Hump day has arrived and... well we're all a little discombobulated here in Central Texas 😹 Some of us, including this FeLV+ trio of Barney, Mr. Toes, and Evie, have been stuck inside since the freeze from over the weekend. And you can read it all on their faces 😾

Listen, if you're tired of kitten pictures, you've come to the wrong place, pal. Felix practically begs for his picture to be taken and we are more than thrilled to oblige. Growing stronger and more confident every day, this wiry void FeLV+ guy is really stealing all the hearts at Shadow Cats 💚

Texas freeze? Absolutely not. …Unless your name is Elsa. ❄️😹 Elsa thinks she's her own biggest fan so of course she laughed about the joke. But the truth is, we don't deserve her 💚

Freezing temps don’t pause sanctuary life. 💚 Caitlin and Abby have been staying overnight since Friday, caring for the cats by day and spending evenings playing, handing out snacks, and making sure everyone stays safe and warm. This is what sanctuary looks like. Safe, warm, and watched over.

Vance takes a stroll on the catio 🐈 Staffer Abby recently caught Vance in all his glory, doing a casual strut around the catio like he owns the place. This orange FeLV+ boy tends to blend into the background most days — quiet, unassuming, just vibing.

Stitch is first in line for Catio access post-freeze 😿 As part of any severe weather prep at Shadow Cats, we prevent access to the catios so none of the cats are susceptible to the elements. It's tough because, as you can tell in this photo, these guys LOVE access to the catio!

We missed Caturday yesterday, but it’s now officially extended indefinitely! Until the frost melts, we’ll share endless cozy cat pictures. Bruce, Greta, and Baylor found warm beds to sleep through the freeze. And even Pepper let Shadow II share her space 💚

Freezing temps are unusual here in Central Texas, but preparation is part of sanctuary life. 💚 Staff stays on-site, supplies are stocked, and warm beds and heating pads are everywhere so our cats remain safe and comfortable. Safe, warm, and watched over.

Petunia says this shark bed is doing an excellent job keeping her warm. 🦈 We’re in the middle of a big freeze here in Central Texas (as are a lot of folks across much of the country), but our cats are cozy and safe with plenty of warm beds, heating pads, and blankets throughout the sanctuary 💚

Good morning, friends 💚 Cold weather has arrived in central TX; we're doing our best to stay warm. As evidenced by Prince Dorian finding himself a cozy box to hunker down and also with Pepper allowing Tommy to share the couch 😸 We will keep you updated on the goings on at the sanctuary 😻

Arctic air is moving in! To help outdoor animals stay safe: 🏠 Bring them inside if possible 🚗 Crack a garage or shed door 🌾 Lay down straw for bedding 🕒 Watch for animals out during the day to eat Stay warm, everyone! Post your shelter photos below—here is our crew at the Sanctuary. 🐈

💅 Hamilton’s manicure 💅 Regular care like nail trims might seem small, but it’s a big part of keeping our FeLV+ residents comfortable and thriving. Hamilton was very brave. He would also like extra treats for his efforts 😹

Dapping up the Shadow Cats to see who will play along 😹

🎂 Happy birthday, Marty!! 🎁 The resident Shadow Cat office cat turns 11 today! This big dude can be a bit shy unless you're Sanctuary Director Sarah, who has the pleasure of experiencing Marty stomping his big feet all over her desk when she sits down to do work 🐈⬛

Hump day vibes, provided by Kibble 😼 Staffer Anna captured Kibble in these upside down poses, bathed in the morning sun, and we think it's the perfect way to cruise through the middle of the week and hope your agree.

I love stories in three photos: Josie, a tennis shoe, and a stern look. I thought changing my shoes would deter this behavior, but upon entering Cookie’s Cottage, Josie claimed my shoes and declared them hers. I didn’t need them, and I’m sure she’ll enjoy them more than I did.

With chilly temps (and possibly ice or snow!) on the way, we’re getting ready to keep our cats cozy and warm. We’d be so thankful if you’d consider gifting a self-warming bed for our cats. Just look at Stitch…how could anyone say no? Check out our wishlist here: buff.ly/OqhwDey Thank you💙

Folks, we’re no longer participating in Tongue Out Tuesday. It’s now called TOMMY TONGUE OUT TUESDAY 😻 The King Of Blep has been hiding in Shadow Cats but won’t show his tongue anymore. Staffer Lyss captured him here, and we think he’s handsome 😼 and playful 😹

POV, it's the end of Monday and Coraline has you in her sights. The beginning of a new week caught her off guard and she ain't having it 😹 With love and patience, this sweet FeLV+ gal has started to settle down and know what it means to truly trust her caretakers 💚

Dorian's eyes say: the weekend is already over?! This dude has come into his own as of late. Though staff often thinks he's scheming, I prefer to think he's following in the footsteps of previous tabby Shadow Cats and upholding a longstanding tradition of being chatty (RIP Mickey The Magnificent 💚)

BREAKING NEWS - Edith’s big green eyes are here for you to admire. Senior cats are special. Some get cranky, but many mellow and enjoy resting with their people. Edith is one of those. She loves Shadow Cats and only occasionally blocks her roommate Marty from eating out of her bowl 😹

The Shadow Cats are pretty used to us papparazi a this point but even Ebi needs a break from time to time! Caught here in her usual spot on the catio, Ebi didn't want any photos taken at first but eventually, she relented and even posed... without getting up though haha!

Callie is here to brighten your day... and then take a nap on the catio 😹 Having never met a stranger, sweet Callie is always the first cat to greet folks when they arrive in Cookie's Cottage. She always seems to be in a good mood and will take your pets, but isn't pushy 😸

Caturday is upon us, friends, and we have a round up of kitties showing off their paws 🐾 Dexter might be young but woo boy he has the paws of an adult cat and has hit a growth spurt. It's not unheard of to mistake him for one of the older Shadow Cats 🧵 continued!

Pepper has been supervising and she has come to a conclusion -- it's time for the weekend! Known to be a bit spicy in her younger years, Pepper has become one of the more snuggly cats in the sanctuary. If you find a chair in the Oasis living room, before too long Pepper will find your lap 😹

A round up of photos from our volunteer and friend Carla! Marshall and Hamilton posing nice for the camera. Marigold seeing what's going on outside the catio. And then Prince Dorian probably talking Carla's ear off 😹

It's Friday eve and the weekend is SO close, Marigold is reaching for it! The cooler weather has been good to Marigold. She tends to hang out on top of cat tree indoors but almost always in the sun. Lately she's taken to the catio... and also found the highest perch and finding a sunbeam 💚

Well here's another update on one of our newest additions. Ms. Penny has found her way to Cookie's Kingdom and by all accounts, she's fitting in like she's always been a Shadow Cat. This sweet dilute tortie is immediately affectionate and will greet you upon entry to the room.

We've had to say goodbye to another friend here at the sanctuary. Dixie, in a long battle with GI lymphoma due to her feline leukemia status, has left us. We hope you'll join us in celebrating her life, and the incredibly spunky girl she was. Read Dixie's memorial here buff.ly/yIQl2o4

Greta says she’s not spoiled. She’s just… well-fur-nished. We forgot to tell Greta that if she's the only one laughing at her own jokes, they might not be funny 😹

We're strutting through hump day like Goji here -- confident and ready to tackle the back half like it's nothing! 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛

How about an update on a couple of our newer Shadow Cats? Stitch and Bear are both FeLV+ and, while they’ve been shy during their early days at the sanctuary, we’re starting to see them blossom. 💚

Marshall at first delivered just a little tongue for Tongue Out Tuesday. Then... well I'll let the second picture speak for itself 😹

All cats get nicknames, whether they like it or not 😼

Our little ray of sunshine is here to scare off Monday 😾 Darby may have a famous scowl, but spend a little time with her and you’ll find she’s quite sweet. Since moving rooms with the Wild Side crew, she’s been more social. Sometimes a little change is a good thing… even if most cats disagree 😹

Checking in with a few of our OG Shadow Cats, and that's OG as in Original Gato 😹 Greta, Bruce, and Lottie have been informed the weekend is nearly over, which has engaged a little side-eye action from Greta and Lottie and as for Bruce, well, he's ramping up to airplane mode and ready for take off!

There's nothing quite like a couple kittens bonding 😻 Dexter and Felix have become fast friends, likely thanks to them both being young and having an endless amount of energy to burn off daily. We can't wait to see where their friendship leads 💚

🐈 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT 🐈⬛ We are incredibly grateful to our friends at @tomlinsonsfeed and to every customer who donated during the 2025 Pound4Pound fundraiser. Because of you, Shadow Cats will receive 9,060 lbs of food to support community cats this year. 💚

A little Caturday round up for your viewing pleasure. Leo, never not handsome 😻 Snarky, ruling over the Oasis living room 👸 Baylor, probably napping 💤 Prince Dorian, probably yapping 😹 We hope you and your furry friends have a great one 💚

We put out the call for food and fun through our Wishlist Wednesday post a couple days back and y’all delivered! Our friend Jennifer U. sent over a care package of fun toys for the kiddos 💚 Motorized wand 🪄 Wobbly sheep thing 🐑 Catnip pickles! 🥒 We’re heading into the weekend with lots of fun, 😹

Hamilton's before and after I tell him it's Friday! We've made it to the end of the first full week of 2026 friends, and this little lap steeler is ready for the weekend. He plans to sit around, be handsome, and eat as many treats as he can trick our volunteers into giving him 😹

Meal time in Oasis always gets a gathering haha. Shadow Cats staffer Abby here is having to wrangle Dottie while Tommy and KitKat wait in the wings to see if Pepper leaves any scraps behind 😹 Feeding time at the sanctuary is an operation, but it can also be entertaining 💚

Sweet Suzy, snoozing with her basketball 🏀💚 Every cat deserves enrichment — even if that enrichment means chaos across the living room 😹 Suzy may not be able to see, but she still chases her basketball, claims it as her own, and tucks it into bed when she’s done. Nothing slows this girl down.

It’s the first Hump Day of 2026 and Mr. Toes is officially clocked out 😴 Most cats with 20 toes work about 20–30 minutes a day, then nap for 18 hours, patrol the yard, eat, repeat. But when you’ve got 24 toes? Same workload. Just looks way more impressive 😻

We don’t usually have kittens at the sanctuary, but right now we’ve got TWO 😼 Meet Dexter (gray tabby, huge paws, growing like a weed) and Felix (black kitten, ears for days). Both are FeLV+ and living their best lives in Cookie’s Manor with papa cat Goji. 🧵 1 of 2

Which is your favorite? 😺

Not that we ever need an excuse to post our favorite gray and white tabby, but Tabbytha Tuesday feels like the perfect one. Whether she’s commanding the Oasis kitchen or lounging on the catio, we can’t help but adore this sweet, green-eyed queen.

Marigold the Model™️? It certainly appears so. ✨ As an orange cream girl, her fur catches the light just right, turning every sunbeam into a glow-up moment. Any room Marigold enters brightens instantly, but watching her bask in the afternoon sun is always a special treat.

Evie’s RHF (Resting Hiss Face) makes her a Scowl of the Week regular 😹 But the truth is, she just wants to make biscuits. When Monday hits, she’s right back at it. Rug, lap, air. If she can knead it, she will.

We're on the eve of the first Monday of 2026 and Crinkle Fry, Snarky, Hamilton, and Vance have all taken an unflattering picture to ease you back into the work week. We hope your week goes better than their picture session 😹