Georgia Rescue

I've been trying to write this post for a week. I'm torn between writing a virtual rant vs. just moving forward with my life. The temptation is to light these words on fire and to really let off a years' worth of steam, but reason states that those of us in the rescue community all know each other and burn one bridge now means making trouble for yourself later.

So with that in mind, I will write this:

I QUIT.

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. Spencer says it all.

I left The Animal Center for good. No turning back. Done. Whatever reasons I have for this, for now, will be my own. I gave it my all for 5 years, but there was a price to pay that I wasn't willing to pay any longer. I leave angry and hurt, but I know in time those feelings will fade away and for now, I can use that energy to do something positive.

I've been grappling with what to do next. The answer has been right in front of me for a long time, but I was afraid to give it a shot. I'll continue to use my tiny networking skills to help rescue cats from southern death row shelters. I'll also keep doing everything I did before, but...

I'm going to make a go of it on my own. I'm going to start my own Non-Profit Cat Rescue Group. Stupid idea or perfect timing, I have no idea. There are lots of hurdles ahead, but I'm going to try. This is the dawning of my new journey. The road I've travelled on has led me to this place. I stand here before you and take a deep breath. I'm ready to stick my neck out, kick some ass and save lots more cats.

You're welcome to come along for the ride and see how this pans out. Maybe you'll say “I knew her back when she first started that group...it was just her, but now look at it!” but hopefully not; “Oh yes, that was before she got stuck with all those cats she couldn't adopt out and went crazy and they found her body...the cats got to it first...”

I'm truly scared. I had all these plans to start super small, go slowly, only take those two cute cow kittens in to foster and see how it goes...

But so many need help! I can't just sit here with two foster kittens when I have room for more! Oh boy...what have I done?

Details of my craziness coming soon...

I am SOOOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Cali Mama is NEG/NEG for FIV and FeLuk and so are her super cute cowbabies!

Everyone is clear to go into foster care...but wait...there's more!

Last night a lovely lady named, Marian in North Carolina offered to give Cali Mama a home! So as soon as Mama is done with quarantine and is ready to travel, our dear friend, Bobby has offered to DRIVE her all the way to Charlotte- which is a good five hours drive. Who would just offer to do such a thing without an ulterior motive? BOBBY! He is such a nice nice man. Last year he helped me by picking up Huggy Mama, who was my first rescue from Henry Co. He truly loves animals and has a heart of gold. Thank you, Bobby and thank you Marian for giving Mama a new home to call her own.

My brains are scrambled. I think I forgot to thank someone. Once I have normal blood pressure again and cognitive function, I will re-check this post and make sure I didn't leave anyone out...

oh yeah..and the COWBABIES ARE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!!! Okay, I'm just fostering them, but...

Don't let me keep these foster kittens. When I start writing about how I can't let them go, remind me I told you to YELL AT ME! I can't keep them, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE TUXY BABIES!!!! I can't wait to meet them!!!

Last night was a CRAZY barrage of emails going back and forth. Things were lining up to rescue this mama and her little babies! I had a transport, I had someone to pull the cats for me, I had a place for them here, but I didn't have a two-three week foster home or place to board the cats until they could leave the State and head northeast! All pets have to be quarantined for about 2 weeks before they can go anywhere to help prevent the spread of disease. Finding a place to keep them safe is really tough-espeically when you live 1000 miles away!!!

Somehow things just started to click...

I decided to try and ask for help. Our new BFF, Maria, saw my plea. She actually LIVES in the same town where the shelter is located! She DOES cat rescue for RescueCats! She HAS an EMPTY foster room! She even is prepared to de-worm the kittens! This lady knows her stuff! Oh yeah...and Maria contacted me and offered to help! She made all the difference in this rescue even being possible.

So did our DEAR friend Bobby, who graciously offered to drive over to Henry Co., sign out the cats, take them to the Vet and wait with them while they are being checked out. You'd think that would be enough, but Bobby offered to help in other ways, which I will tell you about later! There is more news ahead, but I have to wait until I know that mama and babies have passed their exam (so to speak) and can go into their foster home. There is the gut-knot-worry that their "Combo" test to determine if they have FIV or Feline Leukemia will show a positive. We do NOT want this to happen and it's the last real serious hurdle in this rescue.

Bust 'em loud and bust 'em proud! BUSTED OUT!

So as of this moment, Mama and kits are NO LONGER IN A CAGE ON DEATH ROW. THEY ARE BUSTED OUT! NEXT..combo test result. OK? Or NOT? Can we jump up and down for joy? Not yet, but maybe a little “yippie!” wouldn't hurt.

I'm really trying to jump over the hurdles to help save one mama and two kittens from Henry. Co before it's too late.

Right now I have a rescue in New Jersey ready to take the Mama into foster care and find her a loving home. I am willing to take the kittens into foster care and do the same for them.

I have someone who can pick the kittens up from the Shelter. I have our Izzy, a good friend to CiCH and her sweet hubby, ready to help with the transport since they are also rescuing a GA kitty and adopting her! It will be their 18th cat!

The problem...I can't find a place to board these cats. They have to go through, at least, a 2 week "quarantine" period either at a Vet or in a foster home where they keep their other animals away from the foster. The fosters would have to have their own space. They also have to be vetted, which we can raise funds for. If we can find a home or rescue or Vet to take them for 2 to 3 weeks, until Izzy can get there, we are golden.

If we can't, these cats will die. It would be one thing if no one wanted them, but they ARE wanted and we want to help them, but we're stuck and time is very short. They will be euthanized soon.

I'm so frustrated! I just need one person to help us out, just for a few weeks. We could pay a fair rate to board the cats. They would have to run them to the vet once or twice and just love and care for them. That's it.

If any of you have any affiliations with friends in GA who might help us, please have them contact me ASAP: info@coveredincathair.com
Please spread the word!

Okay, everyone. We had a great success two weeks ago, finding a home for a special, all-black sweetie, adult Mama cat, we named Arizona. Now we have another adult mama cat, who is in dire need of a home or rescue placement. Do you think we can get her busted out of Henry Care & Control, too? We just need ONE HOME or ONE RESCUE GROUP to take her in! This girl is pure delight!

Add to that, her kittens are facing death row, too. They also need adopters or a rescue group to pull them! Pet ID: 6/25-2568

THE INFORMATION, BELOW IS DIRECTLY FROM HENRY CO CARE & CONTROL in McDONOUGH, GA.:

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PLEASE REFER TO THIS ID# Calico in C1; ID# 6-25/2567 WHEN YOU ASK AFTER THIS CAT and Pet ID: 6/25-2568, 6/25-2569 IF YOU ASK AFTER THE KITTENS.

This gorgeous, SWEET girl has been with us since June 25th which you all know is unheard of this time of year! She is so special her caretaker/kennel master has really tried to find a way to save her life.

Please help us save her life. She is very affectionate and loveable.

Can everyone try one more time to get her noticed. Our cat kennel master really does love those in her care and watching them perish here is heartbreaking for all concerned.

**Please Note; When forwarding, crossposting, or re-posting I ask that you leave this message intact exactly as it was written by me. I do not give permission to post my message, part of my message, or my photographs on Craig's List. Thank you for your help and support, and for respecting my wishes.**

Betsy Merchant~

We are very rescue friendly and are more than happy to work with any rescue group as long as the group has a valid Georgia Department of Agriculture license! Any rescue group, whether in or out of state, that takes pets from Georgia shelters, is required, by Georgia law, to have a rescue license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Division. Having tax exempt status is not the same as a license. For more information on obtaining a license, please call (404) 656-4914.

Contact:

mystiblu@bellsouth.net

Henry County Animal Care and Control

527 Hampton Street

McDonough, Georgia 30253

(770) 288-7401

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16747436

Our Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9 am-4:30 pm

Saturday: 9 am-1 pm

Sunday: Closed

County Observed Holidays: Closed

The shelter is located at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough. We are located south of Atlanta off I-75. Take exit 218 and head east on 20/81 toward McDonough. Our address is 527 Hwy 20/81 East.

For all other information regarding ordinances, county codes, and other functions of Henry County Animal Care and Control please visit www.hcacc.org

If you can't provide a loving home for this wonderful kitty, would you please ReTweet, re-post on Facebook and tell all your friends about her-ESPECIALLY ONES WHO LIVE IN GEORGIA? THANK YOU!

If only we lived in a world of good news, all the time...but some might argue the point and remind us that we could not appreciate the good, without the bad.

So with that, here are some updates-a mix of happy and sad news.

Last week, I asked for financial help to get three kittens (see below with the "rescued!" banners on their photo) moved from Henry Co. Care & Control to Henry Humane Society. With your help, the kittens WERE rescued, but are STILL looking for forever homes.

All these kitties are safe, but they still need forever homes! See my post HERE for more info about how you can add these cuties to your family!

The good news is that instead of raising $700.00, at last count we've raised $890.00! Henry Humane doesn't get donations this big and I can tell you they were shocked that SO MANY PEOPLE wanted to help them and they are SO VERY APPRECIATIVE!

Some of that money will go to the care and feeding of ALL the kittens and cat you see, above, and the vetting the newly arrived kittens will need, but the money also did one other thing...

It gave Betsy, our friend in McDonough, GA, the chance to do MORE! She made some space to rescue FOUR MORE KITTENS OFF DEATH ROW. They are now SAFE at Henry Humane!

What a crazy, mixed up bunch of babies! Each little muffin is safe and off death row. Next stop, combo tests and shots, etc., then off to Henry Humane to wait for their forever homes to find them!

Of course it's not all a bed of roses. There were thorns in this tale, as well. Last week Betsy asked for help to rescue a plain-jane, but sweet brown tabby and her two offspring. One was a little tabby, like his mama, the other a colorful calico. Two of them had a parasitic infection called wolf worms. It's a nasty and gross (and I'm NOT going to show you the photos of the kittens with their necks slit open to get the worm out), but it's completely treatable. The cats were making a recovery, but...

The shelter ran out of space. The family was slated to be euthanized. I did not think it would be right to share their photo with you, now that they are gone. I just don't have the heart to think that they only died due to space issues, not because they were too sick to recover.

Mama and son were put down, but...

They just couldn't euthanize the baby girl. When you see her face, you'll see why.

Her Mother and Brother were euthanized, but this little girl was spared at the VERY LAST SECOND.

As of last night, she was in DIRE need of rescue. I offered to take her into foster here in CT. While I was waiting to find out if I could help her, another local group called FurKids of Atlanta, GA stepped in and offered to rescue her. So...

This little sweetheart is SAFE and healing from the wolf worm infection and will be moved to FurKids some time today.

Every cat deserves a chance at a full and happy life. Getting a chance to find a home, shouldn't be like winning the Lottery. I hope one day I won't have to share such bittersweet stories with all of you.

And last, but not least...

This lovely lady, nicknamed, Arizona, who had almost NO CHANCE of being rescued out of Henry Co. Care & Control---because all black cats are the least likely to be adopted, will arrive at her forever home on SUNDAY.

If you missed the original story about this amazing rescue and want to read more, go HERE

Congrats, Arizona and ALL the kitties whose lives were spared thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many people who offered to get involved, stick their necks out, go without so they could donate funds, or take time out of their busy life to forward a post or email a friend who could help these cats. We all did this together and we all share this joy.

Last week I got a plea from Betsy Merchant, our friend at Henry Humane. She wanted to pull three older kittens, get them spayed/neutered, get their shots and GET THE THE HELL OUT OF HENRY CO. CARE & CONTROL, who we know euthanizes 95% of all the cats they take in-young or old.

Last week, I asked YOU to help me help Henry Humane pay for these services by asking for donations of as little as $1 to as much as you could comfortably give.

You answered my request with grace and generosity. In ONE DAY we raised $700. Some of the donations were just $1, but we did it by the large number of folks who donated. See how awesome things are when we all take it upon ourselves to be involved?

That money will go to the continued care of the kittens below, after their vetting is complete, so they can be fed and have clean litter until the day comes that they are adopted. They are no longer on DEATH ROW because of all of us!

To adopt these cuties, visit Glory and Jefferson on Petfinder!

Not only that, but because we have EXTRA money, Betsy has been inspired by us to do more! She is looking to find another "Condo" (cage set up) so she can try to squeeze a few more kittens into Henry Humane, the little non-profit that stands by, trying to help as many as they can.

Put a smile on this boy's face! Visit THOMAS on Petfinder!

Betsy has more kittens and cats that need help. Some have been waiting years for a home. FOR EACH CAT WE FIND THEM HOMES FOR, then Betsy can PULL MORE CATS OFF DEATH ROW and bring them to Henry Humane!! These cats come fully vetted for $100. Which is SUPER cheap considering if you had all that stuff done at most Vets it would be a few hundred dollars!

You live too far from Georgia? Heck no. I'm sure we can arrange transport to your area. Just ask. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Here are the kitties who've been looking for a home for a LONG time! Let's get the word out and see if we can find them a forever home!

First up, the furry fun factory --- Patience and Prudence:

Patience

Her sister, Prudence

Next, Sabrina

Cinder

Not to play favorites, but...HOW THE HECK IS THIS CAT NOT ADOPTED??? Meet ARK

Another cutie...heck, they all are...Shadow Is he on the right or left? I don't know! I'd take 'em both!

Flower!

THIS CAT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR TWO YEARS. COME ON! WE CAN FIND HER A HOME! A TABBY FOR GOODNESS SAKES! THEY ARE SO FRIENDLY! Her name is Amethyst

Please, just spread the word on these kitties. All they ever wanted was a home to call their own. Let's help them find one! Thank you!

Yesterday, we really had a big day. Between a lot of dedicated cat rescuers, we were able to save one, maybe two lives from Henry County. The sad thing is, that between 200 and 300 die EVERY MONTH. I said, EVERY MONTH.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control. These two kittens can be saved with a few dollars pitched in from each of us.

Our efforts inspired Betsy Merchant, our contact at Henry, to reach out and ask for some financial support. She is willing to take a risk, but we need to help finance what she wants to do. Right now, it means life for three older kittens-their photos are posted in this article. Maybe later, it will mean life for three more once the first group finds homes.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

From Betsy: “I know there are cat people out there who want to help but are unable.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

We have ONE quarantine condo open at Henry Humane and I will take these 3 larger, older kittens over tomorrow so they do not have to die if I can get some financial help toward their vetting. We take as many felines as we can from AC that I never even bother to advertise, right now we still have several of our spring bottle kittens who have not been adopted, and almost ALL of our last years kittens who are now adults. We are at capacity but hopefully these babies could be altered now since they are bigger and get adopted QUICKLY while they are still young and cute!

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

Although we are all doing as much as we can 200-300 cats and kittens a month are still dying at our shelter. I am having SUCH a hard time this year dealing with the death. I have so many kittens at home right now we are on serious overload.

If anyone would like to help me with some sponsorship money please let me know and I will pull them before eutho tomorrow.

©2010 Henry County Care & Control.

Donations can be made at HENRY HUMANE

When you make your donation, you MUST ADD:

3 ANIMAL CONTROL KITTENS PER BETSY

so the donation goes to these kittens.

Why is your donation going to Henry Humane and NOT Henry Co. Care & Control? Because the cats are taken FROM animal control, TO Henry Humane so they will be safe and out of danger of being put down.

Is this a tax deduction? YES!!! Is this going to directly go to kittens to save their lives? YES! Can you spare $1 or $5? That's all we really need. If we all donate together those small amounts will easily cover what they need and then some. I just made a donation of $100.00 right now. I hope you will join me even if it's $1. It's ALL GOOD.

Thank you so much for caring for these helpless creatures. Let's see if we can save a few more lives today!

I cannot believe the number of people who tweeted, re-posted, wrote articles, emailed their friends about this ONE black beauty! As of this afternoon, the little mama kitty was picked up by Bobbi, who is graciously taking her to the Vet so she'll be checked out and hopefully get a clean bill of health. Next stop-ARIZONA where she will be living with her new family! Tonight they're going to pick out a name for her!

I am completely stunned that this one cat, who surely would be facing her last hours, will now have the hopes of living out her days with a loving family. The odds she would have been rescued? Well according to Henry Co.'s stats, roughly 95% of cats that go in the door, never come out alive. Yes, I said 95%.

Not only is this mama being rescued, but another cat is also getting pulled, too! When we get the word out that cats need help, good people step up and say; "YES!" I will give that cat a home or "Yes! I will donate money for that cat's care!" It DOES take a village, as they say...

Our Big Thank You List

To Bobbie Coker for doing all the work today and actually went to Henry to get the kitty (who she says is a big love bug!) and for her great photo!

Photo ©2010 Bobbie Coker

Team Furr for arranging transportation of the kitty

Dorian Wagner of Your Daily Cute for jumping all over this story and helped connect everyone together so we could do what we needed to do.

Janiss Garza of Sparkle the Designer Cat for pounding the keyboard and getting more attention for this kitty!

Stuart and his family in Arizona for offering to adopt a cat they've never even met before!

And to SO MANY OF YOU WHO HELPED GET THE WORD OUT. It really WORKED!

For now, let's all hope, pray, whatever you do, that the cat tests neg/neg for FIV and Feline Leukemia. Yes, there is more to worry about, but hopefully it is not a worry. If she is clear, the the rest should be easy. We MAY do some fundraising to help get this kitty to Arizona. I hope you'll be able to chip in a small amount to help her rescue be a complete success and not a financial drain on the good folks who offered to get her out of Henry or transport her to Arizona.

You guys have all been so helpful and supportive! We have so many more cats to rescue, but we can take a moment that, at least, this one will not die today.

In the south, the black cats are the first to be euthanized. No one wants them. Even if there is new research showing that black cats actually may have better genetics and live healthier lives and that they are notoriously friendly cats, the old stigma of being “bad luck” or evil is a tough one to shake.

This beautiful, friendly creature looks more like a small panther than a housecat. She had kittens, but none were to be found. She is full of milk and is an intact female. She is available to ANYONE for adoption. You do NOT NEED A GA LICENSE TO ADOPT HER, BUT YOU HAVE TO PICK HER UP & PAY CASH FOR HER ADOPTION or have someone adopt her for you on your behalf.

THE INFORMATION, BELOW IS DIRECTLY FROM HENRY CO CARE & CONTROL in McDONOUGH, GA.:

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PLEASE REFER TO THIS ID# 6/22-2455 WHEN YOU ASK AFTER THIS CAT.

It is so rare that a black cat gets adopted from us.....unless of course it goes to my house :-)

This gorgeous young girl came in full of milk but we have no idea where her babies are. Sadly no one has come for her and she will be chosen first to go down since black cats never make it out.

Please help us save her life. She is totally awesome.

She will not be held past Wednesday June 30th and will go down Thursday July 1st if rescue cannot be found (or if an adopter does not take her)

Betsy Merchant~

**Please Note; When forwarding, crossposting, or re-posting I ask that you leave this message intact exactly as it was written by me. I do not give permission to post my message, part of my message, or my photographs on Craig's List. Thank you for your help and support, and for respecting my wishes.**

Betsy Merchant~

We are very rescue friendly and are more than happy to work with any rescue group as long as the group has a valid Georgia Department of Agriculture license! Any rescue group, whether in or out of state, that takes pets from Georgia shelters, is required, by Georgia law, to have a rescue license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Animal Protection Division. Having tax exempt status is not the same as a license. For more information on obtaining a license, please call (404) 656-4914.

Contact:

mystiblu@bellsouth.net

Henry County Animal Care and Control

527 Hampton Street

McDonough, Georgia 30253

(770) 288-7401

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA67.html

Our Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9 am-4:30 pm

Saturday: 9 am-1 pm

Sunday: Closed

County Observed Holidays: Closed

The shelter is located at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough. We are located south of Atlanta off I-75. Take exit 218 and head east on 20/81 toward McDonough. Our address is 527 Hwy 20/81 East.

For all other information regarding ordinances, county codes, and other functions of Henry County Animal Care and Control please visit www.hcacc.org

If you can't provide a loving home for this wonderful kitty, would you please ReTweet, re-post on Facebook and tell all your friends about her-ESPECIALLY ONES WHO LIVE IN GEORGIA? THANK YOU!