Days when it is all worthwhile

Since last night I've had 7 trips to the vet, and the day isn't over. I've driven all over the city, talked to a cat-lady at Shrine Tours whose multiple personalities are all over the map, met with a so-called cat rescuer who believes we should shoot cats just like Wisconsin, had 2 phone calls from people who have traps on their property, and probably called Jamie & Tiffany at least 10 times each. And spoken to Carol 7 times. I have 2 cats spending the night in large cages in my car, which generally smells like Mackerel and excrement, and 5 in the garage. All of them hate my guts and wish they never met me.

But they won't be reproducing anymore. They won't have the chance to become infected with FIV and to then spread it to their colony. They won't give birth alone in the cold. They are ear-tipped, which lets people know they are "fixed" and being cared for. And we have the gratitude of a man named Bernie, who is handicapped and doesn't have much money, but loves all these cats just as though they are his own. And to some extent they are. He provides them fresh food & water every day, and has set up his porch to keep them from the cold. We will be giving him some winter shelters to boot.

It has been an exhausting day. I will be up at 6am tomorrow to check traps and transport to the vets' office, then to put together and transport pet carriers for them to come home in, pick up and clean the no-doubt filthy traps that the cats were in, and drive them and set them in areas around the city. I will release the boy cats from the colony that was "fixed" today, check on the female who beat herself up in the trap, and work on talking to more trailer parks.

And mascot Bob found his lifelong home. He was one of our first adult strays, and so far our only FIV cat. There is a local sanctuary we could have gotten him in to, but the only adoptions there happen about 3 times per year and are usually volunteers. Had Bob been given to any other rescue group he would have been euthanized immediately. "Nobody" adopt cats with diseases. But Bob found us and we fell in love with him. He will always be welcome to spend the rest of his life at our shelter, but doing so subjects him to regular upper respiratory infections, fleas that enter the building, and not nearly as much attention as a cat should have.

It has been an eventful year. Thousands of dollars have been spent on cats who would otherwise have died, hundreds of strays and outdoor cats have been "fixed", and it is days like today, when you know that you made the difference between death and an awesome life for a special cat..............................it's worth it.

My thanks to the volunteers who help out, and Bruce................................the vet of our dreams!!

The Purrrrrrrfect home for our Mascot, Bob

As anyone who has visited our adoption center since July knows, we have a mascot named Bob. He is our mascot because he manages the cleaning and cuddling of the kittens, and because we didn't think he would ever get a home of his own. Because Bob is FIV positive. He was beaten up by neighborhood strays, and it was likely a bite by an infected cat that gave it to him.

Bob is also everyone's favorite cat. He is loving and gentle and deserved a real home. Many of us wanted to take him home with us, but due to the personalities of the animals already in the household, it wasn't possible. Deb took him these past few months but he wasn't doing well with her older male cat.

But today I got this email:

I have GREAT news! My Dad and Mom have adopted BOB! They had a 16 year old cat die in June from Kidney failure. After over $800 and a month and of taking him back and forth to the vet they put him down. They were so sad and upset my dad said NO MORE PETS! I tried to talk him into another cat many times this summer and he would not budge.

On Wed evening they came to see my new house and fell in love with Bob. They could not believe how outgoing and friendly he was with strangers (just like their old cat Boo). When they left that night I thought to myself, why not offer them Bob. It will be a great home for him and all the love he could need. On Thursday when I went out there for Thanksgiving I offered to let them take Bob and my dad actually had tears in his eyes. I feel this is the right home for him. I told them right away that Bob has FIV and they were fine with that.

They came to get him on Saturday afternoon and took him to petsmart to buy him everything! He got to their house and they just love him. My Dad called me that evening to thank me and again on Sunday afternoon. Bob slept between them purring that night and they are both so happy with him.
I sure hope you are ok with this. It just felt right.

Bob already has an appointment with the Vet on Wed. My Dad just wants him to get to know him and learn more about the FIV.

Thank you, Deb, for finding the right home for Bob!!