September 2007 - Animal Umbrella

THE
ANIMAL UMBRELLA
MESSENGER
SEPTEMBER 2007
Dedicated to the Rescue, Welfare and Adoption of Even the Most Unadoptable Homeless Cats
Published Quarterly by Animal Umbrella
Tel. 617-731-7267
Number 53
P.O. Box 2675, Acton, MA 01720-6675
www.animalumbrella.org
SUMMER RESCUE STORIES
Although we are overwhelmed with calls to
take in more abandoned animals all the time,
we could not resist and wanted to help the
cats featured in these two separate stories.
A message was sent by Shira Kahn, an animal rescuer, volunteer and
activist who works with the MSPCA and helps them place cats in
good homes either personally or through other humane
organizations. During the summer, the MSPCA was unusually
crowded with surrenders and they were faced with difficult
decisions...Shira appealed to several organizations including Animal
Umbrella to take in some cats and save their lives.
We decided to take four
of the most unadoptable
ones as we knew of their
fate otherwise. Here are
their stories.
Razzle
Razzle was rescued
from a breeder whose
activities were apparently
shut down. Her miserable
life was to live in a cage
and breed as much as
possible. She was thin,
afraid and considered totally unadoptable. While she was being
spayed at the MSPCA, they discovered she had a mass which they
thought was a tumor. Fortunately, Shira was there and requested
they continue the operation. Well, what they found was not a tumor
but a mummified fetus which somehow had not been expelled from
Razzle’s body and we do not know for how long. Razzle is with us
now and has gained quite a bit of weight and is starting to trust
humans again.
The second cat was an
older cat called
Tabatha. We do not
know her story but when
the MSPCA spayed her,
they found a mammary
tumor. We found a home
for her but do not know
how long her life will be.
She is loving and happy to
be alive.
Tabatha
Nala, was another very
unadoptable cat we took as
she is declawed and is very
vocal. We hope to place
her soon.
Finally, Noah was a
young cat with
neurological problems and
we found him a home.
More on his story and
picture are shown on page
four of this newsletter.
Nala
Thanks to Shira and her dedication to save lives
and work with as many people as possible in the
humane organizations community, approximately
30 cats including these 4 special cats have been
spared and given a second chance at life.
MAGGIE’S RESCUE
Some time in the summer, Maggie with another cat and four kittens were abandoned in the back
parking lot of the Pet World store on Route 9 in Natick. They were packed in a closed tote with
just a few holes to breath and left there for a prolonged time as the tote was a mess when it was
found. The staff of the Natick Animal Clinic took these unfortunate cats and has placed them
all except for Maggie as she has tested Leukemia positive. We heard this story and decided to
take Maggie in our Leukemia positive room with the hope to place this beautiful and friendly cat
to a home without other cats or with another Leukemia positive cat. We would also like to
thank the Natick Animal Clinic and in particular Heather for taking such great care of these
animals and for finding them homes.
Animal
Umbrella
THE ANIMAL UMBRELLA
MESSENGER, the official
newsletter of Animal Umbr ella,
Inc. is published quar terly.
Managing Editor: Annamarie Taylor
Contributors: Names vary from issue to issue
Typesetter: Hope Berndt
Printer: Copyland, Acton, MA
MAIL ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 2675
Acton, MA 01720-6675
Tel: (617) 731-7267
WEB:
www.animalumbrella.org
Mission
Founded in 1985, Animal Umbrella is a strictly no-kill volunteer
organization dedicated to the rescue, care and adoption of abandoned
cats and kittens. We believe in rehabilitation not destruction and make
a special effort to find special homes even for highly unadoptable
animals because of handicap, injury, age, behavior, feral status (after
being socialized) and FIV or FELV positive.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA STREET CATS SHELTER
ADOPTIONS Every Saturday 3 to 5 p.m.
Please call to set up special appointments.
We have relocated to 320B Charger Street, Revere.
We are located on the second floor of Paws Here. Call for directions.
SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS
BLACK JACK’S STORY
I adopted Black Jack on Labor Day
weekend of 2004. When I first took
him home he was scared and went
into hiding most of the time. He’d
come out to eat, then back to hiding.
This went on for a while. I let him
do what was best for him; if he
needed to hide, then that’s the way it
was. Even though he chose to do
this I would talk to him as I went
about doing things at home. Very
gradually he stated to come around.
At this time he is relaxed and comfortable in his new home. He’s upstairs and
downstairs. He spends time with me when I’m on the floor doing my
backstretches; he lies beside me at these times. This is a daily routine. When I
lie on the sofa he jumps up and lies on top of me. He licks my hands every day.
A friend of mine, another cat lover/owner, told me this is the highest
complement you can receive from a cat. I feel honored.
I enjoy seeing him on the floor cleaning himself after he’s eaten. It’s a nice sight.
It’s a pleasure to see him relaxed and just hanging out. He’s come a long way.
After all he’s been through it’s nice to know he’s been given a second chance.
This is due to several people staring with Terri, the woman who took the time
to save him when she saw him out there on the median strip of Route 495. How
sad. But she captured him and got him to the Animal Umbrella. If it weren’t for
Anna Marie Taylor he wouldn't be where he is right now. As sick as he was she
did not want to give up on him and didn’t. Then he came home with me.
I would say he is one of the “Happy Endings”.
Thanks to Anna Marie, the volunteers at the Animal Umbrella, and the many
people who have reached out to help these cats over the years. Where would
they be without your help?
—Tina Viggiano
EDITORIAL NOTE – Without Terri Grant’s intervention, Black Jack would
not be alive today. Terri is a major supporter of Animal Umbrella. She was pregnant at the
time but still did not hesitate to do the “impossible” and trap this cat from a busy highway
during the Christmas holiday. It is simply amazing as most people, even animal lovers
would have probably walked away. When he came to us, he was afraid of humans and
thanks to the work of our volunteer Justine he came around. Finally, in this wonderful
ending story, Tina decided to adopt this “special” cat and win him over with patience and
care. Your efforts paid off! Thank you all!
PAGE 2
Our warmest appreciation to our volunteer and board
member Linda Lachman for donating the prizes for this
raffle. Thank you for your generosity!
WINNERS ARE:
First Prize - Bose Wave Music System, Lucille Miraldi, Revere
Second Prize - Bose inEar Headphones, Deidra Everett, Norwood
Third Prize - Poloroid Portable DVD Player, Teresa Hill, Nahant
Thank you all for making this a success!
Robert Grant
(508) 626-3655 Phone
Alan Camara
37 Waverly Street
Route 135 on the Natick Town Line
Framingham, MA 01702
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
Just get
with Movin'!
Beth Anderson
Its not just about weight loss - its about
movement and feeling better!
Certified Fitness Motivator &
Trainer for Plus-Size Women
Gentle, non-intimidating fitness
programs designed for you
Walking (with or without your dog!), stretching, pilates
water and land aerobics, free weights and/or machines
Cert. Fitness
Nutrition Counselor
Cert. CPR
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Ph: 781-367-1519
Email: [email protected]
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA SEPTEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
CHELSEA CATS RESCUE
by Elayna Cannata
“How can you not help a cat in need?” That’s what my mother used to always
say. Those were the last thoughts on my mind when I started a new job as a
caregiver for seniors. Sure enough my co-worker, Sara, told me how she let a
homeless couple stay in her basement apartment, in exchange for landscaping
and home repairs.. It seemed to work okay at first. When she hadn’t seen
them around for a few days she went to the basement to investigate. They
were gone, but they left behind at least four cats, two of which were kittens.
There was no food, no water, no litter boxes. Not knowing what to do, she
let them all outside, so she could fumigate for fleas.
Right away I thought, oh no, who can I call? I knew they wouldn’t make it
very long being thrown out in a strange environment, especially a city like Chelsea.
Rita Benson
In a flash, I though of Animal Umbrella. They are the most caring and compassionate organization I
knew of. The were also close to my mother’s heart. She talked many times to Anna Marie Taylor on
the phone over the years, any time there was a cat in need. She knew they would help; they always
did. Needless to say, I called Anna Marie and explained the situation. I told her I would help if I
could. I wanted to, in memory of my mother.
Animal Umbrella promptly provided food for the newly homeless cats. Eventually, they were all
trapped, the kittens fostered, the mother’s spayed and all would be adopted.
A happy ending to what could have been another sad story of homeless cats, breeding more unwanted
feral kittens, only to suffer from starvation, disease, cruel people and long winters. I think my mother
would be proud. She would often say what a tragedy it would be to not have “Animal Umbrella.”
They give so many homeless, unwanted cats and kittens the chance to have a loving, caring home.
Something they all deserve.
EDITORIAL NOTE – We are very grateful for Elayna’s kind words towards our organization. We were happy
to help but are very saddened by Rita Benson’s death. She was a very caring and loving person and many cats
were saved thanks to her kindness. Abandoned cats and all of us who knew her will miss her dedication and
love. We also wish to thank Peggy for having fed and trapped these cats one by one
and having brought them to our shelter.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA SEPTEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3
He is one of the four unadoptable cats whose lives
were spared thanks to the work of Shira Kahn. Their
rescue story is detailed on page one of our September
2007 newsletter. Because of major neurological
problems, Noah loses his balance quickly and falls.
The MSPCA thought he could not be placed. This
handicap does not stop him from being playful and
energetic. He is very loving and fortunate of having
been adopted by our volunteer Roberta who is giving
him a great life and all the special care he needs.
Thanks a million!
Oreo
Pets unfortunately are the first ones to suffer when two people
go separate ways. Oreo is no exception. He belonged to a man
who left him behind with a woman who is suffering emotional
problems and could not keep him. No shelter would take him.
Fortunately for Oreo, he was adopted the day he came to our
shelter by a supporter of Animal Umbrella who had come to
visit. Thank you Betty!
Hello,
This is Jillian. I had adopted Mickey during the
Valentine’s Day event. We renamed him Marlo
(which he actually responds VERY well to).
I wanted to attach two pictures of Marlo. He
is doing fantastic! He LOVES his new home
and I’ve never in my life had a more cuddly cat.
I can’t imaging not having him. I will always
adopt now. I truly believe these cats are the
perfect friends to have. Our other cat Lenny
might disagree! He will survive. Marlo likes to use his
claws when they play and has certainly given Lenny a
scratch or two! It’s cute though.
Thank you so much again,
Jillian
Marlo and his brother
Lenny taking a nap.
▼
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♥♥
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Noah
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
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PAGE 4
ANIMAL UMBRELLA SEPTEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
ANNOUNCEMENT
Please Give a Second Chance to an
Abandoned Cat and Adopt A Love Bug
at Our Next Adoptathon and Handcraft Gifts Sale!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
CALVARY CHURCH
United Methodist
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington
Please spread the word, come to visit and bring friends.
OUR CATS NEED GOOD HOMES!
JACKIE - A SPECIAL MOTHER'S STORY
As we have stated a number of times, people abandon cats
near our shelter regularly. We started feeding a friendly
black cat and finally one day took her in. Much to our
surprise, she started crying desperately. She would not stop.
She was in agony and wanted desperately out of her cage.
We took her to the vet not knowing what could possibly be
wrong with her...but found out she was nursing and was
desperately trying to get back to her babies. We made the
agonizing decision to release her where we found her but
continued to feed her regularly, hoping she eventually would
bring her kittens to us. One day we learned her kittens were
hidden in an open wall in a nearby building. The kittens
were rescued and Jackie was finally brought back to the
shelter. Once we spayed her, this wonderfully dedicated mother found a home and is happy as you see from
this picture we received of her. Great news, thank you!
A MILLION THANKS!
Our warmest appreciation to Margaret Kromhout, Patricia Tacelli, Dorothea James, Bebe Wunderlich and Debby
Chevalier and many other relatives and friends of theirs for their energetic involvement and support with fund
raising activities during the summer. It was financially, one of our worst summers and they worked tirelessly to raise
badly needed funds with several events. Thank you again for your dedication and hard work.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA SEPTEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
PAGE 5
MORE RESCUES
Justine, one of our volunteers, lives in Lynn and she regularly feeds strays. One day, she
noticed that one of the strays was limping very bad and rushed him to the Revere
Animal Hospital where they found he had a severe laceration all the way to the bone.
We do not know what happened to Santino but he was sick and in pain because of the
infection. We took him in and after a lot of good loving care he is finally healed and
ready for adoption. We will bring him to our September 29th Adoptathon
hoping we can place this sweet and timid cat. Thank you Justine,
for saving him!
OUNDED
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99 Squire Shaler Lane
Lancaster, MA 01523-2059
508.498.9956
[email protected]
www.newenglandteamtennis.com
Santino Now
The Barking Basket
Pet Gift Baskets for all Occasions
Treat the pets in your life with a special basket filled
with toys, treats and accessories.
Each basket is made with tender loving care and is a
Barking Basket original - no two are exactly alike!
Call Jeannie at 978-688-5491
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
bolton fitness
Margo Meyer, NASM, ACE, CPT
Owner, Certified Personal Trainer
626 Main Street, Bolton, MA 01740
ph: 978.779.6509
ww.boltonfitness.com
[email protected]
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
PAGE 6
Please support this business which is helping our shelter remain open. Thank you.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA SEPTEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
ANIMAL UMBRELLA 2008 RAFFLE
CALENDAR FUND-RAISER
NO KILL CAT SHELTER
LOCATED AT:
320B Charger St., Revere, MA
MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 2675
Acton, MA 01720-6675
Web Address: www.animalumbrella.org
Please help us rescue more homeless cats by participating in our Raffle Calendar Fundraiser! Each entry
entitles you to try your luck on 31 prizes! A daily drawing will occur during the month of January 2008.
Winners will be notified by phone. Names will appear in our following newsletter.
RAFFLE TICKET DONATION $5.00 PER ENTRY
If you mail the entry, please send your check made payable to Animal Umbrella, P.O. Box 2675, Acton, MA
01720-6675. Animal Umbrella is a statewide volunteer non-profit organization founded in 1985.
Please Give Tickets as Holiday Gifts to Family and Friends!
YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! C all us at 617-731-7267 if you have any questions.
LIST OF DAILY PRIZES – DRAWINGS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING JAN. 2008
17
24
25
Legal Seafood
Gift Certificate
$50
31
5
12
Sears
Gift Certificate
$50
19
Eddie Bauer
Gift Certificate
$50
26
AMC Theater
Entertainment
Card $25
6
7
Macy’s
Gift Certificate
$50
Home Depot
Gift Certificate
$35
13
14
BOSE WAVE
MUSIC
SYSTEM
Stop & Shop
Gift Certificate
$50
20
21
AMC Theater
Entertainment
Card $25
Macy’s
Gift Certificate
$50
27
28
Macy’s
Gift Certificate
$50
Bertucci’s
Gift Certificate
$25
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
ONE ENTRY
Name___________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
ONE ENTRY
Name___________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
ONE ENTRY
Name___________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
ONE ENTRY
Name___________________________________________
Pair of
Boston Celtics
Tickets
ENTER for your CHANCE
to WIN this BOSE
WAVE MUSIC SYSTEM!
Stop & Shop
Gift Certificate
$50
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
18
Bertucci’s
Gift Certificate
$25
Bertucci’s
Gift Certificate
$25
ONE ENTRY
Name___________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
Address _________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
ONE ENTRY
30
Land’s End
Gift Certificate
$50
11
Stop & Shop
Gift Certificate
$50
Bath & Body Works
Gift Certificate
$35
ONE ENTRY
29
American Express
Gift Certificate
$50
23
Pair of
Boston Celtics
Tickets
10
Bertucci’s
Gift Certificate
$25
ONE ENTRY
22
Christmas Tree
Shop Gift
Certificate $35
16
Pair of
Boston Celtics
Tickets
4
Barnes & Noble
Gift Certificate
$35
ONE ENTRY
15
Barnes & Noble
Gift Certificate
$35
9
Pair of
Boston Celtics
Tickets
3
LL Bean
Gift Certificate
$50
ONE ENTRY
8
Starbucks
Gift Certificate
$25
2
Pier 1 Imports
Gift Certificate
$35
ONE ENTRY
1
Pair of
Boston Celtics
Tickets
ONE ENTRY
The Animal Umbrella Streets Cat Shelter is located at:
320B Charger Street (on the second floor of Paws Here)
Revere, MA
Animal Umbrella is a statewide volunteer
non-profit organization, dedicated to the
rescue, welfare and adoption of even the
most unadoptable homeless cats.
Monthly Contributor . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25
■
Annual Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35
■
Supporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50
■
Save a Stray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75
■
Contributor
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100
■
Sponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250
■
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ■ _________
Animal Umbrella contributions are tax deductible.
Name ______________________________
Street ______________________________
City ________________________________
State/Zip ____________________________
Phone ______________________________
E-Mail ______________________________
Do you currently receive our newsletter? ____
How did you hear about Animal Umbrella?
___________________________________
___________________________________
MAIL TO: ANIMAL UMBRELLA
P.O. BOX 2675
ACTON, MA 01720-6675
TEL: (617) 731-7267
Animal Umbrella meetings are held regularly.
Please call us for dates and times.
ANIMAL UMBRELLA
P.O. BOX 2675
ACTON, MA 01720-6675
WEB ADDRESS:
www.animalumbrella.org