Meet Apollonia

Meet Apollonia! In 2019 a local municipal shelter was called in for an emergency rescue, and asked our Rescue Team for support. Found in a hoarding situation, five frightened cats were brought to the safety and comfort of North Shore Animal League America. The only female of the group, Apollonia, was emaciated. At first we estimated that she was only a year old until we determined something else was at the root of her small stature: irritable bowel disease. She was actually closer to seven years old!

While working on a plan for her physical and social success, our team discovered many layers to Apollonia. Once safely away from other cats, the pigeon purrs and headbutts poured out of her, and we now realize how stressful life in a house with many cats was for her. Apollonia will never have to fight for resources again. With the help of her Sponsors, we can ensure her family the support they need so they can focus on spoiling her to make up for the hard life she left behind.

Your support of Animal League America’s Pet Sponsorship Program will ensure that Apollonia and all the Sponsor animals receive the love and care they need to be as happy and healthy as possible.

2021 Updates

July 2021

Apollonia was recently returned to Animal League America after her adopter could no longer care for her, however this eight-year-old mush has been quickly promoted to the very important role of Volunteer Office Cat while she waits for a new home! Apollonia ensures that the department runs smoothly and keeps Senior Volunteer Manager, Victoria Gravina, on task by sharing pigeon purrs of motivation. According to Victoria, “Apollonia loves meeting new people and makes all visitors feel welcome!

March 2021

Apollonia likes to be queen of her home wanting all the attention herself — especially from human brother, Evan. She gets along well with Kristie, Evan’s service dog, a big Labrador Retriever. Anytime she hears activity going on in the house, Apollonia is in the middle of the action. She’s very playful and loves to “sing,” as her mom Elena likes to say. Evan and Apollonia have a nightly routine: Evan lays in his bed, while Apollonia is in her bed on the floor next to him; he then pets her while she happily purrs away. Every once in a while, Apollonia has some diarrhea and she is seen by the veterinarians at Animal League America and given the medication that soothes her system. During her last veterinary visit, blood test results were normal. Elena is grateful to Apollonia’s Sponsors and so glad they have her to enrich their lives.

2020 Updates

November 2020

Apollonia’s irritable bowel syndrome is under control right now with her high protein and no-grain diet. She does have some medication for when it flares up. Her mom, Elena, says she has to feed her in small portions throughout the day because she will just eat and eat and eat until she throws up. Elena wonders if that behavior stems from Apollonia’s time in the hoarder house where she was found. She’s really bonding with human brother, Evan, who pets her at night and they fall asleep together. One of the reasons they adopted Apollonia was that she’s very tolerant of the way that Evan pets her — he’s a little heavy handed because he has cerebral palsy. He is so happy with his “Apple” as he calls her. Apollonia even gets along with Evan’s service dog, Kristie, a big Labrador Retriever. Since the onset of the pandemic, Elena has felt that her son was isolated in the house even more than usual since he couldn’t even go to school. She believes that both Apollonia and Kristie helped fill that void a great deal. We all know how well animals will do just that.

July 2020

Apollonia is happy in her home with her human brother, Evan, and mom Elena. She just loves when Evan pets her and stretches out on the floor. She had a bout of vomiting and some diarrhea recently and came in to be checked by a veterinarian at our Pet Health Centers. The veterinarian was not sure if this was caused by a flare-up of her irritable bowel syndrome, but gave her mom some medications to soothe her system. Sometimes when she eats her special food too fast, she regurgitates it. Apollonia’s family will be monitoring her closely and, of course, giving her love and cuddles.

March 2020

Apollonia is feeling more and more at home with her new family every day. To ease her into family life, she was confined to one room, but for only one day. Apollonia made it clear that she didn’t want to be separated from anyone. She’s not afraid of the dog and they each respect each other’s boundaries. She feels safest under her human brother, Evan’s bed, but she has a new bed placed nearby. “Everyone is in love with her,” says Elena, Apollonia’s new mom. “Apollonia is a joy and an angel.” She purrs and sings while she’s being pet and stretched out on the floor. As soon as she hears activity in the house, she comes out to play and is friendly with visitors. She didn’t seem to like her food at fi rst but now she’s eating well and her digestion issues have been stable.