Gambling Kitty Seeks Permanent Home
By Heather Smith

They say black cats are lucky. But there is one special cat has yet to find his break. Dubbed “Black Jack,” the playful and affectionate one year old feline with a soft velvety nose was brought to the Tallahassee Animal Service Center in June, given up by his owner who had purchased him at a pet store when he was a kitten.

Weighing in at a little over seven pounds, Black Jack initially established himself as one of the smallest and spunkiest members of the cat ward. But after a few weeks in the shelter environment, fate would intervene once again, and he became sick and weak. Despite the best efforts of the Animal Service Center’s staff, Black Jack was deteriorating quickly. As his days became numbered, Lady Luck finally visited in the form of volunteer and foster Jackie Chelette, who swooped in to take the little cat into foster care.

Thanks to a dose of strong antibiotics and a few weeks of rest and recovery, Black Jack has kicked his kitty cold and now spends his days in foster care chasing bugs on the screened porch and batting around his many stuffed mice. He’s ready for a permanent home.

“This might be the perfect cat,” says Chelette. “He has a ton of personality. “He’ll chase – and sometimes retrieve – his toy mouse. He’s expressive without being bossy. And he gets so relaxed he’ll let himself be cradled like a baby in your arms.”

Black Jack is neutered, micro-chipped, litterbox trained and current on his vaccinations.

“He deserves his next home to be a lifetime home,” says Chelette. “He needs to be with people who will rub his belly and make him a true addition to their household.”

If you’re interested in adopting Black Jack, please contact his foster mom at Chelette@comcast.net or call (850) 671-2944. The Tallahassee Animal Service Center is one of only 50 shelter across the country selected to participate in the ASPCA challenge and compete for more than $100,000! Adopting Black Jack will count toward the contest and help the Service Center reach its goal of 1200 adoptions before Oct. 31.