NO TRAPPING ON THESE DAYS

NO TRAPPING ON:

Sunday, April 5th - - - Pet Expo
Monday, April 13th - - - Montcalm Commissioners Meeting
April 15th - May 2nd - - - Bruce is going to Ethiopia

Get busy before he leaves!!!!!

Rare Photos

Come to the WM Pet Expo - - This coming weekend!

Nothing more fun than the Pet Expo!

Last year, I stuffed various volunteers, fellow rescuers and children of patrons in a dog trap and raked in some serious dough. I plan to do it again!

In addition: This year Toni Stavros will be finding forever homes for several of my adoptables.

We will have lots of fund raising items for sale.

Non-stop TNR education.

My "Stamp out pet overpopulation" project will get underway!

Come by and see us on April 4th & 5th.

Details: http://westmichiganstar.com/pages/index.php/Pet-Expo

If you would like to volunteer to help "huMAN" the booth, contact me!
: ) C

Montcalm Greenville Daily News

http://www.thedailynews.cc/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=11&ArticleID=26226









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Animal Abuse = Domestic Violence

The link between the two.....which we have all known for years......getting some good attention on the Today Show.

Viva Allie Phillips!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29912566#29912566

VPC Newsie - April 2009

Critter Cottage Open for Visitors!

The Critter Cottage in Ada continues to be a great place to go to visit some of the adoptable animals of Vicky's Pet Connection. While we no longer have pet supplies for sale, we DO still have wonderful cats and dogs for adoption and they would love for you to stop by for a visit. If you've adopted from us before, you can even bring along a photo of your VPC "adoptee" for us to post on our bulletin board for other visitors to admire. The Critter Cottage is located at 7205 Thornapple River Drive and current visiting hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11-2 or by special appointment. The cottage is staffed by volunteers so we may occasionally adjust our visiting hours. You can call 616-682-4855 or check out http://vickyspetconnection.com for more information.

Ready to Add a Little More Fur (and Fun!) to Your Life?

Check out this photo of some of the GORGEOUS cats we have available for adoption! These handsome kitties are all hoping to find their "forever home" and would love for you to visit them at The Critter Cottage in Ada. You can also see all our adoptable animals online at http://vickyspetconnection.com . By the way, don't ask us how we managed to get these cats to all pose so perfectly...its a trade secret!

Vicky's Pet Connection Helps Sponsor Free Spay/Neuters for Pitbulls

Pitbulls can be such great family pets but unfortunately the Grand Rapids area has a tremendous overpopulation of these animals. Because of this, Pitbulls account for nearly 26% of all the animals that end up in the Kent County Animal Shelter. In an effort to try to help these wonderful animals, VPC has partnered with Dr. Bruce Langlois of the Animal Hospital of Lowell and the Kent County Animal Shelter. For three days in April, Dr. Langlois will be performing free spay/neuters of pitbulls for low-income owners. In addition, VPC will sponsor free rabies vaccinations and licensing for these lucky dogs. The total value of the services offered is nearly $250! One hundred Pitbulls will be able to be spayed/neutered during this event but it is "first come, first served" so don't delay making an appointment. We're so excited and privileged to be working with Dr. Langlois and the Kent County Animal Shelter to try to help the low-income families who may not otherwise be able to provide these important medical services to their dogs. Please be sure to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be able to benefit from this event!

When: April 7th & April 9th 6pm-Midnight
April 11th Noon-6pm
Where: Kent County Animal Shelter, 740 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Contact: Call 616-897-8484 for appointments or for more information

You can also go to http://vickyspetconnection.com and click on our "Events" page for more information.





An Easy Way to Help the Animals!

Want to help make a puppy smile (like this little newborn fellow seems to be doing)? Well, it is SO easy to help the animals of Vicky's Pet Connection by just doing your online shopping through iGive.com. You sign up for free on the iGive website, pick Vicky's Pet Connection as your charity and start shopping in one of their thousands of online stores. It really is that easy and most of your favorite stores (like Amazon.com and Travelocity) all participate. After your shopping is complete, you are notified as to how much your purchases earned for VPC and a few weeks later we get a check in the mail. How cool is that! You earn money to help the animals and it doesn't cost you a dime! So pass the word on to all your friends and family and then get shopping! You can go to http://iGive.com for more information.




Don't forget to come visit us at the West Michigan Pet Expo at the DeltaPlex on Saturday, April 5th (10am-7pm) and Sunday, April 6th (11am-5pm). Discount tickets are available at the Critter Cottage and all PetsMart locations. See you there animal lovers!

Sign HERE to end POUND SEIZURE and GASSING

These bills are critical...one to eliminate Pound Seizure, the other to eliminate gassing and replace with lethal injection. Please, Please....They need TONS of signatures to get them passed. Take to work, church, meetings, vet offices, groomers, AADs anywhere you can get a signature. I will have copies at the pet expo and will be getting signatures there. Please pass this information on! Carol

PS I know Allie Phillips. She's amazing! She helped me with a tortie named Frisky last April. Frisky was left abandoned in a GR Apartment. I took the cat to be vetted, and Jeanine took her into Reuben's Room Cat Rescue for adoption. Allie and a friend payed the bill!

Hi - Many Michigan animal shelters and rescue groups are joining in to support 2 important bills to help shelter animals. Here are 3 quick & easy ways YOU can help! I apologize if you have already received an email about this.

*HB4663 / Pound Seizure Bill – Koda’s Bill
This bill will ban selling Michigan shelter animals to the class B dealer (middle man for research) and research facilities. Only 4 counties in Michigan still practice pound seizure.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/htm/2009-HIB-4663.htm (bill language)

*HB4263 / Humane Euthansia Bill
This bill will outlaw the gas chamber as a form of euthanasia for Michigan animals. It will only allow euthanasia by injection, which is the much more humane choice. Currently only 12 shelters utilize the gas chamber and over 170 shelters utilize injection.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/htm/2009-HIB-4263.htm (bill language)

*PLEASE WRITE YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE and tell them you support HB 4263 and HB 4663!!!!!!!! You can do so online by clicking here:
https://secure2.convio.net/aha/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=663&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr009=02ec972ep3.app17a

*PLEASE SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION! Individuals (not organizations) are also asked to sign these petitions to support the bills. You can sign the petitions even if your organization also supports these bills.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/649021463 (pound seizure)

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/900398769 (euthanasia)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We can make this happen but we all have to work together to accomplish this. If you need additional information or fact sheets, please email me! alliep@AmericanHumane.org

Feel free to crosspost far & wide! :-)

P.S. I’m a former Michigander who worked on the Ingham, Jackson, and Eaton successful pound seizure campaigns (and currently helping with Montcalm and Gratiot pound seizure issues) and am invested in these issues like you are. Thank you for your help!

Allie Phillips, J.D.

Director of Public Policy

American Humane Association

206 N. Washington St., Suite 300

Alexandria, VA 22314

p = 703.836.PETS

f = 703.549.KIDS

Protecting Children and Animals since 1877

Check out our new Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS)™ Program at www.americanhumane.org/paws!

Crappy Reporting

OK, emotions got in the way and I didn't correctly represent ALL aspects of Wednesday's meeting.

Thanks Jeanine Buckener for setting me straight. (as if that's possible).

There is another member of the Blue Ribbon Panel and he seems like a decent guy. His name is: Steven Crouse.

It was his vote that was the 4th YES to take the package as proposed to the County Commissioners Meeting on April 13th. By the way, keep watching http://cccmontcalm.org for all the details of this very important upcoming meeting and what you can do in the meantime to help the cause.

And Patti Lentz is the name of the Animal Control person at the meetings. And she doesn't get to vote. Not sure why, Jim Woudenberg does...but OH YEAH!!!!! HE pays to have a voice in Montcalm County since Patrick Carr is soooo very obviously on the TAKE!

And the baseball guy's name is Mike Scott.

If you think my reporting sucks.....look at what the GR Press wrote:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/montcalm_county_commissioners.html

What a crappy article. Is the press being paid off by Woudenberg now too? Good grief, first they hack up my name, then they print this CRAP!!! Thanks Kim Grant for making my blood boil. ONCE AGAIN!

Does anyone have an aspirn? A cigarette? A XANEX?

God help us!
C

Oh yeah....here is the channel 8 News coverage of the meeting.
Doesn't it look like someone just told Patrick Carr that his mother died. Or worse....he might have to go along with his constituents rather than back his buddy Jim Woudenberg. I wonder if those guys are having some sort of an affair? They seem pretty close.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/Mont_County_animal_debate_continues



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Fox News Story - March 25, 2009

http://www.wxmi.com/pages/news_landing_page/?Panel-Discusses-Ending-Animal-Research-C=1&blockID=195786&feedID=2515






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Montcalm Meeting Minutes by Carol

About 50 people assembled for the Blue Ribbon Panel Meeting today in Montcalm County. It was nice to see some familiar faces and great to meet some fine folks that I've been communicating with during the past 6 weeks!

The Blue Ribbon Panel is comprised of:

Patrick Carr: The leader of the commissioners who is very likely on the "take" because I can't think of any other reason why he would be so adamant about promoting animal research when there is soooo much wrong with it, and his constituents are dead set against it....except for one (for sure)......

Jim Woudenberg: Evil personified. Runs R&R Research out of Howard City. No doubt he pays off Patrick Carr. I'm willing to bet 5K on it! Don't ask why someone with a vested interest in being PRO POUND SEIZURE (as he profits about about $250K per year on that very business) is on an advisory board to decide whether or not POUND SEIZURE CONTINUES.

Dr. Lepley DVM: Ancient vet who tends to Jim Woudenberg's unwitting test subjects when necessary and feels he's doing a good service to animal kind by enabling that monster to continue to do business. He wasn't at the meeting today. He has only been to one meeting. He's horrible!!!! If he is your vet.....ask him what the hell he thinks he is doing for the good of animals?

Some guy who does something for Howard City who is more interested in getting done with these meetings so he can watch baseball than doing right by the animals. Not sure why he's on this board except to badger the good guys and stall the recommendation of a beautiful plan to better the Montcalm Animal Shetler.

Fran Scheulite: An RN who is grace under pressure and who can see the good side of most everything but is seeing it impossible to see any good in a contract with R&R Research. It's obvious that SHE is not gaining anyting financially from Jim Woudenberg.

Dr. Randy Carpenter DVM: AKA knight in shining armor. He and the others who CARE ABOUT ANIMALS worked up a wonderful package to regain the public trust in the shelter, work to get animals adopted, educate the public, get lethal injection instituted vs gassing in barrels and end the contract with R&R.

Patty Lenz: Animal Control Officer who announced that they are no longer gassing in barrels and finally there is humane lethal injection at The Montcalm Animal Shelter. She seemed very happy to inform me after I asked "Where are the barrels?"....."put away in the storage room".

Rhonda Waldorf: Amazing girl that she is......gives every spare second of her time to animals and has been working diligently with this panel to see changes made in Montcalm County. She has been doing RESCUE for years and her car probably smells of dogs like mine smells of cats. I love her!

Those are the key players. I put the evil ones first. Notice I put Carr ahead of Woudenberg. Not sure why I did that except that HE...IN MY EYES IS EVERY BIT AS DESPICIBLE as Woudenberg!!!! His days on the commission are numbered. Hope that Jim Woudenberg pays him off well cuz he's about to lose whatever wages he earns when he gets recalled by the good people of Montcalm County.

The "Plan to better the shelter" power point presentation by Fran Scheulite and Randy Carpenter was beautiful. Just about everything that needed addressing was addressed including a "feral cat program". I'm hoping to be a part of that. Of course the contract with R&R would be OVER and WHY NOT? There was just a bill introduced in Lansing last week to make POUND SEIZURE illegal in the state of Michigan! And for god's sweet sake....UofM just made it known that they are no longer using dogs for research!

Everyone in the room but Patrick Carr, Jim Woudenberg and that baseball guy were happy to hear this. The baseball guy was a total buzz wrecker and tried to insist on a BUDGET before he voted YES to propose the plan to the Commissioners on April 13th. Dr. Randy Carpenter said that it would be hard to write a budget (or something to that effect) when everything would be paid for by donation and that there would be no cost to the county for the proposed plan. Still, baseball guy went on and on about it. So the panel will hammer out a BUDGET to shut him up, I guess. I think he's on the take too!

It was voted 4 to 3 in favor of proposing the new shelter plan to the commissioners at the next meeting. Guess who voted no? Carr, Woudenberg and Baseball Guy! HMMMMM.....

Many folks spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting. All made really great statements. Some were directly attacking Woudenberg. Some were attacking Carr. But many were just really good suggestions and reassurance of support to the county shelter once the contract is ended. The proposed date for that is April 30th.

GREAT! Another 5 weeks of that bastard Jim Woudenberg taking all the animals he wants FOR FREE. I'm sure he will be renting all sorts of hauling equipment to get as many as he can out of there before then.

Yours truly came armed with CASH! I borrowed $5K in singles from my dwindling personal savings and stuffed the money into a cat carrier and took it and showed them that MONEY TALKS....BS WALKS! And suggested that they walk that BS right out of their shelter. I was hopping mad and made a big stink! So big that Fox News talked to me aftewards. I was happy to be able to speak. I don't care if the commissioners were unfazed.....I got a lot of media attention to the cause and that's exactly what I intended! People of Montcalm need to know who their elected officials are working for. And Patrick Carr is working for Jim Woudenberg and that's about all.

I'll link the websites with the news coverage when they're posted to the web. And I will keep you abreast of my own take on things. But if you want the real deal and not just the ticked off ramblings of a cat rescue girl who now is sitting on a cat carrier full of casj, go to: www.cccmontcalm.org for all the latest news and calls to action. This is the most comprehensive website regarding this particular situation. And we need everyone to do whatever they ask of use....be it writing to our reps to support the bill to end Pound Seizure, or writing to Montcalm County Commissioners to end the contract with R&R. If you have time, do whatever is asked on that site! These people have been working hard for 30 years to see the end of this barbaric practice!

OH THE BEAUTY OF BATTLE: Passion for compassion VS Passion for profit!



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gonna be twittering from the meeting

look for the pink box on the blog. right now, its in the lower right as you scroll down.

soon, it will be positioned towards the top!

keep an eye on the blog!

also, send all good positive energy toward montcalm county today between 3:30 and 5:30 pm.

: ) carol

Montcalm Meeting Wednesday, March 25th

Come and show support. With the new POUND SEIZURE bill being introduced last week, UofM ceasing their use of dogs in medical research and the hard work of a many dedicated folks, POUND SEIZURE HAS TO BE STOPPED in Montcalm County. Will we see a change tomorrow? Come and see for yourself! Make your voice heard!

Hope to see you!

(please forward to others on your contact list)

Blue Ribbon Panel Meeting

ANIMAL CONTROL AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. Third Floor Conference Room Administrative Building, 211 W. Main Street, Stanton 1. Call to Order 2. Acceptance of Agenda 3. Acceptance of Minutes from March 11, 2009 4. Committee Presentations • Citizens Advisory Board to Animal Control • Veterinarian Advisory Board • Action Plan / Policies & Procedures • Animal Disposal / R & R Contract • Disposition of Animals 5. Recommendation to the Board of Commissioners 6. Next Meeting Date / Agenda Items 7. Public Comments

Jim Woudenberg of R&R Research

Public Enemy #1

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The first cat I refused to spay!

Remember this post from January? Skim it if you do and read below the dotted line for my addition which will explain the title of this blog entry!

From January 07, 2009:

Are you ready for this one?

Last summer I helped a couple with a cat problem. At the time I helped them, I didn't realize that they weren't feeding the cats, but rather just didn't want them around. They trapped two big headed feral tom cats that had lots of battle scars. After testing the cats, it was determined that they both had FIV and rather than returning them to a place where they had no care, I had them humanely euthanized. It was for the best.

Finding cats again in their condo complex, I got a call from them last week. They had two cats bothering their owned cats and wanted them to be gone. I explained that last summer was a special situation and I don't just exterminate healthy cats. But if the cats were fixed, they would probably not pester their cats, and if they weren't feeding the cats, they would likely go away.....so if they were interested in having them fixed and returned, I'd be willing to help them.

Then I started to worry. What if they borrow my traps and just "find the cats a new home" or take them to the shelter to be euthanized. I have people sign contracts now stating what my traps MUST be used for because someone did just the latter once, and I won't allow that to happen again.

So I mustered the courage to basically tell them that I'd not be willing to loan them traps or if I did I'd have to come and do it (or some scenario that the cats wouldn't simply be "removed"). When I called, I learned the following.....which is the ridiculous part.

These fools have two intact female cats that live indoors but are occasionally allowed to go out. THESE ARE NOT FIXED! I said "You mean to tell me, you have two unfixed females living in your house and you think the best way to stop the cats from coming around your house is to remove THEM? How about fixing your girl cats for god's sake?"

His Reply: "Oh, you think that would help?"
My Reply: "AHHHH YEA!" I was having trouble not using curse words.
Her Reply: But we don't feel comfortable with surgery. I wouldn't like to be cut needlessly.
What I wanted to say: "Well, I'm sure your girl cats won't feel comfortable being raped by a tom cat either".
What I did say: "I can almost guarantee you that if you fix your girl cats, the boys will stop coming around. They aren't getting fed at your place, they are looking for nookie."

I left them to think about it.
The man called me back later in the day.
He said: I called several vets around town and they said that there would be no guarantee if we fixed our girls that the other cats would not come around".
I said: "Listen, any vet that said that is a fool and doesn't know much about cats. And while there is no guarantee, they should be encouraging the fixing of all cats." I'd like to talk to this vet he spoke to.
He said: "Well, I don't want to spend money fixing our cats if these others will still be coming around".
I said: "OK, bring them to me, I'll fix them for free".
He said: "We will think about it."

I have not heard from them since.
If I do, I will gladly fix their girls and wait for them to thank me for getting rid of the feral boys who are sniffing about their property. Till then, I hope those boys spray the heck out of their sliding door.

God help us!
--------------------------------------
So yesterday the man called and left a voice mail saying that he wanted to bring his girl cat to be fixed. Playing phone tag, I responded into his answering machine. I said.........Fine, but I really need to fix both your girls. And if you want to get any of your neighborhood strays fixed, I'd love to help you with those and I'll do them for FREE.

Today I got a call from the wife. It went like this:

Her: M____ is bringing our cat to you this evening.
Me: OK, but why only one? Are you afraid to bring both cats to me? It would be easier for me to do both at once.
Her: Well, we thought we would try getting one fixed to see if it helped the situation.
Me: You mean, you want to fix one of your smelly females and leave the other one and hope that the gang of tom cats you have spraying all over your porch are gonna leave cuz there will be ONE LESS GIRL? The boys WILL NOT leave if there is one left!

THEN I GOT MAD! AND SAID THE FOLLOWING.....

I don't have time to fool around with this ridiculousness. You people are wasting my time. Go call C-SNIP at ...........

THEN I HUNG UP!

I've never done that before. I've never refused to help someone fix a cat. But I need to fix outdoor stray and feral cats...I don't have time to beg complete idiots to fix their owned female cats. Can you imagine how I wanted to crawl through the phone line and beat her senseless. God, I hope those stupid people don't breed themselves. Their children would be complete morons.

Had it been a matter of finances, I would have treated it differently...but it wasn't....because I've offered to fix both girls for free in the past.

Once again.....GOD HELP US!

Repurposing file folders

Tonight while watching an old TIVO'd episode of Survivor, I multi-tasked by organizing my adoptable cat's medical records in file folders.

I have a file drawer full of pre-used manila file folders. I have turned them inside out already and written on the back, so this time around, I put stickers over the writing on the tabs and filled in the names of each kitty that's looking for a forever home.

As I covered up the prior titles of each folder, I became nostalgic about its earlier uses.

Many of the folders had handwritten titles with the names of people for whom I used to consign dolls and toys on ebay. At that time, each folder meant I was MAKING MONEY. Now, each folder means I'm SPENDING MONEY. But for what better purpose could I spend it?

A couple of the folders were titled with the names of my parents or those of Gabby. Those folders once held personal information I kept to manage their health care, bills etc. Now those folders manage the health care of my adoptable cats. What a wonderful repurposing of a folder.
I don't have parents to care for anymore. Now I have cats. I think they would all be happy that their folders were now being used to file pertinent cat informaton.

Life has changed a lot in the past few years. It changed drastically in the past year.

When I first titled those manila file folders, I never thought of how I might be reusing them and for what. I wonder how I will reuse these folders in the future?

Write your reps to support HIB-4663

Now it's time to get our reps to support the Bill to Ban Pound Seizure in Michigan.

Here is where to find your rep's email and phone number.

http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp

You can reference the bill shown here:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2009-HIB-4663.pdf

It only takes a few minutes to find your rep and tell them how you feel.

: ) Carol

Another NON-PAYING position at Carol's Ferals

I should start my own online job search. Like Monster.com. Maybe I will call it MOUSER.com.

The latest NON-PAYING job posting to Carol's Ferals is that of Candy Slinger.

I have friends I've helped with TNR that have a chocolate business. And they can offer chocolate for sale which will get us a 45% return. Being a recovering food addict, I don't want any part of storing chocolate at my house....and I don't have time to juggle cats and food anyway. Besides, imagine the problem if I mix up the cat stuff and the candy stuff. Not good!

So anyone want to be in charge of slinging candy for Carol's Ferals?


I would like to have it at Pet Expo. And I'd like for it to be in area businesses along with information about what we do for cats. I figure it's not just a way to raise money...but a way to raise awareness too!

Who wants in? Who can trust themselves around chocolate?

Contact me with thoughts, ideas or to volunteer as Candy Slinger!
: ) Thanks
C

See you at the West Michigan Pet Expo

Nothing more fun than the Pet Expo!

Last year, I stuffed various volunteers, fellow rescuers and children of patrons in a dog trap and raked in some serious dough. I plan to do it again!

In addition: This year Toni Stavros will be finding forever homes for several of my adoptables.

We will have lots of fund raising items for sale.

Non-stop TNR education.

My "Stamp out pet overpopulation" project will get underway!

Come by and see us on April 4th & 5th.

Details: http://westmichiganstar.com/pages/index.php/Pet-Expo

If you would like to volunteer to help "huMAN" the booth, contact me!
: ) C

Some highlights from last year:

Not all cats leave the trap willingly!
As illustrated by Bruce Langlois and Jeanine Buckner.

Just can't help myself

Nothing at all animal related.
Just crazy stuff.
Humans are such interesting creatures.


http://ayshay.webs.com/index.htm


I'm so happy and high from the news in Lansing that the second photo doesn't even bother me.
Pretty sure it was made on one of the sign generator sites!

Enjoy!
Thank you Gabby!
C

We have a bill to ban pound seizure in Michigan

I'm not sure of what has to go into getting it passed, maybe I should re-watch that old "school house rock....I'm just a bill" to get the legal stuff straight in my head.

But here is what happened today in Lansing:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2009-HIB-4663.pdf

Thank you for all your positive energy pointed toward our state capital this afternoon!

I'm elated! When this bill passes, I'm gonna have 4663 tattooed somewhere on my body!
I'M SERIOUS!!!!

: ) C

Channel all positive energy toward MSU today!

Gina Moore will be attending The Animal Law Symposium at MSU College of Law today. We have been told by The American Humane that there MIGHT be a bill filed to get it back on the docket to outlaw Class B dealers in Michigan. Keep your fingers crossed, pray, visualize, or whatever else you can do!

Kitty...let your freak flag fly!

NON-PAYING Positions Available at Carol's Ferals

Hello Feral Friends-

Some fabulous feral friends already help with tasks necessary to Carol's Ferals.

Among those are:

High Priestess of Data Entry: Linda Geitzen
Adoption Diva: Toni Stavros
Collections Agent: Heather Gram (tracks overdue equipment)
Hazel aka keeper of in-home cat areas: Arlene Gryga (this is her self appointed title)
Chief Pooper Scoopers aka Brooknelle Rehab Facility Team:
Kaylyn Kraii, Kathleen Oliver, Alison Fuller, Cindy Richards, Andrea Cotter, and Christy Townsend


Want to put your time and talents toward something worthwhile?

I have work for you to do! I need a couple of positions filled.

LAUNDRY OPS SPECIALIST

Laundry Ops Specialist: This task would entail the Ops Specialist to visit Brooknelle twice weekly. Once on Thursday or Friday to pick up dirty laundry and again on Saturday or Sunday to drop it off once laundered. Laundry detergent, bleach and dryer sheets will be provided. All it will cost you is your travel expenses and time! Requirements for job: dependable transportation, dulled sense of smell, ability to risk clothing having bleach splashed on it, and precision towel and sheet folding.

EQUIPMENT CLEANING MAVIN

Equipment Cleaning Mavin(s): This task requires the Equipment Cleaning Mavin or Mavin and a pal to come to Brooknelle once a week on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. On this day, all the Cleaning Mavin will have to do is spray down traps and carriers with bleach solution, wipe out carriers, reassign numbered clothespins to clean items, and wash/disinfect litter scoops and mini cage brooms and dust pans. Rubber gloves will be provided. Requirements for job: Fearlessness in handling sometimes poopy traps and carriers. Understanding disease fighting protocol. A keen eye for spotting dirt, debris and dookie. A wardrobe that is Cleaning Mavin is unafraid to see annihilated with bleach.

CHIEF POOPER SCOOPERS
(sorry, for the color choice....but it's fitting)

Chief Pooper Scoopers: We need three slots filled. Mondays: 6-7:30 pm while I do INTAKE Wednesdays: 6-7:30 pm while I do general maintence, bring cats back from day's surgery and soon INTAKE Fridays: 1-2 hours any time of day I would like to establish someone for each day of the week and attempt to stick to those days. Of course Pooper Scoopers can trade off among one another to accommodate that little matter of HAVING A LIFE. Chief Pooper Scooper Requirements: Fearlessness with regard to dealing with feral cats, understanding of disease preventative measures, medicating, feeding and cleaning up after cats (that's where the Pooper Scooper titles comes in). Some cuddling of the occasional friendly is the reward. Chiefs need to be willing to kneel and get into cages for a good solid bleach cleaning. Clothing will be wrecked. You will go home stinky. Rubber gloves, music and band-aids provided.



So, who's up for it?

Contact Carol at dollmouse@aol.com

Those faint of heart need not apply! You will be entering feral territory. Few cute and cuddly here! Mostly the ferocious and stinky!

Montcalm Update

Well folks, it seems that Montcalm County is all I talk about anymore. But rest assured, I'm still fixing cats. 251 year to date. Well on the way to 1K.

But back to Montcalm.

Lake Haven Rescue posted R&R Research violations on their website. It's all very sickening, but in order to see the evil that's being fought....you need to see what Jim Woudenberg has been up to.

R&R Research - USDA Inspection Reports and Known Violations Summary:
http://www.lakehavenrescue.org/R_RViolations.pdf

Some really bad news: Gratiot County renewed a 5 year contract with R&R Research.

Some good news though: The Animal Law Symposium at MSU College of Law is this Friday. I have been told by American Humane that there MIGHT be a bill filed by that day to get it back on the docket to outlaw Class B dealers in Michigan. Keep your fingers crossed, pray, visualize, or whatever else you can do!

So everyone....do just that!
C

PS Keep up on all things Montcalm by going to http://www.cccmontcalm.org

Congratulations Montcalm...you are on a national website now.....looking as backward as ever!

Check this article on the AAVS website:

http://www.aavs.org/pressdetail.php?press_id=67

Another feather in the cap of Comissioner Patrick Carr who despite the wishes of his constituents, continues to do business with Jim Woudenberg of R&R Research.

Thank you Invisible Fence

Last weekend, I spent Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at the West Michigan Home and Garden Show at Devos Place.

Accompanied by my lovely assistant Toni Stavros who is now head of adoptions for Carol's Ferals, we took 4 cats each day to be shown to the thousands of area attendees.

It was very nice of Invisible Fence to share their space with us. And it got us some good publicity. Many folks learned about the value of TNR and just today, Ezmerelda went home with Pat, a WMHG show patron. Ezzy is an 8 year old DLH gray and white girl who was found outdoors front paw declawed, matted to hell and starving. And now, because of Invisible Fence, shes in her new forever home, being the ONLY cat that she so wanted to be (apparent by her standoffishness in the cat room).

I have a couple of cat calls to return from folks who want to get outdoor kitties fixed, so it was a very good way to spend the weekend. And the donatons paid for gas and parking, so it didn't cost me a dime of my own money.....which was a nice departure!

Thanks Invisible Fence. You Rock!
: ) c

For more information on how Invisible Fence can help you with keeping dogs safely on your property and keeping cats within the confines of your home, go here: http://jgb.invisiblefence.com/

Ad Sense

Hey Feral Friends,

Marilyn told me that my adsense ads contain ads by BREEDERS of all things. Can you think of a worse place in the world to advertise "animals for sale" than my blog?? Too funny!!

I was getting ready to cancel adsense all-together and then I clicked on my monthly earnings (for the first time). And I've already made $9.75. And while that's not much money.....you all know that I might need to raise $5K, so for now, I'm going to leave the adsense on the blog, and hope you can all bear with idiot ads until I figure out how to go on there and finagle the ads that are OK and NOT OK to be on my blog.

What's next???? R&R Research advertising on my blog????

I'm about to pee my pants!
: ) c

Call to action

Please post a comment on the WOOD-TV website. If you saw the 6:00, 10:00 and 11:00 news you got the whole story... Rick Albin did a great job reporting outside the courthouse. Please post a comment( or a bunch of comments.) The more interest in the story the more apt WOOD - TV will be to come back. http://www.topix.net/forum/source/wood/ TH00RG5Q146RDBOEF/p2#lastPost Please forward this to those on your contact list who love animals.

More from Montcalm

Thanks Kristi Taylor for pulling this up. Keep the links coming please!

http://www.thedailynews.cc/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=25950

http://www.thedailynews.cc/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=25932

Montcalm Update

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/Public_opposes_new_animal_research_deal

Montcalm News

Jim Woudenberg took a major flogging today. With Commissioner Carr (the head of the Montcalm County Commissioners) seemingly getting tired of hearing animal rescuers go on and on and on about how bad R&R Research is for the county.....I think he is getting worn down.

Dr. Randy Carpenter (an area vet) is nothing short of Sir Galahad. With poise and still standing his ground he asked very pointed questions that went completely unanswered: "What benefit does R&R Research give to the County?" "What happens to the animals once they leave R&R Research?"

Commissioner Carr didn't speak to the first question cuz I think we all know that there is way more going on than just having Woudenberg take the carcasses and dispose of them. I think everyone is pretty sure now that someone on the commission is on the take.

And Woudenberg pleaded the 5th once again on what he does with the animals that he removes from the shelter both live or dead.

Mike Urbanski has word from an Muskegeon County land fill that Woudenberg takes large numbers of animals there to be dumped.

R&R Research has been sited many times in violation of USDA regulations.

And a very knowledgeable man named Kevin spoke to the fact that he feels that the county shelter is letting Woudenberg participate in euthanization which is illegal as he is not a licensed vet or a member of animal control.

His neck is in a noose. It's only a matter of time.

Gina Moore spoke eloquently about the perils of animal research and testing, proving that drugs like VIOXX and others tested on animals to be safe, caused great harm in humans. And penicillin was passed over for not curing an animal of it's malady and it didn't come into the human use realm for another 10 years because of this. She shut down any further ideas that animal research is good by stating that U of M has ceased trauma research on dogs. She was a rock star!!

Of course all the usual suspects spoke and spoke well.

Yours truly couldn't keep her mouth shut and waved a checkbook around once again trying to hammer home the point....if you are only getting animal carcasses removed, then let me just pay for it for the next year and get Jim Woudenberg out of your shelter. Please let me remind all of you that I have no money for this, but will front it till it can be fund raised. I know I could get $5K in a week or less if I need to.

Nobody answered my final question which closed the meeting "Why won't you take my money?" because those that comment from the public are not given an answer. But next meeting, I'm going to be on the adgenda. And they can answer me then!

Woudenberg's days are numbered in Montcalm County. Watch the channel 8 news at 11pm tonight to see the meeting. And got to http://www.cccmontcalm.org for all you need to know about what's going in with the animals.

OH WAIT....almost forgot. The shelter was finally certified to use lethal injection as a means to euthanize so the barrels will soon be a thing of the past too.

Though I have a good final use for one of the barrels. Wonder if a 180 lb man named Jim would fit into one????

Focus ALL good intention toward Montcalm today at 3:30

OK Feral Friends,

Today at 3:30 you have to either be at the Montcalm meeting OR be focusing all your good intentions on us so that we can convince the commissioners to stop the pound seizures. We can do this. If you pray.....pray. If you believe that good can win....concentrate on that. Put your positive thoughts toward Commissioner Carr and open his heart to the animals.

All positive. All good. All hopeful.

Today, we want to see a change.....for the better......for the surrendered pets of Montcalm County.

If not in person.....be with us there in spirit!!!
: ) C

Montcalm Commissioners Meeting - Wednesday

Come and show support. Looks like something might be decided:

Hope to see you!

(please forward to others on your contact list)

ANIMAL CONTROL AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. Third Floor Conference Room Administrative Building, 211 W. Main Street, Stanton 1. Call to Order 2. Acceptance of Agenda 3. Acceptance of Minutes from February 25, 2009 4. R & R Contract 5. Next Meeting March 25, 2009 @ 3:30 p.m. – Agenda Items 6.. Public Comments At the Old Courthouse located at: 211 W. Main Street Stanton, MI 48888

Carol's Ferals in GR PRESS

http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/passion_for_barbie_dolls_funds.html

This isn't the front page as I was promised, but even though it's tucked back on page B3 of the actual paper, it's better than nothing.

Some of the facts are way incorrect. Like the doll is not worth several thousand dollars.
And the list goes on.

My name is also NOT Susan. That was my dear mother. But I'm the one with the Cat Rescue!!!!

Hopefully some people will hit the website to learn more about caring for ferals. And maybe I'll spay a few cats.

Carol

I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing!

Today I was interviewed by the GR Press. Juanita Westaby called me to talk about Barbies and cats.

Why? If you didn't know....I was a Barbie girl before I was a cat girl. There was a time when I had interests other than cats. It's hard to believe....but yes....I did.

My mother collected dolls and toys from a time before I was born and she instilled collecting and dealing collectibles in me and that's why I'm a collector. Remember, I'm only a collector of stuff....NOT CATS!!!!

OK, so why is the Press in touch with me? You ask. Well, my friend Marilyn Hamill who is also into Barbies AND CATS thought I should be interviewed because of my Barbie doll connection. After all, it's our vinyl girl's 50th Birthday this year. In ovservance of this special anniversary, the GR Press has been featuring people with their Barbies and they were interested in my connection to cats.

So Juanita came with a photographer and snapped photos of me and dolls and cats, and if all goes well, Carol's Ferals will grace the front page of the GR Press on Monday. Barring of course, an un-for-seen freak accident or some such thing.

While talking to Juanita it came to me that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I've never felt this way before in my life. Sure, when I was taking care of my parents before they passed, I knew I was doing the best work of my life.....but now I KNOW I'M DOING EXACTLY WHAT IT IS I WAS PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO.

How do I know that? Because God puts people in my path to make it happen. Like Bruce Langlois and VPC and Toni Stavros (my new mistress of adoption), and all my volunteers.

And there are instances when I worry because of finances....and money falls from the sky. Like when I needed money for Monster's surgery.....you all came through with $250 within a matter of days. He's doing great by the way. I'm awaiting a photo from his daddy to share with you all.

Like today....I got up early (earlier than normal) to pick up my cat from Bruce. Last night I took a very pg girl in for an emergency spay. She was so stressed, poor dear, that she chewed off the end of her tail. Last night at the clinic, I noticed blood and was fearing she had started to deliver her kittens. But instead it was blood from her self inflicted wound. Today I picked her up and found a bill for the tail repair. It was only $50 but I knew I was gonna have to "eat" this one cuz the woman who took the cat in doesn't have any money....like most of the people I help. So I figured I'd be taking this out of my savings.

Then, when I got to Brooknelle, waiting outside my unit was some equipment that was returned by a client who needed it to raise some kittens. Inside the carrier was a check for $50.

Tell me that God/The Universe/A higher power isn't watching out for me and saying "You Go GIRL!"

Toni Stavros, had a similar all-be-it much "bigger ticket" proving of the same thing.

Toni is the one who got stuck with Shelby the mama cat that cost her $700 in emergency vet bills last week. She paid this bill on her credit card not sure of how she was going to swing it because she had to pay for a big auto repair that was coming soon. Well, she took the car in, had the repairs done and the bill only came to $20, not the $700+ she was expecting!!

Without reservation, knowing she SIMPLY HAD TO.....Toni spent her car repair money on Shelby. And then a week later, she didn't need the money afterall.

How cool is that?

So I know today that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to do.

And if the article in the Press comes out as I hope, more people will learn about CF and I will be able to help a lot more cats this spring!

: ) C

Good God in Heaven......

http://zootoo.nypost.com/petnews/walmartfelinetownbuiltfor500ca-1128






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Cats and Dogs Magazine - The March Issue Is Available ONLINE!

http://www.catsanddogsmagazine.com




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Laundry Detergent

I hear it's on sale at Meijer this week. Some brand (Dynamo perhaps) is buy one get two free. If you are at Meijer and want to take advantage of this deal but don't need all that soap for yourself, I'd be happy to take one of your free jugs!

Cuz cat towels are STINKY!!!!!

: ) C