Cyclone’s Story

Cyclone’s story is a unique one. He was one of ten cats that the League rescued from an animal testing facility in North Carolina. The League took in 30 of the more than 200 dogs and cats surrendered to officials after the USDA began an investigation into allegations of neglectful living conditions and cruel abuse of the animals at Professional Laboratory and Research Services, Inc. in Gates County, North Carolina. The USDA investigation and relinquishment of the animals follows the release of videos and testimony of an undercover investigator from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) .At the invitation of PETA, with which the League partners on animal rescues, four employees of the League drove two rescue vehicles to the North Carolina laboratory to pick up the animals on September 17. Click here to read the Press Release about the rescue.
A picture of Cyclone during the PLRS rescue

Cyclone was adopted in early October, 2010, and is now named Sweetie. Here are some of the emails we have received from his new adopter!

Day 1 in his new home: “I forgot to mention that at one point you could tell he was confused because he’s used to being scared of people and running away, so he didn’t know what to do – and he let out a meow, truly a meow of “wait a minute, what is this?”  It was pretty amazing since I didn’t expect it!”

Day 2: “He just sat in the middle of the room and let out a string of meows, I think because I wasn’t paying him attention!  Oh brother, we’ve created a monster!  He’s very playful and funny.  I am elated, though:  Sweetie seems to be getting in touch with his inner kitty – he is happily engrossed with trying to catch a moth, completely oblivious to me except that I was egging him to get it.  And he was on the bed— though not lying down.  I wonder when he sleeps, he is so curious!”

A picture of Cyclone, now named Sweetie

Day 3: “First, when I came home, Sweetie Pie was hanging out in the bathroom.  He didn’t run or hide when I came in but was a little nervous.  I just left him alone, until I realized he was shadowing me!  He clearly wanted to play, and at one point he came up and looked at me and batted my toe, like in “tag, you’re it.”  I didn’t want him to get worked up running around, so I went about making my own dinner and guess what – I turned around at one point, and he was lying in the kitchen with me.  Right now, he is hanging out here with me and playing with one of the stick toys by himself.  I can see I’m going to get my exercise with him!  I am sooo proud of him.”

Day 4: “Today I read more on the WARL website about the account of the animals being surrendered and learned more (than I wanted to) about what happened to these animals.  It is amazing that he went through all that torture, yet seems to have such a tremendous spirit and sweetness.  I really can’t think too much about what went on before.”

Here’s an update we received on December 20, 2010 of Sweetie Pie:
“Dear Friends at Washington Animal Rescue League,
On the three month anniversary of being rescued from the horrible abuse at the PLRS “research” lab, Sweetie Pie (formerly known as “Cyclone”) would like you to know he is thoroughly enjoying the holiday season and is looking forward to his first Christmas with presents and treats from Santa Paws. 
Sweetie Pie is such a happy cat!  I had the privilege to adopt him two months ago today.  Within less than 8 hours he was exploring his new home and playing.within two days he was allowing me to pet him all over.after only ten days he re-gained his purr.in three weeks, he started sleeping on the bed all night with me.and as of yesterday, he let me pick him up and hug him (briefly, but it was the first time he didn’t struggle immediately). 
For the past two weeks I have been recovering from surgery.  Sweetie Pie sat loyally with me the whole time, whether I was sleeping or reading in bed.  He is an excellent companion.  He is extremely curious, very polite, loves to talk and to demand attention.  And he has a great appetite.  At long last, he is able to be a cat and do all the things felines are supposed to do.  Other than the blue tattoos in his ears, there is virtually no sign of the trauma he experienced and adopting him has been 100% easy!”