Confrontation

Few of us relish confrontation.
This includes little Parker on the right!

Photo was taken today in the cat room. I snagged Cricket (big buff boy on right) before he was going to be euthanized upon his owners request. I was at HS that day and couldn't let this sweet young man be put down because his human mother (aka: Heartless B) was marrying a guy whose dog didn't mesch with her cat. Seems the cat was disposable. Parker would be happy had I made another choice, but he too was saved from certain death (near starvation and full of fleas) when picked up at Milineum Park by a kind employee. So they have to coexist. Confrontation isn't relished...but it's better than death I guess.

Martha has $50 so far!

Thank you Marcia Bloomers for donating $50 to the Martha Leg Repair Fund! Marcia, you are amazing and I love you. I knew when I put up funds to help this kitty, some kind supporters would come forward and help me pay her medical bill.

Bless you!

$50 to go!
: ) C

PS I have recently been in contact with IRS regarding my non-profit application. There were a couple of incorrectly marked boxes which held up the approval. But with the changes made last week, it shouldn't be long before Carol's Ferals is an official "charity" and any donations will be tax deductible. Hopefully just in time for National Feral Cat Day, which is October 16th. Not sure what we will be doing to recognize this day, but I'm pretty sure it will include Christy in a trap! Watch for details!

PSS For someone who said that she didn't want to deal with kittens this season, I sure find myself up to my behind in babies. I am happy to report that I helped more people HELP THEIR OWN BACKYARD KITTENS this spring and summer by advising them, offering spay/neuter/vaccinations/testing/deworming/flea treatment/etc. Last year, I took in litters which only bogged me down. This year, I worked smarter and was able to help more cats. But.....as the summer waned, I found myself with kittens. And tonight, I'm taking one that was dropped off at the Animal Emergency Hospital after being taken out of the mouth of a dog. This kitten was slated to be euthanized, so I'm glad I can help. But I'm getting full of kittens AND CATS. So if you know of anyone who wants a companion, please send them my way. www.carolsferals.petfinder.com.

C-SNIP Pet-Fest '08

Saturday October 11, from 11 am to 2 pm
on the clinic grounds.

1675 Viewpond SE, Kentwood

Free and open to everyone and their pets!!

Contest with prizes
Tricks, tallest, shortest, oldest, look-a-like, fastest biscuit eater, most unusual looking, best kisser, traveled the farthest, best costume.

Vendors
Pet products, groomer, pet psychic, pet massage therapist, pet photographer, dog trainer. Pet nail trimming.

Microchip Clinic $10 fee

Agility/obstacle course
for dogs of all sizes with demonstrations and lessons from the professionals.

Games with Prizes
Dog musical chairs, find the treat, pegboard pick-a-treat, swimming pool with tennis balls, obedience.

Obedience demo and instruction

600 hit this week

Hello Feral Friends!

Yesterday I took 7 cats in to be fixed. This put us over the 600 mark for the year.

We are well on schedule to beat last year's number. Last year, we fixed 768 cats. November was a very heavy month in 2007, so I'm expecting the same this year.

One day I hope the numbers go down which would indicate that there are less cats to be fixed.

Right now, I attribute the rise in numbers to people's awareness about what we do.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Back to business!
: ) Carol

Help Us Help Martha

Hello Feral Friends-

Blessed with all of you generous people, I've been able to help a lot of cats this year. Harry's medical expenses were taken care of by Jim Schalk and Marcia Bloemers. Thank you so much for putting forth funds to cover his tail amputation and other medical necessities.

Here's another one for you all to think about. Last week I got a call from Stephanie Stoll. Stephanie does a lot of good rescue work in Montcalm county and she and Susan Farrell work tirelessly with others to make changes at the Montcalm Animal Shelter who have been known for using gassing as a means of euthanasia and also engaging in the horrible practice of selling animals to the testing lab in Howard City.

When Stephanie called me about Martha, I said I would help. Try as I may to hold firmly to my mission of doing only TNR and not sticking my neck out elsewhere, there I went. This kitty was suffering from a broken leg inflicted upon her when she was shot with a bb gun.

I agreed to put $100 toward the medical needs of this kitty. Dr. Bruce Langlois agreed to take care of the medical needs for that amount, which is way below his normal fees for such a procedure. God bless him.

Linda Price from The Kitty Koop in Lowell has taken Martha into her RESCUE and will find her a forever home. I talked to Linda yesterday and Martha is doing very well.

It takes a village to save a kitty. If you would like to join the "village" of caring people who have put time and effort and funds into Martha, please send a paypal payment to me at dollmouse@aol.com, or email me for my address.

Thanks so much!
Carol

Another Fixed Kitten Sign

I will take credit for this one.

Last summer I passed a "Free Kitten" sign on Pettis while on route from Brooknelle to Dr. Langlois' office. I approached the people, talked their ears off, then took the kittens, mom and dad and fixed them through the VPC program. I made them promise to get any future cats fixed before they had kittens. They said they would.

Then this summer, I'm driving past their place and see another sign which read "Cute Kittens". My blood started to boil. While I was pleased to see that the sign didn't read "FREE", I was upset to know that they were still giving away intact animals.

I pleaded with them to do right by the cats and after a week or two, they called me to have everyone fixed. Two litters were fixed and the sign was changed but I'm still have not gotten them to bring me the last mother cat who will probably bless (or curse) them with another litter in a month or so if they don't get their acts together.

It's progress, but I will likely kill someone in the family if they call me three months with kittens to fix!

Collecting money currently for my legal defense fund!

: ) C

No rest for the wicked!

I WAS looking forward to the long holiday weekend. Then the distress calls started to come in.

On Friday it was Melissa Rosenberg who found some two week old abandoned kittens. On Saturday I got a call from a girl named Sara who rescued two starving kittens from Millenium Park. On Sunday morning, Christy and I went to coffee late and bumped into Bob who had more kittens born on his property on the NE side.

I TRY not to do cat work on the weekends if at all possible. I make attempts to recharge my batteries and take Fridays and Saturdays off. This was not the case at all this past weekend.

Christy and I went to see the tiny abandoned kittens and taught the caregivers how to feed, express and care for the tiny babies. Currently Julie is losing her mind and I might be in need of another bottle feeder or a nursing mother, so if you dig this sort of thing, let me know.

On Saturday morning we met up with Sara and took the two completely emaciated kittens that we were hoping she could foster. But they were too far gone for someone inexperienced to care for so Christy and I took them back to my place for TLC. After some sub-q fluids, bottle feeding and lots of love lavished on the tiny girl, we were thankful to see that she was alive the next morining. We picked over 100 fleas off of the pair and now they are doing great. They have a long way to go, but are doing well even though little Millie and Parker went what must have been several days on their own. Had it not been for Sara saving them, they would have been gonners for sure.

Then Sunday, I was looking forward to some down time before returning to work that evening. While eating breakfast at New Beginnings on Michigan (where Christy frequents each morning for coffee), we bumped into Bob who has been bringing us trapped cats and kittens all summer. We kinda fell down on his project for a minute and he had another litter of kittens. DRATS! We went to his place that day and grabbed up Mama and three babies who are going to hang out with me till the children are big enough to adopt out. They are only about a month old right now. Mama is currently loose in my garage cuz I underestimated her feralness. Stupid me! Later that day, we arrived with traps and caught 4 other adults.

And on Monday.....Labor Day......what should have been a day of rest at least till 6pm when we started running cats (cuz we are glutons for punishment), we went back to Bob's and trapped two more adults. And that night more people brought us cats to fix.

Christy set 4 more traps today so hopefully we will knock out the remainder of Bob's intact colony and be DONE with this project once and for all.

For any of you who think I sit on my couch and eat bonbons all day......you can totally rethink it! OK!

Christy and I go pretty much all day doing some animal chore or another. We have 11 pets between us, currently a dozen fosters and all the cats recovering at Brooknelle on any given day. That's a lot of poop to scoop! Our only down time is when we grab a meal or indulge in what seems to be our only guilty pleasure these days....watching Big Brother!

So, how was your weekend???
: ) C

Critter Cottage - September Issue

We hope that you've been enjoying your summer. In the upcoming months look for new fall products arriving at the Critter Cottage! Our hours are Monday through Friday 12-6 and Saturday 10-3. Remember to check the events section of the Vicky's Pet Connection site to see when puppy and dog adoptions will take place at the Critter Cottage. Cat adoptions are always the first two Saturdays at PETsMART on 28th and East Paris and by special appointment at the Critter Cottage.

Kiss Me. I'm Adopted.

2 Feet 4 Paws has become a Planet Dog adoption advocate store. Whenever a new cat or dog from Vicky's Pet Connection is adopted into a home you will receive information on how to get a free adoption kit (via mail) from Planet Dog! Samples of what you will receive can be seen at the Critter Cottage.

We are happy to be rescue friendly and enjoy working with companies that also support the welfare of animals in need.

Kickin' It Kung Fu Style

Although the Olympics may be over your dog can still be rewarded for scoring a perfect 10 when performing a trick. In addition to rewarding good behavior your dog will also get a dog related fortune with Kung Fu Fido treats.

These fun treats are currently on clearance for $4 for a box of 12 treats (regularly $6).

2009 Entertainment Book

Vicky's Pet Connection is currently selling the 2009 Entertainment book. You can get yours at the Critter Cottage for $20. Cash or check (made out to Vicky's Pet Connection) only. Get yours before they're all gone!!

Thanks from VPC

Vicky and Nancy send out a note of thanks to those who donated food and supplies during the months of July and August. Cat food donations "won" by a landslide. Vicky has to rescue 44 cats from the shelter in addition to what Nancy pulls each week!!

Items for donation to VPC can be purchased at the Critter Cottage at any time, but it's nice when there's extra incentive of a sponsor matching what is purchased. A special thanks to David & Michelle Bottrall for sponsoring the two month long drive.

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Thank you Martha Munch for sending this on!