to me, 'Maybe, he was waiting for you.' I spent time with Benny and spoke with his foster mom, whom I asked many questions because I was not going to go through what I went through with Salem. And, I haven’t. Benny’s more than a pet; he’s my fur kid. I couldn’t imagine my life without him."