Carol's Ferals & Focus on Ferals are FEATURED in Cats & Dogs Magazine - Feb Issue

Hello Feral Friends-

Gina Marvin and I are featured in a nice article in Cats & Dog's Magazine this month.

It's two pages long and a nice little read.

You can pick up a copy at:

Chow Hound Stores
Schuler Books
Animal Hospital of Lowell
Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic
Shaggy Pines Dog Park
Presto Print
C-SNIP, Camp Bow Wow in Hudsonville
Humane Society of Kent County
Harbor Humane Society
Kent Count Animal Shelter
Canine Training & Grooming on Eastern, SE
D&W Foods - Gaslight Village
Art Beat - Diamond, SE
Keystone Pharmacy on Cascade, SE
Pet Supplies Plus - 28thSt. across from Woodland Mall
Plymouth Road Animal Clinic
and in several libraries, coffee shops and other veterinarian offices.

: ) C

"I'm allergic to my cat and have to get rid of it"....maybe NOT!

Hello Feral Friends-

How often have you heard that one? Well there is hope. Dr. Bruce Langlois mixes up something that can be added to the cats food that helps reduce whatever a cat produces in it's saliva that makes people have allergic reactions. People are actually allergic to a cat's saliva...not the hair (but guess what's covering the hair....saliva).

It's inexpensive. About $20 for a 10 month supply. And I'm told it's affective.

So if you know anyone who has said "I'm allergic to my cat and I have to get rid of it", send them to:

Animal Hospital of Lowell
616 897-8484
lowellvet.com

If they say that their spouse is allergic to the cat, suggest they get a new one and keep the kitty!

: ) Carol

Operation Agnes - Cats are now on Petfinder

Hello Feral Friends-

I've stopped going out to the farmhouse. After 4 unsuccessful trips with no catch, I've turned the catching of that one last, elusive, trap-wise cat over to Mike Welch. If he can't get that cat, ain't nobody gonna get that cat! Thank you Mike for releasing me from that task. I surely wouldn't have ever been able to get over my creepy basement phobia to do any good what-so-ever.

I have been concentrating my efforts toward finding home for the cats that I still have. I've got 12 right now. This morning the count was 13, but happily, Lila (the lilac point siamese girl) found herself a home with a wonderful family.

This evening I listed all the cats on petfinder. If you know anyone who might like to help me reduce the number of cats in my garage from 12 to nill, please send them to my petfinder listing page.

Here's the url, but you can also get to it by clicking on the link on the right side bar of this blog.
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI556.html

Thank you for all your good thoughts as I try not to lose my mind over this one!

Have a groovy nite!
C

Here are pix of the cats and their own individually composed bios!
Enjoy! Better yet...FOSTER! Best yet...ADOPT!

Hey, Tommie here. Carol tells me I'm docile. I just like to hang out. I'm not really shy, just laid back. I'm not constantly running for the cage door to escape like my roommate Penelope. I'm fine to just chill in my carrier. Of course, I'd rather be on a comfy couch or bed, but I'm making the best of it here at Carol's. When you consider the alternative...starving, freezing or being used as target practice by the neighbors, I'm thrilled to bits to be in this cage. You won't hear me complain. Still, a home is what I really want. Can you find it in your heart to open yours up to me?

~ Tommie

Hello, I'm Sigsbee. I'm laid back and quiet until Carol starts dishing out the soft food, then I'm up on my feet and wanting to get my paws on some of that yummy, stinky grub she dishes out. I am gentle and nice, but a little shy. With time, I'm sure I'll adjust and be the perfect lap cat. Just right now, I'm bunking with Fry and he is cool and all, but he doesn't have a lap, so I can't even practice! I'm hoping you see me, find me handsome and allow me into your home. We have all been through a really tough time and I hope you consider at least taking one of us to live with you. I really fear Carol having a nervous breakdown if we don't start finding homes. She's a little overwhelmed. She typically does T-N-R and isn't used to having so many extended staying guests. But she treats us all really nicely and we are very thankful. Still....I'd rather you adopt me. ~ Sigsbee

Hi, I'm Renee. I am the youngest of the cats rescued from Agnes' farmhouse. I am only a couple months old. I was so tiny when she died. It was a sad day for all the adult cats who got to know her. She and her daughter cared for them all their lives. I didn't get to know her as well, but she did see to it that I was kept safe inside the house. I managed to catch a really bad cold that went into my lungs but Dr. Bruce Langlois came by to see me earlier in the week and prescribed something for my pneumonia. It tastes kinda yucky. I don't know why they make medicine for cats that taste like bananas and oranges. Why not tuna and salmon? Anyway....I really want to find a nice home for myself. I want to be an indoor kitty. I've seen what happens to kitties that go outside...they get fleas and all sorts of nasty stuff. So if you want a sweet little indoor girl, please consider adopting me. I still have to get fixed but can be adopted within a short time of your getting in touch with Carol. Please contact her today! Thanks bunches! ~ Renee

Hello, I'm Reginald, but I prefer a less formal Reggie. I'm an ultra friendly young Morris type! But I don't have a grouchy personality. I'm an absolute lover! I was one of only a hand-full of cats to greet Carol when she came into the farmhouse a couple weeks ago. While all of us were very happy to get some fresh food and water, many of the gang were shy. But not me! I have been getting over a bad cold and am almost completely cured. I've been bunking with Renee the tiny black kitten who miraculously survived after we were abandoned. She's a hoot, really young and fun. I'm still young too, but I'm no kitten....I'm full grown! I still have to be neutered so if you are interested in adopting me (and possibly Renne too...if you like her), then just get in touch with Carol so she can get the ball rolling (or balls rolling....sorta speak). Hey, thanks for taking a peek at me! ~ Reggie

Check me out, I'm Piper. Carol named me Piper cuz I would always pipe up when she walked into the garage. I have a cute little squeaky voice You can't really see it, but I have white on the tips of my toes. I'm pretty adorable...I'm told by Carol. Currently, I'm getting over a bad cold, but with continued medication, I'll be fine and ready to go home with you in no time. I know there are a lot of cats out there to choose from. But I hope that you consider me. I'm very sweet but a little shy. I am sure with your love and patience I'll settle into your home nicely. Thank you for taking the time to read about me. ~ Piper

Hi, I'm Penelope! I absolutely can't stand being in this cage and I'll run out every single time Carol opens the door to refresh our food and clean our litter box. I currently room with Tommie but I've also bunked with Piper and Bender (but he's a scaredy cat and not such a great roommate). I like Tommie cuz he's laid back and easy going. But still, I want out of this cage. Carol doesn't freak out when I escape cuz I don't run off and hide for hours on end. I just like to stretch my legs. Is that so wrong? I'm super friendly and love to be loved. I'm ok with other animals too! Take me home and promise never to keep me in a cage....OK? ~ Penelope

Hello, I'm Mimsie. Carol says I'm a precious Snowshoe Siamese Mix. I'm not sure what Siamese mix means...but I know what precious means and I like that a lot. I kinda go back and forth between being outgoing and shy, outgoing and shy. Some call this wishy-washy....I call it “keeping you on your toes”. I am skinny and like to squish into really tight places....see from my picture! I'm used to being around other animals so if you have other pets, that's OK. I might just need a little time to adjust so if you are planning on adopting me, please give me some time away from the other animals in my own room for a bit to get used to things in your household. I really appreciate your taking time to read about me. ~ Mimsie

Hi, I'm Martha. I'm an attractive tortie girl who really just wants to be back outside. I lived on a farm and took great pleasure in mousing. But because of the situation with Agnes passing away and the guy across the street happy to declare open season on cats, I can't go back to my old digs. While I'm happy Carol came to our rescue, many of us just want to get back to the good old farm life. I'm shy like my farm-mate Bender. I don't want so much to do with people, but I'll earn my keep by chasing mice out of your barn with enthusiasm. Please consider taking me and Bender into your barn home. ~ Martha

Hi, I'm Lenny. Carol names all of us who share cages with names that start with the same letter. I was sharing a cage with Lila. She got adopted earlier today. She wasn't all that into me, but I kinda miss her. Actually, I'm just a little lonely for human contact. I'm a really lovable guy. I like to hug Carol whenever she comes to get me out of my cage. I know she would like to invite us all into her house but we all talked about it and we understand that we have to stay in her heated garage cuz she has cats of her own. It's ok, the garage is heated to 50 degrees so we are warm and comfy. I am happy cuz she does like Agnes and feeds us soft food twice a day. I know by most shelter standards, we are ultra spoiled. We all got treats and catnip today too. Treats are always good after catnip....if you know what I mean! Please consider taking me into your home. I'm friendly and get along with other animals. I lived with 20 other cats and two dogs! ~ Lenny

Yeah, I'm Joe. I'm a cranky old man. I was doing my thing at the farm and then Carol showed up. While I'm glad that I'm not in danger of having the neighbor bust a cap in my ass, I'm not thrilled at the current situation. I like to hiss and growl a lot. I even do it to Carol who is an angel for putting up with me, but I don't like to let her know it. I think she puts up with me because she is amused that I'm a Siamese Tom-Cat. She laughs cuz she has never seen a pure-breed Tom. And here I am. I think she also puts up with me because I have FIV. It's no big deal. I'm OK with it. It's like the feline equivalent to HIV. I'm prone to catching feline related diseases and will have a harder time fighting them off, that's all. But I'm a big, boy and nothings gonna take me down! I got the FIV by getting into too many fights. But now that Carol has had my nuts snipped off, I won't be fighting anymore cuz for some reason, I'm not at all interested in territory and women cats. Hmmm. Anyway, I have great battle scars to prove that I WAS a good fighter! My left ear is mangled...but you should see the other guy.

I can share a home with other cats and be no harm to them (as FIV is only transmitted through deep bite wounds, but it would be best for me to live where there are no other cats because if they bring me any diseases, I can catch them fast and it can be really bad for me.

I am grumpy as all get out, but I'm a big mush puff underneath my harsh exterior. If I was a dog, they would say, my bark is worse than my bite. Since they don't have a phrase like that for cats, that's what I'm going with. ~ Joe

Hi, I'm Fry. Carol named me for Fry, the guy on Futurama. But I'm in the present. And presently, my situation kinda sucks! I came from the farm. I was left outside and had to be trapped in order to be rescued. It was really cold the night I walked into that trap and boy was I happy to be taken into Carol's warm car. I got neutered the next day which wasn't my favorite thing, but Carol has us all convinced that testicles are not good things, so I guess I'm OK with it. I'm really looking forward to returning to a normal life. While I'm OK in the cage, I just want to be in a home. I'm described as shy though. Now, that might all change once I'm given a nice room to get used to,then allowed out in your home. But until then, I might be a little quiet. I am nice and gentle and enjoy having my handsome long-haired coat stroked. Are you up for that? ~ Fry

Gosh, I thought they'd never shut up! Finally, I get to speak! I'm Bender. I'm not at all happy being caged and I long to be released in a farm environment. If you have a farm or an outbuilding that you would like for me chase mice from, I'm your man. I am not outgoing, but I'm gentle. I will hiss at you to show you that I'm tough, but if you can get your hands on me, you will see that I won't bite or scratch. I'm just uncomfortable being closed in. I love the outdoors and I love rodents. If you have a situation where you might like to have me rid you of your mouse problem, contact Carol at the email or phone listed above. Thanks for looking at me, even though it makes me a little uncomfortable. Oh yes, I'd prefer to be adopted along with a farm-mate, so please also consider Martha. ~ Bender

Schmedley is now with Agnes

Sad Day Today-

Dr. Langlois made a house call to assess Agnes' cats. Bless him for making this rescue easier. Not sure what I would do without him. Wait...I know what I wouldn't be doing....Rescue Work. Thankfully for lots of kitties, we have him.

While many of the kitties are responding well to the medication I've been administering, Schmedley, my gray and white FIV boy was not. During the exam, Bruce found him to have a really bad URI and a condition called stomatitis. It's a bad infection of the mouth. His gums were inflamed and he was very uncomfortable. Because of his supressed immune system, this type of thing would be hard to get over. So together we made the best decision for him and that was to allow him to leave his sickly little body.

Bruce euthanized him at 3:30 pm. I took his remains to Noah's Gardens for cremation. I will have his ashes. But Agnes will have him. Now sweet Agnes won't be alone in heaven. She will have Schmedley with her.

It's amazing how attached you can get to a cat in such a short time. I only had him for a week.
But I am happy that he found his way into my trap and I saved him from a really bad death all alone out in the cold.

This rescue work is not easy. This hasn't been an easy day. But I know that God will give me the strength to continue. He has already put angels in my path to help me. One of those angels is Bruce Langlois.

Thank you Bruce for making this day as easy as it could possibly be.

Thank you all for keeping up with me. Send me some strength. I can use all I can get.

Carol

Operation Agnes

Hello Feral Friends-

I get back from a month in Detroit and am thrust headlong into another huge rescue project. Nothing like a good old farmhouse rescue to get a girl back into the game! Not since Hell House has anything been this massive!

Mike Welch is a dear friend of mine who will do anything for an animal. Not only that, he will practically kill himself to help PEOPLE. He met Agnes and her daughter a little over a year ago. I remember him telling me about their situation last year when I was running the C-SNIP rummage sale. I was overwhelmed with what he was telling me and wasn't involved in hardcore rescue yet, so the situation fell out of my consciousness.

But the situation was horrible. The following story is not meant in any way to disrespect Anges and her lifestyle. I show photos of her home to illustrate how "out of hand" life can get for people. Despite all Mike's attempts (and attempts by many others) to make life for Agnes and her daughter better, she refused any help that could possibly take her from the home where she was born and raised. I know about people being "set in their ways" but this is one of those that is so unfathomable, that people can be content living in such a way....well, I just don't know what to say. I suppose it was her fear of having the state take her daughter that kept her from getting some of the aid that would have been available to her. God bless Mike for enhancing Agnes' live while allowing her to live on her own terms. He restored heat to her home, ran errands for her and purchased $300 worth of cat food each month for her to feed her ever growing feline family. In addition to that, he fixed many of the cats through C-SNIP and helped alleviate suffering when the cats got too sickly.

Agnes passed away in early January. Her daughter was taken to live in a group home for special needs adults. It is no doubt the best thing for her. I hope she knows that her cats are being cared for. I have no doubt that Agnes' soul is rejoicing in the knowledge that her cats are not going to be killed for no reason other than there is no longer a caregiver.

So....Mike called me 10 days ago and told me about Agnes' passing. There were (at last count) 21-22 cats in and around the home. Many were shy or scared and needed to be trapped. I hit the farmhouse with Gina Marvin on Sunday, January 14th, with a carload of traps and carriers.

Gina approaching the farmhouse for the first time.

We set traps inside and outside the house and in the derelict barn.

Gina risking life and limb avoiding huge gaping holes in the barn floor
to scope out the situation and determine the best place to set traps.

Setting traps inside the farmhouse.

Chaos! But you can see from the debris,
cats were the main beings being cared for in this house.

Gina and I went home with 12 cats and one kitten. Many of the cats were sick with URIs. Some were taken to be fixed, others stayed with me to be medicated and a group were taken to The Humane Society of Kent County where I will be notified if they are not adopted and nobody will be killed.

Over the course of the next few days, I was assisted by Sandy Carlton and Sue Fennell (two other rescue people) who set traps for me. Bless you both for helping me with this project.
Without you I surely would have lost my mind sitting in that scary old farm house night after night waiting for cats to walk into traps. Having them set early, before my heading out saved my sanity and bladder....because as you can imagine....the bathroom facilities were unusable.

We trapped two cats on Monday, three on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday bringing the total to 20. And Gina convinced the cow farmer neighbor across the street to let us fix his two barn cats so we took them out of the breeding pool too!

Now, I was told that there were 21 or 22 cats at this farm, so I continued going back and forth to the farmhouse to look for the other one or two.

I have continued to go every day or every other day to check the traps I have set inside the house. Sandy continues to set outside traps for me when she knows I'm en-route.

Nothing for 4 days! But I KNOW someone is in the house still. The food left on a plate on the basement stairs was eaten, so I left the door from the basement into the house open with traps set inside hoping to catch the last elusive cat. Sue said she had seen a blonde cat, so I suspect it's him. But boy, oh boy is he ever trap-wise.

Tomorrow Mike is meeting me at the farmhouse and I am going to send him down to the basement to check it out to see if a cat is hiding down there. I'm absolutely terrified of spiders and old dingy basements, so I'll have to wait upstairs. I'm actually quite proud of myself because along with a bunch of other mild phobias, I'm scared of being alone in desolate areas which include derelict farms. But I've gone out there every night this week by myself, flashlight in hand and stumbled around in the pitch dark. I got my van stuck in a ditch when I undershot the driveway and was thankfully pulled out by the neighbor whose cats I had fixed. Is there nothing that I won't do for cats?

Mike will set up his wilderness camera and we'll put some food out and see who comes for it. Then we'll get the pix developed and will know what we're still dealing with. The camera is an invaluable too. It's how Mike helped Gina Marvin determine the number of cats left in the abandoned building on Oakes Street that she cleared out over the summer.

So that is what this girl has been up to since returning from a month in Detroit. It's a pretty big undertaking and I can use some help. If you know anyone who is interested in either adopting or fostering an adult cat, I would love to hear from them. I can send anyone interested in adopting one of Agnes' cats to the specific cats at The Humane Society. Lila is also available for adoption through me on petfinder.com. And I have a group of really nice friendly cats here at my house who are just about done with their URI meds and ready to join a family and have the life they deserve.

If anyone would like to loan me a bottle of propane, I'd love to empty it for you to heat my garage.

Thanks for reading on! I'll keep you all posted.

This is Reginald (orange tabby) and Renee (black kitten)
playing with toys in their cage in my garage.
They were having too much fun to pose for pictures.

This is Joe. He is a hoot! He is a Siamese TOMCAT!
I've never seen a Siamese flavored Tom.
You expect big old Morris types, but never a purebreed Siamese.
Joe and one other cat that was trapped outside tested positive for FIV.
They are awaiting a space at Big Sid's Sanctuary.

This is Schmedley!
He is the other FIV positive boy.
He is very shy but very gentle.
Schmedley is currently battling a rough URI.
Of course his being FIV positive and immune suppressed,
doesn't make this an easy fight for him,
but he didn't get FIV by not being a fighter!

Alas, this is Lila, the beautiful Lilac Point Snowshoe Siamese.
She is currently up for adoption on petfinder.com
See link on my blog to check her out.

Tom Cat Tuesdays At HSKC

Hello Feral Friends-

The Humane Society of Kent County is doing $2 male cat neuters each Tuesday in February.

If you know anyone with a male cat or a stray that they are caring for, have them give Alicia a call at HS.

Here are the details from the hskc.org website:

Tomcat Tuesdays

Have your male cat neutered for only $2

on any Tuesday in February!

For more information, or to make an appointment,

please contact Alicia Offringa,

(616) 791-8054 or alicia@hskc.org

We are heading straight into breeding season.

Let's get these boys fixed before they start spreading the love around!

Completely Unrelated - But Good Stuff

Hello Feral Friends-

I'm not into putting stuff on the blog that has nothing to do with cats, BUT I've learned about something really cool that you might find really good and beneficial to your life too!

There is a book and DVD out there called "The Secret". It's a little new agey, so it's not currently available at blockbuster or in mainstream stores. I got my copy at amazon.com.

But you can view the movie online by visiting this site:

http://www.thesecretstory.com/Watch_The_Secret_Movie_Free.html

If you visit the site, you will get a brief introduction to the movie.
If you are interested, watch it for free online.
This is a limited time thing, so act fast...and change the way you think and feel....and change your life.

I'm visualizing my feral cat sanctuary. I'm going to have it. It's going to help a great number of cats and will be the most rewarding thing I've ever done. And I know the secret to getting it!

: ) Have a groovy day-
Carol

Crash's Landing Benefit - Saturday, Feb 10th

Hello Feral Friends-

FYI for all who want to support Crash's Landing. As you well know, Dr. Jen Petrovich has taken many of my Cedar Springs rescue cats. Any way we can support Crash's and Big Sids is a good thing. Plus, it will be lots of fun! I'll be there! Come and hang out!

Mark you calender's now for the third annual benefit for Crash's Landing: Cat Rescue and Placement Center on Saturday, February 10!

Crash's takes in unwanted, abandoned, and neglected kitties, concentrating their efforts on the stray population in the Grand Rapids area, getting them off the streets and into homes. Since opening their doors in Oct 2002, they have taken in 1677 cats, placed 1239, and currently has over 200 residents! Find out more at - - http://www.crashslanding.org/

February 10th from 6 pm - 1 am.
Juke's Bar on Leonard - - - 506 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, 49504 - (616) 458-5399
$5 suggested donation

Here is the line-up!
6:00 pm - Dublin Station
7:00 pm –The Willeys
8:00 pm – Truckstop Cobras
9:00 pm - Semi-Casual Bedtime
10 pm PotatoeBabies
10:30 pm The Sleeves
MISS PUSSYKATT Burlesque Show/Fire Breathing/Sideshow Extravaganza!
11:30 pm Bigfoot Fully Automatics / Bowling Green Ohio Cat Lovers
12:30 pm -DangerVille

All door admission goes straight to helping the cats. So come out, see some great bands perform, and support a good cause!

Awesome Cat Toys - www.mousefactorytoys.com

Hello Feral Friends-

I have to share my super best find for cat toys with you all!

I've been buying these handmade cat-nip toys for my cats for nearly two years now.

And now as I am listening to Monkey lick his ganga cat-nip filled feather bag, I'm going to turn YOU on to the best cat toys on the planet.

Go to www.mousefactorytoys.com and check them out for yourself!

Don't hesitate, go there now! Do some shopping! Within a week, your cats will be among the happiest and highest kitties around!!!

Buy some of their preemo loose cat-nip while you are at it. I use it to refresh old toys that have lost their scent. I put it in a zip-lock bag and kinda "shake-and-bake" coat the old toys! The cats have a renewed interest when I do this!

Check it out! Your cats can thank me later!

: ) Carol

Monkey has not stopped licking the cat-nip filled
denim/feather bag since I gave it to him.
He has made a spit spot on the comforter.
That's the spit spot to the right of the red feather!

If you look closely, you can see the denim bag is soaking wet with
Monkey spit up to the area where the feathers are starting!

Gregory - An area celebrity!!!

Hello Feral Friends-

Did you happen to catch the January issue of Dogs and Cats Magazine? Well if not, you have to march out to get one! The story of our dear Gregory is gracing the back cover!! You remember Gregory, the Burger King Kitty that I trapped way back in the spring. The one with the horrible ear wounds. His story is told with full color photos in the magazine!

And get this...next month, Gina Marvin of Focus on Ferals and I will be featured in Dogs and Cats Magazine for our feral work!

Dogs and Cats Magazine is a FREE publication published by a really groovy lady by the name of Janet Meana. She features all the local rescues and is doing a great deal to help make people aware of the many issues that face our beloved companion animals.

You can find Dogs and Cats Magazine at the following locations:
Chow Hound Stores
Schuler Books
Shaggy Pines Dog Park
Presto Print
C-SNIP, Camp Bow Wow in Hudsonville
Humane Society of Kent County
Harbor Humane Society
Kent Count Animal Shelter
Canine Training & Grooming on Eastern, SE
D&W Foods - Gaslight Village
Art Beat - Diamond, SE
Keystone Pharmacy on Cascade, SE
Pet Supplies Plus - 28thSt. across from Woodland Mall
Plymouth Road Animal Clinic
and in several libraries, coffee shops and veterinarian offices.

Check it out. See Greg, the Celeb!

Frank & Lois - NYC Bound

Good News Feral Friends-

Frank and Louis will be returning home to The Big Apple. Naomi's ex-boyfriend has agreed to welcome them back into his home. So the brothers WILL stay together. And they WILL stay in a home where they are comfortable with their human daddy.

For me, it was a good way to round out 2006.

I often find the need to foster a cat or a litter of kittens. Would you consider loaning such a kitty in need a spare bedroom or a portion of your home? If you can help, please email me at dollmouse@aol.com.

All the best to you in 2007!
Carol