HewwowKitteh

September 4, 2014

Tiny Little Alice

Little Alice not long after being nipped. So skinny!

It’s been sad and frustrating for me to watch Alice try to integrate herself into our little colony here. She’s a tiny little thing, scrawny and used to scrapping for food. And she’s obviously used to standing up for herself to the bitter end.

For whatever reason, after release from being trapped and nipped, she decided to try out our colony for a new family. Despite what the rest of the cats thought about it. Actually, I take that back. None of the other cats seemed to mind the idea at first. Now they mind.

Alice struggles with her own frantic emotions and desperate needs. I’m sure being so small and scrappy, she’s been living on the edge of starvation for a while. So this new environment where there’s food regularly is weird for her. She still isn’t quite used to eating out of the food bowls so I pile some food on the cement for her.

At the same time she desperately wants to be part of a family. she wants security and affection from her colony, and some sense that she’s not alone. Unfortunately her emotions are high, and her reactions quick.

There’s the usual head bumping among the cats, and leisurely swishes alongside each other. Trading scents and god-knows-what-all on their fur. It’s a comfort, bonding thing on the outside, and a way to create a family smell and share common (good) bacteria and such at the root levels.

Alice attempts to head bump with the other cats, but since she’s new, they are a little cautious and take time to sniff at her. She reacts too quickly to perceived rejection, and lashes out at them. Now after repeated interactions like that, the other cats shy away from her, deepening her frustration and rejection, making her more angry.

She wants nothing more than to belong and mix in with this family, but her own hyper-sensitivity and frantic mind-space drives them further away from her. Not unlike people I know too well.

I make every effort to help her and them. When I am with them, I make sure to pet both Alice and whomever she is trying to snuzzle in attempt to keep the energy calm while she finally gets to cuddle and they see that she’s not out for their blood. I do see her calmly sitting near one of the other females from time to time but it’s so easy to get everyone riled up that it can’t last. Hopefully in time she can come down a few notches and the other cats can relax around her. She needs that second chance at a real family.

And of course, another new young female has appeared out of the darkness, needing to be fixed.

August 20, 2014

Skinny Males with Balls

Boris pre-nip, 8-20-14

Sometimes cats show up on my porch to eat and I don’t understand how they can be that goddamn skinny and still be alive. Alice was one of them, and then Boris showed up. I initially called him Boston, but he was this awkward, amicable, think, gangly cat that reminded me of an Eastern European friend. So I changed his name to Boris.

This cat, as skinny as he was, had a disturbingly large set of balls on him. Now I admit, because of my mission, I look at cat balls too often to identify the ones that need to be removed. But when he comes around to eat, his skinny frame and short fur do nothing to hide the large pair of cajones on the back end of him.

He’s skittish and sad, with a big, angular face. Very light brown tabby. And very skinny.

August 19, 2014

Cheeto, the Elusive Orange Testicles

One day I will trap and nip this big, orange bastard, and on that day I will go to the bar I hang out at (Loosey’s) and buy everyone a round of drinks.

He’s not a bad cat, and I feel bad when I see his scrawny shape slinking around the neighborhood. I just want his testicles removed. I suspect he’s the sperm donor for a lot of the neighborhood kitten population. He definitely has sprayed urine against my front door and car tires. Testosterone is a dangerous thing.

His big orange pumpkin head, with big fighting cheeks, turns up on our block whenever a female is in heat. For a few weeks he had a wounded leg and was limping pretty bad. But I still note when I see him. Because those testicles are mine! Hear, that Cheeto? Mine!

August 18, 2014

Getting 8 Kittens Fixed

Fundraising, 8-16-14 — After two days we were almost half way there!

Fundraising is a challenge, but often the only option.

I can only offer a thousands thanks to our many fiends who like cats or like us enough to pretend. We are faced with getting eight kittens (going on teenagers) fixed for adoption. Even going to No More Homeless Pets: Operation Petsnip clinic was going to cost $640. Money we didn’t have but I was willing to put on a credit card if I had to.

The five kittens we had were starting to smell like cats, and the boys were nipping at their sister’s necks in a suspicious way. And all of our forays into possibly adoptions were met with “Are they fixed?” A very responsible question, but eye-opening for me. We needed these furballs nipped a.s.a.p.

I put out a call for help on Facebook for friends to help with donations to my PayPal account. Yes, I had looked at the crowd souring / crowd funding services, but I wanted to keep it simple. Over a few days we had reached the half-way point. Another few nudges on Facebook brought in almost the rest of the funds needed.

With a total of eight kittens, we needed each to get snipped ($50), rabies ($15), and parasites ($15). When I called to make the appointment or the two girls first, I was told we could get free microchips just for now because of a shared grant. Bingo!

Once these kids are fixed up, they’re going to be highly adoptable. All thanks to my lovely friends and family who pitched together to help us out.

Thanks to:
Margaret & Charlie
Amanda B.
Samba & Family
Gopala
Fancine & Paul T.
Erica K.
Linne & Nicole
Damian B.
Nellie E.
Allyson D.
Katie C.
Sarah & Cameron
Kim Ann
Renee R.

[We are still $30 short but I am moving forward with getting all of the kittens fixed as soon as possible.]

August 7, 2014

Alice’s Nip Day, 8-7-14

Alice nips day 8-7-14 — Alice’s Nip Day on Aug 7, 2014. I was so lucky to have trapped her. The jury is still out on whether she had a litter of kittens before she was nipped.

July 20, 2014

Operation Catnip of Gainesville

Operation Catnip of Gainesville is a local TNR program.

T-N-R – Trap, neuter, return (also ‘trap, neuter, release’). These are programs popping up across the country. They coordinate volunteers and veterinary staff to trap local feral, stray, and community cats so they can be spayed/neutered, and given shots (rabies, feline leuk, feline HIV, etc.) and flea/parasite treatment. They will also be given any critical medical care needed.

Our local TNR program has the fortune to be working in conjunction with the UF veterinary college, so the kitties have a lot of opportunities to get fixed, and the vet students get necessary real-life experience.

Despite the controversy of the TNR practice (see Wikipedia for the full details), I fully stand behind it because of how it has transformed my own neighborhood and colony. I feel safer knowing the neighborhood cats are not carrying diseases, and there isn’t an insane overpopulation problem that usually results in cat fights, kitten explosions, cats spraying everywhere, and dead cats scattered about all over. -Editorial commentary here [I also volunteer at the clinics whenever I can]

Operation Catnip is a FREE service to the community. Call, email, or visit their office to find out how to take advantage of this program.

What to expect:

Contact OC for date of next clinic. They are held almost every month, except for July.
You will need to bring cats in an approved humane trap. You can get your trap approved at the OC office. Or you can borrow a trap (or a few traps) with a security deposit.
Trap your feral cats in the humane traps the night before the clinic (there is much more info on how to do this on my blog). Make sure they don’t have any food after about 7PM. Kittens MUST be 8 weeks and/or 2 pounds. Keep them in a safe place out of the elements and away from animals or insects over night.
Bring cats in traps to the UF Vet School the morning of the clinic between 7:30AM and 9:30. There are small signs directing you around the vet school to the left towards the large animal paddocks. Pro-tip: You can drive through the gates closest to the building and drop your cats off at the clinic doors, but it is often crowded and I highly recommend parking in the small lot and carrying your cats in to the receiving area.
There are usually volunteers helping direct intake but it can be quite busy. There is usually a rough line formed where you can put down your cats and wait for a volunteer. You will be asked to fill out a page with your info and info for the cats you are bringing. There will be several check-in stations to go through to make sure everything is in order and your cats are good to go. You will be given a paper slip for each cat you brought and a pick-up time.
At pick-up time, you return to the same place with your slips of paper. A volunteer will take your slips to retrieve your cats from recovery. Someone at the desk will go over discharge info with you and address any unusual issues with your cats, and answer your questions. Your cats will be checked out, and you will be free to go home.
It’s best to keep them covered (but not overly hot) in a safe place away from the elements and animals/bugs. Check on the cats periodically over night, following discharge info. Absolutely no food or water unless instructed by discharge staff.
In the morning (around 6AM or 7AM), you can return the cat to the area you trapped it and release it. Pro-tip: if you put out food and release it at the food, it might eat at that time, or it will know to return to eat, since it will be hungry.
There is extensive info on their website.

The Operation Catnip offices are located on NW 6th St on the back of the Humane Society building. The Operation Catnip clinics are held at the UF Vet School.

It costs approximately $50 to spay/neuter and treat each cat. This is a free service to Alachua county community cats and any donations and support are greatly appreciated.

Operation Catnip of Gainesville
PO Box 141023
Gainesville FL 32614
352-380-0940

Operation Catnip online:
OCGainesville.org
On Facebook

July 20, 2014

No More Homeless Pets

No More Homeless Pets offers low-cost spay/neuter for your cats or dogs through their Operation Petsnip program.

A common problem for pet owners is the high cost of traditional veterinary clinics. NMHP is part of the drive to end unnecessary euthanasia in Alachua County, and part of that is stopping the flow of unintended kittens and puppies.

No More Homeless Pets is located on NW 6th at the rear of the Humane Society building. If you drive around the side of the Humane Society, the NMHP admissions door is where the two wings meet.

4205 A-2 NW 6th St
Gainesville FL 32609
352-376-6647

The info:

Spay/neuter for cats/kittens = $50
Required rabies vaccine. If you need it, that is only = $15
Kittens must be 8 weeks and 2 pounds
Other service include deworming, other vaccines, flea treatment, microchipping, ear cleaning, and nail trimming
They offer a ferral cat package for $50, which is the same thing offered at Operation Catnip clinics.
The offer dog: spay/neuter ($80), rabies and other vaccines, parasite treatment, heartworm test, microchipping etc.
They also offer ‘cat in a box’ and ‘dog in a box’ packages.
All of the people that handle your pet are professionals, from reception staff to vet tech to certified veterinarian. Any fees you pay are minimal to cover actual supplies and costs. The balance of the service is underwritten with grants and donations to reduce animal overpopulation and enrich animal quality of life.

If you are on a fixed income or receive assistance like food stamps or social security, please discuss lower fees for your situation. This is a non-profit organization that is focused on working with the needful community. Please keep in mind that this is a small non-profit instead of a fancy veterinary hospital. You will need to work in their time frame. (It’s been my experience that these are all incredibly lovely and helpful people who are overworked, so don’t get grumpy if you have to call them a few times before you successfully make an appointment.)

What to expect:

Call to make an appointment day (352-376-6647). Cat and dog spay/neuter fees must be paid in advance with a deposit by check or credit card.
Take away cat’s food at 7:00 PM the night before surgery. If they may have eaten after that time, make sure to tell the person checking you in for surgery.
Day of surgery: You must arrive at 7:30 AM for orientation and paperwork with the group of other patients. Cats must be in a hard carrier (or a humane trap if ferral). Cats and dogs must be left in your car during check in.
After check in, retrieve your cat (or dog) and bring it to the correct door, and give the vet tech the check-in paperwork along with the cat or cats.
Cats are scheduled to be picked up at 5:00 PM (dogs are picked up at 4:30). You will be given discharge info, all of which is very important.

Pro-tips:

If you have multiple cats/dogs, your cat (or dog) that has surgery will smell funny to the rest of the pets. This will cause stress to everyone for at least two days. To shorten this, take a shirt you’ve recently worn that smells like you and rub it all over your cat to transfer familiar scent.
It’s more than a friendly suggestion to get the “Yesterday’s News” cat litter. Especially for male cats whose surgery sites are left open. Regular litter is dusty and particles can get into the site and cause infection. This litter is pellets, and super awkward, but is better than an infected nibbles and bits on a cranky boy cat.

Find out more at the NMHP website:
alachuahumane.org/spay-neuter/

July 19, 2014

Temporary Charlie

Temporary Name:

Temporary Charlie

Gender: Male
Color: Black & White
Fur: Short
Born: Approximately 4/17/14
Mom: Lil Mamma
Family: 6 kittens

Currently available for adoption.

Charlie was the smallest of the litter. A little crusty-eyed kitten that could barely compete for a milky nipple. Of course I’m a sucker for the underdog (undercat?). In the first week of holding them and cleaning their crusty eyes three to four times a day, he broke my heart. Not only did he have such a hard time with being tiny and crusty, but he started to have a personality, and he reminded me so much of Tom, a neighborhood cat that had passed away only a few months before.

He has a very large and lanky frame making him quite a big boy. And he has the short, black and white, coarse fur that makes him seem aerodynamic and almost waterproof. Before I knew he was a boy, I told him he had better be a guy because of the distinct mustache and soul patch on his face. Fortunately he has turned into quite the goofy, cuddly, sweetheart. He loves to talk and purr, and he has the sweet, gentle-giant voice that I knew and loved in Tom.

Charlie (as in Charlie Chaplin mustache, right?) is sweet and playful. He’ll probably do best in a house as an only cat, but he doesn’t seem to mind dogs. He just wants all of your kitty attention for himself. He’s looking like he’s going to be a giant throw pillow of a cat – sweet, mellow, and talkative.

Update 10-21-14: We’re learning to wear a collar now and don’t seem to mind it that much!

Update 4-7-15: Charlie lived up to his ‘Temporary Charlie’ name. After a few months, he came back from his adoptive house. After talking with the family and observing him back home with us for a few weeks, we’re confident that he’ll be successful in a new home now. He needs more attention than he was getting, and he would probably be happier as an only cat because he wants to be the center of your world 🙂 Probably not a good roommate for another dominant male cat.

Health history:

8/27/14 – Neutered, rabies vaccine, flea/parasite treatment, and microchipped. (No More Homeless Pets: Operation Petsnip, www.nmhp.net)

When these kittens came to us, they had very crusty eyes. It took a good week or two to get that under control. This little boy hasn’t shown signs of any returning issues.

Quick Details

Litter box: A+ [He’s a large-framed cat who will need a big box, but he likes one of the covered boxes we have]
Other cats: B+ [Best with non-aggressive males]
Cuddling: A+
Food: A+

Charlie soul patch, 5-19-15

Charlie in a hut, 6-7-15

Charlie as King of Laundry Mountain, 6-19-15

Charlie likes to talk, 6-25-15

Charlie likes to cuddle, 7-4-15

Charlie was a little boy 6-13-14

Charlie was a sweet little boy, 6-18-14

Charlie has cute toes, 6-23-14

Charlie is very into people, 8-30-14

Charlie loves his water bowl, 9-14-14

Charlie is a big boy, 9-14-14

Selfies with Charlie, 10-19-14

Charlie was a cute baby, 5-27-14

Charlie was a cute baby, 5-28-14

July 19, 2014

Elusive Number 6

Elusive Number 6 has a sweet and expressive face

Temporary Name:

Elusive Number 6

Gender: Female
Color: Black & White
Fur: Short
Born: Approximately 4/17/14
Mom: Lil Mamma
Family: 6 kittens

Currently available for adoption.

When we first went out to bring these kittens in from our neighbor’s yard, we thought there were five and called it a day when we got five kittens. An hour later our neighbor came over to say there was a sixth kitten. An elusive sixth kitten that has proven to be fast and smart.

She’s the first to go charging into new territory, and the first to jump up and demand to be cuddled. She is her own person who will probably go into a new home to make it her kingdom, conquering with cuteness and a velvet paw. Despite being headstrong and demanding, she is a huge cuddle bug who will stop at nothing to be in the middle of the action. I’ve fallen in love with the sassy way she flicks her tail (a black tail with an adorable white tip!) when she’s trying to get your attention. And she is so people friendly that she will crawl up into your face to sniff your breath if something gets her attention.

This little girl is the ringleader of her siblings, and always has been.

Health history:

8/20/14 – Spayed, rabies vaccine, flea/parasite treatment, and microchipped. (No More Homeless Pets: Operation Petsnip, www.nmhp.net)

When these kittens came to us, they had very crusty eyes. It took a good week or two to get that under control. This little girl hasn’t shown signs of any returning issues.

Quick Details

Litter box: B-
Other cats: A+
Cuddling: A
Food: A+

Elusive, 4-7-15

Elusive found the hole in our old quilt and got comfy!

Elusive is a really water kitty, completely fascinated by the shower, glasses of water, and especially our fountain water bowl.

Look at this face!

Cute black mask on this little hero!

Such cute jelly bean toes, and the white tip to her tail!

Elusive likes to dunk her toys into her water after subduing them, as if she was a raccoon!

Such a face!

Love this expressive tail! She curls and swirls it around as if she was talking!

As a tiny kitten, Elusive was a very independent and smart baby.

Elusive loves to play with her friends. Today she was playing with Saffron on the cat boxes.

Elusive is a brave ringleader that needs friends to play with.

I love this face so much!

She’s so attentive and expressive with her ‘worried mouse’ face.

Cute face and white-tipped tail!

July 19, 2014December 12, 2016

The Dude (a.k.a.) Little Fighter

Temporary Name:

The Dude, (a.k.a.) Little Fighter

Gender: Male
Color: Black
Fur: Short
Born: Approximately 4/17/14
Mom: Lil Mamma
Family: 6 kittens

Adopted!

Update: The Dude was adopted by the perfect family and is doing well 🙂

Little Fighter got his name because he was the most fearless and playful of his siblings. He would take on two or three easily, and keep coming back for more when they played. He was one of the largest of the kittens, but as they were weaned, and had all of the kitten kibble they could eat, his siblings caught up with him.

He is almost pure black. His kitten fur was the most fluffy of the babies, and had little fine silver fur mixed in along his throat and belly. But as he grew older, he got more sleek fur, and now his eyes are turning a lovely gold that is popular in our neighborhood cats. His brother Spider is almost identical, with slightly less fluffy fur and eyes that are a little more grey.

As he grows up, he’s also becoming less aggressive. He’s much more willing to cuddle, and loves to be scritched on his back and neck. Because the kittens came to us with crusty eyes, we washed their eyes and faces with wet paper towels 3-4 times a day. Now these little guys love to have their whole faces stroked and petted.

He’s a bit territorial, so he would probably be best as an only cat, or with his sister, Elusive. But he is also used to having a lot of cats around, and our dog, plus all of our friends in and out, so he is also very tolerant of a variety of people in his house.

Note: As he grew up, we changed his name from Fighter to The Dude because he grew less assertive and more cool and cuddly. He’s a very people-oriented kitteh now, and likes to drape himself across your lap or talk to you as he follows you from room to room.

Health history:

8/27/14 – Neutered, rabies vaccine, flea/parasite treatment, and microchipped. (No More Homeless Pets: Operation Petsnip, www.nmhp.net) He had a minor infection after being neutered, but that cleared up and he’s back on all four paws, running around like always.

When these kittens came to us, they had very crusty eyes. It took a good week or two to get that under control. This little boy hasn’t shown signs of any returning issues.

Quick Details

Litter box: A [he has great aim but can’t always cover the business no mater how hard he tries]
Other cats: B [probably best with fewer cats]
Cuddling: A
Food: A+