You make a difference! Thank you!

Every year since 2005, Pet Haven has awarded grants to non-profit rescue organizations throughout the state with the goal of increasing the number of spays/neuters they can perform, which in turn will help reduce the number of unwanted litters.

The participating groups submit an application explaining their plans for the grant funds, along with verification of their 501c3 status and financial health. Out-of-state non-profit rescue groups that partner with Pet Haven are also eligible to apply.

Some of the groups are trying to reach barn cat populations or stray cat colonies, while others use the funds to help low income families meet the cost of spay/neuter for their dog or cat.

In these difficult economic times, Pet Haven is proud to be able to continue this grant program and through our partnership with these groups, to continue to meet the need for spay/neuter funding in partner communities.

In 2010, eight groups received grants (totaling $13,165) which resulted in 208 cats, 38 dogs and one bunny being altered. In addition, 143 low income owners were able to receive assistance for their spay/neuter costs. All of these funds came directly from Pet Haven's budget.

We hope to increase this amount by $5,000 this year. That is a huge increase but we feel that we can do it with the help of all of you.

Our most recent grant awards are being processed, and 7 groups will receive their funding soon (totaling $13,200).

This year there's an incentive program for groups to get an early start . Groups who submit documentation of their early start with spay/neuter activity will be entered into a drawing for a share of additional incentive money for their program (up to 4 qualifying groups will split the $2000 incentive pool).

We hope this incentive will encourage all groups to start early in the year to prevent litters. Every spring litter we prevent means that many fewer animals needing spay or neuter later in the year.

You can donate to Pet Haven and indicate that you specifically want your funds to help sponsor this or other Pet Haven efforts.

Not very exciting? Perhaps not, but spay/neuter efforts are the only way to cut down on the homeless animal population. An incredible number of cats are euthanized every month in our community. Every kitten that is born displaces an older cat who is well socialized and loving from getting a home because most of the public prefers to adopt a cute kitten.

We hear daily of adults - males and females, with kittens and without, who have been tossed out the door, abandoned in a neighborhood or on a rural road - even in the weather we have been seeing the last two months. When we are able to reduce the severe overpopulation in the cat and large breed dog world, every animal will be more valued. We will be closer to finding a home for every adoptable animal.

You are the ones who are helping us take action. Pet Haven and other organizations are putting effort and funds into improving life for all of those born.

Too many are born homeless or are cast off to live homeless or to land in a shelter or rescue; some to be adopted, too many to be euthanized for a lack of homes. The success of programs like these could mean that one day, every puppy or kitten would be born into a loving home, cared for and cherished.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Together we will make a difference.

Celebrate!

It is the time of year when we enjoy things in abundance: opportunities to see old friends and family, to reconnect, to eat special foods, to show how we care for each other.

Sometimes travel is involved, or others travel to you, we make an extra effort to see those who are shut-in and whom visiting brings back happy and sad memories of years gone-by.

This year we are even enjoying an abundance of snow which brings all sorts of havoc to our schedules and little ease in moving about.

Cherish those you see, call those you cannot see, be thankful for those companions who make your house a home. Remember what it is about a person or pet that makes your day complete.

Our pets bring richness and respite to our lives. We celebrate those who are in homes this year, loved and cared for.

The foster home your pet came from has extended themselves beyond most imaginings. They work, play, have home responsibilities, have families and relatives, have pets of their own and they open their homes again and again to make another pet safe until it can find a forever home.

Some of the cats we celebrate having new lives this year are:

Tilly - mother of 8, 1 kitten yet unadopted

Litters of kittens - unplanned, unwanted - too numerous to name

Nick - a bit of a rough-neck but a social, endearing boy

Emmett and Mr. Brown - boys who had not known much people love prior to Pet Haven but who loved what they received from people

Margie - adopted years ago, allowed and encouraged to learn to be closer to her owner and come for lap time and snuggles - two women who form a rich family

Smokey Joe - living in a hoarder house, middle aged, needing dental care and a chance to have a person to love without the competition and crowding

Dolly - picked on by other cats at another shelter - secure as an only cat, greatly loved

Teasle, now Coco - for the rich comfort this upper middle aged girl has brought to her owner

Wendy who came from another hoarder house where she had suffered with ulcers and infection in her eyes for the first 6 months of her life - healthy, chubby, one eye removed, scarring removed from the other one and now known as Saga as she truly begins a new part of her life.

We celebrate all these animals and more - those unnamed and others waiting for their chance at a secure life.

We celebrate our donors who step forward to help with medical care which is sometimes extraordinary and who give to help spay and neuter cats and dogs none of us know in order to conquer the overpopulation of cats, especially.

We celebrate our fosters and other volunteers. They have the biggest hearts and reach out over and over again.

Thank you!

Chilly days and lots of strays....
This time of year, when the temps dip low, we get a flurry of people calling the phone line about strays in their neighborhood. People are worried about these cats, but unsure how best to help. Maybe they belong to someone, maybe they carry a disease that could spread to other pets, maybe they will bite. All of these are valid concerns. But here are your options.

Could there be an owner? Sure there could. But if you've seen the cat around frequently and you're worried about it having shelter, you really should try and catch it, then assess the likelihood of an owner. Once the cat is warm and safe and fed, you can post flyers around the area, talk to neighbors, and have a vet clinic scan for an identity chip. If those efforts turn up no clues, you have done your best. What's best for the animal at this point, is being off the streets.

Could there be diseases? Sure. Diseases, parasites, infections, any cat living by its wits is susceptible to any number of things, and yes, these can be passed to your pets. So its best to keep the stray isolated from your pets until basic vet screening has been done. Screenings for Feline Leukemia and FIV, shots for distemper and rabies, screenings for fleas, earmites and worms. It can get very involved. If you're not looking to add a new pet to your own household, and you don't know of a friend or neighbor that would consider adopting your stray, then you have another set of decisions to consider. How to find your stray a home. Rescue groups like Pet Haven, who operate through a foster network, aren't often able to help with immediate surrender of an animal. Our foster volunteers care for rescued animals, plus their own pets, and adoptions don't happen on a predictable schedule. Pet Haven can help owners/finders of cats to find adoptive homes if the current owner/finder is willing to house and care for the animal and bring it to adoption events. Vet work needs to be up to date to be eligible to attend an adoption day. When you can't keep the stray and can't house it even temporarily, then you need a shelter option. The Humane Society or other rescue group with a shelter facility can often help.
If its not a "no kill" shelter, yes there's a chance the cat could be euthanized at some point, but there's also a good chance at adoption if the cat is basically healthy and friendly. If you contact a "no kill" shelter, don't be surprised if they're full. They can only house a limited number of animals, and there's usually a waiting list. There just aren't any easy answers to the stray over-population problem. But in the winter here in Mn, letting a stray cat try to fend for itself and possibly lose ears or tail tip to frost bite and slowly starve just isn't the responsible thing to do. Getting it off the streets and giving it a chance at adoption is wonderful, and getting it off the streets and humanely putting it out of its misery is better than the frosty alternative.

What about being bitten? Not all strays are feral cats. Many began as a pet and were turned out at some point. Sometimes owners have moved away and the cat remained on its own. But even a friendly cat can panic if you are restraining it or trying to put it in a carrier or box. So take precautions. Wear gloves, move cautiously and try not to startle the cat. Speak to it in a soothing voice. Have someone help you by holding the box or carrier to keep things stable as you move the cat into the container. If the cat won't approach you or dashes away if you step in its direction, you'll need a live trap. These are cages designed to close once the cat is inside. In this weather, you'll want to set it up somewhere out of the wind, and cover it with a couple heavy blankets to give the cat shelter until you retrieve it. Bait the live trap with food. Be sure to check the trap frequently, and don't set the trap if you won't be home to monitor it. Cats are frequently active at night, so that's a good time to set the trap, and be sure to check it right away in the morning.

This time of year, you don't have to be worried that a female stray has a nest of kittens somewhere. This isn't kitten season. And getting females off the streets now prevents stray litters of kittens born into a life of scavenging and dodging danger in the spring.

We have a few cats in our foster system right now that were live trapped and have a second chance. They are still settling into foster homes and going through treatment for parasites, etc but they are hoping for happy landings in a cozy home of their own. The orange fellow at the top of this blog is Otis. He'll be out poster child for coming in from the cold.
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We will have an adoption event on Sunday Dec 19th from 1 to 3pm at the Petco store in Richfield (66th and Lyndale). A few new kittens have been posted on the website! Come and see the fuzzy faces who are waiting for homes. We can help you find a personality that will fit into your household. We have older kittens, young adults and mature adults of all colors and dispositions. Our foster volunteers can tell you all about them and share some of their favorite activities and toys. Hope you can stop by-- and better yet, bring a friend!

The Pet Project Needs Our Help!

The Pet Project is in the running for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi. We can help them win this grant and expand their much needed services (providing pet food to food shelves for the pets of struggling families, and providing assistance with Vet services for low income pet owners).

Sidewalk Dog has a wonderful blog on this with all the info, so I'll include their link. blog.sidewalkdog.com

Please help. You don't even have to leave your chair. Here is the link on the Pet Project site that will tell you just how to vote! Everyone needs to vote once a day until the end of Dec.


In other news, we're in the process of working with rescue efforts on the Lake Traverse reservation. Changes in the housing policy on the reservation have led to animals being surrendered or "set free" at alarming rates. A number of Metro rescues are making room to take animals in an effort to help with the sudden overload.

The transport was scheduled for today, but with the weather that hit the state, efforts have been postponed until to

morrow (keep your fingers crossed!)

We'll post pictures as soon as we can of the new intakes who come our way. They won't be on the website or eligible for adoption until their vet screening, immunizations, spay/neuter, and de-worming have been completed, and then we wait to see if any health issues crop up. New intakes are always a process. And we like the cats to have settled into a foster home (where we assess appetite, litter box status, and overall personality)before we post them as eligible for adoption. So I guess the blog can give you a sneak preview.

Going shopping?

Stop by Chuck and Don's in Highland and visit with Arrow.

This is a busy, affectionate (he seeks you out for attention) fellow who will follow you around the house and keep you entertained with his playful ways.

Arrow was born in June 2010. He has two sisters, Amber and Sweet Adeline who are bonded to each other and would love to go to a new home together!

Interested in adopting him or another Pet Haven cat? Click here to get to our on-line cat adoption application!

Stay warm, stay safe in the snow and cold this weekend. Keep your pets safe inside and be on the watch for abandoned strays who are trying to make it on their own.

Available kittens

Most of our kittens are from 5-8 months of age. They'd love to come and help you put up holiday decorations and take them down, too, of course.

Tanner was having a ball the day his foster family decorated! He's a gray tabby and loves the big greyhound mix dog in his foster home, choosing to take naps on top of him on occasion!

Arrow, Sweet Adeline and Amber also promise to be a lot of help and find toys around your home that you didn't realize were 'toys'! They do sleep on occasion too - and come for attention from you. They were previously in a foster home with a small dog they enjoyed.

Life is good when you are a kitten and warm, safe inside and healthy!

Arrow is black and white, Sweet Adeline is a calico and Amber is a 'cow' cat - white with orange spots.

2 Adoptions, Sat. 12/4 and Sun. 12/5

We'll have two adoptions this weekend. Both at the PetCo in Richfield at 66th and Lyndale Ave. S.

Sat. from 11-1 p.m.

Sun. from 1-3 p.m.

Who is coming?

Different cats each day - Tom, Ross, Derrick, Wilma, Tanner, Jumbalaya, Penelope, LingLing, to name a few!

A happy tail

Coco, formerly Teasle, lived in a cage at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue for a long time. Who would want an 'older' girl? Would she ever be adopted and have a home again?

She came to live with a Pet Haven foster and did successfully find a new home. She had lived with ear mites her whole life. Her ears are slightly tipped forward due to the hematomas that hardened and narrowed her ear canals as she shook her head and scratched at them over the many years. Through prescribed medications and the persistence of her foster those little devils have gone away. She needed dental work and that was done.

Here are some of the things her new mom has had to say about her:

"I never feel lonely with Coco around, she provides plenty of entertainment and companionship. She is very good at making just enough room for her to fit between me and the edge of the bed at night or for her to lay almost on top of the computer when it is on my lap. She can be very talkative and loves to play with stuffed mice. I tied one to the back of a chair so it dangles at her eye level and she loves to bat it around. Coco is my furry alarm clock; I never have to worry about sleeping in too late, she lets me know when it is time to wake up and feed her. All in all, Coco is a delight and I am so happy to have her in my life."

Coco's new mom was looking for a cat who would be content with her long work hours and this upper middle-aged girl has been an excellent fit.

Riley will be ready for posting and adoptable soon, we hope. He is a 9 yr old male. When he came to Pet Haven he had all of his teeth removed and he is now gaining weight since all that infection is gone. His former owner lost their home due to foreclosure. He is a very outgoing boy, loves to be with you - and is a 'pest' in the kitchen!

Thank you!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and, if you love shopping, that you are out with friends or family catching lots of great deals!

When you're looking for just the right gift - remember your humane societies and rescue groups who help other pets, just like yours, who still need a home.

Sometimes it seems their is no 'right' gift to give to someone. Do they remember fondly a cat, dog or bunny they grew up with? A gift to honor that special Socks or Penny may be just the right touch.

Make a card - glue on or attach a picture of a pet that looks just like theirs did - and a note telling them how thankful you are that they are in your life AND that you are so glad they shared their love of animals with you.

Pedro - Mr. Photogenic - has a Thanksgiving message too. He hopes his mom, Penelope, and all the other cats find their own forever homes soon. He loved the smells of turkey roasting and pumpkin pie baking - it would have been nice to have some but he knows he's warm and loved. Food isn't all it is about - it's family.

Sometimes the family is a pet and a person - sometimes it is a pet and a number of people - but all it takes is two to make a family.

Thank you for adopting a rescued pet - thank you for supporting a rescue group and humane society - thank you for supporting spay and neuter so we can bring overpopulation under control and reach our goal of finding a home for every pet born.

Thank you!

Love to hear Happy Tails!

Ms. Margie was adopted in 2002. She is a cute brown tabby torti and was a little shy, didn't want another cat in her life, and was cautious about meeting new people and being picked up and held.

Margie came to sleep with her new owner fairly quickly - gluing herself to her side so it is hard to even turn over. A couple years ago Margie decided she was so happy to see Sharon when she came home from work that she had to get in her lap! And now she even allows herself to be picked up and placed on her chest for awhile.

Margie was incredibly lucky - she found someone who saw that she had love to give and who gave her time to feel comfort and trust and to become brave enough to take the relationship to another level! Lucky Margie - lucky Sharon!

Chumley was another shy fellow when he came to us last winter. He was chosen for adoption by a young couple a few months ago. He adapted very quickly - and has converted his new dad to being a Chum lover. Dad isn't quite willing to admit that he loves all cats - but talkative, playful, affectionate Chum is certainly a winner.

Adoption Sunday, 11/21, 1-3 p.m.

Hope to see you Sunday! We'll be at the PetCo in Richfield at 66th and Lyndale Ave. S.

Check out our pix and bios here. We've added some new kittens to the line up of adoptable cats and kittens. You can go to the website and fill out an adoption application from home and submit it if you would like.

Rocky and Monde, brother and sister, will be coming.

Ross, a shy kitten, a tuxedo - his picture isn't up yet. He's doing well in his foster home but we want him to meet some new people.

Tanner, Lil Lady and Linus are all in the same foster home. Lil Lady and Linus are especially good buddies if you would like an already introduced pair but they all get along with another cat or kitten too.

Our adoption fees range from $130 - $150. That includes testing for feline leukemia and fiv (the cat or kitten tested negative), they are up to date on vaccinations but may not have completed them depending on their age, have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, treated for fleas/earmites as needed and de wormed. It's a bargain!

Our usual adult cats will be there too although a number have been adopted recently.

Helen is at Chuck and Don's in Highland. Stop by and visit her. She'd love a quieter home with an adult or two to get to know. She's such a cute girl!

Updates!

We had a grand time at the Fall Benefit last Sat. evening despite a very snowy and slippery start to the day. Volunteers and guests were entertained by the style show animals, good food and a chance to support a worthy cause.

Check out Pet Haven's first calendar, available at Twice the Gift. Share cards and items are for sale to support Pet Haven and other non-profits. A wonderful gift for that person who is so hard to buy for while you support a 501.3c you and the person believe in.

Give to the Max day was a success too! Generous contributors raised $3,090 for Pet Haven - that will go a long way in paying for vet care and spay and neuter in outreach efforts! Thank you!

Beneficiaries of your generosity include:

Wendy, Smokey, Riley (a new boy who had to have all his teeth pulled), Jackson and Mario (two canines recently returned to Pet Haven) - and all of those unnamed (to us) owned animals who are no longer having kittens or puppies because their owner wasn't able to spay and neuter their pet!

Needs come in all shapes and sizes and for all sorts of reasons.

These kittens did acquire names but when they came to us after being orphaned and feeling that no one would ever care for them again, they were referred to as Piggies for their less than attractive eating style! Baths anyone?

Nov. 16 - Tuesday!

Give to the Max day is upon us!

Please join Pet Haven and help support the dogs and cats we rescue and re-home.

Help us fund more spays and neuters of owned animals - help us keep them in their homes with the family who loves them but is stretched thin by the economy and wishes to keep their pet and cannot afford spay and neuter surgery.

Spay and neuter surgery is the only way we will resolve the overpopulation of cats and dogs.

Tilly had 8 kittens and found a home before any of them did! All were spayed and neutered before being adopted.

Every cute puppy and kitten that is born moves another adult cat out of the line-up for adoption.

There are not enough homes. Help us to stem the tide. Many groups are working on this problem and we all need to continue to work together but can only do it with your help.

Pet Haven is taking in more cats and dogs who originally placed through Pet Haven 8 or more years ago. They are middle aged to seniors and they need more vet care; dental work, sometimes special diets, surgery for tumors, etc. We want to stand by our animals, whether they came from Pet Haven originally or we have taken them from an owner or shelter where they were surrendered due to foreclosure or death.

We need your support to do this! Big problems can be resolved when many come together to work on them. No gift is too small.

Click here and you will be directed to Pet Haven at Give to the Max.

Thank you - we can't do it without you!

Fall Benefit 2010 - Thank you to all for making it a huge success!!

A huge, huge thank you to everyone for making Pet Haven's Fourth Annual Fall Benefit another huge success!!! We woke up yesterday morning to snow, and more snow ... a winter storm and power outages ... even that couldn't stop Pet Haven's dedicated and determined volunteers from making their way to the hotel early Saturday morning to get set up for the big event after spending an entire day on Friday also getting ready!! Even their spirit wasn't dampened with the snow ... one volunteer even said, "Heck!! If no one shows up we'll just have a big karaoke party for Pet Haven volunteers!!!" Well .. no karaoke party for us :) As 6 pm approached last night  Pet Haven supporters came walking into the hotel with big smiles on their faces, ready for a great night of fun and festivities and the highlight of a dog and cat fashion show presented by Lulu & Luigi!  We had a full house!!!

Thanks so much to all the Pet Haven volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the past months preparing for the Fall Benefit. And Thank you to Pet Haven supporters who braved the winter storm to come out and support homeless dogs and cats. And thank you to our sponsors (Chuck & Dons, Pampered Pooch Playground, Downtown Dogs, Photographers Guild, Canine Coach, Lake Harriet Veterinary and Neiman Marcus), our celebrities, the girl scouts (who came to help us out last night), Tim Simplot (for DJing), Sarah Beth Photography for taking photos in the back of our celebrities and the animals as they prepared for the fashion show (we'll share those photos once we have those available!) and for everyone who donated to our silent auction. We will have a lot more photos and info to share on the Fall Benefit ... but we simply couldn't let a day pass without extending our heartfelt gratitude for all of your support.

Some of us are frightened at adoption events

Penelope is a good example of that kind of cat. She's outgoing and gregarious, playful and loving in her foster home but at an adoption she is scared silly and pants and quivers. That's not good for her or those of us who watch and care for her.

Sadly, most cats are adopted because they are 'seen' physically but we hope someone will be interested in this pretty girl and visit her in her foster home.

Pen is young - probably 18 months to 3 yrs. She is a medium haired black and white girl. Here is what her foster has to say about her:

Ms Nellie is very playful, also vocal and when she wants something she will let you know. She likes attention-likes to be petted and scratched, but is not really a lap cat. Really fun, really friendly. Someone made a big mistake letting her get away, she is a great pet! She is nervous at adoptions and would prefer to meet potentional adopters in her foster home where you can see her real personality.

She had some cute-as-cute-can-be kittens who are all adopted, now it is her turn. No more living in alleys for this young lady!

Snow?!

Drive carefully - we're all Minnesotans, it just takes some extra time and caution!

Ty is set to strut his stuff, along with handsome Tug (see the previous post) - he's going to see that his foster drives carefully and will be ready to wow you with his costume.

Fall Benefit, Nov.13, 2010

This is Pet Haven's main fundraiser for the year. We have every type of committee and volunteers working on this for much of the year.

It is an evening with folks who love companion animals and their welfare as much as you do - a time for fun and laughter, a few heart wrenching stories and maybe a tear.

Comedy - who couldn't enjoy a style show with dogs and cats in it?

A chance to connect with old friends and make new ones.

Respect as you learn about the lengths our volunteers and their supporters - YOU - go to to see that we can make life different for one animal at a time.

A chance to hear about the success of our Spay Neuter Initiative Grant programs. You'll be amazed!

You'll learn about our outreach efforts to educate on companion animal care, inform about puppy/kitten mill legislation, supply drives that are held by others excited about Pet Haven.

Silent Auction - bring your checkbook and bid on some wonderful items!

Fund the Need is a special part of the program and you will learn what efforts we go to to help one of our pets become and stay healthy. This year you will meet Wendy, now called Saga, and Jackson and hear about a few others.

For the first time this year we have a Pet Haven calendar. This is debut night for it and you'll have a chance to purchase one for a friend or yourself.

We're excited and we hope you are too!

Do you have your ticket? Now is the time!

Click here to order on line. We're looking forward to seeing all of you there this Saturday evening.

A great weekend

Two adoption events - 7 cats found new homes!

We'll be able to shuffle some cats and kittens to other foster homes to share the wealth. When you have 5 kittens that are 7 or 8 weeks old they aren't very big and take lots of naps. If you have 3 or 4 of them when they are 4-5 months old or older - my, how they've grown! They know how to jump, they dash up and down stairs - they have a ball.

It's nice to be able to move one or two to another foster home so they can enjoy that energy too and it helps the kittens meet new people and situations, making their transition to a forever home more predictable.

We'll also be able to take in a few from the streets, shelters or impounds.

Addie found a home with a woman, they're her favorite, and we hope they will enjoy each other for many years to come.

Zeus and Pixie went off to different homes.

Wizard was adopted at his first event. With his striking gold eyes and winning ways it is easy to see why!

(Si)Rocco and Chickadee went off together - two girls who like other cats really well so they have a bonus - a new home and a new cat friend to meet too.

Here's Rocco playing hide and seek -

Chickadee is the 6th or 7th of Tilly's litter of 8 to be adopted. We think her brother Eclipse was last week but the foster was headed out of town for a few days so we haven't had confirmation of that yet.

Ringo has been fostered by his 'finder' who took him in while Pet Haven provided support. He was adopted by a family member.

Two adoptions

Sat. Nov. 6 from 11-1p.m.

Sunday Nov. 7 from 1-3 p.m.

Both at the PetCo in Richfield at 66th and Lyndale Ave. S.

Who will you see?

Chickadee

Wizard, a handsome new tuxedo

Pixie and Zeus - our youngest kittens

Padua

Star

Tom

Derrick

and others

Check out pictures and bios at Pet Haven Cats.

Ty is spending some time at the Highland Chuck and Don's, go over and visit him too! He's a medium - big boy, black and shiny - unless he just rolled in the litterbox and got all dusty!

Adopt a Senior Cat

Teasle - recently adopted

10 Reasons Senior Pets Rule:

1. When senior pets are adopted, they seem to understand that they've been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it.
2. A senior pet's personality has already developed, so you'll know if he or she is a good fit for your family.

3. You can teach an old dog (or cat or other pet) new tricks (I do every day with my own cats!): Senior pets have the attention span and impulse control that makes them easier to train than their youthful counterparts.
4. A senior pet may very well already know basic commands anyway!
5. In particular, senior pets are often already housetrained, or can be more easily housetrained than a young pet with a tiny bladder.
6. A senior pet won't grow any larger, so you'll know exactly how much pet you're getting.
7. Senior pets are often content to just relax in your company, unlike younger pets, who may get into mischief because they're bored.
8. Speaking of relaxing, senior pets make great napping buddies.
9. Senior pets know that chew toys (not shoes) are for chewing and scratching posts (not furniture) are for scratching.
10. Senior pets are some of the hardest to find homes for -- so when you adopt a senior pet, you're truly saving a life.

Missy - adopted last year.

Pet Haven, other limited admission shelters and humane societies have an unlimited source of 'older' cats and dogs looking for a home. Please consider giving these wonderful pets a chance to love you in their retirement years.

Tilly - a job well done

Tilly is a very cute girl who came from Red Lake Rosies Rescue with 8 kittens. Tilly was an excellent and caring mom but 8 is enough to wear anyone out!

Tilly continued to feed and care for them for another couple of weeks after we took the kittens and then she was simply exhausted. The babies were eating dry and canned on their own and we gave her the break she deserved.

Tillie (the new spelling of her name out of respect for a dearly loved relative in her new family) was the first of the group to be adopted! It doesn't happen very often that mom gets a new home before the kittens and we were all happy to see her off and able to be a playful and busy girl on her own.

Tillie loves to greet the guests in her new home, she plays and comes for attention, rubbing against ankles and racing up and down the stairs when she goes to visit grandma and grandpa's house.

Here are pictures of some of her babies too - 5 of the 8 have been adopted.

Chickadee was the runt and took several months to recover but is now a similar size to the other girls.

Eclipse was the biggest one, a boy, from early on. They are about 6 months of age now.

More Halloween fun

Ernie and Oscar sent greetings to let us all know what kind of Halloween excitement they will be getting up to.

It looks as if there has been some chewing on the stem of the pumpkin. Every cat needs something to chew on, it seems.

These boys are brothers, bonded to each other and full of games and mischief. There's lots of fun going on in their home and they are safe inside.

One of them has been put on a diet by the vet! Only non fattening treats in their trick and treat bag.