Chipmunks' 11th Birthday!

NELSON

I'm so pleased as a foster caregiver for cats and kittens for Feline Rescue to get updates on my former fosters. I get an update from adopter Lisa every year. She adopted one kitten (Chip, now Nelson) from the litter of tabbies that I called the Chipmunks and later adopted a second tabby from FR (Lana Kitty Pierson). She also discovered that another one of the Chipmunks (Nelson's sister Alvie) is the "store cat" at Calhoun Pet Supply, so she updates me on her, too!

NELSON

Hello Denise,

It is that time of the year again when June 1^st rolls around that I want to give you another update on your foster boy Nelson, his housemate Lana Kitty Pierson (another feline rescue kitty), and his biological sister Alvie.

As you remember both Nelson and Alvie turn 11 tomorrow. Nelson is still doing well in spite of his feline hyperesthesia, changing his diet and Prozac from my vet help him immensely and allow him to continue to live a happy older gentleman like life.

He will never tolerate Lana Kitty Pierson though and I still have to keep them separated but they both seem to live happy. I just make certain that they both get the run of the house at different times and lots of individual attention and love.

LANA KITTY PIERSON

Nelson continues to enhance my life in spite of all his past issues and I have been very lucky to have shared my home with him the last 11 years.

I continue to visit Alvie every 2-3 weeks at Calhoun Pet Supply. Alvie is so sweet and mellow and seems very content and happy with her home at the store. While I still wish I could have adopted her with Nelson I’m thankful she has a home and folks who visit her and care for her.

ALVIE

She is smaller than Nelson and does not have his tabby circles but rather beautiful tabby stripes. When you look at just their faces they are the spitting image of each other and cute as a bug!

ALVIE

Once again I want to thank you and Feline Rescue for all you do for our feline companions. Your organization is awesome and everyone who I’ve ever been connected with have hearts of gold and such compassion for their missions to help cats in need.

I hope all is well with you Denise and that this past year has been a bit easier for you. Without you I would not have had the honor of sharing my life with Nelson!

Sincerely,

Lisa

Adoption Update: The Tippy Tuxies

I met Calvin, Daisy and Rosie (TheTippy Tuxies) at their adoption photo shoot. My cat of 19 years, Kitty Wampus, who was also a tuxedo cat, had passed away a few days before. Photo days are like a kitten party so I was really looking forward to a little "kitten therapy". Basically I play with kittens while taking their pictures. On July 16, 2016, The Tippy Tuxies came in for photos. They were being fostered by Linda, another Feline Rescue volunteer. I saw a glimpse of them in their carriers so I knew there were tuxedo kittens but I still wasn’t prepared for their resemblance to Kitty Wampus. Rosie and Daisy had nearly the exact same markings! 

Calvin on the day he came in for pictures

The Tippy Tuxies have that name because they were born with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH). I’ve photographed a few kittens with CH before so I knew CH kitties can be rather difficult to photograph. Their heads wobble and they tend to have erratic movements, so sometimes it can be harder to get clear photos of them. Rosie and Calvin mainly seemed to have some fancy footwork but were otherwise normal kittens. Calvin walks with a high-step that looks like a trot or a prance. It was so adorable! They fell over a little bit, but they were mostly just sweet, charming and adorable kittens. Daisy, however, couldn’t walk or stand without leaning on something.  

Rosie

A little bit about Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Feline cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) is a non-progressive, non-contagious neurological condition that results in walking and balance problems. A kitten is born with CH when her cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls fine motor skills and coordination, is underdeveloped at birth. Consequently, an underdeveloped cerebellum can result in underdeveloped or complicated mobility. CH cats are known for their “drunken sailor” walk, which is why they’re known endearingly as “wobbly cats.” Since the condition is non-progressive, it will never get worse — and in some cases, owners say that their cat became more capable over time [as they learn to adapt to their disability and develop muscles]. Source: lifewithchcats.com

Daisy on the day we met

Shortly after this photo was taken, Daisy crawled into my lap. It took so much work for her to get there since she wasn’t able to walk at the time. The sweetness of that moment and her resemblance to Kitty Wampus brought me to tears. I then had to explain to Linda why I started crying. We talked a little bit about my recent loss, and these new kittens and we agreed that I would foster the three of them when Linda was planning to be out of town at the beginning of August. On my way home that same day, I stopped and bought them a scratching post and a few new toys for when they came to my house.

When I started fostering this trio, my goal was to get all of them adopted together. Rosie and Calvin were extremely bonded, and although Daisy was more independent, I thought it would be better for her to stay with her siblings. Although, I’m pretty sure most of the foster volunteers were already placing bets about my impending “foster fail,” I think the moment I knew was on August 9, when Paul and TJ from the Engineer's Guide to Cats were at Feline Rescue on the day of the Cat Video Festival. I brought the trio in for the open house, and I was being asked when they’d be available for adoption. I didn't like the idea that they might be leaving me someday!

 

Paul and TJ with Calvin, Daisy and Rosie

After Kitty passed away, I didn’t think I would be ready to adopt for several months. However, I was open to the idea of foster failing and welcoming new cats into my home. But I had only planned to adopt a pair. The Tippy Tuxies helped me heal so much, and the three of them were so perfect together, I didn’t debate too long about adopting the three of them. Rosie and Daisy were a little bit underweight, so we waited until September to do their spay and neuter surgeries. I adopted them shortly after that.

National Specially-abled Pets Day is May 3 so I wanted to share some information on what it’s like to live with animals who would be labeled as “special needs.”

Rosie

Cats with CH do require some special considerations, but to what extent can vary from cat to cat. Even cats in the same litter can be affected differently. The Tippy Tuxies had siblings that were not affected at all. Calvin and Rosie walk and run pretty well, but Calvin can’t jump at all, and Rosie can only jump a little bit. She’s good at jumping up to the couch, for example, but the bed is a little too high so she climbs. It helps that I have carpet thoughout most of my home. This gives them traction and helps reduce their spills and also provide a little extra padding for when they do fall. For Daisy, that carpet is essential because she needs it for traction. She is not strong enough or balanced enough to walk very well on slippery surfaces. 

Calvin

They have stairs to get up to the bed and a tray under their water bowl to catch spills. Their litter boxes have high sides and a low entry to make it easy to get in, but also for them to lean against if they need to. I found a cat tower that has levels that are closer together and easier for them to climb to the top, and also isn’t too high, so that if they fall off (or jump from the top like Rosie does), they won’t get hurt. And I try a little harder to find activities to keep them engaged. Especially for Daisy who can’t burn energy by running chasing her siblings around, it’s critical to find activities that help her develop muscle and keep her mentally stimulated.

Daisy

Daisy’s walking has improved quite a bit since they first came to me. She was only able to walk while leaning against walls or furniture. Now she can take several steps at a time in the middle of the room without support. Another Feline Rescue volunteer, Caia, helped build a special walker for Daisy out of PVC pipe and wheels that we found instructions to make kitties on YouTube. Daisy used it a couple times for physical therapy, but later made it known that she had no intentions of being strapped into a glorified wheel chair. So I started just making her physical therapy a game by getting her to chase toys and the laser light to work on getting her strong enough to stand and walk on her own.

Walking still pretty hard for her, it takes all of her concentration to balance, take a step, and even just stand without support. It’s possible and even likely her walking skills will continue to improve over the next few months. I have hopes that she’ll be able to move around without tumbling over every few steps. 

Daisy uses a wide stance to balance while standing and walking

All three of  The Tippy Tuxies live like otherwise normal cats. They get to the litter box just fine, can eat and drink without assistance and can play and wrestle with the best of them. They are three extremely loving and sweet cats who’s fun personalities more than make up for any perceived burden of having a special needs pet (let alone three). Plus, they’re really great about posing for photos! 

Rosie, Calvin and Daisy

If you’d like to keep tabs on the Tippy Tuxies, you can follow them on Facebook or on Instagram @TippyTuxies. They have new photographs and videos posted every day.

In honor of National Specially-abled Pets Day, May 3, please spread the word about how truly wonderful pets with “special” features can be!

Story and photos by Kris Kaiser

Adoption Updates for the Whole Family!

Debbie, one of our fabulous foster volunteers, compiled an adoption update for her entire former foster cat family (momma cat and 5 kittens).

1 year ago today [April 11], a young cat named Ripley gave birth to 5 sweet, adorable little babies at our home thanks to Diane who rescued Ripley from the streets and thanks to Feline Rescue that took her into the foster care program! One year later where are they now?? They are all happy and healthy in their forever homes. Here's a brief update . . .

Beau and Shelby were adopted to a home of a family we have known for many years. They have an older sister cat and in just a few short months they are all happily playing together and sleeping in the family bed at night!

Beau

Shelby

Mabry and Langley (now Mackenzie and Veronica) are in a home where they are loved and adored. The girls are still best friends and made themselves right at home from day 1!

Snelling has a new best friend in a dog! Snellling loves to find toys during the day and leave them in her mom's bed for her to find at night. Snelling is a true Momma's girl!

Ripley has blossomed into a sweet young cat who loves to watch out the windows and appreciates the oppportunity to go outside and stalk birds and bunnies and have a good roll around in the dirt!

Thank you to all the families who adopted Ripley and her kittens for providing them new loving homes. It was an exciting and a little bit worrisome day the kittens were born but Ripley sure knew what she was doing as a first and only time mom!

We love you all -- Ripley, Shelby, Beau, Mabry, Langley and Snelling!

You can view more photos and stories of Debbie's fosters on her Facebook page - Debbie's Foster Kitties.

Happy Easter, Bunny!

From Red Lake Rosie's Rescue:
Bunny was a beautiful long-haired tortie that was a surrender at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue a few years ago. RLRR is so thankful for the relationship we have with Feline Rescue where we are able to send cats by twos to be adopted. Bunny's story is one of the many success stories we have with Feline Rescue.

Yesterday I received this picture and message:

"I just wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for all that you do.
In 2012, after the death of my cat Boo-Boo, I decided to spend 2 days a week visiting the homeless cats at Feline Rescue. I love all the cats, even the snarky ones. I don't remember her exact surrender date, but in early 2014, a long-hair tortie that they named Bunny showed up from you guys.

All my recent cats, {Binky and Comet}, have been either feral or hated people. I seem to have a way with them. Bunny was definitely a problem. She kept attacking the volunteers when they would clean her litter box, kennel, and give her food and water. She did respond to a few people, and I was one of the fortunate few.

I had lost Comet's sister Sunny, my soul mate, in 2013, and, in the spring of 2014, Comet had a stroke. I didn't want Binky to be left alone if Comet didn't pull through. I figured no one would adopt Bunny the way she acted, so I brought her home. Comet did pull through, thank heavens, and Bunny has become an awesome family member. Of course she has the famous "tortitude", but she's really sweet. She doesn't like being picked up or held, but she often climbs up on us for loving. We live in a rural area and get mice, but Bunny totally loves hunting them.

She's very safe now. My cats are NEVER allowed outside where they can get hurt. If it hadn't been for you guys rescuing her and sending her to Feline Rescue, we wouldn't have met. I can't imagine our family without our Bunny. Shelters seldom hear about how their former charges end up, and I know I always love hearing the happy endings from adopters, so I thought I'd share Bunny's story with you. Thank you again for all you do."

Happy 9th Birthday to Nelson!

UPDATE FROM ADOPTER:
Hello Denise,

It’s that time again and Nelson will be 9 on June 1st.

NELSON

Nelson is doing very well and has become quite the snuggle buddy. He seems to be mellowing in his older years which for me is wonderful given his troubles with food allergies and behavior. He has been thriving since he started on Prozac which keeps his rolling skin, twitching, and self-biting at bay. 

Once again I need to thank all from Feline Rescue who chimed in with their thoughts and ideas for his care over the years, you all are the best!! With the help of my vet Nelson is finally at peace with himself and is happy.

LANA KITTY PIERSON

Lana Kitty Pierson was adopted last fall from a Feline Rescue foster Mom Coleen. Lana was a mother of 5 beautiful babies and is now 2 years old and very precocious. She is full of personality and very gentle and kind.

LANA KITTY PIERSON

I was hoping that Nelson and she would be pals however he wants no part of her. My introductions have ended with both of them fighting and have produced some bloody scratches. I am pretty convinced that Nelson is a one person cat. 

Nelson and Lana live in separate rooms and get alternate times out with the run of the house.

My hope is that someday Nelson will accept her.

NELSON

Thank you for all you did for Nelson and thank you to all the great Feline Rescue folks for their dedication and service!

Sincerely,

Lisa R~

NOTE FROM FORMER FOSTER MOM: 

Nelson was one of a litter of tabby kittens that I called the Chipmunks: Chip & Dale, Simon, Theodora, Alvinia. Ironically, the mother of the Chipmunks was a lovely solid black cat named "Lana" -- the same name as Chip/Nelson's new sister!! Perhaps he doesn't like his mother's name for this new sister :-)

Check out some kitten photos here:

http://felinerescue.blogspot.com/2008/04/fr-photo-archives.html

Pistachio and Butternut Adoption Update

In honor of former foster momma cat Peanut's kittens' birthday today, we have another fabulous update for two more of her kittens.

Pistachio's and Butternut's (now Anouk) family saw the update for Hazelnut and Filbert.

We adopted Pistachio and Butternut (now Anouk) almost two years ago. They will turn two on May 17, 2016. We could not be happier with these two amazing kittens. They have brought so much joy to our household.

We adopted Pistachio and Anouk (Butternut) at the start of a huge remodeling project. Both kittens quickly learned how to climb up and down ladders. The house was a kitten paradise/jungle gym. Pistachio made friends with the framers. Pistachio (a good helper) would even sit atop a ladder, remove screws from the box, and drop them on the floor for the framers. Pistachio is quite the talker and enjoys speaking to himself and anyone else who will listen.

His sister Anouk (Butternut) waits for me to come home every day. She is a quiet, gentle kitten who enjoys a soft touch and being praised for all of her good deeds. She follows me around like a little puppy. She is pure sweetness in a kitten body.

Her brother Pistachio is a happy boy who loves everyone. He loves to cuddle. He also enjoys playing with his twisty ties and springs. He likes to share the fun by hiding toys for us in our work bags and shoes, or under rugs for safekeeping.

Anouk loves her sisters and just looking cute for the camera.

They have many good places to sleep and a lot of space to play or watch birds.

Everyone gets along really well. Adopting litter mates is the best, and I highly recommend it.. We are so grateful to Feline Rescue and their volunteers for all of the work they do to rescue kittens, and for all of the joy and happiness those kittens have brought to our household.

Thank you!
Dawn and Curtis

Thank you for all the wonderful photos! Maybe we'll get an update for Peanut next.

Filbert and Hazelnut Adoption Update

Filbert and Hazelnut came into foster care 2 years ago at just one week old with their mom Peanut and siblings Pistachio and Butternut. Peanut had given birth to her kittens at a tree farm and a wonderful person working at the farm rounded them all up and brought them to Feline Rescue.

We recently received an adoption update, with lots of great photos, from their mom Kate.

Filbert and Hazelnut are wonderful cats. They enjoy looking out the window; they both run to their perches in the morning when they hear the blinds being opened.

Even though she does the "crazy kitty", bolting around the house and scurrying up her cat tree nearly every evening, Hazel is more reserved than Filbert. He, in contrast, is very social and likes to walk around meowing at anyone who will respond.

They both enjoy scratching their posts, and they use their claws to toss tennis balls in the air. Neither kitty scratches anything other than their posts.

Mostly, they enjoy each others' company. Thankfully, they were adopted together.

Thank you Kate! Feline Rescue foster caregivers, shelter caregivers and supporters love updates!

Hughie and Lulu: one year update

A year ago, Hughie was a lonely and shy stray kitten rescued from animal control. Lulu was a 6-week-old kitten fending for herself outside in the early cold snap after her mother and siblings were trapped and brought inside without her. Once rescued, Lulu met Hughie in foster care, and from there life got better and better for both of them.

Here's an update from Mercedes, who adopted the best friends together:

I was just musing about how happy I am to have them in my life! They are both doing awesome. So much personality, and wonderful to see how they've grown and opened up.

Hughie is still a shy guy, and has that flight response from his feral streak, but he loves snuggles and he's perfectly comfortable around me. He follows me around and helps me get ready for work and sleeps curled up on my feet at the computer. He's very playful when he thinks no one is watching, and he carries the crocheted toy you left with him everywhere.

Lulu is a great influence on him, and makes him braver than he'd otherwise be. He's gotten big and strong (12.5 lbs) and he's built like a panther, but he's so gentle and sweet...

Lulu is a character. She's affectionate, brave, and a natural hunter. She is "cat" incarnate. Tiny and fearless, she keeps the house bug free, while cuddling in my lap every second she gets. She loves to be talked to, and is so adorable it hurts.

Both of them sleep with me every night, and they love each other to death. They're both model citizens. I couldn't imagine life without them.

Thanks again for bringing them into our lives. The work you do is so great.

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.