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EASEL News: June 2021

Lois Martin (continued from page 1)

role in the foster program. Lois has always been involved in They were eventually able to touch, nose-to-nose.
fostering what the cat team refers to as our “hissy kitties” – often Feeling Dolly had finally come out of her shell enough to be a
young kittens that have been trapped and brought in without candidate for adoption, Lois posted her tale on EASEL’s Facebook
a mother. Frightened and distrustful of humans, providing page. Dolly’s story won the heart of her future adopter, who
them a safe, comfortable environment where they are regularly quickly came to the shelter to meet her. This would be the
socialized, comforted and played with is essential to turning a moment of truth – Dolly had grown to trust Lois and some of
hissy kitty into a cuddly cat. So, Lois enrolls EASEL’s most difficult the other volunteers, but would she respond positively to a
kittens in “kitty bootcamp.” Since she is retired, Lois is able to stranger? When Dolly and her adopter met, it was a match made
dedicate much of her day to ensuring that these kittens receive in heaven. Dolly walked right up to her new owner and they’ve
regular interaction with humans. been best friends ever since.
As a spin-off of her “kitty bootcamp,” Lois was instrumental Lois credits the Cat Pawsitive program with saving Dolly’s life,
in launching the Cat Pawsitive program in 2018. This program, as well as the lives of so many cats like Dolly. It is also why she
which was run across shelters nationwide, was designed to dedicates so much of her time to her “kitty bootcamp.” It takes
focus on cats that were particularly challenging in shelter a lot of patience and perseverance, but being able to turn a cat
environments – either frightened and overwhelmed, distrustful who otherwise would never be able to find a home into a cat
of humans either due to neglect or abuse, or simply very that is adoptable is incredibly satisfying and rewarding.
introverted cats. Cats that seem frightened, shy or openly Recently, Lois got to experience a first for her as an EASEL
hostile are far, far less likely to get adopted and often require an volunteer – something that doesn’t often happen after so
experienced pet owner. The goal of the Cat Pawsitive program many years. Her current foster is a momma cat and her four
was to encourage these types of cats to be more social, open babies. Upon bringing the then-pregnant momma cat home,
and comfortable in the shelter environment by rewarding them Lois quickly found her to be very affectionate– so much so
for positive, desirable behaviors. EASEL’s Cat Pawsitive program that momma quickly made herself at home on Lois’ bed, where
was an astonishing success. Starting with five or six cats and she quite nearly gave birth! Lois managed to coax momma
gradually expanding, a team of specially trained volunteers to a more suitable birthing environment and stayed with her
followed a strict training program with assigned cats, building through the process. By the fourth kitten, the momma was
their trust, rewarding desirable behaviors and, eventually, so exhausted that Lois had to help her deliver the final kitten,
teaching the cats to do tricks. The all-stars of the program cutting the umbilical cord herself.
eventually learned how to sit, come, high five and even do In addition to all the work Lois already does for EASEL with
obstacle courses on command. fostering and the cat adoptions, Lois is also responsible for the
One of Lois’ favorite stories is that of Dolly Parton. Dolly came cat adoption posts on EASEL’s social media as well as the posts
to EASEL as a transfer from the Newark shelter and from what highlighting the cats at PetSmart. While she has kept herself
was likely an abusive situation. She had absolutely no interest quite busy of the last year approving applications, posting many,
in human interaction. She did not want anyone, even EASEL’s many adoption stories and fostering kittens, Lois is looking
resident cat whisperers, to touch her. Lois feared she’d never be forward to being able to get back to the shelter in person as well
adopted – until the Cat Pawsitive Program launched. Dolly was – having missed being able to interact with adopters face to face
a prime candidate. It took time, but Lois slowly won Dolly over. and spend time with EASEL’s many cats.

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