Will You Adopt Me? Meet Purrogi - He Made an Incredible Transformation Through CPP

Last month we introduced you to a beautiful cat named Cinnamon at Monmouth County SPCA who is their Cat Pawsitve Pro (CPP) shining star. I received an update on another cat before the program was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic who I'm excited to share with you today. Meet Purrogi, who initially had a difficult time adjusting to shelter life but is now playful and affectionate. 

Purrogi is a 1-year-old neutered male who was found as a stray. Nina Lucow, the Feline Adoption Manager at Monmouth County SPCA, tells me "Purrogi had a really difficult time adjusting to shelter life. It took over a month before we could even touch him. He was a growler/hisser/swatter and was very stressed and angry. Once Purrogi had settled in a bit and we could start promoting him for adoption, it was very difficult to show him to potential adopters because he was quick to swat with his claws out!" Purrogi also wouldn't come out of his cage. 

After a few more weeks, Purrogi started getting really stressed in his cubby and he started pacing like a caged lion. He was moved to a communal cat room but became even more stressed. He just paced back and forth all day long for several days. Finally, he started settling in but he was very easily agitated and quick to swat/nip at people and the other cats.

Then CPP started. Purrogi has had a slow journey with CPP. He didn't get it initially and would become frustrated and agitated with the clicker, target stick, and other cats that got near him during a training session. He would also get easily distracted with noises, people walking by or other cats walking outside the gazebo. 

Once training clicked though, Purrogi changed! He became a different cat.  The same distractions are there but he's so laser focused on his training that he rarely reacts to them!

He enjoys training and when the staff and volunteers introduce something new, he doesn't get frustrated/agitated like he used to. It's more like a puzzle for him; something new for him to figure out. His overall mood has greatly improved as well. He's relaxed, he's playful, he's affectionate! "He even shares snacks and plays with other cats."

"The transformation with Purrogi is absolutely incredible," says Nina.  "Sure, some of it is due to just making friends and getting used to the shelter but it's CPP that has transformed him."

Purrogi would make any family happy. If you're interested in making him a part of your home and want to learn more about him, please contact Nina Lucow at nina@monmouthcountyspca.org. You can also call her directly at the shelter at 732.542.0040. (Don't forget to tell her Lola sent you!) And we'd be so grateful if you'd share Purrogi on your social media accounts. 

Have you adopted a shelter cat? Tell us about them in the comments.
Dawn

All photos and videos courtesy of Monmouth County SPCA.