What I did on my summer vacation

"Hi, Feline Rescue friends, Nipper here. It's been a while since you’ve seen me around the Adoption Center. I took a sabbatical in the spring to focus on my health in a foster home. I've put on a couple pounds this summer, which in my case is a good thing (the healthy diet and thyroid medication is working).

If you've met me, you may remember me for a couple of reasons: my sweet face, my extra-long tail that's usually swishing, and ... oh yeah... the swatting and nipping. I still do that sometimes. But my foster family can attest that there's a lot more to me than that. They think I’m actually pretty nice to have around. I’m always close by and can be sweet and a lap warmer when I want to be. I play and keep myself entertained. I look awfully good on the couch.

I travel nicely. I usually spend my days quietly lounging on my kitty condo, chasing a ball around, and watching neighborhood birds out the window. But my foster family recently took me on a trip. I pack up easily and ride quietly in the car—even with the dog sitting next to me.

I adjust easily to new places and don't hide. Here I got to chase bugs and watch waves crash on the shore.

And I got to be the only cat in the house. I curled up to sleep with my foster mom at night (I don't normally get to do that because the resident cats get those privileges).

So that's what I've been up to. It's been a good summer and I'm happy here. But I hope someday I will find a home of my own with another family who can get to know me, accept me the way I am, and learn to love me anyway. Call Molly to hear more about me: 651-295-3758."

Adopt a Mini-Panther Today

Black cats are amazing creatures.  They are little ninjas who play and purr, with their sleek-black fur.  They are mini-panthers, with their stealth and striking looks.  Consider getting yourself a little black companion and check out these kittens and cats in foster care.  They can be adopted with siblings or to a home with other young cats.

Here are some of the black kittens and cats in foster care looking for homes.  To find descriptions about their personalities go to: http://felinerescue.org/adopt-a-cat/available-cats-and-kittens/

Ondina

Espresso

Curry

Elizabeth Taylor

Katherine Hepburn

Soxy

Squeaky

Whiskers

Lexus

For more information about our foster cats and kittens available for adoption, please contact Joan at 651-705-6264.

Community Kittens Come Inside

Lyla and Kale (now Tonks and Neville) were community strays being fed by a kind neighbor. Now they are adopted and living the good life indoors together.

Feline Rescue volunteers answered a call to help get all the cats in Lyla and Kale’s colony trapped to be spayed and neutered. Some of the adults returned to their outdoor lifestyle, but the kittens were too sweet to put back outside.

It took a little extra work to earn these kittens’ trust. But thanks to their patient adopters, the kittens certainly look like happy house cats!

Lyla, Kale, Eggplant, Cherry Tomato, and Les have all been adopted. Siblings Apple Dumplin’ and Huckleberry Pie are still looking for a patient foster or adopter to give them their second chance. If interested in helping them, contact outreach@felinerecsue.org.

Elmer!

We just had to share some photos of Elmer taken during his recent photo shoot with Kris of KrisKreativ Pet Photography. Elmer is quite the character. He was rescued through our Outreach Program and picked up FIV during his travels.

Meet Elmer and his FIV+ feline friends in the FIV+ room at the Feline Rescue Adoption Center

What is FIV?
FIV is an immunodeficiency virus that over time may leave a cat more susceptible to illness. But most FIV cats live normal, healthy lives with few or no health problems. FIV can't spread to other cats through casual contact like grooming, cuddling, or sharing food and litter boxes (it's transmitted primarily though deep bite wounds). FIV can't spread to people or dogs.

Ron Howard

A little orphan kitten from White Earth came to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. He was a short-haired orange tabby male, less than eight weeks old and motherless since he was 2 weeks old we were told.

He was small and stunted and not eating well. We are grateful that Feline Rescue was able to take him into their foster program.

Karen
RLRR

UPDATES FROM FELINE RESCUE:
#1: This is the kitten from RLRR. He FINALLY learned to eat on his own two minutes ago (fingers crossed). Been syringe feeding him since Thursday night. So relieved that he hit that milestone. He came with the name Donnie but I think he should be Ron Howard or Opie Taylor. This red headed boy actually has freckles on his cheeks.

#2: After days curled up in a ball, spending all day in his bed and only leaving to use the litter box, this little guy darted out the door when I went to check on him this morning. So relieved. Syringe feedings and sub-q fluids and medicine have finally made a difference. He even ate on his own! He prefers Fancy Feast. And that is what he'll get.

#3: William Blake and Ron Howard have become inseparable ever since they met a few days ago. What is it with grey & white guys being best friends with orange guys?

Winter's Story

Winter has lived with a colony of outdoor cats in Minneapolis for a couple of years. He was fed and cared for by a kind gentleman, who has become ill and no longer lives at home.

Winter was trapped, neutered, and returned to his colony in August of 2013. He earned his name by surviving that brutal winter. Those who have watched Winter over the years hope that he will not have to survive another one but can find a home inside instead.

Most of the other cats that lived with Winter have already found homes or have been just passing through. So now, without feline friends or a human caretaker, he is basically alone.

Winter is a gentle soul. Although he has spent time outside, he could easily make the transition to being a happy house cat if just given the chance. All it takes is patience and understanding. If you have this—and a spare room in which to socialize and keep Winter warm—please contact outreach@felinerescue.org.

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/