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2009 News Archives
2009 Final Stats Are In!
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, visitors, and friends, 2009 was our best yet! You've helped us accomplish many things, and we truly couldn't have done it without you!
- The breeding cycle was stopped for 90 more cats (that's an estimated 828 new kittens that won't be born over the next year, to face euthanasia as they compete for an adoptive home, or suffer injury and starvation, or be victims of abuse or predators)
- Our SOS Participants have spayed and neutered 100 cats since the program began!
- 43 cats were placed in loving homes
- Two additional feral colonies were altered, and are receiving daily care
- 14 dogs were trapped and placed in new homes, or in rescue
- Two injured cats were rescued, and are receiving medical care while enjoying the safety of being indoors
- Soon one landfill will no longer be seeing kittens born among the garbage
- Animal Loving Friends, Inc was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, donations are tax-deductible
- The Cat House has been funded, so that the ferals will have a cool place to convalesce after surgeries during hot summers
- Six new volunteers joined ALF
New pets continue to be abandoned at a rapid pace. During the 4th quarter '09, we altered 18 more cats, and 14 were placed in adoptive homes.
Our dog trap continued to be busy saving the lives of several dogs as well.
Here are some of the faces of those who are now enjoying their furever homes with their own human Mommies and Daddies.
We are very happy and excited to announce that our goal has been met, thanks to
Because of you, we've been able to start the TNR at this landfill, and still continue with the financial commitments for the animals already in our care, and for the senior citizens we assist.
Fall, 2009:
October ObservancesAdopt a Shelter Dog MonthDomestic Violence Awareness Month Raptor Month National Animal Safety and Protection Month Squirrel Awareness Month Wishbones for Pets Month (10/15 - 11/30) - Feed us! World Rainforest Week (12-18) Give Wildlife a Brake! Week (10/26 - 11/1) Fire Pup Day (1) World Farm Animals Day (2) National Feral Cat Day (16) - Fix us! Make A Difference Day (24) Mule Day (26) National Cat Day (29) |
November ObservancesAdopt-a-Senior-Pet MonthNational Adoption Month National Pet Cancer Awareness Month Wishbones for Pets Month (10/15 - 11/30) - Feed us! National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (1-7) World Kindness Week (9-16) World Kindness Day (13) America Recycles Day (15) - Fix us! Micky Mouse Day (18) Cat Days (20-22) National Adoption Day (21) National Family Volunteer Day (21) Humane Society Anniversary Day (22) |
December ObservancesBingo's Birthday MonthInternational Volunteer Day (5) Operation Santa Paws (1-19) Day of the Horse (12) Cat Herder's Day (15) Underdog Day (18) National Haiku Poetry Day (21) |
What Matters Most is How You See Yourself
Someone trying to capture young kittens from a feral colony pulled little George out by the tail. He suffered a spinal injury and was partially paralyzed. He was able to walk again within a few days, wobbly at first, but we were just happy to see his determination! In the beginning the doctors weren't sure if he would recover the use of his legs. He eventually lost most of his tail, and had to spend months in his "Incontinental Suite", but Curious George didn't let anything stop him. With the help of dedicated volunteers from Animal Loving Friends in Tempe, AZ, who fed him goat's milk from a bottle, expressed his bladder and colon, bathed him and cleaned his room twice a day, George had a reason to believe.
As he recovered, everything was exaggerated, including his CATtitude. We wondered if he somehow suffered mentally as well, but the doctors assured us that wasn't the case. Eventually as his pain diminished, so did his desire to be Rocky Balboa!
Two years later, Curious George still walks with cattitude, but it's due to an interruption of messages from the brain that facilitate graceful movement of the legs. It's not painful anymore, and George doesn't know that he's any different! He can now run and jump and climb like any other cat, though his shape resembles a camel. We thought his fecal incontinence was behind him (no pun intended), but he still has an occasional issue and has to be closely monitored. He's at a higher risk for megacolon, a potentially life-threatening condition. George prefers not to talk about his ordeal, but instead he lives each and every day as though it's a gift! He reminds us of the kitten who looks into the mirror and sees a lion peering back.
Submitted to The Animal Rescue Site Shelter+ Challenge, Fall 2009
Honor the Bond Between Human and Pet With One-of-a-Kind "Ani-motions" Art!
This exciting artform is a wonderful way to honor the special bond between an animal and human, and makes an excellent, one-of-a-kind gift. Starting with a photo of the animal, its emotions are expressed by light and color through the artist, and often the animal shares a message for its human.
Order a custom "Ani-motions" portrait before the end of December,
and ALF will receive a portion of the proceeds.
Be sure to give this code when ordering:
Sunday, November 29 from 10AM - 5PM,
Double Tree Paradise Valley Resort - Grand Ballroom
5401 N Scottsdale Rd - Scottsdale, AZ
Admission is Free! Santa will be there for picture taking.
If you can't make the show, orders can be placed online or by phone to benefit the animals of ALF, through the end of December.
Click Gypsy's picture above.
For more gifts and purchases which give back to ALF, visit our Shopping page!
Earnhardt Paws for the Holidays December 12
Come join us for the
Pet Adopt-A-Thon
Saturday, December 12th
10am - 4pm
Earnhardt Ford/Mazda
7300 West Orchid Lane, Chandler
Sponsored by PACC911, Petco, and Earnhardt Ford/Mazda
Holiday Angels Tree Decorating
Help us trim our Holiday Tree with ornaments and lights, place some gifts under the tree, and add a bright shining star to the top!
Be an Angel to one of the many needy animals of ALF this Holiday Season, by making a donation of one or more items for the tree. It will help feed them, provide them warm shelter, prevent them from breeding, and provide any other medical care they may need.
From the ALF family to yours: MEOW MEOW MEOW! Here's hoping Santa Paws makes your holidays Purrrrrfect!
Several months ago, we were contacted about providing TNR for the 30 cats dumped at one local landfill, where a caretaker is providing nutritious food and fresh water. We didn't have the funds for another project, and needed $600 to support it.
We asked for your sponsorship, and many of you "pitched in"
for this very important campaign.
We are very happy and excited to announce that our goal has been met, thanks to
5740 S. Beck Ave
Tempe
Benefit the animals of ALF
Please come out and browse. We'll have a variety of items available, and ALL the proceeds will go directly to the many animals in need.
Our summer rescues drained the account, and we've run completely out of money for Willow's medical treatments!
The summer peak hasn't slowed, and cats left to fend for themselves continue to find our feeding stations. We're thankful they've survived, when we've seen so many who didn't.
ALF hasn't been immune to the ever-rising costs, and loss of income, that have troubled our nation. As little as $20 enables us to stop the breeding cycle for one more free-roaming cat, or feed an entire colony for a month.
We're asked that question quite often. While we'd love to say that she's fully recovered, we can't, but we are still very hopeful.
After a half dozen naturopathic treatments including acupuncture, Willow is experiencing some significant, though subtle, changes. Though we can't say for sure how much is neurologic healing, there are definitely some noticeable physical improvements. Best of all, Willow feels a LOT better!
She has become more social and outgoing, friendlier, MUCH happier. She's much more active, spending more time in parts of the house that she hadn't previously.
The painful area in the mid-back is no longer painful at all, yet still reactive to acupuncture. When placed in a standing position, Willow is a little stronger and can actually hold herself in position for longer periods of time. She's positioning herself differently now, attempting new postures, changing how she positions her legs quite a bit. While scooting around the house, she's making a lot more motions of the legs. This is not a conscious movement, she's not aware that she's doing it. But nerve activity and strength are coming back. Willow's feeling nerve points farther down her back than she has before.
She's beginning to urinate some on her own, and she kicks her legs during that process. So it's possible she's feeling the urge. Hopefully she'll be able to relieve herself completely at some point in the future. Currently she's not able to empty the bladder herself, so she still requires assistance. If the bladder is not emptied completely each time, she'll develop bacterial infections.
The down side to this is that she's a little more difficult for her caretaker to express. We're hopeful she'll continue to recover this function, and one day not require assistance. It will probably take a long time, but we've known some whose recovery from similar conditions took a year and a half or longer.
Recovery is possible, and it seems that Willow is on the right track and responding to acupuncture. It's definitely baby steps, but enough to be cautiously optimistic and to determine that it's still making a difference, and should still be continued. If we come to the point that it's not making a difference, we won't continue. Until then, we need to keep providing this treatment to improve Willow's quality of life.
Willow's medical care is quite costly, and while we've raised quite a bit, her fund is nearly empty. Please help us to continue helping Willow by making a tax-deductible donation to her fund..
Remember to visit
Keep voting every day - there's still time to win!
The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for Petfinder.com shelter and rescue groups, with prizes ranging from $1,000 to the grand prize of $20,000. Animal Loving Friends is eligible to win any of these grants!
All you have to do is visit The Animal Rescue Site, locate the Shelter Challenge tab on the right, and place your vote for Animal Loving Friends. It's free!
There are many ways for us to win some badly needed funds:
- If we have the most votes in any week of the challenge, we could win $1,000.
- If we tally the most votes in our state, we could win another $1,000.
- We may be the lucky recipient of a $2,000 grant if Curious George is selected as one of The Most Touching Stories. Read his entry, "What Matters Most is How You See Yourself". While you're there, you may enjoy some of the other amazing rescue stories! One of our favorites is about the friendly mouse used to lure a feral cat into a trap. Sneakers was not harmed, and was adopted that day!
- And of course some lucky group will win the $20,000 Grand Prize!
Many don't realize that while our passion and primary activities are related to feral cats, the Mission of Animal Loving Friends pertains to all animals. We believe that every life matters. That's one of the reasons we keep a humane trap for large dogs, and make it available to the public.
Our dog trap has been used on dozens of rescue missions, and has never failed! This poor Cocker Spaniel was recently saved just in the nick of time, using our trap. After his owners moved away and left him to fend for himself, this boy became fearful of people. Neighbors tried for weeks to catch him, to no avail. That's when they contacted us, and rented our trap. It took no time at all to catch him, and off to the vet he went! Poor boy was in pretty bad shape, and had to stay overnight for treatment. But the Good Samaritans who rescued him are committed to finding him a wonderful, forever home.
Another effort is underway to rescue and rehabilitate dozens of dogs from a local casino. To date, 26 dogs and puppies have been rescued from that location. As amazing as that is, there are still 12 remaining, and two are pregnant. Please help ALF and 2nd Chance Dog Rescue by offering to foster/adopt and/or assist with their medical care.
The number of new pets being abandoned doesn't seem to be slowing. During the past quarter, Animal Loving Friends altered 16 cats, and placed 14. You, our visitors, altered 11 more!
Our dog trap saved the lives of several dogs as well.
Here are some of the faces of those who are now enjoying their furever homes with their own human Mommies and Daddies.
4667 W. Shannon St.
Chandler
Benefit the animals of ALF
Please come out and browse. We'll have a variety of items available, and ALL the proceeds will go directly to the many animals in need.
We've just got to stop the breeding out there at the landfill, and get Willow some more medical treatments!
We know times are tough and money is tight. Our costs have soared this year, as more and more people have walked away from their pets and left them to fend for themselves. We're thankful so many have found us, so that we can help them. But ALF hasn't been immune to the ever-rising costs, and loss of income, that have troubled our nation. As little as $20 will enable us to stop the breeding cycle for one more free-roaming cat.
National Feral Cat Day is just days away, but people across the nation are working all month long to protect and alter as many free-roaming cats as possible! Our Spay One Stray™ campaign has been a little slow lately, and we'd love nothing more than to put our old numbers to shame! We know the cats are out there, you've probably seen some yourself! Perhaps you have altered some, or told someone else and they in turn got a stray cat spayed or neutered? Maybe you just forgot to let us know?
We're challenging each of you to Spay One Stray™ this month, and to challenge one friend to do the same. Then please, be sure to let us know! We'll continue to add names to our SOS™ Participants page.
Did you know that when you call SNH (Arizona residents),they'll loan you the traps, and it only costs $20 per cat? Of course they welcome a larger donation if you can afford it, so they can assist others who can't.
Maybe you're just not able to do it yourself. That's ok. For each $20 donation to ALF, we'll stop the breeding cycle for one more free-roaming cat. We'd love to alter all the Landfill Cats in honor of National Feral Cat Day, but so far we only have enough for 6. There were 30 when we were first contacted. We've been through a kitten season since then, so there are likely many more. We'd have done it already, if we had the funds. How many can you sponsor? Only $20 each. Please join us in this very important campaign. Make your Spay One Stray™ donation today, in honor of National Feral Cat Day.
"I looked at all the homeless, neglected, and abandoned pets.. the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment, and then spoke softly, "I have done something," was the reply. "I created you."
Wishbones for Pets
Month is observed annually from October 15 through November 30. This worthy cause from the nation's professional pet sitters works to supply charitable animal shelter organizations with food, goods, and funds. Animal Loving Friends has been accepted as a recipient this year! If you can place a drop box at your business, please contact the Regional Director for your area.
We're seeing the first signs of Willow's healing with naturopathic treatment including acupuncture! She's definitely feeling better after two treatments, and is getting more feeling in her tail, but it's going to be very slow. Acupuncture is gradually decreasing the pain from her previous injury, and helping the sore spot in her mid-back. Her tail is without a doubt more responsive (she had zero pain response in the tail prior to this course of treatment). We don't yet know how much Willow will recover, or how long it will take, but it is making a difference. Her treatment really needs to continue, if at all possible.
ALF only has enough money for a few more treatments. Please help us to continue helping Willow! We need sponsorship for additional treatments. Please ask your friends and colleagues to make a small donation to her fund as well. Every penny is tax-deductible!
Click here to donate and remember to share her
Willow also has a new angel who is donating a portion of her
Several months ago, we were contacted about providing TNR for the 30 cats dumped at one local landfill. A caretaker is providing nutritious food and fresh water, but we've just got to stop the breeding! It's only $20 per cat! However, with 30 of them, it's a pretty big bill, and we simply don't have it. We've been struggling with the financial burdens for the animals already in our care, and for the senior citizens to whom we've remained committed. Because of this, we are unable to take on another project until we raise the funds to support it.
Please help us raise at least $600 for the initial sterilization costs by selling your unwanted items, instead of tossing them in the trash or recycle bin, and then donating the proceeds to our Landfill Cats fund. It's a win-win! You won't be filling the dump with yet more STUFF, and you'll aid the poor animals who have been discarded there as though they were trash. As a bonus, you're helping to clean up our environment and making a "green" statement that also benefits homeless animals!
In honor of National Feral Cat Day, let's all "pitch in" for this very important campaign. For each $20 donation to ALF, we can stop the breeding cycle for one more free-roaming cat. We've been through a kitten season since we were first contacted about these cats, so there are likely many more. We'd have done it already, if we had the funds. How many can you sponsor for only $20 each? Please make your tax-deductible donation today, in honor of National Feral Cat Day.
We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts, and from the bottoms of these hungry cats' stomachs!
Summer, 2009:
July ObservancesDog Days (7/3-8/11)National "Doghouse Repairs" Month Rabbit Week (15-21) Moby Dick Week (7/31-8/1) Cow Appreciation Day (15) National Mutt Day (31) |
August ObservancesHappiness Happens MonthAssistance Dog Week (9-15) Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Day (12) Best Friends Day (15) - adopt your new best friend! National Homeless Animals Day (15) National Dog Day (26) National Holistic Pet Day (30) |
September ObservancesWorld Animal Remembrance MonthNational Hummingbird Day (5) National Pet Memorial Day (13) Responsible Dog Ownership Day (19) Elephant Appreciation Day (22) International Rabbit Day (26) Shamu the Whale Day (26) World Rabies Day (28) |
ALF has been really busy the past several weeks, rescuing 10 precious lives, and sterilizing the adult cats who produced them. Our volunteers have logged more than 150 hours on this rescue alone, another 300 on socializing these beautiful babies who were born in the desert, and we're not done yet! We've become way too intimate with the natural inhabitants of the desert, especially those who only come out at night. We've caught (and released) skunks, instead of cats and kittens, on 8 separate occasions.
In 11 years at this location, we had never seen a Siamese cat, but this Spring and Summer have brought more than a half dozen to the area. Some have been adopted, some were feral so they were trapped, spayed, and released. Some showed up extremely pregnant, ready to deliver any day, in search of food and a safe, secluded area to have their babies. Unfortunately we've seen a few of them dead, hit by cars, one of whom was very pregnant. This can bring even the most seasoned rescuers to their knees, saddened like you can't imagine! Our volunteers are giving SO much of their own time and money to capture and sterilize as many as we can, while trying to rescue and salvage the somewhat tame ones, always racing against the clock trying to prevent suffering and death.
Meet Baby Dillinger and all 10 of the kittens rescued during this mission in our Breaking News Special Edition Newsletter.
Besides the many hours and tanks of gas, we've spent a small fortune on smelly foods to attract the cats out from their hiding places. Tuna, mackeral, salmon, specially made equipment for trapping small kittens in confined spaces, and lots of miscellaneous items have all been quite expensive. Testing and vaccinations, spays and neuters, and of course tests and treatment for a variety of parasites, and lots and lots of kitten food, have broken the bank again.
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and Simplify Holiday Baking! (And you'll be doing it all for homeless pets)
Click the flyer at left to View a full-sized version of the flyer here.
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Another Excessive Heat Warning
We have some urgent fundraising goals, and still do not have enough to construct a very inexpensive shelter (only $400) to get some of the animals out of the dangerous heat.
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The space is available, and the animals in need are plentiful! An air conditioner has been donated. But even the feral cats have had to remain unaltered, because we've simply run out of room for them to recover from surgery. It would be extremely cruel to leave them confined in a trap in a garage that's become an oven! A guest bathroom that would have provided space for 2 - 3 recovering cats, is now full of rescued kittens, the products of unaltered strays. Even if you can't assist financially, please help us spread the word, to save more animals from suffering! Forward our Sponsor page to your animal loving friends, to help build a shelter, save the landfill cats, or get Willow to a specialist, and follow our progress by selecting one of the pictures above.
Finally the guest bathroom opened up, but kittens are still occupying the larger room. Decker would really like to have some space to share with some humans! He is FAR from feral. In fact, if there's a lap to be had, it's his! Decker has shown that he's quite the affectionate guy, even with people he's just met. In fact, he's difficult to photograph, because he has to be so-o-o close! He'll curl up in your lap and lay his head against your chest, and look longingly into your eyes, occasionally rubbing his face on yours. Now, that's NOT a feral cat!
Please click one of his pictures to meet Decker and give him the wish he's been begging for!
Celebrate Extra Special Pets on August 12
Seniors, Special Needs, Undersocialized, Black Cats, "Bad Reputation" Breeds. Many things can make a pet seem less-adoptable, but the fact is, often those very characteristics are what make a stronger bond between pet and human. Face it, animals know when they've been rescued and given a second chance.
The older pet, missing his previous owner, scared and confused in the shelter, may take a little extra TLC to help him heal his broken heart, but he will reward you tenfold for giving him love and comfort in his golden years. Seniors are already trained, and often the first to be killed in the shelters.
Like our George, handicapped and other Special Needs pets don't know that they're different. They're a triumphant sort - overcoming challenges that we mere humans might let ourselves be overwhelmed by. They will inspire you every day, and make your complaints pale in comparison. Their enthusiasm is contagious!
Black cats and certain "bad reputation" breeds of dogs are the hardest to place, but they're the most plentiful among animals in need of a home. They usually make the best pets, have fun personalities, are good protectors and often considered good luck!
Extra Special Pets enhance us with their love, forgiveness, and determination! Improve your life today - adopt one of these harder-to-adopt animals this August 12!
Go Green and Help Save Lives!
Animal Loving Friends has a simple way for you to do something that helps the environment, clears your clutter, and helps homeless animals at the same time. No, we're not talking about recycling printer cartridges, although we'll gladly accept those as well.
Some beautiful cats are living at the dump, reproducing like rabbits! We have a trapper
committed to getting them all spayed, and a caretaker who will provide nutritional food.
All we need is $600 for the initial sterilization costs. Instead of tossing
your items in the trash or recycle bin, consider cashing them in, or selling them, and then
donating the proceeds to ALF's
Landfill Cats fund. It's a win-win! You won't be
filling the dump with yet more STUFF, and you'll aid the poor animals who have been discarded there
as though they were trash. As a bonus, you're helping to clean up our environment and making a "green"
statement that also benefits homeless animals!
This is perhaps the ugliest side of humanity. We've all heard about these animals struggling to survive at the landfills, eating what they can find in our community's discarded garbage. They become entangled in plastic "six pack rings", are exposed to dangerous chemicals, cut their paws on broken glass and other sharp objects, and do not have access to clean water or nutritional food. Nobody wants to think about it, let alone see it. It's easier to pretend it doesn't exist. But it does. We have been asked to assist one such landfill, where a colony of feral cats are being fed a healthy diet, but they continue to reproduce.
Because of the financial burdens required for the animals already in our care, and for the senior citizens to whom we've remained committed, we are unable to take on another project until we raise the money to fund it.
For each $20 sponsorship, Animal Loving Friends will trap and alter one cat, and stop the breeding cycle. Each one could prevent another 18 cats from being born at the dump over the next year, and up to 420,000 over a seven year period!
How many can you sponsor? Only $20 each. Instead of discarding your items in the trash, please recycle them and donate the proceeds to ALF's Landfill Cats fund. It's a win-win! Please join us in this very important campaign. Make your Spay One Stray™ donation today, in honor of National Feral Cat Day and America Recycles.
"I looked at all the homeless, neglected, and abandoned pets.. the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment, and then spoke softly, "I have done something," was the reply. "I created you."
We have joined FirstGiving, an online service helping to raise funds for non-profits, even as small as ALF! Since ours is a mostly out-going, expense-centered operation, we sorely need your help to spread the word! We have a number of urgent needs with no money in the account to meet them. We've historically had only a few hundred dollars to our names, but have spent thousands every year from our own pockets, to provide for the 100 or so cats depending on us for their survival, and the dozen or so we have prepared for adoption each year, gladly forfeiting their adoption fees to the organizations who help us find suitable homes. This year is no different, except that we are finally eligible for services such as FirstGiving, and our pockets are empty! Please share the message of ALF's Landfill Cats Fund at FirstGiving.
Willow Needs to See a Specialist
Willow desperately needs to see a specialist to help her to walk again, if possible. We can't bear to let her live the rest of her life dragging her legs behind her, if that's not necessary! But we need $1200 for an initial exam and tests, and we just don't have it! Perhaps her injuries can be treated, but we won't know unless we can raise the money for her to be seen, and - hopefully - treated. Please ask your friends and colleagues to make a small donation to her fund. Every penny is tax-deductible! Create your own page to raise money for Willow, add her widget to your existing web or Facebook page, or email your friends. Visit Willow's fundraising page at FirstGiving.
Excessive Heat Elevates Urgent Need for Cat House
Arizona is currently under an Excessive Heat Warning, with daytime temperatures near 115, and nighttime temps barely getting under 100! Unfortunately we've had some recent dumping occur near some of our colonies, and first-generation feral cats of a pure breed are arriving pregnant, near delivery. In addition, many tame cats, once someone's housepet, are finding our feeding stations as their only means of survival.
Some beg for rescue,
even chasing after our cars as we leave the colony. We've had to make use of our outdoor
overflow pet enclosure. But even with the mister system in this extreme heat, and the
rising humidity of the monsoon season, it's unbearable. Someone already donated an air
conditioner so that we can build a "house" for the enclosure. The estimate is just over
$400, but we only have $500 and a litter of kittens scheduled for spay/neuter surgery.
This is very time-critical. We need you to get the word out there and help us raise the
money needed to build this cat or dog "house".
and add a widget to your own web or Facebook page.
Keep track of all FirstGiving campaigns created by Animal Loving Friends here.
Look What the Stork Delivered!
Many pets have been abandoned during this economic downturn, and left unsterilized, cats are showing up at our feeding stations, already pregnant and extremely thin. While we have tried to alter as many as possible, we've still ended up with a couple of litters of kittens. We just couldn't keep up with the high abandonment volume, and only a couple of trappers. The result? Dakota, Gypsy, Hudson, Scout, and Compass (so named because of the peach dots at the N, E, S, and W positions of her gray head).
Their mama was not tame, but we were fortunate to catch her at the same time as her babies, so she has been spayed and returned to her new feral family (colony). The kittens have already been tested for kitty aids and feline leukemia, and found to be in excellent health! Two are still a little undersocialized, but the others are ready for homes of their own. Please see our Adoptables page to get acquainted with these precious travelers.
A second litter are still holed up with their feral mom in a locked lot, among some crates that humans can't reach, or in the treacherous ravine full of mesquite, creosote, and creepy crawlies. Smart mamas, they know predators can't get in there either! But that means we just have to wait for them to come to us. Stay tuned ....
Artistik Designs Our Logo
ALF thanks Artistik Design Studio for donating their Logo Design services! They created our new whimsical cat logo, now appearing at the top of all pages on the ALF website.Artistik Design Studio specializes in custom web and print services, offering the latest in visual design and marketing. Their goal is to create design that stops traffic, sells your product or service, and promotes your success.
Please visit them on the web at http://www.artistikdesigns.com/, or call 480.275.4593, and be sure to thank them for their generosity to Animal Loving Friends, and animal rescue!
Spring, 2009:
| BREAKING NEWS: ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY FERALS HAS BEEN INJURED...READ WILLOW'S STORY BELOW |
International Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Stress Awareness Month:
According to a study
presented at an American Stroke Association conference, cats reduce stress and are good for the heart.
International Pooper-Scooper Week (1-7)
National Wildlife Week (18-26)
National Volunteer Week (19-25)
World Rat Day (4)
ASPCA Go Orange for Animals (7 in NYC, 18 in Austin, 25 in LA)
Pet Owners Independence Day (18):
Dog and cat owners take off from work and the pets go to work in their place, since most pets are jobless, sleep all day and do not even take out the trash. Owners get to stay home all day and lie around on the back of the sofa.
Teach Your Daughter to volunteer Day (18)
Earth Day (22)
National Hairball Awareness Day (24)
Bulldogs are Beautiful Day (25)
Our Go Fetch! Food Drive has been Extended Through June - PLEASE Help Us Feed Them!
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Go Fetch! Food Drive for Homeless Animals Month National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month National Foster Care Month World Lyme Disease Awareness Month National Moving Month National Stroke Awareness Month Strike Out Strokes Month Be Kind to Animals Week (3-9) National Pet Week (3-9) National Dog Bite Prevention Week (17-25) Respect for Chickens Day (4) World Migratory Bird Day (9-10) World Turtle Day (23) Hug Your Cat Day (30)
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IRS Approval Obtained!
We are so excited and happy that Animal Loving Friends has finally obtained non-profit, tax-exempt status as an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) charity! This means that your donations since February 5, 2009, are fully tax-deductible, as allowed by law.
There are many ways to help ALF to continue caring for free-roaming cats. Visit our
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is April
We hope you'll join us in pledging to
If you're a night-owl, this task is purrfect for you! You would set out humane traps just before dusk, then check them periodically throughout the
night. Early the next morning you would pick them up. If you caught any cats, you would take them to the clinic to be spayed or neutered.
This is such an important role in preventing the needless deaths of so many young, beautiful kittens, who just have no place to go. With the recent
economic conditions, and the volume of people losing their homes, many more cats have been abandoned. They are their most fertile RIGHT NOW!
If we can get them sterilized before they have babies, there would be SO much less suffering. But we're exhausted, and just cannot continue to do
this by ourselves. We only have a few people who trap, and unfortunately we're seeing new arrivals at our colonies by the dozens.
Send us an email at alfrescue @ hotmail.com.
We could really use some help! We're bracing ourselves for the onslaught of newly-discovered kittens, knowing we won't be able to help many of them.
We believe that our best defense is offense - attacking the problem at its source - by altering free-roaming cats. Can you help?
Why Does Willow Weep?
Willow has been added to our Special Needs page, where we will continue to report her progress and let you know if she recovers. If you believe in prayer, or powers of positive thinking, we would be so grateful if you would include Willow. We've started a special fund for her medical needs as well.
Curious George Thrives
We promised to keep you updated on George's progress, and happily, there really is nothing newsworthy to share. George is pretty much a normal, happy, healthy cat. He's still very confident, knows no bounds or limits. His incontinence is behind him (no pun intended), and he really would rather not even talk about his ordeal! He is quite stout and thick - not fat - he just feels, well..., solid. Most days you'll find George hanging out with his best friend, Boca, enjoying his outdoor enclosure. But at the end of the day, he still likes to climb on Mom's shoulder and try to sneak in some sucking on the earlobe!
Pets with Disabilities
We thought this might be a good time to share some other inspiring stories with you. Many dogs and cats live full, happy lives, despite their disabilities. Some are from birth defects, results of poor breeding, crowded puppy and kitten mills. Some are from illness or accidental injury, like our Willow. And some are, as disgusting as it is, caused by cruelty, abuse, and neglect. Their bodies may be broken, but their spirits aren't. Pets with Disabilities is a very special organization, indeed. We hope you'll take some time to read some of their stories, perhaps consider providing a permanent home to a disabled pet in need. And don't forget to send us your pledge to prevent animal cruelty by clicking on the Caring Tree above.
Kitten Season has arrived once again!
We didn't escape it this year. Pregnant, homeless cats are being found every day, dozens each week. Kittens are filling shelters and foster homes. This is one of the most critical times for animal rescue groups. While families are out enjoying the gorgeous weather, rescuers are enduring the chaotic frenzy we call "Kitten and Puppy Season". Far too many babies die each Spring and Summer. If you can help by providing a temporary home to an animal or litter in need, or you can bottle-feed orphaned kittens, please contact us now at alfrescue @ hotmail.com to be placed on the list. Check out the SOS™ Campaign page to see how you can help prevent the senseless killing of innocent cats and kittens by the thousands.
Mesa Riverview "Yes, We Can!" Make Room for Another Pet Event
We hope you can come out to the Mesa Riverview Mall Theatre District on Saturday, April 4 2009. From 10am to 3pm, Animal Loving Friends, along with dozens of other local rescue groups, will be on site to share information and find new homes for lots of furry friends in need. It's right off the 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) & Dobson Rd exit. We'll be in the area near the Cinemark Movie Theatre. With a new bag of pet food, you'll receive a free raffle ticket for great prizes offered by PACC911. Click to see the flyer.
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 ObservancesHappy Mew Year for Cats Day (Jan 2)Answer Your Cats Questions Day (Jan 22) |
February ObservancesAdopt A Rescued Rabbit MonthNational Pet Dental Health Month Spay Day USA (Feb 24, 2009) |
March ObservancesAdopt A Rescued Guinea Pig MonthNational 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!
Thanks to your generosity and a deeply discounted rate from our wonderful new, energetic volunteer, we are now in the process of filing for our non-profit status. We've submitted the necessary forms and are awaiting approval! Soon Animal Loving Friends will be an IRS-recognized non-profit charitable organization.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've not previously obtained 501(c)3 status as an IRS-recognized charitable organization. When faced with the choice of filing fees or veterinary care for a sick or injured animal, we help the animal every time.
Now that we've reached our goal, just what does that 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!
Animal Loving Friends Directors and volunteers, along with all the cats (and some dogs) in our care, wish to extend a hugeWOOF!
Kitten Season is right around the corner!
The mating season for cats began in early December, so litters will soon be found in your community.
Paws for Love This Valentines Day!
PACC911 PET-ADOPTATHON,
SATURDAY Feb 14 2009,
10 AM - 4 PMEarnhardt Ford/Mazda (Ray Rd just east of I-10), 7300 W Orchid Lane, Chandler, AZ 85226
Meet us in the parking lot to find your furever love
Kiss overpopulation goodbye!
Enable Safe Sex for free-roaming cats - TNR
Discover steps to take - in a heartbeat - when you find baby kittens
Arizona Veteran dies, leaving behind 37 50+ cats
(updated January 20, 2009)We originally reported 37 but have learned that the number of cats calling Sarge's place "home" was much higher. To date, all of the friendly cats (more than 30) have been adopted or placed in rescue! There are still 11 cats and kittens who are in need of new homes, but will require some socialization. The house will be sold soon, and the remaining cats will be displaced. These kitties would make excellent barn cats. If you have a safe location to offer sanctuary to any of the barn cats, we urge you to consider saving a few lives. In return, they'll reward you with keeping pests at bay. It's a win-win! Before relocating barn cats, please read Safe Relocation of Feral 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"? |
|
| Introducing Blessing | |
|---|---|
|
Blessing came to the Az Rex-Q rescue through divine intervention. They were asked to remove a Rex from the county
euthanasia list, only to find that the cat was actually an American Short Hair. Because she was scheduled to be
put to sleep in a few short hours, they could not bear to leave her behind. They feel they were sent to the pound
that day on an errand for God who has a special plan for this kitty.
Please click her picture to meet Blessing. |
7650 S McClintock Dr
Suite 103-120
Tempe, AZ 85284
Email:
alfrescue@hotmail.com