Robin's Cats

Robin's Cats Someone recently asked about Robin's cats. Wish I had someone to update this on a more regular basis or had someone to do many of the other things I do so I could do updates on a more regular basis but alas, that too shall come! I'm delighted when someone asks questions. I never know who reads these posts. About Robin's cats. A quick synopsis by memory for the moment. Ella was adopted by a good friend of Robin's Helmut & Twilight were adopted to a family in Willmette. Tennyson & Rosie went to a young girl and her grandmother who'd lost their mom/daughter then the kittens they got before these two died. They are bringing both the young girl and the grandmother much joy. 5 Seniors went to DuPage Animal Care & Control and were accepted into their Senior Adoption program. I continue to check with them to get seniors in when they've adopted seniors out. This assures their being in the adoption program vs being euthanized. ( a note on shelters that euthanize for space. As much as I oppose killing of any sort, I completely understand the need. There are more cats than homes. To judge a shelter because they euthanize without adopting as many pets as possible is blaming the wrong party. They are doing the best they can to accomodate a difficult situation) Once a cat is accepted into their program, they stay until they are adopted. Alfred, the guy that had his ear canals removed is now Long Haul Trucker Alfred. He was adopted by a young couple with a big rig. Alfred spends his days on the 2nd bunk, roaming around the back 'room' of the cab and looking out the window (his favorite thing to do while here). 4 of the cats, who's names escape me, are in foster care waiting for adoption. 6 of the cats are still at Robin's housed - waiting for adoption. Ellie (who you may have seen on our FB page) sadly, was euthanized. She had a tumor in her ear, the size was initially hidden by an enormous absess. After 2 weeks of daily soaks and antibiotics, it was found that the tumor was too large to be operable. Tika, another wonderful cat, died of a form of cancer that now escapes me. She had a great life until the day she died in the arms of her loving foster mom. Robin had 22, not 26 cats when she died. Robin is in our thoughts as well as her cats. Her former car was donated by her husband and is now our 'cat mobile'.

Hoss

Hoss is a magnificent cat - not just in size, in presence and personality. Hoss was an infrequent visitor in one of our caretakers yard when he was trapped and taken to Tree House where he was neutered, vaccinated, ear tipped and microchipped, and given Revolution for fleas, ticks, ear mites and parasites. During his wellness exam, they discovered his dental issue. The right side of his lower jaw was infected and swollen. He must have been in pain, he drolled and dribbled food on that side. We also discovered he is FIV positive but aside from his dental issues, healthy. FIV cats can live long healthy lives. They can only transmit the disease to other cats through deep wound bites and once neutered, they loose their desire to fight.

The first thing we notice about Hoss was his size. Even tho his ribs were showing and his backbone stuck up like a mountain range he was HUGE! His face has the cheeks of an unneutered adult male, those big beautiful jowels that disappear after neutering. His coat is sort of a motled silver and black, medium to short in length. He was 12 pounds but ematiated. His ribs stuck out and his spinal cord stuck up like a mountain range. He has beautiful dark golden eyes with a slight dip in his upper lid. His voice is as mighty as his size. His coat was dry and thin, he had what looked to be a burst absess on his lower jaw and another developing on his right cheek. He's got a funny little fold to his left ear. He must have been in pain for a long time.

We knew Hoss was friendly, we didn't know how friendly and in order to go to our vet at Elmhurst Animal Care & Clinic, he had to be handleable. It took a few days to access that. Once we were able to pick him up, we were able to take him to the vet. From the beginning, we gave him good food, colostrum, pro-biotics and essential fatty acids. Once back from the vet, he was on Clavamox. We were hoping his jaw was just infected and that it wasn't squamous cell carcenoma. After 10 days on clavamox, we took him back to EACC. Good News! His jaw was so much better, cancer was ruled out. He was ready to have a few (5 actually) teeth removed. That was last week. One more trip to the vet and he'll be ready to leave. He looks fabulous! He's gained weight, his hair is filling out and getting healthy. His gum is healed - no more drool and mess. He is so much more comfortable. He's a great cat.

A bit about Hoss. Truely, the word magnificent comes to mind. He is very intelligent and responsive. He knows and responds to the word no. He's affectionate without being needy or demanding. He's wonderful to cuddle with. He has a presence. His wise old eyes speak volumes. Sometime, a long time ago, Hoss was tossed to the streets or maybe lost. He's survived and is still trusting and friendly. He needs a home with someone to love him and someone he can love. He may be an indoor outdoor cat - it's difficult to tell because of his current living situation. He's a senior, we just don't know his age. We think he'd be appropriate for any age.

HOSS NEEDS A HOME BY JULY 1 OR HE WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE YARD. He's not a candidate for a shelter - he hates to be caged and we can't keep him. We can only help him heal His caretaker can't take him in, her cat isn't cat friendly and Hoss may not be either.

Hoss doesn't like dogs at all. Not even our resident dog, Bella, who is loved by all the other feline furry ones.

Please email catvandotnr@yahoo.com or call 708 829 6013 if you'd like to meet him and possibly provide him a home to live out his life.

Tri's really up and up!

Tri was on top of the cabinet she's been living under last night. It's the yellow cabinet next to the cat tree pictured in the last photo. She's only coming out at night and now, dusk, but at least she's started!

Tri, Willow & Blackie

Tri's Up & Out!!!!! That's her at the top of the cat tree, next to the cabinet she spent so much time under. This is the first time I've walked into the room when she's been out and she hasn't run back under the cabinet. Willow is getting bigger and more beautiful every day. She is in kidney failure, her kidney values were up the last time she had her blood work. She's just happy to be here. We'd love to find her a home. She's loving and sweet and spends most of her time in the bathroom, she's comfortable there. Once in a while, another cat takes her spot but usually leaves it to her or joins her in her bed. She's an old girl. We'd like to find her someone who would like to spend some of their last years together. Blackie is gaining slowly and his hair is filling out. I think he'll always be a slim cat. His gums are pretty much healed. He needs a lap. He loves being held and petted. Sleek, black and looking for a lap. THANK YOU ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE DONATED TO TRI'S SURGERY AND HOSPITALIZATION - WE MADE IT!!!! YOU HELPED US COVER IT! WE'RE ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY THROUGH WILLOW'S BILLS TO DATE - NOT SURE WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE IN THE LONG RUN. BLACKIE'S SURGERY HAS BEEN PAID FOR BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING ON FOLLOW UP SO........... ANY AND ALL DONATIONS - LARGE AND SMALL ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!!!! Thank You.

Robin's Cats

Alfred & Dottie are still in foster care. Alfred is such a hugger. Karen (foster Mom) was holding him with he had his arms resting on her shoulders, kissing her face and nuzzling her neck and cheeks. Great old boy. His ear is doing a bit better - looking forward to seeing what the vet says this week. Dottie is still shy. Squirt, a 9 month old muted grey tabby that purred through her test and vaccines and her housemate, Tennison, an orange tabby boy, about 1-2 years old have become Rose and possibly Leo. Priscilla, our webmaster, arranged their adoption. Their new family a young girl named Nina and Dorothy, her Grandma are thrilled to get them and by the sounds of it Rose & Leo are thrilled to be there. Rose has always been open, playful and friendly but we were a bit concerned about Leo - no need. he took time coming out of the carrier but then joined right in with the group............ A match made in heaven. Nina, Dorothy, Rose & Leo have all suffered a great loss of a loved one. Dorothy lost her daughter, Priscillas God Daughter, Sara. Nina lost her Mom. Rose & Leo lost their Mommie then their cat family. And they all spent their first night snuggled up against one another! Beautiful............... Helmut - a big old white cat with a grey cap was adopted by another family with another miracle of a story! Our vigilant volunteer, Janet, who's been working on placement for the cats, found him a place with the woman who does adoptions out of PetSmart. When a cage opened up, Mike took Helmut to Elmhurst Animal Care for his wellness exam, shots and blood work on Friday then Janet picked him up on Saturday to take him to Sarah at PetSmart. Janet fell in love with him during and after transport. A big old boy, really mellow. We hated the idea of him being in a cage for an unknown amount of time but sometimes that what it takes for an adoption. No need to worry! Janet stuck around for a couple of adoptions and on her way out noticed a family with a small girl coming into the store. By the time she got back home, she found out the family adopted Helmut. It was the little girl who made the choice. Sarah has already spoken to the adoptors. Helmut now follows the little girl wherever she goes. The miracle is that an old cat got adopted and within a couple of hours of being at PetSmart - that's incredible. 2 more - we got a call from a woman who's friend referred her after she read the story in the Oak Leaves http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/3071996,oak-park-cats-020911-s1.article . It's a great article. She and her husband have always had animals and their last one died a while back. They miss having critters and are willing to adopt 2. Their only criteria is 'male'. They'll take the older cats and color isn't an issue. Love it! We're bringing them the cats on Feb 1 or before 2-more - possible to a nice woman who's had a number of rescues and had been a vet tech for years. She and her family may be taking 2. Going out to Robin's this Friday take photos of the cats and pick up 4 cats for the vet, then to Karen's pre-adoption. We've had such great matches, seems like Robin's overseeing .

Robin's Cats: Alfred, Dottie & Squirt

We will be listing cats as they become available or we have more info on them. So far, we've taken three cats from Robin's house. They all need IMMEDIATE HOMES, temporary or permanent. All have tested negative for feline leukemia/aids. Every day they go without a new mommie or dad, they suffer. Robin rescued these cats, disposed of by others, please help continue her work. We've had very few inquirires. We don't want to see these cats go to DuPage Animal Control!

Alfred

Alfred is a great cat. A big grey and white cuddlebuddy. He readily approaches for cuddles and purrs. He's one of the special needs cats. He has a terribly infected ear that's on the road to recovery. He's on prednizone, clavamox and PCM ear meds. He's about 9 years old, sturdy and other than his ear, healthy.

Dottie

Is white with sparce grey and tiger spots. Her ear, like Alfred's is deformed but not as infected as his. she's on PCM ear meds. She has a stage 3 heart murmer (she tested negative for hyper thyroid) and is slightly anemic. We're giving her colostrum for her anemial. She's shy but was affectionate with Robin.

Squirt no photo

Cute as the dickens, a 7-9 month old grey muted tabby female. Lots of fun, healthy. Has a special buddy at the house who will be a great second cat. She's a bit older,grey but small. They pal together.

Keep posted for more cats. If you'd like to 'pick your own cats' we'll be going out this week, you might join us. Email if interested. catvandotnr@yahoo.com

Robin and her Cats

On December 20, a dear friend went to sleep and never woke up. She had a heart attack. To say Robin was compassionate pales by comparison to how compassionate, gentle, engaged and interested she really was. She was a librarian at the Dole Branch Library in Oak Park for about 20 years. She took a personal interest in anyone she spoke with. At her service last Sunday at the library, the room was overflowing into the hall with people cominbg to pay their last respects to a woman who meant so much to them. She will be missed. Robin's compassion wasn't just for 2 leggeds, she loved all life, including the many 4 leggeds that came to her door. Robin's home was surrounded by forest preserve land - a place where people 'dump' cats. Many of those cats came to Robin's door where she fed, vetted and cared for them. Much of her life, and resources, was devoted to her critters. ROBIN'S CATS NEED HOMES - WE NEED 12 PEOPLE TO TAKE 2 CATS EACH. CatVando is helping Robin's family find homes. Robin's cats are loving but would be terrible candidates for adoption at a shelter (if we could even find one to take them). The would freak out in a cage in a strange place, shrink to the back of a cage and probably hiss and would be seen as unadoptable. When the go from Robin's house to their new home, they'll hide for a while but will eventually come out and love their new companion. If you would be so kind as to help share your heart and home with 2 of these precious ones, please contact us catvandotnr@yahoo.com We have a limited amount of time before these cats have to be relinquished to DuPage Animal Control. Please find it in your heart to provide them with a life and a home

Tri, Willow, Blackie

Tri is making progress! No longer is she in the far corner under the cabinet, she's close to the front and in full view. I haven't seen her venture out but am sure she does. Hoping to take her collar off sometime next week. She loves to watch as we play with the cats in close proximity to where she stays. Who wouldn't love to watch as the cats jump, do sommersalts and grab at the stick toys - they're a riot. Willow is about the same. Gaining weight, loving her lovin' time. Her feet continue to improve. Blackie What a lover. He's due for his second dental surgery on Jan 5 (along with Daisy, an inside outside cat of one of our sponsored colonies). He's more than ready for a new forever home. His favorite thing in the world, after eating, is sitting in someone's lap, purring contendedly. He's come such a long way. It didn't take long for him to learn his manners. He had such a rough start. He was almost dead from malnutrition and dehydration and now, he's getting healthier and more comfortable every day. If you're looking for a lap cat who will do nothing but appreciate your love (and eat!), he's your guy. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and your interest in our cats. May 2011 bring you peace and a heart filled with love.

Blackie

Blackie - again, blog won't let me down load photo. Sorry Has been out of the crate since about 9am - our foster home fell through and he's been in there long enough. He was crated for 10 days prior to arriving here for an antibiotic treatment for the poor baby's oozing gums. He's a beautiful cat. Skinny as a rail. Until I tried to see his gums, he was very affectionate, now he runs from me. Poor baby, his gums are still very sore. We were told he only has his eye teeth but upon a very brief inspection, we saw white where it shouldn't be. We were going to take him to our vet but he was no where to be found so had to just take Lilly. He will have to go in soon. However, he is incorporating in the house very well. He's been at 'cat' level for 8 days so they've all had a chance to smell and see. Even Twinkle, the house b _ _ _ _ , and I say that with love, doesn't howl at him. He's a gentle one, no threat. He's skinny as a rail. When he came, we thought his dental expense had been paid for - he arrived after being treated at another vet. We were just doing meds and holding until adoption or foster. However, now it looks like he's going to cost money other than maintenance too. ok - next on the list after Tri and Willow.

Willow

Willow - for some reason the blog won't let me download a photo. Sorry Is still doing great. She did spend most of today in the bathroom but her coat is getting more lush and she continues to put on weight. I negected to mention that her heart rate has slowed. She's responding well to all treatment. Her feet continue to need treatment for a fungal infection but they're much better. At one point, we couldn't even touch her back toes. She still needs dental surgery but we're waiting until she's healthier - could be in a week or two. Her abdomenal mass continues to change. Where at one point, there was a large mass then a rounder small one, attached but behind the larger one. Now, they seem to be smaller, but joining and more of it is attached to the abdomenal wall. If it is mammary gland cancer, we don't want to operate. After consulting with our vet, it seems an unnecessary trauma. She's very sweet. She's comfortable here but we'd love to find her another good home. As soon as we get Tri's fund taken care of, the next monies will go to her vetting and care.

Tri

I'm posting Tri, Willow & Blackie separately for photo purposes....

Tri

Well, the pumpkin is working. She had a good well formed but not rock hard BM. She's not always eating well. Sometimes, I have to start her off with food on a spoon. Sometimes not even spoon feeding helps and I have to spoon feed her her entire meal. I think she's just sick of being crated. Tomorrow morning, she's going to be out for the first time. I'll post the video. She's not bothered by the house cats. When I was spoon feeding her, Buster, one of the kittens, climbed the crate and tried poking at the food - Tri just glanced and kept on eating.

Tri, Willow, Blackie

Another quickie! Tri did great yesterday. I'd never picked her up so getting her into the carrier was a concern but no need for concern. I was able to slide her into the carrier on the bed, then slide her out at the vet. At that point, I was able to pick her up and she was fine with it. She's not crazy about being held but there's no sign of agression - just a ting of a struggle when she wants to be put down. The angel in the crate makes it awkward and difficult to pick her up for the first time. Now it will be easier. Dr. Singleton checked her out, showed her to the surgeon and she was given a star of approval for her progress. Leane, her vet tech while at the clinic came in to see her and give her some lovin'. One of the other techs said she's Leane's favorite all time clinic cat. It's really too bad she can't foster her or even adopt her. Tri is a bit constipated because of her pain meds so we started her on pureed pumpkin. I syringe it into her mouth but amazingly enough, she likes it! Her next vet visit is scheduled in two weeks. Willow is getting spunkier. She was at the vet yesterday too. In the past any blood work has been a breeze. This time, she put up a bit of a struggle - poor baby, she's sick of being poked! We'll find out the results of her blood work today. Interesting note about her eyes. They've been changing. Initially, her iris was divided into two by a fine zig zag line. The line is gone. Her iris is still a beautiful deep green and the pearlesence is still there, close to the pupil but it's more blended with the outer iris. - any iridologists out there? It would be interesting to know why? Blackie is getting spunkier too. Yesterday he interacted with the house cats through the cage, in the past, they've been checking him out but he's ignored them. He's up out of bed and around the cage more. Looking much more relaxed. Those flower essences do wonders! He's going to be ready for a home in days.

Tri, Willow and Blackie

No time for photos today - had an issue with one of the cats we adopted out and ended up spending most of the day trying to determine her whereabouts, calling and emailing the adopter (with no response) and all the area shelters.... she's find and is coming back to CatVando tomorrow. Tri We did get to see her flip from one side to the other with relative ease. She continues to eat more each day, now that she's on the gravy food. Her wound is healing nicely. She's going to need to get out her cage soon. WE NEED A FOSTER HOME FOR HER!!!!!!!!!!! We still don't know her true temperament - she's still on a lot of pain meds. She did his at me tonight when I administered her antibiotics but it was my fault. I approached her from an angle that she might not have been able to see. But then she took the oral meds just fine. She's going to have to start using her legs and there isn't enough room in her crate. We got another $100 donation today! That brings us up to $520! With matching funds, that's $1,040! Thank You - we're almost there! She's going to the vet tomorrow for her check up Willow I did get a shot of her at the bathroom threshold, in her 'I'm ready for more food now', stance. I'll post tomorrow. She slept most of the day with little wandering throughout the house. I've yet to see her play. To the vet tomorrow for her kidney values. Blackie His appetite continues to improve. I've been adding water to his food. He doesn't drink much on his own and he has a tendency towards dehydration. He drinks it up as long as it's flavored with canned food. I haven't attempted to open his mouth to see how things are healing. He just has his canines, everything else was removed. Still haven't attempted to pet him. He was the friendliest cat in the house he came out of but continues to look at me with a touch of fear. Am just talking to him, moving slowly, providing food and cleaning the cage so he'll get more comfortable. That's it - should have quite a bit to report tomorrow after the vet. Been a long day.

Tri, Willow, Blackie

Tri Willow Blackie Tri Didn't eat well this morning. At about 11am, we syringed a bit of colostrum water into her to provide her with some nutrition and to 'prime the pump' - sometimes just a bit of food gets them started - and it did. She ate a bit. It wasn't until we brought in some canned with gravy that she really perked up and ate. She ventured into the litter box today. Laid there for a bit then made it back to her bed. We still haven't seen her in motion. Her surgical site looks good. Prior to her amputation, she lay on the side with the damaged leg. I always thought that odd, thinking it would hurt, but maybe it was her form of 'traction' or protecting it. She now lays with the wound up. We're still a long way from paying for her care.

Willow Is doing her thing. Hanging in bed in the bathroom, only to venture out on occasion. She ate well as usual and has been eating smaller portions since starting the meds and supplements. She's looking good. She's such a sweet heart, happy for anything she gets, food or lovin'. Vet visit Monday will tell us more about her kidneys. Blackie Is a bit more relaxed and eating better. He's closest to the floor and even tho he didn't live in a house with a dog, he's very relaxed with our resident canine, Bella, who is loved by all. He too ventured out of his bed to the other side of the crate but mostly stays in bed and looks around and naps.

Tri, Willow, Blackie

Blackie Willow

Tri

I am NOT technologically inclined. Our wonderful tech magician Fatenah, still has to teach me how to make a beautiful blog. Excuse the layout. Here's the update on Tri, Willow & Blackie

Tri

We picked her up at the clinic today and brought her back to CatVando. Her primary vet tech, Leana, gave us a lot of insites into her behavior and likes and dislikes. She'd hoped to foster Tri but her roommate was against it. Unless everyone on the household is on board, fostering or adopting usually doesn't work so she's here with us. But, she's going to come visit her during her recovery. Her wound looks good. Dr. Mosley performed a clean surgery. She'll be in a crate for a while while she recovers. She's got a nice warm bed with a blankie to cover her and a heating pad to keep her warm. Her appetite is pretty good and she's taking her pain meds and antibiotic. We added pro-biotics and a touch of colostrum and grapeseed extract to her food for digestion, nutrition and to help strengthen her connective tissue.

She's amazingly strong. She doesn't like to be held. We had to get her out of the carrier into the crate and didn't want to hurt her so used the blanket she was laying on to help move her. The carrier was right in front of the crate. After she was about half way out of the carrier, she lept for the crate and layed down on her bed. She's got spunk! She's due back at Elmhurst on Monday for a check We're looking for people to help care for her during her recovery. The more humans she comes in contact with, the more she'll learn to embrase human touch and companionship. She responds well to touch and hasn't shown any sign of agression or fear - it's a great time to work with her. She's still on pain meds and a bit out of it.

Willow

As you can tell, Willow 's home is in the bathroom. She can roam around the house but prefers the privacy of the bathroom. It works, when she's getting her extra feedings, we can close the door to keep all the other's from eating her extra helpings of food. She's doing great. She does like it when she has company during her meals. Sometimes she eats on her own, sometimes, she cries for food but when left alone with it, it goes untouched, then, as soon as we go into the room, she goes to her food.

Willow is accompanying Tri to the vet on Monday. She has to get her kidney enzymes checked. She'll be on her hyper thyroid meds for 3 weeks and it's time to see where her levels are to see if her meds need to be modified. In addition to her Tapazole, she gets digestive enzymes, essential fatty acids and probiotics. Her abdominal mass is changing. It's gone from 2 distinct masses to one joined larger mass. As mentioned, after consulting with the vet, we've opted to forgo her surgery. If it's mammary cancer, there's no point and the surgery would only stress her out.

She needs someone to soak her feet in warm water and apply her anti-fungal medication to her toes and nails daily.

Blackie

Is a bit freaked out. He's getting his pain meds and Clavamox and is eating well but he's scared. We started him on flower essences to help during the stress. A stressed cat takes longer to heal, not to mention, their discomfort.

He hasn't shown any sign of agression or wanting to bolt, on the contrary, the crate door came open and he just stayed in there.

He too needs someone to comfort him, to talk to him and to pet him in the cage.

All three of these cats need homes. They will be ready for adoption in the near future.

So far, our generous supporters have donated $420 towards Tri's hospitalization and surgery. With our matching fund that means $840 - we're only about $500 short of our goal!!! Amazing for such a short time. We're appreciative and so is Tri.

Tri, the tri colored, tri legged cat

Tri

Is waiting for her surgery.

Tri became a CatVando cat last Thursday. We met her for the first time today. She is a sweet sweet soul.

Her story and more photos are posted on our FaceBook account. CatVandoTNR

Tri, the Hillside Calico

Tri is a sweet calico who's front leg was mangled in an engine. She's a friendly but lives outside with a colony being fed by a wonderful elderly woman. To make matters more complicated, when she went to the vet, in fear, she bit a vet tech so she's on rabies isolation for the next 8 days. We are hoping to raise enough funds to have her leg amputated when she's out of iso. She's young and cats (as well as dogs) are resiliant and do just fine on 3 legs. Of course, she can't be outside so we'll be looking for someone to adopt this little sweetie. One of the vet techs at the the clinic may foster her after surgery. Her caretaker has visited her at the clinic and loves her but has too many house cats already and can't take her in. If you can contribute to her care, please click the donate button and indicate it's for Tri. We need to raise about $1,000 - we have a matching funds grant by one of our benefactors. I've yet to find out if there is any significance to her unusual name but will. I'll keep you posted.

The Cats of CatVando

We have some of the most wonderful cats in the world. Just like everyone does that has cats in need of forever homes. We love our cats and have treated them well. They've gotten the best of care, good food, lots of love and enrichment, veterinary care and good supplements and flower essences for their emotional health. Our cats are all healthy and happy. Some are very affectionate, some are shy. Some are lap cats, some 'lay next to your lap' cats, some 'across the room' cats. They need their forever homes NOW. CatVando is a TNR organization. We spend too much money on care for the cats up for adoption and not enough on paying TNR fees for those in need. 30% of the cats we TNR for people are paid for by their caretaker - that means 70% of the calls we get are from people who can't afford to pay TNR fees - even basic clinic fees. We pay for those cats when we can. Please help us find wonderful homes for all our wonderful babies so we can carry on with our work of TNR to prevent more homeless kitties from being born into the streets and to try to find homes for the strays we find on the street, and even to help those that have 'controllable' numbers of cats in their house. We can't do what we did with Henry's cats - as happy as we are that they are so much happier and healthier because we interceded, emotionally and financially, we can't aford to do that again. Henry's cats are healthy, happy and ready go to. Their lives started out so horribly, they need to have the last 1/2 of their life, or more, in their forever, loving home. Many of them are on our http://petfinder.com - under shelter type our zip 60153 or CatVando. We have other cats who are ready for homes, some last years kitties, some pets we've found in the streets. We don't take kittens any more - we currently have our last 7 kittens from two different litters. One, the Boo Boo babies, the last litter born at Henry's, and the Bunny Babies, born to two cats of an elderly gentleman who let 2 yard cats in last fall. Fortunately, his niece contacted us and they are now in their new inside/outside digs, steralized. Adoption fees are greatly reduced. We're just looking for good homes. Most we'd like to go in 2 or 3's. Like the 3 'Water Babies'. A couple could go alone. I know, most animal lovers are already maxed out but there has to be SOMEONE who would love to develop relationship with a special cat (or one little dog - Miles). Please ask around. SPREAD THE WORD! More kitties need homes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bliss update

Bliss Is doing much better. I didn't take a photo today but did take him to Treehouse to Feline Lukemia and Aids testing. They cleaned him up and did the usual wellness check (We LOVE Treehouse). In addition to his Upper Respiratory Infection, he has a terrible infection in his lower extremeties, lots of pus. He was also dehydrated, emaciated, he has mild pneumonia and has severe dental disease. He was already neutered and he's wasn't ear tipped, so, he was someone's abandoned pet. I have cautiously pet him but he's still pretty frightened. I'll post a photo tomorrow. Wait until you see him.... he looks so much better already. A blessing for Bliss. He'll be on Doxycycline for 7 days then switching to Clavamox. He's also getting immune boosters, pro-biotics and flower essences for trauma, stress and changes. When he's well, we're hoping to put him up for adoption. Any donations for our Bliss fund will certainly be appreciated. Through our paypal account (on blog) or by snail mail to our post office box.

Henry's Cats - 2nd Trapping

On Wednesday, Jan 13, at 1pm, Kallie & I met at Henry's to trap 10 cats. Kallie got there first and found out the news of the new kittens, born Sunday. There were 2 out of 4 left. One or more cats killed the first two. Henry said they were pretty bloody. The other two, tiny little things, look like they're going to be long hair grey tabbies. They were in the corner in a Friskies 48 cans box in the corner. They have rudolph noses, mouths and butts - could be sick. We set up the traps and got 8 cats within about 20 minutes. One of the traps got triggered with no cats and the other we were saving for the new mom. We'd put the kitties into a carrier with the trap in front of it with a sheet over the trap and carrier - the idea being that mom would only be able to get to the kittens by going through and into the trap. 8 hours later, we still hadn't gotten mom. We weren't sure which cat was the mom. We tried to identify her. We tried many things during the hours we were there. We left the trap in front of the carrier for a couple of hours then were concerned that the babies weren't getting nurished so we took it away. Several times during the day, Kallie and I sat in the car in the driveway while waiting for things to normalize hoping to catch mom. At one point, Henry was sitting next to the trap and when mom entered, he was to close the door. He did. Unfortunately, he didn't close it properly and mom burst through the door. Cats can be pretty strong when they're panic stricken. We tried putting a long rope through carrier tied to the door while we waited for her to enter so we could pull the door closed and run to fasten the lock... Didn't work either. We found a place for mom and the kittens. Safe Harbor agreed to take them. Best with mom but even without. They are great with bottle babies. We had to get them there by 6pm and they were about an hour away. We were still trying for mom. The delima was, leaving the kittens in a house where they were being killed. Henry's house can be divided. At one point, we thought we had all the cats but the one we suspected being mom in the living area with the rest being locked in the basement. Henry lives in a tri level with a finished basement. We had a trap set for mom near the kittens. Kallie and I went to the car. When we came back in Henry said, 'There are about 3 cats running around up here!' We ended up using the two unfilled traps to catch two more cats for TNR at Treehouse the next day. We were pretty sure the mom was one of the two young grey tabbies. We checked the cats in the traps from the bottom and couldn't see any swollen milk glands. At some point in the afternoon, we took the 8 cats we had in traps to an empty apartment Kallie's mom owns near Fullerton & Laramie. It's closer to Treehouse near North Ave & Ashland and more convient for the morning. We had to be there by 8:30 am Thursday. At one point, we put canned food in the basement at a point where we could see the feeding cats through a window. We saw cats we hadn't seen but knew there were more hiding. There are 2 cats that Henry's described, a white one with black spots and a brown one. One of the cats looked like it had bald or light spots but it didn't look like ringworm. We left Henry's at about 8:45pm with the remaining 2 traps now with cats. Kallie agreed to keep them in the basement for the night so we didn't have to drive all the way in the city. I got home about 10:30pm. We found homes for 5 of the 10 cats we had in traps. Jane, a TNRer in DeKalb was going to take 3 of the sick cats, one's with URI's to access for sociability. Adrianne and Jenny at Tails made the arrangements. When the cats are socialized, they will adopt them out. That's if they're socializable. If not, they'll go the way of many cats too scared to socialize. They'll be killed but they will at least have a chance. We have 5 cats with no place to go. WE NEED HOMES FOR 5 CATS. Plus at least 8 cats left at Henry's. Cats are great companions, even those that can't be held and touched. We're hoping they'll go in 2's and 3's. They are family and the transition will be hard on them. They are stressed and have had lives abnormal to a cats natural surroundings. Separating them even further would be cruel too. They need each other. Please email us at catvandotnr@yahoo.com. DONATIONS ARE ALSO NEEDED to cover the cost of surgeries, vet care and meds, supplements and essences and food. THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU GENEROUS ENOUGH TO SHARE YOUR MONEY TO HELP THESE CATS AND KITTENS.