OCTOBER WAS A GREAT month for adoptions and rescues at the Alameda Animal Shelter.

The shelter saw 35 adoptions: 10 dogs, 21 cats, 3 birds, and one rabbit. Some of our longtime guests have found new homes, including SERABE, the brindled pit mix who was in Dog Alley for many months; MIGHTY, the cute little male terrier featured last week; and PETUNIA, the black bunny with an ear injury who was in Rabbit Row for almost a year.

KATYA, the beautiful longhair Siamese traced back to Russia via microchip, has now found an American family, and we all wish her well. If only she could tell the story of her immigration, our curiosity could be satisfied. As for the Russian blue cat turned in by a caring citizen who saw him being tossed from a car, the cat's rightful owner, who lives in Antioch, saw his pet online and called in after searching elsewhere for three months. Maybe the cat hitched a ride or stowed away in the wrong vehicle, but now he is happy at home.

Now that Halloween has passed, the shelter is once more offering black cats for adoption. There are several to choose from, so be sure to visit them and consider adopting any of these very sweet cats.

PET OF THE WEEK: MERLIN, a large white longhair with big blue eyes, is a real looker.

He arrived two weeks ago and is popular with the cat volunteers. Just as with people with light complexions, white

CAT LAIR: MITTENS is a very friendly female dark gray tabby with an extremely soft coat. She is 2 1/2 old and has been in the lair since March. When I saw her this morning she was holding court with visitors and volunteers, playing with toys and a little hide-and-seek, and obviously enjoying herself with the children present. She will make an excellent family pet. BABY SISTER is a gorgeous, light gray and tan tortoise shell female, about 1 year old, who likes being held. CODY is a handsome 2-year-old male of light gray and white; ROMEO is a young adult, neutered male white, with charcoal markings; and MOSES is a darling 2-month-old neutered male of white and gray.

DOG ALLEY: MIGHTY, last week's Pet of the Week, has been adopted — lucky dog! But still in residence is BUENO, a staff and volunteer favorite gold Lab mix who arrived in March and is well known for his friendly personality, good walk ability and good looks. RUSTY, a neutered male tan Pomeranian, is still here. He's about 7 years old, but Pomeranians have a life span of about 15 years, so this guy has a lot of love left to give. SCOOBY, the male Great Dane mix, is still available, as is BIG ED, the German Rottweiler tricolor male.

New to the Alley are GODIVA, a young female chocolate Labrador retriever who was abandoned at Crown Beach; and CHIPPER, a 2-month old pit mix puppy with a tan coat and some charcoal smudges here and there.

RABBIT ROW: No bunnies are in residence right now. However, if you are interested in adopting a rabbit, call the shelter for information on local rescue groups and foster families.

Please note: The shelter "two-fur" deal is still in effect. Adopt two pets, and the second adoption fee is waived.

Linda Treml Hallam is an Alameda writer and animal lover. The Alameda Animal Shelter is located at 1590 Fortmann Way. Call 510-337-8565 or go to www.petharbor.com, www.petfinders.com or www.virtualpetadoptions.com. For more information about Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, go to www.faas.bbnow.org.