Just when you thought kitten season might be over...

Another kitten pile. These adorable babies are 10 days old They were born on 11/17 to a feral mom who had been trapped for TNR. Mama gave birth before her appointment. Mama is taking good care of the babies and will go to the rescuer's farm as a barn cat once the babies are weaned and doing well on their own. There are five babies - appear to be all boys except the darkest tabby which is a girl.

Warm thoughts for Yaya

Yaya goes back to see Dr. Jon for an eye recheck Monday. We're still hoping the eye can be saved. Positive thoughts and prayers that it can be. Yaya's had a rough time of it in her est. 4 years of life.

Come get your pet's picture taken with Santa and Support Alley Cats & Angels

Santa Claws Program - Lend a Hand to Save a Paw!

Alley Cats and Angels is participating in the Santa Claws photos with Santa program at the Knightdale Petsmart. Come get get your picture taken with santa (pictures of pets with santa too). You'll receive one 4x6 printed digital phot in a holiday collector frame. The cost is $9.95 and Alley Cats and Angels will receive $5 from each purchased photo package.

We will be there Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 p.m. Come out and support the cats. Thanks.

No more princess outfits for Wilson.

Well, he won't be dressed up in princess outfits anymore because he's being adopted by a family with three boys. Wilson will be so happy that he no longer has to be in touch with him feminine side! :-)

Wilson will go to his forever home right after Thanksgiving.

Sweet Meena needs a forever home

Sweet Meena is about 1.5 to 2 years old. She really needs a home of her own. Adoption events are especially stressful for her and it takes her a while to relax and destress after each event. One our wonderful supporters has sponsored Meena's adoption fee. This means the approved adopter will not have to pay an adoption fee, it has already been paid (adoption process, application, interview, contract, etc. still apply).

More About Meena

• Meena is extremely sweet and loving calico. She has the most beautiful orange and black face and the cutest black button nose. She can't get enough of head rubs and chin scratches.
• Grooming is not a problem as she loves being brushed down.
• Meena is very loyal and always shows her appreciation for your love by rubbing and standing up on your leg. Meena really shows off when she is the only kitty in the house. She is very good about using her scratching pad and playtime is a marathon when you bring out the laser pointer.
• Meena might be a little shy at first, but get ready; because when she comes out of her shell, you will be loving and playing with her for a long time to come.
• Meena was rescued from a high-kill shelter along with her kitten

Much to be thankful for

First - we adopted out four cats this weekend:

• Blizz was adopted by a family that adopted Persephone in February
• Zappa was adopted by a great family in Charlotte (thanks to Jill, our web goddess and key volunteer). Zappa was adopted by good friends of hers and Jill did the transport for this adoption
• Electra was adopted. Sweet but shy girl. She went to a lovely home.
• Rascal - oh my Rascal. Rascal was my foster and quite the bed hog (I've blogged about his sleeping habits before), but I sure do miss him not hogging the bed and giving me hugs. I think it was love at first sight between Rascal and the adoptive family. The big ol' chunk of love went to a great home where he will be pampered. The mom is hoping Rascal will sleep with her since the other three cats sleep with her son.

Second, thanks to the generosity of Electra's adopter, Earl Gray (Electra's brother) now has a sponsored adoption fee. Earl Gray is a bit shy and doesn't "show well" at adoption events but is a wonderful older kitten. He'll make someone a great pet, he just needs someone who doesn't expect the "insta-cat", Earl will take a little time to acclimate to his new surroundings. We have quite a few shy cat success stories - they just require some time and patience to blossom but then you have a friend for life.

Next, we are thankful for the donation from the "I've always wanted to try that" meetup group. They held a raffle at their Halloween party and donated the proceeds to Alley Cats and angels. We are extremely grateful for the $400 donation. It will be used to help offset the growing medical bills for the American Shorthair cats.

And last but definitely not least, thanks to Augusta who is helping get some much needed administrative work done. She's already updated our adopter spreadsheet, is currently working on email mailing list for our e-newsletter, and then move on to check microchip registrations. We really appreciate all her assistance. Augusta is a two-time adopter of our rescue kitties.

Gentle Giant

Rascal is a big boy, weighing in at roughly 20 pounds. But he's 20 pounds of solid love. Rascal truly is a gentle giant full of love. He's so good with other cats, especially younger cats and gives them love and attention and gives them kitty baths and kisses.

Julius and Blizz were a bit disconcerted at yesterday's adoption event so I put Julius in with Rascal first and once Rascal started washing Julius' ears and head, Julius was in bliss. Put Blizz in with them after that and Rascal gave her kitty loves too.

Just in time for the holidays - sweet treats (fudge)

Just in time for the holidays -- Alley Cats and Angels is now taking orders for creamy marble slab fudge. Fudge is available in both half-pound bars ($6.00) and one-pound bars ($11.00) and there are nine delicious flavors to choose from.

• Chocolate
• Peanut Butter
• Rocky Road
• Maple Walnut
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate Pecan
• Vanilla Pecan
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Orders due by Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Delivered in holiday appropriate boxes week of December 14, 2009

To order email info@alleycatsandangels.org.

All proceeds from fudge sales go to the medical and spay/neuter fund.

Too funny....

Justina was adopted by a great couple a few months back. Justina was renamed Biscuit. Well, Biscuit wore a cow costume and was a "steak biscuit" for Halloween! Too funny.

Blizz and Julius - foster buds

Blizz and Julius shared one of the bottom "cages" at the adoption center this week. They are quite the buddies. Usually it was Julius washing his little "sister" (foster sister) but this time Blizz decided Julius needed a bath. Please excuse the shaky video - I took it using my iPhone and when I tried to go in for a close-up for different angle, it's a little shaky. But it's so sweet, especially when Blizz puts her paws on Julius' head to hold him for washing.

Weekend update

Wimbledon was adopted this weekend and we are very excited that our little one-eyed boy found a fantastic new two-legged mom in Dana. We know and love Dana and she is going to give his such a great home. Wimbledon was a favorite among many of the Petsmart Knightdale employees (and everyone else that met him). (Update - Dana said her cat not quite so keen in Wimbledon right but that's to be expected. However, her dog loves Wimbledon and was giving him a bath Saturday night!!). A big thanks to Maria B. for sponsoring Wimbledon's adoption.

The A's (Arnie, Angie, and Andy) attended their first adoption event. We name litters by the alphabet but we don't necessarily do it in alphabetical order. (We only have the V's and Y's left for this year). The A's are a bit shy but they did pretty good until one of the darn birds at Petsmart started screeching. It was an obnoxious noise that made me want to hide too! Here's a picture of Arnie in his Halloween bandana snuggling with a teddy bear in his cage.



It was a long week for the cats in the adoption center and they were glad to get back to their foster homes. They're not used to being in cages (only caged during quarantine). Of course everyone got playtime out of the adoption center cages each day and night but they were getting a little restless.

Big big thanks for the 11 bags of donated cat food, including food for the adoption program and food for the ferals. Saying we really appreciate it does not really convey how much we really appreciate it. We are very grateful for the donation.

And finally, we were notified last night that a meetup group had a raffle at their Halloween party this weekend and they are donating the proceeds of the raffle ($400) to Alley Cats and Angels. This means a lot to us. We have taken in some cats that have very bad dental problems and need teeth cleanings (cannot wait, it's bad - stage 4 periodontal disease) and some teeth removed. The raffle money will go to help pay for the dental work these guys needs (now that sounds like they need fillings and root canals, doesn't it?!). Again, huge thanks to Erin D., organizer of the meetup group, for choosing Alley Cats and Angels to be the recipient of the raffle proceeds.

Food donations greatly needed

We have over 60 cats in our care at this time. 60 cats eat a lot of food and go through a lot of litter every day. We provide food for several foster homes. These are fantastic foster homes but are on fixed incomes or disability so they are only able to foster if we can provide food.

But we've had quite a few unexpected medical bills recently with more to come over the next couple of weeks as we take care of severe dental problems for some American Shorthairs we took in. So buying all that food is quite a strain on the budget. So we really need donations of food. Again, we go through a lot of it - we go through at least three 18-pound bags of Purina One Healthy Kitten per week and two to three 18-pound bags of Purina One Chicken and Rice for adults per week.

We also need donations of other dry food to help local feral cat caretakers feed their ferals (preferrably Purina Cat Chow Complete Choice). We will be at Petsmart this weekend (October 31-November 1) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and can take donations at that time.

Donated food can also be dropped off at Consonus Technologies, 301 Gregson Drive, Cary, NC (attn: Tia), between the hours of 9 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

The boys playing

Wimledon being super lazy while playing at the adoption center. Julius had more energy but only stayed in the shot a couple of seconds and Wilson jumped in at the end. But Wimbleon (who is sually very energetic and playful) took the easy route and played with the toy while laying down. I think he's ready to come back to his foster home - tired of the cages at the adoption center. I'm sorry sweetie, you will all be back at your different foster homes soon.

In memory and love of our departed cats...

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...


Poems for Cats

And God asked the feline spirit "Are you ready to come home"? "Oh, yes, quite so", replied the precious soul "and, as a cat, you know I am most able to decide anything for myself".

Are you coming then? asked God. "Soon" replied the whiskered angel "but I must come slowly for my human friends are troubled. For you see, they need me, quite certainly."

"But don't they understand?", asked God,"that you'll never leave them? That your souls are intertwined. For all eternity? That nothing is created or destroyed? It just is....forever and ever and ever?"

"Eventually they will understand", replied the glorious cat. "For I will whisper into their hearts that I am always with them I just am....forever and ever and ever".

To the unknown authors of the above two poems, thank you.

Goodbye little Ursa Minor

Our vet took Ursa Minor home last night to keep an eye on her and tend to her throughout the night. Ursa seemed to have some fight in her; however, she did not make it. Ursa Minor died around 6:30 this morning. Our vet does not feel it is an infectious disease and is believes it was a portosystemic shunt and will check for that post-mortem.

Despite the best medical care and heroic efforts on the part of our vet, sometimes it's simply the animal's time to pass over the rainbow bridge. We would like to thank Dr. Kevin Monce (PetSound Animal Hospital) for all he did for Ursa Minor.

I'm so sorry we lost you little Ursa. So small, so sweet, so soon. There are now four more little feet in heaven. And many more tears here on earth.

Ursa Minor needs your thoughts/prayers

This wonderful little girl went to the vet yesterday as she was losing weight and was a bit lethargic. After being treated she came home last night and seemed to be doing better. Her foster mom rushed her to the vet today. Ursa was almost in a kitty coma and spent the day in an oxygen chamber. A radiograph/ultrasound was done to check for fluids to rule out FIP - fluid buildup was not found. She now weighs less than a pound. Our vet is taking her home with him this evening to keep watch on her. Right now, it's wait and see - time will tell. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Cats and Halloween Costumes

I think it's just wrong, but it sure is funny. And I'm giong to do it for the adoption event this weekend.

Rascal is my foster and he is the biggest bed hog. He's a big boy and is just plain sarcastic when it's bed time. He stretches out his front and back legs and take up as much bed as he can. Oh - and he likes to lay right smack in the middle of the bed. Therefore, I might get my revenge and dress him up like a mermaid - I saw a cute mermaid pet costume at Petsmart. It will help him get in touch with his feminine.

Think that will teach him what's boss or just make him gather the other foster cats and tell them to help hog the bed too?

Ok, so maybe not a mermaid - that would probably wound his masculine ego, but he's wearing something other than a Halloween bandana this weekend. And it will be for all the world to see (well, the part of the world that will be visiting the Petsmart Knightdale between 1-4P on Saturday!!).

Great adoption weekend

Carmen and Cleo (affectionately referred to as the twins) were adopted together this weekend by someone that met us and the cats last weekend. The twins are inseperable and we really wanted them to be adopted together. The twins had the best personalities, they were simply delightful.

Bumblemuffin was adopted yesterday - what a cute little munchkin he was. Stocky built little boy and super sweet.

And finally, Jacob was adopted this weekend. Jacob had a rough time for a while but started sleeping with his foster parent and coming up and asking for love. He's not big on being held, but the family is ok with that and understands he can be a bit shy at first but will blossom. The 15-year old daughter is absolutely in love with Jacob - and rightly so, he's a pretty great little guy.

The cats had a great adoption weekend.

Remember Wimbledon?

Here he is, fully recovered from his surgery and now available for adoption. He's currently in the adoption center at Petsmart with his buddy Jacob through November 1st.


Wimbledon
Est. DOB: 4/2008 Color: DSH Silver Grey Classic Tabby with some White Gender: M

If you want a real snuggle bunny lap cat – then Wimbledon is your “man”. It’s almost hard to put into words how wonderful Wimbledon is – he really is that incredible. Wimbie (as he’s affectionately called) is so loving. Loves to sit on your lap or be next to you. He loves to sleep with you but isn’t a kitty bed hog! He loves to give kitty kisses and get brushed and petted and kissed in return. He’s also very playful. He loves interactive play with feather toys and wands. His other favorite play items are the kitty tunnel and the track ball. Wimbie gets along great with other cats/kittens.

Wimbledon and his brother, Wilson were dumped in a neighborhood where someone fed him until a rescue could take the boys in. Wimbie had a severe case of herpes virus and his left eye was badly ulcerated and had to be removed. Wimbie is completely recovered; he does not have any special medical requirements – he is a healthy boy.

Full vetted: treated for intestinal parasites, treated with flea preventative, negative for FeLV/FIV, neutered, vaccinated (FVRCP+FeLV initial vaccination and booster, and rabies vaccination) and microchipped with Home Again microchips with shelter paid registration.

Abby settling in

Here are a few pictures of Abby settling in to her new home. In the first picture, Abby is all relaxed and content and is showing a little bit of pretty kitty tummy. In the second picture, Abby has made herself quite at home next to her new mommy's computer. At least she's not laying on the keyboard.