Don't forget Buddy felines at Christmas

I started to prepare a feline wish list for the holidays when I realized the list for our personal felines would be different from Buddy's shelter felines, even though the lists would more than likely overlap. I decided to make two lists because the unfairness of our world does spill into the feline shelter world.

Not to be repetitive, but all of Buddy's felines are deserving of "forever homes" and, as always, that is their No. 1 wish. Our shelter is their waiting sanctuary until they find that special person or family that will never hurt them physically or emotionally again.

Our felines are not trends or gadgets to be replaced when a newer model comes along, or they become a chore with age or medical problems.

But the reality is the goal of finding them a home will not be met this year, as we have more than 100 felines at the shelter. The next thing they might ask for is more love and attention, which translates to more volunteers.

They do wait with their little noses pressed up against the windows to watch us arrive for fresh food, water, linens and litter boxes. When their basic physical needs are met, they look forward to time that allows them to have one-on-one human interaction that lets them know they are loved.

You can only imagine how 100-plus felines consume dry and moist food, not to mention the clumping litter. December numbers of intake animals hit us by surprise, as the numbers of unwanted felines crept up. So much so, that we depleted all of our donated canned food by early December.

Restocking this food is a huge priority. You may think we are providing them with luxury items, but our felines look forward to such simple things, it is impossible to deny them that comfort. I am sure if they could ask for their favorite wet food, it might be Fancy-something, or another with the first listed ingredient being meat or fish, but the reality is we use everything donated.

As always, any kind of clumping litter is a welcome donation. Out washers and dryers are at work 24/7, so washing supplies and new warm beds for the winter are always appreciated.

Many visitors to the shelter this season have commented how clean the facility is. This does not happen without the supplies and volunteers to care for the animals. As always, we need your help.

Since I have spent Saturdays at the shelter taking Santa photos, when I arrive home, my felines are saying, "Mom, we have our list, too, and because we have been good when you are not home, we want everything on the list."

Their list of treats would include, but not limited to, Kitty Caviar fish flakes, which are almost impossible to find. Cosmic tuna flakes and Cat-Man-Doo bonito flakes also will do in a pinch. If I do not have time to go to the specialty pet store, Wellness Kittles in salmon and cranberry flavor will do.

Toy choices are overwhelming. Have you studied the store shelves? We have turbo scratcher, turbo ball and turbo mouse, to name a few. What to buy? If a toy mimics a bad behavior you want to avoid, don't buy it. I noticed one interactive toy where the treat looks like yarn string. Bad idea! This type of treat and play toy spells emergency room at a future date.

Bedding choices are also overwhelming. The self-warming bed is a great idea for felines that are always cold. If you have more than one feline, you might have to buy more than one of these to keep feline harmony. The feline heated house is really over the top. It is a pop-up bed, but, beware, it runs on electricity, unlike the self-heating bed.

Whatever you choose as a holiday gift, I think we can all agree they deserve to be indulged. That sentiment is especially true if you have a feline rescued from a less than ideal past. As we lavish our felines with luxury comforts, let's also pile on the unconditional love.

Featured felines:

• Nemo is a gray and white male that was dropped at our front door. He is a people-friendly cat that quickly graduated to one of our cat rooms. It took him a few days to get used to having a lot of other cats around, and he would alternately hide behind the couch or would come out and intimidate some of the other cats.

He has now settled in and he and the other cats are doing well together. He also likes to sneak out into the cat common area. But since he doesn't object to being picked up, he is easy to get back into his room. Stop by and see if you can find Nemo a forever home.

• Zoe is an affectionate, longhair female tabby. She was transferred to Buddy from a kill shelter elsewhere in Illinois just a couple of days before her time ran out. She is currently in one of our cat rooms and is getting along well with the other cats.

She is very friendly, loves attention and being brushed. Zoe can usually be found curled up on the chair by the door, just waiting for someone to come in and be her forever friend.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.