Record Week

58 cats this week!
That beats our best week ever!
Thank you all who brought cats and helped with intake and outflow!




.

Advanced warning - NO TRAP DATES in November

Hello Feral Freinds,

I goofed. It's November that I'm taking time off trapping....not December as previously reported. God.....where is my head at?

My Vet Bruce Langlois is going to travel all the way to a remote part of Guyana to spay and neuter a bunch of wild dogs that are threatening some endangered species of turtles. This makes me very happy. While people patrol the areas where the turtle nests are to protect them from the dogs, they find the solution spay/neuter vs just killing the dogs. Wow! A humane, civilized solution! Isn't that awesome.

More awesome is the fact that when Bruce is away....this cat can play. So I'm taking the week off of all duties and getting out of dodge. This mean....no spay/neuter, no vaccines, no food pick up, no NOTHING! I'm going off the grid that week. Will visit some friends in Detroit and cozy up with my close friends and TRY not to think of cats.

Everything will be back on beginning Monday, November 16th which leaves free my Sunday, 44th Birthday. Going to put myself first that day! No gifts please! But if you want....you can always make a donation to my favorite animal organization, Carol's Ferals!

: ) C

PS Don't you just love the irony that MY birthday OF ALL PEOPLE'S falls on the first day of rifle hunting season!

NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th
NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th
NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th
NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th
NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th
NO TRAPPING - November 4 - 15th

Carol Manos' new email addresses

Carol Manos has two new email addresses!!! yeah....i'm THAT important!!! In an effort to keep my cat rescue and personal life separate, I have two new email addresses. personal stuff: dollmouse@gmail.com physical home mailing address is the same as always. cell:  616 560-0555  (same but due to change in the new year)                 cat rescue stuff:                 info@carolsferals.org                 physical rescue address:                  Carol's Ferals                 PO Box 150186                 Grand Rapids, MI 49515-0186                 rescue cell:                 616 560-0555  (same) join me on facebook:    carol manos or for the rescue:     support carol's ferals

This email was sent to carolmanos.carolsferals@blogger.com by dollmouse@gmail.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Carol's Ferals | PO Box 150186 | Grand Rapids | MI | 49515

Barn Cats Available

Occasionally whilst fixing all the cats I can get my hands onto, I run into situations where I wind up with feral cats that can not be RETURNED (the R in TNR) to where they were trapped.

This is for various reasons but mostly because the cats are no longer with feral caregivers or they face imminent peril. Currently I have 6 such cats.

I am appealing to all of you to post this need onto your facebook pages in hopes that I may find barn homes for these cats. Some have been in cages at my rehab facility for more than two months and I'd like them in barn homes before the Michigan winter weather hits.

Barn Cats Available

For more information about Carol's Ferals Barn Cats available for adoption, please follow this link: http://carolsferals.com/barncats.aspx

Nell is a pure white feral cat whose kittens were tamed and adopted out via Wishbone Pet Rescue. Lucky for her kittens they were captured in time to be tamed. But still feral Nell is not and she needs a barn home. She has been with me for three months. It's time she get a barn home.

This is Nell. Not pleased to be in a cage!

For more about Nell:

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14275169

Jenna is a tabby who I captured at the home of a woman who is cat phobic. She and her kittens were rounded up and the kittens tamed. Choo Choo, Crystal and Jordan are currently in my kitten adoption program. But Jenna, she needs a barn home! She's been with me for two months now.

Jenna is on top.

Kittens are in our adoption program.

When Bob C. passed away suddenly he left behind a group of feral cats that nobody in his neighborhood wanted around while he was alive and tending to them. You can imagine that those cats weren't welcome now that he's gone. I trapped 5 of them. One is friendly Morris who is in foster care. But 4 still need barn homes. They are not all friends. So three can go in a group and one is single.

Sweet Morris, hardly feral. Not a barn cat! But up for adoption.

FIV positive! Which is really no big deal at all!

More about Morris:

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14665886

.

NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK!

NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH

MY VET IS ON VACATION!!!!!
ANY OTHER BROOKNELLE STUFF IS BY APPOINTMENT

Heated pet bowls on sale this week

Heated pet bowls on sale.
$12.98 at Menards this week.
Through October, 25th.

Get one today so your ferals have fresh water this winter!


: ) C


Thanks Chris for your newspaper!

Pass it on!

Send this to everyone you know!

Easy forwarding at the bottom!

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001rD-jOQuHnZ6R3UGraLpjdhWgNt-yJCF9o2R3VYZzpks7mGQnIKad4rBffAFAThI3JCly1W31LaDtB4JOgiBh_5mGvHq-Njeuz0smmunD5gUilRTW5JTrasufMlB7hCtAzef6mVipXDWvZ0Qvz7YiRwB1RU19WOl3

This simply illustrates how people can help feral and stray cats in their neighborhood!

: )Carol




.

Just because you can't touch them, doesn't mean you can't help them!

This is my mission! I want everyone to know this!

How can you help spread the word?

Allow me to email you a copy of this Rapidian article. I want everyone to forward it to everyone they know. I want it to hit computers across the country. I want everyone to know that there is more we can do for feral cats than just feed them!

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.therapidian.org/news/just-because-you-cant-touch-them-doesnt-mean-you-cant-help-them

If you'd like an email copy sent to you, please request one at: info@carolsferals.org

By the way....that's my new email address for rescue.
For personal: dollmouse@gmail.com

NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK!

NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
NO TRAPPING THIS WEEK
RESUME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH

MY VET IS ON VACATION!!!!!
ANY OTHER BROOKNELLE STUFF IS BY APPOINTMENT

How YOU Can Help Cats in Your Neighborhood

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Dear BLOGGER, Carol's Ferals wants everyone to know: Just because you can't touch them, doesn't mean you can't help them! Feral cats (aka: wild, untamed, afraid of humans) as well as friendly strays roam every corner of this country's urban, suburban and rural areas. Everyone has cats in their midst. Some of us just don't see these nocturnal dwellers. But they are out there. And THEY NEED YOUR help. Not being domesticated and unable to be touched, feral cats are at the root level of the feline overpopulation problem. There are an estimated 45 million feral cats in the United States and they are breeding prolifically. An intact female and her mate can produce 11,000 cats over the course of five years! Many kind people feed them, but little has been done on a large enough scale to combat the suffering that overpopulation brings. Here are three things you can to do help feral and stray cats in your area. 1.  Feed Them: A plastic tote with holes cut in both sides makes a nicely protected feeding station. Holes at either end provide an escape if another animal comes to eat while someone is already having dinner. It's best to pick up food at dusk so as not to draw other wildlife. In the winter, a heated water bowl (available at larger national pet stores) is necessary for winter watering.   2.  Shelter Them: A large styrofoam cooler with a small hole cut into it makes a cozy shelter during the cold winter months. If a cooler can keep drinks cold in summer, it can keep a cat warm in winter. Line the shelter with straw NOT blankets. Straw wicks moisture away from the cat. Never put food in a sleeping shelter.   3.  Fix Them: The final step toward caring for your outdoor dwelling cats is to have them spayed or neutered. Local TNR organizations like Carol's Ferals can loan you live traps to help you control the felines you're feeding outside.   What is TNR? Trap-Neuter-Return is the practice of capturing a feral cat in a humane live trap, having it spayed/neutered, then returning it to it's original home/family of cats (called a colony). There are organizations like Carol's Ferals throughout the country. For more information: http://www.carolsferals.org To find low cost spay/neuter services in your area: http://www2.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=now_aspcaspay To find TNR help: http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pidD4 Carol's Ferals is a Grand Rapids, MI based 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to TNR of all free-roaming cats. Remember: Just because you can't touch them, doesn't mean you can't help them! P.S. If you see a cat with the left ear cut flat like this little guy, it's a free-roaming "FIXED" cat!  No need to trap that one!!     Just because you can't touch them, doesn't mean you can't help them! Website: www.carolsferals.org Blog: www.carolsferals.blogspot.com Adoption: www.carolsferals.petfinder.com Low cost spay/neuter:http://tinyurl.com/nkl9mw Help Michigan shelter animals: http://tinyurl.com/p4cjj5   Carol Manos Director - Carol's Ferals

Forward email This email was sent to carolmanos.carolsferals@blogger.com by info@carolsferals.org. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Carol's Ferals | PO Box 150186 | Grand Rapids | MI | 49515

Bill to keep pets in homes during economic hardship!

Thanks for sending this Shannon Falls!


http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/tc/3/HAPPYAct3501/ctg_ars_campaign_from_tellafriend_email



.

Diamond Pet Foods Warning

Diamond Pet Foods has withdrawn from distribution the following date codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat: RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb. The calls from pet owners or veterinarians regarding this issue have been centered in the Rochester, NY area. All retail outlets shipped the above lots were contacted, asking them to pull the product from the store shelves. The retailers were also asked to contact their customers via email or telephone requesting them to check the date code of the food. However, if you or anyone you know has these date codes of Premium Edge cat food, please return them to your retailer.

Symptoms displayed by an affected cat will be neurological in nature. Any cats fed these date codes that display these symptoms should be immediately taken to a veterinarian.

Product testing proved no contaminants were discovered in the cat food; however the cat foods were deficient in thiamine. Diamond tracked the vitamin premix lot number that was utilized in these particular cat foods and have performed testing on another lot of Premium Edge cat food that used the same vitamin premix, and it was not deficient in thiamine. No other neurological signs have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods.

***Thank you Kolene Allen for this update!

KMR warning!

GENERAL NEWS

KMR® Powder Update Recently, a limited number of KMR powder users have experienced product producing an off odor. Normally, the product exhibits a faint "milky" smell.

It has been determined that some packaged KMR powder may have been exposed to excessive heat outside the manufacturing process.

Do not use the product if it has an off odor. Please contact PetAg Technical Services at 800-323-0877 and provide all of the information printed on the bottom of the can. For any bagged product, you can find the information on the sticker near the UPC on the back of the bag. This will provide production and tracking information for further analysis.

Replacement KMR product will be sent, following contact with Technical Services.

Liquid KMR products have exhibited no impact from heat stress.

Rest assured, PetAg uses standards of the highest quality when producing KMR. We are currently exploring different manufacturing processes for KMR powder to eliminate this sensitivity to heat.

Styrofoam coolers are here!

I have purchased 25 coolers for the winter.

Anyone wanting one for $7 can pick them up at
Brooknelle during my normal hours.

Sunday - Wednesday 6 - 7:30 pm.

Thank you Barb Roth for supplying the hay free of charge!

: ) Carol

Please note, only Sunday - Tuesday
are cat drop off days....not Wed.





.

Thank God!!!

Well, after not hearing from J.S.'s grandmother all day, I called her at around 5:30pm.

Her husband was yelling. I could hear him. "Just have her come and get it". And I'm yelling back...."Yeah, just tell me where you live and I WILL COME GET IT".

Finally she had an epiphany. It's not me who is the butt head....it's her grand daughter. And from that moment, she was sweet as pie.

She lives near the BK where I first started trapping in Feb of 2006. Way on the other side of town, so I put Laura Wertenberger on the task of grabbing the trap from her porch. Thanks Laura!

So, my trap is safe with one of our own! Whew!

What a lot of fuss and expended energy on something that should have been simple. It's nothing short of exasperating!

It has prompted me to make a more formal equipment loan contract however. So that's a good thing to come out of all my frustration and pulling out of hair!

: ) Carol

Faith lost....faith restored

I haven't been blogging too much lately. Between facebook and getting a bunch of non-profit organizational stuff taken care of, I have scarcely had time to THINK, much less write about it. But I was really despondent last night after a call to someone I have helped with cats and had it not been for Stephanie Meaney coming over to THANKFULLY pick up some kittens that had me at my wit's end, I would have probably blogged for three hours. You can all thank her for not having to read my tale of woe in "complete."

Many of you know me. Some of you WELL. And for some reason....probably cuz it's just common courtesy that's being neglected, perhaps because it's my property that's not being respected, likely cuz I feel USED........I HAVE A TENDENCY TO LOSE MY MIND WHEN PEOPLE DON'T RETURN MY TRAPS!!!

The latest CAUSE OF MY EXTREME FRUSTRATION began with a call from J.S. She had a feral cat drop a litter of kittens under her trailer. She took them in and was bottle feeding them but her daughter was highly allergic and having asthma attacks. She asked to bring me the kittens.

I must have been feeling different that day than my OFTEN TIMES COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED moods, so I asked her to bring me the kittens. But I wanted the mother too. Well, she hadn't seen the mom, but there WAS another pregnant cat running around that she said belonged to a neighbor who didn't care much for the cat. I told her to grab that can and bring her. And then I told her. In return for taking these cats off your hands and helping YOU so that YOU don't have to have more kittens born under your trailer, I ask that you try to trap the mom cat and get her to me. And if you can't get her....just get me one other cat from the park so that I feel I'm doing something for the greater good and not just riding you of your problem. I like to indenture people I stick my neck out for, to do me a kindness in return. The kindness in return is never pay me...cuz most of these folks have no money (which I understand) but TRAP me a cat for god's sweet sake!!!

I get the kittens to Roxanne Ketchapaw who does really well with them. She has them for nearly two weeks and gets them eating on their own, but can't keep them any longer for various understandable reasons, so yesterday they are on my kitchen table. I usually put kittens in cages on my dining room table...but there is already a kitten on my dining room table. And there is another two kittens on a card table in my living room. So the kitchen table is the only other place. There is a cat in my garage AND 19 adults in my cat room!!! And my 5 downstairs! It's a FULL HOUSE!

While I knew Stephanie Meaney was coming to my rescue last night to take these four messy babies who step in their food and don't quite know how to use the litter box yet, I became very aggravated because J.S. has not returned any of my calls to pick up this cat that supposedly belonged to a neighbor. And I didn't intend to keep that cat. And I have no place to put that cat. I have three other friendlies at Brooknelle and 8 very feral cats that I need to rehome in barns. So sticking me with another cat was not boding well with me.

Last week I was finally able to get through to her grandmother. She lives three trailers down from J.S. She told me that the neighbor who "Debbie" the cat belonged to didn't even care that she was gone. I decided at that point....I was stuck with finding Debbie a home. GREAT! Now I have 4 kittens, an adult and J.S. has not trapped a single cat for me!!

After being unable to reach J.S. I called grandma another time and just asked for my trap back. Grandma said that Jamie wasn't answering her calls either. It's at this point.....at this very point that I realized that I was being messed with and that they had no intention of returning my equipment.

Mind you....my traps cost me $75 delivered. I gave her a good one. I wanted to help this girl. I wanted to make it easy for her to trap a cat. And because she was so upset when she brought me the kittens and Debbie, (because her husband just walked out on her and her kids) I neglected to have her fill out an equipment loan agreement. MY BAD!

So, I'm getting mad at THAT point. And I kinda tell Grandma that I WANT MY TRAP BACK within two days. Two days pass. No trap. No calls. No answering of my phone calls. Nothing.

With all these events swirling in the back of my mind last night at 10pm after a long night running cats awaiting Stephanie to pick up the stinky foursome.....I decide it's time to call J.S. again.

NO ANSWER. So I call grandma. Phone is picked up then immediately hung up. Then I call again. This time phone is picked up, then numbers are depressed making loud tones in my ear, then hung up. I call a third time and get an agetated (sp) grandma who is all cranky cuz I woke her up.

I tell her that I need my equipment. She give me that song and dance that J.S. has tried to call me. C'mon grandma. I have a cell phone. I know who calls me and who doesn't. J.S. has not called me. She tells me that she will have her call me tomorrow. I tell her that would be a good idea because while I don't like to be a pain to people...I will surely become one if I don't hear from her. She hangs up on me.

I'm angry at this point. Where do people get off, dumping 5 cats on me AND stealing my $75 trap????

This happened before too. Remember Monster, the cat that needed a $250 surgery to repair a hip? Many of you came forth and donated to his cause and I was able to help the man have his cat taken care of. A former rescue cat. In all honesty....at that point....an owned cat. I had him neutered and did the surgery and the man didn't raise a single penny toward it though he said he'd try his best.

Well, I asked him to trap in his apartment complex in return for what I was doing for Monster. He agreed. Never trapped a single cat and then refused to return my equipment. He dodged calls. Gave a song and dance routine time after time. Didn't even send me a photo of Monster so that I could share it with all of you who followed his story on this blog! I was livid.

Finally I found his address on an equipment loan form and I went to his apartment, banged on his door and GOT MY TRAP!

This is what I have to do with my spare time. Run all over the city tracking down my equipment! It makes me absolutely CRAZY!

I got my trap, gave him a few choice words and that was that.

Why am I telling you all this? After all, I told it all to Stephanie last night. Well, I've used this blog for my catharsis for nearly 4 years now, and I think I might just have to continue to do it for a bit longer, despite urging from my non-profit guru to keep it professional. Sorry J.

Welcome to my world!

: ) C

OH yeah....the title of this blog is faith lost FAITH RESTORED......WAIT....there's more!!!

So this morning I get a call from B.C. He is a long distance trucker who works out of Grand Rapids. His sister called me on his behalf last week asking my advice for some kittens that the truckers and office girls are feeding at his dispatch location. This sweet man called me this morning from the road. He's in Salt Lake City doing a delivery and he wanted to get my opinion on how to go about the TNR of these 8 kittens and their feral mama. I explained what needed to be done and he is GET THIS......he is TAKING A WEEK OFF WORK to trap these cats, bring them to me and release them! FAITH RESTORED! Thank you B.C. I think I love you!!

Read all about Sugar's happy ending!

Thanks Nicole Capizzi for the awesome article!



http://www.therapidian.org/news/happy-endings-thanks-carols-ferals




.

What can be done about CLASS B DEALERS

Check this out.

And please pass it on!!!


http://www.voiceless-mi.org/psflyer.pdf

MEOWtrageous Adoption Extravaganza! UPDATE

THANK YOU ALL who volunteered, baked, donated items for the raffle, spoke, cuddled cats, set up, tore down and visited the event!

Erica Carranco and one of the kittens rescued from Montcalm Animal Shelter.

Far be it from me, But I would venture to say,
that Tiffany Traxler......fell in love that day!

Beth Tascott Orr loves him too!

Carol's Ferals first ever Adoption Event was a big success. We we able to find forever homes for 4 kittens. One other kitten was adopted but had to be returned for allergy reasons. If we could just find a way to reroute sinuses, we would have a lot more homes for cats...that's for sure.

This cat is not good for folks with an allergy. This is Carlton in his new home. Rest assured he has a bigger house than the kleenex box!




I don't have photos of all adopted kitties with their new parents, but I do have one.
This is Sheridan with his new mom and dad.


Thank you to our committee chairwomen: Darla Alexander, Jolyn Clark and Joanne Roehm.

Carol's Ferals Adoption Coordinator - Jolyn Clark

Thanks to our volunteers: Lisa McDaniel, Liz Schovey, Kolene Allen, Amy Townsend Klemple, Gabrielle Groot, Pat Baxter, Kaela Sowa, Vic Cabot, Tom Kerwin, Maiya Kerwin, Laird Smith, Robbin, Jessica and Whitney Alexander, Marilyn Hamill, Erica Carranco, and Stephanie & Matt Meaney.

Kolene educates visitors about TNR.

Kaela Sowa and Lisa McDaniel peek in on some kitties.

Amy Townsend Klemple the kitten tamer shows off the Montcalm boys.

This obviously is NOT a FERAL KITTEN.

Laird Smith created 10 minute sketches for us.

Thanks to those who baked for the refreshment table: Arlene Gryga, Nickie Alexander, Therese Brink, Kolene Allen, Joanne Roehm, Kaela Sowa and the others who I'm sorry I didn't meet because I kept as far away from the goodies as I could lest there be none for the guests of the event. (A side note, I do have three platters that have not been claimed. If you baked and have not gotten your dish back, please contact me).



Thanks to those businesses who donated items for our raffle:





Pet Supplies Plus - http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/
World of Floors - http://www.worldoffloors.com/
The HopCat - http://www.hopcatgr.com/
Z's Grill and Bar - http://www.zsbar.com/
Megan Slattery - http://meganslattery.avonrepresentative.com/
The Angelic Cross - http://www.angeliccross.com/
Kim Grant Designs - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7141306
Eric Tascott - Cat Art by ETOK
Jeanine Buckner - The Cat's Meow Pet Sitting 616 791-9696
Janie's Cookies - Centerpointe Mall http://www.janiescookieco.com
Bargain Books - Centerpointe Mall http://www.bargainbookstores.com/
The Sparrows & Joanne Roehm - http://preview.tinyurl.com/kl959r
Kat and Greg Merill - Wildlife prints and bead work
Auto Clinic Inc - Automotive shirts and goodies
Kathleen Oliver - Vera Bradley Bags

Please patronize our supporters.

Jim DeVormer has his Cat Mountains on display!

A very special thank you to Centerpointe Mall for coming through once again with a purrrfect venue for our MEOWtrageous Adoption Extravaganza! And thank you to James, Stephanie and Maria for all your support!

Meow!
Carol