CRAN Cat Tales 4th Quarter 2024 | |
$15,000 Match for our Winter Campaign! | |
Cat Rescue & Adoption Network's Winter Campaign is under way and we just had several generous donors offer a $15,000 match to help us reach our goal of $50,000! That means that every dollar you donate is doubled! We have until January 31st to meet this Match Challenge!
Have you received CRAN's Winter Campaign letter? If not, you can read it here: Winter Campaign Letter Cat Rescue and Adoption Network receives no public money and relies completely on donations and grants to help cats in Lane County. We depend on the money from our Spring and Winter campaigns to provide the foundation for our work each year. Your donations and support makes our work possible and helps, on average, 500 cats a year. Can you help us reach our Campaign Goal and continue helping cats?
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Your Donation will have DOUBLE the Impact! | |
Toadstool
A bit of background on Toad from his foster: "I picked him up Christmas Eve from the emergency vet after he had a second procedure due to a prolapsed rectum. A few days later, he again has another prolapsed rectum so he had a colopexy where they stitch his colon to his abdominal wall so it won’t continue to prolapse. That worked! We then started dealing with his breathing issues. Several medications, test, and a sedated nasal flush later, we were told he would likely have chronic nasal issues and need nasal flushes every few months. Throughout all this, toadstool was the sweetest most kind little kitten. He loves everyone he meets and we knew his perfect family was out there. Almost a year after we took him in, he found his perfect family and is flourishing in his new home."
From his adopter: “He’s doing so well. Our whole household is completely obsessed with him and he has quickly become everyone’s favorite member of the family. Toady is just the best!”
Makes all the ER and vet visits, care, and worry worth it!
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Stevie (formerly Valeria)
Valeria came to us as a kitten and as her foster said she was differently abled. She was very unique as she is missing her radius and ulna bones in her legs, so she looks and moves very differently than a normal cat but that didn't stop her from doing all the things regular cats do, just a little differently. She could still climb cat furniture, with some modifications, and loved to play with catnip toys. Valeria was shy and would take some time to get used to strangers and would need space and patience to get comfortable with her new people. Valeria was a special girl who would need a special home, but we knew her person was out there! And she was. Julianne was the perfect person for Valeria. She now goes by Stevie and we got this update earlier this year: "My name is Julianne and I love everything CRAN stands for. I look forward to reading the CRAN newsletters and I’d love to share my share my story of adopting CRAN kitty Valeria (the kitty who walks on her elbows!) who is now named Stevie. (Adopted August 2023).
I brought Stevie home and her first reaction was HIDE! So, under the couch she went and there she stayed for several days. Her food was gone in the mornings, and her litter used, so I knew she was coming out at night. I spent time reading my current book out loud to Stevie, sitting on the couch while she lay underneath it. One evening, about 3 days after I brought her home, she appeared! She looked at me, and the rest is history. She hasn’t been under the couch in many months and she LOVES to play! She has so much energy and sometimes this turns into mischievous activity (ie nibbling on the spider plant). She sits next to me on the couch and gladly accepts brushing with a drool of gratitude. She’s my Stevie girl and I love her with all my heart.
Some kitties need time to come out of their shell, and for Stevie, time was what she needed. I can’t imagine my life without her and I have CRAN to thank for it!
Thanks for letting me share Stevie’s “tail” and here are some pictures of her now."
Thank you for the update Julianne and thank you for giving Stevie an amazing home!
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For more information on vehicle donations go to: | |
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We need foster homes as well as volunteers to help in other areas including adoptions sites, adoptions, data entry, medical care, transportation, graphic design, fundraising, social media and more.
If you'd like to learn more about volunteering or fostering, please submit a volunteer application here: https://catrescues.org/volunteer/
To foster, submit an application here: https://catrescues.org/forms/cat-foster-application/
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Mark Twain
He owned as many as 19 cats, whose names were perhaps even more impressive than their master's wit. They included Apollinaris, Beelzebub, Blatherskite, Buffalo Bill, Satan, Sin, Sour Mash, Tammany, Zoroaster, Soapy Sal and Pestilence.
He loved them more than most humans and was confounded by humans who didn't love them back.
Mark Twain liked cats more than he liked people.
"When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction."
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Special Kitty Corner
Part of CRAN's mission is to help cats with special needs and we have a lot of special needs cats in our care right now. We never turn a cat away due to medical needs and never consider euthanasia except to end suffering when there is no treatment to help. Our featured cat in this issue is Sasha, who is suffering from stress similar to a cat version of PTSD. Sasha had a tough start in life. She was the only survivor in her litter and had a lower extremity injury (which healed). Sasha had to be bottle-fed and did not grow up with the normal interaction with her littermates and mom which plays such a critical role in socialization. Sasha then spent several years in her adopted home in an environment that was extremely stressful for her. It is not known if there was an event that initially caused her stress or if it was just a situation that caused her continuous stress. Her adopter loved her, but the house had too much going on for Sasha. Lots of children and another cat caused Sasha's stress levels to increase in the household and her behavior started changing. She was exhibiting symptoms of extreme stress including aggression and acting out when her owners reached out to CRAN to return her. Unfortunately, change is another thing that can cause a stress disorder in cats and Sasha has gone through too much of it. She has been in several foster homes and has now been in our intake facility which is definitely stressful. Sasha really needs a quiet and stable home environment with someone patient, who understands cat behavior, where she can decompress and recover.
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Meet Sasha
She is a special girl, very enchanting with a personality that is made up of both sugar and spice. She is known for both her independence and her charm. She will demand your attention, but you must know that she would be best suited in a home as an only cat, no small children, and with someone who is very familiar with cats and who knows how to read their behaviors. The Sugar/Charming Sasha: She can be a VERY affectionate cat that loves to lay in your lap while being petted. She will follow you around while rubbing against your legs asking you to pet her. She loves to climb up to higher spaces while watching you. Once you have earned her trust, she will give you head bumps and rubs as well as purring. She loves to play and chase toys that you toss to her. The Spicy/Sassy Sasha: During her adaptation to new places and people, she can display body language and behaviors that warrant allowing this girl her own space. Slow deliberate movements so that you don't startle her, are very helpful. If you are well-versed in cat language you will realize this and allow her the space she needs. It will take a while (probably a couple of months) for her to come out of her shell on her own terms. Sasha was a bottle baby who was about 3 months old when first adopted. She was returned after five years—we think that she did not like having small children around, nor did she like the other cat in the house. [When she was a kitten, she had no other cats to show her the ropes.] Sasha is a very special cat who will reward a patient adopter with incredible love and affection, once she has acclimated and bonded to her new human. Learn more about Sasha here: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/sasha-74634291/or/springfield/cat-rescue-and-adoption-network-or251/
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Traumatic Stress in Cats
What is it?
Cats may experience trauma that leads to the development of symptoms similar to human PTSD, causing significant challenges to their overall well-being. It is a psychological condition that arises from a past traumatic event or ongoing distress. It can result from various incidents such as physical abuse, car accidents, natural disasters, or prolonged exposure to stressful situations.
Symptoms of a Stress Disorder:
The effects of stress can be debilitating. Cats may display behavioral changes and exhibit heightened fear, anxiety, or aggression.
Cats suffering from stress may experience a significant decline in their overall well-being and quality of life. They might become withdrawn, exhibit destructive behavior, or develop aggressive tendencies. It is crucial to identify and address these challenges to ensure the cat’s psychological and emotional recovery.
Treatment And Management
Treatment in Cats can consist of medication and/or behavioral therapy and creating a safe environment. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed by a veterinarian to help stabilize mood and reduce stress.
Common medications include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Clomipramine
- Buspirone
These medications should always be used in conjunction with behavioral therapy for the best results. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture or massage may provide additional relief for some cats. Working with an experienced animal behaviorist or trainer can help your cat learn coping mechanisms and techniques to manage their stress and anxiety. This may include desensitization exercises, positive reinforcement training, and environmental enrichment.
Creating a safe and supportive environment for your cat is essential in their recovery. Provide them with calm and quiet space where they can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. Use pheromone diffusers or sprays to create a relaxing atmosphere. Establish consistent routines and avoid sudden changes that may trigger their symptoms.
With proper treatment and management, many cats suffering from a stress disorder can experience significant improvements in their quality of life. It’s important to be patient and understanding, as it may take time for your cat to recover. With love, care, and the right support, your cat can enjoy a happy and fulfilling life despite their past traumas.
Prevention
The importance of proper socialization and positive experiences cannot be overstated when it comes to preventing a stress disorder in cats. By exposing cats to different environments, people, and animals from a young age, we can help them develop a strong and confident personality. This will make them less susceptible to trauma and better equipped to handle stressful situations in the future.
In addition to socialization, providing a calming and secure environment is crucial. Cats should have access to safe hiding spots, comfortable resting areas, and environmental enrichments such as scratching posts and toys. These elements help create a sense of security and reduce anxiety.
Real World Example: Awe
Awe's person found her as a very young kitten under her porch. She brought Awe inside and cared for her. Awe escaped for a few hours while she was in heat and got pregnant. After having her kittens, her person lost her housing and surrendered Awe and her kittens to the humane society. Awe broke down at the shelter. With what we know now, we believe she suffered from a stress disorder. Being an orphaned kitten, raised alone and only knowing her quiet home most likely made her more susceptible to change and stress. While she was a loving pet in her home, she became extremely aggressive and acted out at the shelter. It was thought a barn home would be the only option for her. Her owner got on social media and begged for someone to adopt her pet. Knowing she had been a happy pet prior to the changes in her life, it was hoped she could be again. She was transferred to CRAN. Stress is cumulative and Awe was terrified and unable to interact except to hide, growl and hiss. It was a long journey over many months for Awe in a quiet foster home, but she did decompress and return to the loving cat she had been. She found a wonderful home with a patient person who gave her all the time and support she needed in her new home. You can see Awe's story here: Awe's Story
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Ways to help CRAN
Donate directly at CatRescues.org/donate or mail to:
Cat Rescue & Adoption Network, PO Box 72401, Springfield, OR 97475
Support cats while you shop!
Amazon Wishlist - Help CRAN by purchasing much needed supplies to help us care for all of the cats in our program. You can purchase items from our list and Amazon will ship them to us. To get to our wish list for cats click here: CRAN's Wish List or for Kittens: Kitten Wish List
Chewy Wishlist - Help CRAN by purchasing much needed supplies to help us care for all of the cats in our program. You can purchase items from our list and Chewy will ship them to us. To get to our wish list click here: CRAN's Chewy Wish List
Fred Meyer Reward Card - Support Cat Rescue and Adoption Network when you shop at Fred Meyer with your Rewards Card. All you have to do is Link your card and use it when you shop at Fred Meyer. Don’t have a Rewards Card? Stop by the Customer Service desk at any Fred Meyer store and sign up; it’s free.
BottleDrop – Pick up a stickered bag and fill it with your bottles and cans (can be co-mingled) and drop it off at either of the Bottle Drop stations in Springfield or Eugene. CRAN will receive credit for your donation. Bags can be found on the CRAN carts (by the catteries) at PetSmart, Wags! Dog Emporium, Hometown Pets in Springfield, or your friendly CRAN volunteer.
BottleDrop Give: A Great Way Oregon Nonprofits Can Fundraise (bottledropcenters.com)
Other Ways to Help:
Car Donation Donate a car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat you no longer need to support the Cat Rescue and Adoption Network! All vehicles are considered, running or not. The pickup is free and your car donation is tax deductible. Most vehicles can be picked up within a few days and you’ll receive a tax receipt for your donated vehicle. Click here to donate online or call 855-500-7433 to donate!
Real Estate Donation You can donate land, homes, or commercial property to support the Cat Rescue and Adoption Network! Your real estate donation is tax deductible to the amount of the appraisal value and we accept almost any property, so long as there is equity. Even if you owe back taxes or have a mortgage balance! Click here to donate online or call 844-277-4663 to donate!
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Want another way to help the cats in our program? Forward this newsletter to cat lovers who aren't on our list. | |
Do you have an Adoption Tail or Rainbow Bridge Story you would like to share or an article you'd like to see? Email Marketing@CatRescues.org | |
As we start 2025, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every single one of you—our adopters, fosters, donors, volunteers, and supporters. You've made a world of difference for so many cats in 2024!
Here's to even more purrs, cuddles, and happy tails in the year ahead!
Wishing you a pawsome New Year filled with joy, love, and lots of kitty snuggles!
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