Bari and Gigi

Description

Bari and Gigi are a strongly bonded pair of female cats, spayed and up to date on vaccines. Bari has a larger white locket and is estimated to be around 9 months old. Gigi has a smaller white locket and is estimated to be 1 year old. They must go home together. Here’s what their foster volunteer says about them: How would you describe the cat's general personality? Bari is very friendly and playful. She can be a bit skittish at times, but typically is eager for interaction, loves pets and playing. She is very protective of Gigi, sitting next to the food bowl or litterbox while Gigi is using it, and the two can often be found chattering to each other as they go together to eat or rest. Gigi has really come out of her shell. She is still the more shy one of the two and prefers to be approached slowly, but will happily purr, accept pets and headbutt my hand, particularly around meal or treat times. They both make significant social gains with each passing week, revealing more and more of their very affectionate personalities. Does the cat enjoy being pet? Both cats very much enjoy being pet. They prefer to be approached calmly and from a sitting position. Head/chin scratches are favored. They both love to be brushed. Are there any parts of its body that the cat does NOT like being touched? No Does the cat come on your lap? Bari will very briefly venture onto my lap or stay there for a minute when placed. Gigi is not yet comfortable enough. Does the cat like to be held? Bari doesn't mind being carried for short periods of time, but will eventually want to jump down to go play. Gigi tolerates being picked up for short distances, which is a substantial change from when I got her. Does the cat sleep in your bed? Bari enjoys jumping on my bed and laying down next to me, or occasionally on me. She switches quickly between cuddly and playful. She typically sleeps curled up with Gigi in their bed. Gigi will lay on the bed when I’m not there. Does the cat seek your attention? Bari more so than Gigi will seek attention. Bari loves pets and playing. Gigi definitely enjoys pets, but is more nervous and so has taken more time to come out of her shell. Does the cat like to play? They both love playing and will spend a lot of time playing with each other or with me. What are the cat's favorite games and toys? They absolutely love wand toys and will jump and dash around for anything on a string. How vocal is the cat? They are extremely vocal, both to me and to each other. What kinds of sounds does the cat make? Bari in particular is full of kitten-esque squeaking when I come home and when she is waiting for food. They both chatter and coo to each other very frequently, often preceding a group trip to another room or to food. Does the cat scratch a scratcher? Bari uses the scratcher frequently. I have not yet seen Gigi use one. If no, please explain. Does the cat always use the litter box? Yes, always. Even in the early days when they were more tentative about venturing around the house, they would always use the litter box. What food and frequency is the cat currently eating? They both get a 3oz can of wet food in the morning and a snack of wet food in the evening. They share 1 cup of dry food twice daily. Is the cat picky about food? No What is the cat's favorite treat? They absolutely love Churu and Temptations. Does the cat ever swat (claws in) at you? If so, under what circumstances? They have never swatted. Has the cat ever scratched (claws out) you? Gigi has scratched in the process of trying to escape when being put in a carrier, but never appeared to show aggression in any way. Does the cat ever nip (teeth without breaking skin) you? Bari will nip while playing occasionally Has the cat ever bitten you (breaking skin)? No. She did bite a previous Foster Volunteer while being pushed into a carrier. To the best of your knowledge, how does the cat react to new people? Social? Fearful? They are both nervous around new people, but can be coaxed out with food/treats. Does that cat have any cute/quirky traits that aren’t covered by the previous questions? It’s a joy to watch them interact with each other – they will lay on top of each other, headbutt/rub against each other and chatter throughout the day. In your opinion, what is the best thing about the cat? Why should an adopter choose THIS cat to adopt? These cats will need a patient and invested new family to bring out their clearly affectionate personalities as they acclimate to indoor, social life. The best part has been watching them grow more comfortable and show more of their personalities. One day, Bari started jumping up on my bed when I wasn’t there, and by the end of the day they were sleeping there together and later that night Bari jumped up for pets. With each passing week they become more outgoing and friendly. What are the cat's challenges and how have you found to best manage them? They are both skittish in the setting of their prior outdoor life. They have adapted remarkably well and it has been fun to watch them become more comfortable with each passing week. Letting them interact on their own terms has proved very effective in drawing out their personalities. Bari has juvenile periodontitis and may need a full extraction in the future. The vets who have treated her so far feel she's too young to undergo that procedure prior to adoption. Gigi has a dislocated ankle that could be fine forever or could shift and need a realignment surgery down the road. Black Cat Rescue is willing to help financially with these procedures in order to ensure Bari and Gigi get the chance they deserve.