Monthly Archives: June 2010
Apple Seed peeking out the door at me. He wants his breakfast…NOW!Bean Bag and Apple Seed are the brothers who came from the construction site. Bean Bag had the jaw that was broken in five places and we did not know if he was going to survive. But survive he did and the boys are both flourishing and doing so well (which just goes to show what can happen with a bit of love and care). They love to play and their favorite game is trying to dart out of my office where they are staying. Each morning when I arrive with breakfast, I am greeted by little kitten faces trying to push their way free. This game is usually followed by a rousing game of “chase,” as I run through the house trying to carouse them back to eat their breakfast.
Bean Bag and Apple Seed--nothing keeps these boys from enjoying their lives.
The two are the best of buddies. Bean Bag has not grown any bigger. He has filled out some, but he is still as small as a four month old kitten. Frankly, we don’t think he will ever get any bigger. We think the lack of nourishment as a baby caused his growth to be stunted. Apple Seed is twice his size and we still call Bean Bag the “Mini Me” version of his bigger brother.
Chillin' in his chair, Bean Bag is enjoying the good life.
Bean Bag also suffered damage to his right eye when he was hit in the face. He is blind in the right eye. We don’t know if he is completely blind or only partially, but he does have trouble figuring out what is going on when something happens on his right side. He will turn around to look with his left eye. Sometimes, he also jumps if you approach him from the right side and he does not see you coming.
These are the happiest cats you will ever meet. They love everything–their toys, their food, a dust bunny they can chase across the floor. Everything makes them jump around with joy. They especially love people and love having your attention. The boys are still looking for their forever home, but we know a wonderful family is searching for them, too!
Pink ears, pink nose, white whiskers, and big eyes. Have you ever seen anything as cute as me? Well, I guess my brother, since he looks just like me.
Play with me!
McKenzie’s Law is named for the little Scottish Terrier in the picture above, who is a “puppy mill survivor.” This law is being sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Grossman, who is working with SK 9 Scotties, the Animal Law Coalition, and the people across Ohio who are trying to stop dog auctions and puppy mills by getting initiatives on ballots for voters.
This potential law needs our support and you can give it by downloading and signing the Endorsement Form for McKenzie’s Law (the link is at the end of this posting).
In an email from Mary Shaver, who is leading the movement to stop Ohio dog auctions, she explained the benefits of McKenzie’s Law:
“WHY MCKENZIE’S LAW SHOULD PASS:
“There are less than 200 Ohio commercial dog breeding kennels licensed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, but there are hundreds more of these facilities in the state. Kennels that sell dogs directly to the public through ads or over the internet are not regulated by USDA and more are coming to Ohio each year. One commercial dog breeder claims in his county, Holmes County, the puppy mill industry earns $9 million annually. That is in just one Ohio County. The state and local government did not receive, however, tax revenue from those sales of dogs.
“BENEFITS OF MCKENZIE’S LAW
“(1) would use the present government entities, eliminating any additional cost to state and county government.
“(2) bring tax revenue into the State of Ohio and into county and city government as well.
“(3) will ensure the state and local government receive their share of tax revenues from these business.
“(4) allows state and local government to monitor and regulate commercial dog breeders ensuring tax revenues are collected.
“(5) limits commercial breeders to 50 breeding dogs which will make enforcement of standards possible and could reduce costs to county and city shelters.
“(6) protects hobby breeders.
“(7) protects reputable commercial dog breeders.
“(8) protects the consumer from commercial dog breeders or pet stores that sell puppies that are sick, diseased or have congenital defects or behavior problems.
“(9) requires all commercial kennels with more than five (5) breeding dogs to meet minimum standards of care.
“(10) does not have complicated, expensive state licensing and registration scheming.
“(11) restricts one kennel per property address.
“(12) would improve breeding dogs living conditions.
“(13) would require all commercial breeders obtain a business vendors license and report and pay sales tax on revenues collected on the sales. (ORC 5739.01 (B) (1) and ORC 5701.03 (A).
“(14) would require any Ohio commercials dog breeder with five (5) breeding dogs to obtain a local kennel license or zoning permit.
“(15) would eliminate dog auctions (WOOHOO!)
“(16) would provide for broad enforcement and cross-reporting
“We are excited about McKenzie’s Law and feel confident the proposed legislation will end the suffering of the dogs, however we need your support!
“Please take a moment and download the Endorsement Form available by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/l/870e7wrXy199CH81TX7hF8Ngb-g;www.animallawcoalition.com/companion-animal-breeding/article/1106.”
You can also read more about this law on The Animal Law Coalition’s Site. McKenzie’s Law is just one more step in the journey to stop puppy mills.
Please download the Endorsement Form, fill it out, and send it back in. Changing our legislation can help thousands of animals.
As many of us know, black cats and dogs are often the ones that languish longest in shelters or get euthanized first. Black cats and dogs often seem to be the most bountiful. So what would you do if you were presented with this unique problem–saving the lives of 200 (yes, I said 200) black cats all at once?
This is exactly the situation faced by the director of Northside Humane Society in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I had an email from Lori D’Arensbourg this morning and here is what she wrote:
“I am the Director of Northside Humane Society in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Last year I received a plea for help from a couple with approximately 200 cats. When I arrived at the residence, I was in shock at, not only the number of cats, but the fact they all are Black with only three that are black and white. My first thought was it is going to be too overwhelming, spaying and finding homes for 200 of the least adoptable, black adult cats. I decided to look at this as a challenge and thought, even if we help 100 that is half that will not be killed at animal control where 10,000 animals are killed every year. I started picking up 15 – 20 cats every week and delivered them to and from Spay Baton Rouge spay days. To date we have spayed 170 and found homes for around 80. With postings and the story airing on two of our local news channels we still have between 120 and 130 to place. I speak frequently with animal control and they have granted a short reprieve but can’t give us much longer. I hear this all the time: ‘It all started out with 3 kittens.’ I’ve included a link with video from WVLA news.”
Here is that link: Black Cats in Baton Rouge
I have to confess that I have a soft spot in my heart for black cats just because they so often are the cats people overlook. I realize that we have just as many black cats in need of homes here in Ohio and the plight of one group of black cats in faraway Baton Rouge might not seem worth focusing on since hundreds are being euthanized locally. But I keep putting myself in this situation. I have walked into a lot of overwhelming cat problems, but never a home filled with 200 black cats. And so I truly feel for the Northside Humane Society and Director Lori D’Arensbourg.
If you know anyone in the Baton Rouge area, please encourage them to consider adopting one of these kitties. If you can afford a donation, even a small one, to help these black kitties, please visit the Northside Humane Society’s web page.
And if you can do nothing else from here in Ohio (or wherever you may be in the world), please keep these kitties in your thoughts and send tons of positive energy and love their way.
I receive a newsletter occasionally from a group called ROAR, Rescue Operation for Animals of the Reservation. This group, which is part of National Relief Charities, works with Native Americans to help with stray cats and dogs in their communities. Because Native American people have always had a special link with their animals, the services ROAR provides are especially important.
ROAR does much of the same things we do, only concentrating their efforts on reservations. They firmly believe in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and part of the newsletter focused on TNR efforts at the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. It is always a joy for me to learn about other groups who are working for feral kitties.
I also had a nice packet in the mail this week from Alley Cat Allies, featuring their new guide on “How to Help Feral Cats: A step-by-step guide to Trap-Neuter-Return.” Along with this very informative booklet, which features pictures and online resources, I also received a “Basic Truth” flyer about TNR, and a “We’re Helping Outdoor Cats” doorhanger. The doorhanger can be placed on doors in the neighborhoods where a group is trapping to alert neighbors to what is going on. The flyers can be handed out to explain why TNR is so important. You get 50 flyers and 25 doorhangers in the complete kit.
Alley Cat Allies always provides wonderful resources for feral cat caretakers. If you would like to order the Alley Cat Allies Trapping Kit, you can do so online for only $15: Order Trapping Kit
The Kit also includes the “Alley Cat Allies Educational Video Library,” which contains a DVD of instructional trapping videos.
For all of you who are helping feral cats, thank you! Especially now, during kitten season, it can seem overwhelming to hear of another feral mom with a litter of kittens. But one day, with all of us working together, ferals in need will be a thing of the past. So keep trapping and keep a hopeful attitude! Look how far we’ve come!
I had an email yesterday from Judi, who rescued the Siamese from the Kentucky kill shelter. She reported that Mr. Miles had an announcement…..
Miles told us: “Hi, Everyone. I got a WONDERFUL, new FOREVER home! YIPPEE!!
“A very nice lady named Judy (with a Y) came by tonight and now I am on my way home with her to my FOREVER home. I’m pretty confused right now, because I was starting to think that Judi (with an I) was going to be my new Mom. But Judi explained that I was in a placed called a ‘foster home,’ so she kissed and hugged me good-bye and told me I was going to have a wonderful, new home. Of course, I believed her.
“I want to thank everyone for all your help in spreading the news about me and my family. I really do appreciate your help as we are all alive today instead of the ‘other thing,’ known as PTS (Put To Sleep)–whatever that is. Foster Mom Judi said, ‘That’s not a good thing.’
“I especially want to thank Cory for fighting and blogging for all of us. Cory also gave my brother, Simon (his new name–he was formerly known as ‘Bubba’), a super new home. I want to thank Bridget for giving my baby sister, Stella, now known as ‘Yum Yum,’ a new loving home. You guys are the greatest in my book.
“I am told that I have four new brothers and a sister at my house with Mom Judy. At least, there won’t be as many cats as Foster Mom Judi had. Maybe I will settle in sooner. The two moms in my life told me to tell everyone not to worry about me–that I will be loved and wanted forever. Thank you all again.
“Purrs,
“Miles (for now–you never know what I might be named later. New Mom Judy said that Miles will always be part of my name, however, even if it is a middle or last name).”
“Columbus, here I come! Good-bye, Cruel former life. Hello to Easy Street.”One of our volunteers, Kristin (who saved Lydia, too), was in Springfield yesterday for her work. She got lost and on a lonely country highway, spotted what she thought was a Siamese cat in the road. We have all decided that we must have “Siam-dar” instead of “Ra-dar” because the last few cats that have come to us have all been Siamese or Siamese mixes. The cat was in the median and there were no houses around, only fields, so Kristin found a place to turn around and went back to check. She thought the cat would be feral and she would just shoo it out of the road.
But, alas, this was no feral cat.
When Kristin got out of her car and went to inspect the situation, the little cat ran to meet her, did a happy dance, and was basically thrilled to be rescued. So Kristin packed her up in her car where she was greeted with purrs and head butts and general appreciation for being saved from becoming roadkill. Kristin had discovered the friendliest, “un-shooable” feral cat in existence.
"Look into my blue eyes...I commanded you to stop with my feline powers of persuasion."
Off the two headed for Columbus and Noah’s Ark, a new adventure for the fearless Siamese.
"Wake me up when we get to Columbus. Adventures always make me sleepy."
Once Kristin and, newly christened, Springfield arrived at Noah’s Ark, there were a few more surprises in store. First off, the little cat was only 6-8 months old, just a kitten. Secondly, she was going to need a new name. Dr. West suggested “Mama.”
You know where I’m going with this. Our little Siamese kitten is pregnant. And not just a little pregnant, but close to popping pregnant. Kristin swears she must have been sucking in her gut when she saw Kristin drive by, telling herself, “Don’t look pregnant.” But pregnant, she is, and that could be why she was out by the highway, abandoned. Possibly, someone discovered that Springfield was pregnant and did not want the kittens, so they dumped this sweet girl on a rural road to fend for herself.
Instead, our smart girl sent her kitty angels out in search of help. And help arrived.
Kristin thought Miss Springfield would be a short term visitor–Siamese always get adopted quickly. Instead, Springfield will now have her babies in safety far from the weeds and ditches where they might have been born. And Springfield will be staying for three to four months. A bit longer than originally anticipated.
We hope Springfield’s kittens will be Siamese, too, although, we have known Siamese mothers who gave birth to black and calico kittens, a hodge podge of genetics far removed from their Siamese moms’ breeding. We will see. And, besides, who doesn’t love kittens, no matter the color?
"Yeah, I made it to Noah's Ark and I will never be lost again!"
We’ll keep you updated on Springfield’s adventures as she has her babies and they all go off into a world far removed from that lonely Clark County highway.
If you log on to Facebook and become a fan of World’s Best Cat Litter (WBCL), the company will donate a pound of their product for each new fan. To become a fan: WBCL’s Facebook Page
Once you are their fan, you can then vote for your favorite organization each day by clicking on the “Help a Cat” tab. For every vote, WBCL will donate 1/10th of a pound of cat litter. The charities that will be helped in this first round of voting are all in the Washington D.C. area and include: Alley Cat Allies & Fairfax County Animal Shelter, The Washington Animal Rescue League, and Washington Humane Society. All three charities will win regardless. They will win cat litter in proportion to the number of fans and votes that are received. The more votes and fans, the more cat litter that will go to cats in need in these organizations.
You can vote each day until July 16.
Additionally, you can also enter to win a year’s supply of World’s Best Cat Litter, a T-shirt, and litter mat in a contest hosted by “My Himalayan Cat Goma Blog!!!” To participate, become a fan of World’s Best Cat Litter and then vote. Once you have voted, return to the “My Cat Goma” blog and leave a comment saying you voted. It’s as easy as that. The “My Cat Goma” blog is really cute, too, so check it out while you are there.
So far World’s Best Cat Litter has already donated over 2,600 pounds of litter. To learn more about World’s Best Cat Litter, visit their official web site and find out how using whole-kernel corn makes their litter better for the environment: WBCL
In case you didn’t hear, our little Fruit Bat is a starlet! She was featured on Channel 6 News last night with Mona from Colony Cats and Ferrell Santacroce, who rescued her from the side of West Broad Street and saved her life.
No, autographs, please, it has been a long day. But powder my nose. I think I have a bit of a shine.
Here is the link to the story on the “ABC 6 On Your Side” web site: Fruit Bat’s Story on Channel 6
They did not post the video, but if anyone does find a copy of the video online, let us know and we’ll share the link.
Joe and I were behind this car at the stoplight in Hilliard when I saw the license plate. I wasn’t quick enough getting my camera out, so we had to follow the car through three parking lots so I could snap a photo. The poor woman probably thought we were stalking her, but we were quite harmless. Just a blogger on a mission.
I know several of my vegan friends will like the message. If the “Be Vegan” message was featured on an Ohio Pet Plate, too, this would be a perfect license tag.
I had an email today from my good friend, Vivian, who does a lot of rescue work. A couple are losing their home and cannot afford to care for their two beautiful cats, brothers named Sypher and Neo, who are one and a half years old. The couple is trying to find someone who could foster Sypher and Neo for approximately six months or until they can turn their financial situation around. They do not want to give the cats up forever. They just need help temporarily. One extra room in someone’s house would be all that is needed for this period of time.
If you can assist with Sypher and Neo, know someone who could help, or just want to get more information, please contact Marianne at 724-600-9861. The area code is correct, as Marianne used to live in Pittsburgh, PA, but is now in Columbus.
