2008   

C.A.R.E.  

                                                    

Cat Adoption & Rescue Efforts, Inc.
P. O. Box 2934
Richmond, VA 23228
(804)288-9797
www.care-cats.org

Spring is a season associated with renewal and rebirth. So what better time to present two C.A.R.E. stories of salvation where, in spite of daunting obstacles, precious souls were saved? Of course none of what we accomplish would be possible without your unselfish financial support. Thanks to you, our faithful, hardworking volunteers, and our loving adopters C.A.R.E. has redeemed over 4500 lives since 2001. most basic of formulas, but without you C.A.R.E. could not fulfill our mission, the rehabilitation, care, and “lifetime” adoption of cats that we rescue from Kill Shelters in the Richmond, Virginia area. C.A.R.E.’s generous donors, faithful, hardworking volunteers, and loving adopters have enabled us to save over 4200 lives since 2001.

"Indy" Finds His Treasure- He was named Casper when he was rescued from a rural pound at the age of just 5 weeks. We knew that he was deaf, but found that he was so horribly ill with an upper respiratory infection that his eyes were swollen, tightly sealed, and oozing pus. He labored to breathe and we were terrified that we would lose him or that he would never see again. He could not hear the soothing words of his foster mom Helen, but he reveled in her caresses. He had such an indomitable spirit that she decided to rename him Indy after the intrepid Indiana Jones character. He was one of the sunniest and bravest little chaps she had ever met.

At His C.A.R.E. Rescue- A Very Sick Baby

On the Road to Recovery

Indy sans Fedora- Handsome and Healthy Nonetheless

With abundant love and the best of veterinary care, in spite of all his problems the little tyke began to improve. During the course of his treatment it was discovered that he also had a major congenital heart defect. He was taken to a feline cardiologist from Vienna, VA who determined that his future was uncertain. Surgery was not an option for him but it was quite possible that he would overcome his heart problem and live a long and happy life. He thrived in his foster home, his alert little eyes cleared of infection, and he behaved like any other normal, happy kitten. He was full of fun and loved frolicking with his cat buddies and leaping at his foster mom’s earrings. His purr was loud and constant and he just could not get enough attention from people. He was a social butterfly, loving everyone and everything. Now all he needed was the perfect adopter, someone willing to overlook his deafness and the ever present possibility that his heart defect might take him away prematurely from those who loved him.

Our prayers were answered when Helen convinced his cardiologist that Indy would make a superlative addition to his household. He is thriving in Dr. Weidman’s family and for how ever long he lives he will be much loved and given the best of care. Indy was one expensive little fellow, but there is not one C.A.R.E. volunteer who ever met him who does not think that he was worth every penny, every worry line, and every tear shed in sadness and ultimately in joy.

Luke Nugget- One stifling afternoon last summer glowering clouds swept in, bringing torrents of cold rain. The days old kitten (drying umbilical cord still attached) was caught up in a torrent of water and carried away from his siblings and feral mom down into a storm drain. We will never know why he did not drown or how he survived his Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride through the drain, but the kindly being that protects the small and helpless was there for him. Mr. Kitten was deposited, shivering and mewling plaintively, under a pile of storm washed debris. He would have perished there from shock and exposure, but a passerby out walking after the storm heard his pitiful cries. There under the storm’s detritus was a sodden puff of fur that upon further study revealed itself to be a tiny baby cat. Our tale’s next installment was the hurried warming of the waif by C.A.R.E. volunteer Laurie and a rush to Petsmart for kitten formula. C.A.R.E. volunteer Shannon, a veteran in the raising of motherless kittens, then took over caring for the little guy. That meant around the clock feedings every two hours and constant worry that his exposure to chilling and the bruising flume ride through the storm drain would yet take his life.

Nugget- Storm Tossed Waif

Luke-Nugget Fleming

Foster mom Shannon’s son Nick named the little guy Nugget and in short order Shannon’s mom met Nugget and instantly fell in love with him. Shannon warned her that, because he was so tiny and had been through so much, he might not survive. Allowing him to capture her heart might lead only to sorrow and grief. But mom’s heart had a large void from the loss of her love, a gray tabby named Arthur. Nugget was just the guy to fill that empty spot and she took on his feeding schedule, which now had grown to “only” every 4 to 6 hours. Nugget, now Luke Nugget Fleming, not only has survived, he has flourished. In January Shannon said of him, “He is now my mom's new love. Luke is joining three other cats, all rescued from various terrible situations. Luke is crazy outgoing and loves to sleep with my parents every night. He is best buddies with Doc, my parents grown male cat. He rules the house and loves everyone and "just runs, all over the house" according to my mom. Luke Nugget is now 7 months old and is a big boy, very long and sleek.”

It took a lot of people, much effort, and even more love to save Luke Nugget. He is worth every bit of that and proves that no life, however small, is unimportant.

 
     

For other ways to help, please visit our web site at www.care-cats.org. You will also see many of the cats available for adoption.

Ukrop’s Golden Gift Program has returned to its paper-based format. Your certificates will be mailed to you on 4-28-08 and the deadline for non-profits to submit collected certificates to Ukrop’s is June 14. Please keep us in mind for your Golden Gift funds.

C.A.R.E. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Upon request, a financial statement is available from the Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

This newsletter is dedicated to C.A.R.E.’s foster parents. Without these people, who love and nurture our C.A.R.E. cats in their homes, we could not fulfill our rescue mission.

C.A.R.E. thanks Digital Banana of 2904 W. Clay St., Richmond, VA and an anonymous donor for making this color publication possible.

“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.” Pam Brown