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Elke! Butt-Kicker and Cat Lover Extraordinaire!

Mon, 2011-08-08 19:19 — Robin Olson

Elke is awesome. She really kicks butt.

Last year she jumped at the chance to ADOPT, not foster, an adult cat who was dumped at the door to a Vet in the blistering heat of southern Atlanta. The cat, stuck in a cat carrier, suffered there until the local Vet's office opened a day later. He didn't care for the cat, he turned it over to Animal Control, who brought it to a KILL SHELTER. This kitty had NO CHANCE of surviving. She wasn't a kitten, she wasn't fancy-pants, she was just a tabby with an pleading look in her eyes.

The cat's name was Koko and the notes attached to her cat carrier sent shock waves throughout the cat rescue community. Of all the stories I've written, Koko's got the most passionate and heated reactions-my own, included.

Koko's backstory is HERE.

In nine days, it will be the one year anniversary of KoKo, who is now named, Sophie's freedom and the start of her life 2.0. Elke, opened her home, took a big risk and fell in love with this chubby tabby who only sort-of-kind-of gets along with Elke's other cats. It doesn't matter. There's plenty of room for everyone. The cats co-exist peacefully and Sophie will never have to worry about being dumped again.

Cat Carrier.jpg
©2011 Robin A.F. Olson. WOO! LOVE IT!

Since I arranged for Sophie's release from the Kill shelter, her vetting and transport, Elke and I have become friends. Elke is a diehard supporter of Kitten Associates and for all cats in need. This woman LOVES animals and it's clear her heart is huge.

The latest proof arrived in the mail today! A surprise! A stunning, fantastic, zebra-striped cat carrier! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

I'm a Graphic Designer and I LOVE black and white with a hit of hot pink or red and this cat carrier has all the right touches of red! It is a knockout!

Nick and BLitzey.jpg
©2011 Robin A.F. Olson. Don't even bother trying!

The second I put it on the floor Blitzen, Mazie and Nicky rushed over to check it out. Blitzen, somehow managed to cram himself into the opening, while Mazie smacked at his face out of jealousy!

Cat Carrier Fight.jpg
©2011 Robin A.F. Olson.Well I'll be! Look at Blitzen!

This cat carrier isn't really made for a big cat, it's really for the foster kittens. I know “the DOOD” being black & white, will coordinate perfectly with his carrier or, vice versa!

BLitz in trouble.jpg
©2011 Robin A.F. Olson. Uh oh. Mazie is not havin' it!

I didn't realize how tired I was of the boring, flesh-tone colored hard plastic boxes I lug back and forth to the Vet. Now I can't wait to bring Doodles for his FVRCP vaccine! We'll be the hit of the waiting room, for sure! If it wasn't so hot, I'd just pack him in it and take him for drives with me.

For now I'll have to contain myself...hee hee...

THANK YOU, ELKE!

and thank you for loving Sophie so much, too!

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Comments

Mon, 2011-08-08 19:39 — Laure (not verified)

The PTU is very pretty! ConCATs!!

I remember KoKo's story and my head did explode when I read the notes left with her - what a beautiful cat who has found her beautiful home!

Mon, 2011-08-08 20:14 — Marilia (not verified)

Thanks for your great job!!!!

Mon, 2011-08-08 20:22 — Mychal Meyers (not verified)

I am so thankful to know that there are people like you out there. It is SO hard for me to read these stories of those that abandon and mistreat animals. Personally, I wish I could save them all. Some days, the tears overwhelm me, and I am a 37 year old male who rarely cries over anything. I have four kitties and a bunny, my most recent two kitties were in my yard, starving when I bought my home in Las Vegas last October. They are a male and female, both near two years old. The female is so sweet and loving. The little boy has had some issues adapting, going after my three female kitties. He has so many moments when he loves to be held and will sit with his little white paws over my shoulder. But so many days he bites me, scratches me (I got a pretty nasty infection when he bit into my bicep) and mistreats the girls. One of my girls is declawed (before I got her) and he went after her, scared her to death and she peed from fear. I don't know what to do. I put him in "time-out" and try to keep them separated as much as possible. He also knocks over all the water bowls in the home. I love him SO MUCH and I am at my wit's end. I have literally been crying over feeling he won't fit in and I would have to find him another home. I am not sure anyone would adopt him. I want this to work out so badly I am just emotionally spent. Maybe you have an idea? Any help is appreciated. I am beat up over this.

Mon, 2011-08-08 23:46 — Robin Olson

Mychal, we can help you. Just drop me an email! info@coveredincathair.com I have many cat specialists I can ask questions of and I can also offer opinions on what to do. We'll need info like ages of the cats. Are they S/N? Have they been vetted? How did they meet each other originally? Don't give up. It will be ok.There's lots you can do to make it better. Just hang in there! {{{hugs}}}
Tue, 2011-08-09 07:35 — mk (not verified)

People dump cats at our no-kill cat shelter all the time..it is really sad. You can tell some of them were a part of the family..the kitty is always sad and doesnt understand why they were dumped. Some come with a note, with sorry excuses. Koko's story is very sad, but what upsets me the most is that the vet sent her to animal control..knowing she may not make it out alive. I feel all vets should help in rescue and have animals for adoption. Doesnt sound like this vet tried to help Koko at all. Wish I knew who the vet was (I live in atlanta).

Tue, 2011-08-09 10:46 — Catnonymouse (not verified)

Hi Robin. I'm a long time follower of your blog. I need your advice on a situation. A relative of mine (who I will call Sara) is going through a divorce. She and her husband have a 8 yr. old cat. The husband is living separately and refuses to take the cat, threatening that if it is "dumped" on him, he will turn it loose outside (so it will be stray). Sara is moving to an apartment in a few days and says she can't take the cat because "they won't allow it" and doesn't want to risk getting "kicked out." So she calls me and asks if I can take her cat or else "HE WILL DIE!" (she will take him to a kill shelter). There is no way I can because I already have several rescue cats of my own. To make matters worse, Sara's cat needs medical attention. His belly has been swollen for over 2 years and she and her husband refuse to spend the money to get the care he needs. Furious, I told her that she needs to find him a home and offered to transport the cat. The only person she could think of to take her cat is an elderly lady who is disabled and sick. I'm almost 100% certain it won't work out. From my experince with these types of situations in the past, area no-kill shelters have no room and wouldn't take an older cat anyway. Here's my dilemma: my brother offered to foster the cat. However, he is a student who is in the middle of exams and is also allergic to cats (but can manage). Also, I'll probably take the cat to the vet on my own expense (I have no idea how much his treatment would cost). Sara does not know this at this point. Is this the best way to handle the situation? She is clearly irresponsible, uncaring, etc. (I could go on and on) so won't this encourage her behavior? What is she teaching her kids? (Btw, her son wants a dog now and doesn't even like the cat anymore) I'm so furious I don' t know what to do. She's throwing out this poor cat like a piece trash! Any advice appreciated.

Mon, 2011-08-15 09:57 — Robin Olson

I see this situation happening A LOT these days. Many cats are being put down because of their owners inability or indifference to providing care for them when times get tough. You SHOULD help the cat if you can, but a big belly could be just worms! One pill could help the cat feel a lot better. Not being vetted when clearly sick is very dangerous. That cat needs vet help. I don't know how many cats you have, but odds are, you can take one more. Go on petfinder and look up "shelters by state" and find ALL the rescue groups in your area and contact EACH ONE. Then BEG, borrow, plead until someone calls you back. IF you get the cat VETTED FIRST, the rescue groups will have an easier time taking it from you. Make sure you understand their policies regarding euthanasia before you surrender the cat to them. most small "mom and pop" shops don't put cats down unless it's a serious illness or unrepairable injury, but they are harder to get into because they are understaffed and have few resources. The MORE you make it EASY for them to take the cat..like bring it to their door, plus vet it, plus make sure it's a nice, friendly cat, the better the odds. You can foster the cat until you can get it to a rescue OR if you tell the rescue you will foster the cat until it finds a HOME, that will make it even EASIER to get help for it. As for your "friend"...I don't have many kind words. They should be on a do not adopt list for what they are doing and how they treat animals. You have to just move past their stupidity and just get the cat some help. It's scary to take on the responsibility for another cat, but it DOES get a lot easier over time. Make sure the cat is separated from your other cats until he/she is vetted and two weeks have passed and the cat has no illness. I hope you'll find the strength to help the cat out. If you want to email me with an update: info@coveredincathair.com is the best way to reach me. Good luck and I Hope this helps. Robin
Wed, 2011-08-10 08:29 — Amy Sikes (not verified)

Hooray for the gorgeous kitty carrier! And for you! And for Elke! I also remember the KoKo story - people like that make me really, really, REALLY hope that Karma does exist. Grrrrrrrrrr. But thank goodness for her happy ending, all thanks to you and Elke!

Wed, 2011-08-10 10:45 — Jane (not verified)

My heart hurts so much for you Robin, and for sam, fur kids, and for all the people including myself who loves Bob! I saw the news yesterday in your facebook, but I don't have a facebook account. I want to let you know that my heart and prayers are with you!

Big hugs!!!

Jane

Sun, 2011-08-14 23:21 — Teri and the ca... (not verified)

What a fun PTU! I have a thing for carriers and have bought more than my share, and then donate them sometimes for someone else to enjoy. I do have a one kitty who always pees and poops on the way to the vets, so he always gets a flesh toned hard plastic carrier, hahameow!

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