In Memoriam: Toby 8/9/10-11/26/10

TOBY 8/9/10-11/26/10

Toby came to us on November 13th. The people who surrendered him called me and said they had a kitten they found on the beach and couldn't keep him, so I agreed to take him in. When they opened the carrier and I first say him, my breath caught in my throat. He was supposedly 3 1/2 months old but looked like he was only 6 weeks! His medium-length fur was matted and dingy, and his third eyelids were halfway up, signaling to me that this was one very sick kitten.

I questioned the people who brought him and they said they'd had him for 2 1/2 months, that he was very healthy aside fromt he fact that he didn't use the litterbox and didn't drink enough water. I couldn't believe they let a kitten get this sickly and rushed him to the vet as soon as I could. It turned out he had a severe infection racing through his body and only weighed a single pound! He was given fluids and placed on antibiotics. His prognosis was uncertain but we remained hopeful that he would make it.

When I found him lying motionless in his cage on Black Friday morning, November 26th, my heart broke. It is never easy losing a rescue kitty, especially such a tiny, innocent kitten. I knew Toby was very sick and that his chances were slim, but I tried to remain optimistic. I'm sorry I failed you Toby. Please know that you were loved for those few days we had the pleasure of knowing you. RIP sweet baby Toby. 8/9/10- 11/26/10

Another day, another rescue

I have a confession to make: when I get bored I scan Craigslist for animals to save, furniture to buy, and free stuff to sweep up. So I was bored last night and found myself on the free section of Craigslist when I came across a post for a "Free Cat". This kind of post title always makes me cringe. I mean, think of all the idiots who might sweep this free animal up for God knows what reason. This poor creature is at the mercy of owners who don't give a damn who takes the cat; if they did care, this cat wouldn't be free. So I click on the title and open the post.

In short, the post says this: "I have a 1 1/2 year old un-neutered male cat, it was a friend's cat but he dumped him on me when he lost his job, can't keep the cat anymore, my friend said he's help with food and litter but he hasn't and I am going to put the cat in a cardboard box and leave him on the steps of the SPCA if someone does not come for him by Monday morning. If they euthanize him, it will be out of my hands at that point. Call or text for pics. "

Appalled as I am, I text my rescue partner. Read this now, I tell her. Go online.

I already know I can't let this happen. Even if this person is lying to provoke pity and persuade someone to take this cat off their hands, I still feel that this person should NOT have an animal in their care. What a sick, twisted way to rehome an animal! It's apparent that they don't care who takes the cat, where he goes to live, or what happens to him, as long as the author of the post no longer has to deal with him. I text the number in the post, waiting impatiently for the Craigslist poster to reply. Yes, still have the cat, the poster answers. He's a Maine Coon.

 Like Noah!!! Now I REALLY can't let this cat go.

I offer to come get him right away and they forward their address. Hey honey, we're going for a little drive! My fiance and I hop in the car and drive to the scumhole apartment building to rescue this poor kitty. He turns out to be a gorgeous guy, all gray and super sweet. His name is Gibson, The person tells me. I'm gonna miss him. Yeah, right. I don't believe a word you say.

Gibson comes home reeking of cigarette smoke and possibly some other substance. We treat him for fleas, set up a nice warm cage for him (he has to be fixed, vaccinated and tested for FIV/FeLV) and give him some canned cat food. Gibson is safe now, and my day has been worthwhile.

UPDATE: Gibson was adopted!

The Noah Project

The Noah Project is a publication dedicated to honoring beloved kitties that have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. The publication was created in honor of our baby Noah, who passed away June 24, 2010. (Noah's story can be read below). This anthology will give people the opportunity to share the stories of their lost pets so their memories can live on. We are hoping to generate enough interest to turn The Noah Project into a series of books honoring the many kitties that have passed on, leaving their heartbroken loved ones behind to share their special stories.

All proceeds from The Noah Project anthology will benefit Noah's Fund, which has been established to help kitties like Noah who can't seem to catch a break in life. Noah's Fund will be utilized for vetting costs, pull fees, transport costs, food, medication, and shelter for every kitty that comes into Haven House Cats. Extra funds will be donated to various shelters and rescues around the country, to help sick and injured cats get the medical treatment they need.

Anyone can submit to The Noah Project. A minimal $50 donation to Noah's Fund is required to reserve your spot in the anthology. Everyone who donates and submits will receive a complimentary copy of the book and a personalized keepsake in honor of their beloved lost kitty.

Donations can be made via paypal to havenhousecats@aol.com or here: http://havenhousecats.chipin.com/noahs-fund. Checks made payable to Haven House Cats can be mailed to 116 Leonard Post Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14211. Please include your full name, address, email, and the name of your submission. Submissions will be accepted electronically at havenhousecats@aol.com. The deadline for submissions is November 1st, 2010.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Stories, poems and photos will be accepted. Maximum of two photos per submission. Each donation reserves a spot for one cat's story. Stories must be 1200 words or less.

Tell us the story of your beloved kitty, how they came to be part of your life, what they went through, how old they were when they passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Be sure to include your kitty's birthday and day of passing, as these will be included on your personalized memorial keepsake. Tell the world what this kitty meant to you and how they impacted your life. Through these stories, we will help our lost fur babies live on.

Noah's Journey

Our precious baby Noah went to the Rainbow Bridge this past Thursday, June 24, 2010. This is his story...

Noah came to our rescue on April 2, 2010. I received the call from the young woman saying he had followed her into her construction firm office. He was very thin, hungry, caked with concrete and had a huge growth on his side. The growth turned out to be an large abscess from a bite wound.

Noah was taken to the vet that same day, where the abscess burst in the examination room. He was rushed into surgery to drain and flush the abscess. While under the anesthesia, he was also neutered and tested for FIV/FeLV (both negative). I picked Noah up the next day, along with the medications he was prescribed and an instruction to flush out the wound several times a day.

Despite having just undergone surgery and having a tube through his side, Noah continued to be incredibly affectionate. He would climb into my arms every time I opened his cage. He did well those first two days and the tube was removed three days after the surgery.

After the tube was removed, the skin around the bite wound died and fell off, making the opening look pretty nasty. It began to heal and I thought Noah was on his way to a full recovery.

On April 7th, I noticed Noah was sleeping a lot more and not eating as much. He also started having trouble using the litter box. On the 8th, I found out why he was missing the litter box: he couldn't stand on his hind legs very well and kept falling over. He started relieving himself on the blanket, right where he was laying. On the 10th, he stopped eating and I was on the phone scheduling an appointment with the vet again.

At the vet visit, they determined that he had a blood clot in his spine stemming from the bite wound. Noah was started on three medications to help break up the blood clot and prevent it from spreading.

Following his appointment, I kept Noah close to me during the day and let him sleep on the chaise lounge near the window. With the medications and a special diet, he seemed to improve a bit and started regaining some mobility. Sometimes he would manage to crawl off the chaise lounge and follow me around the house, stumbling. I tried to get him to walk several times a day, to use his hind legs and regain his strength. He managed to pull himself up onto the chaise lounge on the 14th, which was a huge feat for him. It was wonderful to see the progress he was making and I thought things could only get better from here.

Just when we thought we were out of the woods, another concern arose. While holding him on April 21st, I noticed a blood spot on his left eye. Another vet visit was scheduled and this time the diagnosis was inflammation behind the eye. Noah was prescribed several eye drops and serums to be administered three times a day for several days. On the 22nd I went on a little overnight trip and took Noah with me so I could apply the eye medications. I snuck him into the motel and we chilled together, watching corny shows on MTV and reading magazines. He slept curled up by by head, with his own head on my shoulder. He was such a wonderful companion.

Noah's eye got better and we were able to stop the medications. For a few weeks, things were going great and Noah was beginning to befriend some of the other cats.

Things started getting worse again towards the end of May. Noah started having frequent accidents on the carpet. He was still struggling to stand on his hind legs and stopped trying to do so. We bought him some pet diapers and took him back to the vet on June 1st. They gave him sub-q fluids, did some lab work, showed me how to empty his bladder to reduce the chance of accidents, and prescribed the last medication he would ever take, although we didn't know that at the time.

Because he couldn't get around very well, I moved him to various places around the house so he wouldn't get bored. He mostly stayed where I placed him, which was nice when I brought him to bed with me because I knew he'd be right by my side all night. But I felt bad for him, surrounded by able-bodied cats running around and playing while he just lay there, unable to move like them. I could see the intense sadness in his eyes during those last few weeks and it simply tore my heart up.

Towards the end, Noah had many more bad days than good. He slept a lot and ate very little. I had to force feed him canned food and kitten formula. He would nibble on a few bits of dry food each day, but it wasn't enough to keep his strength up.

On Noah's last night, I sat up with him as he cried in pain. He could no longer go to the bathroom and I didn't know how to help him. He wasn't eating at all and he couldn't even hold himself up with his front legs. It was then that I knew I couldn't let him him go on like this. His weakness was apparent, as was his physical agony and profound sadness. I knew I had to do something to relieve his suffering, so I gave him a dose of pain medication and promised him the struggle would be over soon.

We sent Noah to the Rainbow Bridge on June 24, 2010, to free him of the pain and suffering that was his life. He was only a year and a half old. I can't even describe the anguish I felt as we said good-bye to him; I was blinded by tears as I kissed his soft forehead one last time. Noah will always remain in my heart and on my mind. Despite all the struggles we went through to get him well, all the time and money that went into his care, he was nothing short of a blessing in my life. He was a gift, a true angel sent to me for a very special reason.

Rest in peace, sweet Noah. You will never be forgotten.

Pebbles, Pixie and Patch seek forever homes

This long-haired trio will be available for adoption mid-June. They still have to be fixed, vaccinated and receive a physical exam. We are accepting applications now, so if you want to give one of these cutie-pies a loving home email us today! Their adoption fee is $75 each.


Names: Pixie, Pebbles & Patch
Age: 10 weeks
Sex: female, male, male


Likes: exploring new territory, wrestling, playing hide & seek, pretending the litter box is a sandbox, string, plastic balls with bells inside, tormenting dogs


Dislikes: rest-time, bedtime, any time when we can't run and play, kitties that hiss at us, baths

Kitten Update

The kittens are now three weeks old and starting to walk around and play. We now believe they are all boys; it was hard to tell and we're still not 100% sure. They look like boys! So now they have names...

This is Shelby, who we thought was a girl at first...lol.

This is Sebastian. He likes to run out of the crate and explore the office. He's very inquisitive.

The orange one on the left is Jackson. He's the chubby ringleader of the bunch.

And the one on the right is Shelby.


That's Jackson, front and center.

Although they've begun exploring, they haven't figured out what the litter box is for. They've been leaving me wonderfully stinky little presents all around the cage! They also have no interest in wet or dry food yet although they seem to have a taste for non-clumping kitty litter. Not good!

Free Rabies Clinics in Erie County NY

The Erie County Health Department of New York State offers free rabies clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. A list of dates and locations can be found on the Erie County SPCA website.

http://www.yourspca.org/site/Calendar/107218295?view=Det

Kittens have arrived!

Mama cat and four kittens arrived Tuesday. The kittens are less than two weeks old. Mama's name is Scarface, of all things to name a female cat. But that's gonna change just as soon as we think of something fitting for her. We need to name the kittens as well.

I can't get over how tiny they are! There are two boys and two girls (I think...it's hard to tell for sure). One pure black, one black and white, and two orange babies. I don't think there's a runt in this litter..they all look about the same size.

Mama is surprisingly friendly and lets us hold her kittens. She is a little more protective when the other cats come near the cage, growling and curling around her kittens as if to shield them. She's a great mother.

It should be interesting when the kittens start walking around and playing.
They have been really good so far. I don't hear them crying all night like people said I would. They sleep pretty much all day, curled up with their sweet mama.

Best Friends Forever

Odd Places For A Nap

The fridge seems to be the 'cool' place to settle in for a nap.

Although the kitchen cupboard is a close second.

Those Happy Meal prizes keep getting weirder.

Isabella curls up with the toilet paper roll.



Manea has decided the ferret cage is quite comfy...as long as you can stand the stench!

Manea and Ferretpants have discovered the perfect napping spot...the jean drawer!

The desk cubby on a pile of mail...ideal!

I can understand the appeal of a pile of laundry straight out of the dryer...

but the empty laundry basket? Is that really comfortable, Trixie?

Honestly?!? I don't know WHAT to say about this one! Lol!

I just can't say no....

I simply cannot turn away an abandoned kitty. I'm the kind of person who wants to take home every collar-less kitty I see outside because I believe no cat should have to live in the elements. Just the other day, my fiance and I were getting on the thruway and he pointed out a black cat in the grass a few yards from the on-ramp. I yelled at him to pull over and he looked at me like I was nuts. Pull over? Right here, in the middle of the thruway? What are you going to do?

So I didn't end up rescuing that kitty, though I was terrified that it would get hit by a car. I hope it found safety. Fingers crossed!

Anyway, so I can't turn a cat away. Even if I am so overwhelmed with cats that I'm tripping over one every time I take a step in my house. Even if we go through so much cat litter already that I need to put out five garbage cans every week. The neighbors must think we're out of our minds.

Well, maybe I am.

My friend calls me five minutes after I drop her off at her house.

There's a cat in my driveway, coming right up to me. Looks very dirty and boney, but is very friendly. What should we do?

I'll be right back over.

Sure enough, the cat is all black fur stretched over jutting bones. Scabby skin, thinning fur, saggy belly. Definitely a male. So hungry he can't resist the dog treats (the only thing I have in the car at the time) I use to lure him over to us. We get him in the car, I give him some dog food (again, the only thing I have in the car) which he chows down as if he hasn't eaten in days.

And off to Haven House we go. Luckily I have one cage left available for him. I treat him for fleas and mites, give him some dewormer (which he hates me for) and get him settled in with some blankets, food, water, and a litter box.

We're gonna call him Edson, after the street we found him on.

So easily amused...

"Look guys! Mom bought us a new toy!"

Misty tries to catch the feather.

Simba is loving this new gadget!





Simba, Jewel and Reese ponder over the strange buzzing of this mysterious new toy.

Adopt a Shelter Cat

Many of our cats come from shelters in the South where they are at risk of euthanization.

Shelby County Animal Shelter is one shelter we frequently work with and assist with transporting animals to rescues along the east coast. They do wonderful things for animals and save so many lives, but they are often overrun with animals. Unfortunately when this happens and animals sit for months in the shelter, unadopted, they have to decide who will be put to sleep because they need to make room for incoming animals. They are currently overrun with cats, filled to capacity. In order to avoid the euthanization of healthy animals, these cats need to be adopted or accepted into rescues, like our own.

Please take a few minutes to view the cats they currently have at the shelter. If you are looking to adopt and find a kitty on their site, we can arrange transport. If you are unable to adopt at this time, please consider sponsoring a kitty who can then be brought to Haven House. Your donations make rescue possible.

Shelby County Animal Shelter www.petfinder.com/shelters/KY139.html