Adoption Pending
Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: Helping Area Animals
Some of the Katrina cats have homes awaiting. I am very happy that they have homes to go to. We have applications on all the male adult cats and most of the female adult cats. What really surprises me, is that the male kittens are still awaiting homes. We are also waiting on a home for Betsy and Camille. They are so sweet and loving. Hopefully we can find them a home together, as they have been housed together for so long that they really need to be placed together. They are doing great in their foster home, but they need to find a home of their own. We still have Isabel, who is getting spayed next week. She is such a loving cat - but a very independent one. She bonds well once she knows you, but is very selective of her affection. I hope we can find her a home that understands her personality. Once you take her in, she is a total sweetheart.

Almost Ready to Go Home!
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Posted by Pam
Topic: K-Cats Update
I've been visiting the four Katrina Kitties being housed at the vets almost every day, learning their personalities and giving them some quality tlc. This morning, Monday, Oct. 24th, they had been moved from their cages in the rear room -- the three girls (Hermine, Irene, and Karla) were spayed last Friday, and are housed in the main treatment area cages (which are double-sized, so very roomy). They have naked little tummies with wire stitches, but are all just fine! Karla and Hermine were all over me with kisses, and Hermine is a little kneader -- just loves to do "starfish paws" and purr like a little motor. Karla does little love bites too. Irene is a little more standoffish, but still very loving -- no doubt her healing broken leg has something to do with it. She's coming along very nicely, and while didn't want to be picked up today, she stretched and purred and was VERY happy to have the attention. Kyle was neutered also last Friday and is now free in one of the larger rooms. He has a little cat tower/scratching post on which he likes to perch, and is much happier with his new space. Kyle's lump under his jaw is totally gone now, and the wound on his tail is healing nicely. He is a big cuddle muffin -- and just loves company. The person who comes to clean during the week gives them a lot of love and attention too. If they stay there a few more days, I think they may put them all together in the large room -- the spayed girls may just be isolated because of the surgery. We expect that they will be released sometime this week and go back into foster care. Yea!

Going to Foster Homes
Topic: Getting better

Posted by: Clara

So my house has become quite the event as people come over to see the Katrina cats. They are all feeling better, so their activity level is quite high. As I sit here, I can hear the kittens upstairs running from one side of the room to the other. Two of the kittens have gone to a foster home where they will continue to be treated for eye infections and given some one on one TLC. Betsy and Camille will be going to foster together with a friend of mine who has an extra bedroom and will be able to let them run loose, rather than keeping them in kennels most of the day. Now that they are well, I am trying to let them out of the kennels more and more with each other. Males with males and females with females. The last thing we need is more kittens - so until they are all fixed (which will hopefully be soon), I am keeping them segregated.

Dr. P returned from vacation yesterday, so I am hoping to get an update on Kyle (with the wound on the tail), Irene (with the broken leg) and Hermine and Karla (who are in for spay surgery). With luck, they will all be ready to go to a foster home this week. I have someone interested in fostering Karla and someone interested in fostering either Irene or Hermine.

I am getting really attached to Charley. He is such a sweet boy. His favorite thing to do is to sit in your lap and give you the best kisses. I know I am going to be very selective as to where he goes. If I could - I would keep him in a heartbeat.

It has been such a busy week. We have a huge fund raiser this Saturday. The Holiday Bears and Belles festival is shaping up to be a great event. Polla Milligan (our Treasurer and a fund raiser extraordinaire) is working her a** off and doing a phenomonal job. We will also be displaying pictures of some of the adoptable animals that we and other rescue organizations have available. Our goal is to find as many great homes for all the wonderful animals that are homeless in our area. While the Katrina cats have gotten a great deal of press, we are hoping that the increased awareness will help all the animals in this area. There are so many special organizations who work tirelessly for the day that organizations such as ours are no longer needed. Our mantra of "NO MORE HOMELESS PETS" is such a lofty goal - but one that we are all committed to.

So hopefully, I will be getting some information on the four at the vets today. As soon as I know more, I will be updated this blog.

Reunions
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: KCats cheer for Birds!
Topic: Three Birds Go Home
Posted by: Alex

A nice lady in Louisianna, Veni Harlan, has invited me to joing a Yahoo discussion group for rescuers and animal lovers she'd been faithfully providing email updates to for the past many weeks. Of course, I accepted! Veni has worked so hard for the animals down there, fostering all sorts of creatures in need -- including a special Umbrella Cockatoo.

Today's post isn't about our K-Cats, it's just to let anyone reading know that reunions are still taking place. I read a message from Veni this morning about Snowball, a much-loved winged creature who is going home. The white bird was saved by a woman who travelled from Washington state to help. She left the ravaged area feeling guilty over some cats she couldn't trap and save (they belonged to a woman who she had helped convince to evacuate, with the promise she would save her cats). This wonderful person did manage to save many cats, including some (but unfortuately, not all) that belonged to the owner that needed to be rescued. She had to leave behind those that were too skittish or fearful of humans.

During the course of her efforts, Kim rescued a number of birds. There was one she couldn't forget, so she called the Veni and asked about him, stating she wanted to adopt the bird if his owner did not locate him. Her reason for not being able to forget this boy? Kim wasn't certain for sure, but mentioned that he could say "I love you!"

Against all odds, the owners called Veni looking for their bird. His name is "Snowball," and he's now reunited with his family. Veni shared the story with our discussion group.

While cats and birds might sometimes have an adverse relationship, Buffalo CAN and our K-Cats are thrilled Snowball is going home!

A Busy Weekend
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: K-Cats Update
Posted By: Alex

Buffalo CAN had a busy weekend. Aside from our every Sunday "Bills Buffet" held at the Sterling Tavern, we held a Micro-Chip Clinic. The clinic was held at the Puppy Playpen (2293 Delaware Ave, in the city). Our goal in holding the clinic, was to bring affordable micro-chip identification to our community -- while at the same time, raising money for our Katrina Cats. We chipped 86 animals!

Buffalo CAN, and our K-Cats wish to extend purrs and head-butts to Dr. Jim (James Albert, DVM) and Dr. Tim (Timothy O'Leary, DVM) -- due to NY State regulations, the procedures required the chips to be implanted by a registered veterinarian. Buffalo CAN appreciates the time and effort put forth by Drs. Jim and Tim -- and also wishes to acknowledge the generosity of two local proprietors, Treats Unleashed (who has also provided food for our K-Cats) and Golden Tails, both of whom donated items for raffle. Without community participation (including the caring folks who came out on the weekend with their companions), caring vets, and generous donors -- well, the K-Cats would have one less thing to purr about (it's not as if they're not doing a whole lot of purring these days...).

Thanks to all who joined us -- I've posted today so that everyone who follows the story of our K-Cats will know that we're moving forward and making great progress.

Hopefully Clara will recover from her whirlwind weekend (registering all the pets who were chipped with the 24PetWatch database, and also preparing and hosting our fabulous Sunday Bills Buffet) and give us an update on all the kitties. Rumor has it they are doing well...

For all those who micro-chipped at the clinic (and yes -- there were plenty of kitties), remember that you can test-scan the chip at these locations:

The Puppy Playpen
2293 Delaware Ave (near Hertel Ave)
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 447-9699
Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

Kennel Club Grooming
77 Saranac Ave (off Hertel Ave)
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 876-8727
Tue-Sat, 8:30am-5pm

Let's hope none of our "chipped" pets ever finds themselves lost... but if they do, they certainly now have a much better chance of finding their way back home!

Family Pet?

Posted by: Clara

I heard on the news last night that the SPCA had found the owners of one of the dogs they had brought up from Louisiana. How exciting!!! It is thrilling to know that someone was able to locate their family pet and is soon to be reunited. I have gotten a few calls about a couple of the cats we brought up, but neither was the family pet they were looking for. While I was disappointed, I'm was not really surprised, as most of these cats had been at the shelter for 3 weeks before they were sent up here. Also given the fact that none were spayed or neutered, leads me to believe that most were either surrendered or farm strays. It surprises me that they are so sweet and loving, though.

People are starting to come over to meet the cats that I still have at my house. Two of the kittens already have an application on then. While we can't adopt them out until after the first of November, I am happy to arrange for people to meet them and spend some time with them.

Pam, who lives close to the vets, has been visiting the 4 that are in the hospital each day. Here is what she sent me about them:

"Irene's still favoring her right front leg which was broken but is otherwise alert, and very, very sweet. BTW, she is also a play-biter, my kind of kitty! The other three just couldn't wait to be picked up out of their cages and snuggled. They very quickly settled into my arms and relaxed, stretching their front paws and rolling their heads against me. Such wonderful, sweet kitties."

Well, it is time for their morning feeding and snuggling. I hope everyone has a great day - I know I will.

Another Busy Day
Topic: TV Stars

Posted by: Clara

The Katrina Cats are TV stars once again, being featured on Channel 2 News. Of course, who can resist these sweet faces. Charley, one of the grey tabbys is not feeling well, though. He is sneezing and his eyes are running, so he is getting a little extra TLC. Charley is kind of special, as he is the one that escaped his carrier and spent the ride from Baltimore sitting on my lap. He is such a sweetie - one of the most affectionate of cats. He loves giving kisses on the face and neck - it tickles.

I let the kittens out for a little play time this evening - I have forgotten how much energy kittens have. They spent a couple of hours running from one side of the room to the other. Playing with toys, playing with each other and playing with any part of me that was moving - my shoes, my fingers, my pants legs. They have such distinct personalities though - the long haired grey and white male (Luis)is very shy and reserved. The long haired black and white male (Hugo) is bold and brassy. The short haired black and white male (Floyd) is confident and the one female of the litter (Celia) seems to rule them all.

Then there is Betsy and Camille. Although they are older, they do not lack for energy. They seem so totally bonded, I hope we are able to place them together. Unlike the younger kittens though, they really love being picked up and cuddled. They are virtually identical, but I am learning that Camille has a little more grey and brown than her sister Betsy.

On the News and To the Vet
Mood:  chatty
Topic: K-Cats Update
Posted by Clara

We made it on Channel 7 News. They called me about 11:30 on Friday and asked if they could send out a photographer in about 1/2 hour. I was in the middle of changing all the litter boxes, so I had a choice of quickly making the foster room look presentable or or making myself look presentable. I chose the former. If you didn't get a chance to see it, we will be putting it on streaming video and having a link to it on our website. While I looked pretty bad, the cats looked adorable - and that is the most important part.

Kyle was especially cute and adorable in the video shown. He is such a lovebug and very photogenic. He really illustrated how socible and sweet these cats are. And of course, who can resist the shots of the kittens.

After the photographer from Channel 7 left, it was time to load up all the cats and take them to Central Park to see Dr. Persico. Carol met me there and we unloaded all 13 cats straight into one of the exam rooms. Here is a picture we took once they were all unloaded at the vet's.

While we were waiting for Dr. Persico, we filled out sheets on all the cats with their names and descriptions. Since there were so many, it took us several minutes. Once Dr. P arrived, we had quite the assembly line going. I weighed each one, Carol recorded weight, Dr. Persico took blood, vaccinated and examed each one. The vet techs took the blood for testing, and if they had earmites, took them in back to treat it. Carol recorded her findings on each sheet and then we repeated the process for all 13.

Irene, the one female cat I was a little concerned with was the first adult I asked Dr. P to examine. I had never seen any aggression from this cat, but she always seemed to want to stay in her kennel and didn't ever seem to want to interact with the other cats. While Dr. P was trying to get blood from her for her FLV test, she tried to bite her. The doctor and I looked at each other with surprise - she had never done that before!!! Then all of a sudden Dr. P realized that she had a broken leg that we had just manipulated to try to get the test. We both felt so bad - no wonder this sweet cat had tried to bite, that must have really hurt. Although the break was already starting to knit - Dr. Persico decided she wanted to keep her to examine the leg more thoroughly and spay her at the same time.

Most of the cats had the typical diagnosis of ear mites, or URI, but were mostly in good shape. Then we got to Kyle. Kyle the TV star, had a wound on his tail. You could see the blood had crusted over and since I am not a vet - I didn't want to do anything about it until Dr. P had taken a look. She kept Kyle to neuter him and was going to clean it up and examine it while he was under. I haven't talked to Dr. P yet, but I did talk to her nephew Tom yesterday. He said that Dr. P thought it might have been a gunshot wound!!! If you knew this cat at all, you would know that he lives to cuddle and would go up to any person to be held. I cannot imagine in a million years who would try to shoot this wonderfully sweet boy. Just look at this beautiful face.

Dr. Persico kept 4 of the Katrina Cats in all. Along with Irene and Kyle, she also kept Hermine and Carla, who are very close to heat for spaying. Since they are a very busy practice with no shortage of clients, she was going to fit them in for surgery whenever she could. I can't say enough about her and her husband Dr. Latson, as well as all the vet techs who gratiously donated their time.

Posted by Clara
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Friday, October 7th - Vet Visit
Topic: Vet Checked
I don't have a great deal of time, but I wanted to post an update on the vet visit.

Today was vet day. Dr. Susan Persico from Central Park Animal Hospital is treating all 13 cats – gratious. While she doesn’t want publicity, I did want to let everyone know what a tremendous thing she is doing. The biggest news is … THEY ARE ALL FIV/FLV NEGATIVE!!! All were vaccinated and most were treated for ear mites. I am going to give an update on each and every one.


Ivan – 12 lb male about 1 year old, DSH grey tabby. Ivan is the biggest of the bunch and believe it or not the oldest male. Other than a slight case of URI – almost completely cleared, he is in really good shape.


Kyle – a 7 lb male about 6-7 months, DLH orange tabby. Kyle will be staying with Dr. Persico as he has a wound on his tail which will need to be treated. While he is there, his wound will be treated and he will be neutered.


Karl turned out to be Karla (which I kind of already knew – the paperwork must have gotten mixed up). She is 8 months old, DSH, completely black in color. Karla is also staying with Dr. Persico to be spayed – she is very close to heat and Dr. P wanted to get her done ASAP. She is in very good health other than a case of ear mites.


Charley – a 6 ? lb male about 10 months old, DSH grey tabby. Charley got vaccinated and will be staying with me until his turn comes to be neutered. He is also in very good health (although a little skinny) and was treated for ear mites as well


Irene – 8 lbs is about a year old grey tabby, who had a broken leg. While the bones are already starting to knit – she is in some pain. Dr. Persico is keeping her at the hospital to keep an eye on her, and will spay her in the process.


Hermine – 7 lbs, is about 10 months old, grey DLH female tabby, who is also very close to heat. She will be staying at Central Park for spaying. Other than that – she is in good health.


Betsy/Camille – 6 lbs and 5 ? lb respectively, are about 5 month old grey tabby female litter mates. Dr. Persico suspects they have some sort of worm that resides in the nasal passage, rather than the URI. I am to keep an eye on them to see how they they do. She gave me some Interferon for their treatment.


Isabel – is about 9 months old, DSH, Blk/White female – who other than being slightly testy, is in good health. Dr. Persico thought she could wait for a week or so before we get her in for spaying.


Matthew, Otto, Richard and Bonnie – all between 2 and 3 lbs - 12 week old litter mates, 3 male, 1 female. All have URI (although not severe) and will remain with me for about 3 or 4 more days, while they finish their treatment. They will then be ready to go to foster homes.

More later.

Off to the vet!

Posted by: Carol

Well, Dr. Persico is back in town and will be seeing all 13 Katrina cats today at her clinic (Central Park Animal Hospital). They normally close at 2pm to do surgeries, so that was a good time to unload all of them to get checked at one time. So, Clara (who brought them back) will be loading them up from their temporary quarters at her house and then unloading them at Central Park around 2pm. If anyone wants to drop by the clinic to help handle them, we could sure use you.

We don't know how much Dr. Persico will do right away. We'll have to wait for Clara to report back. Obviously, they will need to be FIV/FeLV-tested, they need vaccinations (besides rabies), and they will need to be wormed. A general health lookover will be a minimum, I'm sure. And many or most will need to start antibiotics for their upper respiratory infections (URI).

I must say, however, that the brood looks in pretty good health and they are certainly in good spirits. Clara has been giving each of them time out of their crates so they can run around and play. The kittens are particularly adorable. Even the one cat with the worst case of URI is looking better and was quite perky when I visited them all last evening over at Clara's.

Great job, Clara. Be sure to update us on your visit with Dr. Persico today!!!