Tag: rescue

Your Friday Art Cat is Blue

Published on by Carol3 Comments

Humphrey was a muscular gray-blue kitty with haunting eyes, and he was angry. He was taken in by a local no-kill shelter because his owner of 9 years passed away.  There was no consoling or petting Humphrey. His behavior was unpredictable. He was not good around other animals. He needed an understanding home where he would be the only pet. He got adopted once, but was returned because of inappropriate marking. Oh, Humphrey.

Watercolor Cat

I can’t imagine all the feels of having your predictable cat world ripped out from under you, then being contained in a cage where well-meaning strangers stare and poke at you all day. If I didn’t have other cats (including your Friday Art Cat,) I would have taken Humphrey and tried to help him love again. Instead, I could only pay him respect by capturing his image as a reminder of feisty suffering.

Carol Parker Mittal is an artist and teacher living in Northern Michigan who wonders if Humphrey ever found a happy home. You can check out her blog about art and cats at Art is Not for Sissies. 

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Lovecats! How nervous Patch found his purr-fect match

Published on by rspcacats7 Comments

The tale of two star-crossed felines, with special thanks to Sarah Piggott from RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre.

A rough patch

PatchPatch came into our care in May of last year. His owner had far too many cats to care for – they were all under-socialised and very timid. The household then suffered a house fire, which thankfully Patch managed to escape uninjured from.

He was utterly traumatised by his experiences and was one of the most nervous cats Southall Cattery had ever seen. He couldn’t be handled at all and would hide all day.

The day Seraphina came to stay

Seraphina arrived in November, having been rescued from another multi-cat household. She was suffering from a flea allergy and had severe hair loss. However, Seraphina was the complete opposite of Patch – she made herself at home in the cattery from day one and loved everybody she met.

Seraphina would have been snapped up straight away but had to stay at Millbrook for a few weeks for treatment. This turned out to be a serendipitous stroke of luck as during this time, staff noticed that Patch was very, very keen on Seraphina!

Stolen glances and cat-calls!

Patch&SPatch had started sneaking out of his hidey bed to watch Seraphina play in the corridor and would meow as she walked by.

Staff knew they had to introduce the two. Patch’s shyness lifted immediately when he was around Seraphina. He’d headbutt and groom her for attention. But they also noticed it changed his mood towards them – for the first time he wasn’t running away when the cattery staff went near him!

Seraphina was perfectly happy to spend her days in Patch’s pen too – so they moved in together and officially became a pair.

Love at first miaow

With Seraphina by his side, Patch became one hundred times braver than he used to be. He’d come to staff for attention and started to enjoyed having his chin scratched. He became almost unrecognisable from the scaredy-cat he was before.

The pair’s lust for life was noticed by a local woman who fell for the two tabbies when she visited them in early January. Determined to help the two sweethearts land on their feet, she took them home just a couple of weeks later.

In it for the long-haul

Patch_Seraphina_HomeWe were thrilled to receive a recent update:

“Patch and Seraphina are settling in really well so far. Seraphina has been sleeping on our laps and Patch sits nearby, gradually moving closer each day, which is really good to see.

“His confidence is growing each day and it is very sweet to see how devoted they are to eachother!

“I think a lot of Patch’s progress is testament to the patience and understanding of the RSPCA who laid the groundwork…and we are fortunate to be getting the benefit.”

Can you offer a special animal their fur-ever home?

If you can offer a loving home to one (or two!) of the fantastic animals in our care, head to Find a Pet to track down your purr-fect match.

Your Feral Friday Art Cat

Published on by Carol13 Comments

I can’t tell you how many cats I’ve either rescued, or fed on a regular basis, who have lived all or part of their lives in drainage pipes. From the feline perspective, it’s nearly a perfect place to hide out. Dark, self-contained, easy to defend from a predator, an irresistible hidey hole. But, drainages are also dank, and at high water times, filled with polluted runoff. Cats that live there often have respiratory problems and are difficult to rescue if they get stuck (kittens are notorious for this.) Seriously, it just can’t be pleasant. Imagine the desperation of the cat who chooses this life.Trickle Down; painting by Carol Parker MittalSo, in honor of all those who survive by sneaking around in culverts, here is a portrait. May they stay safe, stay warm, and stay healthy.

Carol Parker Mittal is an artist and teacher living in Northern Michigan who is currently trying to clean out her studio so she can make room for more art. You can check out her blog about art and cats at Art is Not for Sissies. 

Charity Mews: An update from Bella

Published on by Marc-André24 Comments

Hi everyone,

Some of you may remember our story from last year about Bella the cat that managed to eat a whole kebab stick!

We are pleased to be back with an update today to let everyone know that she is doing just fine and living happily ever after at her forever home with her Human and Feline family.

Bella was found by Cats Protection’s Birmingham Adoption Centre and after a full recovery was re-homed to her forever home! 🙂

Of course we too once had a scary incident with one of our little ones eating something that they shouldn’t have… It’s important that we all remember that something that seems harmless could cause much suffering to a vulnerable animal. 🙁

bella-the-cat

On this picture you can see that she has settled in just fine with the other resident cat, Blue, who are together on the trampoline on a warm summer day. 🙂

bella-the-cat-2

Can you guess where Bella is sleeping on this picture? Let us know! 😀

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Thanks,

Marc

Friday Art Cat: It’s Not Snowing Yet

Published on by Carol21 Comments

It’s been a warm fall in the Midwest. By now, we’ve usually seen a snowflake or two. I bring this up because, fortunately, that means that our homeless cat friends are enjoying the same unseasonal sunniness. But, the colder weather is coming, and I think about all of the feral and stray cats who will need to find warm, safe spaces if they are to survive. This week’s Friday Art Cat is a reminder about our scrappy friends who manage to endure despite the conditions. Stay safe, everybody!

Cats under a building
Lack of Affordable Housing

You can check out more of my art on my blog, Art Is Not For Sissies.

Mews: A lucky escape for Bella the kebab stick cat

Published on by Marc-André68 Comments

Hi everyone,

Today I would like to share with you a lucky rescue story from Cats Protection:

Cats Protection’s Birmingham Adoption Centre has ensured that a young female cat has eight of her ‘nine lives’ still intact after a routine spay procedure uncovered an amazing discovery.

“Little Bella came in to the charity as a stray at the beginning of the month,” says Bryan Cross, who works full time as a Cat Care Assistant at the centre.

BELLA after op

“She is a fairly young cat, around 18 months old. She is black and white and very beautiful. As with all cats that come to us, we booked her in with our veterinarian to be vaccinated and spayed.”

However, whilst Bella was under anaesthetic, the vet noticed an unusual object in Bella’s stomach. Upon further examination, and the decision to explore with further surgery, a very sharp, flexible stick – three inches long – was discovered to be lodged in her colon.

BELLA twig

The vet stated that if the stick, thought to be from a kebab, had encroached much further down Bella’s intestines, then the consequences would surely have been fatal.

“So Bella had a very lucky escape – if we had not opened her up, we never would have found such a potential threat to her life,” added Bryan.

Bella has recovered well from her ordeal and is a sociable and friendly girl. She would be best suited to a couple or a family with older children.

Bella now

About Cats Protection

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps over 194,000 cats each year through its national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 31 adoption centres. www.cats.org.uk

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Thanks,

Marc

Charity Mews: D.E.L.T.A – Animal sanctuary asks animal lovers to fund special Holiday stockings for rescued dogs and cats

Published on by Marc-André13 Comments

Hi everyone,

Today we have a special appeal from D.E.L.T.A. the world’s largest no-kill, care-for-life animal sanctuary, continues its holiday tradition of making sure that each of the 1500 animals gets a special stocking each year.

cat stkg 2

There may be countless ways to spend your holiday shopping dollar, but few that can directly make the day special for an animal. D.E.L.T.A. Rescue is asking people to give a special present to a rescued dog or cat. Every one of the over 1500 animals at D.E.L.T.A. will receive a personalized stocking full of his favorite treat, thanks to donations earmarked for this special cause.
Cat stkg 1

Leo Grillo, founder of D.E.L.T.A. Rescue has been filling stockings for the animals at the 115 acre animal sanctuary for 29-years. “Christmas is for kids, and animals are our children too. The joy of seeing a dog smile and then run off with his treat is what giving is all about.”

cat stckg 3

D.E.L.T.A. Rescue is the world’s largest no-kill, care for life animal sanctuary. Since 1979, it has been a champion for the countless animals who have lived there, as well as for the rights of animals throughout the world. Grlllo says “Besides donating to our own 1500 animals, you can take treats to your local animal shelter and bring those lonely dogs and cats some Holiday cheer.”

cat stkg4

To have your donation go to help pay for these stockings, please visit www.deltarescue.org and click on any “donate” button.

Did-we-tell-you-this-was-WInnie-the-Poos-house

The cats will thank you for your support! 🙂

Thanks,

Marc