Photo Courtesy KCHS-Cats
Doris Berdanier of Shelby and her cat, 10-year-old Charlie, became the first to take advantage of the Knox County Humane Society’s low-cost Senior for Senior cat adoption program.
Before Charlie met Doris, the Knox County Humane Society (KCHS-Cats) rescued him from boys trying to shoot him with a BB gun. Known as a “talkative,” affectionate cat not shy about treats, he became beloved at the shelter as part of the adoptable cats lineup. Meanwhile, Doris, a long-time widow from Shelby, Ohio, had gone for some time between pet cats. Her husband, the late Nace Berdanier, was a U.S. Marines veteran who had a gentle, kind way with dogs and cats, and they raised many of both over the years.
Last week, Charlie and Doris became the first older cat/senior citizen tandem to take advantage of KCHS-Cats Senior for Senior Program. It encourages seniors 65 years of age and older to adopt an older cat that is 10 years of age or older. Since older cats are more challenging to find homes for, any senior will receive his or her cat — with all shots up to date — for just $10.
“That’s kind of interesting,” Doris said during a phone interview this week. “They didn’t charge me any fee. I was kind of surprised.”
She also offered that for an “older” cat, Charlie is doing quite well adjusting to home life with her. He is a lap cat who likes to cuddle with her, but he will also find places to go, like under her bed, when he wants a bit of “me” time.
Employees at the KCHS-Cats Shelter on Columbus Road explained that, yes, the Senior for Senior adoption fee is $10. But an anonymous benefactor had donated the $10 to cover Charlie.
“And as soon as (Doris) saw Charlie, she said ‘I don’t need to see any others,’” said Katlyn Zimelis, a veterinary assistant, who was on duty with shelter operations director Kelly Spencer the day Doris visited.
“She was looking for a young black cat, the kind of cat she had before,” Zemelis added. “But Charlie was too irresistible.”
That assertion is subjective, but Doris confirmed it. As she spoke on the phone, Charlie — knowing she needed to talk — held off from stepping onto her lap but stayed close by. “As a matter of fact, he’s sitting on a chair right now, cleaning his paws,” she noticed. “A little while ago, he was playing on the floor with a stuffed mouse I got him. He’s pretty active for an old cat.”
The way Doris came to know of Charlie — from her abode in Richland County — is quite a “cat-tail” in itself. Her niece, Ashley Awwiller, works for KCHS-Cats as an animal caregiver. She spoke to her aunt, Pam Awwiller, who directs the Shelby Community and Senior Center. Her aunt asked senior center members if any might be interested in a cat. Charlie was not mentioned specifically, but the center made arrangements for Doris to visit KCHS-Cats this past Thursday.
The rest, as they say, is history. “They even put a little (tracking) chip in him before we left,” Doris said.
