We Need You!!

Become a Feline Rescue foster caregiver! You'll be in great cat and volunteer company! Foster once, foster forever.. whatever works for you. Homeless cats and kittens are in greatest need of rescue in Spring and Summer months. 

Learn more about our Foster Program and apply online.

Not able to foster? Pass this along to a friend who might be willing. Every little bit helps!

Here's what people like you say is the best parts of being a Feline Rescue foster caregiver:

"Having the success stories. Seeing them grow and be comfortable in their furever home."

"Having all the kittens I want!!! Watching the transformation they go through. Learning to trust and love humans. To growing and discovering what it is to be a cat."

"CATS! SO MANY CATS"

"Having been the recipient of unconditional love by fur babies my entire life, I am humbled to be able to give that back to the forgotten and so called unadoptable ones who are on the euthanization lists. Watching their personalities shine after some acclimation is so wonderful. All we need is LOVE."

"Short answer - snuggles 
Long answer - seeing a cat that is consider a lost cause or unhandable find a loving forever home."

"Happy reports from forever homes."

Looking for More Foster Caregivers

If you were a foster caregiver, this is something you could see every day!

A plea for more caregivers
We're well on our way to another record year, with this year's numbers pulverizing last year's pretty awesome numbers.  The one thing that is holding us back from saving more cats and kittens is open foster homes. We have no open homes right now but our phone is always ringing with requests to help another stray cat. If we had more caregivers, we could have more cats in the foster care program. We need you to help us.

What does a caregiver do? 
Being a caregiver is fairly easy. It does take a bit of your time. Part of the caregiver experience is chores - cleaning litter boxes, washing dishes. Another part is putting on your chauffeur hat and transporting the kitten to the vet (usually 1-2 times) and to our Foster building (usually twice). And finally the best part is playing with kittens. You will find yourself saying over and over and over again, "You are the cutest kitten EVER!" to each and every one of your fosters. Being a caregiver means some chores, some transport, and lots of cuteness. But mostly, it means saving a cat.

Who qualifies as a caregiver? 
Anyone over 18 who is fine driving to St. Paul for vet visits, has a spare room to confine the fosters, and who has a few extra hours a week to spend with their fosters.

What cats go to the Foster program? 
Kittens under 5 months of age, pregnant momma cats, moms with kittens, special needs, and the elderly are all candidates for the Foster program. We need caregivers for all of these cats and kittens.

How do I learn about fostering?
We've got a great support network of caregivers who can help guide you and answer questions. We even have written instruction manual and classroom "training." You won't go this alone. We're here to help you.

In a nutshell
We can provide you with food, litter, medicines, and pretty much any other cat supplies you need. We pay for vet visits. You simply need to transport them there when needed and spend time kissing them, petting them, cooing over them (and.... cleaning litter boxes and washing their dishes). If you've got some time to spare, we'd love to have you.

Frankness.... 
Okay, being a caregiver isn't all kissing bellies and cuddling with kittens. For the most part and most days, it is fun. But sometimes kittens unexpectedly get sick. There may be more vet visits. There may be some sleepless nights, up caring for a sick kitten. You will clean litter boxes more than you've ever cleaned before. And vacuum more. And pick up toys more. And ask, "Okay, which one of you did this?" more times than you care to count. And worry more. And analyze litter box contents more than you ever thought in a million years you would. And have more cat hair on your clothes than you think could possibly be on the kitten itself. And sleep less.  But it means saving more cats. That can't be stressed enough. The work a foster caregiver does is rewarded when that little face looks up at you and you realize, "He may not be alive right now if I hadn't started fostering."

To apply
You can apply online here:   http://felinerescue.org/volunteering/foster-volunteer-application/
We'd really love to have you. And so would the cats.

The Dangers of the Great Outdoors

Some people think cats are outdoor creatures. They think their cat is happier living outside. They use the excuse that "They're wild creatures at heart. They need to be outside!" or "I just can't bear to keep him inside. He howls at the door until I let him out." Indeed, a little romp outside can be a nice change of pace.  For some cats, feeling grass under their feet and all the different smells really do make them happy. However, opening the door and letting them roam free is quite dangerous. Anything can get to your cat outside - people, cars, other animals. If you do take your cat outside, the cat should be on a harness and with you at all times. The following two tales really emphasize the importance of not letting your cat roam free outdoors.

Quade was an indoor-outdoor 6 month old kitten. For the past couple of weeks, Quade would return to his house with a new wound somewhere on his body. His owner couldn't figure out what was causing these wounds. A week ago, when Quade returned to his house, he couldn't put any weight on his back leg. The owner then discovered why. The neighbor kids were using Quade as target practice. His previous wounds were caused by BB gunshots. With this last round of target practice, one of the BBs broke Quade's leg. His owner couldn't afford the vet bills and surrendered her kitten to Feline Rescue.

Quade's BB wounds

Quade will have surgery to repair this fracture. The vet brought in a specialist because this fracture is particularly tricky. It's just below the knee. We're gambling that Quade's leg can be fixed.


Addy was another indoor-outdoor cat. Addy's owner didn't like to confine this fun-loving, earthy cat to the house. She thought he could - and would - always be able to look out for himself while outside. Unfortunately, a few days ago, Addy was hit by a car. He was caught in the wheel well and dragged for a few blocks before he fell free of the vehicle. It would seem as though the driver of the car never even slowed down. Addy's injuries are absolutely ghastly and look like something out of a horror movie. One of his paws was completely degloved.

Addy's owner couldn't afford the vet bills and surrendered him to Feline Rescue. Addy's injuries are quite severe and his leg cannot be saved. He will have amputation surgery later this week.

Addy wearing his cone.


Both Addy and Quade could have been spared these painful injuries if they were kept inside. On one hand, they're lucky because they've survived their ordeals. They could have suffered through much
different fates.

Both Addy and Quade have months of recovery and rehabilitation ahead of them. Both cats, despite the pain of their injuries, are sweet and affectionate guys. They know that even though some bad people hurt them, not every person is bad. They will be ready for adoption as soon as they master their rehab classes.

Addy and Quade have another thing in common - their surgeries are quite expensive. To contribute towards Addy's and Quade's vet bills, you can donate via either the "Network for Good" or "Pay Pal" or go to our web site.  Please make sure to enter "Addy's and Quade's vet bills" in the Designation field. Any amount will be thoroughly appreciated.

We're also looking for a caregiver for Addy. He will need to be on kennel rest for a good 3-6 weeks (we can provide the kennel). If you'd like to foster him, please submit a Foster Caregiver Application Form.

Donating by credit card via Network for Good Online:

Donating by PayPal or credit card via PayPal Online:

Donations by personal check can be mailed to:

Feline Rescue, Inc.
Attn: Donations
593 Fairview Ave N
St. Paul, MN 55104

 

The Fabulous Life of a Foster Caregiver: You Could Be Have That, Too!

Do you have what it takes to become a foster caregiver?

Do you like to play with kittens? Do you like to be covered in kittens clamoring to give you kisses... or tug on your hair? Do you like to hear purring so loud you swear the kitten has to be amped? Do you like to be greeted by a swarm of kittens excited to see you... and the food you bring? Are you prepared to be trapped under a half dozen kittens snoozing contentedly on your lap?

Okay. So fostering isn't always about the good. We do have to clean litter boxes many, many times a day. We have the pleasure of inspecting what was left in the litter box to make sure there aren't (or are) parasites. We have to wipe down walls after a kitten has had explosive diarrhea... or just plain missed the box while in training. Hours later, we then have to wipe the walls down again after a kitten splattered the wall with liquid medication that the kitten did NOT want to take. We have to vacuum (for what seems like daily) to pick up all the tracked litter, crumbs, and goodness know what else is lying on the floor that shouldn't be. We have to wash dishes. Kittens eat a lot. And use a lot of dishes. There will be times when your dishwasher is loaded only with kitten plates and bowls in it.

We worry about kittens who have the sneezes... and then may have to clear our schedules to take one to the vet unexpectedly. We have to worry when a kitten isn't thriving as well as it should. We have to worry that the kitten is going to climb to the top of the bookshelf and not be able to get down for hours... or worse, try to get down all by herself by jumping straight down. Our legs are covered in hundreds of tiny scratches. Kitten nails are sharp and grow fast.

And then there's the anxiety and exhaustion caused by kittens running in every direction and getting into everything they shouldn't (but they think they should). We have to remove a kitten hanging from the curtains while stopping another kitten from tumbling down the stairs and then grabbing something suspicious from another kitten's mouth while suppressing a scream as yet another kitten decides that your leg is meant for climbing...

But after you collapse in a heap on the floor from all the worry and extra cleaning, a tiny kitten crawls onto your crumpled lap, stands up on her hind legs to sniff your face, and then curls up into a ball on your lap, purring away. And that is what makes it all worth it.

Sign up to be a foster caregiver today if you LIKE scratches and cleaning litter boxes because you also like to hear kittens purr.

On-line Foster Caregiver Application Form: http://felinerescue.org/volunteering/foster-volunteer-application/

Help! It's Kitten Season Once Again

Same time each year Feline Rescue is inundated with orphaned kittens, pregnant cats and moms with babies.  Kittens are cute, innocent and happy.  They are so much fun. We love to view photos and videos of their silly antics, but unfortunately there are too many of them being born to homeless or abandoned cats.

Our foster homes are already filling up and Kitten Season has just begun.  The season began with momma cats coming in with their newborn babies and now the urgent pleas from local animal control facilities as orphaned kittens some too young to eat on their own are in need of rescue.

Yesterday a VERY pregnant momma cat was left at our shelter and two six week old kittens were rescued from an animal control facility while just days before a two week old kitten and a four week old kitten were quickly taken into our care from another animal control facility.

VERY pregnant momma, now named Clementyne, shortly after rescue

Before and after photos for recent orphaned kittens rescued from animal control facilities.

Chip

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Bibi and Bibbles

So how can you help?  Not everyone is able to open their home to provide foster care for cats and kittens but Feline Rescue is always in need of supplies and funds to pay for medical care.  Check out our Kitten Supply Wish List or donate to our foster program.

For more information about our foster program read our Foster Program Frequently Asked Questions and if interested in becoming a foster caregiver please fill out our online Foster Volunteer Application.

Please spay and neuter your pets to prevent unwanted litters.

Farm to Family

Recently, our volunteers were contacted to help on a property in the Twin Cities area where a farmer passed away, leaving many cats in danger and with no one to care for them. Some of the surviving kittens, who were skinny and sick with colds, went to Feline Rescue foster homes. Volunteers spent several weeks tracking and capturing the very last mom-cat, a beautiful, fluffy tortoiseshell named Diamond. Altogether, 29 cats were rescued from the property. The cats have all been spayed and neutered. Some of the adults have already found new homes. Others, like Diamond and her mate Jerry, are still looking for homes.

Diamond

Jerry

For barn cats, this group is quite social, just shy at first. Most are adjusting well to life in the city. This fluffy tabby, called Dr. Phineas Philbert Phluffernutter McKracken (or Phluffy for short) was scared stiff at first in his foster home. Progress has been slow but steady. After a month, Phluffy is starting to request snuggles, and he purrs like a diesel engine. He gets braver every day, is getting used to people and their noises, and doesn't always hide for visitors anymore. He gets along well with the other cat in his foster home too.

Phluffy

Larry Lobster Paws settled in quickly in his new home and is getting along well with his new friend too.

Larry and friend

Bubbles, a sweet black kitten with extra toes and one of the last to be caught, was so sick with a cold that he probably wouldn't have survived on his own much longer.  Last week he was adopted and is settling into his new home. And his sister Dandelion went to Woody's Pet Food Deli, where she got adopted this week too!

Dandelion

 

Thanks to all the volunteers who've helped on this rescue effort— whether through trapping, fostering, cleaning cages, administering medicine and syringe-feeding, playing and socializing, buying food, or adopting. It all helps! Diamond, Jerry, and a few more sweet, black kitties still need homes or foster homes. If you can help, contact Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org

Dellwood

Daphne

Fluffy Farmer

Access to low-cost or free spay/neuter is very important so we don't run into more situations like this and to help reduce the population of homeless cats in our neighborhoods and at shelters. You can get outdoor cats fixed and vaccinated for free. Cats are humanely trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their outdoor homes. This helps prevent unwanted kittens to reduce the population of homeless cats. Noise and odor associated with unaltered, outside cats is minimized, and cats are healthier. Contact us for more information on how you can help cats in your neighborhood: outreach@felinerescue.org.

Help spay and neuter to reduce the number of homeless cats

Seventeen fluffy little cats have now been rescued from Mama Oakley's neighborhood!  And 9 of the first 12 cats we've had spayed and neutered so far were unspayed females old enough to have kittens of their own soon! This prolific family is a perfect example of why you should help make sure ALL cats get spayed and neutered. If you are feeding an outside cat, there is a feral cat living in your neighborhood, or you notice that a cat gets left behind by a neighbor, please help make sure it gets spayed or neutered before one cat turns into 15 or so more. For assistance finding a low-cost spay/neuter option, contact our outreach volunteers at outreach@felinerescue.org.

If you are interested in adopting any of these cats or can help take in little Goldy (below) and one or more of her siblings that were trapped today, please let us know. They survived the deep freeze by sheltering under a shed, but we would love to get these little ones in from the cold! If you can foster contact outreach@felinerescue.org. Or we can always use donations so we can continue to help more cats in need.

East side mom and her kittens need your help

Adam and Lisa have been following Feline Rescue on Facebook and were inspired to get involved helping cats. They volunteered to help control the population and improve the lives of cats in a colony living outside near a friend's house on St. Paul's east side.

Some of the cats will be spayed/neutered and returned to the colony, where they receive food, water, and shelter. This will help stop the cycle of homeless cats in the area. Some cats, like Big Mac, have found homes. Last night, Adam and Lisa were lucky enough to catch up with this mom and babies. We hope these kitties can have a good indoor life too.

If you can help by taking in this mom and babies so they can become more social and find good homes, please contact outreach@felinerescue.org.

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.

Foster to change their world

So maybe you can't change the world, but you can change the world for this little cat.

Echo and Ernie were born in the woods to a stray cat who was left behind when her people moved. Look how much fun they are having in this little box. Imagine what fun they would have being adopted to live in a home!

If you have a spare bedroom or bathroom and just a little extra time to play with some kitties, you can foster. If you can help these kitties, then we will have room to save the rest of their family and more families like this.

For more information about Echo and Ernie, call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org.

Baby Echo's Week

Sunday:

I started the week outside in the woods, hanging out in a tree trunk. The woods are where I was born.  My mom, a sweet black cat, once had a home just up the hill from here. Then her people moved away and left her behind. She survived the winter hanging out in a storm sewer. In the spring, she had a litter of kittens. Then she had another litter—mine—just a few weeks ago. There were six of us. This is what happens when people don’t spay and neuter their pets.  One cat turns into nine or ten in just a matter of months.

Today some people with live traps that say “Feline Rescue” came and took away my two older sisters (from mom’s spring litter) to be spayed. They tried to take mom too, but when they saw she was nursing more babies, decided to leave her behind to take care of us. They don’t know where we are hiding J

Wednesday:

We’ve been spotted playing at the edge of the woods!

Thursday:

The people came back, and I was the only one to wander over to them for food.  Oops, I’ve been caught!

Friday:

Turns out that being caught is not so bad. At first I was scared and missed my mom (hopefully she and the other babies will agree to be rescued soon) but now I get to hang out with my big sisters. They've taken me under their wings, showing me how to eat canned food like a big girl, how to play, and how to purr when I get petted. Now all we have left to learn is what it’s like to live in a home.

I hope this next week will end in a foster home! And I hope someone has room for all three of us!  Please call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org if you can foster us. 

Spay and neuter to keep more cats out of the cold!

We're in a mad dash to get outdoor cats spayed and neutered before more homeless kittens are born out in the cold. If you are feeding or seeing stray cats in your neighborhood, please help make sure they get spayed or neutered.  You can check with your vet, low cost mobile clinics MN SNAP or Kindest Cut (now offering $10 spay/neuter for qualifying residents in Frogtown/Thomas-Dale areas of St. Paul), or contact our spay-neuter-outreach program volunteers for more information or assistance at outreach@felinerescue.org.

And if you can help by taking in a friendly cat or two temporarily so they can find a home and don't have to spend the winter out in the cold, please contact us.  Echo 1 and 2 are adorable, 6-month-old sisters who were born outside in the spring to a mother cat who was not spayed and then left behind when her owners moved.

If you can help these sweet but shy girls, call Molly at 651-295-3758 or outreach@felinerescue.org

Mom and three kittens need rescuer!

This sweet but scared mom was abandoned and living in a trailer park where she was not welcome.  A Feline Rescue outreach volunteer rescued mom and her three kittens before any harm could come to them.  But now they really need someone to take them in.  

The kittens are adorable, and earning the trust of cats like this is rewarding.  

• See our tip sheet on socializing shy cats: http://felinerescue.org/download/docs/Socializing_a_Shy_Cat.pdf

• The Urban Cat League also has great information on working with shy kittens: http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingFerals

• And their videos are fun to watch and super helpful.  Be sure to watch all three!

If you can help this little family, email outreach@felinerescue.org