How often do we have a chance to meet a new best friend, while at the same time, make a huge and positive difference in the life of a critter? A critter that, in most cases, started out their life in horrendous or difficult circumstances? This Saturday’s For Pets’ Sake Cat Adopt-a-thon to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cliffrose Nursery is the opportunity to do just that.

There will be eight cats at the furry meet-and-greet event to connect with potential owners. Each cat has his or her own story to tell, and adoption is a new chance for them to find a permanent home and someone to — finally — trust. All of these cats have been fostered by For Pets’ Sake volunteers, so they have been socialized and litter box trained. Some of them are imperfect, like so many of us, but are friendly and quite capable of giving and receiving love, once given a chance.

For Pets’ Sake has provided the history and personality traits of each of the cats that will be offered. Here are a few of their stories.

Duffy, Lovey Dovey, and Little Smokey came from a large cat colony in Arriola and tamed themselves. They are friendly, playful snugglers and get along well with other cats and dogs. They were really sick when they were rescued, but boy, look at them now. You may notice Lovey Dovey winking his eye at you — well, that is the only thing For Pets’ Sake couldn’t cure. His eye was seriously injured when he was very little and he can’t see out of it, but that sure doesn’t stop him, and he truly lives up to his name. Lovey Dovey and Duffy are brothers and were probably born in August 2011; Little Smokey is their best buddy and was born about a month later. They would love to go as a group, but they’re old enough and so friendly that they’ll be fine going to separate homes.

Sammie (Samantha) is a sweet, petite and quiet little girl until another cat gets in her way. Sammie hates cats! But she craves human attention. Born the summer of 2009, she was very content living with an elderly lady in a peaceful home. Then everything changed when the kind caretaker could no longer care for her. Now she lives with four other foster cats and she is not happy with the situation. Sammie’s looking for a quiet, indoor-only home where she can be the only cat.

Owlie and Little Sis were born in a hay barn, but have decided they like the soft life better. These tiny guys are both just a little shy, but playful and adventurous and ready to be part of a quiet family. They get along great with other cats, too.

Rosie (aka Cricket) was abandoned in a local trailer park. She is a sweet gray with slanted yellow eyes. She loves people, but she’s not so sure about other cats. Strangely, she doesn’t know how to meow — she makes the funniest chirps and clicks and sometimes sounds just like a — you can probably guess. She’s a small cat who was probably born in the spring of 2010.

Nellie Bellie is a sweet lady who was left behind in a trailer park after being an indoor cat for over nine years. It took For Pets’ Sake three weeks to trap this scared girl, but now she’s gained most of her weight back and had her broken teeth pulled and is ready to go. Nellie is a beautiful Siamese mix with gray points, faint stripes, and very crossed bright blue eyes. She is very affectionate, but not a snuggler. She is wary of other cats because her back legs are very stiff and she walks a little funny. She’s been that way since she was a kitten, but she can jump and run (a little sideways) with the best of them. She likes her foster home, but needs a family all her own who will love her and keep her forever.

You can meet these potential pals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 28 at Cliffrose Nursery, just east of Cortez at 27885 Hwy. 160. Adoption is $30 per cat, and all are spayed or neutered and have up-to-date shots.The goal is to match each one perfectly with a new family, taking into account the animal’s personality and the circumstances in the adopter’s home. Adoptions are generally successful; but if the adoption doesn’t work out for a new owner, they’ll take the cat back — there is a money-back guarantee.

Start your new year with a new someone to love. Marian Rohman, a For Pets’ Sake officer who has been involved with the organization since 2000, expressed her hopes for this event. “We would particularly like to find a home for the younger kittens so they grow up outside of foster homes, and with all the love they deserve.” More photos and descriptions can also be seen at www.forpetssakehs.org and at the Cortez library. For more information about For Pets’ Sake, call 565-PETS (565-7387).

Reach Domino Hawks at dominoh@cortezjournal.com