Adoption

Success Stories

Career Kitty:  Lulu’s Adoption Story

“Mabel!  Kenny!  Rusty!”  As she enters the Boston Public Garden pushing a pram carrying her one-year-old cat, Lulu, an ARL of Boston adoptee, Claudia Biddle summons her favorite squirrels. Claudia has been feeding squirrels for 20 years, and when she calls them, they scurry toward her to eat nuts from her hand. Since 2006, she has been accompanied by husband, Fred Ciampi, and last year, Lulu joined the fun. Seeing the couple hand-feed wild squirrels while Lulu, dressed in a Henley shirt, watches from her stroller, is a uniquely adorable sight, causing passersby to smile and snap photos. The scene is all the more remarkable because Lulu is a certified therapy cat.

Claudia adopted Lulu from the ARL of Boston in 2008, after the loss of her beloved cat Rudi. After a few months with the sweet-natured tabby, Claudia, a yoga therapist, realized that Lulu had the extraordinary patience, gentleness and quick acceptance of strangers to become a therapy cat. She did some research and found that the Delta Society of Massachusetts accepted cats to its “Pet Partners” program. She and Lulu completed the home-study course, and after Lulu’s first birthday, they took the exam. Lulu passed all 21 activity and behavior tests with flying colors! She and Claudia now visit Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, and Lulu assists patients with neuromuscular conditions with their physical therapy exercises. When Claudia was in Mt. Auburn hospital this year, Lulu was permitted to stay with her, cheering stressed hospital staff as well as her mom. 

In July of this year, Claudia’s mother, Barbara, also saddened by Rudi’s death, adopted one-year old Roo, a black and white cat who bears a striking resemblance to Rudi.  Barbara describes Roo as a “lovely little creature” and calls the adoption “a perfect match.”  With this successful pairing, the ARL of Boston has provided two happy endings for the Biddle family!

Click here for photos of more happy endings!

To find your new best friend, please click here to see animals currently awaiting adoption.