Mattmew, the eight-week-old long-haired ball of fluff seems too adorable, too soft, too perfect to be real. Yet, Mattmew is very real and, unlike the stuffed toy he resembles, he has feelings. In the shelter, Mattmew is lonely, afraid and confused. Just a minute ago he was with Mama. Now Mattmew, an animal who fits in someone’s palm, is completely alone.

If anyone met Mattmew, she would scoop him up into her arms. His huge gray pleading eyes, lined with white fur, would be irresistible. So would the way that the social little fellow trusts people. Mattmew believes that a human, his own human, will make his life good again.

And he’s right. Only a person can save him. Mattmew needs his person to come.

It’s a time when great manners, good looks and the composure of a gentleman aren’t enough to keep a home. Even though five-year-old Tobias was a stray, led into an overwhelming environment, the shelter director says, “He was quiet and reserved.” Tobias seems able to follow Rudyard Kipling’s advice, “…To keep your head while others are losing theirs.”

The handsome blue and white Pittie seems too good to have been let go. Tobias was even in good condition when he arrived. He was also already neutered. His qualities made it seem that Tobias had been valued. And Tobias has the inclination to let people lead him, to trust. That comes from having belonged.

Tobias is a mystery, a misplaced treasure who needs to go home.

Otto is a very well-mannered gentleman-of-a-certain-age. The neutered, Shepherd – Great Pyrenees could fit smoothly into nearly any social gathering. However, Otto could never play poker. His face shows exactly how he feels. The fellow, who’s loved his family for six years, is heartbroken and inappropriately apologetic. Otto believes that he must have done something wrong to be discarded.

He didn’t. His people told the shelter staff that they “had no time for him.” Yet, the staff has never seen Otto ask for very much from people at all. They say, “He’s been an absolute sweetheart.”

Of course, while Otto doesn’t ask, he’d love to gently stroll with a friend. He’d love to lie at his person’s feet. Otto would love to be allowed to love.

Purrscilla, a 12-week-old kitten with a memorable look and an even more memorable personality, heard that blonds have more fun. After waiting to be noticed among shelter cats, the fluffy, subtly multi-colored torbie believes it. Purrscilla saw flashy yellow cats go home, while no one even bothered to notice that she was actually a more colorful kitten.

As a torbie, Purrscilla’s delicate face is decorated with orange and orange is woven through her entire coat. She also has stripes, stripes so tactful that someone needs to search to see them. That searching could entertain Purrscilla’s owner during a lifetime of cuddly evenings.

And although blondes may have fun, they aren’t any more fun for their person. Purrscilla is begging for her chance to prove that.

Even though he’s wearing a fashionable, sophisticated tuxedo, Purrcy is the youngest, most overwhelmed creature in the shelter. The seven-week-old kitten is alone, even though kittens shouldn’t leave their mamas until they’re at least eight weeks old. Yet, people explained that they found Purrcy in their front yard. Someone has been unkind and unfair to Purrcy.

The Shelter staff tries to make up for the comfort that the poor little fellow is missing. Purrcy should be cuddling against his mama. So, the staff cocoons him in a blanket, in a basket. They give him the softest food, but Purrcy still misses Mama’s milk.

A shelter can’t give Purrcy what he should have but doesn’t. Percy needs a person, to love him almost like Mama did.