Nina

Nina (f) - she was a stray cat who was found by a caretaker of a feral colony in Silver Spring last November (2022). She was in heat at the time and was also friendly toward the colony caretaker, so was brought to Sunshine's Friends Cat and Dog Rescue. She was taken to the vet for evaluation, testing negative for FIV and FeLV, and has received the recommended vaccinations (Rabies, FVRCP). Though small in stature, the vet estimated her age at 2 years, and she has been spayed and microchipped. Unfortunately, Nina was rather skittish and reactive around the other cats at the shelter, so she was placed with a (pet-less) foster in late December 2022. With consistent care and gradual introduction to any necessary changes in her environment, Nina has adapted quite well at her foster's. She gets along with the foster's boisterous young children and does not shy from new visitors. She adores having her chin/neck stroked and will twist to expose her belly to be rubbed. While she has her loungy nap times in which she'll purr and make biscuits on her fleece blanket in preparation for a good sleep, the other good part of her day is devoted to playshe loves playing fetch, and not with the traditional cat toys. She'll chirp and trill at the sight of a crumpled-up ball of paper, a gift-wrap bow, and lately, glitter pom poms (the kind you find in a craft store). She also enjoys chasing the children's toy cars and hiding in their homemade forts. Nina is a smart cookie as well; she enjoys cat-puzzle toys and has opened cabinets to get at food. She likes to greet her adult fosters in the morning or at the door when home from work with a trill and a nuzzle. Nina enjoys birdwatching and watching the outdoors, sometimes a little too much as she will try to get outside! Though Nina enjoys being petted and is a generally friendly cat, it is usually on her terms. Once she's had her fill of pets, she will simply get up and leave the area. She will join her foster family when she wants to be social, and retreat to a quiet room when she prefers alone time. Nina tolerates being picked up, but will leap from a person's arms once that person becomes stationary (either sitting or standing). She will tolerate a person sitting next to her (again, until she's had enough); Nina is not what one would call a lap cat, but her foster is working on this with positive reinforcement. Nina eats both wet and dry food and uses her litter box well. She's very independent about grooming, though will begrudgingly allow her foster to brush her and clip her claws occasionally. As of April 2023, she weighs approximately 10-10.5lbs. She is good with children, and (despite her experience at the shelter) her foster believes she might be able to accept one other cat, if the introduction was done carefully and gradually enough, and if the other cat had a complementary temperament (ie, not an alpha cat, but maybe a younger kitten). Likewise, a gradual introduction to a dog (again, with the right temperament) would be absolutely necessary as it is unknown how she interacts with dogs. Nina needs to feel really secure in her home and secure with her humans before she encounters any major changes. Nina is really an adorable cat who just wants to love and be loved.