12/19/2009

iGive : Raise money for CROW Cat Rescue, every time you search the web.

iGive : Raise money for CROW Cat Rescue, every time you search the web.

We have 8 supporters so far and have raised $20.19 so far. As soon as we hit $25, they'll cut us a check the next month. Who thinks we can get CROW a $25 check this January? Less than $5 left to earn!

12/17/2009

Shire, our newest addition

Check out his story (with pictures) here!

11/29/2009

Search here! Shop here!

If you search or shop through iSearchiGive.com, you can automatically earn donations for CROW Cat Rescue. Just keep it legitimate, please!

Check out our search box on the upper right.

iSearchiGive.com

11/17/2009

Kit Kat

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Kit Kat is a young spayed female, almost a year old, who came to CROW when her owner died suddenly.

11/12/2009

Yoda has been adopted!


And his new family paid his remaining vet bill balance as well. Yoda is now Nimbus and is happily settled in his new home. Yay!

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Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen!


11/05/2009

Confirmed Case of H1N1 in Iowa Cat


Or as Yahoo! news reports, "I Can Has Swine Flu?"

This Wednesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported the first confirmed case of H1N1 in any house pet. The patient is a 13-year-old house cat. Two of the human family members had been sick, so vets at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine tested the cat for H1N1, and the test came back positive.

Here's the H1N1 patient
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photo credit: David Silverman/Getty Images



More news reports:
here
here
and here

11/03/2009

Lydia--Grumpy Senior Cat

Lydia is an old lady cat whose owner died. She languished, depressed, in a small cage for several weeks afterward, and then transferred to CROW. She hid under the bed growling at everyone who walked by for about a week, and is still prone to snapping unpredictably. However, she is declawed and nearly toothless and couldn't hurt a fly. Her temper tantrums are decreasing, and she purrs mightily, loves being petted, has a love/hate relationship with the brush, and has slept in human arms the past two nights. Her heart is opening again and she is feeling love.


lydia

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She has difficulty with her hind legs, and has an awkward gait, and falls if she is rushed. The rest of her body is very coordinated. She is so old and skittish that it will be a couple of weeks before she can handle getting blood drawn, but plans are in place to evaluate her as much as possible in the meantime.

10/29/2009

Deaf Cat with Rainbow Eyes

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One blue eye, one golden eye. Stone deaf. She loves watching TV, hanging out on the couch, being held on her back like a baby, and having her fur ruffled.

10/27/2009

Yoda had his surgery today

It went well, and he came through it so strong that they sent him home early. He looks a bit worse for the wear, but should heal beautifully. Just picture white fur everywhere there isn't. :)

(He was still a bit dopey in these pictures, but is returning to normal now.)

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10/26/2009

More Yoda

He has just about 36 hours left before his surgery. He is going to feel so much better!

Unfortunately, his ruptured eye has ruptured again, so his once clean face is a mess again. However, it still doesn't slow him down much.

Nimbus

The Ball



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Thanks to all who have donated toward Yoda's surgery. We'll keep you updated on his recovery. :)

10/22/2009

Oreo and Tiger

These sweet brothers are staying at CROW until the new year while their owner undergoes very difficult medical treatments. They are comfortable and settled in and are doing great!

Oreo
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Tiger
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Yoda needs help

Late in the evening on October 12, the son of CROW's secretary heard frantic mewing outside their country home. (The cats know where to go for help, don't they?) Thus, Yoda* came into our lives.

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This picture was taken that night. This poor little 10-week-old boy was emaciated and starving, blinded, horribly sick, and cold. Some TLC unearthed his eyes and nose, and he seemed immediately grateful for the warmth and food provided. The vet diagnosed him with malnutrition, frostbite (on his ears), an upper respiratory infection, and--worst of all--a ruptured eye.

The vet recommended we wait 2 weeks from his initial appointment so we could clear up his upper respiratory infection and get some weight on him before he undergoes surgery. In spite of the extreme pain he must be in, Yoda is mellow and playful, curious and affectionate, and just an incredibly cool little cat. His good eye is a beautiful golden color (much like Bubba's), his frost-damaged ears tip back just slightly in the most charming way, and he is putting on weight. Ideally, he will have his bad eye removed on Monday.

Unfortunately, recent large vet bills for Henry and Baa (major dental problems) have nearly wiped out our funds, and while we have a fundraiser planned for next month, Yoda needs his eye out before his pain will stop. We know times are hard for a lot of people, but if anyone can spare even a few cents, we can get closer to helping Yoda begin a pain-free life. Please, if you are able, paypal a donation of any size to CrowCatRescue@animail.net, mail to the link on the right, or pay the vet directly (under CROW's account):

Alpine Veterinary Hospital
2835 Sherman Avenue
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-2561

Please send all the love and good energy you can spare to Yoda and the other CROW Cats. We'll keep you posted! Thank you!




*name subject to change

10/21/2009

Happy birthday to CROW!


CROW is one year old already!

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Thanks for joining us on our journey!

9/28/2009

Hey, click the link to the right!

The CROW cat page is current as of today. Please click the link and take a peek!

Feel free to check out our In Memory page and help us remember those who have moved on.

Thanks!

9/13/2009

What To Do if You Find Newborn Kittens

Every spring and fall, animal rescue groups around the valley get flooded with calls from people who have taken in tiny kittens and don’t know how to care for them. Perhaps they were found behind a woodpile, in a garage, or in the bushes. If you find tiny kittens somewhere, please answer the following questions before removing the kittens from the nest:

• Do the kittens feel warm?
• Are they all alive?
• Are they in a relatively safe place?

If the answer to all three questions is “yes” then please leave them where they are. Mother cats often leave the nest to search for food and water, or to stretch their legs. They move their kittens frequently in the first few weeks, and chances are they will be coming back. Check back in 24 hours and answer the same questions again. If you have witnessed the death of a mother cat, or if the kittens are cold or unsafe, then removal is warranted.

If you remove kittens from a dangerous situation, please follow these guidelines:
• Keep them warm.
• Feed them kitten formula with a syringe, dropper, or kitten bottle. Formula and bottles can be found locally at Walmart, Alco, Safeway, and Big R. Do NOT feed them cow’s milk.
• Feed them every 1-3 hours, around the clock. If they are crying, they are probably hungry. If milk comes out of the nose, the milk is coming out too fast.
• Make sure all four of the kitten’s feet are on a horizontal surface. Feeding them when they are upright or on their backs increases the risk of milk going into their lungs.
• Young kittens cannot eliminate on their own during their first few weeks of life. You will need to wipe their bottoms with a damp cotton ball or soft cloth to stimulate elimination.

If you have rescued kittens from an unsafe situation in the San Luis Valley and need help, call one of the animal rescue organizations in the valley for advice, referrals, or potential fostering:

• Valley Humane League: 589-0703
• SLV Animal Welfare Society: 587-9663
• Alpha Humane League: 852-2201
• Conour Animal Shelter: 852-3366
• CROW Cat Rescue: 852-2769

Mothers whose kittens are removed too early risk suffering from mastitis, a painful and potentially deadly infection. The kittens risk death and failure to thrive, since even the best bottle-feeders cannot mimic a mother cat’s care and milk. Mother cats and kittens are healthiest when the kittens are allowed to nurse for at least 8 weeks. In addition, bottle-feeding is a LOT of work. Unnecessary removal of kittens is hard for all involved: mother cats, kittens, and humans.

9/09/2009

Noisy Babies




Meet Cleo, A Senior Cat

Cleo traveled from Denver to join the CROW family on Monday. She is a fifteen-year-old chubby Siamese mix who will likely live the rest of her life at CROW. While she had a lot of difficulty with the initial transition, she is settling in now, just two days later. She still prefers the bathroom to any other room in the house, but she accepted some petting and wooing this evening and is eating and drinking well. We have high hopes that she will soon happily accept her new home.

Sorry for the picture quality, but I didn't want to startle her with the flash. Isn't she beautiful?

cleo

cleo


9/06/2009

New Arrivals

This is a standard-sized shoebox. These three little ones still have their umbilical cords.

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Nothing quite like fresh babies! These are the beginning of a long stream of fall kittens, I'm sure. Let the season begin!

8/09/2009

Will you help Henry?

Henry is a gorgeous adult cat, probably a senior, who has had a rough life. He was rescued from a trap in the woods, and his tail was terribly damaged. It later developed a massive infection and had to be amputated. A couple of years after healing from this, he developed advanced periodontal disease and other tooth problems, and had NINE teeth extracted! He feels much better now and is healing well, but we racked up a vet bill of over $300 just for him! Yikes! If anyone is willing to help sponsor Henry, we'd appreciate it greatly, and will send you regular updates on his condition. Donations of wet food and soft treats, toys to distract him, and anything else is appreciated as well...including good energy, thoughts, and prayers. Thanks!

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More Simon's Cat



If you haven't seen the others, or just want to see them again, click here.

7/29/2009

Cat Blessings and Charms

Thought this was a cool little link. What do you think?

7/24/2009

TJ has Cancer

TJ, a resident senior, has been diagnosed with feline squamous cell carcinoma--a cancer that affects the skin of cats, most often in and around the facial tissue. TJ's manifests in his right eye, on his nose, and along some of the edges of his ears. He has lost weight lately, but has good energy and astronomical affection levels.

Please keep TJ in your heart, and wish him lovely last weeks (months?) and a gentle passing.

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7/20/2009

Wow!

When I sent off the giant application to apply for nonprofit status through the IRS, I was informed that the turnaround time was averaging six months, and that there were three possible replies I'd get at that time:

1) Denied
2) Need more information
3) Accepted

#2 is the most common and what I was expecting.

So imagine my shock today, when less than SIX WEEKS after putting the packet in the mail, CROW Cat Rescue's application was ACCEPTED!

Woo!

7/14/2009

Ida Got Adopted!

Yay! She's with a family with kids and two half-grown kittens she can mother. She was tail-up exploring when I left, and my heart rests easy tonight.

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7/03/2009

Jacob Stalking A.....

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....Shoe!

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Ida Darling

Ida joined the CROW family in early March when the city shelter filled up. She birthed her three kittens in early April, and only one of the three survived. (The runt, Zelda, interestingly.) Ida was standoffish at first, but has become more sweet every week that has passed since then. She is affectionate and chatty and loves attention. She is also an excellent mouser and has no bad habits.

She has just gone into her first heat since her pregnancy, and is getting spayed on Wednesday. She is still nursing her last baby (a small 13-week-old) but will be available for adoption anytime after Wednesday.

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Isn't she gorgeous?

7/02/2009

4 Tips to Keep Cats Safe on the 4th of July

The Fourth of July is an exciting time for American humans, but can be risky for felines. CROW Cat Rescue in Monte Vista urges residents to keep their cats safe this Independence Day by following these four simple tips.


1. Keep cats away from dangers.
The noise of fireworks can startle cats, causing them to run away and potentially into danger. Those who do not fear the noise will be drawn to the lights of the fireworks and could suffer injuries from coming too close. Keep cats away from matches, lighter fluid, hot grills, and fires--with all the picnics, campouts, barbeques, and lighting of fireworks, cats face many hazards. Keep your cat indoors to protect them from burns.

2. Keep cats indoors.
Even if your cat is often outdoors, bring them in for a few nights to protect them from the scary noises and the abuse of pranksters. Keep them in a quiet bedroom or bathroom near the center of the house for better noise insulation. If you are having a party, put a note on the door asking guests to avoid that room in order to keep the cats safe. Leaving a television or radio playing at normal volume can help keep the cat company as well as mask the noises of parties and fireworks.

3. Consult with a veterinarian.
If you know that your cat is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder and fireworks, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays. A cat tranquilizer might be the best option.

4. Keep an ID tag on your cat.
Animal shelters across the country are accustomed to receiving "July 4th" cats and dogs—pets who run off during fireworks displays and are rescued by animal control officers or good Samaritans. Even if you take all of the precautions above, it is still a good idea to keep an ID tag on your cat in case they get out anyway. An ID tag will help you reunite with your pet sooner.

6/22/2009

Bad News

The vet just called. Prosper died under anesthesia. No probably cause is apparent.

Goodbye, Prosper. Your death is hitting me hard.

Ruptured Eye--A One-Eyed Cat in the Making (not for the squeamish)

A picture is coming, but I'm putting it at the end of this post in order to give the squeamish a chance to back out before scrolling down.

Prosper is about 10 weeks old, and was just fine two days ago. Now he's got one nasty eye and another that ruptured in no time flat. I called the vet as soon as they opened this morning, and had to leave him behind for surgery. His only options were surgery or euthanasia, and I just can't kill a cat for having a bad eye, no matter how much more affordable an option it might be.

The surgery will cost a minimum of $240, and that is going to hard to find. I'm talking to Alpine about a payment plan for Prosper. If anyone feels compelled to donate and help Prosper, it would be greatly appreciated! Payments can be made directly to Alpine Veterinary Clinic at 719-852-2561 or paypal can be sent to lunamilo1811@yahoo.com.

Now, this is how I found Prosper last night, after he was fine yesterday morning.

Prosper
ruptured eye

6/11/2009

Adventures with the IRS

I finally sent off the packet to apply for non-profit status today. Woo!
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Check out all those pages and tabs!
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Wish me luck!

4/30/2009

Babies!

These little ones were orphaned at only a day old when their mother got hit by a car. They are currently being fostered by a doting caregiver and have already been adopted by a loving family near Greeley, CO. They are only 3 weeks old now and will remain in CROW's care for another 5 weeks before going to their new home. Excuse the blurry pictures of these boys; they're quite squirmy.

Nicko
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Septimus
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Surrounded by young children for a size perspective
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Good News!

Mia, Mog, Mutter, and Maya, the orginal Sunday Cats showed up on my doorstep as an unwanted family 5 months ago. This week all four were adopted together and are settling into their new home. YAY!

Mia
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Mog


Mutter


Maya