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Two years ago, we took in a homeless little black kitten that we named Midnight. Unfortunately, Midnight tested positive for FeLV – but she was quickly accepted into the Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, in August 2008. They renamed Midnight as Beijing since Midnight arrived at Best Friends right around the time the 2008 Olympics was happening in Beijing, China.
With sorrowful hearts we learned that Beijing went to the Rainbow Bridge a few weeks ago, as she just could not hold off the ravages of the leukemia. The video below of Midnight aka Beijing was posted at the Best Friends YouTube channel, apparently very soon after Midnight arrived at Best Friends.
RIP, little one, you certainly touched many peoples lives since we fostered you.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=4383827&id=348315645896
“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o’ fur?” – Irish Saying
Louisiana’s ‘Animal Friendly’ license plate was created to help local charities, animal shelters and veterinarians provide urgently needed pet sterilization programs for Louisiana residents on public assistance.
Under state law, proceeds from sale of these plates are to be used to fund to low-cost spay and neuter programs and services. The funds are distributed by the Louisiana Pet Overpopulation Council, a state board comprised of representatives of humane organizations, animal shelters, elected officials, veterinarians and concerned citizens.
For the license plate program to be as successful as it has been in other states—raising hundred of thousands of dollars for pet sterilizations and significantly cutting shelter euthanasia rates—animal lovers across Louisiana must be encouraged to purchase their own ‘Animal Friendly’ plates!
By purchasing the special ANIMAL FRIENDLY license plate you help to supplement spay and neutering for those who normally could not afford to pay for these services.
Your purchase of the ANIMAL FRIENDLY plate for your vehicle, helps prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. The program provides supplemental funding for spaying and neutering for thousands of pets and encourages the adoption of thousands more each year.
With your help, more spay/neuter means fewer animals ending up homeless and unwanted, and, ultimately, fewer animals being euthanized.
Purchase your plate at the OMV by following the link below:
LOUISIANA OFFICE OF MOTOR VEHICLES EXPRESSLANE
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE SECTION
1.) You will need your current license plate number;
2.) After entering your license plate number, a list box will appear, scroll down to the “Special Interest” list and select “Animal Friendly;”
3.) Complete the Order Form, Print, and Mail in your check to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Give Them A Second Chance
Whether they’re seen on the search results pages at Petfinder.com, at the local animal control center, or peering at you from their playpen during adoption days at Petsmart, they never fail to elicit the most OOHhhs and AAWWwws. As a volunteer foster parent, I’m just as susceptible as you are to the irresistible charms of kittens – their bright eyes wide with wonder at the world around them, their tiny features, emerging personalities and playful antics – all shout, “NOTICE ME!”
But – before you make that final decision to adopt a kitten – look around a little more. Chances are, you will find adult feline eyes nearby – watching. Their attention is not necessarily focused on the kittens, but rather, on you. Often, a flicker of hope and anticipation will flash in those eyes if you happen to glance their way – a fleeting, silent plea; “Won’t you give me a second chance?”
Sometimes a kitten may not be the best choice for a particular household, states Emily Harris, cat adoption and foster chair for APAWS in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in her article, “Eager for Adoption” which appeared in the August 2006 issue of CAT FANCY magazine. “For example, when choosing a cat for a young child or an elderly person, kittens are not usually the best choice because they have not yet learned the rules about biting, scratching and climbing.” Ms. Harris explains. “If not properly supervised, the kittens or the human could get hurt. Kittens tend to climb everything, including human legs, which could be dangerous for an elderly person with varicose veins or a weak immune system. Kittens are also very delicate and can be seriously injured by a young child’s rough treatment.”
Ms. Harris’s article goes on to list how the adoption of an adult cat can enhance a household –
most adult cats have the experience to tolerate typical human childhood behavior, have better household manners, more laid-back personalities, and are less prone to harmful play.
As evident by the statistics from the Roicy Duhon Animal Control Center in Lafayette only a very miniscule percentage of the adult cats that end up at Roicy are reclaimed or adopted.
It is heartbreaking for us to view Roicy’s website showing photos and descriptions of young and adult cats who obviously once had a home, were cared for, and loved – only to have their secure world turned upside down by being dumped or abandoned.
When we have room in our foster homes, we try to rescue as many of those adults as we can. However, finding loving homes for adult cats is a daunting challenge that is faced not only by AHS, but by rescue groups and no-kill shelters all across the country.
Since cats can live more than 20 years, there truly is no reason to say they’re “too old” to be adopted. “Older cats can form strong bonds with their new families as well as kittens or young cats” Ms. Harris states. “They can give just as much love and joy as kittens or adolescent cats. Give those precious animals a second chance.”
We wholeheartedly agree. Please consider adopting an older cat. They definitely DO know when they’ve been given a second chance. And you won’t be disappointed. Check out the adult cats pages on this blog – Whiskey, LilBit, Lancelot, Rusty, Bandit, Bacardi, JB, Zeke, and Zack – maybe one of them is the cat for you!
Editor’s note: Thanks to Ms. Emily Harris for her permission to quote her in the AHS newsletter. Her entire article, “Eager To Be Adopted” can be found in the August 2006 issue of CAT FANCY.
What an explorer this little one is! And fiesty too – hence she was named Ziva, in honor of the character on the tv show NCIS. Ziva hitched a ride under the hood of a car from Church Point, LA to Lafayette, LA and miraculously escaped harm! She was likely separated from her mom and siblings, but that didn’t seem to deter Ziva from wanting to explore the world on her own! Ziva is approximately 6-7 weeks old, still just a baby, but she’s got quite a purr motor and absolutely adores being petted, especially under her chin. Nothing seems to intimidate her – yet – and she’s been very curious about our other foster cats. She’s not quite sure about the dogs though. Ziva has been the perfect little lady, sitting still while we combed her medium hair with a fine toothed comb, so she definitely is getting a jump start at enjoying being groomed. Ziva needs to get just a little bit bigger before she can be spayed, and she will be available for adoption once she is fully vetted. If you are interested in adopting Ziva in a few weeks, please email me at Eagiehart@aol.com.
Recently, there was an absolutely breathtaking photo posted at the Best Friends Calamar Cats Facebook page of none other than our former foster furkid, Abby.
I’ll admit it, I’m a mushball when it comes to the kittens and cats that we’ve fostered since we first volunteered for the Acadiana Humane Society back in 2005. So when I saw the Calamar Cats photo of Abby, I couldn’t help but tear up.
What’s more astounding is that Abby celebrated her 5th birthday this month. You see, Abby has the Feline Leukemia Virus.
Abby and her brothers Smoke, Ash, and Wolfie, first came into our lives in May 2005 as little baby balls of fur. Their mom had tested positive for the FeLV virus, so we were quite aware that the kittens might have it as well. Smoke and Abby are the two little fluffballs in the forefront of the laundry basket in the photo below.
But sometimes, when weaned from their mother’s milk, kittens can fight off the virus – but unfortunately for Abby, Smoke, Ash, and Wolfie, that wasn’t the case. But we weren’t going to give up on them and have them euthanized.
We kept them in the spare bedroom of our house and lavished all the love and attention that we could on these four precious souls.
Unfortunately, we lost Wolfie, then Ash, within weeks of each other in July 2005, to the FeLV.
Abby and Smoke thrived with us until they were accepted by Best Friends. Below is one of our best photos of the two a few weeks before they were flown to Best Friends in January 2006.
We learned that Smoke went to the Rainbow Bridge in July of 2007. One of our friends went to visit Best Friends and took this photo of Smoke that had been posted on BF’s Memorial Wall. Looking at this photo, Smoke sure grew to be a very handsome boy despite his FeLV condition.
Ah, Smoke. You’re with Wolfie and Ash now. I’m sure you guys are having a blast, but I also know that you guys know someday your sister Abby will be there too, and it will be a total family reunion.
Abby’s still there at Calamar. We have seen wonderful photos of her gracing the Best Friends website, and from all accounts, she is very popular and beloved by the BF staff and volunteers.
Abby – sweet Abby – we loved you then and we still love you now. We’re so very glad that you’ve got such a wonderful place at Best Friends. Time will never erase those pawprints you and your brothers left in our hearts.
Thank you, Joni and the rest of the staff at Best Friends, for caring for Abby as you have. Please continue to share those wonderful photos of the Calamar Cats on Facebook!
Save A Life, Adopt A Cat!
Gift Cards = Great For Gifts For Any Occassion!
1-800-PetMeds
Petsmart
Drs. Foster and Smith
How Young Is Your Cat?
Adoptapet.com
American Greetings
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