Offline but on the job

Saturday, August 14 2010, 01:12 AM
Over a month of trying to limp along using a broken computer, which eventually quit altogether. We were able to use a desk-top that someone kindly loaned us to check and answer email, but we weren’t able to transfer data because the system on it is older than that of our previous computer. We were then sent a newer notebook with a system similar to the one on the broken notebook, and should be able to move pics and things over to this–once we figure out how to do it. At least we’re now able to use the html software to update pages and make new pages from new photos. I feel like I’m so far behind on updating pages, and I had just started to work on some new photo pages when the troubles began. Trying not to get overwhelmed and just get back to that work little by little. We’ve had a rush of kitten rescues over the last couple of weeks keeping us busy anyway…

Our volunteer that takes kitties from the shelter to see the vet found a group of young kittens hiding around her shed. When we went there to check out the situation, I went down the wrong road by mistake and heard a small kitten crying (under a house), which ended up clearly being part of the group. We think that the mother must have been in the process of moving them, but we still haven’t seen any sign of her. She must be feral, since the kittens (6 in all) were completely unsocialized. We used a kitten trap and could grab a couple of them by hand–they had that scary little wild kitten hiss/growl/spit thing going on, but were no match for David. At just a month or so old, they’re easily able to become friendly and are already doing well staying inside our volunteer’s house. David noticed a strange breathing sound that the smallest one had, and an Xray showed some heart abnormality…it’s doing well now with medication and we’re hoping for the best.

Around the same time, we found out that a couple of kittens and possibly a mother cat had been abandoned not far from the shelter. The kittens were so starved that they had become weak, but they were terrified and would not come out from underneath a neighbor’s house to eat. David was finally able to trap 2 of them, with no sign of a mother cat. As usual, we continued looking and setting up the trap. Around a week later we found a black and white kitten walking around the garden enclosure, and though it seems much too small to be mistaken for the mother, we think that it might be the third one that neighbors saw. All three are eating well and are much friendlier now that they’re feeling safer staying in a large cage. Trying very hard to keep the kittens completely separated from virus contamination…there was just no foster placement available, since so many of the volunteers are traveling over the summer holiday, and we had to scramble a bit just to move current foster kittens around. Poor Gina has a full apartment again–not sure what we would do without her willingness to take the overflow!

And then we were contacted about a group of very young kittens found abandoned in front of a local convenience store. A well meaning clerk had gotten some kitten milk to syringe feed them with and then had placed them in a box with a sign suggesting customers take a kitten. He was keeping them in his car when not at work, since his apartment doesn’t allow pets. At only a couple of weeks old, it’s amazing that they survived all of this! Apparently a customer took one kitten home, which left 2 remaining, and Sharon was able to take them for bottle feeding at her place. We’ve talked with the clerk about rescue in the future (and the importance of adoption screening!)–to be honest, it’s gratifying to see someone go to any lengths at all to help kittens like this, and he did end up saving these little lives. They are tiny cuties, and will absolutely love basking in Sharon’s affectionate attentive care!

Hot days at the shelter, and the kitties are taking advantage of the cool concrete floors in the enclosures. I’ve been scrubbing the floors and cleaning litter boxes in the evenings so that I don’t have to disturb everyone’s naps! Rosie and Daisy love their small window cage (pictured above). Still working on new photo pages, but more photos, mostly of Rose and Daisy in their window box, here. Dayan and Dixie have settled in well, after moving from my classroom to the shelter. They enjoy going out into the kitten enclosure once in a while but spend most of their time in the house. Poor Dayan has such long fluffy hair that the heat doesn’t agree with him at all. If he’s not in our one air-conditioned room, he’s stretched out on the tiled floor in the entryway. His panting led us to get an Xray, just in case it was more than the heat, and the vet did see some kind of small spot near his heart. He breathes much better on cooler days, and plays normally–though we do notice that he seems to have a little less energy than his sister Dixie does. The vet really had no idea what the spot might be and suggested we wait a couple of weeks and Xray again–trying not to worry too much about it until we know more. Meanwhile he continues to eat an amazing amount of food. He just keeps getting bigger and bigger–sometimes he seems have grown overnight. Dixie is also becoming long and sleek, and the two have really outgrown the other kittens that came out of the animal control center at the same time.

It’s sad to have to report that our dear Sumi passed away at the end of July. She spent the last 6 months staying with the vet…not able to return to the shelter after the Parvo outbreak, and needing specialized care, it was the only option that we had for her. They were able to give her a good life there, with access to an outdoor enclosure, a sunny bed, and regular cleaning to help with the mouth ulcer discomfort. They said that they had become quite attached to her and will really miss her–she was such a wonderful cat.

There’s probably other news that I’m forgetting…Adoptions continue, with 4 going out this weekend, and we’ve recently been able to help a number of people, who’ve found kittens, to hang on to them while looking for new homes. We’ve also been able to send traps out to catch cats needing treatment for scabies and others needing spay/neuter. It’s a joy to see the happy outcomes and to know that we were a part of that. Speaking of happy, check out the newest Fantasia video…it’s really touching to see how much this family loves her. The JCN Facebook page often has links to new videos like this, and to rescue stories that we are helping with.