Thanksgiving Thoughts

From Feline Rescue volunteer Deb:

This Thanksgiving I'm especially thankful for the 3 young cats I'm fostering. Chipmunk, Sassyfrass, and Laurel all have feline leukemia, and although lots of cats with feline leukemia lead long, healthy lives just like other cats, each day with them seems like a gift. 

Despite being positive for FeLV, two of them (Chipmunk and Sassyfrass) have no health problems at all. Laurel has cataracts in both eyes and a persistent mouth infection, so she gets a daily antibiotic, but these problems don't slow her down at all. She's just as spunky and energetic as her sisters (maybe more!).

Chipmunk

The girls are about a year old and small for their age due to poor nutrition before they were rescued. They're not likely to grow anymore, but they've gained weight in the time they've been with me. In fact, they're rather "plump."  I tell myself, as I dish out the food, that this might be a good thing - in case their immune systems can't fight off some bug, they'll have a pound or two in reserve until they recover. 

Sassyfrass

Their fur is fluffy and thick and they're playful, mischievous, cuddly, funny and beautiful. Sassyfrass trills while she stalks toys or guards the house from the windows. Chipmunk adores being brushed. Laurel plays fetch by some convoluted, ever-changing rules only she understands. 

My foster kitties have taught me a lot about perseverance, enjoying one's "catness" and reveling in life as it comes. That's a lot to be thankful for!

Out of the Woods: Tiger and Oscura

The Echo Ridge kittens were born in the woods but they were meant to live in a home. Tiger and Oscura are the last of the babies still looking for a home. Shy at first, these little cuties have warmed up nicely. As you can see, they love to hang out with the people and the adult cats in their foster home.

Oscura and Tiger both love to play, so it would be great if they could be adopted together. This pair would be a great addition to a family that already has an adult cat. 

To meet Tiger and his sister Oscura in their foster home, call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org.

New Kitten Cam!

Freyja and her 9 kittens are being pampered in their new foster home! Freyja came into rescue last week when her kittens were just days old and right before our temps went into single digits.

A very generous new foster volunteer stepped forward to care for this large family and he has set up a kitten cam so that we can all enjoy watching this family grow.

Matilda: A lap cat two years in the making

Matilda didn’t always have an easy life. Two years ago she was a stray, living outside and raising kittens until a nice person came along and got them inside to safety.  Matilda’s shy but sweet kittens Duchess and O’Malley went to our Adoption Center and easily found a home together. Matilda was too shy and scared and needed more time.

Matilda started out as one of the more combative cats we’ve had to socialize. That’s why we first saw her potential.  A cat that had never been around people wouldn't hold her ground like Matilda did. As much as she tried to act vicious, we could see through the facade. She just needed time to learn to trust people again. She was protective and afraid.

Once Matilda was inside and didn’t have to worry about protecting babies, marauding raccoons, freezing temperatures, or unexpected snowstorms, she could start the process of relaxing. Matilda loves other cats, so it helped to socialize her with other cats and kittens. She could watch them trust us and then learn to trust us herself. Matilda has had many good friends come and go since she joined us.

Today Matilda is a lap cat and total sweetheart. She can’t get enough love. Matilda also loves to play and has a great sense of humor. She is welcoming to all cats but especially loves her current pals Buddy and Maggie. Matilda is ready to find her forever home, and it would be great if she could find it with one or two of her buddies.  

For more information about Matilda call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

As a young cat, Maggie was abandoned, kicked out of her apartment and then put out of the building into the cold. Eventually a kind person caught up with her, but not before she'd given birth to kittens out in the snow.

Maggie and her daughter Kayla have been together through thick and thin. They've been adopted once, lost, found again, returned due to allergies.... and now they are hoping to find a home TOGETHER that really and truly is FOREVER.

Maggie

Maggie is a cool cat. She's outgoing and affectionate and is not phased by much. She follows her people like a dog, always wanting to be where the action is. Maggie loves to play with Kayla and the other cats in her foster home. She will always have her motherly instinct and keeps the other cats-- particularly Kayla and her good pal Matilda-- well groomed.

Kayla is shy with people but does like petting and belly rubs once she gets comfortable-- particularly when Maggie is nearby too. She adores Maggie and will always be a mama's girl.

Kayla

Maggie and Kayla are looking for a  home with someone who is willing to be patient and meet both of their needs. As long as these girls stick together, they know things will always be OK.  For more information about Maggie and Kayla call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org.

Kayla

See a video of Maggie and Kayla here getting pets here:

http://youtu.be/OpGRHtW1P1w

Catnip's Big Day

Catnip was neutered today. Now he's due for some rest and relaxation before his next big task-- finding himself a home.

Catnip is a friendly, young gentleman who somehow went astray and has been out on his own for a while. He joined up with a group of feral cats, and a kind person brought him to the clinic to be neutered. Now he hopes to find a home so he doesn't have to spend the winter outside.

Catnip is still shy but so wants to be sociable. It's been a while since he's had a person to scratch that big head of his. He likes it! He's a talker too. If you can take in Catnip until he can find a forever home, contact outreach@felinerescue.org or call Molly at 651-295-3758.

Give to the Max Day November 14

Give to the Max Day!! November 14. Visit Feline Rescue's Give to the Max page and check out Bennie's video and see The Fabulous Mufasa again! Oh...and please do donate. You can donate now and check the box to make sure your donation goes to our Give to the Max Day totals.

Meet the Echo Ridge Kitties this Saturday at Woody's

Mama Kitty has been adopted and has moved back to Echo Ridge, this time to live inside!  

She can now survey the pond where she raised her babies from the comfort of her own recliner.  And now the kittens are ready to find homes too. This Saturday, come to Woody's to meet Tiger, Oscura, Nina, and Tiny Moo!  

Adoption Day this Saturday November 9th from 1-3 at Woody's Pet Food Deli in St. Paul. For more information, call Molly at 651-295-3758.

Outreach on the East Side

Feline Rescue outreach volunteers have been helping to trap-neuter-return (TNR) cats living in colonies on the east side of St. Paul. Some of the cats we've encountered are abandoned, friendly cats that we'd like to help get off the streets and into warm homes for the winter. If you can help by taking in a stray cat temporarily or by sponsoring the spay/neuter of more cats in the area to help control the homeless cat population contact outreach@felinerescue.org.

East side Mike is one of the friendly guys hoping to come inside.