How Do We Put an Animal's Best Paw Forward?

Agusto (69920)

This is Agusto.  If you're interested in him, and he is a sweet, sweet cat, his number is 69920.  Agusto has been at the animal shelter for a little over a month now. He is two years old.  Notice how bright his eyes are and how fadded the background is.  While this was a great photo to start with, I've enhanced it through Photoshop.  It's kind of like a woman wearing makeup.  Something she does to enhance her natural beauty. I've added a little light to his eyes by adding a dodging layer in Photoshop.  The better to see with. And I've darkened or faded the background by adding a vignette to the background.  I've also cropped in around Agusto.  He's really shy about sharing his home online!

Smokey (52906)

My inspiration came from Smokey (52906).  Smokey is a female cat that has been at the shelter for 370 days. She's 11 years old.  Luckily, Smokey found someone to foster her.  I'm not sure who took this picture because the photographers' names are not listed on the Animal Shelter's website. But look at how bright Smokey's eyes are.  That was created by "dodging" the photograph, or lightening certain areas.  And the background has been "burned" or darkened by adding a vignette.

Agusto and Smokey would love to go home with someone.  Agusto was ready to go home with me and I have not personally met Smokey.  She is enjoying life in a foster home.  She is patiently awaiting her forever home.  I don't think Raleigh (my cat) and Agusto would get along very well.  Two male cats, the adjustment is huge.  There's territory to be marked and while both would be neutered and therefore cannot actually spray, they will urinate to mark their territory.  But if you don't have a cat at home, especially another male cat, that should not happen.  Agusto loves to be petted too.  And he will give you a friendly bite.  It's not aggression.  It's playing.  Tell him no and he will stop.  Smokey appears to get along well with other cats as that is the case in her foster home.  She has not been around dogs yet, so at this age I wouldn't recommend subjecting her to that. 

Be sure to visit the Wake County Animal Shelter's website at http://www.wakegov.com/pets/default.htm  Click on "View Animals At The Shelter" to see who is available to be adopted or if you've lost your pet.