My Feral And Rescued Cats

[tarasgirl06]

That is potentially stupendously thrilling news, Jcatbird and nowhere are reputable, responsible, caring cat rescues/sanctuaries more needed than in your part of the country. Here is a somewhat exhausting but necessary article on the subject from the best source I know of: How to Start an Animal Sanctuary
That should keep you busy for a little while.

 

[dustydiamond1]

The storm passed through. Yay! We were without power. When we don’t have power, we don’t have water either because of the well pump. It was one of those days when you really can’t do much of anything. I don’t know what happened but there were a lot of fire department vehicles going past here on the highway. Hopefully no one was hurt.
I was saving my phone charge until the power came back on. It’s vack! Yay! The kitties were all upset at the power outage. They are calming back down finally. As soon as the power came on we had some cuddles due. After everyone came out of hiding! Poor kitties. They still remember what storms were like outside.

Hmmmm. I see Banjo.
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Somebody is under the pool!
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Awwwww. Mitsy looks scared.
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Poor baby.
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The kitties were not happy!
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They all had this look!
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Or this one!
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With the lights back on they began coming out for a little comforting.
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They were all still nervous though.
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Banjo still wasn’t calm.
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She was still guarding her hiding place.
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She finally stuck her head back up!
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Eventually they all came out.
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Cautiously.
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Reassurance and hugs were handed out. BJ was especially glad to get his.
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I’m glad it all passed. I haven’t been outside yet but I know it’s probably kind of messy out there. With all the rain we’ve had lately I imagine the water’s up pretty high. I’ll be cleaning up for days but it could have been much worse.

Just to touch on our good news a bit, it looks like we are getting help from an old friend as well as a family member. My friend just happens to have all the formal rescue status! My family has helped me with the trust for the cats so I can continue with that. One family member is also a cat lover and is interested in helping to pursue trying to form a sanctuary if we can work out all the details. All this news came around my birthday so I have to say this was the best birthday ever! LET ME BE CLEAR in the sanctuary part though. This is just in the EARLY stages of fact finding and exploration. We do not intend to start taking in lots of cats. There could be a few coming later but I already have enough that need care now to keep me busy. Lol It all depends on getting established and getting other people to help with the physical part of the caregiving. My friend intends to try and help me with some adoptions though so I’m hoping the numbers will change. The sanctuary would be for a limited number of kitties and would include any that I have here that don’t get adopted. We may be fostering some but the details will come later. We will be working with some other cat lovers, including a couple you all may know. We’ve gotten commitments from a couple. Again, details remain to be figured out. We am hopeful that this can be accomplished with the people who are now helping. Fingers and paws are all crossed. We’re going to have to be very patient though as all of this will take time. It is pretty complicated to get everything done. Let’s all hope that this materializes. It would be kind of a dream come true for several of us here. It’s something that is greatly needed in this part of the country. Don’t send any cats now! Please! This will take months to accomplish if we can do it. Even then I don’t know what the limitations will be. I am just really hoping that we can get something started that will continue long after I have retired from kitty rescues. There is a new generation of rescuers coming up right behind me. I know some now and see new ones showing up on thecatsite daily! We’ll be looking towards them later if this actually happens. They are our hope for the future. Maybe, just maybe, the group who is trying to get this going, can provide something for others to work with. I think I can speak for the others in asking for lots of good vibes and thoughts on this. We’re going to need them and everyone here on thecatsite. Our inspiration comes from all of you and the kitties you represent. We’ll be posting as we go here on the site. We all want to give back for the loving support we have recieved here and the love the kitties have, so freely given to us all. HOPE !

tarasgirl06 Any tips would be appreciated! I also appreciate the advice on networking. That is the key. I do want to ask you about how you manage to weed through things to find the right person to adopt a less social kitty or special needs kitty.
Have a great night everyone! We can all dream! Thank you to everyone here! You are all a big part of this dream.

 

[Jcatbird]

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven’t been here but have been having a hard time getting on site. Especially PM’s. I expect signals are off here still. I’ve also been really busy. Getting in some wellness checks and updates on the kitties this week. I have to stick to the schedule for them. I also got more birthday from two others I don’t see often enough. I’ll be posting some photos though. I could not resist stopping things today after opening my gift. One friend sent some things for the kitties. The other sent a framed picture that really touched my heart. She knew my daughter very well and she sent this because it looks exactly like her. It really does look just like her. The expression of joy! We talked on the phone today and she is coming to get me for a visit. Yay! It will be great to catch up.

Jcatbird : I know things are hopefully eventually going to change at Chez jcatbird, and your banner requirements will change, but until that time, here's something I think will work for your signature. You'll see I also added a quote from your very first post in this thread.


To add the signature, just highlight, copy and paste all the below into your signature space. You'll find the signature option by holding your mouse over your username up on the top right hand corner. Signature is the 3rd option down, under your avatar pic.

The cats pictured above are my current Feral and Rescued cats. To learn more about them - Click Here
If you are a cat guardian you're a kitty hero!

I love the added quote!! I did want to message you before we put it up but I am having trouble doing any OM’s right now. I’ll try again tomorrow. Thank you so much!!!!

That is potentially stupendously thrilling news, Jcatbird and nowhere are reputable, responsible, caring cat rescues/sanctuaries more needed than in your part of the country. Here is a somewhat exhausting but necessary article on the subject from the best source I know of: How to Start an Animal Sanctuary
That should keep you busy for a little while.

Thank you for this! I haven’t been able to get to it yet. I just now was able to get on the thread. This should be very helpful though. I hope we can accomplish this. It really is needed here. That has become very apparent to me. Especially the last few months. Things are not very good for cats here. Since I have gotten more deeply involved I have gotten very concerned. The more I learn, the more I want to do something. Education is part of what we would like to include. It’s a huge task to get something like this going but there are those willing to help. I once thought getting these cats safe was probably impossible. I just had to try. We’re going to try this. I hope to include as many people on the site as possible with input, ideas and suggestions since, in a way, we really are all doing this together. I doubt I would ever have come to this if I hadn’t come here. Kudos to thecatsite and members for inspiring! Even if we can’t accomplish it, others may pick up the baton. ( or in this case, the cat wand.)

I really have to get to bed. Very early days this week. I do want to leave our nightly smiles though.

We got a balloon that has a light inside it. Hmmm.

Bonjure is curious.

It doesn’t smell like an animal!

It moves if I touch it.

Look everybody! i’m going to catch it!

I got it!

Whistle wants to touch it.

Noooo. You can have it Flowers!

It’s strange Flowers! Be careful!

Awww Whistle.

I think it’s a toy.

See! It won’t bite.

Heh heh! I like it!

I can pick it up.

I think I’ll take it back here.

You guys can play with something else.

This is better than the fuzzy ball!

You’re Banjo’s toy. Okay?

I love you bright toy!

You’re like a giant catnip bubble!

We’re going to be good friends.

Lol. I hate to think what’s going to happen when the air leaks out. Banjo has been staying with her new bubble buddy all day. She shakes it and carries it around everywhere. I may have to find out where to get more of these! The other cats barely had a chance to try it out. The light inside it should prove interesting after I turn out the lights for the night. I hope the kitties let me get some sleep. Of course, I may hear a pop in the night too.The kitties have had balloons before though. The ones that did get to play with it did so gently. This was a great kitty gift! We did get another but that will have to wait for another day. I hope you all found Banjo’s fascination with the glowing balloon as cute as I did.
Have a great night everyone! I let you know if the new nightlight survives until morning. Thank you for all the tips and good wishes on the possible cat sanctuary!!

 

[maggiedemi]

How did they play with a balloon without popping it? My cats would have popped that in 2.5 seconds with their knives for claws.

 

[rubysmama]

Another tweak:

The cats pictured above are my current Feral And Rescued cats. To learn more about them - Click Here

 

[rubysmama]

Still trying for purr-fection.

The cats pictured above are my current feral and rescued cats. To learn more about them - click here

 

[tarasgirl06]

rubysmama You've achieved it, or as close as PAWSible! Really nice.
Jcatbird What a wonderful glowy balloon! I've never seen one before. We have two little round cat lamps with LED lights in them that are charged with a USB cable either in the wall or the desktop. Really love them. They change colors or you can have them on white, or on the one color you prefer. They're not cat toys but they are quite adorable! I got them at one of my favorite sites, www.thecatfair.com which is down for renovation right now.

Yes, Best Friends is the best example of a well-run, truly caring sanctuary and educational organization I know of. You couldn't do better than to start there. They have seminars on the subject as well, and IDK if they have webinars, but they might.

 

[rubysmama]

rubysmama You've achieved it, or as close as PAWSible! Really nice.

Had to edit that post and replace the banner, as I had the quote wrong.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'm thrilled about the real possibility of getting this "unofficial" sanctuary on "official" footing! Count me in for ANYTHING I can do!

 

[tarasgirl06]

surya *But for Tax Purposes, YOU can be Head of Household, servant. Make sure you pay on time. After that, household reverts to MY ownership.*
Jcatbird On the subject of birthday cards, I had occasion for those recently, and was looking forward to one from my friend in Switzerland. Birthday came and went -- no card. His is a bit before mine, and he did not comment on receiving my card, either, so I emailed him to ask if he had done so. He replied via email that he had, and had tried thrice to thank me via email, but each time, the email was refused. He also said he had emailed my card. Later, he emailed to ask if I'd received it. Still no. This morning, my email alert from USPS showed an envelope from...you guessed it. I just got it and opened it -- a lovely cat card with a wonderful message.
So you see, *NEVER give up on a CAT!*

 

[Jcatbird]

I just got on site and found this!

surya *But for Tax Purposes, YOU can be Head of Household, servant. Make sure you pay on time. After that, household reverts to MY ownership.*
Jcatbird On the subject of birthday cards, I had occasion for those recently, and was looking forward to one from my friend in Switzerland. Birthday came and went -- no card. His is a bit before mine, and he did not comment on receiving my card, either, so I emailed him to ask if he had done so. He replied via email that he had, and had tried thrice to thank me via email, but each time, the email was refused. He also said he had emailed my card. Later, he emailed to ask if I'd received it. Still no. This morning, my email alert from USPS showed an envelope from...you guessed it. I just got it and opened it -- a lovely cat card with a wonderful message.
So you see, *NEVER give up on a CAT!*

Never give up on a cat! Happy belated Birthday tarasgirl06 May you have many more, may they all be happy and healthy and blessed! The kitties and I are sending many purrs and lots of love your way!
I’m glad you got your card! Kitty cards are the best!

 

[Jcatbird]

M maggiedemi My kitties have never popped a balloon. I don’t know why but they seem to know that they’ll kill it if they aren’t careful. I think it has to do with them not being focused on killing it! I do watch them carefully with certain toys though. I probably was very quick to grab balloons from them in the past if they played rough so I may have taught them that I’ll confiscate it too. Lol The other possibility is that these kitties learned that catnip bubbles pop. Maybe they associate the two as similar. Cats are very smart. The balloon survived intact but most of the air did go out of it. It was nice while it lasted.

tarasgirl06 I agree that the banner is purrfection! I loved it from the start!
I also love your kitty light! That is adorable! I had never seen a light up balloon either. It was a big hit with the kitties. My daughter always loved balloons so a lot of them were in our house over the years. Her cat, Smokey is usually the first one to play with them but Banjo claimed this one. I think Smokey was a little confused by the light. Lol She preferred the other gift the kitties received. Photos will follow!
A webinar would be fantastic! If they don’t have them then maybe my brother or one of the other people involved can catch one of their seminars. Or both. I already love Bestfriends. They are connecting with some people I know in the area. I have communicated them about a shelter myself and will be following up on your advice. You may have just saved more kitties by passing this on! You do such amazing work! I’m in awe of what you do. Thank you so much for your help and advice.

rubysmama Truly beautiful banner! You’re fantastic. I truly believe that every cat guardian is a hero. I’m sure Ruby agrees!

Mamanyt1953 I am so appreciative for the “count me in!” I will and do! I know you are another cat guardian here and have done your share of guarding and protecting. You still do. Hekitty can join us. Cat advice is always good advice!

dustydiamond1 Thank you for the wonderful abundance of good vibes. We can all feel them! It helps!

surya What’s the latest on the cat rescue front? Please keep us all updated! We can talk more soon about kitty shuffles. I’m still have site problems or phone problems. The page just reloaded on me. It makes it very hard to get posts and PM’s out. So to you and everyone else, I spoke to the provider of my services and I may have to take the phone in for an update, work or even new model. Aaaaarrrgh. I don’t know when I will be able to schedule an appointment there because I have vet appointments scheduled along with some other important things but hoping it can wait just a little bit.

For people working with rescue groups, some insist on paying for expenses through their rescue non profit themselves. Always check with them before you pay for anything and work out who does what tax wise. I have worked with some who did that. I assume they want to oversee all cat care and that’s why they do it that way but there may be a tax reason for them. Others are happy for you to support the expenses. Maybe tarasgrl can educate us on this.

Now on to the kitty update! Today was a vet wellness day and update on immunizations. Since I was taking my eldest kitty in I was hoping all would go well and it did! Dolly passed with flying colors! He is 15.2 pounds and behaved very well. He was busy playing this morning and when it came time to load up for the trip he was a little unhappy with me. I had to take him in a fairly large carrier to get him to agree. The one he likes gives him room to really stretch out. It weighs another 2+lbs. so it was good exercise for me. Lol This carrier actually straps very easily under the seat belt so it’s a good choice for a car ride anyway. Since Dolly is the eldest and it was a good visit, I thought more vet photos were appropriate.

Uh oh! Are we at the vet’s office?

This is where you brought me?

Time to hide under the towel.

Time for the vet! Good strong heart Dolly! Good boy.

All done! Chin scratches for a sweet kitty!

Okay Mom! I’m leaving now! He jumped but we caught him in mid air! It pays to expect that leap! Lol Thank goodness we all caught him. Three sets of hands.( minus the one holding the camera)He’s pretty fast for an older kitty!

We’ll have more vet photos tomorrow of Lady.

The smiles for today come thanks to a frog!
After opening that package yesterday, the cats heard a noise! It got lots of attention.

It was a little toy frog croaking. Some kitties liked it and some didn’t!

Smokey decided to investigate closely!

She made friends with the little guy.

BJ wanted to eat him but Smokey made him go play with the balloon instead.

She protected the frog like it was a kitten. She’s decided to adopt the frog!

She slept with the frog! Leave it to Smokey to be a good Mommy to lost little ones!! She always watched over and loved Motherless kittens too. The frog looks happy so I’m leaving them together. As long as nothing moves, the frog is quiet. If any other cat comes near, the motion detector causes it to croak and Smokey wakes up. The purrfect green kitten.

Have a great night everyone. Funny kitten dreams!

 

[rubysmama]

Look at those green eyes! You really are a doll, Dolly.

 

[maggiedemi]

My cats are going to the vet for their birthday present in June.
That frog toy is cute. Are you sure it isn't a toad? Demi made friends with a toad once out in the garage.

 

[surya]

Just working on trying to find drivers for the first three kitties. I don't know if she will be able to save the kitty with the bad leg. The rescue doesn't pay for it. She is on the board of directors of a rescue and has fostered many of the kittens I have given her through them, but all the money for vetting my colony is her personal money. They are not in the rescue's program.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Thank you so much, Jcatbird -- you are so kind! No, I don't know the answer to the tax/funds matter, unfortunately. It's wonderful that Dolly had a good checkup -- I'm not surprised, as his "Meowm" loves him so and takes such good care of him! That is such a cute frog. *I see no family resemblance, Smokey*
*PRAYERS* from the heart that the "kitty with the bad leg" will be helped, and that good, reputable and reliable drivers will be found, surya .

 

[surya]

Thanks, if you guys have any suggestions on where I could post looking for volunteers, let me know. I need to recruit cat people in LA, AL and TN.

My rescue friend is waiting on the vet's office to give her an estimate on the amputation for the kitty. Three legged kitties need to be kept indoors because it is hard for them to get away from predators. So if she can get him fixed up he will need a home. He is semi-feral and FIV+ so that will not be an easy to find. So he does need some prayers.

 

[tarasgirl06]

surya Transport Organizations
Professional Pet Transportation & Relocation Services
P.E.T.S. LLC - Animal Rescue Road Trips
Cat Transportation - RoyalPaws
Let me know if you need more. I found these just by inputting drivers/transporters for cats in LA, AL, and TN.

 

[surya]

surya Transport Organizations
Professional Pet Transportation & Relocation Services
P.E.T.S. LLC - Animal Rescue Road Trips
Cat Transportation - RoyalPaws
Let me know if you need more. I found these just by inputting drivers/transporters for cats in LA, AL, and TN.

No, I don't need a transportation service. I need to find drivers to volunteer. Here's the sign up sheet:

Upcoming Transports

 

[tarasgirl06]

No, I don't need a transportation service. I need to find drivers to volunteer. Here's the sign up sheet:

Upcoming Transports

Oh, I misunderstood.