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OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR!

The 7th Annual Whiskers & Wine Gala is November 7th at Thousand Oaks Golf Club from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person. This year's event includes a full dinner, live auction, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, cash bar, and MORE! 

Sponsor opportunities are still available through September 15.

Visit our website to purchase tickets or to register as a sponsor. 

Limited seating is available! 

Purchase your tickets early to guarantee you 
won't miss out on this fun and exciting evening!



OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

September 6 (1pm.-3pm.) Meet & Greet at Crash's Landing.  Our cats would love to have some visitors. Whether you are interested in adopting or just want some cuddle time, stop by for a visit. 1545 Diamond NE, Grand Rapids. No appointment required. Contact [email protected] for more information.
 
September 13 (1 pm.) Volunteer Informational Session at Crash's Landing. 
Are you interesting in becoming a volunteer? Register for our next Volunteer Informational Session. Participants will take a tour of Crash's, meet our cats and find out more about what it means to volunteer with our organization. Contact [email protected] to RSVP. 

September 20 (1pm.- 3pm.) Meet & Greet at Crash's Landing.  
Take advantage of our Meet & Greet to check out our shelter and spend time with our wonderful cats. We're located at 1545 Diamond NE, Grand Rapids. No appointment necessary. For more information, contact [email protected].

September 23 (11am.-11p.m.) Pizza Hut's Pizza Wednesday.   
Print this  flyer, order from any of the 14 participating West Michigan Piz
za Hut Locations, and 20% of your total bill will be donated to Crash's Landing & Big Sid's Sanctuary. Dine in, carry out or delivery available.

LL Cool Cat at Crash's Landing
Keeping Your Cat Safe AND  Happy Indoors

While it is true that the majority of our residents have been saved from life on the streets, one visit to our shelters should convince you that they prefer the creature comforts of an indoor lifestyle. 

Still, some people worry about restricting a cat to living only indoors and/or believe they are being "mean" to the cat by keeping it inside. 

For others, their cat's incessant pleas to go outside can be overwhelming. Here are some things to keep in mind when the temptation to let them out strikes.

What does your indoor cat miss?
  
For starters, getting hit by a car, feline leukemia, attacks by dogs, poisoned food, pesticides, cat fights, fleas, ticks, worms, abscesses, getting lost, getting stolen, steel-jaw traps, human cruelty, gunshot wounds, puncture wounds, wild animal attacks, cold, rainy weather, just to name a few. And, yes, we've seen plenty of evidence of all of these at our shelters.

Benefits of life indoors
  
The average life span of an outdoor cat is 2 to 3 years, whereas an indoor-only cat can live 15 to 20 years. Indoor cats are usually healthier, too, which saves on veterinary bills for treatment of contagious diseases, parasites, and abscesses from fights with other animals. While it is true that cats enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, they do not need to go outside to be satisfied. Some creative planning on the part of their humans can help indoor cats live fully.

Tips for making the transition indoors
  
Remind family members, housemates, and visitors not to let the cat outside. Post signs near all doors, and if you live with children, teach them to close the door behind them. Be especially cautious with screen doors that may not latch tightly. Last but not least, make sure if you move or change phone numbers that your microchip information is up to date in the event kitty does ever find herself outside unexpectedly.

As your cat makes the transition to the great indoors, you can transform your living quarters into a veritable cat paradise. The more you give your cat to do, the happier she will be inside.
  • Double the space, double the cat's pleasure. If your floor space is limited, you can expand upward with kitty condos or climbing trees. The taller models, especially those with multiple perches, make the most of vertical space and appeal to cats' natural interest in heights.
  • Cats love to sun themselves and enjoy looking outdoors. Install perches or shelves to provide your cat with more windows of opportunity. Bird feeders placed near windows attract a variety of wildlife and engage the interest of indoor cats. 
  • When the weather allows, leave windows open so your cat can get fresh air. Make sure that each window is securely screened so that the cat cannot fall or jump. Many cats enjoy chewing on grass and other plants. Garden centers and pet supply stores sell wheat or oat grass seed to be planted in small pots for indoor cats. Make sure the seed has not been treated with chemicals, and remove all potentially toxic plants from your cat's environment.
It can be a challenge to keep an indoor cat active and fit. The best way to get your cat moving is through interactive play. By encouraging her to pounce, leap, and run laps around the house, you can help your feline couch potato become an indoor athlete.

Often the best toys are the simplest. Cats love to chase catnip toys and feathers dangled in front of them on wands or short poles. If you work outside of the home, kitty will learn your schedule and sleep while you are away. Once home, make an effort to play with her every day. 

Don't discount the most available toys around the house. Most cats love to explore paper bags, boxes and baskets. They often find their own sources of amusement, so don't be surprised if your cat ignores an expensive toy in favor of plastic milk jug rings, crumpled paper, or an old sock. The key is variety. Rotate favorites in and out of your cat's toy box, and try hiding toys around the house for your cat to find over time. 

(Article content courtesy of Paws.org)













"Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life."
-James Cromwell


You can learn about the residents of Big Sid's Sanctuary, including Norbert and Combo (pictured above), by clicking here.




Crash's Landing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Whether you can afford to donate a little or a lot, we 
g reatly appreciate your support!

$10 -  provides 1 day of wet food for the special needs  and/or
recovering cats

$28 -  sponsors a cat for one month

$56 -  covers the medical costs for one new cat entering our program

$75 -  provides 1 week of dry food for over 200 cats at both shelters

$125 -  provides 1 week of litter for over 200 cats at both shelters




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DID YOU KNOW?

At our shelters, we make sure that every cat receives a weekly check up.

We monitor weight, overall appearance, feet, teeth, ears, and eyes. We also provide nail trims as needed. We keep a log of any areas of potential concern. 

How often do you check over your own pets?

Be mindful of changes in any of the following:

*Activity

*Appetite 

*Weight 

*Behavior 

*Litterbox use

*Stool consistency

*Urinary output

*Time sleeping

*Interactions with you and others

*Coat

*Breathing rate

*Mobility

*Sound of his voice

*Sound of his breathing

*The way he smells

Avoid the tendency to dismiss subtle signs. There are not always warning signs, but knowing your cat's behavior can help prevent costly visits to the ER or at least help minimize the level of treatment that might be needed. 

Also, make sure to make and keep  yearly veterinary 
check-ups. 

Point out any areas of concern, no matter how silly they may seem.

IMPORTANT REMINDER! 
Always seek out immediate medical treatment for cats who cannot urinate or who are having difficulty breathing.

HOME SWEET HOME!

Congratulations and best wishes to the following cats who have recently found their forever homes:

*Choppers

*Autumn

*Douglas Furbanks

*Camellia

*Fisbo

*McIntyre

*Lucille

*Boris

*Oliver

*LL Cool Cat

*ZZ Top Cat

For every cat adopted from us, two are actually saved--the one who goes home and the one who takes its place in our program. 

Thank you for caring enough to give each of these deserving cats a second chance at a great life!