The calico cat with the standoffish personality who was known as Diva at the animal shelter has left for new digs. And what grand digs these are! It is a Cinderella story. Diva is slowly getting used to the freedom of the outdoors on four beautiful garden acres in Chilmark. After the customary orientation period, her assignment will be to patrol the property disposing of the rodents who like to dig up the grass and eat the tender shoots of the plants. She is housed in a well-appointed former chicken coop with an enclosed hutch for her to rest in and ladders, terraces and ramps from which she can survey her terrain. Since the name Diva did not seem suitable to her new owner, he and his family all submitted new titles, wrote them down and placed them in a hat. Each new name they drew was rejected. Finally, the owner came up with the perfect name — Hattie for the hat he was holding and usually wears. So Hattie she is and, to borrow a cliché, she has certainly landed in the catbird seat!

Back at the shelter, we are still on birth patrol. Our mother cat’s girth is still expanding, but the little ones are reluctant to emerge. We are all restless.

The rabies clinic was a big success. After all the tempestuous weather we have had on the Island, Saturday was sunny, although on the windy side. All the dogs and cats were remarkably well-behaved while awaiting their turn and so were the owners. The animal shelter thanks the vets, Dr. Buck, Dr. Williams and Dr.Ross, who gave the shots and signed the forms in Edgartown, and Dr. Breese and Dr. Sauter who did the same in West Tisbury. We thank all the volunteers who showed up to help with the paperwork and to hold the animals while the doctors administered the vaccines. And much gratitude to Barbara Prada who dispenses dog licenses to the canines and much-appreciated pizza and homemade brownies to the hungry volunteers afterwards. Treats and pats on the head to all!

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539.