The Catch Up: Merlin, Coco, and Linette

This month on “The Catch Up” at PetSmart: Merlin, Coco, and Linette are three domestic shorthaired cats awaiting for their forever homes.

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Merlin laying down in his pink cozy bed gazing out the cubby window. (Courtesy of Priya Thakur)

Merlin:
– Fostered at PetSmart since February 22, 2023.
– 2 Years Old.
– A handsome tuxedo cat.
– Likes to relax on the top shelf.
– Pink is clearly his color.

Linette:
– The newest member at PetSmart since March 11, 2023.
– 8 Months Old.
– Petite gray tabby.
– The most energetic kitten, likes to jump around.

Coco:
– Brought in on March 6, 2023.
– 2 Years Old.
– A divine, loving tortoiseshell cat.
– She was surrendered twice.

At New Hyde Park’s PetSmart location, cats are temporarily homed for three weeks inside the store. Volunteers from the “Give Me Shelter Project” feed, clean, and socialize with the cats for the time being. Each cat has a $150.00 adoption fee.

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Merlin’s adoption description posted on the window by PetSmart Charities and Give Me Shelter Project. (Courtesy of Priya Thakur)

These cats were previously in foster homes to learn how to socialize with humans. Once they’re comfortable with humans, they are brought to PetSmart to settle down in the showcase cubbies for three weeks in hopes of being adopted or rotate back into the foster home.

The “Give Me Shelter Project” is a rescue organization that works with fosters and partnered with PetSmart to get homeless cats adopted. Merlin, Linette, and Coco are cats founded by the Give Me Shelter Project.

Debra Wantuch, the President and Co-Founder of the “Give Me Shelter Project” oversees her team of fifty people who are very hands on with not only volunteering at PetSmart, but fostering, rescuing, assisting with medical needs, setting up events, and more. After her notable rescue work, including rescuing one hundred cats from a hoarding situation in 2008, PetSmart later reached out to Wantuch to partner up with them. Now, roughly 200 cats are adopted from PetSmart every year. 

“We have a lot of foster homes and we help people. So they’ll email us and say ‘I’ve got a cat out front, you know, I’ve been feeding it, I wanna keep the cat. Can you help me?’ And we will. We’ll help them to get the cat trapped, get the cat their medicals. We’ll loan them the crate, tell them what to do, and help them get the cat into their home.” said Wantuch.

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Linette socializing and standing on top of a high shelf. (Courtesy of Priya Thakur)

If you’re interested in adopting Merlin, Coco, or Linette, visit the PetSmart at New Hyde Park or visit the Adopt Page on the Give Me Shelter Project’s website. You’ll find more information on Merlin, Coco, Linette and a listing of other cats who needs a furrever home. As you scroll through their website, you’ll learn more about the adoption process, the responsibility that comes with committing to pets, resources on how to TNR, how to become involved with the Give Me Shelter Project, and more.

The Give Me Shelter Project is holding their next monthly adoption event on April 15th at this PetSmart from 11:00am-3:00pm. You’ll have the opportunity to meet about 20 cats in need of a loving and caring home.