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.

GREAT weekend

First, Abby was adopted this weekend. Sweet Abby-dabby-doo. Her adopter, Libbi, met us and Abby at Wag Pet Boutique on October 10th. Libbi came to see Abby again and meet Rascal this weekend and spent a lot of time getting to know both of them. It was a hard decision, both Rascal and Abby have very similar personalities, are both big chunky love kitties. It wasn't like trying to decide between two cats with different personalities. In the end, Libbi (a former animal shelter volunteer when she lived in another state), decided to adopt Abby. Both Abby and Rascal rolled over and showed her a lot of kitty belly, they both meowed at her, they both gave her kitty kisses, etc. But in the end the rescuer in Libbi took over and she opted for Abby, because Abby doesn't "show" as well at adoption events whereas Rascal hams-it-up and demands people's attention at adoption events thus making the chances of him being adopted soon much higher than Abby's when we are at adoption events. We are so happy for Abby. She has a fantastic new human mom and a sweet new feline brother.

On the yard sale front, we exceeded our goal of making $1500 for the cats. We made over $1600 and we still have some higher end jewelry and collectible items (Limoges collector plate and other limited edition numbered collector plates) that are going to an upscale consignment shop or on ebay. My deepest thanks to everyone that donated items and everyone that helped out with the yard sale. There's only one thing to say -- you all rock.

Yet another orphan

Meet Urp. He's going to join Uma and her babies (Usher, Ursa Minor, Udder Moomoo, and her other surrogate Urchin). Urp is about 4 weeks old and will nurse some but seems to like the Royal Canin Baby Kat food really well. We will post a better picture of Urp, but he wasn't cooperating last night.

Barn cat relocation yesterday

We relocated two more cats into a barn home yesterday (Sunday). And what a beautiful barn it is. The cats will love it there. Thanks Nancy for taking in these two "babies". We have another barn relo lined up for Sunday the 18th.

Adoption Event / Bake Sale

We had a great time at Wag Pet Boutique this past weekend. Wag is a great boutique, the people are super friendly. The cages were set up in the windows so the cats got lots of exposure. We had one adoption, one new foster home (home visit completed and approved yesterday), and interest in some of our adult cats. We also had a table set up outside with information about the rescue, low-cost spay/neuter information, and baked goodies for sale. Overall, it was a successful weekend. And Conrad captured someone's heart and was adopted.

We will be holding more adoption events at Wag after the first of the year.

4 Kittens

Urchin (who got a good eye cleaning after this picture was taken) has settled in with the other U kittens and their mama. The little black and white kitten is the cow kitten from a previous post. If we weren't on the U's, he'd be named MooMoo. They are all so cute, little cow kitty just stole my heart. Reminds me of Fred (from the Bedrock Crew -- a litter of four kittens rescued at 3 days old and bottle fed around the clock).

Now they have names:

• Mama cat: Uma
• Gray/brown fluffy tabby kitten: Ursa Minor
• Black fluffy kitten: Usher
• "Cow" kitten" Udder Moomoo

Adoptions

I've been remiss in blogging about adoptions - it's so much easier to update facebook or twitter about the adoptions. But Mittens, Speckles, and Othello have been adopted. Cider is being adopted by his foster family. And Bumblemuffin went to a foster-to-adopt home tonight (foster him until he is old enough to have second FVRCP+FeLV and rabies vaccinations and be neutered).

Meet Urchin

Found alone and very hungry. Eating well on his own so obviously older than originally thought. And cute as all get out!!! He's a very small little guy, the bowl isn't that big (and he has a small bowl of his own to eat out of now so no more "swimming" in the food).

Wimbledon Update

Wimbledon went to see Dr. Jon today to have the stitches from his eye surgery removed and is doing great.

What a wonderful kitten. A purr-machine full of lots of love to share with anyone who will let him. He should be available for adoption in about a month and whoever adopts this boy will be a very lucky person.

I'll post pictures later.

Fall yard sale fundraiser rescheduled due to forecasted rain

There is a 30% chance of rain (down from yesterday's 50% but it keeps fluctuating), therefore we are rescheduling our fall yard sale until next Saturday, October 10th. The yardsale will be from 7AM to noon on October 10th. Address will be posted closer to the date. We have many wonderful donated items for sale to help raise money for the cats.

Primarily, the money raised at the sale will go to the medical/spay-neuter fund. Below are just a few of the items we have for sale:

• Living room furniture (including matching sofa, arm chair and ottoman; Ethan Allen end tables, small oak cabinets)
• Dinette set
• Home improvement items (ceiling fan with light figure - modern/contemporary style; beautiful pendant light chandelier; several other chandeliers; recessed light kits)
• Great baby items (car seat; bouncey walker; portable high-chair; grocery cart cozie
• Lots of kids toys - many new in {unopened} boxes
• Beautiful area rugs in varying sizes
• Lots of holiday decor/items - Halloween and Christmas
• Downhill skis and poles
• Very nice handbags/purses
• Vintage suitcases
• Jewelry - some custume, some not
• Home decor items - new in box beautiful candle holders; wrought iron multiple candle holder; lots of wall art; knick-knacks/collectibles; Home Interior (brand) items
• New Webkinz stuffed animals with valid codes
• Huge box of new unwrapped items perfect for a tailgating party or to put up for a Super Bowl party - lots of football plates in varying sizes, cups, napkins, platters, etc. - all Hallmark brand
• Kids books
• Some clothes - mens, womens, childrens
• Over 500 DVDs