Announcements

I was just thinking about this blog post. How I was going to write that this is it. In a few days, I can start putting some of the fosters up for adoption. FINALLY! We have an adoption event coming up on March 6th. Perfect!

About 5 minutes after I took this photo of me with Blitzen, I thought I would check on this bloody scratch I found on his head a few days ago. I couldn't really see it, but it felt crusty. My heart sank.

I got Sam to hold Blitz for me so I could look with a magnifying lens. Yeah, looked ringwormy. Then I got out my black light and looked again. I think it was florescing green-the telltale sign but his tear ducts looked a bit green, too.

So tomorrow I'll see if I can get the little bugger over to see Dr. Larry. If it IS ringworm, I can probably kiss any hope of getting this kittens adopted before they are adults, out the window. At almost three months off schedule, this is just killing me to have them here this long.

Oh well. Not like this is all that surprising. What I'm waiting for is for ME to get it. I predict I will get a big BALD ringworm lesion on my head just around my birthday in April and my trip to attend BlogPaws. Just you wait. I said it here, first!

Abby found her forever home! Apparently she won a nice lady over with her charms and sweetness. Abby will never have to fear for her safety or health again. All she will know is lots of love!

Congratulations, Abby and her new family! And THANK YOU to everyone who got the word out on the behalf of this lovely lady!

Abby is the victim of cruelty. Her ear was sliced off by a heartless beast. Although she's suffered a great unkindness, she's still a sweet and loving girl in need a forever home.

Abby's been spayed and has all her shots. Her coat is sleek, black and plush. She asks us if we would please overlook her ears and see her good heart.

I don't have Abby's age. I'll post that info as soon as I get it.

Abby is located in GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, where our Will and new friend, Grayson was from. Transportation FROM Greenville, to your state CAN easily be arranged. Contact Carole at (864) 630-2872 or email at carole9281@gmail.com if you'd like to know more about Abby or are interested in giving her a forever home.

As always, please spread the word. Let's get this girl a home, quick!

This is Grayson (aka, Mr. Gray). His 92 year old mama passed away, leaving no one to care for him. He was lucky to find a temporary placement at a cat clinic, but now his time has run out there, too. He faces being put down in a few more days. There's just no space and no place to call home.

Grayson is just 3 years old. A good boy. Loves people and LOVES to be brushed! He also will follow you around like a little shadow. This is one lovey-dovey cat. He likes to be held and sit on your lap. What more would anyone want? He's a beauty, too!

Grayson's fully vetted and healthy. He's up to date on shots and neutered. He was combo tested for FIV+/Feline Leukemia and is NEGATIVE for both. He's been treated with Revolution, so he won't bring fleas into your home.

Grayson is fine with other cats, but don't know about dogs or small children.

Grayson is located in GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, where our Will was from. Transportation FROM Greenville, to your state CAN easily be arranged. Contact Carole Henderson at (864) 630-2872 for more information or to adopt Grayson.

2/24 UPDATE: You can also email Carole at: carole9281@gmail.com and if you can't reach her, you can also contact: Jenna Gutierrez tomjeng@charter.net or call her at (864) 801-3177. Isilwath has offered to help with transportation from Greenville TO points in the Northeast if you can adopt the cat March 5-7.

SPREAD THE WORD MY DARLINGS! LET'S GET THIS BOY A HOME, QUICK!

I just HAD to do it! I just HAD to buy both of these paintings on Ebay yesterday. I kept looking at the listings and looking at the images. I asked the seller about them, hoping that I wasn't going to be duped and end up with some sort of computer generated print, mounted onto board.

I don't have them yet, so time will tell. Supposedly they're oil on board and painted in the late 1950's to early 1960's. I can't find much about the artist; L. Cassidy, but did find a few other paintings he or she did-of dogs.

I've always wanted Victorian era oils of kittens, but my budget does not allow for that. These little gems were sort of “affordable” and are only about 8" x 10." Will be easy to find a nice spot to hang them.

I'm so excited! I can't wait for them to arrive!

Plus, they NEVER need to go to the VET and they can't get RINGWORM!

PHOTOS BY TOMOKAZU KOSUGA

I LOVE the Japanese culture and I really LOVE how much they LOVE their cats. I have a small stash of books I've bought from amazon.co.jp (yes, JAPAN). I have NO IDEA what they say because I can't read Japanese, but there are so many great photos, it doesn't matter! Maybe some day I'll go to Japan, but with my fear of flying and lack of funds, that doesn't seem like something that will happen any time soon.

Apparently, Japanese landlords are douches. Most don't allow pets, so Norimmasa Hanada decided to change things. She opened Neko no mise (Shop of Cats) and the rest is history. Anyone lonely for the company of a cat or who is shy about meeting people, heads to Ms Hanada's shop. For a small fee, about $9/hr, her patrons PAY to sit in the cafe and pet and play with the cats. They can even buy food and treats for the cats for an extra charge!

You got that, right? They PAY to sit in the cafe with the cats. The "cover charge" pays for the cats Vet visits, food, litter, etc. and keeps out the folks from staying all DAY. Okay, we have shelters in this country that need people to come visit the cats-if not adopt them. Why not combine these two things together?

TOMOKAZU KOSUGA covered the story and it was picked up by Viceland.com (oo!) and translated into English-whew! To read the entire article, click HERE but keep in mind that this web site is more “adult” in nature, but not really bad at all. I'd rate it at a PG level if that's of concern.

Now, I just LOVE this idea, but am wondering if it could be done in the USA? What are the regulations regarding having cats in a shop that might serve coffee and tea? I'm thinking Covered in Cat Hair Cafe, coming to your town, soon! Who wants to bankroll me?

After MONTHS of Vet visits, mounds of medications and lots of hope, sprinkled with tears and love, “Santa's Team” is finally recovering from their horrendous URI's, eye infections and ringworm. Hopefully, very soon they'll be ready to move forward with the next chapter of their lives.

In honor of Valentine's Day and the loving support you've given to me and the kitties during this tough time, I ask you to considering giving a donation to help us pay their HUGE Vet bill.

While we're looking at well over $1500 in care and medications, I'm not going to ask for a lot from each of you. I know times are tough and there are so many others who need help, too.

All I ask is to donate the cost of a box of chocolates, about $10 (or more if you can) to our Angel Fund or our General Donation Fund. 100 percent of your donation goes straight to helping the animals in our Program. Your donation is also tax deductible (as the law allows), as The Animal Center is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3).

And on a personal note, I want to let you all know how very much I appreciate and am humbled by your friendship, your compassion to help homeless and injured animals and your willingness to share your life story with me, as I share mine with you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Robin, your cat hair covered hostess

I'm very pleased and excited to announce that you can now follow my crazy exploits on Covered in Cat Hair on your iPhone or iPod Touch (2nd Gen)!

Sure, you can use Safari on your iPhone to read CiCH when you're away from home, but using this Ap makes reading the latest posts MUCH easier. The text is nice and big and the photos are crystal clear. No need to zoom in on those photos of kittens pooping or puddles of vomit! They're already nice and big, too! And if you'd like, you can even “Tweet” or email your favorite posts!

AND it's FREE!

You can't beat that with a stick!

Read more about the CiCH Ap HERE then press the “View in iTunes” button and you will be re-directed to iTunes to download the Ap. If you enjoy using the Ap, I'd be really grateful if you'd give it a nice rating.

Special thanks to Sam, of Resonetrics, for helping me get my Ap off the ground.

Want to read Sam's blog about Technology for Marketers?

Check out Sam's iPhone Ap, Tech4Mktrs too!

Care2's Petition Site feature a petition I urge you to sign. It asks PetAg, makers of KMR (kitten milk replacer) to RECALL tainted products off pet food store shelves.

The FDA cannot request a recall of Pet Food. I guess pets don't count! In lieu of FDA action, Care2 has stepped up, hoping to get PetAg's attention on this long-standing matter that has killed many infant animals.

You can read the petition and decide if you want it by visiting this link.

I have two trusted sources who either spoke with a representative of PetAg or had personal experience of losing kittens to rancid KMR.

To think that this company would blame their foul product on activists seems incredibly irresponsible, reprehensible and downright evil. Their lies killed animals. It's like the melamine poisoning in pet foods a few years ago. People cry out that there's a problem, and the big-bucks company says; “Oh no. We are the victims, here!”

I'm still trying to get the whole story but from what I'm hearing, this IS real and you SHOULD check your KMR to make sure it's not YELLOW or has any funny odor..OR throw it out. Do they have safe batches of product out there? I was told that when asked they weren't clear about answering that right now. I can't say, either. Hopefully they have this sorted out and will be/are shipping safe product. Perhaps if you can give it time, you might want to look into alternative milk replacers if you need one right now.

Just Born powder and liquid

If you want to do it yourself, check this page out on KittenCare.com for information on making your own kitten formulas, as well as some feeding guidelines.