Sparky

I am that crazy cat woman.  I reflect almost daily about what an insane life I lead.  I get up at 2:45 every day, greet my own cats, turn on the coffee, get myself ready, watch the news for a bit, and  head out at 4 am. and drive a few miles from my house to start feeding at 14 different locations in the Beechwood section of Rochester.   On average there are about five cats at each of those locations.  Some spots I count close to 10, some I count 15.  Regardless, its over 100 cats.  I go through 30-40 pounds of dry food a day, and way over a 48 count box of canned food.  I have shelters at most of these locations to not only shelter the food from storms, but for survival for the cats in the winter months.  I have two spots at a local clinic on a weekly basis in the summer months for TNR, trap, neuter and return.  I rescue what I can.  I am always looking for adopters and fosters to help these cats get off the streets.  Most of them are throwaways, strays, and cats that were born out doors, but have come to trust me.  All are just plain sick and tired of trying to survive in a very sick and mean world.   I don't get a lot of financial help, and it costs me well over $10K per year, in food alone.  Not including medical expenses, where it cost me $60 per cat just to have it have spayed and neutered.  This does not include treating the many sick that I care for.

This is my reality.  I do this every single day of my life, 24/7, no matter what the weather or how I feel.  Knock on wood I am fairly healthy.  I've been writing this blog since 2008 to try to shed light on what is happening right under out noses.  I've shared the good and the bad.  I've made a lot of friends, and have had a lot of people reach out to help me.  I am so very grateful.  I couldn't have made it this long without support.  I also realize that this is my choice, no one forced me to look into these cats eyes and just walk away.

I posted this on Facebook this morning.  I have been worrying about a kitten I adopted out to a woman back in May that has some serious issues, and it was the biggest regret I've made in a long long time.  I didn't know about her issues at the time.  I am praying someone can guide me in what to do.

Poppy Birdie and Sparky

Does anyone know Judy Chipre Cowan? I have been struggling with what to do about a situation. I adopted a kitten named Sparky out to her in May of this year. Sparky was a bit over two months at the time, and unneutered. Judy signed an adoption contract that stated she must get him neutered before six months. Judy has not been the most friendliest or cooperative adopter, actually, she has been hostile with me since day one. She is now not returning my messages when I inquire about Sparky. I hate confrontation. I don't know what to do. I do know where she lives. Which is not far from me. Again, I am not good at confrontation. I have this fear that something has happened to Sparky. What would you do?

Is this like one of the most photogenic cats you've ever seen?  Then again, aren't all cats?  :)  Smudge, also rescued from Melville Street, and adopted out to a wonderful family, is at it again.  Here she is in all her glory.  So pretty!  She should be a model!

Smudge, the Smudgster

I have tomorrow off, thank God.  My job is extremely (and I am not exaggerating the word 'extremely') stressful these days.  I really need to win the lottery.

Have a good day.

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” 

Melville Kitties

I returned Connor to where I trapped him yesterday.  So sad to do, but I had no other choice.  He was not a happy camper overnight in the trap on my porch.  He ate, messed up his food bowls and water, and then didn't eat when I refreshed things at 3 am. when I got up for the day............ and went out to see how he was doing.   The weather has been good this summer, so I haven't had to let any of these babies back out in the pouring rain.

The other kitty, Gael, that was drop trapped by Laura on Saturday morning, was also brought to clinic yesterday for spaying.  She was definitely pregnant, as her 'caretaker' Gael had suspected.  We saved another litter from being born on the street.  Hurray. Laura will return Gael to her spot this morning.  She is feral.   Its hard to tame adult ferals.  Another heartbreak, of course.

These kitties below are on Melville.  There are three regular.  The red is the sweetest boy around.  The grey is sweet too.  The other grey wears a collar, but as I stated a few years back when I started feeding and sheltering these guys, the man that lived in the house above apparently moved and left four of his cats.  The one with the collar, the grey and white, could be one of them.  They are all so sweet, and homeless.  Breaks my heart to leave them each morning.

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON PICS TO ZOOM

These kitties below were all waiting on Parsells for their breakfast this morning.  What you don't see is the other six hiding waiting for me to stop taking pictures of them.  This is just at one spot.  Parsells.  And you wonder how I go through nearly 40 pounds of food each day with the other 13 locations I feed at daily.

I also discovered that there is one kitten left on Seventh Street.  This tore at my heart this morning also, when I saw the little tabby.  Don't forget, I rescued his siblings, Jace and Lucy, after I buried two of his other siblings who had been ripped to shreds by what I believe was a raccoon.  Jace and Lucy are on a waiting list to be spayed and neutered and will be available for adoption.  I will be trapping at Seventh Street again soon, there are new kitties here that I see in the dark that don't look familiar, including a red kitty.

LUCY and JACE

On a brighter note, the red kitten that I trapped at Gaels on Friday morning (trying to get the pregnant one), Cheetoh, is thriving.  He was neutered the same day and brought to a friend's 'barn' (a palace really), placed in a cage, and was going to stay there for weeks until he could be acclimated to being let out and hanging around knowing where his food and shelter would be from now on.  This little guy is going from feral kitten to sweet kitten.  Here are pics of him!

CHEETOH!

And if Cheetoh isn't cute enough, get a load of Jules!  Jules was rescued after I trapped him on Central, with his mom in the same trap!  Love this little guy!  He also will be ready for adoption soon!

JULES!

Please consider foster and adoption!

Have a great day!

"Be soft.  Do not let the world make you hard.  Do not let the pain make you hate.  Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.  Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."

Copy and Paste

Today was TNR day.  One of the kitties going in under the two spots I have weekly at Rochester Community Animal Clinic is GAEL.  That is the red kitty that Laura helped to trap on Gael's porch Saturday morning. Gael believes it to be pregnant, but we are still not so sure its even a girl.  Once fixed, kitty will be going back into that neighborhood to fend for itself, unfortunately.

I set the trap on Parsells this morning, where I feed close to 15 cats daily that have no shelter at the moment, on the vacant house porch.  There are at least four or five cats that are still not fixed there.  I set the trap, went about going to my other shelters to feed up and down this area, went back and found one of the six baby racccoons (not so little anymore!) inside the trap.  Let it out, chased away Rocky, reset the trap, did some more spots, went back, and another Rocky was inside the trap.  Gave up, had to move on.   Set the trap on Central and Fifth, and this is who I got.   Meet Connor.

Connor from Central

Connor will be going back to his 'spot' when he is fixed and has an overnight on my porch tonight.

I posted my blog on Facebook yesterday, and someone shared my post on their page.  Thank you Lois.  I received this nice comment from someone whom I've never met.  I responded, but should have mentioned all the folks who support me verbally, emotionally, mentally, physically, and every other way there is to support someone.  Here is what she wrote:

I commend you on your work and efforts in the feral cat community. In response to a post I just read regarding your feeling bad because someone thought you were trying to make others feel somehow guilty I say this.

I read many pleas for help and not once have I been made to feel guilty. IMO feeling guilty would mean that I felt I could be doing more and wasn't. I'm happy to help knowing that "little" on my part is contributing to the greater good----helping homeless, sick, abandoned cats and kittens in our communities. I'm certain there are others out there that feel the same way.

No one person can do this kind of community service alone, nor should they be expected to. The fact you and others like you are out there aiding these poor, innocent , helpless and abandoned felines in the first place demonstrates the love, selfishness ness , commitment and compassion you possess as human beings and animal lovers and advocates.

I'm happy to help whenever I can and you never need worrying about offending me or making me feel guilty in any way with your pleas for support. As an animal lover I thank you for bringing these issues to social media. Before reading them, I had no idea of the feral cat issues in our community. It made me aware, and being aware prompted me to help! God bless you and God bless your work! Thank you for all that you do and for being the voice for all these innocent and very needy cats and kittens. ❤️

Like · Reply · 2 · 19 hrs

Lois Ginder Cariola Janine Wagner is an angel!!!

Like · Reply · 1 · 9 hrs

Janine Wagner I concur that I deserve a pat on the back for what I do, but I also believe that what you Lois, and so many others do, is over and beyond commendable. Thank you so much for your words Dee. Besides you, Nancy Shutt Currie, Kristin Miller McBride, Walt and Karon Simoni, and a few others I don't know because they remain anonymous, there aren't many that support or defend me when people get mean. I give a shout out to the others that do something similar to me, and the others that take in the desperate and needy cats and kittens out there, and the dog rescues, lets not forget them. There is SusieQ Dog ResQ, Habitat for Cats NY, Keller's Kats, Pattie Inzer Hill, Sheryl Beauchemin, Myléne Karina López Mafúz, Jennifer Everett,Denyse Clark, GRASP, Laraine VanBlarcom, Elisabeth Hammer, Elizabeth Whipple, Lori Lorine Whipple, Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions, and so many others (I will add more - its 6 am. and I am still a bit sleepy! - as think about this today), that deserve pats on the back for what we do. Again, Thank you for speaking for all of us when we say we need help. We need to be noticed. The cats and dogs and other neglected critters out there need to be noticed. It everyone's duty to help us to help them. We are so few. We really are just a very small army of people. Bless your heart! xo

Like · Reply · 1 hr

I also heard from one of the attorney's working on my behalf, pro-bono, on my tax exempt status , here is the latest and greatest (of course I never forget a chance to hawk the kitties I have available for adoption!).  Not so great.  This is taking time...

Hi Janine,

What an offer!  Unfortunately, my landlord/allergies would not like me adopting a kitten J

I’ve attached a brief “acknowledgment” letter that you can use when you receive memorial tributes or any other contributions while your application is pending.  Feel free to customize as you like, we just want to make sure we keep the two main paragraphs in there.

Also, I received a call from the IRS today informing me that they will be requesting additional information in connection with your exemption application.  This is not uncommon.  They didn’t say what they would be requesting, so we’ll see what their letter says when it arrives (hopefully in the next few days).  I’m not certain whether they will be sending me a copy of the letter, so please keep an eye on your mailbox.  The voicemail said we will have to respond before August 23. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

And speaking of kindness toward animals, I belong to a neighborhood website.  I share with you someone who found a baby sparrow the other day.  There is also a guy who has commented in the past on posts that involved feral cats, rats, etc.  The guy is pretty nasty with his responses, obviously does not like animals.  The part I love about this commentary is the guy who tried to save a wasp.  Sweet.  Almost comical.  But he is serious!  You will notice as you read that I made a comment to this other creepy guy too.  I just had to get a word in because he is always saying something negative.  :)

Emergency first aid for baby sparrow 1d ago

David, Allan Eisenberg from North Winton Village

I just found a very small sparrow in my attic. It has a full coat feathers, but apparently can not fly. I'm guessing it is too dehydrated.

I have it in my bathroom away from my cat, and put several short dishes of cold water around it.

I don't think it would survive for long if I put him outside.
What would be a good snack for a dehydrated sparrow ?

Suzy Farrell from North Winton Village 1d ago

Dave, we had a baby bird for a time and fed it some mushy cat food from a toothpick. We also dripped water in its mouth from a medicine dropper.

Edie Pastuch from Browncroft 1d ago

If the little guy makes it through the night, you may wish to consider taking him over to East Ridge Animal hospital in the morning. It's the one on Dubelweiss Rd. Over by Medley Center. They are … View more wildlife rehablilitators and can care for him until he is old enough to be released back into your neighborhood. I have given them several over the years with a small donation (not required) to their program.

Cheryl Shepard from North Winton Village 1d ago

Mushy cat food yes but don't use an eye dropper because I think they can not swallow

David, Allan Eisenberg from North Winton Village 1d ago

After doing a lot of Googling I gave him some totally crushed fresh seedless grapes (skin removed), and wet his beak with water. I read that forcing water down their throat can be bad.

I read that the fact that his skin was very red was an indication he really was very dehydrated.

He's moving around a bit more.

Laurie Ditzel from East Avenue 1d ago

Thanks for caring. Make our neighborhood a better place.

Cheryl Shepard from North Winton Village 1d ago

They need h20 .... we need a good rain.

Thank Flag

Paul Vogel from Laurelton 1d ago

Did you name the little fella David Allan Eisenbird?

Bob Friedrich from North Winton Village 1d ago

Place the bird in a nice garden somewhere and let nature take it's course.

Janine Wagner from Laurelton 17h ago

Geesh Bob, the more I read your responses, the more I hope I never come back in my next life as an animal.

Judy, Margie, Jane, and 1 other thanked you

Bob Friedrich from North Winton Village 17h ago

Me too.... just wondering, though, which animal it might be...

Cheryl Shepard from North Winton Village 16h ago

How is the bird

Thank Flag

Lindaandlarry Latiukandtuzzolino from Thurlow 12h ago

Just saw your post...call dr. Ballonic at Irondequoit vet...they will help

Judy Hull from North Winton Village 12h ago

Update on the little chirp?

David, Allan Eisenberg from North Winton Village 11h ago

I am sorry to say the baby bird has died. I feel bad, but I at least did something.

Years ago I found a wasp in my attic late in the fall. It was twitching ... about to freeze to death. I took … View more it downstairs and gave him a piece of a strawberry. I left him in a covered dish the first day. The next day I came home and saw I had forgotten to cover the dish. The wasp was still there ... and seemed quite content.

Over the next few months I rescued him again after my cat had caught him. Another time I found him stuck in a spider web. Then my cat caught him again. I saved his life a few times. When May came around I didn't think it was ok to let him out. It was still cold out. I let him out at the end if May. I could see he had aged. His head didn't move as much. He could not fly that well.

He probably did not live much longer. I did some research on that type of wasp. It probably lived more then twice as long as most other wasps live.

I gave him shelter for almost 8 months. I let him wander the house all but that first day.

A bit weird I guess. But I assume the wasp was happy staying with me.

Lola Kelly from North Winton Village 11h ago

Thanks for trying to save the bird, and for saving the wasp, too.

Blondes Have More Fun

Its been a long four days since I’ve written here.  Nice actually.  I run out of things to say, and when that happens, its probably for the best. 

I would like to first address Katluver who wrote a comment last week.  I felt bad.  As the next comment stated, by someone who obviously knows me, its was not, nor is it ever my intention to make someone feel bad or guilty.  I have survived on my own funding since I started this nearly 20 something years ago.  It has cost me a LOT.  And I don’t mean that just financially, which is probably closer to $20K a year by now.  I have rescued, adopted out, spayed and neutered, euthanized and treated medically thousands of cats.  Last year was 80 rescues alone.  And when you tally up the medical expenses for that, its enormous. 

I may not be the world’s best speaker- I sometimes fail at saying the correct things- stuff just blurts out of my mouth.  But I am honest, humble, and very sensitive to others.  If I hurt or offend someone knowingly, that will haunt me until I can make it right. 

I know Katluver is not even reading this because she told me she would never read this blog again, but if she were, I would thank her for reading this blog after all these years up til now, and wish that she knew me as a person.   I would also tell her that yes, every rescue needs money.   I will continue to struggle as I always have, but I will also continue to say things that might offend others.  But I am not trying to do it intentionally.  As much as I care for animals, I care for humans too.  And I don’t like to hurt what I care for.  

I seem to be on a streak with red cats.  On Thursday, after several calls by the older woman who reached out to me over a year ago due to a rescue group giving her my name and number telling her I could help her.  She had  been feeding on her porch – what she thought – was a pregnant cat who was ‘friendly’ and she wanted to get it trapped.  She said her veterinarian would take kitty and care for kitty.  So I went about setting the trap early Friday morning.  When I went to check on the trap after my 4 am. rounds, I found this little guy in the trap:

(DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PICS TO ZOOM IN)

CHEETOH

CHEETOH

I knew I couldn’t release him, and he looked old enough to be neutered.  After sending out some pleas for help with a spot for neuter/spay, the only ones doing it on Friday was Lollipop, Laura was able to contact a rescue group who gave up a spot for him.   I also was offered a chance to have him go to a home in the country where he would be caged for a few weeks and cared for – give him a chance to know his surroundings and gain trust in his caretakers, and then be released amongst other kitties who have done the exact thing before him.  And pray he sticks around.  So, CHEETOH has been neutered, and is now comfy in his cage with an awesome caretaker and her awesome family.  Same girl who adopted my Domino years ago.   Her mom, in fact, adopted a kitty from me too!

In the meantime, Gael had contacted Habitat for Cats, and with help from Laura the next morning, she drop trapped another red kitty.  I was to transport kitty to the vet in Mendon, but when Laura dropped off kitty on my porch Saturday morning, she went in to straighten out the towel in the kitty cage, and kitty bit her.  Nice kitty, feral kitty.  We knew this kitty would NOT be appreciated at the vet, so we made the decision to have kitty spayed, or neutered (could just be a fat cat) and release. Gael agreed at that time too.   What a weekend.

I then went over to visit with Jules, the little kitten that went into the trap last Tuesday with what I suspect is her mom, a juvenile herself.  WHAT A CUTIE!!!!!  From feral kitten to tame kitten.  So young too.  Thank you to Melissa, once again, who is always there to help me out with these last minute situations.  

Lucy and Jace

JULES

JULES

Tomorrow, TNR Tuesday, I need to remember to post the following updates:

Penny

Spencer (had a lovely girl come by on Saturday to meet him.  he was shy, she was hesitant, but hopefully she will take him next Saturday and give him a try!)

Baylee

Cookie

Cuddles

Have a great day!

Blondes Have More Fun

Its been a long four days since I’ve written here.  Nice actually.  I run out of things to say, and when that happens, its probably for the best. 

I would like to first address Katluver who wrote a comment last week.  I felt bad.  As the next comment stated, by someone who obviously knows me, its was not, nor is it ever my intention to make someone feel bad or guilty.  I have survived on my own funding since I started this nearly 20 something years ago.  It has cost me a LOT.  And I don’t mean that just financially, which is probably closer to $20K a year by now.  I have rescued, adopted out, spayed and neutered, euthanized and treated medically thousands of cats.  Last year was 80 rescues alone.  And when you tally up the medical expenses for that, its enormous. 

I may not be the world’s best speaker- I sometimes fail at saying the correct things- stuff just blurts out of my mouth.  But I am honest, humble, and very sensitive to others.  If I hurt or offend someone knowingly, that will haunt me until I can make it right. 

I know Katluver is not even reading this because she told me she would never read this blog again, but if she were, I would thank her for reading this blog after all these years up til now, and wish that she knew me as a person.   I would also tell her that yes, every rescue needs money.   I will continue to struggle as I always have, but I will also continue to say things that might offend others.  But I am not trying to do it intentionally.  As much as I care for animals, I care for humans too.  And I don’t like to hurt what I care for.  

I seem to be on a streak with red cats.  On Thursday, after several calls by the older woman who reached out to me over a year ago due to a rescue group giving her my name and number telling her I could help her.  She had  been feeding on her porch – what she thought – was a pregnant cat who was ‘friendly’ and she wanted to get it trapped.  She said her veterinarian would take kitty and care for kitty.  So I went about setting the trap early Friday morning.  When I went to check on the trap after my 4 am. rounds, I found this little guy in the trap:

(DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PICS TO ZOOM IN)

CHEETOH

CHEETOH

I knew I couldn’t release him, and he looked old enough to be neutered.  After sending out some pleas for help with a spot for neuter/spay, the only ones doing it on Friday was Lollipop, Laura was able to contact a rescue group who gave up a spot for him.   I also was offered a chance to have him go to a home in the country where he would be caged for a few weeks and cared for – give him a chance to know his surroundings and gain trust in his caretakers, and then be released amongst other kitties who have done the exact thing before him.  And pray he sticks around.  So, CHEETOH has been neutered, and is now comfy in his cage with an awesome caretaker and her awesome family.  Same girl who adopted my Domino years ago.   Her mom, in fact, adopted a kitty from me too!

In the meantime, Gael had contacted Habitat for Cats, and with help from Laura the next morning, she drop trapped another red kitty.  I was to transport kitty to the vet in Mendon, but when Laura dropped off kitty on my porch Saturday morning, she went in to straighten out the towel in the kitty cage, and kitty bit her.  Nice kitty, feral kitty.  We knew this kitty would NOT be appreciated at the vet, so we made the decision to have kitty spayed, or neutered (could just be a fat cat) and release. Gael agreed at that time too.   What a weekend.

I then went over to visit with Jules, the little kitten that went into the trap last Tuesday with what I suspect is her mom, a juvenile herself.  WHAT A CUTIE!!!!!  From feral kitten to tame kitten.  So young too.  Thank you to Melissa, once again, who is always there to help me out with these last minute situations.  

Lucy and Jace

JULES

JULES

Tomorrow, TNR Tuesday, I need to remember to post the following updates:

Spencer (had a lovely girl come by on Saturday to meet him.  he was shy, she was hesitant, but hopefully she will take him next Saturday and give him a try!)

Baylee

Cookie

Cuddles

Have a great day!