It's been awhile since I've posted an update about what's happening at the rescue, but that's because we're moving full speed ahead and things have been very busy!!
Isis and Jimmy were abandoned by their owner and were two of the dogs transported by Catkins on September 18, 2009.
First let me say I am super excited that we have had the chance to work with Animal Allies in Duluth. The manager of this brand new facility has helped us place numerous dogs from the county that we don't have room for at the rescue. Thanks to Animal Allies and some dedicated Catkins volunteer drivers, dogs that would otherwise have been euthanized are now finding new homes!! Just the other week our drivers brought three dogs to Duluth and they have been temperament tested, had all necessary veterinary care and are available for adoption! Our long term goal is to, of course, have a facility that can comfortably house these dogs in need while they wait for their forever homes- but in the meantime we are networking with as many facilities as we can to save as many animals as we can.
Earlier this summer we were also happy to make a swap with another no-kill group. Their facility did not have the funds to perform a specialized eye surgery that a brand new mama kitty needed. We checked our waiting list and there was a mom and six kittens that needed placement pronto. The kittens on the waiting list were old enough to find homes and we already had lots of kittens waiting for adoption... so we sent the mom and kittens to be adopted elsewhere and took in four newborn kittens (now on our website as Jane, Bingley, Darcy and Lizzy) and their mom, Gypsy. Once Gypsy is completely recovered from her surgery, our dedicated volunteers will begin working with her to rebuild her trust in people.
We've also had several great adoptions this summer!! Bowie- our long time resident and mascot- went to his new home... and he's living with two other former Catkins residents! The best part is that Bowie will continue to make public appearances whenever we need him (he had a great time meeting the kids at the Park Falls library this summer).
Shirley was another great adoption! A senior dalmatian that was slated for euthanasia spent a month in foster care at Catkins before finding the perfect home with two other senior dalmatians! We were so excited to see such a happy ending for such a sweet girl! Catkins was also highly complimented on our thoroughness and on the completeness of the paperwork we sent home- we were super excited since this wonderful family has been adopting Dals for years!! It was also wonderful that the dedicated staff of Country Care Pet Hospital (who had rescued Shirley for euthanasia) was on hand to hear that their hard work for the animals is paying off and making a difference!
On a more 'physical' level we have put down new vinyl in the Park Falls cattery and the cats are LOVING it! We also put in a new window for the cats to watch out of. The cattery feels almost brand new and we're already making plans to improve the outside area for the kids. We also have begun the project of siding the Fifield cattery and Tyvek has already been put over the outside in preparation for the Heamlock that will be the final outter layer of Mowgli's Bungalow. We can't wait to show you pictures of the finished projects!
There will be lots more updates coming soon, but until then enjoy this nice weather with your four legged friends!!
