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.:

----------------------------------------

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!

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson

Before I found the big barf to clean up or even made it out of bed, this was the first thing I saw this morning; Nicky and Blitzen, snuggled together. Nicky weighs 19 lbs and is one of the biggest cats I have ever seen. At 8 months, little Blitzen looks like he's got a long way to go before he'll be as big as his new “brother.”

Looks like Blitzen has learned how to fit in quite well.

But really. We need a bigger bed. Sam's legs are behind Blitzen and Sam is almost hanging off the mattress! Oops.

Happy Caturday!

I was thinking about my recent post: What will happen to my cats when I die? I was fortunate that I have one friend, Super-Deb, who will take 2 of the 8 cats. My other good friend, Jennifer, jumped in via e-mail and said "I've got your back." Our long time-CiCH friend and Super-Spencer-Fan, Shelli, said she would HAVE to give Spencer a home, no matter what.

Then it hit me. What if...

...we could put together a group of people who would be known, trusted cat lovers, who have great Vet references, who know how to deal with cat problems, behavior issues, health issues, who, for the return of the same kindness to the group-the group does the same for them. When one of us dies, we have a number of people already lined up who are willing and able to care for one or more of our cats.

Perhaps we could form bonds during our lives and know that certain cats are "spoken for", but there are always people that are considered the "fail safe or runner up" should “Miss America not be able to fulfill her duties...” so to speak.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson Patches has her whole life in front of her, but what would happen if her owner died suddenly?

Not only are we providing a vital service, but we're giving each other the support when we will need it most-when we can no longer care for our cats and when they are at high risk of being euthanized if they are taken to a shelter, instead of to a trusted friend.

So what happens if someone takes in another person's cat and that cat has lots of issues. What if it doesn't work out? Are we back to square one? Does that cat become homeless again? How do we protect everyone in this situation? I'm not sure. This is where I'm stuck.

What do you think? How could this work? I see it as possibly something that is begun with myself and my trusted friends who would have to be completely checked out-even background check. Then, to join, you would have to be invited, then have a serious check of your background, Vet check, home visit, etc. Once passed, you're in for life. We all would pay in a yearly fee and that money would be pooled into an account we draw from to cover costs when a cat/s has to be transported to a new home and perhaps any costs to get the cat UTD on shots/tests if needed.

We'd also need an attorney to help us craft the wording that we would all have to add to our Will. I would want every loose end tied up because families fight over everything once someone dies. If your lawyer or family KNOW there is a provision in your Will, then they can't do too much about that.

Perhaps this service already exists? Where is it? Where do I sign up?

Oscar & Henry are two big brothers. One is a buff tabby and the other is an orange tabby. They're about 1 1/2 years old and bonded like no others. they are in good health and they are up to date on their shots and tests. Their mama is a solider who has been transferred to Germany, then after that, a lot more travel around the globe. For the sake of her cats, she decided it was best that they find a new home, together, instead of putting them through the stress of moving out of the country.

Oscar & Herny are big boys who love to cuddle and play!

Last month, I let you all know about these lovey-dovey boys in my post HERE, but sadly, no one stepped up to adopt them.

We did have the boys come to our adoption event earlier this month, but they were competing against a few crateloads of kittens, so they went back to their foster home to continue waiting for that special person who would give them a second chance.

Currently, Oscar & Henry are living in Bridgeport, CT under the care of a very sweet lady who is ALLERGIC to the cats! Thankfully, she is graciously giving them a home, but she can't keep them forever.

If you know anyone in Connecticut or ANYWHERE (we CAN work out transportation) who might like to help a Solider out while she helps keep us all safe and free, then you're doing a double-kindness in my book.

If you can help a Soldier and save two kitties lives, please Contact: Christa 203-751-7523 or visit their Petfinder ad HERE.

When any of my cats are sick, I get stressed out. I don't feel better until I know THEY are feeling better. Imagine knowing your cat is not well for 1 year and 8 months (and counting). It's stressful for me. It's more stressful for my poor cat, Gracie.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Gracie (left) with daughter, Petunia (right)

Since February, I've been treating Gracie's miliary dermatitis homeopathically. It was starting to show signs of improving, but...in the middle of the treatment, I messed around with their food a bit and that might have caused Gracie's condition to worsen, so I went back to her very plain, raw diet.

Was the damage done? Was it too late? Gracie had a terrible self-mutilation on the inside of her right leg. I treated it and she seemed to be getting better, but today, after noticing her lose her appetite for a few days, I knew something was wrong. I thought her anal glands were impacted and I imagined it would make for a humorous blog post. Dr. Larry checked Gracie out today and her anal glands were fine, she had no fever, but had lost 7 ounces-which in a short period of time, is a lot of weight. Now I imagined writing something more sobering.

Then we looked at Gracie's abdomen. I don't think I should post a clear photo of it because it was "that bad." She had not only hurt the inside of her right leg (which I just checked a few days ago!), but she was starting on her left. On top of that Dr. Larry said she is getting an infection so there was no choice but to put her on antibiotics, which trashed the homeopathic treatments she was getting.

We discussed the “S-word”...STEROIDS and I was very close to just saying; “YES! DO IT.” I've read too many BAD things about steroids to take a chance with them even if I know it will help Gracie for the short term. The steroids would effect Gracie's skin and her immune system. To give her antibiotics and steroids together? I just couldn't open her up to even more problems down the road.

My poor sweetie.

Gracie's still with Dr. Larry. Super-Deb is giving her a soothing bath (no steroids!!) and they're going to shoot an x-ray to make sure Gracie isn't so full of fur that she's not eating as a result (or keeping her food down as of this morning)

I'm going to try two more things, then I may fall onto the steroid sword and give that to Gracie as a last resort.

1. We're going to try Allerderm® Spot-On to soothe Gracie's skin.

2. Treat Gracie's anxiety homeopathically, instead of trying to treat Gracie's skin condition. If Gracie stops this OCD-ish behavior and feels better, maybe her skin will improve?

I keep wanting to just give up, but I look at Gracie's sweet face. She's such a kind cat. Truly would never hurt anyone. She is depending on me and I can't and won't let her down. I just wish she knew that.

YOU MUST CALL HENRY CO. AT (770) 288-7401 BEFORE 7AM TOMORROW JUNE 23 or this family will be euthanized. They are OUT OF SPACE at this shelter. Other mamas and kittens are also going to be put down.

If any GA licensed rescue group can provide a foster space for this family or any other mama and kittens at Henry Co., I will make sure to help you with fundraising for these cats. We can find the money, we need someone to go get those cats tomorrow! Please!

--------------DIRECTLY FROM HENRY COUNTY CARE & CONTROL----------

Really really awesome family! Mom ID# 6/7-2237 is young and super sweet, her 3 kits are just gorgeous and over the hump so to speak, they are older toddlers and fat healthy butterballs.

As always with nursing families they are available to Georgia Dept of Ag licensed rescues only. If you choose to seek out of state help please be prepared to use your in state license.

**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

I'm not getting any younger. That's for sure. Every day new aches pop up and the type on cat food can labels looks like a secret code only a mouse could read. I don't have children (other than furry ones) and my family is sparse, mostly non-cat people (how that happened, I don't know) or I hate their guts (oops).

That leaves me with a predicament.

Who will care for my cats after I die? Sam and I are together so often that we could die together in an accident. What then? What if Sam dies first, then I die?

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. Bob has already had two families that I know of. Will he have another one day?

I have a Will. In it, I dictated that the Director of the group I'm with should find homes for my cats. I have come to realize that that choice is not a good one any longer. I would rather know the homes my cats are going to now, if, at all possible. Just as people do with children, I would like to choose “Godparents” for my cats.

Am I being morbid? NO. I'm being realistic. Shit happens even when you're 18 or 32. I'm pushing the big 5-0. I've been lucky so far, but one day the luck will run out.

©2008 Robin A.F. Olson. Cricket sleeps. My former feral is mostly too shy around anyone but us. What will become of him? He's a really sweet boy. He would not make it in a shelter.

I started to imagine putting just one person in charge of all the cats. They would get my house, most of my stuff, but would have to live here until all the cats pass away (naturally!), then they can do what they want with the stuff. But that's a lot to ask.

The other problem is that the people who would give my cats the best home, already HAVE, in most cases, quite a few cats, already. Asking them to take 8 more is too much. Perhaps, asking them to take one or two is possible?

I don't have to have it all sorted out in a day (I hope), but I dipped my toe into the water to see how it would feel. I asked someone to take Bob Dole, should he outlive me.

I asked, Super-Deb.

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. Spencer. The pouffy cat with his own fan club. Spencer is my beloved, but he wouldn't be an easy fit into just any home. He must have play time or he can be bossy with other cats. He's an alpha-boy, too and does not like belly rubs or to be picked up. That said, he loves to be near me at all times and he's “my boy.”

I love Super-Deb, but who wouldn't love someone who is super? Even though I've known SD for many years, I don't know her very well. She is a private person, with me, but I get the feeling she's shared things with me that maybe not many other people know. She may seem to be a bit guarded, but it doesn't take long for her to reveal a wicked dry sense of humor. Her devotion to her own animals and her loving care of them is a beautiful sight to behold. She really knows her stuff and has been a mentor to me during so many crises and a calming voice during the worst of it.

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. Petunia or “'Tunie” as I call her. She should be called; “Princess.” She's clever, chats with me and can do tricks, but she is high strung-no wonder, she's one of the lowest cats and I know the boys pick on her some times. She would be great in a home with no other cats other than her mama, Gracie. I know she would blossom.

She's jokingly called “Aunt Debbie” when Bob goes to Dr. Larry's. Bob loves her and vice versa. He will let her brush him and he won't let me do as much. I only want Bob to visit Dr. Larry when Aunt Debbie is there to oversee his care. It's a perfect fit for SD to take Bob.

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. I should re-name this cat, “Poor-Gracie.” for she is not in good shape. I'll write more about her, separately, but she's had a very long road with a skin ailment that's taken her beauty and her joy in life. She needs a kind hand and a knowledgeable person to keep her healthy.

Yesterday we were talking on the phone about my worries about Gracie. I didn't have the nuts to ask her about Bob, so I sent her an email, shyly asking her to ignore my being a loonie, and would she consider taking Bob (along with some money for his care) if something happens to me and Sam? She wrote back a resounding YES!

A few minutes later, my phone rang. SD blurted; “Can I have Blitzen, too?!”

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Bob and Blitz. Some days things are just perfect.

I didn't want to ask her for that, thinking it was too big of a request, but of course, YES. I would be happy for her to take him, too.

I've got four more cats to figure out homes for, unless Sam wants me to try to place his cats, too, and then it will be six. Once we have this worked out, I go to my lawyer. I want to protect my cats as much as I can after I die. They shouldn't have to face death row at a shelter because they might be older or sickly. It's not fair to them at all.

©2009 Robin A.F. Olson. I assume there will be a fist-fight over Nicky, but with Nicky, comes Nora. Maybe they can go back and live with their brothers; “Charles and Bailey,” but I haven't asked just yet.

I hope that all of you will think about this and how it effects your own life and cat-family. Yes, it's scary or creepy or “you just don't want to go there,” but if you don't “go there” it's selfish. What of your cats? Their future well-being? Your dogs? Some times you have to do things that are unpleasant, but knowing you have it worked out, for when your time comes? Well, hopefully, it's a great comfort to you and most assuredly, the least you can do for your pets.

A few weeks ago, we learned about Alice, from our friends at the Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center. Little Alice, unlike the rest of her siblings, was suffering with a serious eye problem. Not sure Alice would ever have sight, then ARC jumped into action, making sure Alice had every chance to see the world around her. The arranged a bake sale, the asked for help to raise money for potential surgeries and to see a specialist.

©Amy Rowell, ARC

Alice has many Guardian Angels. One in particular, who I can't name, is a reader and friend to CiCH. This person, dug very deep into her pocket and with her generosity, literally changed this kitten's life, forever-for the better. When you think just one person can't make a difference, think again. Without that person, without ARC, their volunteers, all the folks who baked yummy treats and who gave their time and effort to getting Alice to the Vet numerous times and to make sure she got love and care, too...well, it's just amazing how many people-acting together, stepped up and said; “I can do something. Let me do my part to make this one cat's life the best it can be.” They didn't know it would work out. They only did their part of this and woven together, what a fine tapestry they made!

©Amy Rowell, ARC. Alice among the toys.

Today, I received an update from Amy Rowell, one of the folks at ARC. She wrote:

“Alice is great! She is responding so well to her treatments and we may be able to avoid surgery - one of the defects self corrected as a result of our quick access to the specialist and diligent care in her foster care home...we've spent close to $700 on medications, exams, and diagnostics already - so if we can avoid surgery, I'll be one happy camper!
The other defect may not be operable...we will see as she grows in the next two weeks how that one develops - but in the meantime it is not harming her or limiting her - she has caught up to her littermates in reaching developmental milestones and for certain has some level of vision as she is able to navigate in her environment! We are continuing with two meds right now and crossing paws - her next appointment is in 2 weeks!”

We hope Alice will continue to do well and we send her lots of love and good wishes! I'll be posting updates on Alice as they are available. Until then-thank you to everyone who stepped up to help this kitten and who rescue kittens everywhere.

Candytuft will be leaving tomorrow. He's getting neutered in the morning, then will most likely be put up for adoption once he has some time to recover. Writing this makes it seem like a simple statement, but reaching this moment was not a sure bet.

Candy, 18 days ago.

I didn't know we'd make it. Candy was one of the nastiest kittens I've dealt with so far. He still has a knee-jerk reaction to hiss, but it doesn't mean anything now. It's like a person gasping when startled, instead of a person flipping out and punching you in the face when startled.

Candy, 8 days ago.

Candy, today.

Someone liked to watch the weather report with me. I'm not sayin' who.

Happy, at last and loving life.

I'm by no means a professional feral kitten socializer, but here are some thoughts/tips:

Most important-“tough love”...sequester the kitten away from all animals and people. You will be the only one he/she sees for the next few days, until he/she is socialized.

A little shy for a moment or two? Don't worry, Candy!

1. GO SLOW. Don't expect too much and don't talk a lot to the kitten at first, it's just another thing that can cause a fearful reaction. If you do talk, keep it to a whisper. Don't move too much or too fast until you feel the kitten is comfortable with you.

2. The toothbrush was the key (I attached it to a wooden stick to make it longer-keeping my hand safe and allowed the kitten to stay at a comfortable distance). It's small, not threatening and it really made a big difference. Candy loved the feeling of being brushed even if, at first, it scared him. Within a short period of time, I encouraged Candy to come closer to me to get brushed, then snuck my hand in to replace the brush. He got scared, but quickly loved being petted, as it reminding him of the touch of his mama.

Candy LOVED eating raw (today's meal included some dehydrated chicken treats crumbled on top).

3. I gave high value treats off a baby spoon (again, a tiny sized item that is not threatening) attached to a longer wooden spoon. A raw diet is a high value treat. I used ground raw rabbit (sorry!). You can use ground turkey, chicken, duck, quail, venison, not beef. Make sure the meat also has the proper nutrients added. There are many pre-mixed brands of raw food out there.

4. Chicken baby food with no rice is also a good treat. Encourage the kitten to come closer to you as you feed the treat. Also, KEEP THE KITTEN HUNGRY. Don't leave out tons of food. When you bring the treat, the kitten will start to come out to see you, knowing there will be food. Always have good food on you the first few days until the kitten is more confident.

Silly boy!

5. With Candy, I began to realize he was all bark and no bite. His hissing was a sign of fear, but after a few days, there was aggression. As much as I could, I didn't react when he hissed, I either distracted him with a toy, or petted him until he forgot to be hissy. Once he was getting petted, he was so happy, he would not hiss.

6. Have no expectation of outcome. Just let the kitten go at his/her own pace. You'll be surprised at how fast they move along-far faster than you expect!

I hope these informal pointers help you with your feral fosters. Cats CAN change if you give them the time and are patient, but also know when to give them a push to challenge them on to the next step.

I hereby award you, little Candytuft, the first ever, Good Kittizenship Award, given only to feral kitties who meet the following criteria listed below.

Concatulations Candy! You've become a very friendly little man. I hope you'll find yourself a happy home, full of love and you never have a sad or difficult day for the rest of your life.