Patch Pets: Meet Margo & Monty

By Cleda Klingensmith

As the foster coordinator, I know to not get too attached to foster kittens. But Monty and Margo really tug at my heart because they have come so far in their short lives. These two kittens were brought in with their mom and 15 other cats from the same household. It was clear that they’d had little human interaction.  They didn’t hiss when picked up – they just froze. Once at home, they jumped and tumbled with each other like typical kittens and were quickly accustomed to my 90 lb. dog, but ran away anytime I tried to catch them.

So, I’d lure them with canned food and hold them, but they didn’t enjoy it. They spent a day being held by strangers at a retirement home and just stared into space looking like they wanted to disappear. Very slowly, things started to change. Margo would look me in the eye and meow. They’d follow me from room to room. Eventually, Monty would rub against my ankles while I was working at the computer wanting to be picked up. From there, it wasn’t long before they were seeking me out for attention and coming to cuddle in bed and I could really say that these are friendly kittens ready for adoption.

Then what did I do? I brought them to the shelter for surgery and left them here! Now, they are in their cage once again looking like they’d like to disappear. Margo is doing better than Monty; who has always been the less outgoing. Margo is quick to flip over for a belly rub and Monty wants to know that you’re close by. I’d love it if they were adopted together into a somewhat quiet household. They’ve never met small children but are fine with grown cats and dogs.  

You can meet Margo and Monty and dozens of other cats, kittens, dogs, rabbits and ferrets at the Animal Rescue League at 6620 Hamilton Ave., in East Liberty, 412-661-6452. The shelter is open for adoptions Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday through Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.