Scruffy and Mint (Plus Chamomile Finds a Home)

Scruffy, a two-year-old pit bull and Mint, a 4-year-old tabby, both came from similar backgrounds.

Scruffy was living in an apartment with about 40 other dogs while Mint was in a house with about 50 other cats.

Both came to Sean Casey Animal Rescue earlier this month along with several relatives and other roomies, and both saw their closest relatives adopted from the shelter over the weekend.

But that’s where the similarities end.

While Mint has adapted to his new surroundings and is a veritable lovebug, Scruffy is still getting used to things and remains timid.

“He’s very shy,” said Theresa Labianca, the shelter’s director of administration. “It’s probably a little difficult for him being in the shelter, it’s overwhelming all the sights and sounds.”

Before coming to Sean Casey, Scruffy had never been outside, but he’s learning to appreciate the wider world. “He cowers and his tail is between his legs, but he does go out,” Labianca said.

Still, despite his past, Scruffy is “very loving” and soaks up affection, she said, adding that he’s good with other dogs as well as cats and children.

Mint came to the shelter with his mom, Chamomile, and for three weeks, the two had side-by-side cages, Labianca said.

“They both love belly rubs,” she said. “When they saw me come in, in the morning they’d do their little roll-over, stretch and yawn” she said. Then they’d roll onto their backs for their morning tummy rub, she said.  

But despite losing his mom, Mint remains upbeat, playing with the feather in his cage and snuggling up to whomever will let him, according to Labianca.

“He’s very affectionate and he likes to play. He’s also a big snoozer,” she said.

“He is a little mushy cat, the type of cat that they’ll cradle their head into your hand when they want you to pet them,” she added.

On Saturday, Scruffy’s sibling Zeus was adopted, as well as , whom we profiled last week.

Chamomile found a home with a young woman who already had another cat and was looking for an older companion for it, Labianca said. She wasn’t able to have three cats, so Mint was left behind.

Both Mint and Scruffy are spayed, dewormed, treated to prevent fleas & ticks and are up to date with vaccinations. The adoption fee, $100 for cats and $200 for dogs, includes a veterinary exam, one free month of pet health insurance and a microchip.