Tuesday, December 22, 2009

 

CAWS News - Happy Holidays





Mandy (top) & Felix can be shy at first but are very sweet and fun once they overcome their skittishness. The low-maintenance pair love to be petted and doted upon when you sit down to relax. They are frightened of dogs but do well with other cats.



Maddie is an affectionate and loyal chocolate lab who loves people and is a great foot warmer. She is already perfectly house- and crate-trained. She wants to be the center of your attention and needs to find a home with no other animals. 




Clover is a very loving and playful long-haired calico who likes people and attention. She especially loves to have her beautiful fur brushed. She thinks she rules the world and doesn't tend to get along with other cats, so she would prefer a home where she is your one and only.



Misty, a black and grey terrier mix, adores people and is very loving and good natured. She isn't fond of children and does not tolerate other animals well, so she would do best as the only pet in a quiet home.


Shy in the Spotlight
Help These Pets Find Safe, Loving Homes for the Holidays

Rescued from a feral site as kittens, Mandy and Felix didn't receive much socialization with people when they were young. As with most CAWS foster pets, the pair is taken to adoption events at PetSmart in hopes of finding their perfect home. But you may never see them, because they are always hiding under something. One CAWS volunteer thought we had a huge, white cat in the program until she realized that both cats had worked themselves under the blanket in their tower! Usually, Mandy and Felix are so terrified that their lovable personalities just aren't able to show through. As a result, these perfectly healthy, adorable cats have been patiently waiting to be discovered and adopted into their forever home for many months.
 

CAWS has a number of wonderful animals in its care, like Mandy and Felix, that have a tough time showing their sweet sides at adoption events. Consequently, they have been patiently waiting to settle into homes of their own for quite some time now (some of those who have been waiting the longest are shown left). Of course, CAWS will continue to care for them for as long as it takes, but we would love to see these loving pets find permanent homes.


We see these cats and dogs at their best when they're in their foster homes. And we so hope adopters will give them a chance and enjoy their companionship. Over the years, we have received touching stories from adopters whose lives have been enriched after adopting these wonderful animals. Read some of their stories and discover the rewards of adopting the undercat.


If you or someone you know has the capacity to open your heart, give some time, and let the special side of a shy dog or cat bloom, please open your home and embrace one of these healthy, beautiful pets. Not only will you be rewarded with an affectionate new friend who will enrich your life, you'll be helping to make room for even more pets to be rescued by CAWS.

Shy Pet? Give Them Time and Tenderness
Shyness is often a sign of fear, which could be the result of a negative experience in the past or the animal could simply have a timid disposition. When bringing shy pets into your home, it's best to gradually expose your new friends to people in pleasant, non-threatening situations. Keep them in a "safe room" with a comfy cubby, so they can get to know you and feel safe in their cubby and not be "lost" in your home. Be patient, and wait for them to come out on their own, then reward them with a tasty treat or play with them with a toy. Do not force them out of their hiding place or do anything that will frighten them. If you adopt a shy dog, it's a good idea to start obedience classes once he or she is feeling more self-assured; this will help you and the dog learn how to stick with positive behaviors. With a little time and a lot of love, your new addition will be more confident and will comfortably settle in as part of the family.

Please contact us if you would like to adopt a new friend. Visit our website to see all of the pets currently available for adoption.


Give a Gift with Heart
As you celebrate the season with your loved ones and give thanks for all of the blessings in your life, please consider sharing the love with a financial gift to CAWS. Our organization operates solely on financial contributions from animal lovers like you. Your gift will help support our no-kill efforts by funding our spay/neuter programs and veterinary care for foster pets, animals in need, and feral cats that are part of our trap/neuter/return (TNR) program. Plus, you can deduct your charitable donation if you give by December 31. Share a gift with heart. Donate today. Also, remember to keep using Goodsearch!

 
Adopt a Dog & Get Fit!
Looking for a way to meet those New Year's resolutions to get fit? Adopt a dog! According to the New York Times, "New research from the University of Missouri has found that people who walk dogs are more consistent about regular exercise and show more improvement in fitness than people who walk with a human companion." By bringing a new canine friend into your life, not only will you enjoy devoted companionship, you also might just shed a few extra pounds.




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Monday, December 21, 2009

 

Heroic Acts, Heart-Warming Ends

Two CAWS kitties with some serious health challenges got a second chance at life thanks to the heroic acts of many caring individuals. Lucky adopter Holli Hillberg tells the story of her new family members, Ella and Buttercup.

After my beloved cat Hannah passed away, our house was too quiet, so I decided to adopt another cat. I adopted Ella from CAWS. It turned out that Ella had some serious intestinal issues. I never thought I was the type of person who would do well nursing a sick animal. But I had already fallen in love with Ella by the time I realized she was so sick, and there was never a choice of whether I would keep her or not. Fortunately, CAWS was able to help cover some of the costs, as Ella and I visited Dr. Jim Wilson a number of times as he worked to solve her difficulties. It took her months to get well.

Once Ella was healthy, I thought she needed some feline company. I told CAWS that I wanted to adopt a second kitty, but I needed a cat that could be on the same diet as Ella. I found out there was a cat at Dr. Wilson's hospital that might be a good fit for our family.

Freeway got her name because she had been found, severely injured, on the side of a freeway. It is suspected that she was thrown from a car. A caring and brave woman rescued the very banged up kitty whose chin and lip had been 'de-gloved' from a significant impact. She was rail thin and had also recently given birth; her kittens were never recovered. Freeway was taken to Dr. Wilson. Surgery repaired her poor face, but she had developed stomach issues similar to Ella’s. She had been staying at Dr. Wilson's office while they treated her, and CAWS was trying to find a foster home that could ensure her special diet.

My experience of helping Ella heal had been so gratifying that I didn't hesitate to take Freeway home with me. My daughter and I decided Freeway was too sad of a name after all she had been through, so we renamed her Buttercup. After a few days, we introduced Ella and Buttercup. There was some growling and hissing that first day, but once the territory was established, Buttercup and Ella became the best of friends. After a little time and a lot of love, Buttercup decided she could trust us as well, and it’s been true love ever since.

Both Ella and Buttercup are now healthy, happy, and free of medication. It is hard to imagine that both of them would have been euthanized under different circumstances due to their temporary health problems.

Now Buttercup and Ella can usually be found curled up together taking a nap or grooming each other on one of the sunny spots on the bed. They provide our family with so much love, affection, and entertainment that I really can't imagine our lives without them. There is nothing better after a hectic day than to spend some time with a purring cat...or two.


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