Paws Cat Shelter — Local services in Putnam

I adopted a cat, "Miss Kitty" in April that was highly encouraged because she "sounded exactly like what I was looking for": a lap cat that would play when encouraged. I found it strange that she had been in and out of 6 homes in 8 months, because she was "too much" for the people that adopted her...the staff insisted that many people were taking her for their grandparents or elderly family members... so the story somewhat checked out...I figured maybe she was just in the elders' laps too much. Mind you the entire time I was considering Miss Kitty, i felt long side eye glances from much of the staff, all seeming surprised that this cat was going to be getting a home and that if at all I wanted to return her, they would take her back.

I realized immediately why she was "too much" and kept being returned. She would HOWL late at night and early morning. I looked up this behavior and there were 2 reasons she'd be doing this. 1) hyperthyroidism 2) being an unspayed female...I emailed PAWS immediately because I was not prepared to take on a chronic vet bill, and was convinced that along with the howling, her physiological presentation (no weight in or hair on her back end) and her lack of appetite that she was a cat with hyperthyroidism. PAWS insisted they wouldn't send me home with a cat that had any problems, so they said I could take her back to have their vet look at her.... it was only 2 days in and Miss Kitty began eating so I said I would just keep an eye on her. I set up an appointment with my vet but could not get in until July due to COVID.

A few months went by and Miss Kitty began spraying on things, and would HOWL every 3 weeks.....I emailed Paws again again because it was beginning to look like Miss Kitty was not spayed....no answer. I took her to the vet to find 1) no heart murmur regardless of a 3/5 reported on her records from PAWS and 2) no spay scar ....

I scheduled an exploratory surgery. She was not spayed and actually had fluid in her uterus, that thankfully did not progress to anything worse. I am still waiting to hear back from PAWS about this oversight. It took no time at all for me to investigate and hypothesize that this cat was not spayed. I can't imagine that by different adopters' statements of Miss Kitty's behaviors, that the staff at PAWS couldn't have had made the same conclusions themselves. I would like my situation to be recognized by them, and to at least be re compensated my adoption fee. Never mind have the surgery be compensated.

I love my cat, and am glad she has a home in which she will be properly vetted...at this point I laugh at the idea that this cat was in a shelter when she could have fended just as well for herself had she been out...

Whatever you do, do not trust Paws Cat Shelter CT. They stole my kittens from me without any documentation or right. I was supposed to get two kittens from a family friend and Paws was supposed to do a wellness check on them and they said that would take a few days - a week. Now they are saying that the kittens were surrendered to them (which is not true at all) and that I would have to wait three months to receive the kittens after they get fixed and microchipped and all of that. I have asked for proof of a surrender and then they blocked me on Facebook because they’re thieves and liars. They stole the cats from my friend and didn’t contact her for 3 weeks because they want money out of it. I had already set up a vet appointment for them to be neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, wellness, and nail clipping. They now made me fill out an application and pay them money to get my kittens back?! I would not trust this shelter if I were you as they are money hungry and will steal just so they can make money off of your...

I have been meaning to write a review for PAWS for several months and finally am able to sit down and do this. I can’t say enough good things about this shelter. I adopted my sweet kitten Ireland (she was then named Harmony) last summer. Ireland is such a joy and fills my life with love, I can’t imagine my life without her or when she was not part of my family! The adoption process was smooth and easy. I was very impressed at how responsive the team at PAWS was with all of my questions, not all non-profits are so attentive. They truly care for the cats like their own. Ireland is such a blessing to me and all her furry siblings. I would absolutely adopt from here again. I got to meet the wonderful foster mom too and she was also very helpful. Ireland had a little cold when I brought her home and PAWS helped with some medication. I wish they were closer and I would volunteer! Thanks PAWS for selecting me to be...