Robin Olson's blog

I don't often see my foster Mamas feeding their offspring, as my foster Mamas are usually feral and won't nurse in front of me. Last night I saw CallaLily, dwarfed by her kittens. Not all of them could even take any nourishment from her now that they're 8 weeks old. There's just no room for all five of them!

The kittens are eating solid food, but I guess old habits die hard. In a few days, Mama is going to be spayed and the lunch bar will be closed! Calli needs a break. She's quite thin and I can tell she's tired. She's been an awesome Mama, but this Mama needs time to regain her strength so she'll be ready for a forever home soon.

Last week I broke the news about a sweet Mama cat and her two kittens who were one of many facing euthanasia at Henry County Animal Care & Control in Georgia. This came just a day after the joy of knowing we broke about 20 cats and kittens out of the same shelter. For some, it was literally a few hours before their time was up.

I asked for help for Angel Mama, knowing my resources for a foster placement are few and booked up with the first batch of Henry cats. There are lots of other rescue groups and families who could have offered to take them, but no one stepped forward. It weighed heavily on me, but I know there are lots of reasons why no one comes forward. One being the obvious problems with lack of open shelter space, donations are down from the poor economy, the difficulty rescue groups have placing adult cats vs. kittens. Yes, I get it, but I don't want to tell myself that it's okay for these kitties to die because of this or that excuse...it's just not right.

Then I thought about the numbers again; 300-500 animals are KILLED every MONTH at just Henry, alone. To me these are not only staggering statistics, they are immoral, wrong, atrocious. Then I found out that GA kills MORE animals than the ENTIRE United Kingdom every year! It was then I realized that I have to try to find a way to fix this terrible situation. I can't live knowing this is going on. I can't turn my back on it and I won't. I need to dig in and get some answers and find a solution. No more death. This is so wrong.

Yesterday I heard that 48 cats were at risk of being put down at Spaulding, in GA. By now they may all be dead. Maybe a few escaped to rescue groups. Maybe a few were given another day or two. I don't know any more than that. What I do know is bad enough. Who the HELL can put these animals down? How do they wake up it the morning and look themselves in the mirror? I know they are struggling, but why do they accept that this is the solution. I know. I am not walking in their shoes. I couldn't. I hope, that if they want help, they will reach out. We want to help them, but we need to find a way that respects both the people involved, as well as the animals.

Up until last night, I figured this post was going to be a memorial to the 48 cats at Spaulding and this lovely cat and her curiously marked offspring. They would fade into memory as just being another statistic. Three more cats who will never have a chance at a decent life because whoever cared for this mama, did not bother to have her spayed and chose to give her up to a place knowing she would be put down. I have no compassion for these people. I need to find it, but right now, I can't. There are so may programs and vouchers and Vets-for animals to not be spayed or neutered in this day and age is a shock to me. Do we live in a third world country?

Who, in their right mind, thinks it's still "cute" for the family pet to have a litter of kittens or puppies just to show their own children "the miracle of birth;" not taking into consideration the ripple effect of having more intact animals who will continue to multiply? I'm sick. I'm really pissed. Who, in their right mind doesn't know there is a SERIOUS problem with companion animal overpopulation? How many stories, like this, have to be told before everyone gets it?

There are kitties who died today and others that will die tomorrow. I ask that you consider finding a place in your heart to take a moment and think of them. Say a prayer or just think good thoughts so that somehow their short lives will have had some meaning. Somewhere maybe you could think about opening up your home to a shelter cat some day, like the ones here, so they don't need to be a statistic, too.

So what of this mama cat? Some will call it a miracle. I might be inclined to agree. Yesterday, a Vet who does S/N for one of the shelters, rescued this family! I don't have much more information on them, but I feel a great sense of relief. At least this family didn't have to die, too. At least this family will know a loving home, one day and this little family will get to have a happy ending, instead of just...an ending.

At last! Word has come in to CiCH HQ that Sockington, and Penny (with great reluctance) have decided to move forward and make Tweetie's "visit" a permanent one. Yes, I can finally announce that

TWEETIE IS ADOPTED!

I heard from a reliable source that Socks will sit outside Tweetie's room and wait for him to come out, instead of hiss or run off and hide whenever he sees the little guy. I believe that Socks actually misses the him when they're apart!

The photo that started it all...along with it a simple question; "Are you my daddy?"

Tweetie will undergo a name change at some point. We're not sure what it will be or when it will be announced, but rest assured, as soon as I know, you'll know, too.

Congrats, Tweetie! I'm sure I'll see you again on one of your Twitter Pages or on Sockington's web site or on TV or in a Book! Shoot! I knew I shoulda gotten your autograph before you left here!

UPDATE: Looks like the rumors are NOT true. Tweetie's name has NOT BEEN CHANGED TO, Oliver or Cousin Oliver! It's a character reference from the Brady Bunch, not his new name.

Sunshine & Shamus no longer have to worry about being eaten up by fleas and can finally get a good night's sleep. Now if I would stop drinking tea, maybe I would, too.

Thank you for all your suggestions for names for the kitties! If I didn't choose yours, don't fret. I'll have more kittens in a few weeks! Lots of chances for names!

Here's the new crew:

Malibu, Nova and Felixia are back at ANC HQ waiting to find their forever homes. Fe is doing much better now that she's had a good course of antibiotics and is beginning to put on some weight. Nova, we hope, will be adopted soon. Malibu has continued to come out of his shell and is a very loving kitty. He's getting rather big and we're a bit worried we won't find him a home soon. Seems the younger kittens go first. Isn't that often the case?

As for my own cats, poor Gracie STILL battles miliary dermatitis. Her flare ups are still bad, still constant. She's still getting bi monthly shots and occasional baths (but I should give her more). It's been almost a year since this started and I have little hope we will ever find a cure for her. It's very sad. I fear my last options are either to put her on steroids, which I've avoided at all cost, or try to re-home her, which would make me feel like a failure. She may be unhappy with all the other cats here, but she was fine for years, then suddenly broke out. My thought is that it can't be the other cats bothering her, then...but...then what is causing her allergic reactions?

Bob has been doing fairly well, though I'm starting to worry about him He's not eating as well as he did...is it his sense of smell starting to go? He's vomited a small amount of water the past two mornings. I fear pancreatitis flare ups with him!

Nicky still has problems being constipated and he seems a bit down. We've been giving him stool softeners, but not enough. Gotta ramp up on that. I think this cat has a funny metabolism. First he would get urinary blockages up from his food and that meant lots of ER trips. He's not blocked any more, but now his colon is getting packed up. I can't figure out what is the culprit. The other cats don't suffer with this problem-even Nicky's own sister.

All the other buggers are doing fine. Some times I forget they're all getting older. How is it that Nick and Nora are 9 now? Spencer is about 7 and no one knows how old Bob is, but it's easily over 10. Where did the time go?

The foster kittens and Cali, the mama are doing better this morning. Everyone ate their breakfast and started to play right away. No litter pan accidents, thank goodness and their overall condition seems much improved.

No names picked out for the kittens yet. Will work on that today. Thanks for all the suggestions!

If you recall, a few weeks ago, I wrote a few post about Zabby, an injured 8 month old kitten at Henry Co. facing a dismal, if any, future.

Thanks to the generosity, kindness and hard work of many people, instead of being euthanized, Zabby was not only pulled from the Kill shelter, but vetted so her paw could heal while she was in the mandatory two week quarantine period. She was transported to Catnip Cottage in South Carolina, to live until she was adopted. In fact she wasn't at Catnip Cottage for very long at all. She was so sweet and well adjusted that she was immediately added to an Adoption Event. That very day, a lovely couple adopted her, who felt they were ready for a new kitty, as their's had died 6 months previous at the age of 18.

Congratulations, Zabby!

This is what I saw at 6am! Kittens and Mama are DONE with captivity and WANT OUT, even if it's a few hours earlier than I am supposed to let them out. Oh well.

I've only got two names picked out so far, so if you have suggestions for a name for this little girl. Now is the time to suggest one!

In honor of our good friend Andrew on Twitter, we're going to name this little cutie, Andie (like Andie McDowell, the actress). Yes, I know Andrew is a gentleman and this kitten is a female but I think Andie is my bestest kitten, super outgoing, friendly and adventurous so she should carry the honor of the name!

Next is one of the beautiful buff tabby boys.

Here they are together

Got name ideas other than: Double Trouble!

I don't know brother number two looks so cranky! He's probably tired from all those nasty flea bites draining his little body.

Dilute calico/tabby mix. I call it Tabbyco. Is there a name for it? Calitabby? She's a cutie!

This is mama! I'm calling her CallaLily. She's got great tabby/calico markings. She's REALLY sweet and chatty with her babies. She's very easy going and goofy and likes to play. I don't think she's much older than 2, if even that old. Cali is going to need a home, too! If you live in CT and would like a charming new companion, I've got one for you!

The kittens are close to, if not over 8 weeks old so they will get s/n very soon and be ready for adoption in another week! Yay!

But first...I need names!

Welcome aboard to my new Foster kitties. Mama and five kittens. Every one of them is COVERED in FLEAS! Our Director said it was the worst she's seen and was surprised the kittens were even alive!

They're older than we thought. Pretty close to eight weeks, but not weaned properly and have supposed litter box issues. Woohoo! Fun!

At least Mama, not well pictured here, is nice. Whew. Right now everyone got Capstar and Advantage treatments and got de-wormed. Next I have to figure out how to deal with this flea issue for the coming weeks. I did flea spray in the room, since you may know one of my previous fosters showed signs of having fleas. At least the spray is supposed to work for 120 days. Hope they weren't kidding!

Right now everyone is locked up in a big dog crate until tomorrow afternoon, at which time the Advantage will have started working. Poor kitties. They just want to get out! I've hardly touched them except to flea comb a few of them-and the results were not bad at all.

I keep feeling like I have creepy crawlies all over me, but my hair is really long, so I'm going to blame that as the culprit, though my hair doesn't reach my knee!

Oh brother! Now what did I get myself into?

Everyone has been so great, helpful, generous and I realize there's a point of exhaustion where people won't want to help any more or have helped as much as they can---then I ask again for more.

I've weighed the options of bringing to bear news of yet another Mama and her babies, who need rescuing from Death Row at Henry County in Georgia. Henry Co. puts down 300-500 animals a month. It's atrocious. Saving three won't make a dent, but look at these guys. I think they're worth making an effort over.

This morning I got these photos and they really stuck with me. I've decided that even if it turns readers away, it doesn't hurt to ask; "Can you help one more time? Can you step up and find this litter a licensed rescue organization who will foster them together until they can be adopted? Can you step up and offer to adopt one of these cats?" I'm not sure of how that works out, but I can find out FOR YOU. I'll help make it as easy as possible.

These cats, if Mama gets a negative result on her combo test, can come to you already vetted and ready to go. We can arrange transport. We may even be able to raise all the funds we need for their care. It would be little for you to do, other than step up, raise you hand and say; YES!

Here's our latest Mama. She and her babies have such beautiful and unusual markings!

This little one is so cute!

Same kitten as above, but check out his chin! I didn't know kittens could have goatees!

Perhaps over the weekend, someone will find a friend who works at a shelter who can make room for them or who wants to adopt one of these cuties. They don't have much time and, in fact, even tomorrow may be too late. I wish I could take them, but I truly do have a full house of 13 plus 3 more coming and my newcomers have fleas very seriously. I'm willing to donate money and make calls and write emails.

If you want to help, just contact me (see sidebar to the left) and I'll get the ball rolling.

We make change happen together, by stepping up and saying, NO. No more death for those that have just begun their lives. Let's find a way.