Goodbye, Senora! Vaya con Dios!

Yippee!! Senora went home today!! What a great home, too! I met her new mother who is so excited to have Senora. She came to PetSmart with a new snazzy, soft cat carrier and gently packed our little pumpkin up! Senora's new name is Malibu. She is joining a fish and a bird at her new house. Senora was at PetSmart longer than any other cat we have brought there. I know she has grown on all of us so I am very happy to report she is going to be one spoiled kitty!

Marbles got a hold last night and it looks really good. The Shelter is waiting on paperwork for Diana and Blinky.

I brought three new guys to the store today. Izzy and Lizzy are two sisters that are about seven months old. They are almost identical. The only way to tell them apart is by the tails. Izzy has a white tip on hers and Lizzy does not. They are both active and sweet!! They are putting on quite a show in the big cage. I also brought down a very handsome buff colored male named Loki. He is a few years old. You guys are going to love him! He is very friendly and mellow. All three appeared to settle right in.

The Shelter has started to use new cage cards that have information about the cats' dispositions and likes and dislikes. For now just the new guys will have these cards on the inside of their cages. Eventually the new cards will be on all the cages. I think you will find them helpful! We will still use the Petfinder blurbs for the front of the cages.

Take a look at the July schedule if you have not already done so. Please let me know what you can do. If you have already contacted me please double check that I put you on the correct days.

Meet Loki, Lizzy, Izzy :

Successful Weekend!

It was a good weekend! Roxy finally found a forever home and left on Saturday. Scotty was brought back to the Shelter today and will be picked up there tomorrow and go to his new home along with another cat from the Shelter. There are applications pending on Diana, Blinky and Senora. WOW! I am thrilled! All three apps are at the Shelter for review.

Which leads me to this question...does anyone have any information on who took the applications on Blinky and Diana? When Barb A arrived to clean Saturday morning the applications were on the adoption table. If you know who did the apps please let me know.

I still do not have anyone doing the second shift on next Saturday - June 9. Do the adoption table or just clean and feed. It is up to you!

Look for another update in a couple of days. I am hoping to bring three new guys down to the store on Wednesday.

Latest News & Updates

Well, my friends, perhaps our dry spell is over! Right now there are two very good applications at the Shelter waiting for the Director's final approval. One is for our little friend Roxy and the other is for Scotty. If all goes well these adoptions will be finalized very soon and I will bring new arrivals to PetSmart next Wednesday. I will keep you all posted.

Make sure when you leave that you double check the clasps on the cages. This morning when Judy M arrived to clean she was greeted at the door by a free roaming Diana! Also, be sure you shut the inside door leading to the cages when you leave. This way in the event one of the guys figures out how to use the clasp on the cages he or she can't scamper by you when you initially enter the adoption room!

Coverage is needed for the afternoon/evening on Saturday, June 9. I would like to see the adoption table open at some point that day however if you can only clean and feed I certainly understand. Remember, the time for the adoption table is not etched in stone. Just let me know what works for you.

Tracey R has been doing every Sunday afternoon at the adoption table all winter. For the summer she is not as available and needs to cut that back to every other Sunday. If anyone can cover some Sundays please let me know!

Angel Gets a Forever Home!

Angel went home on Sunday! She is going to have a wonderful life and a new name. Her new owner had a cat for over fifteen years that passed away in February. She has been looking for a new companion. She is going to change Angel's name to Sam. Sam was her best friend that passed away a while ago. She and Sam shared a love of cats and when she met Angel she felt Angel was sent from Sam to be with her. Sam is my aunt and her dear friend did not even know I was involved with PetSmart when she saw Angel there in a cage. When I saw the application I called her and we talked about Sam the person and Sam (Angel) the cat. I am so happy for Angel!!

The weekend was pretty quiet again. Let's hope Angel's adoption starts a trend!

Both the holds on Diana and Roxy have officially been pulled by the applicants.

We have a schedule change for an eight week period beginning on Tuesday, May 29. The mid-week adoption table will be on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesdays. Please be aware of this when giving people information.

Katherine called me today to tell me that PetSmart is out of both the pine litter and Yesterdays News. A delivery is due at the store tomorrow or Wednesday. She will put a substitute litter near the cages but is not going to poor it into the bin as we are only using it for the interim. As soon as the delivery is made we will stop using the replacement and go back to the pine. Hopefully the guys will not stage a strike and they will adapt to the litter change for a day or two with little problems!!

I will contact the Shelter about bringing someone new to replace Angel and to be Marbles' new roommate.

Another Quiet Weekend :-(

Well, unfortunately we had another quiet weekend at PetSmart. The hold on Diana is still pending but the Shelter has yet to receive paperwork they requested on Friday. The application on Roxy is still pending but the applicant has yet to bring the hold money to PetSmart or to the Shelter. I phoned her personally on Friday and she stated she was still interested in adopting Roxy. I called her again yesterday (Monday) and left her a message. The applicant for Senora was called and told to pick up her hold money because her landlord does not want to supply the Shelter with any information.

Paige and I spent two hours at the adoption table Monday. Throughout our time we had everyone out of the cages at one time or another. Everyone was well behaved and did fine with each other. Blinky jumped down several times and played. She occasionally hissed at Scotty but did just fine with the others. Arrogant Whitney lied on the floor like she owned the place and did not bother anyone. I think any of the cats we have at the store right now would do just fine with other cats.

I am hoping that people are busy with proms, graduations and other Spring activities and that adoptions pick up soon!!

Goodbye Traveller & Ariel - Welcome Blinky and Scotty!!

Ariel and Traveller headed home Wednesday night. By now Ariel has probably settled in with her guinea pig sibling and Traveller is happily hugging his new family! Good for both of them! They are a couple of nice kitties! .
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Scotty and Blinky joined us at PetSmart on Saturday. Scotty, a black male, is very friendly and appeared to settle right in. I brushed him for quite a while and he was most appreciative. Blinky is a sweet calico who appears to be a tad timid but is friendly. She did not settle in as quickly as Scotty but I am sure she will be just fine. Apparently she is a bit like Ariel and prefers to be the "one and only." It is best to let her exercise on her own. It seems Blinky does not care for other cats!
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The weekend was quiet. Lots of lookers but no holds were taken on either Saturday or Sunday. Diana got alot of attention on Saturday. She was very vocal and really showed off! She did good!
The holds for Diana and Senora did not work out so both have been pulled.
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Poor Senora! I can not wait to hear she found a home! And Angel - such a sweetheart. When I opened the cage yesterday and leaned in to give her fresh water she was so anxious to come down she jumped right on my head! The right person will come along for each of them, I'm sure.
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The June schedule looks wonderful!! You guys are the best volunteers ever!

Meet Blinky and Scotty:

Two More Go Home - Two More Arrive

Fritter and Tippy went home on Wednesday night. Once again poor Angel loses a roommate! For now she is on her own in the big cage. I sure will miss Tippy's big hugs!

Whitney is very sloppy! Be sure to not have her food and litter in the same cage. Yesterday she managed to fill two water bowls and two food bowls with litter! It was impossible for her to eat or get a drink.

There are holds pending on Diana, Senora and Ariel. So far there are issues on all three. Be sure to take another hold on any of them should the opportunity arise. The Shelter is still waiting on paperwork for Ariel. The applicant for Diana is out of town and the application was not complete. The applicant for Senora is hesitant to provide necessary paperwork so more than likely that hold will be pulled.

When you take an application be sure to review it and make sure all the questions are answered. Please note on the application that the person was advised that they must provide certain documents proving they either own their residence or that their landlord allows pets and the documents will be provided. There is a copy machine in the manager's office should someone be able to immediately provide proof.

Due to a cancellation coverage is needed for the morning cleaning on Saturday, May 5. Please let me know if you are available.

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I was at the Shelter today when Valentine's new mom called. She said Valentine has a new name - Princess! I guess we know that cat is getting the royal treatment! You go, big girl!

The two new arrivals at PetSmart are Traveller and Marbles. Traveller is a young male and is in the Open Your Heart and Home Program. He looks just like Tippy and is just as full of hugs! Marbles is a friendly and loving female who is a couple of years old. She is a sweatheart.

I know that being involved with animal rescue is difficult and takes a special kind of person with a special kind of heart. Sometimes this work can make us really sad and make our heart break. Recently, after expressing this heartache to a friend, she shared the following story with me and I'd like to share it with you.

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Once a man was on the beach, where countless thousands of starfish had washed up, their life and water ever so slowly ebbing into dust. The man was picking up a starfish at a time and throwing it into the water. Someone came along and asked him, "What are you doing? Had you the rest of your life to spend doing this you would not scratch the surface of the dying starfish. You cannot help more than a drop in the bucket. Why do you think it matters?" The man calmly, patiently, bent over, took a starfish and threw it up in the air, arcing as it came down to splash into the life giving water. "It mattered to that one, " he said.

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Remember, you mattered to Valentine, Tippy, Fritter, Hooper, CB, Becky, Nero, Bob, Smudge, Freckles, Gus, Sasha, Tasha, Atlanta, Atlantis... and our list goes on... Thank you.

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Meet Marbles and Traveller:

Weekend Update

Hooper went home on Friday. His new owners started feeding Hooper when he showed up on their porch one day a few weeks back. He was a skinny little bag of bones. The family was going away on vacation and were at a loss as to what to do. They notified animal control who brought Hooper to the shelter. The family promised Hooper they would adopt him if he was still at the Shelter when they returned from their trip. True to their word they took Hooper home!! He will be living with another cat and two little girls who could not have been more excited!!

Tippy got a hold on Friday. He is so funny!! He just goes limp when you pick him up! The application is at the Shelter for review.

Tracey took a hold on Ariel today. She said it is a perfect match. The only other animal in the house is a guinea pig. We all know Ariel does not play well with other cats! Apparently she sure turned on the charm today when she crawled into this woman's lap and purred and snuggled!! That application is also at the Shelter.

I have not been told the application for Fritter was denied so the hold is still pending.

I put Angel in with Fritter and gave Whitney two cages so she can have a big litter box. She is so messy and that little litterbox was simply not doing the trick.

The May schedule is complete and looks great! We picked up another new volunteer this month. Welcome aboard, Karla!!

If all goes well Ariel and Tippy will go home Wedneday night and new guys will arive on Thursday. I will keep you posted.

Gus & Freckles Finally Go Home! Meet Ariel, Hooper and Fritter!

Yes, finally, Freckles and Gus have gone home. If you are wondering if it seemed to take a long time for these two you are not mistaken. Gus arrived at PetSmart on February 10 and Freckles on January 28. They are both going to good homes so it was worth waiting for. Gus' new owner adopted a dog, Binx, from the Shelter in the past. Barb A said Binx looks great and is doing well. Now Gus will join the family!

Three new cats were brought to PetSmart today. Fritter is an orange and white male who is just over a year old and is very friendly. His roommate is Hooper, a gray and white tabby who is young, under a year old, and is also very friendly. These two will have run of the big cage for a while!

The third arrival is Ariel. She is a Siamese mix and is an older cat. She has beautiful blue eyes like you have never seen before. She is really pretty and quite striking! She loves people but is not crazy about other cats. Keep this in mind when you let the guys out for exercise. Introduce her slowly to others at first. Sometimes these guys eventually come around and can play with others but sometimes they don't! She is a "senior" cat and we do not want to stress her out too much!

Don't forget to let me know what you can do in May...

The new guys:

Three New Cats & Two New Holds

Freckles and Gus both got holds over the weekend. Unfortunately not together, however both applications appear to be very good. A PetSmart employee put a hold on Gus Friday night. On Saturday a woman came in and said she had originally met Freckles while she was in the Shelter before Christmas. She and her daughter then saw Freckles at PetSmart and decided that the time was right to apply for the adoption. Both applications are at the Shelter for processing.

Tippy, Diana and Roxy arrived on Saturday. You will love all three!! Tippy is a big black male who walks right out of the cage for hugs. He is really friendly. Diana is quite vocal and Roxy is a sweetheart.

Freckles does have a weepy eye right now and a runny nose. The medical staff at the Shelter have been advised of this and will see to her on Monday. The woman who applied for Freckles saw that her eye was weeping and was told it would be reported to medical staff. She did not seem overly concerned as she went ahead with the application and even returned half an hour later with tax documents.

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Here is Roxy, Diana and Tippy...

Three Go Home Wednesday Night!!

Looks like April is proving to be better for adoptions than March!! Last night Valentine, Bob and Elise went home. I know Valentine will have a wonderful home. She is joining a Chihuahua, another cat who reportedly looks like a small, skinny version of her and a couple of birds. Lots to keep her occupied. She can finally be active and maybe shed a few pounds! There is a fifteen year old girl in the house who could not wait to share her room with Valentine.

Bob's new owner applied to adopt him before he even came down to PetSmart. The Director just approved the application on Tuesday.

On Tuesday a woman called the Shelter and said that Elise was her cat which had disappeared after the summer. If you remember, Elise was left at the Shelter door in a box back in September. Her owner theorizes her neighbor may have done that!! Elise (aka Zena) is back home where she belongs. Maybe that is why she seemed so unsettled - she was trying to tell us she already had a home!! Fortunately she leaves us microchipped so this should never happen again.

On Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00pm I am teaching a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return seminar for the Cape May County Animal Shelter Alliance. TNVR is the only effective, humane solution to controlling the stray and homeless cat population living outside. I will demonstrate several traps and provide tips and information on every step of the process to include trapping, vet appointments, transportation, recovery following surgery and release. (Plus, there will be snacks!) The seminar will be held at the Old County Court House at 11 North Main Street in Cape May Court House. If you know anyone interested in attending please tell them to call the Alliance at 465-6388 or have them e-mail me directly.

On Saturday I am bringing four new arrivals to PetSmart. Look for a blog update introducing them!

Hey, this update wouldn't be complete without some reference to the calendar....please look forward to May and let me know what you can do as soon as possible. Also, Jen and Lauren need coverage for the evening cleaning on Thursday, April 12. Please let me know if you are available to handle that.

I hope the Easter Bunny is good to each and every one of you!! Thanks for your continued help and compassion for our furry friends!!

Welcome Valentine & Whitney

Our new arrivals came today to PetSmart. Valentine is a BIG girl who is very sweet and very nice. Wait til you see her!! She is too big for one cage and would get stuck in the hole if given two cages. So, into the big cage she went. We tried to keep Angel with her but decided it was not a good idea. We no sooner put her in the cage when a mother and daughter instantly fell in love! They put a hold on Valentine and completed the adoption application. It was amazing how Valentine took to this family after just arriving at the store. She was not the least bit shy and rolled over to have her big belly scratched. Unfortunately (actually fortunately for Valentine) some of you may not have the pleasure of meeting her. I am hoping she can go home Wednesday night.

The other new arrival is Whitney. She is a sweet calico and is about a year and a half old. She is quite vocal! She is very friendly and appears to have settled right in.

To accomodate Valentine we did some rearranging. A couple came into the store and were interested in both Freckles and Gus. The two interacted very well together when introduced to the potential adopting family. We decided to put them in three shared cages. Should they go home together they will already be well acquainted. Should this couple decide not to adopt them hopefully someone else watching their antics will take them as a package deal. (By the way...Freckles' adoption fee was reduced to $35 since she is just over a year old.) Remember, should someone adopt two cats the second adoption fee is cut in half.

The store was busy today. Lots of lookers and lots of interest! We had a couple interested in Bob and a young man interested in Senora. Hopefully they will be back.

Please look at the April schedule and make sure your dates are accurate. I accidentally deleted some dates and had to rely on memory and some old e-mails to fill the calendar back in. There is still two open Saturday mornings.

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On Saturday a new volunteer joined our force. She was trained in the fine art of cleaning a cat cage and I think she picked it right up!! She swallowed her fear and signed on for a few shifts in April. Welcome, Paige!! It was a pleasure meeting you!

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The new guys:

Iris Goes Home - Finally!! Taye Goes Home, Too.

After COUNTLESS holds and applications Iris finally went home on Wednesday night. She patiently waited while the right home was chosen for her. Taye went home over a week ago and I neglected to give him a proper send off!! My bad!! Remember a while back when he left only to be brought back the very next day? He, too, patiently waited after that disappointment. Good luck to both of our guys in their new homes.

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Jill was not doing well and never quite seemed to settle in so was picked up by staff and returned to the Shelter. Some of the cats just do not do well in the PetSmart setting. It can be sensory overload - what with customers, different volunteers at every feeding, dogs at the windows, etc. Jill will do better awaiting her home in the calmer confines of the Shelter under the watchful eyes of the staff.

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Three new cats will be brought to PetSmart on Saturday, March 31. I will post who they are once I have them settled in. I plan to do some rearranging, too. Apparently Freckles is a tad resistant to a new roommate. I'll have to see about what to do with the big cage.

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The April calendar is just about full. The following mornings still need to be filled: Friday, April 6, and two Saturdays, April 21 & 28. One evening needs to be filled, Wednesday, April 18. The adoption table is usually open on Wednesdays however if you are available only to clean and feed that is just fine. The table is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday that week.

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I am kinda happy to see March end. Adoptions slowed down considerably both at PetSmart and at the Shelter. I hope April proves to be more like January & February.

A "Senior" Cat Goes Home! Three New Arrivals

Madame went home on Friday night. It is nice to see one of our "seniors" get a home. There are no other cats in her home however she will have to share space with a dog. Hopefully she will enjoy the dog's company more than the company of other cats!! I really enjoyed my time with her and am so happy she is home.

There are pending holds on Iris and Taye and one of our new arrivals, Bob. Unfortunately the hold on Freckles was removed when the applicant had a change of heart.

The three new guys are Bob, Jill and Elise. Bob settled right in and has a ball when you let him run around. He has no tail - hence the name! Bob arrived Sunday afternoon and had a hold by Monday afternoon. You will know why as soon as you meet him. Elise and Jill are very similar in appearance. Both are big black female torties. Jill is about two years old. She seems a little sad and is hesitant to come out of her cage and join the fun. I am sure she will come around. Elise is an adult who was left at the front door of the Shelter back in September. Initially on Monday she was very friendly and then became a little standoffish and a littly "hissy." I am sure she will come around as well.

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Angel, who was so shy at first, is friendly and playful and loves to stretch her legs out! Some of the guys just need a little more time to adjust.

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The April schedule is almost complete. There is one evening that still needs to be covered - Wednesday, April 18. There is three open Friday mornings - April 13, 20 and 27 and three open Saturday mornings - April 14, 15 and 28. Let me know if you can cover any of of these days.

Here is Elise, Bob, and Jill (in that order)

Great Job While I Was Gone!!

Thank you all very much for doing such a wonderful job while I was away! It certainly helps me enjoy a vacation when I know things are well taken care of at home! Special thanks to Jenny G and Mom for being my "go to" girls and to Barb A for keeping in touch with the Shelter.

So, here's the latest...Estralita went home on Saturday. I am sure that Taye will miss her terribly. Freckles joined Taye in the big cage to help him adjust. The two are getting along very well. However, there is a chance that Taye will again be looking for a roommate - Freckles got another hold on Saturday. Incidentally, the man who put the first hold on Freckles last week decided on another cat, Stitch, when he went to the Shelter with paperwork.

Iris has received a couple of holds as most of you know. The first applicant did not return calls from the Shelter and the second applicant is being processed. The second application looks good so let's hope it works out for Iris. I can not get over how good she looks since the surgery to remove her eye. She is such a sweetheart and deserves a nice home!

The March schedule is complete with the exception of the evening cleaning on Friday, March 23. Please let me know if you are available. The April schedule also looks great. Please take a look at it and let me know if you can do any of the available slots.

While in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in Belize my husband and I visited the local animal shelter to say hi and make a donation. We also bought t-shirts! It was nice to talk to people so far away who are doing the same work with the same compassion that we are doing here in the USA. They do TNR, Pet of the Week, low cost spay/neuter - the whole deal. People really aren't so different no matter where you go!!

Helena and Cathy Go Home - Madame and Angel Arrive - Future Volunteers Visit Shelter

Helena and Cathy went home as scheduled on Saturday. Yes, Helena's new Grandma does indeed have the same name! Helena, the person, and her daughter were very excited to pick up Helena, the cat. Cathy went home, also. She, too, went to a home where the family is thrilled to have her. I spoke with them several times on the phone and they could not wait til Saturday. I am sure Cathy will be missed as she spent alot of time at PetSmart.

Two new guys arrived at PetSmart on Sunday. Madame is a "senior" cat. It is estimated she is nine years old. She is sweet and nice and I know you will all love her! Angel is a few years younger than Madame but older than three. She is shy but very nice. I am sure that after spending some time with all of you she will overcome some of that shyness!

Madame (left) and Angel (right)

On Saturday, February 10, a local Girl Scout Troop visited the shelter as part of a program organized by volunteer, Janet K. Janet initially met with the scouts in October and they discussed responsible pet ownership and pet care techniques as well as the importance of spaying and neutering pets. During the scouts' visit at the Shelter, they spent time touring the facility and learning about food preparation, cleaning and medical procedures. They even observed blood being drawn for testing from a kitten who had just arrived at the Shelter. The scouts named the kitty "Panda." In addition each member of the Troop was permitted time to pet and cuddle one of the Shelter cats. The program was a great success with both the scouts and the staff. Here is a picture of the visitors along with Shelter animal attendant, Jess, who is holding Panda. Looks like a bunch of future volunteers to me!!

Sasha Finds A Home With Four-Legged Friends

Sasha arrived at the Shelter a few months ago at the age of six. Her previous owner was moving and could not bring her along. Shelter staff fell in love with this big girl (she must weigh twenty pounds) and were anxious to see her be back in a comfortable house. Sasha went to PetSmart on Saturday and on Sunday she found a home! After hearing how Sasha had been left behind in the move a retired school teacher and his wife submitted an adoption application. They were approved and Sasha went home Wednesday night. Along with this kind couple, Sasha will be living with two four-legged housemates - a poodle and another cat. Sounds like quite a home!!

Robin went home as scheduled last Saturday. Helena is scheduled to go home this Saturday and so is Cathy!! Yes, Cathy has a home!! The hold for Cathy I told you about on the last blog entry was pulled by the applicant. Cathy got another hold Wednesday night and the application has been approved. It is a home with a couple with no children and no other pets. I think she will be spoiled and quite happy. (I must say Cathy has come a long way. Thanks to the compassion and patience shown by all you guys she really has come around and is a sweet, loving little cat. Good job!!)

Poor Taye went home Wednesday afternoon and was brought back to the Shelter this morning. He had been adopted by the family who adopted Smokester. Apparently he did not get along well with another cat in the house. He was promptly brought back to PetSmart by Shelter staff this afternoon. I am confident we will find him a good home.

Two new guys arrived yesterday - Senora (I call her Pumpkin - I like that name better!) and Iris. Senora (aka Pumpkin) is a six year old female torti. She has a round head and little ears. Iris is a two year old female who is gray and white and has had a tough time. She came into the Shelter with a serious eye infection which resulted in removal of the eye at the end of December. She is none the worse for wear and is still mouthy and inquisitive! Meet Iris and Senora...

Brandon, Patsy & Ellie say "TGIF!"

When Brandon's new mom came to pick him up tonight he was all snuggled up with Patsy and the two were sound asleep. She could not bear to separate them so she decided to take both cats. Fortunately the Shelter Director was right there at the adoption table and could approve the adoption immediately. What timing!! There is no doubt in my mind that Brandon and Patsy knew exactly what they were doing!

Ellie went home as scheduled. Her new home is chock full of new toys and accessories. She is going to be one spoiled cat. Robin is scheduled to go home tomorrow.

Jenny G was kind enough to donate litter pans to the cause. They are made of nice strong plastic. The ones that are not being used are stored underneath the large cage. I labeled the cabinet door. It is not necessary to fill the pan up with any more litter than we have been using. This should keep the cages looking really clean. However, the pans will need to be kept clean. If anything adheres to the side of the pan use the quats (the yellow liquid in the spray bottle) and wipe the pans out or take it into the back of the store and rinse it out. PLEASE...DO NOT STORE ANY PANS THAT ARE NOT TOTALLY CLEAN!! We have done a great job keeping the area free of unpleasant odors. Let's keep it that way!

Four new guys are arriving tomorrow (Saturday) at about 2:00pm. They are all older cats. There is Taye (rhymes with "may"), a black and brown male tabby and his roommate, Estralita, a gray female tabby. They have been roommies at the Shelter and will share the big cage. Also arriving tomorrow is Sasha - a female torbie that was surrendered to the Shelter by her previous owner and is six years old. Last but not least, Gus, a big frendly male is joining the group.

Dare I say this? I am afraid to type it but... Cathy got a hold yesterday and the application describes the perfect househould for her. It is a mom and her 17-year old daughter - no other pets. Keep your paws crossed that this one works out! Cathy has come a long way and needs to go home soon!!

(from left to right...Taye, Sasha, Gus & Estralita)

Smudge and Chucky Go Home!

Smudge and Chucky went home last night! Ya gotta love how well adoptions have been going in 2007! Looks like it is our year! Brandon is scheduled to go home soon - hopefully Friday afternoon. There are holds pending on Robin and Helena and two on Ellie. Everyone is moving so fast that I never got a chance to get a picture of Chucky! Hey, no complaints here, though!

Good news...we are going back to the old litter pans. As soon as our present supply is finished we will restock with the deeper ones.

When you take an adoption application and the applicant indicates they have pets at home please let them know that the Shelter will be calling their veterinarian for a reference. Tell them to make sure that ALL pets in the household are listed and up to date on shots. If not the application will not be approved until the animals are brought up to date. Also, added to the application is a note that proof of residence in the form of a tax bill or rental agreement is required. Although applicants may become impatient with our process assure them that the Shelter is working in the best interest of the animals and it is important that they go into a healthy and secure environment.

Connie & Midnight Go Home - Welcome Helena & Robin

Midnight went home Friday night so Brandon has lost his roommate! Since Brandon is so accustomed to company in his big cage someone else is moving in. I am sure Brandon will miss Midnight as will many of you! Connie went home on Friday night as well. She is quite a cutie!

I spoke with Smokester's new mom last week and she told me that Smokester settled in quickly and gets along well in her new family which includes another cat and a dog. Things went so smoothly she is even contemplating adopting another cat!

Helena and Robin will be arriving on Sunday. Helena is an orange and white female and loving and friendly. Robin is a female and is primarily black with white markings. She is a little shy but is very nice.

As far as the new litter pans...I think we all agree we prefer the old ones - however we have to live with them. I know they are shallow and somewhat flimsy. Please be careful not to use too many. They tend to stick together and some cages have as many as four piled upon each other. Before using a new pan please make sure that it is not several stuck together. Using two at a time seems to work fine.

The March schedule looks great so far. The following mornings are still open: March 3(Sat), 8(Thu), 9(Fri), 16(Fri), 23 (Fri). The only remaining open evening is: March 23(Fri). Please let me know if you are available to cover any of these days.

If you know anyone interested in volunteering at the Shelter please let them know that the next Volunteer Orientation is Tuesday, February 20, 7:00-8:30PM. Volunteer applications are available at the Shelter or can be downloaded from this site or the Shelter's website. Volunteers must submit to a background check prior to attending the orientation so if you know anyone interested have them complete an application ASAP. (Volunteers at the Shelter can not be younger than 14 years old. Volunteers between the ages of 14-17 years old must be supervised at all times.)

Again...thank you very much for your help!! I am SOOO pleased with the number of successful adoptions we had in January!!!

Meet Helena and Robin:

Adoption and Hold Updates

The FIRST applicant for Connie went to the Shelter to bring the tax bill and fell in love with Manny, a cat at the Shelter, and decided to adopt him. The SECOND applicant for Connie went to the Shelter to bring paperwork and fell in love with Debbie, a cat at the Shelter, and decided to adopt her. Today I took a THIRD hold on Connie. Hopefully three times is a charm!! This applicant is very anxious and even went home and brought a copy of her tax bill back to PetSmart to speed the adoption process. The first two applicants still adopted cats from the Shelter so it is all good!!

The applicant for Brandon was finally contacted by the Shelter and they no longer want to adopt him. They were told they could pick up the hold money at PetSmart. Apparently they had adopted a cat from some where else. Brandon appears to be none the worse for wear. He and Midnight were transferred to the big cage today and last I checked they were having a ball!

On Saturday Judy M took a hold on Chuckie. The application is at the Shelter for review. (By the way Judy...nice job on the paperwork!!) Also, on Saturday Judy chatted with Nero's new dad. After spending a day in hiding he appears to have settled in!

Two new kitties arrived today...Smudge and Freckles. Freckles is a friendly girl that likes to play. Smudge is a shy little girl but is quite a cuddler. They are both white. This group right now is a really nice mix of colors!!

If you see that we are getting low on paper please tell the manager. Do not wait until it is all gone. The paper is bought from Lowe's and the managers go to the store to buy it when the supply gets low.

Happy Homes For Nero and Smokester

The applications for Nero and Smokester were approved and both cats went home last night. How exciting!!

Two holds were taken last night on Connie - it seems she is in demand. When I stopped in the store today she seemed a little full of herself!

You can expect two new arrivals on Sunday. A final decision on exactly who will be joining the clan at PetSmart has yet to be made. I will keep you posted!

Two More Holds

I took two holds today at PetSmart - one on Smokester and one on Nero. Both seem to be good applications and are being forwarded to the Shelter for review. Brandon still has a hold pending.

Chucky got very anxious when I took him out of the cage and put him down on the floor. He tried to climb up the cages and got stuck and ended up looking through the bars at Midnight who proceeded to hiss and growl at him. In an attempt to get away from Midnight he kept climbing right past Cathy and lost his hold when he reached up and grabbed the plastic tray full of toys. Needless to say Chucky went flying along with the toys and empty food and water bowls next to the toys. It all made quite a racket! One of the managers came running to see if everything was okay! Chucky then ran into the cat carrier in the adoption room and jammed himself as far into the back of it as he could. I let him settle down for a little while before I put him back in the cage. So...be careful...Chucky needs a little more time to settle in!

Violet Goes Home!

Violet went home on Saturday. She is going to a big house with kids and a couple of dogs! She is a surprise for a fourteen year old young lady who will be her primary caretaker. Something tells me Violet is in for a good life!!

Three new guys were brought to PetSmart on Sunday. Connie and Smokester are both females and although they are not litter mates they were roommates at the Shelter. They are in the big cage. Cathy was moved to a smaller cage. Chucky also arrived on Sunday. He is part of the Open Your Heart And Home progam so his adoption fee is $10. Chucky came to the Shelter when he was about five weeks old so he has spent nearly his entire life in a cage. A decision was made to put Midnight in the Open Your Heart And Home program as well so his adoption fee has been lowered to $10. He also came to the shelter a few weeks old and has spent his life in a cage. Chucky and Midnight are on the fast track for adoption!

Remember Chocolate Chip?? He was adopted from the Shelter last week.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork... I know this issue seems to come up often!! Anyone who would like extra training in completing the paperwork for holds, adoption applications and sending a cat home please let me know. Between Sue and Tom (employees at the Shelter), someone is available seven days a week at the Shelter to help with training. This may be easier than trying to arrange a time to meet me at PetSmart. Let me know if you would like to meet with Tom or Sue and I will set it up for you.

A Family Reunited! CB Goes Home!

CB went home last night. He was adopted by a radio DJ and Barb A's husband heard him talking on the radio about the adoption. Looks like CB is going to be famous!

Blossom (aka Roxanna) was reunited with her family today and left with her mom. Apparently last weekend mom's thirteen year old daughter went into PetSmart and saw Blossom and recognized her as a cat they had lost in May!! Mom came into the store and lo and behold it was her Roxanna!! Thanks to a microchip implanted by the Shelter that won't happen again.

Brandon has a hold and the application is at the Shelter for review. Violet has two holds pending right now. Both applications are being reviewed.

I was afraid that CB's leaving would be difficult for Cathy but it looks like I was wrong. While at PetSmart today I thought she seemed friendlier and more relaxed. She sure is pretty! Unfortunately the hold on her has been pulled as the adoption application was not approved.

I taped the directions for taking a hold and completing an adoption application on the wall of the adoption room as well as to the top of the adoption cart. Applications that do not have a hold with a cash deposit will not be processed. PLEASE make sure to get the deposit! Also, review the applications and make sure they are complete and every applicable question is answered. If the applicant owns their property the Shelter requires a copy of their tax bill. If the applicant rents their property the Shelter requires a copy of the lease or a letter from their landlord saying pets are permitted. These documents can be faxed to the Shelter. PLEASE follow these directions as not doing so only slows down the adoption process. Again, all the directions are right in the adoption room to guide you along.

Lots Going On!!!

What do you think of the new layout for the blog? Pretty snazzy, huh!! It is absolutely no different to maneuver - the calendar is still on the right and the first link you see. The archives are located after the links - just scroll down. I'll try to keep things interesting by occasionally changing the picture.

I have great news!! Napoleon went home on Friday as scheduled. There are holds on Violet, Cathy and CB! Wow! The adoption applications are at the Shelter for review. No, Cathy and CB will not be going home together if the applications are approved. I am sure they will miss each other but it is for the best, right?

Three new kitties arrived today and, as usual, they are wonderful. You will meet little Ellie, a female gray tabby with an exotic little face, Blossom, a BIG fluffy lovable calico, and Nero, a black and white boy without a tail. It had to be amputated but believe me, he is no worse for wear and is quite handsome!! You guys will love all three of our new furry friends!

Wednesday night a woman is coming in with her kitty from home. She is interested in adopting Brandon or Ellie but wants to see how her kitty interacts with them. If her cat is as well-behaved as ours there should be no problem!

I think 2007 is going to be a good year for Cape May County's animals!!

Napoleon is Going Home!!!

Arrangements are being made for Napoleon to go home!! The adoption application has been approved and hopefully he will go to his forever home on Friday. He is going to bring alot of joy to his new home - I will miss his handsome face.

Remember Becky? Who could forget her?? I heard from her dad and he said she is fine and meows constantly! Apparently she is quite vocal.

Look for some new guys soon - on Sunday we should have some new arrivals.

The schedule looks GREAT for January and February! Thank you so much!! I will start hounding you for March before you know it!

First Adoption For 2007

Happy New Year!!

Baron went home Wednesday night. He is our first adoption for 2007! Fifty-one cats went home in 2006 between June 17 and December 31. This number should double in 2007. Thank you for all your effort!

Apparently the key to the adoption room has been misplaced. If anyone has any ideas on where it may be please let me know. For now the managers have been opening the door for us with their key. Until the key is replaced be careful not to lock yourself out once the manager opens the door.

Take a look at the February schedule and let me know what you can do.

Three Go Home For The Holidays

It was a great day at PetSmart!! Hobbes went home and so did Oreo and Razzle! Oreo and Razzle were adopted together which is wonderful!

CB came back today along with five new guys - Patsy, Brandon, Baron, Midnight and Violet. It is another great bunch! Brandon and Baron are brothers who have been in the same cage at the Shelter. Please keep the door open between their cages as they love each other's company. Cathy and CB were chasing each other around the big cage this afternoon and having a ball!

Each cat has a page on PetFinder which a picture and a biography. From now on we will display the information from the PetFinder site on the front of the cages. The Shelter cage cards will be put inside the cage room only. Whenever a new guy arrives the Shelter will include a print out from PetFinder. The page is then trimmed down to fit the clear holder on the front of the cage. It includes the bio, a picture and the adoption fee.

Merry Christmas!!

Lydia Is Home For Christmas

Lydia went home for Christmas Wednesday night! One of our volunteers was quite smitten with her and now she is part of her family. Lydia really came out of her shell at PetSmart. Thank you all for being so patient with her! Hobbes is going home on Saturday.

Arrangements are being made with the Shelter to bring four more kitties on Saturday. CB's eye is doing well and he will be back soon, too.

Thanks to everyone who attended the dinner on Monday night. It was quite a success! I hope those who were unable to attend can make it next year. Everyone had a good time.

If you are scheduled to clean and feed on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day please make note that PetSmart has special hours on these days and will be closing at 6PM. Christmas Day the store is closed but a manager comes in to take care of the store's animals and gives us access to the cats. That shift is covered.

I know everyone is busy with Christmas just a few days away. Once things have calmed down please take a look at the January schedule. It is just about full with the exception of the following mornings: 19th (Fri), 22nd (Mon), 26th (Fri) and 29th (Mon). Let me know if you can cover any of these days.

Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for everything you have done all year long!!

Joey, Hobbes and Santa

The dogs and their owners loved Santa at PetSmart on Saturday! It was a great success! Thanks again to Doug and Patti for their help. Here is a picture of the three of us between photo shoots with the dogs.

Joey went home on Saturday. Cathy, CB's sister, a pretty calico, was brought down to PetSmart on Friday. She is a little shy so be patient with her. Now that Joey has gone home we can put Cathy in the big cage with CB once she appears to have settled in.

Hobbes got a hold on Saturday and the application looks good! Here's a first...a woman went into the adoption room and captured Oreo and her antics on video to send to her mother in Pittsburg. She thinks her mother would love Oreo and will be sending her the video by computer. Let's hope it's a match!

On Friday Heidi, a staff attendant from the Shelter, went to PetSmart and trimmed the cats' claws and cleaned their ears. Lydia was not cooperating so Heidi was unable to get her claws done. However, she was able to do everyone else.

We put some pieces of non-skid matting under the shelf pieces in the big cage and rearranged the structure. Hopefully this will rectify the slipping problem. The remainder of the roll of matting is under the cages in a cabinet for future use.

CAUTION: Twice last week cats were found roaming free in the cage room. Double check the cages when you leave and make sure when you arrive you close the outside door behind you before opening the door to the cat cages. Can you imagine trying to capture a kitty that gets loose in the store?!!

Good Bye, Scooter! Welcome New Volunteers!!

Scooter went home last night!! I am sure that makes everyone happy! Four applications were taken on him before the right match was finally made.

Yesterday I met with four new volunteers at PetSmart. Welcome Christina, Denise, Judy and Caroline! It appears our new volunteers have an interest in manning the adoption table which is wonderful! You will note on the schedule that in addition to Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the adoption table will be open Friday nights
through January.

LAST CHANCE... To date we have 83 people attending the dinner at the Golden Inn on Monday, December 18. If you would like to attend and have yet to RSVP please contact me ASAP. I am giving the Golden Inn our final headcount Friday afternoon.

Three Pending Holds

REMINDER...if you plan to attend the dinner on December 18 at the Golden Inn please let me know ASAP! I would love to see you all there!

Little Razzle, Scooter and Joey have pending holds. Joey's application has been approved and the new owner has been notified by the Shelter. However, he will not go home until December 16. Razzle actually had two holds but the first one, taken last Sunday, was cancelled by the applicant. Apparently someone in the house is allergic to cats. Luckily Barb A had taken a second hold for Razzle Wednesday night. Scooter has two pending holds and the applications are now at the Shelter being reviewed.

Should someone else want to put a hold on Joey please explain that his adoption has been approved but still take the second hold. As you can see the adoption is not complete until the kitty is picked up and taken home.

I have had a report that intermittenly small blood droplets are being seen in Scooter's cage however it is not in his litterbox nor is there any sign of injury on his body. The medical department at the Shelter has been advised of this. I suspect it is coming out when he sneezes.

On December 16 and December 17 from 11a-4p volunteers for the Cape May County Animal Shelter Alliance will be at PetSmart dressed as Santa and Santa's helpers for pictures of customers and their pets. (My husband will be Santa and I will be his helper on December 16!!) 50% of the money generated will go directly to the Shelter Alliance. Please tell your friends, co-workers, family members, neighbors, etc to bring their pet down and support a wonderful organization. The cost for two Polaroid photos is only $9.95. If that weekend does not work for people tell them that this weekend (December 9 & 10) volunteers from the Animal Welfare Society will be there - another wonderful organization.

Two Leave and Two Arrive!

Aden and Pierce went home as scheduled on Wednesday night. CB and Joey have been transferred to the big cage. They are litter mates and hopefully will also get a home together.

Two new guys went to PetSmart today - Napoleon and Razzle. Both are nice guys and settled right in. Napoleon had an issue with eating and immediately vomitting. At the Shelter he was put on special food and fed only half a bowl twice a day. He seems to be doing just fine. For now we are going to continue feeding him the same way. His food is in a zip lock bag in the big food bin. After this week we will mix his food with the Purina Cat Chow and wean him from the special diet. Hopefully this will be an easy transition.

Scooter has a hold and the application is now at the Shelter for review.

Mary M is out of commission for a while due to a knee injury. I covered her today on the adoption table and she is covered for December 16 (Sat). However I just noticed she is also on the schedule two more times this month - the evening of December 4 (Monday) and the evening of December 22 (Friday). Let me know if you can cover either evening.

Aden & Pierce Staying Together

Tracey R took a hold from a great couple on Sunday for Aden & Pierce. The adoption application was approved today and arrangements are being made for the pair to go home together on Wednesday. Isn't that great news!

Just so you know...when someone adopts two pets from the County Shelter (and this includes PetSmart) the adoption fee for the second pet is reduced by 50%. Right now the Cape May County Animal Shelter Alliance is paying that 50% so the second guy has no adoption fee. To learn more about the CMC Animal Shelter Alliance and the work they do for the Shelter and Cape May County's animals just click on the eighth link to the right "CMCASA."

I know everyone is very busy around the Christmas holidays. Please take a minute and look at the December calendar. Someone is needed to clean the morning of December 14 (Thurs) and the evening of December 8 (Fri) & 29 (Fri). In addition the adoption table needs coverage on December 16 (Sat) and December 30 (Sat). Please keep January in mind as well and let me know what you can do.

West Cape May Christmas Parade Is For The Dogs!

Barbara A is going to have a float in the West Cape May Cristmas parade on Saturday, December 2 that will represent the County Shelter along with Animal Outreach. The float is going to be a North Pole scene with an igloo and a mock dog sled travelling in front of the float. Barb needs volunteers to help her walk her dogs. Also, if you would like to bring your dog and join the group you are more than welcome. Decorate your pooch, dress warm and join Barb! The parade starts at 5pm and line up is at 4pm. If you would like to participate please let me know.

Ginger Went Home, New Arrivals

Ginger went home today. Hopefully this home is a better fit. Tracey R took some time explaining how to introduce a new cat to the household. The new home does have one other cat. Ginger had better behave!

Scooter is back with us at PetSmart along with new arrivals, Joey and CB. Apparently Joey and CB are buddies. The Shelter vet tech asked that they be permitted to stay together so the door between their cages is open.

The reporter from the Press will let me know when the article will appear in the paper and I will let you all know. The photographer got some really nice shots of Hobbes! He looks right at the camera and poses!

You should have all received an invitation to the Shelter dinner at the Golden Inn in Avalon. I hope you can all make it. There is strength in numbers and coming together as a unit is how we can make a difference in addressing issues effecting animals in Cape May County. Please come out and meet the Shelter staff and Shelter Advisory Board and mingle with others who share your passion!

Greaser Went Home, Scooter Is Fine

Greaser went home last night. Larissa S said his new mom is absolutely thrilled and Greaser will have a wonderful little life as a spoiled kitty! I am sure you will all miss his funny antics!!

Good news...Ginger got a hold last night! Let's hope this works out for her as she has been through so much.

I checked on Scooter yesterday and he is fine. He saw a vet and the sore on his leg is a "hot spot." In a few days he will return to Pet Smart.

On Saturday a reporter from the AC Press is going to interview me at the adoption table. This should generate interest in our program and get some publicity for the Shelter cats. Hopefully it will increase adoptions and also recruit some more volunteers.

Good Luck, Gunther !

Gunther went home on Sunday! Good for him! Unfortunately the family who was going to adopt Greaser decided against it due to an illness in the family. The Shelter will be contacting the second hold to let them know they may adopt Greaser.

Scooter has a sore spot on his right front paw so I took him to the Shelter to be looked at by the vet tech. As she cleaned the spot which appeared to be raw he did not even flinch. He is such a good boy! The tech theorizes the joint may be bothering him so he licks and chews at the area. He will see a vet this week and hopefully can return to Pet Smart soon.

The December calendar is really looking good however there is still some open spots. Friday nights need to be covered as well as a few Saturday mornings. Please take a look at it. Also, Katherine S has been doing every Monday morning for a long time and is headed to a warmer climate right after the holidays until mid-March. I will miss her dedication! So, Monday mornings will need to be filled starting January 1 until she returns.

To answer your questions about Thanksgiving and Christmas... The store is closed both days however a manager comes into the store mid-morning to take care of the animals and at that time we will have access to our guys. Both holidays are covered. Also, Tracey R has generously volunteered to clean and feed in the evening on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Sylvia Went Home

Sylvia went home last night! Another happy ending!

Based on the observations of several of you guys I moved Lydia to a lower level cage. She is afraid to jump down from the top level. Let me know how she does in her new place.

The application for Gunther has been approved and arrangements are being made to have him picked up over the weekend. Here he is looking very handsome and ready to go home!

Gunther Got A Hold!

Gunther and his crooked bumpy tail got a hold on Saturday. He is such a nice cat and will make a great pet!

Unfortunately the holds on Pierce and Scooter were pulled as of today. Both applicants have not returned repeated phone calls from the Shelter. Their hold money is in a folder in the adoption table and can be given back should they come in. Refer them to the Shelter should they have any questions.

I taped samples of completed hold paperwork and completed final adoption paperwork to the wall next to the adoption instructions. Hopefully this will alleviate any confusion you may have when filling the forms out.

Latest Adoption Information

Greaser is scheduled to go home over the weekend. Sylvia is scheduled to go home on Wednesday. The hold on Pierce has been removed as the adoption applicant did not show up on Wednesday as scheduled to bring him home and has not returned phone calls from the Shelter. The hold on Scooter may be pulled this weekend as well.

Hobbs was brought back to the Shelter as he was experiencing some problems with diarrhea (ugh!!). However, he appears to be fine and should be returning to Pet Smart on Saturday or Sunday. Which leads me to this...please refrain from giving the cats treats and wet food as the change in diet may cause an upset in their digestive systems. I know we all love to give the guys treats but this week alot had "elimination issues." It is best to keep their diet consistent.

Wednesday night Barb A took a second hold on Greaser. Knowing that Greaser had a pending application the applicant also expressed interest in Oreo or Gunther should Greaser no longer be available. Hopefully one of the two will get to go home soon!

Welcome back, Ginger!

Ginger was returned to the Shelter as she was not playing well with other cats in her new household. She is back at Pet Smart. Let's get her a good home!!

Chocolate Chip apparently reeked havoc Thursday night into Friday morning. He managed to free himself from the confines of the cage (after trashing it) and was found wandering about the cat room by Kitty G. She no sooner put him back in the cage and he trashed it again!! Apparently he needs more time to learn how to behave! The staff and volunteers at the Shelter will continue to work with him.

Coverage is needed for the adoption table on Wednesday night, November 15, 6-8pm. As always, if you can not do the table but can do the PM feeding/cleaning please let me know.

Latest Arrivals

Chocolate Chip, Lydia and Oreo joined us at Pet Smart today. Lydia is a little shy so please take some time with her. She is very pretty!!

Becky and Sarah went home last night!

A Volunteer/Staff appreciation party is in the works for Wednesday, December 13 so please mark your calendars. Details will soon follow.

Great Weekend!! Becky is Going Home!!!

An absolutely wonderful family came in to Pet Smart on Saturday and put a hold on Becky! They had come into the store several times and seen her and had already met her once before. They went into the adoption room a second time and decided to apply to be her forever home. I think Becky is going to be one spoiled kitty in that house! They came in again on Sunday just to visit with her! Good things do come to those who wait!

Three other holds are pending as well for Scooter, Greaser and Sarah. All the applications are at the Shelter for the director to review this week. I put a note on the inside of the cages of the cats with holds so you guys are aware what is going on.

Shelter staff also brought two dogs to the store on Saturday. The jacket made by Katherine S looked fabulous on Poncho! I am working on having dogs at the store on a routine basis.

Please keep an eye on the food bowls and do not fill them to overflowing. Filling the bowls halfway is enough. I know we all love to give the guys food but it turns into a lot of waste.

I still need someone for the adoption table on Sunday, October 29. Again, if you can not do the table but could do the evening feeding please let me know. It is important that the adoption table be manned as our presence really increases the adoption rate. At the same time we can spread the word about TNR and the importance of spaying and neutering feral cats.

The November schedule is really shaping up! Please take a look at it and let me know what you can do.

Again, thank you very much for everything you do! I know that you have jobs, families and other committments that take up time. It is great that you make time for our homeless cats and the Shelter is better for it!!

New Arrivals, Becky, and More

Six new cats arrived at Pet Smart today and they are a great bunch! We have a FULL HOUSE - ten cats!! Becky was scheduled to be returned to the Shelter but one of the Pet Smart employees told me that her brother-in-law will be driving down on Saturday to meet her. I decided to keep her there in the hope that this becomes her forever home. Another thing which may work in her favor is a reduction in her adoption fee. She is over a year old and therefore her fee should be $35. A change was made to her card. Let's keep our fingers crossed!!!

You will meet Scooter and wonder why his adoption fee is only $8. When he came into the Shelter he had an injured leg that appeared to be an old fracture. For this reason he was classified as "special needs." The leg is doing fine and he does not appear to be any worse for wear. However, please be cognizant of this when handling him.

Major is scheduled to go home tonight(Wednesday). Pierce does have a hold however there is a glitch in the application. Do not hesitate to take another hold on him.

Please make sure to send me an e-mail when you sign up for a shift. The paper copies posted at Pet Smart are for two volunteers who do not have a computer. It is not a sign up sheet. I like to keep schedule changes current to make things easier for everyone and update the calendar as soon as I hear from you.

Katherine S made a BEAUTIFUL embroidered jacket/shirt for dogs to wear at Pet Smart that says "Adopt Me." Using velcro strips she made it adjustable so it can fit many different size dogs. It is in a bag in one of the lower cabinets. Take a second and look at it. It is adorable!! I am working on getting dogs down to Pet Smart on a more regular basis.

I will be at the adoption table this Saturday (10/21). If you are interested in learning the paperwork please stop by and I will be happy to go over it with you.

Ginger, Tangare & Pepper

The family who were to pick up Ginger Wednesday decided they did not want a cat after all. Luckily we had someone waiting in the wings who had already adopted Merangue last week. The adoption was quickly approved and Ginger got to go home on Saturday. Pepper and Tangare went home on Sunday. Tracey R said Pepper's new owner could not have been more excited and that Tangare did not hesitate to walk into the carrier of her new owner. How great is that! Also, there are holds on both Pierce and Major. If the adoptions are approved they should leave Wednesday night or Saturday afternoon. I am planning to bring some new kitties to PetSmart on Tuesday.

The Shelter does have three of the Himalayan and Persian cats you may have read about in the paper last week. The phones have been ringing off the hook concerning these guys so soon they will be home too.

October's schedule is complete with the exception of Sunday, October 29. Please let me know if you can do the adoption table or even just the evening cleaning that day. Also, look at November and let me know what you can do.

Rolls of the brown paper used to line the cages is kept in the managers' office. If you see you are running low just ask and they will bring you a new roll.

One Adoption & Two Holds!

Wow!! Great job while I was away!! Thank you everyone!! Arrangements have been made for Ginger to be picked up Wednesday evening. Also, holds and adoption applications were taken to the Shelter by Tracey R for Tangare (yippee!) and Pepper. Unfortunately the couple interested in Becky never returned with the completed paperwork. Poor Becky! I hope she gets a home soon.

Just a gentle reminder...please do not post holds on the outside of the cages. Remember, we will take a second hold on a cat as sometimes the first applicant is not approved or the second applicant appears to be a better fit. Also, should someone inquire about a cat you may be able to persuade them to meet another one once they learn of the hold. We want people to hang around and approach us!!

Diane Mc needs coverage for the evening of Monday, October 16. Please let me know if you can cover for her. Also, take a look at the November schedule and let me know what you can do.

Possible Home For Becky!!

Thanks to Jen and Lauren Becky may be going home! While cleaning cages Thursday night they introduced a wonderful couple to Becky and they fell in love with her! The couple took the application and hold agreement home with them so they could get their vet's number. Jen L told them to return it and slip it under the door at the adoption center. Should you arrive to clean and find the paperwork make sure you notify the Shelter so they can tell the Director. If all goes well they could be approved in time to pick up Becky Wednesday night from Barb A.

New Director, New Arrivals & While I Am Away

Wait til you see our new arrivals!! Janet K will be bringing the following six kitties to Pet Smart on Wednesday: Hobbs, Pepper, Silvia, Major, Pierce, and Ginger (yeah! Ginger is coming back all nice and healthy and ready to go home!). We sure will have a full house!

I spoke with the new Shelter Director and nothing will be changing at Pet Smart. I will continue to contact him when a cat gets a hold. He will stop in and pick up the paperwork and arrange through me to have the cat picked up at the store. Thank God!! We are all getting good at this and a change could slow us down!

Seven people attended the volunteer orientation I held at the Shelter on Thursday, September 14. Help is on the way!

Just a reminder...I will be away from Friday, September 22 - Sunday, October 8. I will be home for one day (Tuesday, October 3) and will check in with the Shelter. Should you have any issues at Pet Smart during my absence contact the Shelter and ask for Linda (vet tech). If you think a cat needs medical attention contact her - do not leave a note as she will not be going there. Should you take a hold on a cat contact her as well. She will contact the Director. She will be handling any emergency scheduling that takes place as well. The Shelter number is on the wall at Pet Smart (465-8923). I hope that is everything!! I just may send out one last update before I go!!

Thanks for everything! I know I am leaving the program in good, compassionate, feline-loving hands!!

Two More Homes Found

Lollipop went home today! I must admit I will miss him! What a personality! Mackenzie goes home tomorrow. She is so sweet and will make her new owners very happy. Sara was having some medical issues and went back to the Shelter. Hopefully we will see her back soon.

Thursday night I held another volunteer orientation at the Shelter and it was well attended. We will soon have some new help at PetSmart as well as at the Shelter. I may call upon some of you to show the new volunteers the ropes at PetSmart.

Tomorrow there will be dogs joining the cats for a few hours at PetSmart thanks to Lisa T, Sue C and Barb A. Tracey R will be manning the adoption table from 12-5p.

If you are wondering who cut all that paper it was Katherine S! Thank you!!

WOW!! Good Job on the Schedule!!

Special thanks to Kitty G, Mary M and Barb A for filling in so many slots through October!! As you can see, it is those Saturday/Sunday adoption table slots that are hard to fill. Is it because the paperwork seems complicated? Is it intimidating? Is it the hours? I would love to get some feedback on this area. Tracey R was VERY excited this past Sunday when she got her first hold ever!

Barb A normally does the adoption table on Wednesdays nights but needs a replacement for October 4. Can anyone do it? If you only want to do the PM cleaning/feeding that is fine.

Again, thank you SOOO much for the quick responses today!

The Latest & The Schedule

Holds were put on Howie and Mackenzie over the weekend! That's good news! Ginger was continuing to have problems with her eyes and went back to the Shelter for some TLC. Hopefully she will be back soon.

This weekend (Sept 15-17) is the PetSmart National Adoption Day. We will have volunteers mannning the table on Friday 12-5p, Saturday 1-3p and Sunday 12-5p. Barb A is hoping to bring a dog on Friday and Staff from the Shelter will be bringing dogs on Sunday. As you can see we have limited help on Saturday so if you can spare a few hours (3-5p) it would be great.

Please take a look at the schedule. I need someone for Saturday, Sept 23 and Sunday, Sept 24 to clean in the evening. If you are interested in doing the adoption table - GREAT - however at this point I am just trying to get a PM cleaner/feeder for both days. In October I again need help on weekends (Fri, Sat, and Sun) and Tuesday mornings. Please let me know what you can do. Again, if you are not interested in doing the adoption table on the weekend but can clean in the evening let me know. Remember - the store closes at 6p on Sundays.

Please e-mail me rather than leave me notes at PetSmart. It is often days or even a week before I get the note. Should you have any concerns about a cat needing medical attention you can e-mail me or call the Shelter and ask to speak to someone in the medical department.

I am going away from Sept 22-Oct 9 so hope to have the schedule filled through my return. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! I will let you know who to contact in my abscence for emergencies, cancellations, etc.

New Arrivals

Five new kitties arrived at Pet Smart today. They are Lollipop, MacKenzie, Ginger, Howie (don't be fooled by the name - Howie is a girl!) and Sara. They seemed to settle right in! Trixie went home on Sunday. Becky and Tangare are still waiting for homes.

Just a word of caution... I noticed today that some of the cardboard covering the holes along the bottom of the cabinets under the cages has a tendency to move. Before you let one of the guys out to run around double check all the cardboard and make sure the openings are completely covered. Some of the new guys are definitely small enough to fit into a hole. I am working on a permanent solution to those spaces!

Katherine S, thank you for taking the time to cut all that paper! I am sure it will be appreciated by others!