ALF Animal Loving Friends

Winter, 2008/2009:

Documents available for Download: Whole Foods Event, Found Kittens?, Is She Stray or Is She Feral?, Clinics, Spay One Stray fact sheet

January Observances Happy Mew Year for Cats Day (Jan 2) Answer Your Cats Questions Day (Jan 22)

February Observances Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month National Pet Dental Health Month Spay Day USA (Feb 24, 2009)

March Observances Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month National Professional Pet Sitters Week (Mar 1-7) National Animal Poison Prevention Week (Mar 15-21) What If Cats And Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day (Mar 3) Swallows Return To San Juan Capistrano Day (Mar 19) National Puppy Day (Mar 23)

We've reached our goal!

What does this mean for us? We'll qualify for more charitable and company-matching programs, receive more donations, and be able to help more cats in need!

What does it mean for you? Your donations will be tax-deductible! So watch this website for updates, and save your receipts!

A Very Special Thank You to YOU!

Kitten Season is right around the corner!

Paws for Love This Valentines Day!

Arizona Veteran dies, leaving behind 37 50+ cats

Dick Swartz spent an entire career in the US Army serving his nation. When he retired, he returned to his home in the Phoenix area. Over the years, many homeless cats were drawn to him, and Dick never said "No" to a cat in need. From a trip to the grocery store to buy cat food one hot summer day, Dick came home with another mouth to feed, having found a kitty under a box in a shopping cart! Hearing a car speed away from his home early one morning, Dick ran out to find a loudly meowing sack in the driveway, and in it a very hungry kitten. Strays found Dick's home a safe environment to have their litters of kittens, and Dick's heart trustworthy and warm. When Dick died August 31, 2008, 37 cats had come to depend on him. They miss their "Dad".

We agreed to help Dick's sister find safe and loving homes for these kitties. You'll find them in our Featured Pet spotlights, on our Adoptables pages, and on Carolyn's tribute pages to her brother. Click the picture of "Sarge" to meet his cats at

http://www.pbase.com/shadepuppy/sarge&page=all.

Introducing Victor and Hugo
	Victor and his buddy Hugo are very friendly cats who were found living in a feral cat colony. Victor's back leg had been broken. It was treated by a vet and both cats now have a clean bill of health. But they are tame indoor cats who are crying "At the End of the Day" because they have to live outside! This pair truly are Les Misérables, and suffering social injustice. They're hoping that you'll "Look Down" with "A Heart Full of Love", realizing you have "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and bring them home to your "Castle on a Cloud" so that neither has to spend "One Day More" "On My Own". Won't you click their pictures to meet Victor (left) and Hugo, and "Bring Him Home"?		Click here to meet more Adoptable Pets!

Fall, 2008:

Previously: Financial Aid, Pet-Friendly Housing, ALF Policies

November 9 update: FACCs Hero Award Recipients Announced

He does have some exciting news of his own to share, though. Curious George has been adopted! He will live out his life with his caretaker and guardian, and will be a permanent ambassador for ALF. We promise to keep you up to date with his progress and news.

Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month (November)

Thinking of giving a home to a new pet in time for the Holidays? Please consider adopting a senior! They are less likely to be interested in your Holiday tree and decorations, and are not too demanding during this busy time of year. Seniors are so thankful to be with someone who is committed to loving them even when they aren't able to run like they used to, and maybe aren't as funny when they play as they were as babies. They know how to enjoy a casual stroll, or snuggling on the sofa for movie night. Seniors are already trained, and in our disposable society, people often abandon their older animals at the shelters, in order to give a new kitten or puppy as a gift to the children. The seniors are so often overlooked in the shelters, and after giving years of loyalty and love to their family, they now face loneliness and despair. Seniors are often the first to be killed in the shelters. Please consider giving the gift of life to an older cat or dog this November, or anytime.

October 16 is National Feral Cat Day!

Since we at Animal Loving Friends launched our Spay One Stray campaign just a few, short months ago, our visitors have prevented 377 unwanted births from taking place this year. That's potentially more than 8.6 million unwanted births prevented over the next 7 years ¹, from you, our animal loving friends.

Mating doesn't stop after kitten season, so neither does our Spay One Stray efforts. Please spread the word, and help us to fill our SOS Participants page.

Did you know that more than 70% of cats who enter animal control shelters are killed? That number jumps to virtually 100% for feral cats. ²

Trap, neuter, and return (TNR). Altered Tails is holding special "October Fix" clinics all month long, with a goal of spaying and neutering 1,500 free-roaming cats during this month. Let's help them attain that goal!

Read our Spay One Stray fact sheet, then visit Altered Tails/AzCATs to make an appointment today! Tell them ALF sent you!

¹The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that one unaltered female cat and her offspring can produce up to 420,000 cats in just seven years!
²Source: Alley Cat Allies

Come Meet Us at Whole Foods November 8!

Thank you all for coming out and supporting us at the Whole Foods Pet Event, and for your generous donations. We hope you found answers to some of your questions, and some information to help the cats in your neighborhood. We'd especially like to thank Whole Foods for sponsoring the event and Ruff Ruff Pet Stuff for donating the cat tree for our raffle.

For all your pets' needs, we urge you shop at Ruff Ruff Pet Stuff, where they don't inflate their prices just to say delivery is free. With a minimum purchase, deliveries really are free to most East Valley residents. We've compared the prices, and found savings of up to $7 on some of the products we use the most, compared to other merchants. The prices at Ruff Ruff Pet Stuff truly can't be beat. They carry healthier products, which means fewer trips to the vet! We're so thankful to have found them, and we're sure you will be too!

Other Observances this Fall:

Please consider making an evacution and emergency plan for your pets. Prepare a First Aid Kit. Update your will and make provisions for your pets' care in the event you are no longer able to care for them. Check out your local and state laws and lobby to make changes if needed, to ensure that all citizens and their pets are saved in the event of disaster. If you're caring for feral cats, visit this link at Alley Cat Allies to see how to prepare for and assist feral cats during emergencies.

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (Nov 2-8)

Please thank your local shelter and rescue workers and volunteers. Ask them how you can get involved and help needy animals. Be generous with your donations.

The animals are depending on you!

December Observances:

International Volunteer Day (Dec 5)
Operation Santa Paws (Dec 1-19)
Day of the Horse (Dec 12)
Cat Herder's Day (Dec 15)
Underdog Day (Dec 18)

Have You Found Kittens?

If you've found kittens, please resist the urge to remove them. Mom cats have to eat too, and the mother of the kittens you see is likely out searching for food. You can make it easier on her by providing food and water for her to eat, and a nice comfy "nest" for her and the babies. We've provided information in our Found Kittens brochure to help you determine whether you need to remove the kittens and how to care for them if you must. You'll learn the various stages of development, and how to determine their age. The brochure requires Adobe Reader. If you don't have it, you can download it here or click the Adobe Reader button above.

Is She Stray or Is She Feral?

Either Way, Please Spay!

Introducing Stratton and Itsy Bitsy Sandy Kitten
	Stratton and Itsy Bitsy Sandy Kitten are two very lucky kittens. They were found on the streets, too young to fend for themselves, products of unspayed female cats left to wander outside and mate. Thankfully for these two, they were found in time, and brought into rescue so that they can become cherished family members. A very responsible neighbor found Sandy, and convinced her owner to allow her mama cat to be spayed. Sweet, kissy Sandy and her siblings are now hoping to find safe, inside homes of their own. Stratton was found near a home improvement store, tagging along with the adult feral cats to find food. He didn't know about Stranger Danger, and would surely have met with disaster if left outside much longer. He's now safe inside, and looking for his own home to improve! Please click their pictures to meet Stratton and Sandy.

Introducing Joey

Joey's dear human father passed away on August 31, 2008, leaving behind several beloved cats who are now in need of a new home. We hope you will consider sharing yours with one or two of them. Joey and Mikey are two years old, and look very much alike with shades of gray with swirly patterns on the sides - very handsome! Joey is a lap cat, and will jump into your lap whenever you sit down. Mikey likes to give love bites. He'll be sitting near his caretaker, then lean over and crunch on her arm and then look up at her. He seems to enjoy it, and thinks she should too! We think they both should have as much attention as they need, so we're hoping you'll ask to meet these gorgeous boys! click here to meet Joey. To see the rest of this feline family - who are also in need of some lovin' - please click http://www.pbase.com/shadepuppy/sarge&page=all.

Introducing Beez and DB
	These kittens were saved when some mean person paid a big, fat sum of money to catch and kill all the cats in the area. Hey, don't animal cruelty laws apply here? A kind-hearted observer managed to save this litter of kittens, and promised to find them good homes. Stan and Luce have been adopted, but their siblings, Beez and DB are still hopeful that you'll want to make them a purrrrrrmanent part of your family. Altogether now, say "Awwwwww!" Please click their pictures to meet Beez and DB.

Introducing Toby

Toby's dear human father passed away on August 31, 2008, leaving behind several beloved cats who are now in need of a new home. We hope you will consider sharing yours with one or two of them. Toby wants attention and he will make sure he gets it! He will walk in front of you, curl around your leg, and if you still don't rub his cheek or whatever else he's wanting you to do, he will stand up and put his paws on your leg and tell you to stop whatever else you are doing and PAY ATTENTION NOW! We think he should have as much attention as he needs, so we're hoping you'll ask to meet this gorgeous boy! click here to meet Toby. To see the rest of Toby's feline family - who are also in need of some lovin' - please click http://www.pbase.com/shadepuppy/sarge&page=all.

  Save a Life? Or File Non-Profit Forms?
  What Would You Do?

Most of the animals that we help literally come from the streets, homeless or abandoned, suffering in some way. We do whatever is needed to rehabilitate each one. If it is feral, we often provide the care and feeding for the rest of that cat's life. Many times the treatment costs reach several hundred dollars for a single animal. It's for this reason that we have not obtained 501(c)3 status as an IRS-recognized charitable organization, although we operate in much the same way. When faced with the choice of filing fees or veterinary care for a sick or injured animal, we help the animal every time. We are hopeful for a benefactor who would be willing to pay for our filing costs to obtain non-profit status ($650-$1000). We believe that with that designation, we would receive more donations, and be able to help even more animals. If this is something that you can provide to us, please click here for our address. Any amount helps us to reach our goal, even if you can only contribute a few dollars. Click "Donate" if you prefer to use Paypal.

August/September, 2008:

Survivor: Eye Of The Tiger

Please visit the FACC web site to learn more about this event, and be sure to bookmark this page and check for an update after November 8, 2008, to see if George won!

Click here to read George's story.

Economy devastating for animals too

Please do not advertise your pet "Free to a good home". The essay, Free Kittuns, by Jim Willis, is printed in its entirety below. If you are considering giving your animal away for free, please take a moment to read this heart-felt, yet oh-so-real essay about what happens when animals are "free".

There are many disreputable people in our midst, who may appear sincere and caring, but people are not always what they seem. Many "free to good home" animals end up in horrible situations. There are abusers, and people who will feed baby animals to snakes. Some are used in dog fighting rings. "Bunchers" or "Class B Dealers" collect free or cheap animals to sell to fighting rings or test labs, or offer them on the open market.

This is all very sad, but unfortunately it's not even rare. If you must re-home your animal, please be sure you ask a lot of questions of the potential new owner, ask to see their ID and write it down, visit their home to be sure they are who they claim to be and that it will be a safe, loving environment for your pet, and charge a rehoming fee that is higher than the current rate paid by labs.

Capturing Abandoned Pets

We have one of the few humane dog traps in the Valley, and it has been quite busy this year. If you are trying to capture a homeless pet, please be sure you understand our policies before contacting us. We are not an adoption group, and cannot accept animals from the public. However, we will assist the public to the degree that we're able, within our established policies. Please review them here.

Pet Enclosure Update

Introducing Alley

When Alley became homeless, she had to find herself a new place to stretch out. She did! At a busy gym. She staked a claim on a nice big bush out front. The kind people at this business couldn't help but notice her, because she spoke to them morning and evening, and rubbed on their legs and feet to tell them how much she loves humans and would appreciate a bowl of cool water and some kitty food! Poor Alley lived at that gym for quite a long time before she was rescued. Kittens just a few months younger than her had filled all of the foster homes, so Alley had to wait patiently for someone to find some room for her. Alley is young, perhaps 8 months old. She has a petite build, long and lean, with a tiny face and a tiny voice to match! Alley loves people, rubs and pets herself on you as soon as you walk in the room. Purrs softly. She even gives gentle kisses. Alley kneads while she eats. It's so cute! If you can assure that she'll never be outside again, please click here to meet Alley.

Introducing Darla and Smidgen
	Darla (far left) and Smidgen (far right) are waiting for their forever homes. Their brothers have been adopted, but these two are still in foster care. They are happy, healthy kittens, the product of an unspayed female abandoned to survive on the tough streets alone. When their mama found herself pregnant, she took up residence at a horse barn belonging to a local Police Department posse, where there was ample food, water, shelter and shade. The curious kittens came out to greet the officers and caretakers, so as soon as they were old enough, we scooped them all up. Mama Starr was spayed and returned to her colony where she'll have lifelong care and won't be able to produce any more homeless kitties. The kittens were placed in foster care, where they've blossomed, and learned to love life inside, with humans and other cats and dogs, and lots of food and toys. Darla and Smidgen are so lucky to have had such a smart and healthy mama, and caring individuals who contacted us for help. Now they need you to write the rest of their story, and give them a home of their own. These precious kittens are in the care of AZ Maine Coon Cat Rescue. Please click their pictures to meet Darla and Smidgen.

Introducing Banjo

Banjo is approx. 2 years old, with the amber eyes and pale nose of a Chocolate Lab or Weimereiner, small ears like that of a Shar Pei, and the body of a Yellow Lab. He is laid back, playful with Sammy, oh so very gentle-natured and good with other dogs, affectionate and gentle with humans. His buddy Sam really needs to live with Banjo. They were separated when the Good Samaritan who found them was able to place Banjo in an adoptive home. The resident dog did not accept Banjo, so he was returned and reunited with Sam. Sam had been heartbroken and wouldn't eat. As soon as Banjo returned, Sam's light returned. The two now share everything, walking shoulder to shoulder, playing, eating from the same bowl, sleeping in the same bed. Both are house-trained, good in a car, well behaved on leashes. To learn more, please click to meet Banjo.

Introducing Gertie

Gertie is a sweet, cuddy girl who is looking for her forever family. You see, her last "family" left her and her one surviving kitten outside to fend for themselves when their owner broke up with her boyfriend and moved out. Because Gertie used to live inside, she didn't know how to find food, water, or shelter, and became super skinny and dehydrated. She and her kitten were rescued just in the knick of time! They brought the kitties inside, gave them a full belly, and a cool place to escape from the HOT HOT sun. Gertie is vocal and likes to chat about everything you've missed when you weren't home. Please click to meet Gertie.

Introducing McCloud

McCloud is a huge love hog at 17 pounds and believed to be 4-5 years of age. He has very large, 6 toed, mitten paws. That's right! He's a Hemingway cat, otherwise known as a Polydactyl. He talks a whole lot and is very, very smart. He chooses love before food almost always. He constantly talks and head butts me. He's very healthy and muscular. This big male is so sweet and gentle with the baby kittens in his foster home. He is so easy-going that he'll likely fit into just about any home. Please click to meet McCloud.

Introducing Thelma and Louise

Just as our names imply, we are best of friends, sisters actually. We are terribly sad because our father passed away. He loved us so much! He used to call us over to sit with him. He called me Thelma Honey and my sister Weezie. Our Dad used to like to drink a little too much so he lost the feeling in his legs. He went into rehab in Florida just before Christmas. We went into boarding for two months. Dad got out and moved into assisted living and we got to go live with him there. But after his third fall and trip to the hospital, our human sister brought us to Arizona in an RV. We went back into boarding until Dad got healthy enough to go into assisted living again. We were so excited to be back with him and spent three glorious weeks with him in our new home before he passed away. So we went back into boarding again. We are so lonely and scared and want to find a new forever home. Please click to meet Thelma and Louise.

Introducing Shorty

Shorty came as a stray, and the owner didn't want him back. He's a terrior mix who is crate trained and potty trained, and he knows to use a doggy door. He is about 24 pounds. He is a really sweet dog, loves to walk on a leash, is great riding in the car, or just hanging out with you. Not sure if he gets along with cats or not. He does need to be groomed about every two months. He is nonshedding, which is a real plus. Please click to meet Shorty.

Introducing Briggs

Baby Briggs was seen running in the garden department at a home improvement store. He came out when called, meowed at us, and ate food in front of us. He was quite small, and shouldn't be left alone. Little Briggs loves everyone he meets, human, cat, or dog. He follows his foster mom around like a puppy, looks longingly into her eyes, and cries softly with a tiny little voice, asking to be picked up. As soon as he is, he flops his face right against her face, and purrs, pets her face with his paws, and then gives kisses. Thankfully we found Briggs before he starved, or was hit by a car at this busy location on the freeway. Please click to meet Briggs.

June/July, 2008:

Did you know that May is National Moving Month? It's the start of the period when Americans relocate the most. Add to that our bad economy and high foreclosure rate, and it's practically criminal how many animals became homeless during the month of May! It was a very demanding month for us with orphaned kittens and sick and injured adults. We have rescued cats and kittens from industrial sites, crawl spaces under buildings, inside attics and interior walls, vacant homes filled with trash, caught between block walls. In recent weeks, two cats were found with serious illness and injury and could not be saved. We humanely and lovingly helped them to the other side.

Our financial resources are drained now more than ever. Please consider donating at this time. It's vital to the animals who find their way to us to help them.

Our Pet Enclosure is Almost Done!

Curious George's Surgery a Success!

In Memory of Chandler and Sweetness

A brown tabby cat began to show up at a feral feeding station, enjoying the privilege of ample food and fresh water, without having to fight for it. He was quite cautious, yet pretty laid-back, as far as ferals go. He rewarded his caretakers' efforts by staying close, and showing them how much he appreciated a good meal. It's always so satisfying to know that you may be the difference between life and death for those in your care. We made an appointment for his neuter.

A few days before the trapping was to take place, the brown tabby boy waited for me to arrive. He was badly mangled, his entire left side was swollen, scraped, infected. His eye and mouth were almost swollen shut. The left forearm looked to be scraped to the bone. Pus was neon yellow. We don't know if it was a cat fight, perhaps he was mauled by a dog or coyote, or hit by a car. He made full eye contact. I blinked, talked softly, moved cautiously. I had no problem trapping him.

He was quite the cooperative partner that night. This feral cat decided when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. He was trapped, but said, "What the heck, I may as well enjoy this meal!" I quickly covered his trap and placed it in the vehicle. When I lifted the edge of the sheet, he was still chowing down!

I took him to the vet, where it was discovered that his liver was also badly injured or diseased. He was too far gone to save. I had promised him we'd make him feel better. That we did, I suppose.

I was angry. It didn't have to be this way. He shouldn't have been left to fend for himself, fight for his very life. Please say a prayer for our little boy.

I didn't take his picture. We want to remember him as a beautiful brown tabby, not memorialize the sick and injured version that was the last leg of his journey. He is now on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, restored to perfection, happy and carefree.

I named him Chandler.

Sweetness ate from the feral caretaker's hand, and allowed herself to be scruffed and placed into a carrier without a trap. This was a lost or abandoned domestic cat, a "stray". Once she was contained, however, she became very agitated and angry. When a hand came toward her, she attacked, and bit her caretaker pretty deeply. Off to the vet she went.

During her spay, she was found to have very serious urinary issues with heavy bleeding. She likely had suffered trauma, perhaps hit by a car. Or she may have had a long-term, chronic condition, causing her former family to kick her out. Without a history, we'd never know. She had no identification, and was not reported lost.

After several days at the vet, her condition was not improving, and neither was her behavior. She was obviously in a lot of pain. We had to make the very difficult decision to end her suffering. Please include this sweet little girl in your prayers.

For the pretty black and white cat we call "Sweetness", and for "Chandler" the brown tabby, we dedicate the site visits and donations until our next update. Godspeed, little ones. Until we meet again.

Introducing Pixie, Kachina, and Kahlua
	Pixie, Kachina, and Kahlua were born in someone's attic, and fell between the walls of the house. The interior walls had to be cut to get them out.		They will be available for adoption in mid-July. We are accepting interest-only applications at this time. To submit an online application click here.

May, 2008:

Spay One Stray

Pet Enclosures

In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb?

Introducing Cheyenne

Cheyenne was once a feral cat living with the lone survivor of her litter of kittens, at a 24-hr fast food restaurant with a drive-thru, on a very busy 7-lane road. They huddled together under a bush along the curb, and would take turns darting back and forth to grab french fries that were dropped on the ground by the motorists, and then returning to hide under their bush. Many cats and kittens were seen hit on that road, and it was only a matter of time before this pair also lost their battles with speed. Cheyenne watched as one by one her own kittens and other cat friends succumbed to the perils facing feral cats. If you have it in your heart to give a home to a very special, shy girl, and let her take as long as she needs to feel safe, please click to meet Cheyenne. What more precious gift can there be, than giving a life to one that would have been gone long ago, had nobody cared? "Within the heart of every stray lies the singular desire to be loved"

April, 2008:

The Giveline online store has closed effective March 25, 2008

Curious George has reached new heights!

Do you see him up there? This is a safe outdoor cat enclosure which George would live in if he didn't have to come inside to eat. He likes to play with those pods on the vine. He decided fresher is better, and went for the ones at the top! But close enough wasn't good enough for our King of the Jungle! No! George wanted the pods that were just out of reach. He stretched as far as he could. But then he couldn't figure out how to get back down. So Buttercup climbed up to help him. She couldn't carry him down, so she just showed him the proper way to descend a fence.

In the end, his foster mom had to get a ladder and rescue the poor little guy all over again! Hard to believe this little guy has a separation of the spine and was once more than 90% paralyzed! He certainly doesn't believe it!

Want an outdoor cat enclosure?

Making use of existing walls, only the pool fencing had to be installed. 1/4" heavy-guage screen provides a barrier. Lattice and vines cover the top and provide shade.
	Add some perches. Install a pet door. Build a "porch". Happy little campers!
This one is made from all chain link construction, including the gate. The larger gaps are covered with chicken wire to prevent escapes. Totally concealed behind the wall.
	Plenty of room for towers and houses. Rounded pea gravel is gentle on the feet, and easy to clean. Sunshade covers the chain link top, to keep it nice and cool. Great for dogs, too!

ALF is in need of some cat enclosures. If you, or anyone you know, is willing to donate or deeply discount the labor to build them, please email alfrescue @ hotmail.com right away! We also need some more materials.

March, 2008:

Meet Baby Bear

Curious George Update

His shape still resembles a camel, somewhat, and he walks like he has attitude. He really does have attitude. However, we believe the way he walks is due to a lack of coordination, an interruption of messages from the brain through the nerves that were damaged, which facilitate graceful movement of the legs. George can run and jump and climb again like any other cat, though! He reminds us of the kitten who looks into the mirror and sees a lion peering back.

[Click here to read George's story.]

Introducing Giveline as a Revolutionary Way to support Animal Loving Friends!

Giveline.com is an online store created for the community-minded shopper, offering more than a million bestselling products including books, movies, music, electronics, housewares, gifts and more. Every purchase generates a substantial donation to Animal Loving Friends - an amazing average of 16% of store sales, sometimes as high as 33%. Giveline has great products, great service, and great prices - the only difference between Giveline and other major online retailers is that every purchase earns money for our organization. Check it out today, and if you decide to buy, remember that Animal Loving Friends will earn significant funds in support of our mission!

A recent recommended book is Solomon's Angels by Doreen Virtue. A quick search found it priced lower at Giveline.com than at another leading online retailer.

February, 2008:

Curious George has passed a new milestone!

He has had difficulty controlling his bowels, and in the beginning George suffered constipation. This put him at risk of developing megacolon, a life-threatening condition - as if he wasn't in enough danger already! As he recovered, we discovered a pattern. On cleaning day, George would experience diarrhea. 10 steps forward, and 4 steps back!

He has recently made it through cleaning day without incident! 17 steps forward, and counting! Keep your paws crossed.

[Click here to read George's story.]

January, 2008:

We got busy and put out a plea to a large network of animal advocates. Within a few days, five no-kill rescue groups and a perfect stranger from another state, had come together to right a wrong. We all gathered in the parking lot, while one by one, the scared, abandoned cats were brought out of vacant apartments in crates. By the end of the night, 12 cats were saved.

The next morning we received a call. Another cat had been found in a closed cabinet, abandoned 16 days earlier!

None of these cats were feral, they had all once been loved members of a family, and each has a story of its own. One cat whose owner was incarcerated a few years before, was taken in by another family who left him behind when they moved. He wandered until he found yet a third family to feed him. He was found wandering the complex again after all tenants had moved out.

Another cat kept re-entering her old apartment which was filled with cat toys.

One big tom cat lived his first 6 months in a pouch being carried around by his female owner. When she left, she gave him to the tenant who wouldn't leave until he found this boy a home. He had provided a heating pad to keep the cat warm when he had to stay outside. When the out-of-state contractor promised to take care of his cat, a tear rolled down the man's cheek. He knew he could now move on without worrying about his cat. Yet he returned a few days later on his bike to be sure his cat was safe.

Despite their ordeal, all 13 cats are very sweet and affectionate, and have learned to trust again. We have shown them that they are not disposable. Now they need "furever" homes where they can share their unconditional love with a permanent family.

Licorice and Picasso are two of these sweet, loving cats, who are counting on us to find them a new family who will love them for the rest of their lives, and never abandon them again. They are very well socialized and friendly. Licorice is a small female black cat, and Picasso is a small male gray tabby. They are so thankful to be rescued, and greet their foster mom with immediate purrs when she enters the room. Click on their pictures below to meet them.

All of these cats are eternally grateful to their angels, Charlene and Bob, and to the rescue groups who have promised to give them a second chance at life. We're proud to be a part of this effort and wish to acknowledge our peers. Please visit the following groups to meet some more of these gentle souls:

Paw Placement

Cactus Cats

Arizona Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

We also wish to thank Valley Dogs for loaning us a temporary foster home for 4 of these cats.

Every day in this country more than 16,000 unwanted animals are killed in public shelters. That's one every 6.5 seconds. More than 1,000 of them are killed right here in our county every week.

The most important thing anyone can do about this atrocity is to spay and neuter your pets. Then help someone else that you know to do the same. One unaltered cat and her offspring can produce up to 420,000 cats in just seven years! If the shelters were not so full, perhaps fewer people would think of them as a sure ticket to death, and no longer choose abandonment over relinquishment.

December, 2007:

September, 2007: