The Cat`s Meow - Happy Endings

Quarterly Newsletter
Vol. 3 Iss. 2|
April 2013
The Cat’s Meow
5349 West Forest Home Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53220
(414) 744-3287
Come visit us on
Thursdays from 6pm-9pm
& Saturdays from 11am-4pm
Table of Contents
2- Baron’s Corner
3- FeLuk & FIV
4- Featured FeLuk Adoptables
5- Featured FIV Adoptables
6- Kids Kitty Korner!
About Us
www.HappyEndings.us
[email protected]
7- Donation Wish List & Spring Facts
8- Natural Balance Rebate Program
9- Success Stories!
10- Ebay Auction
11- Mary and Sophie’s Baby Shower!
12- Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s
Adopting from Happy Endings
Happy Endings No Kill Cat Shelter All our cats are up-to-date on
is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) no-kill
vaccinations, tested for FeLV and
organization run solely by volunFIV and cats over six months of age
teers who have been saving lives
are spayed and neutered. Happy
since 1994. It is the mission of
Endings currently places about 200
Happy Endings to find permanent cats into loving homes each year.
homes for unwanted, stray, abused All potential adopters go through an
or feral animals that are brought to application and interview process.
us or rescued from the street.
Potential “parents” are matched with
the cat that touches their hearts and
Animals are never euthanized by
fills the empty spaces in their homes
Happy Endings unless they are in a
and lives. Many of the cats that were
terminal state of suffering as
strays or have been mistreated are
determined by a veterinarian. We
quite shy and considered
also aim to rescue cats scheduled
unadoptable by other shelters.
for euthanasia due to overcrowding
Happy Endings has a socialization
from other shelters.
program where volunteers work
with cats on a daily basis to build
trust with people.
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Baron’s Corner
the cat goes in the litter box after surgery the litter
hurts their feet. Since the pain is quickly associated
with the litter box, the cat stops using it.
If the nails are kept trimmed and there are
scratching posts with sisal rope on it, the cats will
scratch there. Once you show them what it is, they
usually leave the furniture alone. Another
alternative to declawing is Soft Paws.
This edition of my column is directed more
toward your moms and dads then just my furry
little friends. Many people come into the shelter
looking for a companion without claws. Sadly,
some people still believe in this barbaric practice.
Declawing is the full amputation of the last
knuckle of each of a cat’s toes, often involving
cutting through the animal’s ligaments, nerves,
skin and blood vessels. The amputation may leave
the cats not only defenseless, but in constant pain,
sometimes prompting unwanted behaviors such as
biting and urinating outside the box. Often when
Soft Paws is a soft rubber cap that is glued onto the
cat’s nails. They will usually last three to six weeks
until the cat’s nails grow out and push them off.
These can be applied by the owner, a grooming
salon or a vet. They come in a wide assortment of
colors and sizes so they can be fitted to almost any
cat. So please for the sake of our furry friends, do
not declaw.
Can be purchased
at Pet Smart, Petco, online
and other pet retailers
Sponsor a Shelter Cat!
With our Sponsorship Program at Happy
Endings, when you sponsor a cat or condo, your
monthly donations go toward the health,
happiness and wellbeing of one of our shelter
cats. You will receive photos and updates on your
sponsored cat. You can choose to sponsor a cat or
condo for as little as $10/month; you can stop at
anytime. In addition, you can visit during
regular shelter hours and attend special
sponsor-only events.
For more information about becoming a sponsor,
visit www.HappyEndings.us/Sponsoring.htm
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What is FeLuk or FIV?
•FeLuk stands for feline leukemia virus. It is a viral
infection of cats that affects a cat’s immune system
and bone marrow. Roughly 2 to 8 percent of outdoor
cats are FeLV-positive.
•The virus is typically spread from cat to cat via close
contact of infected and non-infected cats. It is normally spread via saliva, but it can also be spread by
grooming, shared food bowls, bites and other forms
of close contact.
•The virus does not live long outside of a cat host,
so spreading FeLV via human clothing and hands is
very unlikely. Thus, if a FeLV-positive cat is housed
in a separate room from a FeLV-negative cat, it is not
likely that transmission will occur.
•There are no specific signs of FeLV infection. Most
cats with FeLV live normal lives, but their life span
tends to be significantly shorter.
•The only way to know if your cat is FeLV-positive is
to have your veterinarian run a test called an ELISA.
•There is no specific treatment for FeLV, so most of
the treatment of FeLV-positive cats involves
supportive care. Because FeLV-positive cats have
weaker immune systems, they do need to be treated
for upper respiratory infections more often than
FeLV-negative cats.
•Since there is no cure, keeping your cats indoor,
testing new cats before introducing them to your cats
and keeping FeLV positive and negative cats
separated are the best preventions. Although there is
a vaccine, it is has many side effects. However, with
improvements in vaccines the side effects are
becoming much less common.
•FIV stands for feline immunodeficiency virus. It is
a lentivirus, the same class of virus as HIV. FIV, which
can live in many different tissues in cats, typically
causes a weakening of the cat’s immune system.
•One of the tissues in which FIV lives is the salivary
glands, so the most common route of infection is a
deep bite wound from a FIV-positive cat to another
cat. It can also be transmitted via blood, in utero and
from milk from an infected mother cat.
•There are no specific signs of FIV infection.
FIV-positive cats have a weaker immune system so
they are more prone to getting infections such as
upper respiratory infections, ringworm and dental
disease. Other than that, FIV-positive cats tend to live
normal lives and have a normal length of life. There
are no obvious signs of FIV so the only way to know is
to do a blood test.
•FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats can live together
as long as the cats get along and do not fight.
•There are no proven treatments to rid a cat of FIV.
Most FIV-positive cats handle the disease well, but it
is important to concentrate on treating the secondary
illnesses.
http://bestfriends.org/Resources/Pet-Care/Cats/Health-And-Care/FAQs
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Featured FeLuk Adoptables
Moose
Tippy is a beautiful three year-old female who
was found as a stray in the Dells area.
Unfortunately, she had a severe ear infection that
has left her with a permanent head tilt. In
addition, she has tested positive for feline
leukemia. A bit on the clumsy side, she can be a
bit off balance and tends to fall over when you
rub her. Her favorite past time is playing with the
‘red dot.’ She is very healthy and has never been
sick. Tippy is currently in foster. Please contact
Happy Endings if you would like to make
arrangements to see her.
Tippy
Moose is a handsome 1½ year-old male who loves to
cuddle. He was left in a box at the shelter’s door along
with his six littermates at one week of age and
without a mother. Sadly only two of his littermates
survived and unfortunately he tested positive for
feline leukemia. Moose is a real lover. He will sit on
you all day and give kisses while he wraps around
your neck. He is very healthy and has never been
sick. Moose is currently in foster. Please contact
Happy Endings if you would like to make
arrangements to see him.
Daddy-O
Tommy is a handsome five year-old who was found
as a stray. Unfortunately he tested positive for feline
leukemia and this has made it difficult for him to
find his forever home. Despite being picked on by
the cats in the neighborhood when he was
homeless, he still gets along with other cats. He
likes to be picked up and likes to snuggle. If you are
interested in adopting Tommy, please contact our
friends at Feline/Canine Friends in Adams (north of
the Dells) at [email protected]. Rajah
Tom Tom
Daddy-O was a stray found by an elderly lady in
the Germantown area. He is about seven years
old and has tested positive for feline leukemia. He
is very laid back, gets along with other cats and
loves to be held. If you are interested in adopting
Daddy-O, please contact our friends at Feline/
Canine Friends in Adams (north of the Dells) at
[email protected].
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Featured FIV Adoptables
Grey Cloud is a handsome six year-old FIV
Harlo
male. He was found as a stray in the
Mauston area. He is affectionate and laid
back. He gets along with other cats and
dogs. If you are interested in adopting Gray
Cloud, please contact our friends at Feline/
Canine Friends in Adams (north of the
Dells) at [email protected].
Grey Cloud
Snowball
Snowball is a beautiful FIV positive three
year-old female. She was a stray found along with
two kittens. The people kept the kittens but sadly
did not want her. She is uncomfortable around
other cats, but will tolerate them. Although a bit
shy, she is affectionate with humans and likes
dogs. If you are interested in adopting
Snowball, please contact our friends at Feline/
Canine Friends in Adams (north of the Dells) at
[email protected].
Felix
Felix is a handsome one year-old Maine Coon mix.
He was found as a stray and the family loves him.
However, he is FIV and they have other cats. Since
Felix and the other cats don’t get along, they are not
willing to risk infection due to the possibility of a
bite. He is very affectionate and loves to snuggle.
Felix is currently in foster. Please contact Happy
Endings if you would like to make arrangements to
see him.
Meow is a sweet two year-old female with FIV.
She is quite the character and likes to put her
toys in her food bowl for safe
keeping. She likes other cats and loves to play
with balls, string and the red dot. She is
addicted to Temptations and will actually sit
like a dog and lay on her belly on command
for them. She is quite the talker and that’s how
she got her name. Meow is currently in foster.
Please contact Happy Endings if you would
like to make arrangements to see her.
Meow
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Kids Kitty Korner!
Fun Cat Facts!
A male cat is called a Tom
A female cat is called a Molly or Queen
A group of cats is called a clowder
The heaviest domestic cat on record weighes 46 lbs. 15.2 oz
On average, cats live for around 12 to 15 years
Cats can see at six light levels lower than what humans need to see
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Donation Wish List
Cat food & litter:
• K-M-R kitten food (kitten milk)
is especially important for kittens
that have lost their mothers
• Kitten Food - Purina Kitten Chow/
Science Diet/Iams
• Science Diet Light/
Reduced Calorie
• Science Diet Sensitive Stomach
• Adult Food - Science Diet Optimal
Care/Iams/Eucanuba
• Natural Balance Green Pea/Duck
• Clay type NON CLUMPING litter
Cleaning Supplies:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hand sanitizer
Clorox Sanitizing Wipes
Paper towels
Toilet paper
General cleaning supplies
Concentrated laundry detergent
Spring Steps
Spring is a beautiful time of the year, but could be a
dangerous one for your cat.
Preventative steps to keep your cat happy and
healthy this spring:
•Keep Easter lilies and other plants in a location
that your curious cat cannot get into them. True
lilies are poisonous for cats. Early warning signs
include vomiting, increased drinking and lethargy.
Keep your cat indoor to prevent:
•Fleas
•Ticks
•Bacterial and viral diseases
•Allergies
•Visit the veterinarian for a complete physical
annually
Office supplies:
• Stamps
• Color paper (8½ x 11)
• bright yellow
• light yellow
• lavender
• light pink
• light blue
• Volunteers are always needed. If
your time or energy won’t allow
you to volunteer with us, please
tell others that we have a “no-kill”
policy and that help is always
needed!
• Money donations are always appreciated. Many companies match
donations made if you check with
the human resources department.
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Natural Balance Nonprofit
Charity Rebate Program
Did you know that Natural Balance Pet Foods will donate money to
Happy Endings when you purchase their food? Simply cut out the UPC
code from the Natural Balance bagged food or case of canned food,
attach it to the register receipt as proof-of-purchase, and mail it to
Happy Endings. When 50 UPC codes are collected and submited,
Happy Endings receives a check from Natural Balance. It’s just like
donating cash to Happy Endings!
Cat Holidays!
•April - National Pet Month
•April 26 - National Kid’s Pets Day
•April 30- Hairball Awareness Day
•May 30 - National Hug Your Cat Day
•June - Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat-Month
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Purrfect Endings
Do Happen:
Jet
Jet was found by the driver of our feral
mobile rehab unit (truck) near a
company named Jet where the truck
is parked. Upon parking the truck, he
noticed an aggressive cat fight underway.
Once the fight was broken up, the driver
noticed one of the cats was injured.
He was given the name Jet (because
of where he was found) and taken to
emergency. Although his wounds were
certainly treatable, he tested positive for
FIV.
One day a young man came into the
shelter looking to adopt a cat. He didn’t
have any other cats and was looking for a
companion. He had an instant
connection with Jet and adopted him. Jet
is extremely affectionate and often sleeps
in daddy’s arms. He is spoiled every day
and lives like a king. There couldn’t be a
more purrfect happy ending for Jet.
Mese:
Another Happy Ending
Mese was a handsome Blue Point Siamese mix
with incredible bright blue eyes. Unfortunately
he tested positive for FIV. Luckily his owner was
able to hang onto him until there was room at the
shelter. Soon after, a pretty little female Siamese
mix was dropped at the door. She was given the
name Nina. Unfortunately she also tested
positive for FIV.
Before long, Nina was adopted. Since she was
FIV the adopter also took Mese. However, after
six months of trying to integrate the two of them
the adopter was forced to give up and bring Mese
back to Happy Endings. The combination of
Nina and Mese just did not work. Since they both
had very alpha personalities, they just couldn’t
settle their differences.
Several months later, one of our adoptors lost a
kitten quite unexpectedly at a very early age. In
the meantime, their daughter had become a
volunteer and fell in love with Mese. The family
was told his story and aware that he could
possibly have a shortened lifespan. Thankfully
this didn’t deter them and they gave him a
wonderful home.
That was several years ago and Mese is still alive.
In fact, he is dearly adored and being spoiled
rotten. This just goes to prove that a positive FIV
cat can have a good long life. Mese is about seven
or eight years old now and still going strong.
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
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Newsletter designed by Bernadine Trimberger
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