Well, maybe there are other difficult jobs that you'll love but, for today, animal fostering is my hard job.
I've fostered 7 animals this year, all but one was here just 2-3 days. Little Man was here for 6 weeks. Today he went back to the shelter so he could be neutered and placed for adoption. Coming home to no hissing, growling and the patter of little kitty feet was hard. I would have loved to keep him but I have a special need senior cat and 3 other cats to be concerned about.
Sigh...At least I'll get to see him when I'm at the shelter until he has a home. But it's odd to eat a meal without my toes being nibbled on!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The 'Free to Great Home' cat event
Yes, you did read free. We don't want anyone to think that FAPL thinks the cats in our care are 'worthless'. We actually believe they are priceless!!
However, reality has made the staff at FAPL make some difficult decisions. Currently, FAPL has around 300 cats and kittens in their care and more coming every week. The facility is set up for 125-150 cats and that is a number that is manageable for care and socialization. The staff and volunteers are overwhelmed and sad that they cannot give the care our cats deserve. So, to help them out, we're giving away any cat 7 months and older for free (donations are accepted!) on Friday 7/22 and Saturday 7/23. Kittens are just $25. All are spayed or neutered and come in all sizes, colors, ages and personalities. The shelter is open for adoptions both days from 11 am - 4 pm. Please stop by and meet your new best friend!! You'll be glad you did.
However, reality has made the staff at FAPL make some difficult decisions. Currently, FAPL has around 300 cats and kittens in their care and more coming every week. The facility is set up for 125-150 cats and that is a number that is manageable for care and socialization. The staff and volunteers are overwhelmed and sad that they cannot give the care our cats deserve. So, to help them out, we're giving away any cat 7 months and older for free (donations are accepted!) on Friday 7/22 and Saturday 7/23. Kittens are just $25. All are spayed or neutered and come in all sizes, colors, ages and personalities. The shelter is open for adoptions both days from 11 am - 4 pm. Please stop by and meet your new best friend!! You'll be glad you did.
More great kids!!
I love kids...really. I just don't like the attitudes some of them have. But, luckily, some great kids keep getting dropped in my path.
Today it was 9 year old cousins. They set up a lemonade stand to raise money to help the Friendship APL. They raised $84 --selling lemonade. That's a lot of lemonade.
Thank you to these two girls and their desire to help others. I hope other kids will take their lead and do something for someone else just because they can!!
Today it was 9 year old cousins. They set up a lemonade stand to raise money to help the Friendship APL. They raised $84 --selling lemonade. That's a lot of lemonade.
Thank you to these two girls and their desire to help others. I hope other kids will take their lead and do something for someone else just because they can!!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It's raining cats....
Well, not exactly. It just seems that way.
Currently, FAPL has more cats than they can handle. Seriously...without a dedicated staff of paid employees and volunteers, we'd probably end up being investigated by...well...FAPL (since we are the humane officers in the county).
Seriously though...if you're looking for a great cat, Friday and Saturday are your lucky days. We'll be having a special 'Free to Great Home' event. Every cat in the the shelter over 6 months old will be free. Each cat comes spayed or neutered and has had at least the first of their basic shots. Some are even declawed if you want one of those. And with the number of cats available, you'll be sure to find the purrfect cat for you!!
Visit FAPL to see pictures of the great cats we have available!!
Currently, FAPL has more cats than they can handle. Seriously...without a dedicated staff of paid employees and volunteers, we'd probably end up being investigated by...well...FAPL (since we are the humane officers in the county).
Seriously though...if you're looking for a great cat, Friday and Saturday are your lucky days. We'll be having a special 'Free to Great Home' event. Every cat in the the shelter over 6 months old will be free. Each cat comes spayed or neutered and has had at least the first of their basic shots. Some are even declawed if you want one of those. And with the number of cats available, you'll be sure to find the purrfect cat for you!!
Visit FAPL to see pictures of the great cats we have available!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Che Che update
Little Che Che is physically fine as reported in today's Morning Journal.
I imagine it will take a few weeks for him to get over his experience!
I imagine it will take a few weeks for him to get over his experience!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Abuse of animals rears it's ugly head again
I was a little late reading the paper this morning. Part of me wishes I had not read it at all. But I did...and I'm sickened and saddened.
The Morning Journal had not 1 but TWO different stories of animals being harmed: one was a cat that was found a cat hung by an electric cord. The second was the report of a group of kids torturing a lost chihuahua. The owner was located and retrieved her dog and took it to the vet. Hopefully the dog will be OK physically but the long term affects on his mental well being may be the most harmed.
For those of you saying 'it's just a cat', or 'it's just a dog', or 'it's just kids being kids', it's not. The leap from animal abuse, torture and killing to domestic violence, child abuse, serial killings and even murder at the hands of children has been studied by the FBI, other law enforcement agencies and researchers. A study by North Eastern University and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Animals found that people who abused animals as a child or adult were FIVE times more likely to abuse humans than those who did not. Numerous notorious killers (Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Albert Disalvo aka the Boston Strangler) were known to had been linked to animal abuse as children (for further reading and where I gathered this information go here).
Next time you see a child hurting an animal, get involved. If it's your child, get him/her into counseling to find out why and stop the cycle. If it's a child you don't know well or at all, call the police. Provide as much information as possible to help the police identify them. You will not only help the abused animal but also stop the cycle of abuse by getting involved.
The Morning Journal had not 1 but TWO different stories of animals being harmed: one was a cat that was found a cat hung by an electric cord. The second was the report of a group of kids torturing a lost chihuahua. The owner was located and retrieved her dog and took it to the vet. Hopefully the dog will be OK physically but the long term affects on his mental well being may be the most harmed.
For those of you saying 'it's just a cat', or 'it's just a dog', or 'it's just kids being kids', it's not. The leap from animal abuse, torture and killing to domestic violence, child abuse, serial killings and even murder at the hands of children has been studied by the FBI, other law enforcement agencies and researchers. A study by North Eastern University and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Animals found that people who abused animals as a child or adult were FIVE times more likely to abuse humans than those who did not. Numerous notorious killers (Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Albert Disalvo aka the Boston Strangler) were known to had been linked to animal abuse as children (for further reading and where I gathered this information go here).
Next time you see a child hurting an animal, get involved. If it's your child, get him/her into counseling to find out why and stop the cycle. If it's a child you don't know well or at all, call the police. Provide as much information as possible to help the police identify them. You will not only help the abused animal but also stop the cycle of abuse by getting involved.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Swiss cheese brain...
It's a complaint that a friend had earlier today. Unfortunately, it describes me all too often.
I have Fibromyalgia. Yeah, I don't 'look' sick and often don't sound sick. I was told yesterday at church that I had such an 'upbeat attitude' about it. My response was "it doesn't make me feel better to be cranky and nasty about it so I might as well grin and laugh about it'. And, most days I can do that. Then the fog sets in and I forget 90% of what I wanted to say or do. I've also found there is a code between the families of fibro-sufferers and others with fibro. The answer they give to 'where is your spouse, mother, aunt, etc' is 'they're having a rough day' or 'they're having a not so good day'. And we understand exactly what that means.
So, when you have someone tell you they have fibro, don't expect them to look sick. If they tell you they're having a bad day, ask if you can help somehow (if you mean it). If they tell you they're having a good day, celebrate it with a smile. Those celebratory smiles can go a long way and are remembered on the bad days.
I have Fibromyalgia. Yeah, I don't 'look' sick and often don't sound sick. I was told yesterday at church that I had such an 'upbeat attitude' about it. My response was "it doesn't make me feel better to be cranky and nasty about it so I might as well grin and laugh about it'. And, most days I can do that. Then the fog sets in and I forget 90% of what I wanted to say or do. I've also found there is a code between the families of fibro-sufferers and others with fibro. The answer they give to 'where is your spouse, mother, aunt, etc' is 'they're having a rough day' or 'they're having a not so good day'. And we understand exactly what that means.
So, when you have someone tell you they have fibro, don't expect them to look sick. If they tell you they're having a bad day, ask if you can help somehow (if you mean it). If they tell you they're having a good day, celebrate it with a smile. Those celebratory smiles can go a long way and are remembered on the bad days.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Some special kids
I had the honor of meeting 6 wonderful 4th grade students from Windsor School in Elyria a few weeks ago. I don't use the word 'awe' very often, especially with kids but I am in awe of these 6 students and their classmates. No offense to any parents but I meet a lot of self-centered, over-indulged children and, in all honesty, I'm quite irritated with it and have a very jaded view of children.
Then I entered into a conversation with Cindy Czerski from Windsor school. She told me of a group of students from her class that approached her about doing a fundraiser for the animals at Friendship APL. The students and Mrs. Czerski put their heads together and came up with the idea they would sell snacks to raise money. And raise money they did. In about 4 months, these 6 students raised $225 for FAPL. An average of $10/month per student. I know some are thinking 'that's all?' Maybe it doesn't sound like much but to a non-profit shelter, it means a lot. It means 5 more cats spayed or 7 cats neutered before adoption with a bit left over. It's about 4 weeks of kitty litter. And, what if more people donated $10 (or an extra $10) per month to the shelter? FAPL wouldn't have to worry about the cost of electricity, spay/neuter fees, routine medical costs. FAPL could continue it's mission to protect homeless animals. 1000 people donating an extra $10/month would make a huge difference to homeless animals in the county. It might even allow FAPL to have a low-cost spay neuter clinic, start a trap-neuter-release program to start cutting down on the feral cat population and help pet owners in crisis keep their pets in their homes instead of surrendering them to the shelter.
But, it's also about hope. Hope for the future. Hope that students like this will continue to care about animals and continue to work towards a world where all pets are wanted and have homes. Where pets will have food, water and love instead of being neglected and abused at the hands of their guardians. Hope that because of their mission and their hard work, someone will think twice about burning a stray cat or entering into the viscous world of dog fighting.
How about you? Can you share some hope with the homeless animals of Lorain County? I invite you to visit the shelter, she what they are doing. Talk to the executive director Greg Willey; ask him how FAPL compares to Huron County and Geauga County. It's quite a story. Then decide if FAPL is worthy of an extra $10/month from you.
Then I entered into a conversation with Cindy Czerski from Windsor school. She told me of a group of students from her class that approached her about doing a fundraiser for the animals at Friendship APL. The students and Mrs. Czerski put their heads together and came up with the idea they would sell snacks to raise money. And raise money they did. In about 4 months, these 6 students raised $225 for FAPL. An average of $10/month per student. I know some are thinking 'that's all?' Maybe it doesn't sound like much but to a non-profit shelter, it means a lot. It means 5 more cats spayed or 7 cats neutered before adoption with a bit left over. It's about 4 weeks of kitty litter. And, what if more people donated $10 (or an extra $10) per month to the shelter? FAPL wouldn't have to worry about the cost of electricity, spay/neuter fees, routine medical costs. FAPL could continue it's mission to protect homeless animals. 1000 people donating an extra $10/month would make a huge difference to homeless animals in the county. It might even allow FAPL to have a low-cost spay neuter clinic, start a trap-neuter-release program to start cutting down on the feral cat population and help pet owners in crisis keep their pets in their homes instead of surrendering them to the shelter.
But, it's also about hope. Hope for the future. Hope that students like this will continue to care about animals and continue to work towards a world where all pets are wanted and have homes. Where pets will have food, water and love instead of being neglected and abused at the hands of their guardians. Hope that because of their mission and their hard work, someone will think twice about burning a stray cat or entering into the viscous world of dog fighting.
How about you? Can you share some hope with the homeless animals of Lorain County? I invite you to visit the shelter, she what they are doing. Talk to the executive director Greg Willey; ask him how FAPL compares to Huron County and Geauga County. It's quite a story. Then decide if FAPL is worthy of an extra $10/month from you.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Dogs + hot cars...
are not a good mix.
Over the weekend I read an article in the local news about a gentleman who left his small dog in his car when he went to the grocery store. The dog ended up with heat exhaustion and was taken to the dog kennel for medical treatment. Animals and hot cars should never be a combination to try. According to mydogiscool.com, on an 85 degree day, the interior of a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. Animals do not have the same heat releasing capabilities that humans do and can reach a crisis quickly.
What can YOU do? Don't leave your animal in a car. If a friend leaves his/her animals in a car, warn them of the dangers of it. If you see an animal in a car, leave a flier on their car. If you see an animal in distress in a locked car, call the police.
You CAN make a difference!
Over the weekend I read an article in the local news about a gentleman who left his small dog in his car when he went to the grocery store. The dog ended up with heat exhaustion and was taken to the dog kennel for medical treatment. Animals and hot cars should never be a combination to try. According to mydogiscool.com, on an 85 degree day, the interior of a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. Animals do not have the same heat releasing capabilities that humans do and can reach a crisis quickly.
What can YOU do? Don't leave your animal in a car. If a friend leaves his/her animals in a car, warn them of the dangers of it. If you see an animal in a car, leave a flier on their car. If you see an animal in distress in a locked car, call the police.
You CAN make a difference!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
What did the world do before...
coffee? Seriously, I can't imagine starting the day without at least a couple of cups.
It appears that I am addicted to coffee....
It appears that I am addicted to coffee....
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Welcome!
I'm glad you stopped by for a visit! I hope as you visit, you'll find a reason to keep coming back.
A little about me...I'm the married mother of 1 daughter, stepmother to 3 girls...all adults. Seems almost surreal sometimes. Professionally, I'm a licensed Social Worker but I don't work for pay. Ok, I get kitty kisses on a regular basis. Yes, I volunteer at Friendship Animal Protective League. I think everyone should for a week. Every cat and dog in the county would then be spayed or neutered.
I'll be writing about life with cats...the four legged ones and the two legged ones. To explain a bit: I married into a family that has several members who are on the autism spectrum (ASD). I find that cats and people who have an ASD are a lot alike. They both want to know that their meals will be a certain time and in a certain place, they have the necessities of life and crave simple routines. For this gal who flys by the seat of her pants some days, this can be quite difficult.
I'll do my best to remain positive here and hope that you'll do the same.
A little about me...I'm the married mother of 1 daughter, stepmother to 3 girls...all adults. Seems almost surreal sometimes. Professionally, I'm a licensed Social Worker but I don't work for pay. Ok, I get kitty kisses on a regular basis. Yes, I volunteer at Friendship Animal Protective League. I think everyone should for a week. Every cat and dog in the county would then be spayed or neutered.
I'll be writing about life with cats...the four legged ones and the two legged ones. To explain a bit: I married into a family that has several members who are on the autism spectrum (ASD). I find that cats and people who have an ASD are a lot alike. They both want to know that their meals will be a certain time and in a certain place, they have the necessities of life and crave simple routines. For this gal who flys by the seat of her pants some days, this can be quite difficult.
I'll do my best to remain positive here and hope that you'll do the same.
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