The Cat`s Meow - Happy Endings

Quarterly Newsletter
Vol. 3 Iss. 1| January 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- Foster Program
4-6- Featured Fosters/Current Adoptables
7- Show Your Support
8- Kids Kitty Korner!
About Us
www.HappyEndings.us
[email protected]
9- Donation Wish List & Winter Ideas
10- Natural Balance Rebate Program
11- Success Stories!
12- Calendar & Great Lakes Pet Expo
13- Spay/Neuter Facts & SpayMe! Clinic
14& 15-Upcoming events at Applebee’s!
Happy Endings No Kill Cat Shelter
is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) no-kill organization run solely by volunteers
who have been saving lives since
1994. It is the mission of Happy
Endings to find permanent homes
for unwanted, stray, abused or feral
animals that are brought to us or
rescued from the street.
Animals are never euthanized by
Happy Endings unless they are in a
terminal state of suffering as determined by a veterinarian. We also
aim to rescue cats scheduled for euthanasia due to overcrowding from
other shelters.
Adopting from Happy Endings
All of our adult cats are spayed or
neutered before adoption. Happy
Endings currently places about 200
cats into loving homes each year.
All potential adopters go through an
application and interview process.
Potential “parents” are matched with
the cat that touches their hearts and
fills the empty spaces in thier homes
and lives. Many of the cats that were
strays or have been mistreated are
quite shy and considered
unadoptable by other shelters.
Happy Endings has a socialization
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
Rabies can be carried by the wildlife that live
among us mainly, skunks, raccoons and even
mice and bats. This is another major reason
why all cats should be kept indoors, even
though these critters can get into the house
on occasion.
The other extremely important shot is the
combo or a four in one. This shot needs to
be started at eight weeks followed by two
more at 12 and 16 weeks. After that a yearly
booster is needed. This immunization covers
distemper, Chlamydia, calici and the more
virulent forms of upper respiratory diseases.
A yearly booster is also needed for rabies.
Hello everyone furry and otherwise. Today we are going to
discuss something that is not very popular with any of my
feline friends. It’s called a SHOT!!
However, like most things that are considered good and
necessary for us we don’t like them. Shots protect us from
some of the nastier diseases such as rabies. Although the
incidence of rabies in cats is rare, it does happen.
After the first year you have an option of
getting a three-year rabies shot. I understand
some vets now have a two or three-year
combo shot available, as well. These are
critical for good health and long life so don’t
be too upset when your owner decides you
need them. They are only looking out for
you. By the way, rabies and distemper are
usually fatal so please encourage your owners to schedule a vet appointment for you.
See you next time.
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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Foster
Program
The fostering program at Happy Endings is an
opportunity to help unwanted, abandoned and
special needs cats have a home while they are
prepared to find themselves a forever home.
There are several circumstances that may require a foster home, such as:
·Cat birthing – when a pregnant female cat is
nearing the time of giving birth or is found just
after giving birth it is better for the mom and
kittens to be in a sequestered location
·Kittens too young to be at the shelter – they
may need to be fed at frequent intervals
·No room at the shelter - occasionally all the
cages at the shelter are occupied and other
arrangements for housing need to be used. In
some cases a cat needs to be housed
temporarily before intake at the shelter
·Special Needs cats – cats who need to be
observed, specially medicated, socialized or
quarantined(FIV+ or FLEUK+)
It definitely takes a special person to foster a cat for
as any cat lover knows, cats are not always in a cooperative mood. Also there is the attachment factor.
Cats can be quite affectionate and the foster person
needs to keep in mind that fostering is in most cases
a temporary situation until the cat is ready to find a
forever home. This is not to say that a foster cannot
turn into an adoption. However, adoption by the foster person is not in any way required. The other side
of the fostering coin is the naughty kitty or who I like
to call “The Demon Cat from Hell.” These cats need
a lot of patience and love to try and get them over
whatever behavior problem or medical condition has
put them in a foster home.
It does not matter whether a foster home has cats as
permanent residents or not. However a foster person
cat should be sequestered in a room by itself. This
can be a temporary or a permanent location for the
foster cat during its stay in the foster home.
People who foster cats at Happy Endings will be
treated the same as an adopter with regard to a
background check, checking any previous vet records
of their current or former pets and making sure the
environment the foster cat will be in is suitably stress
free and safe.
Happy Endings will provide food for the foster cat,
and required medications, vet care and as much
information as possible about the cat. The foster
person needs to provide a good environment, love,
attention and the proper care of the foster cat. The
fostering person also needs to communicate with
Happy Endings in a timely manner if there are any
health or behavior changes with the foster cat. Regularly scheduled status reports will be conducted by a
Foster Program Coordinator.
Ready to join the Happy Endings Fostering Program? Got more questions? We are here to help you.
Please send your request to foster@HappyEndings.
us along with your contact information you care to
provide and we will get a Foster Application out to
you.
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Featured Fosters/Current Adoptables
Ly
Nikko, Lychee, Sue Lan, Mai Ling &
Chowder - These beautiful Siamese
Bubb
cats are looking for a foster home
where they can have individualized
attention and love. Abandoned in
an apartment for 8 months without
human contact besides being given
a bowl of food a day, these darlings
need socialization, constant love and Bubb - A charming boy who needs
a chance to regain trust.
a special home. He is prone to urinary tract infections and requires
e
c he
special food. In addition, Bubb
does not get along well with other
creatures (he does not like to share
the attention and affection of humans!) That being said, he is a very
sweet cat who loves humans and
getting attention from them.
Ty - A BIG boy with A LOT of love
to give! Looking past his grumbles
and grumpings, Ty is an absolute
sweetheart. In need of a serious
diet that Happy Endings isn’t very
equipped to give him (as much as we
do try), Ty really needs a foster home
or forever home desperately. He
loves to be brushed forever and ever
but prefers to be the only receiver
of brushings and love. Give him a
chance and you’ll be glad you did!
TY
Winston
ey
Marley - She is a beautiful tricolor
with a sweet disposition. Marley is
a little shy with new people, but you
can tell from her expression that she
is looking for a connection. Marley
has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She requires twice daily
medication and will need to be on it Winston - A laid-back boy with
for the remainder of her life.
tons of personality, is looking for a
home that will understand that not
Marl
all cats are perfect. Winston’s New
Year’s resolution is to loose a little
weight! Not quick to trust, Winston
needs a patient and understanding
home. Because of a questionable
past, we suggest that this home
does not have any kids. Any
potential fosterers or adopters must
also have a quick wit about them!
Rajah - He isn’t your average sort of
cat. He is an absolute sweetheart but
is prone to random nipping. Because
of this, we believe he shouldn’t be
in a home with children. Also, he
needs to be the only cat in the house
because he can be a bully with other
cats at the shelter. All Rajah needs
is a loving and understanding home
that doesn’t mind a little sass!
Rajah
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Featured Fosters/Current Adoptables
Sweat Pea is a wonderful
companion! She is a mellow little cat
that enjoys being around you. She
was originally adopted as a kitten
over eight years ago from Happy
Endings. When her owner could no
longer care for her because of
urinary problems for two years, she
was returned. Diagnosed with a
‘swollen bladder,’ medication did not
help. X-rays were taken and a
bladder stone the size of a man’s
thumb was found. No wonder she
was in pain and having problems!
The stone was surgically removed
and she is now on special urinary
diet food.She is very petite weighing
less than six pounds and can be a
little defensive when first
approached. However, once she gets
to know you will return the
affection. Caging is very
traumatizing for her and she will do
better in a foster or adoptive home.
Sweet Pea
Beamer is a handsome boy who was
Harlo born on 10-28-08. He was found
under the hood of a car with a
rubber band wrapped tightly
around his back foot. The band was
removed before any permanent
damage to his leg happened, but he
now has a bald spot where the band
Harlo is an absolute sweetheart
used to be. Now, he is full of energy
that was rescued from Animal
and is coming out of his cage to play
Control. He was adopted from
and run around with the other cats.
Happy Endings, but through biHe still is a bit scared of humans
zarre circumstances was
but likes to talk to you and even will
kidnapped from his new owner.
tolerate human attention. Beamer
The kidnapper dumped him in an
needs a home where he can run
old church deep inside a cemetery.
around and be himself!
Luckily two good Samaritans were
walking by and heard his cries. As
a result, he spent extensive time at
emergency and is now a diabetic.
Diabetes is currently controlled
by food but that can change at any
time. He needs a special foster or
adoptive home where his
medical challenges are understood. He loves to lie around and
relax!
Harlo
Beamer
Calypso
Carmen
Carmen and Calypso are beautiful calico sisters who need a home
together. They were born 06/04 and lived in an auto garage until they were
5 months. Because of their rough start in life they are still a little shy. These
girls are looking for that special owner who will understand and be patient
with them.
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Featured Fosters/Current Adoptables
Scooter is an orange
beauty in need of loving
parents that will help
with the socialization
skills needed to find a
forever home. Scooter
has a lot of love to give
but is not quick to trust.
Sco oter
Jelly Bean
A kind soul found Jelly Bean as an
orphaned kitten, and brought her
to safety at Happy Endings. Jelly
Bean is still very shy with strangers,
and needs a special home with
patient parents who will let her
come to trust and bond with them.
Minnie
Minnie is a young, medium
gray-hair darling. She is
looking for parents
understanding of her trust
issues and willing to be
patient. With some
socialization, Minnie is sure
to be a great companion.
Find Us Online!
Check out all of our
adoptable cats on PetFinder!
@HappyEndingsWI
Skeeter Bu
nny
AND!
This beautiful young orange tabby may have the most
distinctive name at Happy Endings! Skeeter Bunny was
about seven months old when she and her mom were
rescued last winter, and she was as feral as a kitten can be.
Skeeter Bunny is still very shy, so shell do best in a quiet
home, without dogs or small children.
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
Our fun and colorful t-shirts are purrfect for pet-lovers!
There are multiple designs to choose from, each coming in a vast array of sizes and colors.
Wear one of these and you will certainly be the “cat’s meow”!
Available to purchase at events and the shelter, $15 each!
Go green and support
Happy Endings at the same
time! Our canvas tote bags
are available in regular ($4)
or insulated ($6) and in
many different colors.
Going grocery shopping?
Never worry about
perishable food items ever
again!
Just stick them inside one of
our convenient
insulated tote bags and
shop to your hearts content,
spreading the word about
Happy Endings
everywhere you go!
We are also selling adorable rescue t-shirts through
LaCroixTees.com and $5 from every item sold through
the Happy Endings link below goes striaght to us!
Shirts are available in short sleve, long sleve, tank top,
sweatshirt and hoodie in both adults and youth sizes.
Make sure to shop using our link:
www.LaCroixTees.com/animal-rescue/HappyEndingsNoKillCatShelter
Our first aid kits ($12) are perfect for those ‘on the
go’. A handy clip makes carrying it around with you a
breeze. Just hook it on your belt loop and off you go!
Comes standard with an ice pack, bandages and gauze,
wet wipes, scissors and a tweezers which are placed
in two zippered, see-through pockets. Kit can be fully
customized for either pets or people!
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Kids Kitty Korner!
Lychee
Bubb
Winston
Calypso
Carmen
Beamer
Marley
Jelly
Mini
Bean
Rajah
Sweet
Scooter
Pea
Skeeter
Harlo
Bunny
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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
Office supplies:
• Stamps
• Color paper (8½ x 11)
• bright yellow
• light yellow
• lavender
• light pink
• light blue
Keep Your Cat Healthy &
Happy: Winter Ideas!
•Buy A Video Or DVD. These videos have mice,
birds, or other small animals scurrying about that
your cat can watch. Some cats love these and will
even bat at the TV screen.
•Grow Wheatgrass Or Catnip Indoors. Many cats
love the scent of fresh catnip and also eat
wheatgrass to aid in their digestion. You can
purchase small plants of catnip from a nursery and
wheatgrass at your local health food store.
•Try A Heated Cat Bed. Cats appreciate warm, cozy
spots to curl up in as weather gets colder—
especially seniors.
•Simulate Hunting With Toys. Interactive toys
simulate hunting and stalking that really give your
cats a workout and the mental stimulation they
need.
•Open Your Curtains. Less light in the winter
may cause a decrease in natural brain chemicals,
like serotonin, that increase mood.
•Wake Your Cat Up For Playtime. Cats may need
encouragement to get off the couch and be active.
However, for those truly lazy days, invest in a laser
light toy. Your cat will go nuts chasing the red dot!
• 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.
•Watch Your Cat’s Diet. Cats may overeat during
the winter months. This can lead to unhealthy
weight gain. Make sure you feed the
recommended amount of cat food and go easy
on the treats.
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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!
Now
Available!
Look for Natural Balance at a store near you!
IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM.
Cat Holidays!
Best of Country
Cookies Cookbook!
January 2 - Happy Mew Year for Cats Day
The Best of Country Cookies
cookbook is only $9.99 and filled
with over 250 award-winning
recipes. Stop into the shelter and
pick yours up today!
January 22 - National Answer Your Cats Question Day
February - National Cat Health Month
February - National Pet Dental Health Month
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Oliver’s Success Story:
Another Happy Ending
Oliver was adopted as a rambunctious kitten
full of spunk, and he hasn’t changed! Now at
nine months old, Oliver is still a spit fire. This
keeps his owner, Mary Yachinich, on her toes
at all times. A UWM student, Mary loves the
companionship her little roommate offers.
Purring on her face is her nightly bedtime
story. Nibbling on her toes is the morning wake
up call. Oliver wouldn’t have it any other way!
The only one of his family to survive, Oliver
was placed in a foster home as a very young
kitten. This foster home provided him with the
love and care he needed to be nursed back to
health. Oliver will never forget the foster home
that made him able to be the cuddly and loving
cat he is today.
Sugar’s Home
Sweet Foster Home
Sugar’s success story is all
about the special pleasures
of bringing a senior
princess (or prince) into
your home. Sugar was
thirteen when circumstances
forced her life-long owner to
place her in Happy Endings,
and spent a year with us
before she met her new
permanent foster family,
Carl and Pat. It proved to be
a perfect match! Sugar had
obviously been a loving and
trusting companion to her
first
family, and she’s equally a joy to her new parents.
Sugar is thriving in her new home. At Happy Endings,
she was reserved and reluctant to leave the security of her
cage, but at home she loves human companionship and
she loves to explore. Sugar has claimed thrones near the
TV and near the computers, and follows her people from
place to place so she can nap near them, offer helpful
advice in the form of purrs and squeaks, and claim her
due portion of treats and attention. She even enjoyed the
more rambunctious attention of visiting grandchildren
and earned the title of “awesome cat” from their parents.
Family life has agreed with Sugar in other ways as well
– her calico coat is lusterous, she’s gained just the right
amount of weight, and the constant exercise from keeping her humans in line has put a spring in her step. Like
many senior cats, Sugar has advanced kidney disease
but happily her condition has improved significantly by
adjusting her diet and she shows no inclination to retire
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
Pick up your calendar at Happy Endings for $10!
The Great Lakes Pet Expo!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
10am - 5pm
The Great Lakes Pet Expo is the premier pet
lovers event in SE Wisconsin. Held annually on
Superbowl Saturday, this event offers education,
activities, vendors, entertainment and more.
Shelters and Rescues will feature hundreds of
companion animals available for adoption. See
the latest and greatest pet products or sit back and
watch the shows. All proceeds from this non-profit
show benefit companion animals and their
families in Wisconsin!!
Adults $6
Kids (under 12) FREE
$1 discount with donation of canned good for
Feeding America
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Spay/Neuter Facts
According to most conservative estimates, an adult female
cat can produce three litters per
year with average of 5 kittens
per litter. If only the number of
spayed females is considered in
the calculation, our shelter is
responsible for at least 1500 less
stray cats per one given year
in the Milwaukee area. In the
following year these 1500 cats
have the potential to increase
to 14,250 considering the
reproductive output of just the
female stray cats alone.
According to the College of
Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, uncontrolled
breeding of stray and feral cats
in heavily populated urban
environments can become a
source of zoonotic, i.e. animal
to human transmitted diseases.
The transmission of such a
disease may occur directly
through animal secretions such
as urine or saliva, and indirectly through contaminated
soils, water supply and external
parasites like fleas.
Children and the elderly are
at particular high risk due to
immature or compromised immune system. Some examples
of zoonotic infections are
Salmonellosis that causes fever
and diarrhea and Toxoplasmosis that causes birth defects if
contracted during pregnancy
(1). Children while playing in a
sandbox are at particular risk of
contracting intestinal parasites
such as roundworms and hookworms (2). These examples
represent only a minor fraction
of health risks associated with
uncontrolled numbers of stay
and unwanted street cats.
(1) American Association of Feline Practitioners and the
Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, College of
Veterinary Medicine 2006. Zoonotic Disease: What Can I
Catch From My Cat? Retrieved from
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/zoonoticdisease.html
(2) Animal Specialty Group 2009, Roundworm Infection Feline. Retrieved fromhttp://www.asgvets.com/
indexphp?option=com_content&view=article&id=2mid=236
Health Risks to Your Cat Include:
MALES
Testicular cancer
Benighn prostatic hyperplasia
Acute and chronic prostatis, prostatic abscess
Perianal gland adenomas
Orchitis (infection of the testicles)
Venereal tumors
Perineal hernia (abdominal organs bulging
out of rectum)
Inguinal hernia with potential organ strangulation
FEMALES
Breast cancer
Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra
False pregnancies
Mastitis (can occur during false pregnancy)
Transmissible venereal sarcoma
Ovarian and uterine tumors
Cystic ovaries and hyperestrogenism
Chronic endometritis
Vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse
Uterine torsion or uterine prolapse
http://warrentonkc.tripod.com/spayneut.htm
At the SpayMe! Clinic, we firmly believe that spaying and neutering pets is the
best way to combat the pet overpopulation problem. Our purpose is to make
the procedure affordable to everyone. There are no income guidelines and no
residency requirements; anyone can bring their animal to us! We have licensed
veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) on staff who focus
specifically on high volume procedures.
Indoor Cat Spay/Neuter $55: Includes Rabies and Distemper vaccine
Outdoor Cat $45: Includes Rabies, Eartip and Revolution treatment
Transport services from the Milwaukee area include in price!
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Happy Endings No Kill Shelter
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Newsletter designed by Bernadine Trimberger
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