I am an Animal Rescuer

I am an Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures

I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs

I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection

I have bought dog food with my last dime

I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand

I have hugged someone vicious and afraid

I have fallen in love a thousand times

And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends

I don't often use the word "pet"

I notice those lost at the road side

And my heart aches

I will hand raise a field mouse

And make friends with a vulture

I know of no creature unworthy of my time

I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven

But I believe there are

Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind

Some may think we are master of the animals

But the animals have mastered themselves

Something people still haven't learned

War and Abuse make me hurt for the world

But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind

We are a quiet but determined army

And we are making a difference every day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan

nothing more rewarding than saving a life

No higher recognition than watching them thrive

There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who only days ago,
was too weak to eat

By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue

I have been rescued

I know what true unconditional love really is
for I've seen
it shining in the eyes of so many
Grateful for so little

I am an Animal Rescuer

My work is never done

My home is never quiet

My wallet is always empty

But my heart is always full

Update on JonJon and Jeff

Jonnie and Jeffie are GREAT! I think they have doubled in size, Jonnie is a bit bigger than Jeffie. They are the two most handsome boys in the world. They are full of life and energy, when they are playing and racing through the house it sounds more like a herd of hoofed animals stampeding than two graceful, agile, soft pawed creatures. Their health is very good.

They are an interesting pair. Jonnie is still the more outgoing. Jeffie's hiding days are over. Once in a while as with any cat he will run if something frightens him, i.e. a stranger at the door, something falling to the floor and crashing, (it's usually one of them who has batted it off a counter or desk.). But Jonnie is the leader and Jeffie follows his example. They are so sweet when they sleep, usually in my bed (we turn the electric blanket on for them) they are always touching each other. They don't need to cuddle as it's plenty warm, often they are both stretched way out wearing a blissful expression. Other times they fall asleep on the back of the couch, a favorite perch, it's a good view to outside. That's not so warm and they do cuddle there.

My friend Janet, the lady who came to GR with me, can't believe the changes the boys have made, their size and their behavior. She remarked they were much like puppies because they come when I call and follow me all around the house. And that is what I hoped for my own entourage.

Although they like to follow Gary around too. We will probably both end up with broken hips as the boys like to wind through our legs and stand on our feet. Gary loves the boys every bit as much as I do. Jonnie, even though he's more outgoing doesn't like to be held. If you pick him up he wiggles and squirms. He will come sit on you or your keyboard, book, newspaper, but don't hold him. Jeffie likes being held, can you believe it? I still hardly can.He will stay as long as you keep stroking him and he can wear your arm out.

I love the boys, couldn't be more pleased or proud if I'd given birth to them myself. Gary adores them as well, dotes on them like a real dad. By all appearances I'd say Jeffie and Jonnie feel the same about us. It feels more like we've had them for years than only 2 1/2 months. We have no regrets about adopting the boys!Thank you Carol's Ferals for making this harmonious union possible!!

Posted by Jolyn, Adoption Coordinator

NO TRAPPING DATES

NO TRAPPING DATES:
Sunday Jan 31
Monday Feb 1
Tuesday Feb 2

Our vet will be out of town during that time.
Please trap Sunday - Tuesday nights other than those!
~ Carol & Sheri

Carol's Ferals Adoption Event - This Saturday!

Come one, come all and meet some of our wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. We will be set up at Centerpointe Mall in our usual spot outside of JoAnn Fabrics and Old Navy.

Carol's Ferals Adoption Event
This Saturday
January 23rd
11am - 4pm

We need to find homes for over 25 cats and kittens. This is our first event of the new year. Let's make it HUGE!

Kitten season begins in less than 30 days! We need to get ready for the kittens whose mama's slip by us. Spread the word, help us make room for the new kittens who will need to be rescued from the still harsh winter days of February!

Spread the word on your facebook profile page:
http://www.facebook.com/CarolsFerals?ref=ts#/event.php?eid=421761745553&ref=mf

See you all there!
~ Carol

Tina in SLC, Utah.....finally in her new home

Hello Feral Friends,

It's with great joy I share the news of Tina. Both she and Liz traveled cross county this week to bring Tina to her forever home with her mommies, Natalia and Adria. The once outdoor wanderer who happened upon Erica Carranco's feral feeding area, is now living in the lap of luxury in Utah.

It was a long journey for the cat that Erica seemed to KNOW was a boy who she originally named Lenny. But it took us several months to figure it out as Christy and I at that time thought that the caramel long haired cat was surely a GIRL.

Much to our dismay upon spaying, it was determined that Tina was indeed a boy and was spared a spay incision. But still in deep denial and understanding that Tina had embraced his feminine side, we kept his name as is and refused to acknowledge his maleness.

But none of that matters now. Tina is being well accepted into her new home. This gender bender has wormed her way into the hearts of Natalia and Adria simply through communication of Liz our mutual friend.

This is the longest distance adoption for Carol's Ferals. And we're all thrilled! Just wanted to share so you could be happy for Tina, Natalia and Adria too!

: ) Carol

Carol's Ferals would like to THANK and recognize Simon and Lulu's Playhouse for donating a portion of their November proceeds to our TNR program.

Donation was made in honor of Vicki's rescue cat Mickey.

Here is his story:
Mickey was a cat who wandered onto the property of my store in April. He was skin and bones and his orange fur stuck out in tufts and was so oily. He’d been wandering for awhile. We fed him, had him vet checked and de-wormed. He put on about 3 lbs. And the most amazing thing…. When I took my Dad up to the store for a visit, he feel in love with Mickey. So he decided to give Mickey a forever home. Mickey had once been a house cat and is so happy to be loved and adored with my Dad, who is a single 69 year old man.

They are GREAT company for each other. Carol, Mickey is the best cat. Never have I seen a cat so docile, so willing to accept strangers or so loving. I am grateful everyday for him, as is my Dad. And I know… a rescued cat named Mickey is grateful too! So this month, my proceeds benefit Carol’s Ferals.

For all you do for these precious kitties. THANK YOU!
Warmly, Vicki La Verdiere Nixon

Please continue to support Simon and Lulu's Playhouse. They support US!

www.simonandloulous.com

Tina is going to her new home!

Tina's trek across America with our dear friend Liz of LVNMUSIQ started early this morning! Utah is final destination with a stop in Kearney, Nebraska. Liz has a hotel all picked out that allows cats. Tina's new mommies Natalia and Adria await her.

Follow their progress on the Carol's Ferals Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/carol.manos?v=box_3&ref=name#/CarolsFerals?ref=ts

Pix of adoptables by Sarah Hale, cat room volunteer!

Thanks so much for sharing with us Sarah!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarieh/sets/72157622845567981/

What's new in 2010

Hello Feral Friends,

Please excuse my lack of communication lately. So many things changing with regard to Carol's Ferals, it's hard to keep track of all my modes of reaching out and I have been out of practice with speaking to all of you very faithful followers of this blog. With twitter, facebook, a second email and soon to be a second phone, I'm losing my mind.

For years, I've used the blog as my catharsis. In an attempt to become a more professional organization, and less of the "one woman pony show" (which was the appearance for the past years), I'm trying to use other means of cathartic venting and keep the blog more...how do i say, well...MORE PROFESSIONAL.

When I say APPEARANCE of a "one woman pony show", it's cuz while this Rescue is called Carol's Ferals.....even before my getting a board of directors and staff together, it was never a solo mission by any means. I want to stress that even though my name is on this Rescue, Carol's Ferals is a joint venture whose mission is ONLY achievable through the dedication and gumption of many people who have to think outside of the box and move beyond their comfort zones every single day to make life better for homeless free roaming cats everywhere. We are a collective of caring people who work together to decrease the overpopulation of strays and ferals all over West Michigan.

When people bring me cats for spay/neuter they THANK ME for helping them. But it's really them who are to be THANKED for HELPING ME achieve my mission.

So why am I saying all this. Because I want to fully illustrate the fact that while CF has appeared to be MY RESCUE, it hardly is. It's all of ours. And in addition to the wonderful individuals who reach out to these cats in need, I am blessed to have an awesome core of fine people who work alongside me to make CF roll along at a healthy clip to achieve our goals.

But now, I'm getting it all tied up into a neat little presentable package. The once appearing One Woman Pony Show, has a board and staff to support it. And this girl who used to rant and rave about her cat trapping escapades is taking more of an administrative roll and trying to censor herself a little so as not to make this new organization with several dedicated individuals HER'S ALONE.

So for those of you, long time blog followers that might kinda miss my irreverent ranting, please know I'm still as ticked off as always about the plight that animals face, I'm just not going to spend as much time ranting and more time organizing my most awesome team to make an even bigger difference.

I still need all of you who read this blog to continue to read it. And tell others about it. And help spread the word about TNR. But now, I need to get ready for a big year. We have set our sights on 1,500 cats sterilized in 2010. That's 443 more than last year. We have our work cut out for us. But with continued efforts to make TNR a household word, WE WILL ACHIEVE THIS GOAL!

I'm feeling renewed and ready to take on this new year!

All the best to all of you in 10.

Very faithfully yours,
Carol