The Old Guy Gets A Home!

Well, well, well...guess who went home yesterday...our old buddy Archie!! And guess who took him home...one of our very own PetSmart volunteers who also happens to be my mom! Here is a picture of him in his introduction cage. It is quite large and he is very comfy in it. This way he can be slowly introduced into his new home and to his new sister. Mom LOVES him!

Anya and Willow came back today. As promised here is finally a photo. Anya is the lighter colored of the two. They are just about four months old.

Until the end of the month if someone adopts a cat or kitten from the Shelter - this includes our PetSmart kitties - the Animal Alliance of Cape May County will pay the adoption fee for a second cat. Please keep this in mind for Anya and Willow as well as the rest of the guys. Also, if anyone inquires about kittens please send them to the Shelter!

The updated July and August schedule has been posted in the cage room. I do have one opening in July...it is Friday morning, July 30. Please let me know if you can cover it. Also please look ahead to August.

There is a new notebook in the adoption table when the present one is filled. More hold agreements, adoption applications and volunteer applications were placed in the folders. For those of you who send cats home...another form has been added to each packet that requires a signature - I know, I know.... It is a liability waiver. Please make sure to get that signed when adoptions are finalized.

The shelter is participating at the Whale of a Day Family Street Festival on Clubhouse Drive in Town Bank this Saturday, July 10. This event is sponsored by the organization Historic Townbank, Inc and will feature many vendors, food and family fun. Shelter volunteers will have a table at the Festival along with a dog and a litter of kittens. The animals will arrive in the morning at around 10:30 and the length of their stay will depend upon the heat. If you are in the area stop by and say hi to Barb and Larissa.

Also, next weekend on Saturday, July 17 Paw Pals is having their annual yard sale from 8am-3pm at 915 Towerview Road in Erma. Paw Pals is an organization formed by Shelter volunteer Barb Allison. Each year she gives a portion of the proceeds from this sale to the Shelter and to the Farm Sanctuary. Last year they purchased the furniture that is in our new pet introduction room at the Shelter. If you have any items to add to the sale or if you can help Barb that day shoot me an e-mail for her phone number.

I hope you and all your furry friends are staying cool in this heat!! Thanks for all your help!

New Arrivals....

Both Fendi and Gucci seem to have an allergy to something we are using at PetSmart - maybe the litter. Both were doing well at the Shelter and after arriving at PetSmart they appeared to have eye irritations and sneezing. We brought both back to the Shelter and it is clearing up.

Poor old man Archie. We brought him back today to see our vet who comes in every Thursday. We did a geriatric blood work up and will know more when that comes back. The vet feels he is an old cat - 14 or 15 - and suffering from aging and arthritis. He is comfortable with us so please do not worry. We know he is special!

So, we had a lot of open cages to fill. Clementine arrived and is a very pretty young calico. She is good with other cats, dogs and kids. She loves to be brushed and is affectionate. Belle is a black and white female and is really really friendly! Her last owner surrendered her to the Shelter along with another cat because they could no longer care for them. Belle is eight years old and is de-clawed.

Two kittens came also...sisters named Anya and Willow. I'll add their pictures tomorrow. They are young - three months old. Anya is a tiger cat and playful but a tad aloof. Willow is a blue cream torti and is the more affectionate of the two. Of course they are sharing a cage.

Representatives from the Shelter are at two events this weekend... The Woodbine Chamber of Commerce Family Festival on Saturday and the Jaws Youth Fund Fitness Festival in Stone Harbor on Sunday.

Only three time slots still open in July. Please look ahead and if you can cover any of them let me know:

Monday, July 12, PM

Monday, July 19, PM

Saturday, July 10, AM

Little Peter Went Home!

Little Peter went home today! His new family also adopted a female kitten that is about the same age. A very happy little girl left the Shelter with Peter and his girlfriend.

One of the last arrivals, Gucci (orange tabby), developed an irritation in one of her eyes. We suspect she may be allergic to the litter we use there as this condition did not appear here at the Shelter. We brought her back and will see if it clears up.

Streetz arrived today. She is about a year and a half old. She was brought to us in September because the owner was pregnant and did not want her any longer. She is very nice and fine with other cats. Right now she is petrified and was panting when she arrived at the store. Remember she has spent about half of her life here in a cage so this change is pretty traumatic. She is in the Open Your Heart and Home program so her adoption fee is $10.

I had a cancellation for Saturday, June 26 in the morning. Let me know if you can cover it.

I was mistaken on the last blog entry - tomorrow volunteers will be at Skimmer Weekend in Sea Isle City along with Cora, the dog, and a litter of kittens.

Animal Outreach will be helping us by bringing our kittens to PetSmart every other weekend all summer beginning tomorrow. Thanks, AO!!

We had some great news here at the Shelter... Almost two years ago a previous manager put us on the waiting list for a cat sanctuary located in Flemingon, NJ called Tabby's Place. Well, they called and it was our turn! We drove five adult cats up there today! Check them out at www.tabbysplace.org

We got some great coverage in the Atlantic City Press yesterday. I put the link to the article on the right under Shelter In the News.

The July schedule is just about complete. Please check it out and let me know if you can cover any of the open dates.

Diana Goes Home, Patch comes Back!

Yes, our boy Patch is back. You may remember him from a short while back. He is very very sweet and will walk out of the cage and hug you! In case you don't remember him or never met him here he is:

Diana left last night. When Ruth arrived to open the adoption table the family was waiting! She is going to have a good life now. If you remember...she was found under a house in Rio Grande and was skin and bones. She had a severely injured front paw and spent quite a bit of time in sick bay when she first arrived.

Peter is doing well! Someone did come in to meet him at the Shelter after first seeing him at PetSmart. Maybe he is allergic to the litter or it just makes him sick. We'll continue to watch him for a few more days.

Vick & Vito Go Home Together!

Vick and Vito went home last night together! A family of five met them on Sunday and the two gray boys became dad's birthday present. Everyone in the house is excited! They are going to get a lot of attention and be a part of a great family.

Cute little Peter has been sick so we brought him back to the Shelter today. Poor guy has been vomiting for a few days now. He has two sisters at the Shelter so we will let him hang out with them and maybe bring them all to the store when he feels better.

We looked at Archie today as we have had reports of a lump on his neck which may be itching him and possibly ear issues. His ears were a little waxy but fine. The little lump is nothing to worry about. Archie is an old man and requires a little extra TLC. He suffers from arthritis and possibly has some old healed fractures. He is a good boy that just needs to go home where he can live out his golden years in comfort.

Two sisters arrived today - Fendi and Gucci. Fendi is a calico and Gucci is an orange tiger. Gucci is a BIG girl! Both cats are about a year and a half old and are very friendly. They were brought to the Shelter together and reportedly strays. Upon arrival they had already been spayed and had obviously been well cared for. We suspect they were abandoned. Based on the fact that we did not have to pay for the spay surgery we can offer both cats IF TAKEN TOGETHER for the price of one - $35. Needless to say they are sharing two cages. Here they are...

I took one of the little cubbies into the back room and scrubbed it today. A wire brush and hot water made that nasty purple colored stain come right off! I plan to get in there and do them all very soon.

Just a reminder...when you feel that a cat has an issue requiring medical attention please contact the Shelter either by phone or e-mail. The e-mail address is animalshelter@cmcsheriff.net. Do not just e-mail me. The medical staff will get your e-mail first thing in the morning and can plan on going to the store. Put something like "PetSmart - Attn Medical" in the subject and Cc me as well. The phone is answered Monday through Saturday from 8am-4pm and on Sunday 9am-4pm.

Thanks to Joyce, Ron and Charlotte we will have an informational table at the Skimmer Weekend Festival in Sea Isle City this Saturday from 9a-4pm. If you are in the area stop by and say hi.

The June schedule is complete! Thanks to those who jumped in on the last few. Please look ahead to July and let me know what you can do.

Roxanne Goes Home!!

Yes, it's true! Our Foxy Roxie finally went home last night. Her new owner is so excited! She came into the Shelter on Wednesday and completed the application. She picked up Roxanne last night after shopping for TONS of new cat accessories. I just double checked and Roxanne was first introduced on January 1. Wow!!

George went home last night also and will be joining Karen and Cheyenne who are doing really well in their new home.

In the next couple of days new cats will be brought to the store. I'll let everyone know when that happens.

Please look at the June schedule - there is still several open dates.

New Arrivals: Identical Twins and Lady Di

Poor Patch is sneezy so we brought him back to the Shelter til he gets better. We did some re-arranging and three very nice kitties arrived on Thursday.

Diana is really really really friendly! She came in as a stray and had an injured foot so spent quite a lot of time in our sick room. She is black and white and has gained some weight since joining us. I think you are going to love her.

Vick and Vito are two gray males who are identical. Because they are impossible to tell apart we put collars on them. They came in when their owner was no longer able to take care of them. Both are really friendly. Since they came in neutered and medically tested and we did not incur that cost should someone adopt them together the fee is $35. Should they be adopted separately each one will be $35.

Here's Diana and the two boys:

Five rolls of brown paper were dropped off at the store this week. Four were placed in the manager's officer and one in the adoption center. Let me know when you ask for a new roll so I will have an idea when I need to get more.

The following dates are still open in June:

June 9, Wednesday, PM or Adoption Table

June 10, Thursday, AM

June 18, Friday, AM

June 22, Thursday, AM

June 24, Thursday, AM

June 29, Thursday, AM

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!!!

Karen & Cheyenne Go Home Together

It was a good week! A woman who adopted a little dog from the Shelter saw Cheyenne at PetSmart and applied to adopt her. When she went to pick her up Friday night she also met Karen and decided to take her as well. What a lucky lot!! When Karen's mom saw she was not crazy about getting into a cardboard carrier she went all the way home for a larger dog carrier and came back with it. When she left she told George that she just may be back for him, too! Wow!

Two good natured males arrived today. There is Casper who is three years old. For the most part he is white with the exception of his tail which is black and a couple of smaller dark spots. Casper was dumped at a feral cat colony - eartipped and all. He is affectionate and likes to be held. Patch is a four year old with a nice calm temperament. He will jump right into your arms! He is white with gray patches. Both of these guys are good with other cats. Here they are:

I am so happy that we brought Heiress to PetSmart! She had been at the Shelter for so long! Well, at PetSmart she was seen by a woman who has adopted from us in the past and she immediately called the Shelter and her application was approved right then and there. She was picked up from the Shelter on Monday.

Liam's new dad brought pictures to PetSmart on Wednesday showing him hanging out with his new buddy, Skinny. He is doing great!!

Just a word of caution...PLEASE when you work the adoption table do not assure someone that their application will be approved. Simply tell them that it will be reviewed and someone from the Shelter will be contacting them. Also, if they need to provide paperwork tell them that the quicker they provide the Shelter with the paperwork the quicker the application will be processed. Just because the applicant indicates they own their home this does not necessarily mean they actually do.

The June schedule is shaping up well but there is still some openings. Please look at it and let me know if there is anything you can do.

If you know anyone interested in adopting a kitten please let them know that we have many!! In a few weeks we will be bringing them to PetSmart on weekends.

Special thanks to Ruthann for adding Friday as another night the adoption table is open. It is working out well!!

Good luck, Tipper!!

Little Tipper was adopted and went home over the weekend. She will be living with a sixteen year old girl who is so thrilled to have her! Tipper is a great Shelter success story. She is thankful for a good Samaritan, a kind foster home and a new loving family!

Liam's adoption application has been approved and he is going home tonight (Wednesday). He will be living with one of those hairless cats named Skinny. His new dad is so incredibly excited about bringing Liam home. Being such a friendly outgoing guy I'm sure Skinny will like him!

Two new cats arrived today. Heiress is a big old calico...and I mean big! She is going to require two cages. She was left behind when her owner moved and has been in the Shelter for months. She is a sweetheart.

Bobby Sue is a tiger cat with no tail. She came to us a stray but must have been someone's pet at some time because she is also de-clawed. She is not going to want to jump in with everyone during play time. Bobby Sue is not crazy about other felines nor dogs. She will need to go into a home that has no other pets.

Spyder has been "acting out" lately with the other kitties - growling, swatting, etc. Tomorrow (Thursday) we're going to bring him back to the Shelter as communal living seems to be stressing him out. If everything goes as planned Liam will be picked up and two more cats will arrive before the weekend. I'll keep you posted on that.

Kittens, kittens, kittens!!! Yes, we have kittens! Should anyone ask please let them know that we have approximately thirty kittens in foster homes between the ages of three and six weeks. The older ones will be brought back to the Shelter very soon, given a first round of shots and available for foster pending adoption. If anyone is interested tell them to call the Shelter.

We did have a little run of upper respiratory infection at the store but it has been addressed and appears to be over. Zeus and Apollo are doing well and are in a big cage together at the Shelter.

There is still three remaining dates in May that need to be filled...two Friday mornings (May 14 & 28) and a Monday evening (May 31). Please let me know if you can cover any of the three.

Good Bye Gus - Hello Liam!

It didn't take Gus long to get adopted! He was not crazy about being stuffed into a carrier but he will be just fine. His new family is wonderful and he will be have the best of everything.

The person interested in Spider then Cheyenne has changed her mind. There is no application pending for either cat. This is another example of why we should never discourage a second application.

Liam arrived today. He is a nice cat!! He is friendly and good with other cats and kids. He will love being able to run around. He is one of those soft buff colored guys that people really like. His belly does not tolerate wet food so please make sure any potential adopters are made aware of this fact. He's really cute! This picture says it all....

We are all set for this weekend's adoption event. Dogs will be at the store on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00-3:00. Please spread the word. The forecast is beautiful so hopefully a lot of people will be out and about.

Also, the Shelter will be at the Cape May Post Office on Washington Street tomorrow 11:30am-1:30pm for the unveiling of the stamp Animal Rescue: Adopt A Shelter Pet. Animal OutReach, Animal Alliance of Cape May County and Beacon Animal Rescue will be there as well. There will be both dogs and cats available for adoption from all the organizations. WCZT 98.7 The Coast will be broadcasting live from the event. If you can not stop by at least tune in! You can read all about this nationwide campaign by clicking on Stamps To The Rescue under Links to the right.

There is three openings left on the PetSmart schedule for May:
Friday, May 15, AM

Friday, May 28, AM

Monday, May 31, PM

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not leave soiled litter pans in the cage room, in a cabinet or in the adoption room. There is a sink in the back room where they can be rinsed out. If you do not know where it is please ask a store manager or associate to help you. Disease control and odor control are very important!!!!

Adios Don Juan!!

No, I am not the least bit surprised that Don Juan arrived on Friday and went home on Sunday! His new family had two carts full of stuff for him when they came to pick him up! He is gonna be totally pampered.

Little Tipper arrived at PetSmart today. She is very special! Tipper is about six months old but looks younger. She was brought into the Shelter in mid-January by a man who found her lying by the side of the rode in the pouring rain. She had a wound on her lower back and her back legs appeared to be paralyzed. The vet recommended "physical therapy" which was accomplished by holding her up and allowing her to very gently put weight on the back legs as well as fully extend them. Well, she pulled through like a champ!! After a month or so she went into foster where she continued to get her therapy and also got to hang out with the resident big cats. She had a ball! (Thank you, Jenny!! You did good!!) Please keep an extra eye on Tipper when she is playing. We also recommend that due to her injury she not go into a house with small children. She is precious....

The May schedule has some openings. Please let me know if you can fill any of the below dates:
Sunday, AM, May 2

Thursday, AM, May 13

Friday, AM, May 14

Monday, PM, May 24

Thursday, AM, May 27

Friday, AM, May 28

Monday, PM, May 31

Don't forget the adoption event the weekend of April 30. I plan to have dogs at the store on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-3:00. If you can help please let me know.

Little Guys & Booger Go Home!

Dimitri and Skipper left on Wednesday night. They are going to a perfect home! Their new mom is a groomer who also has experience with special needs animals. She came to the Shelter on Thursday and told us that they did great their first night.

The whole family came to the store Wednesday night to pick up Booger! They were all so excited to take him home. New dad is a crazy cat man! I love Booger's little round face!

Wait til you see the three that came today! I don't think they're going to remain homeless very long. Cheyenne looks like a pure bred Russian Blue. She is beautiful! She has plush gray fur, beautiful green eyes and a little smile that will make YOU smile! Don Juan will amaze you! He is so handsome - you will not be able to believe he came in as a stray. You can't miss the Siamese in him. It is amazing that no one is missing him! Gus is one cool tom cat! He is friendly and nice and loves attention.

Cheyenne does have a bit of an issue but it is easily handled. She can only eat Science Diet Adult Light dry food. We brought down a marked container. After trial and error we found she tolerates this food - and only this food - without having "issues." She is allowed to come out and play with everyone but otherwise keep her alone in a cage. We don't want her having access to the other food.

Tomorrow 10:30AM - 3:30PM staff, volunteers, dogs and cats will be at the annual Cape May County Earth Day Fair at the Cape May County Park. Coming to the park is Willy the black lab and Elvis the English Pointer. Both are good boys, good with kids and would be great family dogs. They will be joined by the feline boys Archie (the orange and white guy) and Liam (the buff colored one). Both these cats are friendly and outgoing! If you know anyone interested in adding a family pet please send them to the park!

Don't forget about the adoption event at PetSmart in two weeks - Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2. Let me know if you can help out. Click on "Shelter in the News" to the right for the County press release detailing the event.

Wally Settles In and the Gods Arrive!

Yay!! Wally is settled into his new home and doing just fine!! He is living with a new sister named Buttercup (a calico also adopted from us a couple of years ago) and is doing very well. Wally definitely took the long way home!

Two little cuties arrived at the end of last week...Zeus and Apollo. These two boys are litter mates and we hope they get adopted together. You can tell them apart by their feet - Apollo is a polydachtal and has big white feet with extra toes. (You can clearly see that in the picture below). Both are very sweet and playful and just LOVE each other!

Lady has a very sore chin so we brought her back to the shelter on Tuesday. It appears to be a case of feline acne that requires some medical attention so she will stay at the shelter until it clears up. Don't worry...she is just fine with us! Our cats in sick bay get the BEST care!!

There is still two mornings in April that need to be filled...both are Thursdays...April 22 and April 29. Let me know if you are available.

The Spring adoption event at PetSmart this year is Friday through Sunday, April 30 - May 2. I am hoping to extend the hours of the adoption table on Saturday and Sunday and also to be able to bring dogs to the store on both days. Please let me know if you are available to help.

The Shelter is also participating again in the annual Cape May County Earth Day Fair held at the County Park on Saturday, April 17. Volunteers are needed to man the table and to bring dogs to the event. Please let me know if you can do either.

On Friday, April 30 the shelter staff will be at the Cape May City Post Office from 11:30am to 1:30pm with several other animal advocacy groups from Cape May County to participate in the unveiling of a special stamp created by the Unites States Postal Service to bring awareness to the plight of shelter animals. For more information on this national campaign go to www.stampstotherescue.com. If you are available to help that day please let me know.

Have a wonderful holiday!! I hope the Easter bunny is good to all of you!!

It's Back & Forth For Spider and Wally

Three cats went home this weekend and two already came back. As I said in the title...this week has been back and forth for poor Spider and Wally. Wally was adopted on Saturday and went home. He was going to live with another de-clawed cat who had been adopted from us two years ago. Well, Wally's new roommate wanted nothing to do with him and made it clear! Poor Wally was back at PetSmart before the adoption table even closed on Saturday.

Spider went home on Sunday and came back to PetSmart today. He was going to live with another cat adopted from us a few years ago also. This time it was Spider who was not crazy about living with the other cat. Each day he appeared to get more and more upset when faced with his new roommate. Also, there was a Jack Russel who came over often to visit and Spider did not like him either. So...Spider came back today.

BUT...it looks like Wally will be going where Spider just came from. Initially the couple was interested in Wally but when they came to put a hold on him he was gone. They decided on Spider. They feel Wally was meant to be with them all along. Let's hope this true!!! They plan to pick up Big Wally tomorrow night.

During all this drama Shaina made a very quiet, uneventful exit - thank God! She left on Sunday and will be the only cat in the household. Her new dad seems to understand her personality and it looks like a good match. (Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the big girl so can not feature her to the right! I decided to just leave our girl Peaches for another week or so!)

You guys are gonna love our newest arrival - Booger! He is so cute and so friendly and fun! He is less than a year old and as the name implies - he's a little booger!! He was surrendered to the Shelter so came to us with that name. We decided to keep it (much to the dismay of some of the staff) because it seems to fit...you'll see!! Meet Booger:

Below is the dates still open in April. You know the drill...let me know if you can cover any of the openings:

April 1, Thursday, AM

April 4, Sunday, AM

April 11, Sunday, PM or Adoption Table

April 12, Monday, PM

April 22, Thursday, AM

April 25, Sunday, PM or Adoption Table

April 29, Thursday, AM

A new stock of the smaller clear litter pans was brought to the store today.

The next adoption event at PetSmart is Friday through Sunday, April 30-May 2 so please mark your calendars. As always I am hoping to be able to extend the hours on the adoption table and bring dogs to the store.

Three Adoptions This Week!

Wonderful week!!! Gemma was adopted along with a cat at the Shelter named Oscar. Their new family is going away so the two will not be picked up until April 3. Gemma went back to the Shelter until then. Rascal went home on Tuesday. He will be joining two other cats and a dog so will have plenty of company. (I still am amazed it took so long for him to find a home.) Peaches went home Wednesday night. She will be the only cat so it appears her reign of terror has ended! There is going to be a lot less swatting and hissing going on now when everyone comes out to play!

Big Wally never got a proper introduction as I was away when he arrived at PetSmart. He is a good boy! He and his brother Lance were brought to the Shelter a few days before Christmas. Wally is about five years old. He was no problem at all to his family. A new baby was born into his family and she was allergic to cats so Wally and Lance had to go. Lance was adopted about a month ago and the new family already had one cat and did not want three. At the Shelter we all love Big Wally!! Wally is de-clawed.

Three new cats arrived today - all are VERY nice, of course! Karen is a black female lap cat. She is approximately five years old. She came into the Shelter in August a beat up little thing - barely weighing five pounds. She is healthy as a horse now and weighs in at over thirteen pounds! We are proud of how well she has done.

Nicky is wonderful! He is a tiger cat with a lot of white on him and is about four years old. He is super friendly. He went to Crest Memorial Elementary School with Shelter employees for career day and did really well. The new surroundings and all the students did not bother him at all. He will settle in quickly.

Spider is a year old and is another nice, playful guy. He was brought to the Shelter because his owner was sick and could no longer keep him. He has always been an indoor cat. He may be a little shy at first but will be fine. Please give him a little time to settle in.

Here they are...Karen, Nicky and Spider:

Everything went well while I was away! Thank you for being such a great reliable group!

Please look to the right and read the new article under "Shelter In The News." At the end of the article Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer talks about the shelter.

Stay tuned for some Spring events where the Shelter will be participating!

Look at the April calendar and let me know if you are available to cover any of the open dates.

Quiet Weekend

Very quiet weekend. We did have a new arrival that I had not yet told you about that is going to be going home with one of our volunteers. Unfortunately I do not have a picture. Opal, a white long-haired declawed female, will be going home with Ruth either tomorrow or Tuesday. She came into the shelter very matted and with a terrible wound on her neck. She was so pathetic! Her arrival at PetSmart has caused quite a stir among both the volunteers and the customers. Ruth fell for her!!! I can guarantee that this sweet cat will be pampered and happy from now on!

PetSmart Charities, Inc announced that effective today (February 28) all adoption centers must now feed Pro Plan food and use Tidy Cat litter. The managers at the store are aware of this. I filled both bins with the new products and taped exactly what we are to use on the wall above them. Pro Plan will also be providing litter pans and food and water bowls that we must use. When they arrive at the store the manager will place them in the adoption room. Whoever sees them first - please let me know! I am not sure what they look like and the manager does not know either. I hope (fingers crossed) that the bowls fit in the metal rings and the litter pans are suitable.

We are adding another schedued adoption table on Friday evenings 6:00-8:00pm that Ruth will handle. Thank you, Ruth!! This should be a big help!

As I mentioned a week or so ago I am going away from Wednesday, March 3 through Tuesday, March 9. If you have an issue or need to cancel please e-mail animalshelter@cmcsheriff.net and put "Attn: PetSmart Volunteer" in the subject. Remember, you can call the Shelter Monday through Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm and on Sundays 9:00am - 4:00pm at 465-8923 or call PetSmart at 886-7356 and ask for a manager. If you are doing the adoption table the weekend of March 6 fax applications as you normally would. The Shelter Assistant Manager, Leslie, will be reviewing and approving applications. We won't miss a beat!!

The Shelter is now on Facebook! Please encourage anyone you know to become a fan of the Cape May County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center.

Two openings are left in March:
Friday, March 12, AM

Sunday, March 14, Adoption Table

Don't be afraid to look ahead to April :-)

Good Week!!

Two of our buddies went home in the last few days...Nigella and Jordan. Nigella's new mom first met her last Monday and then came back to the store on Wednesday and completed an application. She was so anxious to take her home that I made arrangements for her to leave Thursday morning. Fortunately Leona was there cleaning and off Nigella went!

Jordan went home on Sunday. She will be living with a very nice couple in Rio Grande. Jordan was a little nervous when she first met her new parents in the adoption room but after a short time she warmed up. Between being afraid of the family dog and then being brought back to the Shelter can you blame her for being nervous?!!! Good luck, Jordan!

Gemma arrived on Friday. She is beautiful! She is a a couple of years old. She had a litter of kittens last Spring that we placed through a local veterinarian's office. A family with five kids that adopted one of her kittens decided to adopt her as well. The kitten did just fine but Gemma did not fit in. The house was too rambunctious and noisy and she was nervous so they brought her back to us. Please keep this in mind when interviewing potential adopters. She needs to be in a quieter home without small children. Here she is:

Thanks to everyone for your help at the Adoption Event on February 12-14. Two dogs were at the store on each day which always draws a crowd!

There is one opening still lingering for this month:
Friday, February 26, AM

The March calendar looks good - only four openings. They are listed below:
Friday, March 12, AM

Sunday, March 14, Adoption Table

Friday, March 19, AM

Sunday, March 28, Adoption Table

I will be going away from Wednesday, March 3 through Tuesday, March 9 and will be e-mailing everyone instructions on who to contact concerning PetSmart.

Is It REALLY Over????

I sure hope so!!! The forecast for the weekend is good so we shall be able to participate in the adoption event this weekend. Please double check the schedule so you know when to be there. I have the adoption table covered all weekend. Volunteers will be available for dogs on Sunday and I hope to have staff bring a dog - maybe two - on Saturday.

I have one opening left in February...Friday, the 26th, in the morning. Please look ahead to March. There are a few evenings open, some adoption days and a couple of mornings.

Thank you for your help throughout the storm. I have my cable back so my home phone works now! Yippee!! Let's hope we've seen the last of snow this winter - fingers crossed!!!

Three More Out the Door!

Yep!! That's right...THREE cats went home this week! Sandy didn't stay very long. His new parents had put an application on a cat at the Shelter but were the second hold. They were approved to adopt and when the one adoption fell through they decided on Sandy. He left on Wednesday.

Emma and Geisha left on Sunday and will be neighbors. Emma was adopted by a woman who felt she and the cat had a lot in common - they both needed a little company. Her new mom bought a really nice new soft carrier and Emma walked right into it. She left with her little white bed and a blankie, too. I called today to see how Emma's first night went and was told she did okay - she used the litter box and ate and drank - but is hiding. I reminded her new mom to get some wet food and entice Emma out with it. That will do the trick!

Geisha will be living next door to Emma with four other cats. When she first was introduced to her new family she was nervous but then sat down and seemed to accept them. They have adopted from us before and are old hands at introducing cats to their household. She is going to be just fine!

From now on we will purchase the brown paper and PetSmart will reimburse us. I bought four rolls yesterday. Please let me know when you open the last of the four rolls and I will replenish the supply. I also brought more litter pans down yesterday. Also...do NOT remove any litter or food from the shelves. Find a manager and have them do it for you.

Three new cats came today. Jordan is a young black female, about two and half years old. She is declawed. She was a happy cat until her owners brought a dog home. Even though Jordan was there first she was the one who had to go. Keep in mind she can not go to a home with dogs. Also, one of her eyes looks a tad peculiar so do not be concerned when you see it.

Lady is a pretty gray tiger cat. She is a calm girl but can get scared so probably should not go into a home with small children. She came to us when someone walked into the Shelter carrying her and said they found her and she was a stray cat. Hmmm, really??? She is so friendly....someone must be missing a nice cat!

Skippy is a black and white male. He is the shy one of the new bunch. He is good with other cats so should enjoy the company. He has a little white stripe right down the middle of his nose. He needs a little space initially so do not push him if he wants to hang back for a little while.

Here they are.....

The February schedule is just about complete. There is still two open Friday mornings (Feb 12 & 26) and one Sunday Adoption Table (Feb 28). Also, I still need help 12-2pm Saturday, Feb 13 for the adoption table. I have two dog walkers lined up for Sunday, Feb 14 but I do not have any for Saturday, Feb 13.

Quick Exit For Joey!

Joey went home Wednesday night. He is going to be living with a couple of old friends of ours - Penn and JellyBean. Many of you may remember them. His new family is so nice! They saw Joey over the weekend and came to the Shelter and completed an application on Monday.

Joey came into the Shelter with two other cats - Zoey and Sandy. Their owner was having health issues and could not keep them. Zoey was adopted from the Shelter. The last man standing is Sandy. He was brought to PetSmart yesterday. Sandy is a couple of years old. He is very friendly and is good with everything and everybody - other cats, dogs and kids are not a problem for Sandy. As you can see in the below picture he is VERY handsome!

I am getting word that there seems to be inconsistent information being given to volunteers pertaining to taking supplies (litter and food) from the shelves and replacing the brown paper to line the cages. I am doing the adoption table on Sunday. I promise that I will get all the correct answers by Monday and pass it on to everyone.

Our regular Tuesday morning volunteer, Kitty, will be taking a few months off beginning February 23. I am happy to say she will be returning as soon as she can but we are definitely going to miss her. Many of you know her from her days working at Abri Animal Hospital. She is a big asset to this program. So, if anyone wants to step in and take over her spot for a while please let me know. Kitty was scheduled Tuesdays with the exception of the second one of the month.

I have not heard from any of the dog handler volunteers about the Second Chance For Love Adoption Weekend. I also need more help with the adoption table that weekend. Here is what I need:
Fri, February 12, Adoption Table 2-4
Sat, February 13, Adoption Table 12-2, Dog handlers 12:30-3:30
Sun, February 14, Adoption Table 12-3, Dog handlers 12:30-2:30

In addition to the above weekend coverage is needed for the following dates in February:
Fri, February 19, AM
Tue, February 23, AM
Fri, February 26, AM
Sun, February 28, Adoption Table

If you can help with the adoption weekend or cover any of the openings please let me know.

Good Bye Izzy Man!!!!

Yay for Izzy!! He was picked up last night and is finally in a forever home! I can't believe I do not have a picture of him. For his bon voyage picture I used one my favorite old pics...this is how I imagine him tonight anyway!

Joey took Izzy's place. He is a cool guy...all white with a smudge of gray on the top of his head. He is very friendly and good with kids, other cats and dogs. He was brought in along with two house mates because their owner was having heath issues. I think he will settle in quickly. Meet Joey...

I will be planning the adoption event for Friday - Sunday, February 12-14 in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping to get at least two dog handlers for Saturday and Sunday in addition to a volunteer for the adoption table. I put the hours of the event on the calendar. As soon as you know you can commit please send me an e-mail. I know it is a holiday weekend so I fear many of you have plans but I hope not all of you do!

The following dates are still open in February - not including the adoption weekend:
Sunday, Feb 7, Adoption Table

Friday, Feb 12, AM cleaning

Friday, Feb 26, AM cleaning

Sunday, Feb 28, Adoption Table

As you are aware Spring brings kitten season. At the Shelter we are preparing early for the inevitable influx of many many kittens. If you are interested in fostering kittens for the Shelter please let me know.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE encourage people to spay and neuter their cats. While at PetSmart we encounter many people and we need to get this word out!! If anyone needs information on low cost spay/neuter please send them to the link on the right of this page: Animal Alliance of Cape May County. Commit the phone number to memory...it's easy...465-NEUT...short for neuter! Every Thursday they have a spay/neuter clinic right next to the Shelter at the end of Moore Road in the Crest Haven complex. They make it easy for people to do the responsible thing!!

Good Bye to Nora and Oriella

It was a good week! Nora went home on Wednesday night. Although she will not be the only cat at her new place she will be living with a mom who understands she needs her space! Don't worry...she will only have one feline roomate.

Hooray for Oriella! She went home today and happily jumped into the carrier with her new dad. She is going to be living right down the street from me with a wonderful couple and a host of feline companionship. She is gonna like her new family!

Sweet little Apple arrived today. She is very friendly - good with kids, dogs and other cats. She is playful and outgoing. She is a brown and black tiger. She came into the Shelter with her brother and a litter of kittens. Her brother - Jack - already was adopted. Here she is....

The February schedule is shaping up. Please look ahead and let me know what you can do. There will be the annual PetSmart adoption event held Valentine's weekend called Second Chance For Love. As usual I'd like to extend the adoption table hours to 12-4:00 on Saturday and 12-3:00 on Sunday, bring down additional cats for the weekend and have dogs at the store both days. Keep this in mind as you do your February schedule! More on that as it gets closer....

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year!!! Both Gray and FurBall can proclaim, "We're home again in 2010!" Both were surrendered to the Shelter for the same reason, though from different locations - their owners were losing their homes. Gray was adopted by a PetSmart manager's brother and is doing really well! She is loving and playful and having a ball. FurBall came and went so quickly that some of you did not even get a chance to meet him. He arrived on the 23rd and left on the 26th. When the time came to leave he did not even need to be put in a carrier - he jumped in on his own as if to say, "Come on!! I need to get home!"

The holidays were so hectic that I never properly introduced Roxanne and Peaches. Peaches is a blue cream torti and is very friendly and playful. Roxanne is one of the Shelter favorites - she is a female tiger and is very sweet. In case you have not met them yet here is their pictures.


Emma replaced Furball. She is a big old nice calico. She is approximately twelve years and is declawed. One day she wondered into Cabanas, a restaurant in Cape May, and no one there knew where she came from. She is very sweet. Someone must be missing her!!! Maybe being at PetSmart will help her be reunited with her owner.

Oliver was scheduled to go home Wednesday night but his new family had car trouble. He is being picked up on Saturday. A gentleman went to PetSmart and called the Shelter thinking Geisha belonged to him. After comparing notes we realized she was not his cat. I thought he was going to adopt her but I guess he decided not to.

Just in case someone asks...we have six declawed cats presently up for adoption at the Shelter. Two males just came in together right before Christmas. A new baby in the household is allergic so they had to go. If you know anyone who prefers to have a cat that is declawed please tell them to come down to the Shelter and meet these guys.

The January schedule looks great! Only two openings - both in the morning...and both on Fridays...January 8 and January 22. If you can cover either one let me know.

We have a new regular...starting today Ruthann will be doing Friday evenings. Thanks, Ruthann! It is a big help when someone takes a regular spot!

Thank you all so much for all your help throughout 2009!! As you know the adoptions at PetSmart account for 30% of all the feline adoptions from the Shelter. Each and every one of you made this a successful endeavor for yet another year. I am always amazed by your commitment to this program which is evident when I send out e-mails asking for help. You are a wonderful compassionate group and I am so grateful to have all of you!!

Have a Happy and Healthy 2010!

A Couple of Lucky Girls Get Christmas Gifts!

Silky has gone home for the holidays!! She was a surprise Christmas gift for a young girl from her mom and dad. The lucky girl met her furry little gift at PetSmart Wednesday night and the two clicked immediately! Silky then happily allowed herself to be packaged up and carried out. What a wonderful gift for both of them!

Josie is going to be a surprise Christmas gift for another lucky little girl. She was brought back to the Shelter as Dad wants to pick her up Christmas Eve. Lucy has an approved application and will also be brought back to the Shelter. She will be picked up in a week or so. Her new mom is having some work done on her home and will pick up Lucy as soon as she can. Lucy is going to be joining another cat named Jack that was adopted from the Shelter a couple of years ago. We love repeat customers!

Gray has an approved application and will be going home on Saturday. It sure did not take her long!

The hold on Nora fell through. Guess it just was not meant to be!

Sweet little calico Geisha was brought to PetSmart this week. She is under a year old. She is a little nervous and shy but nice. Please give her a little extra TLC and let her settle in at her own pace. Here she is:

Anybody have time Christmas Eve to to do the evening cleaning?? I know everyone has alot going on but if you can stop in and check on the guys that night please let me know ASAP. The store closes at 6pm. My mom is doing Christmas morning - that's one of my gifts!!

Here is the remaining openings in January:
January 8, Friday, AM

January 14, Thursday, AM

January 15, Friday, AM

January 22, Friday, AM

January 28, Thursday, AM

January 31, Sunday, Adoption Table

January 29, Friday, AM

Please remember that PetSmart has some schedule changes due to the holidays. Here they are:
Christmas Eve: 7a-6p
Christmas: closed
New Year's Eve: 9a-6p
New Year's Day: 9a-6p

It was nice to see so many of you on Sunday for our little holiday gathering. It was a nice time and a good turn out.

New cages arrived at the Shelter and were installed this week. They look so nice!!! The isolation/sick area was upgraded as well as the area for housing new arrivals. Please stop in and see us at the Shelter and check out the new stuff. We are all VERY excited about it!! Yep, feels like Christmas!!!

Look At All These New Arrivals!

Three leave and five arrive! Lonnie and Emily left on Saturday. Both were very well behaved when packed up to go. Heart left on Sunday. She will be the only pet in the house so should be spoiled and happy.

On Sunday three youngsters arrived. Bentley is a black male and was from a litter of ten! He is small for his age. As a kitten he was alot more friendly than his litter mates and domesticated easily. Silky is a really nice gray striped tabby. She loves other cats so will really enjoy the romping time at PetSmart. Oliver came into the Shelter marked as a "feral" cat by animal control. He is anything but feral! He is sweet and playful.

A warm welcome back goes out to Rascal!! Remember him??? He did some time in sick bay at the Shelter but is back and better than ever! Gray came with him. She is a big dilute calico. She came into the Shelter in July along with four other housemates. Their owner was being evicted. One was immediately adopted, two were over ten years old and the owner came back for them. Gray has been with her last housemate, Puddy, ever since. Puddy was adopted and Gray is the last one remaining of the group. Let's hope she gets to go home very soon! She is a nice old girl but may need some time to settle in. Be patient with her.

Lucy was in with the three new guys (Bentley, Silky and Oliver) and not having a very good time. She is now sharing space with Rascal and seems happy. Please leave her there.

Izzy appears to be doing well with Oriella in the big cage. Poor Izzy!! When will he get to go home! Nora is continuing to express dislike of her fellow felines. Keep her by herself!

I have received a great response for the holiday get together this Sunday. Ya got one more day to RSVP!

Here's Oliver, Silky and Bentley:

...and here's Gray and our old friend Rascal:



Please look ahead to January and let me know what dates you can do.

New Homes For the Holidays!

Good week!! Coconut and Harlequin went home Wednesday night. Harlequin will be the only pet in the house which is just the way she likes it! Her new dad was getting alot of attention from her when he arrived to pick her up. Coconut was packed up in a pretty blue carrier and carted away - he had an appointment with the groomer the very next day! Two wonderful homes!!

Emily is scheduled to be picked up tomorrow and so is Lonnie. Lonnie's new mom came to the Shelter and completed the application today. He will be the only pet in the house and she is very excited to get him. She has grandchildren that visit often so Lonnie is guaranteed to have some fun!

Lucy and Nora were dropped off yesterday at PetSmart. Lucy is orange and white and is a great cat. She likes it all - dogs, kids, other cats, people - everything. She is about two years old. She was adopted from us over a year ago and was returned. Her story is one that is all too familiar - her owners were moving and couldn't take her with them. She hates being in a cage. She is very sweet and very friendly.

A couple of months ago Nora and a male cat - her brother maybe - were left in a box in the foyer of the spay/neuter clinic which is next door to the Shelter. The male cat (we named him Nick) was adopted several weeks ago. Although she was left with Nick she appears to be stressed around the other cats. This could be because she is not familiar with them. Watch her carefully with the others and do not force her into an uncomfortable situation. Let her mingle at her own pace. She may be just fine once she settles in.

Here's Lucy and Nora:



Thanks to Joyce, Joan, Ruth, Fran and Lauren for helping to make the Princeton fundraiser this weekend a success. Because we had so much help four Shelter dogs got to spend a few hours out and about. Below is a picture of Joan with Anchor. He was very well behaved! He is a young Treeing Walker Coonhound and is a great dog! He is presently in a foster home and is proving he is crate trained and house trained. If you know anyone interested in a hound dog please let me know.

Lauren did a GREAT job working the crowd! After the dogs and owners posed with Santa Lauren gave them a bag of ribbon-tied dog treats and asked for a donation for the Shelter. Who could say no to that face?!!! She is pictured below in action....

There must have been close to one hundred dogs at the Sandy Paws 5K & 1 Mile Pooch Walk in Stone Harbor! It was alot of fun! Pictured below is one of the dogs entered in the Best Dressed Competition. Check out BatDog!

Don't forget - Barb and company will be in the West Cape May Christmas parade tomorrow night with a float representing the Shelter. Anchor will be representing the Shelter dogs. Contact Barb if you want to participate.

On Sunday, December 13, 1:00-3:00PM come to the Shelter for a little holiday get together. Light lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Family members and friends are invited, too! Throughout the year the Shelter staff and volunteers work hard for the animals of Cape May County. It's nice to get together and spend some time with people who share a common bond. I hope to see all of you there.