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Oh my GOD. I'm REALLY REALLY scared to think of what this might mean for cats with URI's who are at shelters and our own cats...

It was announced today that the first case of H1N1 Flu was been diagnosed in a CAT. This Press Release from the AVMA describes the situation in detail.

What do you think? I'm afraid to even put out this news because of how "hot button" the topic is-and what it could mean if people over react to the news.

Oh boy...this is a terrible day indeed.

Normally, I don't plug promotional events, but this one looks really helpful and is certainly worth mentioning. The ASPCA© Cat Assistance Program kicks off TOMORROW at the ASPCA HQ in NYC and continues on to nine other locations across the country. For a full list, visit the link, above.

There, they'll be giving out Cat Assistance Kits that include such things as: a litter pan, litter scoop and cat toys, plus free product coupons to 9Lives© cat food and Fresh Step© litter. The kits are available to cat owners in need (one kit per household, while supplies last).

The ASPCA is asking people to:

During the month of November, purchase specially marked orange packages of Fresh Step® litter. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the ASPCA in helping cat owners in need. To participate, look for the Paw Points code on the side panel of the specially marked Fresh Step® litter packaging. Go to www.mypawpoints.com and enter the code. For each purchase represented by entering the unique Paw Points code, Fresh Step® will donate 50 cents to the ASPCA® (up to $400,000).

Conduct a food/litter drive for a shelter in your community. There's a downloadable flier to get you started. Customize the flier and launch your own grassroots effort where you work, in your school, at a local business or with any club you belong to. If you’re not sure what items to collect, contact your local shelter for a wish list and collect items they need to help cats in your community.

So get out there and help families who are struggling to keep their cats! Just think, a few cans of cat food...purchase some cat litter...could prevent some kitties from being surrendered to shelters!

We all held our breath a few months ago, worried that time had run out for "Last Chance Mama" and her two offspring, Pumpkin and Spyder. They were scheduled to be euthanized at Henry County Care & Control in Georgia because there were no rescue groups able to take them.

I wouldn't have been able to do anything if our dear CiCH member, Jennifer hadn't stepped up to offer to foster this family. It was her first time fostering for us and, I believe, her first time fostering kittens. Jennifer usually specializes in special needs and geriatric cats. Fostering such energetic kitties would be a big change for her. Thank goodness she stepped up. These cats literally had 12 hours left to live.

As you may know, a team of folks stepped up to pull the kitties from Henry and get them to a 2 week quarantine before they were transported to Connecticut. It wasn't long before Spyder was adopted and Pumpkin followed, going to an awesome home, a few weeks later. Angel showed well, and was a real gem. We just couldn't find her a family. Jennifer offered to allow Angel to mingle with her own cats, which would free up her foster room, so she could take "The Berries" once they were ready to arrive.

Angel being goofy while in foster care at my house.

Angel found her way. She figured out how to wake up Jennifer and her hubby, Ron, how to get a treat for sitting next to Tucker, while Tucker had to put up with getting a shot to get a treat! This little minx hid on Halloween and wouldn't come out, until Jennifer started to worry. As if by some unseen force, Angel knew she needed to come right out and show herself, so she did.

Photo by Jennifer, used with permission. Angel and Tucker.

This Saturday, we're having an adoption event. Jennifer and I have been discussing how to arrange how we're going to get Angel to the Event and back. Jennifer hated to take Angel to another adoption event and said that "maybe we should just keep Angel?"

Jennifer comes home for lunch to find Angel is doing well fitting in with the family. Photo used by permission.

After a few email volleys, it was decided. The last of the "Last Chance" litter has been adopted! The paperwork is signed. The deed, done. Angel found her home was right under her nose the whole time! Congratulations! You've come a long way, Angel and I'm thrilled you found such a fantastic home!

Of course, just for the record, Tucker is still Jennifer's favorite, but there's plenty of love in her home for Angel. No worries, there!

Hooray!

Reading about Max the 23-yr old Siamese made my heart break. Mercedes is 20 and I know she is in the winter of her life, but no older creature be it human or animal should be discarded like refuse. It is heartening to know that there are decent people out there who will step up and rescue these poor helpless souls.

I know I have not posted an update on Mercedes in a few days, but I do have good news. She is eating and drinking on her own, neither very much, but she is not in danger of starving to death or dying of dehydration.

I heard from both families this weekend and it was all good news. Millie and Monte are loving life in their new home. Monte is still "quacking" from his URI, but is much better. He went to the Vet on Monday for a re-check. His family just adores them both and they are both using their scratching pads and litter pan like good little kitties should.

Dylan and Dee are also getting lots of love and snuggles in their new home. They have met their new doggie friend, Lucy, but haven't spent any quality time with her. They have to stay in "their room" most of the day, but do get to run and play when it's safe to do so. To be extra careful, their mom, Nancy is going to hire a professional dog trainer to come in and work with Lucy to ensure the introduction goes smoothly. I also heard that the kittens enjoy sleeping with Nancy or her daughter whenever they get the chance and they they, too, had their Vet visit and the Vet said they looked great!

So far...so good. Yay!

Our CiCH friend, Andrew, sent me an urgent message from a Siamese Rescue group regarding the dumping of a 23 year old Siamese cat. I'm forwarding their plea, along with the URL for the cat's Petfinder ad. If you live in the LA area and can help, please do so soon. This cat does not have much time left.

Max is a *23 year old* GORGEOUS *Chocolate point Siamese* dumped at SOUTH LA HIGH KILL SHELTER. We all know max is probably not going to live very much longer, *but I think as human humans being we should all band together to get him out of THAT TERRIFYING SHELTER and examined, and if he is just old, give a him a gentle place to lay and a lot of love until he passes naturally.* However, if he in fact is in immense pain or anything of the like ( im not sure of his condition) he AT LEAST deserves to NOT die
abandoned in a shelter like this, rotting.

THIS IS SICKENING. THIS IS SO BEYOND REPREHENSIBLE to dump your 23 year old cat, and a beauty at that!!! PLEASE HELP!!! Look at his big *BLUE eyes, so sad*~ wondering where his family is... don't let him die and be put in a
freezer at S. LA shelter. He deserves so much better. PLEASE...do it for
him, do it for any sliver of humanity that may remain in this sick world....

*South LA shelter: 213-485-0117 or -0119*

Adopt Max

UPDATE: Looks like Max was pulled by the Kris Kelly Foundation. Great job to everyone who did their part getting the word out about Max! I hope he'll find the rest of his days to be happy and peaceful.

Last night I met Jennifer so I could pick up Blueberry & Blackberry from her. Blue is due to be spayed in a few days and the Vet is closer to my house, so both kitties will be staying here for the next week or so. I had a nice week off of fostering, but I like things better when the foster room has guests. These two sure fit the bill.

They've both grown quite a bit, from the tiny babies we picked up from the P.E.T.S. transport two weeks ago. They're also much more socialized, though Blue needs more work. They eat like little piggies and are enjoying their new digs. This coming weekend, we're having an adoption event. It will be their first public showing and I hope it will get them in front of possible adopters.

Blue has the cutest little face! Blacberry is really really affectionate! It's just a delight to have them here, if you discount the fact that they poop about ten times more than any kittens I've ever come across! Oops. I mean, really. They're still tiny kittens. Where does all this stuff come from? They don't even eat dry food? Go figure.

Back to bed for me. I've been feeling like I'm getting stomach flu or something. Maybe too much running around and eating too much chocolate from the TON of leftover Halloween candy we have! What to DO with all of this candy? I really should get it OUT of here before I eat an entire bag of KitKats! (see, even my Halloween candy is cat-centric!) I think this is why people work in an office. They can bring the candy to work and look like heros while they're at it. Maybe I should stop working for myself and get a full-time job?

Oh my GOD! That proves it. I haven't had a full-time job since 1986. MUST be sick. Off to bed.

Next up...a NEW Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic just opened in Waterbury, CT! Will be posting info and photos soon!

From all my kitties to you!

Hi just wanted to say hello to the Covered in Cat Hair forum. I'd like to introduce you to my cats! We have this awesome sunflower cat tree and I was able to get all 8 in one place at one time so here goes!

Sunny & Moony on the top!

Pride & Candy- top leaf level

Candy- right leaf

Rainbow Joy, Furby & Puffy at the base!

I am Carm the Crazy Cat Lady from Buffalo- of Cute with Chris fame- My blog- http://cclcarm.blogspot.com/

I miss my guys!