Always put the good news first. The best way to begin this week’s column is to announce some happy adoptions. Mickey the Mouse, Boston, the Egyptian Mau cat, and Roo the little kitten, all went to new homes this week. Mickey, in his cage of many colors, went to a Magic Kingdom of his own. Beautiful Boston was adopted by a lovely lady still mourning her beloved greyhound. He has been renamed Spencer after her grandfather who was ever the gentleman. Spencer a.k.a.Boston will grow to be the same with her gentle influence. The musical guinea pig, Gizmo, is still in residence at the shelter. Removed from his well-appointed cage and cuddled on a human lap he starts squeaking with pleasure. No one has yet deciphered the lyrics, but he is definitely singing. What a wonderful pet he would make for a lucky child! His quiet and serene mother, Sophia, is also adoptable for someone who prefers silence.

Just back from the hospital and resting quietly is the mother cat left to fend for herself with her newly born kittens on someone’s porch. She has just been spayed. She has been a great mom, all her kittens have been adopted and she should be given a forever comfy home as a reward. Her name is Ruby. For exotic cat lovers the shelter has a Russian Blue. She is not just beautiful. She is a personable purrer. She is named Phoebe. Since she is only six months old she is next on the list for spaying. She has a doctor’s appointment for the procedure, but the shelter is willing to let her go to a new owner provided she is returned the day before it is scheduled. She can be reclaimed afterward.

Free cats! That does not mean to let them out of their very safe homes at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. It means the shelter will waive the adoption fee for our long-term residents. Come to see the chic black female, Prada, the tuxedo male named, what else? Tux. Big black Michael, Viola with the beautiful markings, T.C. a calico lady, a sweet girl named Athena, and dear old Esther. Any one of these would be a content cat with the right owner.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662.

Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown MA 02539.