Intake room updates

A little while back we introduced you to three kitties who came together in our intake room at the same time:  

casey

noah

     Noah, Buttercup & Casey                 

buttercup

In the last post, we gave the wonderful news that Casey had found a loving home with one of the vet techs that helped care for him shortly after he arrived at the Sanctuary in very poor health. 

As for Noah and Buttercup - they still call the Sanctuary their home for now.
Both are out of the intake room and spending time with some of the other very energetic kittens occupying the downstairs living area.                                    

        

As you can see, learning to share becomes an important quality to have when one moves out of the intake and into the general living area. Here, there's a moment of harmony while everyone enjoys a quick cat-nap.

 

                                                            

And, here's another moment- (even though "grandpa" Noah loves his little charges and has endless patience for them)  there are times when a man just needs a little peace and quiet in his own bed!

Happily Noah is doing well now, just recently he had an acute bout with pancreatitis which is a very painful condition.

Additional fluids, proper diet and pain meds. helped him get through this tough time and he is returning back to his normal, lovable self.

Buttercup and Noah share their room with kittens Regan, Sidney and Domino.  A lively combination that has helped Buttercup continue to adjust to her surroundings. Hopefully soon she'll find a home of her own too.

So,  who's new in the intake room?

 That would be our beautiful girl Tabby!  She's about 8 years old- very affectionate and loves attention.

OH YES SHE CAN STILL FIT INTO THAT KITTY BED!!

A couple of things Tabby doesn't like:  being told she needs to lose weight...... and living with other cats.  (At least we haven't found one she's willing to live with yet).  So if you're looking to adopt just one.........

Lastly, a few photos sent in of Abby and Chelsea, our girls that were recently adopted to a couple of our volunteers. (after some initial hurdles to clear).   Word is the girls are adjusting wonderfully to their new home and have already become cherished and loved family additions!

Abby & Chelsea enjoying their new home together

We fought the law and the law.....no wait.....we won!

Well. . . . truth be told it wasn't actually a fight.....and....not exactly with the law.  

 BUT... 

it's an adoption story that's encouraging and inspiring just the same.

It all began with the sad ending of a beautiful life.  In late December, two of our volunteers, Tom and Dave, lost their beloved companion Portia, after 12 joyful and eventful years. 
 

portia

A rescued kitty, she was a cherished princess that added a special joy and meaning to their lives.

As animal lovers and owners we've all been there - that unimaginable loss, the pain that follows, and the huge hole that it leaves in our hearts.

As time goes by we manage to move forward:  never getting over the loss but getting through it somehow.  The sad memories are eventually replaced by the happy ones and we find ourselves ready to give our love again to another animal in need of rescue.

Tom and Dave faced this slow, challenging journey while continuing to volunteer their time to the Sanctuary.

FAST FORWARD TO APRIL AT THE SANCTUARY.

Two sisters Abby & Chelsea joined our Sanctuary family.

chelsea

abby

 Their story typical of many:  the family received them as kittens and they lived together for the next three years. 
 In an ironic twist which will become apparent later -the family then came to us for help as they were only allowed to have one animal with them in their apartment.  Wanting to keep them together they gave up both and we welcomed them into the Sanctuary.

Meanwhile,  Tom and Dave's visits continued and one day they found themselves turning that corner.  Craving that special bond one can only share with an animal, missing that furry greeting at the end of a long day - 
 Yes,  they decided that they were ready to adopt again.

They were drawn to Abby and Chelsea and soon decided that they were the ones  - one for each of them!

With the decision made the anticipation grew.  Like expectant parents they were excited and started making plans for their new "kids" to come home.

They had just one last hurdle to clear.   They lived in a condominium complex where the rules were clear,  tenants are allowed two animals:  one dog and one cat - period.

But they weren't overly worried.  They were prepared to petition the association and ask for permission to own two cats - confident the request would be granted.

When the answer came back no- with no further explanation, their hopes were dashed instantly.  They were crushed at the news but accepted it with heavy hearts  understanding those were the rules and not looking to be troublesome.  They drew back and tried to rethink how they would now move forward once again.

But our story isn't sad and doesn't end there.

Knowing we had found the perfect owners that would treat them right and keep the girls together we were not ready to give up the fight.  And, with Tom and Dave's permission we drafted and sent letters stating our case to the association- even preparing to make a plea for Tom and Dave  for an exception in person at their meeting if necessary.

Amazingly,  in less than a week, the association had reversed its original decision and said yes to our request.

Tom and Dave were free to adopt both Abby and Chelsea!

Congratulations to Tom and Dave, we wish them well and hope this journey they have begun will bring them lots of laughter, joy and plenty of furry kisses.  (hopefully we'll pass along a photo of the happy family soon).



Kudos to Tom and Dave for respecting the rules and trying to go about the adoption process in the correct manner.  
 And to the condominium association  for listening to us with an open mind and realizing that rules can be changed for the benefit of all.

Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

A quick update on one our our other furry friends:  Casey

Casey has been adopted! One of the vet techs who helped take care of Casey when he first came to us (and picked off all those awful ticks)  fell in love with him.  A couple of visits to the vet later she decided she wanted to add him to her family forever.

We'll miss you Casey :)

Also - although reliable numbers are hard to find below are some statistics that are a little disheartening to read.  It's good to know that today more and more resources are available to help people who want to keep their pets and to help them successfully re-home pets without having to surrender them to shelters first. Winning even small battles can result in changes that have positive lasting results.

ASPCA

FACTS ABOUT ANIMAL SHELTERING

Across the United States, volunteers and staff in animal shelters and animal control facilities see the results of irresponsible pet ownership and dog and cat overpopulation every day. However, there is very little reliable data available to illustrate this issue on a national level. The following figures were gleaned from independent random studies and the best estimates by experts in the animal welfare and related fields. These should be considered ballpark figures only. Most of the studies were national and there is tremendous variation by region.

There are about 5000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The phrases “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic terms; shelters using those names are not part of the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement.

2002 Figures

Animal Shelters

• Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.
• Less than 2 percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are returned to their owners.* Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips.
• 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.*
• Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered

Shelby's Coronation

Shelby's Coronation

 

One word jumps from everybody's lips when they see Shelby...princess!  Especially when she is perched on a lap that she has made her throne.  She surveys her subjects and lets them know that their adoration is well deserved.

Shelby has not always been so regal, however.  She came to us from animal control after she was found running loose and lost.  When she arrived, she was very scared and suspicious...and loud!  She did not want to be left alone in her crate and not only would she let you know about it, she'd let anyone within a 500 foot radius know about it.  We moved her in with a roommate, Allie, and showered her with lots of exercise and attention, and the noise level lowered considerably.

Today, Shelby has assumed her reign in a lovely home that adores her as much as we do.  She has a new roommate and friend and rules with a benevolent heart.

Allie Is Moving On Up

Allie Is Moving On Up!

Allie's future is looking bright.  Allie came to us from a home that may have loved her, but could not take care of her.  She was nine years old and was rarely taken out of her apartment home for any exercise or adventure.  She was overweight with poor muscle development and fell into a bit of a depression over the loss of the only home she had known.

But thanks to the work of our volunteers and her new friends, Shelby and Zack, Allie quickly rebounded and decided that walks and playtime were a bunch of fun.  And then came her absolute favorite activities: trips to obedience class and trips to the local state park for a dip in the river.  And while she was never one to seek out lots of attention, you could just look into her eyes and see how content she had become.  

Now a great young couple that shares Allie's quiet, soulful personality has found her and brought her home.  She's living in a house with a yard and gets to go on lots of trips to the park.  And even better, she'll be continuing her favorite activity: obedience class.  Allie's come a long way and shown amazing resilience and enthusiasm.  We'll miss her.

Zoey Has Gone Home

Zoey Has Gone Home

Zoey found her forever home last week.  Zoey came to us just a little while back and, luckily, we were just a quick pit stop on her journey home.  She arrived a little overweight and with symptoms of food allergies that included skin and ear irritations.  Nothing a little Our Companions TLC couldn't fix.  Our volunteers came to her aid, gently seeing her through her transition to our facility and getting her on to a healthy exercise routine.

Zoey blossomed into a sweet girl that everyone loved during her time with us.  She enjoyed her walks and playing fetch, though she was definitely a little disgruntled at being put on a diet (who isn't?).  Zoey's new family took her home on Friday.  They will continue her progress and spoil her in the healthiest possible way.  We will miss her, but everyone is so happy she landed right where she belonged.