By Jayn Corral
International Cat Day is celebrated by cat lovers around the world on August 8 whether there is a cat in their home, their heart, or their memories. We choose this month to celebrate the Divas of the S.P.A. Author Robert A. Heinlein’s quote “Women and cats do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea” is fitting for our three divas at the S.P.A. Whether you call them a diva, a queen, a princess, a lady, or a prima donna, the titles all fit. Divas know what they want and will let you know if they don’t get it, which can be a challenge in a communal shelter environment where special arrangements have had to be made to accommodate their proclamations, demands, and idiosyncrasies.
Orion, our celestial diva, came to the S.P.A. in March 2022 at almost two years old. She is a black longhaired, strong-willed tortoise with orange and gold highlights that appear as stars in a dark sky and huge eyes shining like mint green planets. She demands her own litter box and privacy. She will sit on a human’s lap for hours and fend off all interlopers as if protecting her conquest. When assured that she rules her world, she will play like an Olympian. Other cats and kittens are just not her thing.
Eva, nicknamed “Eva the Diva,” came to the S.P.A. in April 2021 at nearly two years old. She is a plump calico with a complex personality. Upon arrival she was, well, awful. She was mean and nasty. We worried that she would not adjust to her shelter situation. Over time, she evolved and insisted on sitting on the shoulders of humans. However, they were not allowed to touch her. She is now a lovely lady who prefers lounging and observing others as they get their exercise. She now allows being touched with her approval, which she grants more and more often, if the human approaches appropriately. She loves to be held and carried, but she decides when and for how long. She makes the rules, and the humans follow her orders. She is a real character.
Salem, a unique and beautiful sand-colored shorthaired petite tabby with bright gold eyes, is an almost perfect cat and really shouldn’t fall into the diva category. However, she, too, requires special arrangements. She prefers the company and companionship of humans and has disdain for mischievous or annoying cats. She arrived at the S.P.A. in March 2022 with her three newborns. She was a perfect mother and is now teaching other youngsters the art of being a good cat.
If you don’t currently have a cat in your life, consider it. One of these divas may be the perfect gift for you and for them. Adoption hours at the S.P.A., Los Pinos 7, 415 152 6124 are Monday-Saturday, 11am to 2pm.
Please donate to our Pet Food Money Bank fundraiser today! We need help reaching our goal of 250,000 pesos (about US$13,500), all of which will apply to the annual cost of feeding our animals, including the divas (who deign to eat the same food as the other cats). All new donations through August 31 up to a total of US $2,000 will be matched so now is a great time to contribute. For more details including how to donate, please see https://www.spasanmiguel.org/pet-food-money-bank To donate by credit card through PayPal (the only way to use a credit card), click the “DONATE” button on that page.
