Cats are opportunistic, and they suck up to humans with greater cunning than Eddie Haskell had when they want something. Usually, it’s food, but there are other ruses in their mewses. The new First Cat is a prime example. Her name is Willow, named for Willow Grove, a Philadelphia suburb where Jill Biden grew up.

Willow managed to wrap the then-future First Lady around her little tail when Biden was giving a campaign speech for her husband in 2020 at the Telesz Family Farm in tiny Volant, in western Pennsylvania. The 3-year-old gray tabby lived on the farm as a content, humble barn cat.

Well, maybe not humble—no feline worth her kibble is humble. While Biden was speaking, the cat took the podium and strutted around the stage in front of the future first lady, who seemed delighted to share the attention. Having made her entrance, the cat exited the spotlight and leaped down to a seat in the first row, where she took in every last word of the speech.

Biden, completely besotted, made arrangements with the owners of the farm to take the kitty and promptly got her spayed and into a foster until conditions in the White House were perfect for her to take residence. At this point, anyway, how you gonna keep her down on the farm when she could curl up on the Lincoln bed and knock President Biden’s pens off the Resolute desk?

This Scratching Post column celebrates a First Cat in The White House once again. The last kitty-in-residence, before Willow Biden, was Socks Clinton, who ended his tenure in 2001. We’re also spotlighting some of the opportunistic felines like Willow as well as the injured, the abused and the abandoned ones, all of whom unexpectedly slinked their way into the hearts and homes of otherwise resistant humans.

Meet some of Long Beach’s unwitting cat people and the cats who hornswoggled themselves into their homes.

beautiful calico cat with a white chest and big white paws sprawls on a patterned, red carpet.
Missy and Larry Blumenthal: Approximately five months after I moved to my current apartment in 2014, I was enjoying a glass of wine with my cat-loving neighbor on her patio when a kitten walked across the street, went in my open door, and started up the steps. I shooed her out because I assumed she had fleas, and I don’t do well with those critters. My neighbor applied some flea treatment, and we gave her food. She took up residency in the bushes next door. I had seen some people move out of an apartment across the street recently, and they might have abandoned her. Two days later, she was coming up my back steps. Guess she adopted me. Since she’d been medicated by now, I let her in. She was quite friendly, and so it was off to the vet to be fixed. She is with me to this day.
black cat with green eyes lies on a red coverlet and stares at the camera
Bear and Delanie Washington: I met Bear in September 2018 a few months after my first knee surgery. I received a message on Facebook asking if I could bottle-feed him as he was only a few days old and found in San Bernardino. I thought, well, I have the time being off from surgery, and I need a distraction from pain, so why not save a life! I am so blessed that I did ! Bear is the life of the neighborhood and has more friends than I do; he loves treats, and any time I sneeze, he will be right there with a meow to make sure I’m OK. Bear was my only cat that wasn’t rescued from a shelter.
Tuxedo cat with white tummy, legs and paws sprawls on a white-covered bed with his human, who is reading a paper and is dressed in a black T-shirt and blue plaid pajamas
Herman and Louise McCune: My cat, Herman, was born in the backyard of the house where I rent soon after I moved in. When we noticed that one of the feral cats living nearby had had a litter of kittens, we decided we wanted to help. Once the babies were weaned, we socialized the three of them, and we also TNRed the mom cat and the seven other cats who are a part of her colony. The plan initially was to find forever homes for all three kittens. Herman’s siblings were adopted, but he was a classic “foster-fail.” He went from being the hissiest kitten of them all to being a full-time indoor cuddle buddy—he convinced me to keep him!
brown tabby with "milk muzzle" and white belly lies seductively on his back on a brown wood floor.
Nebbie and Melody Kim: My sweet Nebbie kitty landed at the right house! My grandson found her in our bushes. She was a day away from death, I’m sure! She had multiple open wounds and was skin and bones. I put my registered nurse training to use, and she’s been with us ever since. She’s my baby!
tuxedo cat with white chest and legs sprawls on top of a cat pedestal with the rear leg hanging over.
Latek and Ewa Enrique: I helped the feeder in the large colony to trap and TNR several cats. Latek was different from those TNR—he seemed friendly and didn’t attack me. The feeder said that he comes for pets while she puts the food out. I put Latek in the crate for few days—he was very well mannered and used the litter box. After a few days he was given the run of his own room. But he hid under the couch. He stayed there for seven weeks while I was teaching in that room during COVID school closures. He would come out, eat and use litter box, and lie by the door to the outside in the afternoon sun—but I had to leave the room. I decided that he might be OK to be let out to the yard—he went out and returned under the couch. Two days later, my cats showed him the space underneath the decking, which I built in a way for them to hide from dogs or coyotes. Latek lived under that deck for few months before another of my cats, Dexter, convinced him to return to the house for a moment. Dexter crossed the rainbow on Dec. 24, but Latek is still with us, and now he comes inside for overnights. His favorite spot is the top of the cat tree. BTW, he is a giant among cats!
large gray tabby with thick tail lies on a sofa in front of a cluttered big-screen console
Lulu and Pat Donley: I was sitting in my living room with my front door open. I saw a little cat walk by, so I got up to take a better look. As I opened the door and leaned out to look, the cat ran by me, jumped up on my couch, and settled in. She was friendly and clearly did not want to leave. Her notched ear told me the rest of her story. [Cats with notched ears have been previously trapped, spayed or neutered, and returned to where they came from.] A trip to the vet told me she was healthy and not chipped. The princess Lulu has now been with me for four years!
Virtually pets

 The focus of The Scratching Post is adoption of pets from shelters and rescues. Willow Biden and her furry fellowship bypassed such intermediaries to find their way home. But most animals need a helping paw.

Wrigley Kittens is a neighborhood group established by Realtor and animal person Kelly McHugh Lopes. Starting out small in 2014, the organization’s Facebook group has grown to over 1,000 members, proving that grass roots can run deep. Members consist of trap/neuter/return volunteers, fosters, rescue groups, adopters, donors, colony feeders, and folks who find cats and need help. Many of the members know and support one another in the real world.

These cats, encountered by some of the members, would love to go home furever.

Ricki is an 8-month-old lynx-point Siamese mix who is ready for the comfy forever home she deserves. We believe Ricki was born a stray but luckily likes humans! A family was feeding her but could not keep her because of severe allergies. She was way too friendly to stay on the streets, so with the help and support of Wrigley Kittens, she was spayed and vaccinated and is now in foster care. She’s recovered and ready to settle into a forever home. Ricki really likes humans but other cats . . . not so much. We think she would do best as an only kitty. The two resident cats in her foster home seem to stress Ricki out a bit. In a single-cat household, she could really relax, feel at home, and let her sweet personality continue to blossom. To apply to adopt, email [email protected].

Wrigley Kittens got an email several days ago from a man who said he’d found five abandoned kittens and had brought them into his garage. Despite his allergies, he was kind to them and gave them a safe, warm place to stay. They had been eating dry kibble, so they’re figured to be about 6 weeks old. Two sterling rescues just took them in, so please contact each on the information provided.

To adopt either or both of these kittens, contact Zazzy Cats at [email protected] or [email protected].

From left: Pinky (female) and Flash (male)

To apply to adopt any, some or all of these three kittens, contact Newborn Feline Rescue at this link.

Gemma (female)
Dallas (male)
Lincoln (male)

Just fur fun and fur-ther education

Happy Meower: 4–6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11–Monday, Feb. 14, Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, $25 for a pair of tickets

The town’s only cat lounge celebrates their guests by offering a reduced price ticket for two to visit their special cats and also complimentary wine and chocolate as well, and all the kitties you can amuse yourself with. There will also be a drawing on each of these four days and times for one guest per hour to receive a special FGSC goodie bag. Spaces are limited, so book your spot for two right meow!

Comedy and Cats: 8–9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, $25

They’re back at it again! Enjoying a night of laughter and comedy has never been this su-purr! Not only will there be funny people entertaining you but also 30 cats and kittens will be joining in the fun! Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. to give you more quality time with the Feline Good kitties! Buy tickets here.

Help wanted, help given

Photo courtesy of Heart of Ida

Volunteers of many stripes needed at Helen Sanders CatPAWS

The best labors are those of love, and such work comprises Helen Sanders CatPAWS. One of the most gratifying aspects of animal rescue—the reward that makes all the work and tears and sleepless nights worthwhile—is sending cats and kittens off to their new lives and homes. CatPAWS has an immediate need for people who can help their adoptables pack up their kit bags and go to their forever homes! The CatPAWS Adoption Center is located inside PetSmart at 12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach, and if you want to be part of making smiles and that magical moment when a previously homeless cat becomes a cherished family member, please fill out a short online application. Thank you for wanting to volunteer and save lives!

Spay/neuter appointments available at SNP/LA: 6:30 a.m.–4 p.m., 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, check website for hours and information on making an appointment.

In need of low-cost vaccinations for your pets? SNP/LA has extended its hours! Walk-ins are available.

SNP/LA offers low-cost cat and dog vaccinations, deworming, microchips, nail trims, and flea and tick treatments. (Pet vaccines and basic wellness services only. No spay and neuter services available at our mobile clinics.)

  • To reduce the amount of people in line, up to two people only allowed per group.
  • All cats must be in carriers.
  • All medium/large dogs must be on a leash (small dogs can be carried).
  • Please bring all past pet vaccine records.

Please DM us for pricing.

Access this link for more information.

Volunteer walkers needed for senior citizens’ dogs

Ida’s Walkers is a program of The Heart of Ida, a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving the older-adult population in and around Long Beach. Ida’s Walkers offers dog-walking services to low-to-moderate-income seniors who are hospitalized, have limited mobility, or are at risk of falling. If you want to help senior citizens keep their beloved pets as long as they are able to live at home, call 562-370-3548.

Fix Long Beach low-cost pet-services clinics: selected days and times, 1749 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, services available by appointment at www.fixlongbeachpets.com.

Fix Long Beach is taking appointments for low-cost spay/neuter, dental, vaccines and other vet needs for cats and dogs. Vaccination clinics take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Visit their webpage or Facebook page for details.

DIY Kitten Care Kits available free at Long Beach Animal Care Services

Kitten season is still in bloom, and shelters and rescues are scrambling to save little lives, get them fixed, get them adopted. It isn’t unusual to find nests of young, seemingly abandoned kittens during kitten season. It is a natural reaction to want to help, to save them. But before you jump in, consider these steps outlined here. If you are interested in obtaining a Kitten Care Kit made possible by Helen Sanders CatPAWS, please email [email protected].

Spay/neuter vouchers available at shelter

Long Beach Animal Care Services has spay/neuter vouchers available. They’ll take a healthy nip out of the cost of a procedure. Residents of any of the five cities served by the shelter can telephone the general number at 562-570–7387 to request a voucher.

If you can see the bottom of the kibble bag

Pets of the Homeless’s home page gives a self-description as the only organization focusing only on providing food and care for pets belonging to homeless people. Businesses and other organizations across the country receive in-kind donations of food and other needs that the dogs and cats’ human families can pick up at outreach locations. The following businesses will accept your donations:

Trendi Pawz, 3726 E. Seventh St., Long Beach

Belmont Heights Animal Hospital, 255 Redondo Ave., Long Beach

Paw Shoppe Pet Center, Inc., 6416 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Food and supplies are available Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. at Beacon for Him Ministries, 1535 Gundry Ave. Long Beach; and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at Christian Outreach in Action, 515 E. Third St., Long Beach, Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

Make an appointment to adopt at Long Beach Animal Care Services. Contact [email protected].

In-furson events, etc.

 Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.–7 p.m. .Sundays., Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, adoption fees apply.

This adoption center is a much-needed satellite operation of Long Beach Animal Care Services. Julie and her team pull adoptable cats—”adoptable,” to these guys, means any cat in a shelter kennel! The team socializes the kitties until they’re adopted, which takes less time than you could imagine!

Helen Sanders CatPAWS adoption centers: viewable daily during store hours, playtime Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 3 p.m., PetSmart, 12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach; Petco Marina Shores, 6500 Pacific Coast Highway, third Saturday of every month between 1 and 3 p.m., Long Beach, adoption fees apply.

Window-shopping’s a neat pastime and likely has become more common during the pandemic. Helen Sanders CatPAWS has applied window-shopping to cat adoption; you can peer at several of the fine felines through the windows of the PetSmart adoption center in Seal Beach, and now, you can finally visit with them, scratch their little ears, and rub them under their chinny-chin-chins on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors to Petco Marina Shores every third Saturday of the month can see them running around their playpens and cuddle them, too. Volunteers will answer questions and provide you with adoption information! Be sure to wear a mask. You can find adoption applications and all the kitties here.

Nota bon-e—fosters are needed everywhere!

If you’ve always wanted a pet but aren’t sure if you’re ready for a lifetime (the animal’s) commitment, or if you’re past the pet-roommate days for any reason, fostering might be a great way to go, especially with one or more of the kittens popping up during kitten season. Every one of the organizations listed below is in desperate need of fosters who’ll social them and help save their little lives. Who knows—maybe one of those lives will change your mind about the not-ready-for-roommate thing!

These nonprofits also regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. As of now, adoptions are mainly by appointment. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes. These organizations operate through donations and grants, and anything you can give would be welcome. Please suggest any Long Beach-area rescues to add to the list.