Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

The Night Before Catmas: The Rescue Version

Ginger cat wearing christmas sweater

The Night Before Catmas: The Rescue Version

By Harry Shubin

T’was the night after the adoption event,
And all through the store,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a stray cricket on the floor
The Adoption Counselors were all snug in their beds
Thinking of ways to move adoptions ahead.

The cage cards were hung on the enclosures with care,
Each telling the story of the cats who were there.
Poor Fluffy, poor Mittens, Whiskers and Sprite
Abandoned and alone on this cold Post-Adoption night.

Each cat was nestled in Maddie’s Blanket, and thought twice,
I wasn’t naughty, I really was nice.
Why was I left in a shelter,
Almost about to pay the price.

When out in the store, there arose such a clatter,
All the kitties stood, stretched, took a lap of water,
nibbled some food, groomed themselves for a moment,
And looked to see what was the matter.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But an old, tired-looking volunteer.
She was dressed in cat earrings, cat shoes covered her toes,
Her T-shirt full of claw holes, her hair the color of snow.

There was fur on her clothing,
A cat toy behind her ear,
She had catnip in her pockets,
On her sleeve, an unidentified smear.

“Look at you kitties, stuck here for the night!
This will not do, this is not right!
Come Scruffy, Come Midnight, come with me all,
I’m taking you home, we’ll have a ball!”

“We’ll play with felt mousies,
We’ll eat lots of treats,
I’ll brush you and comb you,
And nibble on your cute little feets!”

She gathered some carriers, and began to pack them all,
When a little grey kitten, who was rounder than tall,
Asked her a question, with a mew quite small:

“Are you our adopter, are you taking us home?
Will you love us forever, and ever, when we’re combed?”
The volunteer sat down, in her eyes there was sadness,
But then, in a twinkle, the kittens saw gladness!

“No! I’m just your foster, though I’m taking you home,
It’s only for the holidays, where you will roam,
Free of these cages, it will be fun.
And after the weekend, when we’re all done,

Back to the store, we will be on our way,
But this time, with you I will stay.
I’ll tell the adopters that once in their home,
You’ll be fabulous cats, when you’re all grown,

For you’re with our rescue now, you’ll always be safe
You’ll find love, you’ll have a great place,
You’ll always be cared for, even if things go wrong,
But they won’t, because our counselors are strong.

They’ve been well trained in interviewing,
They know what to do,
To find perfect forever homes,
For each one of you.”

So with her they went,
Out to her car,
Though it was cold,
It didn’t seem far.

And then each one found a home
That was good and was right,
And as they left the store, one and all.
They thought they heard the volunteer call

“Merry Catmas to all, and to all a good life!”

divider cat paws oct 2024

Credits

© Harry Shubin, All Rights Reserved. Republished with permission.

This adaptation of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem was dictated to Harry Shubin by the Ghost of Catmas Future on a dark winter night.

Harry Shubin is a patent attorney in Northern Virginia who has been active in cat rescue for most of his life. He shares his home with eight cats. His entire family, including his wife Julie, daughter Rachel, who is the publisher of the Sandpiper Cat Blog, and son Michael, are also involved in cat rescue.


Featured Image Credit: Anna-Mente, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Why Do Cats Invade Your Personal Space? 4 Common Reasons

After thousands of years of domestication, it’s surprising that cats still haven’t adopted any social mores that direct their human owners. They’ll knock...

Siberian Cat vs. Ragdoll Cat: Main Differences (With Pictures)

With so many incredible cat breeds to choose from, which feline would make the best pet for you? Two of our favorites are...

Can Cats Eat Cucumber? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition and Safety

Some of our cats love to keep a close eye on our kitchen activities; after all, who knows when you might drop a...

National Pet Insurance Month: 2025 Update & Interesting Facts

September is National Pet Insurance Month every year. As you might expect, this month is focused on helping pet parents get the information...

More related

Do Cats Need a Cat Tree? Vet Approved Pros, Cons & Considerations

Cats love to be up high and observe everything around them but also enjoy having their own space while they sleep their day...

6 Free DIY Cat Gate & Barrier Plans You Can Make Today

Every cat owner knows that cats are curious and love to explore, but you want to protect your cat, too. Letting your cat...

Over 120,000 lbs of Donated Pet Food Delivered to Hurricane-Affected Communities Thanks to Pets Global & Locals

Pets Global, along with local college students, retailers, rescue organizations, and volunteers, have united and distributed over 120,000 lbs of donated cat and...

Fostering Shelter Cats: Our Vet Shares 10 Tips Before You Bring One Home

Roughly 66% of American households have a pet, with cats ranking second among the most popular animals. Shelters have come a long way...

Keep reading

Why Do Cats Like Hair Ties? 10 Vet-Approved Reasons

Have you ever wondered why cats seem to be so fascinated with your hair ties? It seems like they can’t resist the urge to play with them, chew on them, and even try to catch them! There are actually many...

scrunchies hair ties ponytails

Cat Ear Language: What Feline Body Language Can Tell You (With Examples)

If you’ve ever spent any time observing your cat’s ears, you’ll already know that you can detect your cat’s feelings by how their ears are positioned. Cats can express many emotions and different moods through their ears, and when taken...

close up ragamuffin beside the window

Why Do Cats Like Damp Towels? 3 Possible Reasons

Cats can be finicky and tend to dislike many things that we’d like them to interact with, like new toys and beds. Many cats would rather play with or sleep in a cardboard box! So, it might not come as...

Groomer holding down a cat with a towel

How to Tell If a Cat Is Allergic to Food: Vet-Approved Diagnosis Methods & Treatments

If you’re a cat owner, you probably know how important it is to provide them with a balanced and healthy diet. However, what happens when your feline companion starts experiencing unexplained signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or itchy skin? These could...

Cat scratching his ear while laying on a bed

Acana vs. Orijen Cat Food: Our 2025 In-Depth Comparison

If you take your cat’s health seriously, you may have thought about investing in a premium cat food brand to feed to them. However, it seems like there are just as many choices to make on the high end as...

Acana VS Orijen

Can Cats Eat Macadamia Nuts? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

There’s no denying that macadamia nuts are a delicious treat for us humans, and you might even find your cat is interested in them. While these are a good, albeit high-calorie, snack for people, macadamia nuts should not be fed...

Can Cats Eat Macadamia Nuts

How Do Cats Communicate With Each Other? Vet-Verified Facts & Info

Most mammals, including cats, are able to communicate, although non-verbally. Cats have developed forms of inter-cat communication over the millennia; some are vocal, some are physical, and others are chemical. Cats do it well in whatever form of communication they...

two cats touching noses

Can Cats Eat Feta Cheese? Vet-Approved Risks & Alternatives

It’s a common scenario: you’re enjoying a delicious snack or meal, and your feline friend gazes up at you with those pleading eyes (or reaches up with a desperate paw!). If your treat of choice is feta cheese, you might...

Can Cats Eat Feta Cheese