Robin Olson's blog

Your calls are urgently needed to save feral cats!

The Department of Agriculture is proposing regulations regarding the control of rabies in public settings. This is a dire situation as these regulations in their current form will make the feral cats we care for, and the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) work we do, illegal.

The proposed regulations state that an animal must have a “current” rabies vaccine to be in a public setting. The definitions in Section 22-359-1(4) of the proposed regulations define a “currently vaccinated” animal as an animal who received a vaccination “at least thirty days previously.” Specifically, the regulations would mean that a newly vaccinated feral cat would not be a currently vaccinated cat for 30 days and would therefore have to be held for at least thirty days. This would be impossible for anyone who is doing TNR. It also means that any unvaccinated feral cat is in violation of the regulations and we are concerned that these regulations could be interpreted to allow these cats to be trapped and killed.

It is the responsibility of the Legislative Regulation Review Committee to review regulations proposed by state agencies and approve them before regulations are implemented. The proposed regulations will be subject to a vote on March 24th.

Listed below are the members of the committee. Please check to see if your representative sits on the Regulations Review Committee. If so, please call your representative today, Monday, March 23rd, and respectfully request that he/she oppose this regulation. Please advise him/her that the regulations, as currently written, would prevent TNR of outdoor cats and that TNR is an essential part of humanely addressing cat overpopulation.

If you are unsure if your representative is on the committee, please visit TOWN LIST to find your legislator and compare it to the names on the Regulation Review Committee.

Your calls will make a difference! Please take a few minutes to contact your representative and forward this email to any friends or family living in the towns listed below. Thank you for taking action on this urgent and important matter!

Regulations Review Committee:

House Chair, State Rep. T.R. Rowe (R): 860-240-8700; 
tr.rowe@housegop.ct.gov. Rep. Rowe represents Trumbull.

State Senator Dan Debicella (R): 860-240-8800; 
dan.debicella@cga.ct.gov. Senator Debicella represents 
Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford.

State Rep. Carlo Leone (R): 860-240-8500; 
carlo.leone@cga.ct.gov. Rep. Leone represents 
Stamford.

State Rep. Arthur O'Neill (R): 860-240-8700;
 arthur.oneill.@housegop.ct.gov. Rep. O'Neill 
represents: Bridgewater, Roxbury, 
Southbury & Washington.

State Senator Andrew Roraback (R): 860-240-8800; 
Andrew.roraback@cga.ct.gov. Senator Roraback 
represents: Goshen, Brookfield, Canaan,
 Cornwall, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, 
North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, 
Warren, Washington, Winchester.

State Rep. Christopher Caruso (D): 860-240-8500; 
christopher.caruso@cga.ct.gov. State Rep. Caruso 
represents Bridgeport.

State Rep. Paul Davis (D): 860-240-8500; 
paul.davis@cga.ct.gov. Rep. Davis represents
 Milford, Orange and West Haven.

State Rep. Juan Candelaria (D): 860-240-8500;
 juan.candelaria@cga.ct.gov. State Rep. Candelaria 
represents New Haven.

Senate Chair, State Senator Joan Hartley (D):
 860-240-8600; Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov. 
Senator Hartley represents:
 Waterbury, Naugatuck and Prospect.

State Senator Sam Caligiuri (R): 860-240-8800; 
sam.caliguiri@cga.ct.gov. Senator Caligiuri represents 
Waterbury, Cheshire & Southington.

State Senator Paul Doyle (D): 860-240-8600;
 doyle@senatedems.ct.gov. Senator Doyle represents 
Cromwell, Newington, Rocky Hill, Middletown 
and Wethersfield.

State Senator Jonathan Harris (D): 860-240-8600; 
harris@senatedemsc.ct.gov. Senator Harris 
represents West Hartford, Farmington, 
Bloomfield and Burlington.

State Rep. Vincent Candelora (R): 860-240-8700;
 Vincent.candelora@housegop.ct.gov. State Rep. Candelora 
represents: East Haven, North Branford 
and Wallingford.

State Rep. William Hamzy (R): 860-240-8700; 
William.hamzy@cga.ct.gov. 
Rep. Hamzy represents Bristol and Plymouth.

Special thanks to Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats and 
The Animal Center for alerting us to this important 
animal protection issue.

If this wasn't happening before my eyes, I'm not sure I'd believe it. Chip is on the cusp of being adopted!

In this crappy economy, a full-grown cat who was living behind a hardware store-dirty, cold, hungry. This kitty who got kicked out of a shelter for misbehaving with other cats, which would put his chances of being adopted to that equal of getting hit by lightning, just may be enjoying his new home by this time tomorrow. (CROSSING FINGERS AND TOES)

If you've been following Chip's story, you already know the road he's had to travel in the past month. But if you've missed it, scroll down the page or go to page 2 and you'll see a few articles and photos of him. Here are some things to know and a few extras I haven't included until now.

I didn't spend Christmas with my nephew last year. It had become a joke that his Christmas gift has been sitting on my fireplace for almost three months. Yesterday, Ryan IM'd me out of the blue. He was home, bored, did I want to get together? YES! Sure! While Ryan was here, I was showing him some cat photos on my computer. Suddenly, Ryan asked if I had any cats up for adoption? YES! Chip!

Ryan's Teacher, Miss L., lost her kitty last week to lymphoma. The cat was only five years old. I'm not sure why Miss L. is ready for a new kitty companion, but Ryan emailed her about it, just in case.

Miss L. called me shortly thereafter and told me she would like to adopt another kitty. She was ready. She told me she wanted a cat between 1 and 2 years old (CHIP!), a boy (CHIP!), a kitty who would be the ONLY kitty in her house (CHIP, who attacks other cats!), a love-muffin (CHIP!!!). I told her Chip's story and before she even saw a photo, she was ready to adopt him!

I'm a cautious person about rushing into adoptions, so I made sure she had photos of Chip (she thought he was adorable!) and I reminded her that she should really feel a connection for him and to wait to decide until she meets him. She asked me who to make the adoption fee check out to! She already bought a cat bed and toys! She's coming over at 3:15pm tomorrow.

So where IS Chip? He's sitting in a cage at a Vet's office. He's been there for TWO WEEKS-since he got kicked out of the shelter. Apparently, he has done well, being confined, but I'm glad to bust him out of there tomorrow morning. I hope he'll be able to relax and adjust quickly in my home, so by the time Miss L. arrives, he'll be relaxed enough to meet another new person. We'll see how it goes.

If Jeanne hadn't called me and talked to me WHILE she was TRAPPING Chip, I wouldn't have known about him or gotten involved in his plight. There are so many other variables that, at first, didn't seem to make any sense and, in fact, Chip getting kicked out of the Shelter made me seriously worry about his fate and what would missing Christmas have to do with helping Chip, but it did! It's amazing to me how this is going. Yes, it could blow up tomorrow and we're back at square one, but in my heart, I feel this is a match made by the good efforts and compassion of a lot of people and I'm deeply excited and thrilled to be a part of it and not just be the one to report from the sidelines.

More TOMORROW!

Nope. I didn't get a new cat. I made one of my own! Who needs Mama cats?!

More on what the heck this is, how I got it and the cool device behind it all.

Stay tuned!

Remember Chip, the recently rescued stray? The one who found his way to a kind-hearted soul, our friend, Trapper Jeanne? (read Chip's story here, here, and here.

Well, things didn't go so smoothly for Chip, as we had hoped. Chip got a placement at a shelter in Ridgefield, called R.O.A.R., but that wasn't the end of Chip's worries. Within a few days of his placement, he began to attack the other cats—one was 14 years old and a diabetic.

Now I will state, for the record, that I have never been to R.O.A.R, but I hear great things about them. I do, however, have to wonder aloud, HOW DID YOU INTRODUCE CHIP to the other cats at the shelter? Did you just turn him loose after having a harrowing week and a BATH on top of all of that?

Did you give him a chance to get used to his surroundings or what? Seems suspicious to me.

Trapper Jeanne, was contacted and told to come get Chip. She had, coincidently just trapped and neutered another friendly stray, so she took Chip back and dropped off her new rescue. Maybe this cat would fare better in a crowd. Meanwhile, what would become of Chip?

A few days ago, I got the local paper, low and behold, was Chip. Our group, The Animal Center, jumped in to help Chip out. I'm sure Chip is still with Trapper Jeanne, but at least we can help get the word out and get this kitty another chance at a good home.

I'm not convinced he needs to be the only cat in the house. I think if he had time to come around and another mellow friend, he'd be fine. I know it hurts his options if he has to be the only cat in the home. Jeanne has six cats so maybe he will find a way to get along with them?

I'm crossing my fingers, and then some, for Chip. If you live near western Connecticut and have any interest in this lovey-dovey boy, please visit his ad on Petfinders CHIP

The red spots on Gracie's forehead are nothing compared to what lies under that plush fur.

My poor baby, Gracie. It's been FIVE MONTHS since she first had an allergic reaction to something in her environment. So far, only steroids have helped give her any comfort. Thursday, I'm taking her to Riverdale Veterinary Dermatology in New Jersey. I can't wait to get her there.

Because the Vet needs to see Gracie's condition at its worst, I haven't been able to give Gracie a soothing bath or put some ointment on her breakouts. In the two weeks since she last had a steroidal bath she's gotten a lot worse.

Last night she jumped up on the bed, next to my pillow. I reached out to pet her. In the darkness of the room, my hands told me more than my eyes could make out. I was shocked at what I felt. No longer did I find a place on her head or neck that wasn't crusted in large blisters or sores. I could feel the rough surface of crusts, expand across her back. She must be so uncomfortable. I can see it in how she holds her self, curled up on a cardboard cat scratcher in the living room-almost as if lying down in another other position would be too painful.

Her suffering is my own. I need to get to the bottom of this and soon.

Spencer is enjoying the afternoon outside on the deck. He seems so small and fragile-all a facade, I assure you!

Time passes...the sun sinks lower towards the horizon. I decide I better get all the cats inside.

Gracie sees me coming and makes a run for the doorway. She's timid and pretty much runs everywhere.

Bob needed to be herded off the deck and Nicky was already inside. I didn't do a head count once inside. I didn't think any of the other cats even bothered to go outdoors today.

The intercom rings. It's Sam. He says he sees a cat in the feral feeding room. It looks like a new cat. Biggish, dark, not like the gray cat I usually feed. I grab my camera and come downstairs as Sam gives me the play by play the the cat is just leaving. I hustle back upstairs to look out the window. Below me is, indeed a cat. The cat looks up at me. I look down.

HOLY SHIT it's my feral cat, Madison! I haven't seen her for a YEAR. She looks big! I try to take a photo, but I can't get the image focused fast. I want to get a shot before she runs off. Then, I look at the cat again. Madison was black with a white spot on her chest, but this cat is chubby?! Oh no! Suddenly, my mind goes on a hypersonic journey where I begin to realize I haven't seen CRICKET for a LONG TIME.

CRICKET who looks JUST LIKE Madison, only BIGGER!

CRICKET, who didn't show up for lunch.

I look around the room and call down to Sam, asking him if he saw Cricket recently. His answer was; NO. Suddenly, I drop the camera and make a dash out the door. CRICKET IS OUTSIDE, IN THE YARD. CRICKET used to be FERAL. CRICKET isn't just going to walk over to us and let us carry him into the house.

As Sam and I get outside, CRICKET GETS SCARED and RUNS OFF.

SHIT!

Guess what? It's 5pm and I'm STILL in my jammies. I'm outside calling to Cricket. Sam goes after him and Cricket makes a lap around the house back to me. I manage to shoo him into the feral cat room. All he has to do is go through the door and into the house. Instead he HIDES in the feral cat house and won't come out. I stand outside the room, at the opening where the cat door is with my hands over the opening so Cricket can't get back out. Sam tries to get Cricket to go into the house, but all he does is make a beeline for the cat door and my HANDS. I can't see what is going on, but I can feel his claws rip my hands, but I know I can't move them or he'll get out and we may never see him again. Then really freaked out, Cricket tries to climb the walls to get out. I told Sam to stop doing anything, while I wondered if I was going to have to go to the ER-again.

We let Cricket settle down and eventually we got him to run into a small cat condo. Sam was able to carry into the house with Cricket still inside. It's been two hours since Cricket came back. He must have been gone all day! I just saw him eating some food. He was still nervous, but starting to relax. My hand is sore, but fine. Just a few scratches.

I'm grateful that Cricket knew to stay close to the house since he couldn't get back up to the deck. If Sam hadn't noticed there was a cat in the feeding room, we may have lost our boy forever!

Stoopid, stoopid, stoopd!

Oops.

That would be yours truly.

Yes. ME!

It was in the 50's today. Almost warm enough to sit outdoors with a cup of tea, but not quite. The cats, with the remnants of their winter coats, felt it was nice enough to enjoy some fresh air. Who am I to deprive them of anything?

So I opened up the sliding door to the deck and, of course, Bob, Nicky and Gracie bolted out. They tripped and bumped over and under each other to get outside. Within a few moments they were rolling on the deck planks to make sure they had a nice layer of sunflower seed shells and squirrel excrement all over them. Once grossly coated, they looked for a place to snooze.

Since it was still so chilly, I put out two big seat cushions so the cats could relax in style.

It looks so innocent doesn't it? Just a nice almost-Spring-day...cats relaxing in the sunshine...

The cats have ADD, they like to run in and out of the house to continually check to see if there's any more FOOD to eat or to take a crap. Since the bugs haven't started to fill the skies, I decided to just leave the screen door to the deck open, instead of keeping it closed. Yes, I knew I was risking a bird flying into the house or a mad squirrel making a dash for my sofa, but I thought it would be fine. If I left the screen door shut, Bob would invariably RIP RIP RIP on the screen to be let in, then RIP RIP RIP on the screen to be let out every two seconds or so.

Selfishly, I wanted to get some Twittering done and I know the deck is too high off the ground for the cats to go anywhere. Yes, I know this because in the 18 years I've lived here, the cats have always STAYED on the deck. I've seen a few feral cats climb UP onto the deck, but mine never leave.

They NEVER leave the deck, so I don't have to supervise them ALL the time, right?

Ha ha ha ha, WRONG!

Party on Twitter tonight for all the anipals who help the Furpower Challenge. Check out #stpaws and #catparty on Twitter AFTER you make your donation to the Furpower Challenge!

See you tonight at 8pm EST!

Don't forget your hat!

Help save a life for a BUCK! FURPOWER $1 Donation Challenge

Romeo the Cat is on a mission to raise $1000.00 for Animals in Distress. and The Humane Society.

"Animals in Distress is a non-profit, tax deductible sanctuary for animals who have little or no hope elsewhere. Its programs are designed to prevent suffering and to save lives. We believe that there is a special home somewhere for every pet if there is enough time to find it. We keep every animal admitted, providing medical care, behavioral rehabilitation, good food, shelter, and, most important of all, love, until a suitable new home can be found. No animal is killed because it is unwanted, too old, or injured."

This is a great idea. Lots of folks, with just a buck, CAN make a huge difference in saving animals lives. I made a donation in honor of the kitties of Covered in Cat Hair and I hope you'll considering joining this noble effort, too. Please read Romeo's BLOG for more information about how you're donation will make you eligible to win a FURminator deShedding Product!

Now open those wallets wide!

:-D