First it was Lost Dogs, now it’s stray cats!
This summer kicked off when a Ten Club staffer spotted a skinny tuxedo mama cat, clearly nursing, just chillin’ and sunbathing out in the Pearl Jam HQ parking lot.
Lucky break: another PJ crew member also happens to volunteer with Alley Cat Project, a Seattle non-profit that works to humanely cut down the feral cat population. Game plan: locked and loaded.
A new “family” at HQ
After weeks of late-night stakeouts and camera checks, the team confirmed the crew:
- Mamasan, the mama cat;
- two tomcats hangin’ around;
- and three kittens.
A safe outdoor spot and a steady feeding schedule were set up right away. Next mission? Trap the fam and get ‘em checked out.
The catch and the care
By mid-August, mama and her three boys got scooped up and brought inside what quickly got dubbed “Hotel PJ.”
After a few days and expert TNR (trap-neuter-return) advice, it was clear that Mamasan was way too feral to ever vibe with indoor life. Once she was spayed, vaxxed, microchipped, and ear-tipped, she was released right back where she was found. Hard to believe, but at only a year old she was already carrying the start of another litter.
Her three kittens – now rocking the names Dark Matter, Gremmie, and Bugs – are still living it up at PJHQ, getting socialized and waiting for their forever homes through Alley Cat Project.
Mission still rolling
The two tomcats are next on the list, with the goal of trapping, neutering, and releasing. Meanwhile, volunteers and PJ staff keep the feeding station going, with Mamasan herself sometimes swinging by.
So yeah, PJHQ is now officially double-tasking as “Purrl Jam HQ.”
How you can help
Seattle’s got a serious foster-home shortage, which is how the Pearl Jam office ended up turning into cat central. If you’re local, you can foster, adopt, or volunteer through Alley Cat Project. Not in Seattle? You can still help by donating or sending supplies from their wishlist.
Every little move makes a difference for cats like Mamasan and her crew.
➡️ More info: Alley Cat Project
Born in Reggio Emilia in 1980. He created pearljamonline.it in 2001 and wrote the first edition of “Pearl Jam Evolution” in 2009 along with his wife Daria. Since 2022, he is behind 2 podcasts: “Pearl Jam dalla A alla Z” and “Fuori Orario Not Another Podcast”. He has collaborated with Barracuda Style, HvsR, Rolling Stone, Rockol and Il Fatto Quotidiano. He continues relentlessly to try to find “beautiful melodies that say terrible things”.
Favorite song: Present Tense
Favorite album: No Code
Favorite bands/artists other than PJ: Tom Waits, Soundgarden, Ramones, Bruce Springsteen, IDLES, Fontaines D.C., Mark Lanegan, R.E.M., Radiohead, Cat Power, Dead Kennedys