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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 18, 2014 | 4 It's a cat's life at OMHS's new adoption room by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff Bethany sits patiently before lunging at the toy being dangled in front of her. Behind her, a tunnel wiggles mysteriously before a pair of black and white feet pokes out of a hole in the side. Suddenly, the feet disappear. Seconds later Arthur, a black-and-white short-hair, charges out of the end of the tunnel. In the back corner of the room, June Bug watches contentedly from her comfy bed. The trio and its three roommates are the first inhabitants of the Oakville & Milton Humane Society's (OMHS) cat colony adoption room. A converted adoption room that was previously filled with cages, the new room allows the cats to roam freely throughout the day, climb cat trees, play and sleep in beds. "It gives the opportunity for people to see them in their own environment," said Kim Millan, executive director of the OMHS. "It's easy to fall in love with a kitten, but some of the more timid cats, this allows them to be more comfortable, express their personalities. We hope it will accelerate adoption of some of our more timid cats." All of the cats in the colony room are among the 55 cats still remaining from the 107 cats taken in after they were found living The Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) officially opened a new cat adoption room made possible through a donation by the Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation. Pictured, Kim Millan, OMHS executive director, and Deborah Gray, board member of the Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation, play with some of the cats through the large window at the new adoption viewing room. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) in unhealthy conditions in a Halton Hills home 15 months ago. The room was converted with a grant from Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation. The OMHS has a socialization room where cats are let out of their cages to interact with staff and volunteers. But with 386 cats in OMHS care -- including 60 in foster homes and others in partnered pet stores -- time in the room can be limited. The colony room allows the cats to live in a more natural, less stressful environment. Deborah Gray, a foundation member and a volunteer at OMHS for 20 years, said this was a project that was "near and dear to my heart." She worked with most of the cats that came in last September in the socialization room. She said while the socialization room remains important, "this goes miles beyond. The psychological and emotional benefits are phenomenal. The cats can showcase their true selves." "We would love to have all our rooms like this," Millan said. The room is decorated with a painting, `Old Friends' by OMHS staff member Katie Land, which features animals that have been in the shelter's care. It also has features cats enjoy -- high perches, scratching posts, toys and beds where they curl up and sleep. Voted the Best in Oakville We Invite you to find out why! Call today for your personal tour. We'd love to have you join us! Retirement Living 380 Sherin Drive, Oakville, Ontario (905) 847-1413 www.vistamere.ca At Its Best