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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Editor’s note: It’s time for me to move on from Van City Kitty, and as my last wish as editor I’d sure love for all of these lovely cats to find a forever home. Can you make it happen? Please spread the word! Every month we feature new cats needing homes in the Lower Mainland. Won’t you consider opening your home and your heart? This month, we’re pleased to present BUBBA HO-TEP, SIRAYANA and AZLAN, all via HomeFinders Animal Rescue Society.

HomeFinders Animal Rescue Society is a registered not-for-profit organization operating in the Greater Vancouver area of BC, established in 1998. We aim to help all animals, and in the process, educate the public and help control the animal overpopulation problem!

HomeFinders is a no-kill rescue, and we have limited space to take on new pets. A large focus of our rescue involves adopting animals from rural areas of Northern BC into new, loving homes in Vancouver. We care for cats, kitten, dogs, puppies, and rabbits.

Here are the deets on this month’s batch of awesome adoptable cats!

BUBBA HO-TEP My name’s Bubba and I am a HUGE big boy! I am all love and purrs and cuddles! I have had a really sad go of it lately, first my human died, and just recently my littermate and brother of 13 years passed away from kidney failure. The people here at HomeFinders tell me that I am in superb health, even though I could stand to lose a few pounds! ;) I know there’s someone out there who wants to bring me home! I love other cats and would do best in a multi cat household. I dont really like dogs so much, so I wouldn’t like to live with them. I am 13, and don’t have any front claws, so I need a very safe place to live. ADOPT BUBBA. SIRAYANA Sirayana is a gorgeous friendly young girl, who flew down from Terrace with her babies to go up for adoption! So far, she is nervous with other cats and dogs, but very loving with people. She is also hormonal and in a new environment.. so this could change for the better and probably will in time :) Sirayana has extra toes on each foot – which sailors viewed as good luck in ye olden days! ADOPT SIRAYANA. AZLAN You may recall Azlan from a previous Take Us Home Edition – he’s such a great boy in desperate need of a loving home that we thought we’d feature him again – this time with all his fur! Azlan is a sweet boy, he probably around 10 years old. He was living behind a bar on Main St. He loves to purr, and he has such a cool look to him, thus his name Azlan, he looks like a miniature lion! Azlan is missing one eye and is hyperthyroid, which means he has an overactive thyroid gland. He is currently on an oral medication for his thyroid and doing very well. For a new family, Azlan’s expenses would be periodic blood work to check on his thyroid. Other than that he is a normal kitty and will do great in any home! He loves people, is OK with calm dogs and doesn’t really like other cats, but can deal with them if they don’t harass him. We would also consider a long term foster for Azlan, in which case we would continue to support his veterinary needs! ADOPT AZLAN.

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.)

If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

 

BUBBA

SIRAYANA

AZLAN

A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Here are the deets on Popcorn, submitted by her buddies James Kim & Justyna Krol:

Name: Popcorn Breed/Colouring: Grey tabby Hood: Yaletown Habits: Sleeping, complaining, licking plastic bags, hiding in boxes, pretending she has not spent the night on the kitchen counter. Hangouts: The bed, the couch, the windowsill, people, occasionally in the middle of the room staring balefully at a spot in the middle distance. Other info: Named Popcorn because when we brought her home from the SPCA in a cardboard carrier, she continuously tried to batter her way to freedom – producing a noise similar to microwave popcorn. (It was a LONG drive back.) She enjoys steamed red bean buns, which we learned about through experimentation, otherwise known as “forgetting about your red bean bun.” Gold Bond Medicated Lotion makes her angry and she will try to bite you if you have it on. We do not buy Gold Bond Medicated Lotion anymore. Being sartorially savvy, she disapproves of the neighbourhood penchant for yoga pants. When in proximity to anyone actually wearing them, she will try to obliterate them with cat fur.   If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.) If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

 

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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Van City Kitty Easter/Passover Weekend Public Service Announcement: Many plants that are popular this time of year are toxic to cats, including lilies and chrysanthymums. Please check out VOKRA’s article on lilies and the ASPCA’s list of plants that are toxic to cats. Please also spread the word to your cat-loving friends.

Every month we feature new cats needing homes in the Lower Mainland. Won’t you consider opening your home and your heart? This month, we’re pleased to present HY, PEANUT, NATALIE and BIANCA, all from the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA).

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is a no-kill, non-profit, registered charity dedicated to the rescue of cats in the Lower Mainland. They also coordinate rescue work with other groups in BC.

VOKRA does not have a shelter. Instead, they provide over 100 individual foster homes throughout the Lower Mainland. In addition to kitten rescue, another crucial part of VOKRA’s work is their trap/neuter/release program. VOKRA operates entirely with volunteers, donations, and grants.

Here are the deets on this month’s batch of awesome adoptable cats!

HY Hy is a nice lady cat. She came from a woman who wasn’t able to take care of her anymore, so she is a tame cat. As soon as she got used to her new surroundings, she was right at home. She’s not too snugly, she usually just gives a couple head-butts and lies down somewhere nearby. She seems content just to be in the same room as her people most of the time. She has long hair so she will need to be brushed to stay beautiful. 4 years old. ADOPT HY. PEANUT Peanut is an absolute delight! He is open to being picked up but prefers to jump into your lap at his leisure. Peanut is a somewhat independent and shy cat who enjoys watching birds through a window while perched on a window ledge or lounging in his cat bed. He is extremely calm and well-behaved, and enjoys running about for brief periods, usually just once a day. Peanut generally sleeps through the night. If he does wake up, he creeps about quietly and will rarely, if ever, disturb you except to snuggle on your bed with you. Peanut needs a loving home with no cats, no dogs, and no kids – is that your home? 4 years old. ADOPT PEANUT.

NATALIE
Natalie is a young energetic female cat. Her very short and shiny black fur and her large golden eyes really make her look like a little panther.

Natalie was found on the streets in Burnaby, but it is clear she used to be someone’s pet. Natalie likes to cuddle. She likes to watch TV on the couch, sit on a lap when someone’s at the computer and spends most of the night in bed with her foster parents. She also doesn’t mind being picked up and gets quite talkative when hungry or wanting attention.

She might get along with the right other cat, but right now she is being kept with another foster cat who doesn’t really like her, so there is a bit of tension between them. Natalie plays a little rough and sometimes bites when annoyed, so she would need to go to a home without children. 3 years old. ADOPT NATALIE.

BIANCA
She has grown into a spectacular beauty, but she is no princess. She is a determined little tomboy, who can easily match her three brothers in spirit and stamina. For a while, she was the shyest of the four, but she has come so very, very far. Bianca enjoys wrestling, toys, tummy rubs, hide and seek, and her nice warm window ledge. She needs a buddy, and would love to be adopted with any of her foster sisters BLOSSOM, SACHI, SHISAN or another kitten of a similar age and temperament. She is still a little wary and needs a family that will have the time and patience for her to fit in. 1 year old. ADOPT BIANCA.
 

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.)

If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

 

HY

PEANUT

NATALIE

BIANCA

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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Here are the deets on Kristy, a clever kitty who wrote her own introduction while munching on goodies and sipping on her milk:

Name: Kristy Breed/Colouring: Domestic Short Hair, Black and white (I don’t discriminate). Hood: Coquitlam Habits: I absolutely love to lounge on various hot air vents throughout my house that very conveniently make sure my fur is spread throughout the air. As each member of the household wakes up from slumber, I request that taxes be paid in kitty treat currency, if they do not, I meow and follow them all over the house until they pay up. I also thoroughly enjoy people- and car-watching out the front window and get extremely annoyed when the blinds are down. I love my scratch post as it smells of catnip and is near where my meals are served. Lastly, I am a clean freak so at any given moment, I am licking my glorious and full body. Hangouts: As an indoor cat, I am safe from the ravages of the rain, cold, and bloodthirsty coyotes; therefore, my main hangout is my house, where I am normally found wherever my owners are. I do not like being alone and I get especially jealous when my owners have guests over. Nevertheless, I make sure the attention remains on me as I roll over on the Persian rug, which makes everyone melt and make funny noises. I am also frequently on the balcony with my leash as my owners are paranoid I will escape or be eaten up. It is all right, when the sun is shining, I get to work on my tan.

Other info: I was kindly adopted from the Coquitlam SPCA about four years ago. I believe I am about 6 years old, but, boy, am I aging oh so gracefully or what?! Well, I am the Queen after all…

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.)

If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Here are the deets on Beau, submitted by VIA reader Stephen Gilmore:

Name: Beau Breed/Colouring: White Long Hair Hood: Joyce-Collingwood Habits: Sleeping All the time. Watches videos of birds on YouTube. Hangouts: Windows/Under Stuff Other info: Beau moved here from Bellingham a year ago. It took him awhile but he’s really adjusted to Vancouver. He gazes for hours out the window at people waking by. His new favourite thing is watching videos of birds on YouTube. It’s hilarious. He’s a pretty awesome cat.   If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.) If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

 

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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

Here are the deets on local beauty Princess Bob, submitted by VIA reader Jessica O:

Name: Princess Bob Breed/Colouring: Tabby Hood: Cedar Cottage Habits: Her favourite toys are hair clips and helium balloons. Sometimes after dragging the balloon around everywhere, she’ll store it under a chair for future use. Her blissful meows make it totally worth the $1.25 dollar store price. It’s a good thing I’m a night owl cause her usual playtime is 3am. Though she’s an apartment cat, I try to take her places to keep her from being bored. She’s been trained to walk on a leash and likes to run down the apartment halls to check the mail with me. In the summertime, she gets to sun on the grass outside. She likes it so much that she taught herself to open the screen door last year. Seeing as she’s so smart, I’ve been trying to teach her to roll over for wet food.

Bob has never been a scaredy cat. Loves meeting my visitors (including the pizza delivery guy and plumber) and often runs to the front door when she hears the buzzer. Almost all animals are her friends. Her favourite little buddy is Ziggy Stardust, my friend’s kitty. (Also on your site). They like their wrestling matches and killing me with their adorableness when they groom each other. Whether she roughhouses with another cat or a human, her little swats are usually followed with a quick lick to make you feel better. The only animals she hates are those East Van raccoons. This normally laid back sweetie will turn into a hurricaine of yowling fur who will continue to bounce off the patio door until the raccoons take off. My hero.
Hangouts: The nearest lap, fluffy pillow, or staring out the window.
Other info: Her name often confuses people. I chose it cause I promised one of my favourite people that I would name a cat after him. As I brought home a girl, I had to change the name slightly. Came to Vancouver straight from Vanderhoof. She was a stray and about 9 months old went I met her. I found her at Vancouver SPCA and it was love at first sight. I’m really grateful to the staff there. I described the personality of a cat I’d like to adopt and they hooked me up with the perfect pet. As soon as I picked her up, my knees melted and I knew I had to take her home. She’s so soft and cuddly and generally perfect. I never knew cats could give you hugs before I met her. Her only vices are shredding paper and peeing on bathmats. This I can put up with in exchange for having her in my life. Everyone who meets her just loooves her… even dog people.

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.)

If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

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A new kitty once a week! Click here to find out how your cat can appear on Van City Kitty.

UPDATE: LAURALIE has been adopted!

Every month we feature new cats needing homes in the Lower Mainland. Won’t you consider opening your home and your heart? This month, we’re pleased to present Lauralie, Tash and Timothy, all from the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA).

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is a no-kill, non-profit, registered charity dedicated to the rescue of cats in the Lower Mainland. They also coordinate rescue work with other groups in BC.

VOKRA is also having a gala benefit fundraiser this Sunday, Feb. 26 called “Oscars @ The Morrissey,” which is a good way to support the kitties if you’re unable to foster or adopt.

Lauralie: is such a pretty calico cat. She is quiet, low-maintenance, fully-litter-trained. Nutshell, she is very easy to live with. She has the cutest voice, but she rarely mews. Instead, she coos when she wants to play with you. Oh, yes! She loves playing!! Crumpling paper and a string are her favourite toys. She often entertains you with acrobatic jumps. Although she enjoys being around you and watching you paddling around, she doesn’t like to be cuddled so much. She has lived with other cats, but it didn’t work very well. She will be happier if she is your only cat. 2 years old. LAURALIE HAS BEEN ADOPTED. Tash: is a beautiful all-white, long haired cat. Her owner passed away and she is hoping to find a new forever home. She is very loving yet independent and enjoys having time on her own to explore or sunbathe in a bright window. She gets along with small dogs. She is in perfect health! She’s very clean but requires a bit of brushing occasionally because of her beautiful long hair. Her foster home says she is sweet and gentle. She doesn’t like to be cuddled but will join you on the couch to watch a movie and sleep at the foot of the bed. 12 years old. Adopt Tash. Timothy and his friend Mickey Mouse: Timothy was originally trapped outside a rest home when he was under a year old. People had been feeding the cats and allowed many litters to be born before VOKRA was called. Luckily, Timothy survived out on his own. Timothy needs a place with no stairs as he has bad back legs. He is friendly once he knows you and would love to sleep on your bed! As much as Timothy likes to mooch treats, he is cautious of strangers. With the right home and care, he will quickly grow out of this behaviour. Timothy needs a quiet home with no children where his needs are respected. He is a special guy who must be adopted with his buddy MICKEY MOUSE. 5 years old. Adopt Timothy and Mickey Mouse.   If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature or our monthly Van City Kitty Take Us Home editions (most recently here or here.) If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

 

Lauralie wants to be your only cat

Expand the post to see more photos of these lovely cats.
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	Read All Over celebrates the bookworm in all of us, showcasing readers in Vancouver and the books they love most.
	Daniel Zomparelli is the editor of Poetry Is Dead magazine. He writes and works with magazines across Vancouver including Geist, Megaphone Magazine, Sad Mag and formerly Adbusters. His articles and poems have been published and are forthcoming in journals and magazines around the world. His first book of poems Davie Street Translations is forthcoming from Talonbooks in the Spring of 2012.

Books on Daniel’s shelf. All photos courtesy of Daniel Zomparelli.

What book makes you feel like a kid again?

I’d probably say the bible, but then I’d revert back to my Sunday School days, which is not a good thing as I used to get kicked out every week.

How do you like your books served up best – audio books, graphic novels, used paperbacks, library loaner, e-reader…

I love chapbooks. The attention to detail makes the chapbook a beautiful collectible item. I’m like an old lady: I really appreciate when things are smaller, hand-made and have ribbons on them.

Who is your favourite Vancouver/Lower Mainland writer?

I would probably say Ken Belford, but I also love Nikki Reimer (note: she is not forcing me to say this). [Ed. note: Ken Belford is awesome, but he's from Prince George. Also, stop embarrassing me.]
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