Announcements

Memory has a truly wonderful Puritan name. Though I don't know her exact pedigree, I can tell you that Memory is one great lady, so she must come from fine stock!

I was first going to share with you the story of how Memory, one of our Covered in Cat Hair readers, trained her cat, Wallingford, to shake hands and give “high fives”. She posted a video of him in action, which was quite cute!

That, in an of itself, would be a good enough story, but...

...about a month ago, I got an email from Memory, which I'm going to share with you (per her okay to do so):

“Friday, even though I was sick I decided to go to work because I had 10 pounds of turkey gizzards to pick up from the new butcher at the Newtown Deli who gives me free meat and cheap meat for my cats. On the way up 111 in Trumbull, I came across a cat in the middle of the street and decided that I wasn't going to leave somone's pet to get squashed into the road by passing cars. I have seen enough of that and this one was on my watch. I pulled over and as I went to get out of the car, the cat lifted its' head - it wasn't dead! The traffic was going around and a car stopped to block the cat and me from the traffic as I went to pick it up. Another woman had stopped, too and she rode in the back seat with the cat on her lap and we took it to the nearest vet - who lucikly was open before 8 am! I actually had been to that vet when I adopted my Wallingford from them 4 years ago -so they had my name in the computer. I didn't even have to leave a credit card as Trumbull Animal Control picks up the bill. I called from work and they were treating the cat for shock. Later they called me and said that it had a broken tooth, bruised lungs, it's eye had some damage and it had cuts and bruises but it was going to be OK!”

[I'm not going to make a comment about the 10 POUNDS of Turkey gizzards!]

Memory didn't stop there. She got involved and didn't back out.

Saturday Trumbull Animal Control called me at home and told me that it was a big she and she was going to be fine. The warden also said that the cat was in shock and would have died if she hadn't gotten to the vet so quickly. I've been sick, but if her people don't get her by the weekend, I am going to go and take a picture of her and make some
posters to put in the area where I found her.

Again, Memory could have let Animal Control do their thing, but this kitty had a Guardian Angel on her side. She got some photos of the kitty, they called, Lucky. What a stunning Maine Coon!

I was VERY relived to know that Lucky was NOT in any danger of being euthanized because Trumbull, unlike my crappy town, allows cats in their animal pound. Lucky just needed a home. Being such a pretty girl, I knew that wouldn't take long.

“I went to animal Control today and took another picture of "Lucky". She is the calmest cat I have ever seen and completely nonplussed about her situation. I had an adoption inquiry for her from Texas but Animal Control would require the person to come to Ct to meet with them. So it is going to have to be a local adoption. They don't think it will be a problem as she is very pretty and sweet.”

Three weeks passed while Lucky waited to find a good home. Then, another email from Memory:

“I'm not sure exactly what the story is as I got two conflicting emails - but Lucky's owners did find her after 3 weeks! One of their neighbors went to the pound looking for her cat and recognized Lucky.
The owner's had been told that Lucky had been killed in the street and went to look for the body - but it was gone. The first email said that Lucky was back home with her sister and the second said that the people didn't think they could afford to pay her vet and impound fees. I emailed and offered to pay some of the fees - just so she could go home. I should know more tomorrow - a happy ending, and amazing ending.

I just realized that the neighbor saw the cat lying in the street, recognized it and didn't stop to pick it up! I wonder how long she had been there before I came by. She is indeed, a Lucky girl.”

This big sweetie is hopefully spending a quiet Christmas with her family thanks to our fearless friend, Memory and an unknown stranger who were willing to stick their necks out and get involved to make a BIG difference in one cat's life.

Thank You to Everyone who donated to help get “Santa's Team” to Connecticut!

As promised, I have matched your funds with my own, so we've closed the ChipIn widget and I made my donation via PayPal to save the 3% in fees. We're all set! Now I just have to wait until THURSDAY, the date the kitties arrive, for the fun to begin!

Mark your calendars and stay tuned! Lots of stories await-and photos, too!

If you don't count the GILLION or so articles, stories and posts I've written here as being published, then you can visit one of our good friend's-Feline-Nutrition.org where I'm proud to say, I have my first article posted!

I'm constantly asked by my adopters; "What should I feed my new cat/kitten?” My article discusses the challenge to change peoples' minds about the dangers of feeding a dry/kibble diet, why Raw feeding is excellent for cats and how they can, at least, begin to make a change, even if it means only feeding a grain-free diet.

My article is here, along with oodles of information about what to feed your cat and why, including helpful tips and stories from folks, like you and me, who are struggling with keeping their cats happy and healthy.

Also, they just re-designed their web site and it looks fantastic! So be sure to stop by and check it out!

Control-A-Cat Remote Control

I love this part of the description: “No batteries required - powered by wishful thinking.”

If only it really worked. Also, it's missing buttons for: “Don't PEE There!” and “Quit Bugging Me, I'm Not Going to FEED You Right Now! (Not sure that would fit on a button, though.)

A few folks have asked how to make a donation as a "Gift" so our fundraising isn't charged a 3% fee and we get 100% of your donation. To do this You must have a PayPal account!

1. Log into your PayPal account

2. Select the top tab that says "SEND MONEY"

3. In the "To" box fill in : SpaldingUrgents@hotmail.com

4. Type in the amount you want to donate (remember, for this fundraiser, I will MATCH your donation, dollar for dollar)

5. There are TWO TABS below the amount you are donating. One says PURCHASE one says PERSONAL

5. Choose PERSONAL

6. Then select: GIFT

Fill out the rest as prompted to complete the donation. There's a MESSAGE form near the end, where you can designate that this is for "Santa's Team" or the "Reindeer Kitties" and we will direct the funds accordingly.

THANK YOU!

These are my babies-the cats and kittens I've “busted out” of Henry County in McDonough, GA-home to 90% euthanasia rates. These cats are on their way to having their first Christmas out of a cage, no longer facing certain death.

I've got transport lined up. The cats are in a boarding facility, in two week quarantine until they can be cleared to leave for Connecticut. The last piece of this phase of their rescue is to raise funds to cover their needs until they arrive. Some will be spayed or neutered. All will get their combo tests, first FVRCP shot, de-wormed and de-flea'd. Their boarding is $5/day; some are boarded for more than 2 weeks due to transport run timing. The costs are listed below.

I realize that asking to raise $925 is asking alot-which is why...

FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU DONATE, I WILL MATCH IT UNTIL WE HIT OUR GOAL OF $925. THIS MEANS I AM PLEDGING ABOUT $463.

THANK YOU for your help. I know these babies would not stand a chance at life, let alone a Happy Holiday without ALL of OUR EFFORTS! We've had a GREAT YEAR together! I'm SO PROUD of ALL OF YOU for doing SO MUCH to help cats in need! Let's end the year with JOY, knowing that although we can't save them all (yet!), we can save some. Thank you for being part of my Team and sharing my passion.

Thank you to Barb Lowe & Susan Birnbaum at Winging Cat Rescue for making this rescue possible!

The only Holiday Song my cats know is: “Feed Me! Pet Me! Feed Me!”

(from left to right) Petunia, Spencer, Gracie, (front-center) Nora & Nick (held by Gracie) Bob J. Dole. ©2008 Robin A.F. Olson

This sweet little fella wasn't doing so well when I picked him up from our Director a few days ago. Two young boys found him in a dumpster, filthy and starving. I was scared he'd die before I even got him to the Vet (which I admit to driving a weeeee bit over the speed limit to get him there quick).

Cheech needed a lot of care, so he stayed at the Vet for the weekend. We were all worried that the call would come in saying he'd passed away.

But Cheech is a plucky little kitten and after a bath, some fluids, antibiotics, good food and some rest, he started to perk up.

Cheech got to hang out with Kringle, the last kitten from GA to get adopted. Their friendship was short lived. Kringle went to her forever home today. Her adopter's daughter got Kringle for her birthday gift. When she realized she could take the kitten home she screamed aloud; “I gotta kitty! I gotta kitty! I gotta kitty!”

I feel badly that Cheech is alone. My efforts to pull a dozen (the Twelve Cats of Christmas!) have failed. I've rescued NINE cats so far, but the remaining three...well I don't have a GA Rescue license and sadly, things are too busy with other rescues to add mine to the mix. I am determined to take more on as soon as I can.

Meanwhile, Cheech will enjoy the comforts of a warm room and enjoy driving me crazy by finding a way to get behind the TV, which requires me to take way too many things out of the way to get at him. I've blocked off the access, but I swear he can slip through objects to hide. I'm annoyed I've been outsmarted by a KITTEN!

Chee-chee is a cutie pants, so he has that going for him. That and the biggest, roundest belly I have ever seen. He's been de-wormed. Hopefully it's nothing more than that. I need to get this boy healthy and relaxed and ready for his forever home! I think he's well on his way.

P.S. I did NOT retouch his eye color! Yes, they ARE amazing!

My dearest friends and supporters. In August I began “busting out” cats and kittens from Kill Shelters in Georgia and South Carolina. Each time I've done it, I've worried that I've taken on more than I can handle and each time things work out, although there have been PLENTY of bumps along the way.

Kringle (below), Nino (top center), Nina (center), and Mayflower (right), four of the nine kittens I rescued over Thanksgiving. Kringle is the only one waiting to find her forever home. The rest are all adopted and with their families.

With the Holiday Season in full swing, my mind and efforts should be focused on preparing for Christmas, but I cannot. I cannot sit around while I know that 90% of the cats in one shelter don't make it out alive.

I've decided to do ONE, BIG, PUSH to pull more cats and kittens than I ever have before.

I'm going to have a very long, elegant neck from sticking it out so damn far.

I hope to “BUST OUT” at least TWELVE cats. Five are already in quarantine awaiting transport and four more joined them, today. Tomorrow, I hope to get the last three.

I hope you're with me on this, guys, because I'm not going to be able to do it without some help! Talking about money is uncouth, so I'll leave it for now, until we're ready to go with fundraising. In the meantime, if you wouldn't mind digging around in your sofa cushions for any loose change, you can set it aside for the newly rescued kitties. I would be very grateful and I know they would be, too.

In less than a month “our Will,” the kitty who survived being hit by a car, stuck at a shelter that would have to euthanize him due to his medical needs, then suffered a 900+ mile transport, is now living the life of luxury in Connecticut.

Apparently Will is:

1. not afraid of dogs

2. the alpha dog

3. a bed hog

Photo of Will (left) and Millie (right) provided by Will's doting Mother, Clare, who we at CiCH simply adore!

It's a good thing his family is English, because they teach their companions good manners at all times. I'm sure Millie, the dog, would never be so rude as to insist on getting her dog bed back! Also, with Millie's excellent breeding (pardon the pun), there are high hopes that it will rub off on our wiley, Will!

Will, please learn to share, buddy! Glad to see you doing so well!