Happy Birthday, Jasper!

Today is a special day. It is Jasper's birthday. If you haven't read all the posts I've put up about him, you need to know he's a very special boy. He's sitting right here as I'm writing this, making sure I get it right! I adopted Jasper from Catkins almost a year ago. His mother, Hera, was alone and was about to be shot when Laura rescued her. I'm so grateful to Laura for taking such good care of Jasper (Cumquat) until I could bring him home. It is also Grizzly's birthday (Jasper's sister). Happy Birthday, Grizzly!

In the news!!

Check out the article written about the successful Spay Day that Northland Veterinary Services put on for Ashland/ Bayfield Animal Control, the Chequamegon Humane Association and Catkins!!

Spay and Neuter Day Rescues Animal Shelters

March Madness!!

March has been a crazy rescue month so far- and we're not even halfway through!!  We had a very exciting Spay Day on March 8th: 13 of our kitties were fixed and all 4 of our puppies were too! It was also a very exciting day for two special kitties: Jasmine and Cooler Ranch.  Jasmine was spayed and once she was fixed, her charming personality won her the heart of one of the vet techs at Northland Veterinary Services!  We were so excited to see Jasmine go phenomenal home- but no sooner was she headed to the home of her dreams then we had a new kitty in need of our help! 

The Northland Veterinary Services in Iron River was kind enough to spay a feral female kitty so that she could go back to living outside but not contribute to the cat population.  They were in the process of shaving her belly when they found the head of a .22 bullet under the tissue of her abdomen.  The bullet was safely removed prior to Cooler Ranch's spay surgery- we all considered it a miracle that the shot hadn't caused injury to any internal organs!  Prior to surgery a close check over revealed that Cooler Ranch had wounds all over her body from what appeared to be barbed wire, so after surgery the wounds were cleaned and the hair around them shaved.  Now Cooler Ranch is spending her recovery time with us and we are working to see if she can ever be an inside cat.  If she truly is feral, then she will be released with a family that cares for several outside cats.

Versace, the border collie that had been hit by a car, also had a big week!  This Monday it was time for his X-rays!  It was the moment of truth when we walked into the vet's office.  After Versace charmed the pants off of everyone he met, it was off to get his radiographs.  To get clear radiographs, Versace had to go under anesthesia and we had to leave him with the vet to sleep it off.  We were greeted by an ecstatic staff when we got back!  Versace's leg looks great!!  So he is now ready for adoption and a new home- but as his foster mom, I have to admit that I'm not ready to let him go!!

We have also had a few other dogs pass through our doors- and our cars recently.  Being on of the very few rescues in the area, we've recently begun taking in animals on a temporary basis for other rescues and foster organizations.  We were proud to assist an American Staffordshire Terrier get out of a tricky situation that would have had him euthanized in under a week- within 24 hrs we had him in a wonderful foster/adoptive home and we were blessed enough to have several larger state organizations and national organizations offer their assistance in placement!  It involved a full day of driving, and luckily our four legged passenger was a very good sport, and seeing him in a safe and loving home may the adventure more than worthwhile. 

We also have assisted an elderly lady with her beloved Doberman, Andy, and we are very excited that after spending a few days with us he will be under the experienced care of Wisconsin Doberman Rescue.  

 A year ago today I lost my beloved cat, Harold.  He was 21 years old and he was the reason I first got involved in rescue.  After I lost him, I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to continue in animal rescue.  Just looking at the past couple of weeks and everything that Catkins has accomplished, I think that Harold would approve- and maybe even be mildly impressed.   So far March has brought a lot of changes!  We've had some great adoptions, been able to work with some wonderful rescues and had a hugely successful spay day!!  I am very excited to see what the rest of March has in store for us!

Congratulations!!! February Adoptions!

I would like to congratulate these cats and dogs and their new families!

King (above) (Chihuahua/Terrier)

Kong (Chihuahua/Terrier)

Secret (DMH black and White)

Shadow (DSH black)

Snowball (DSH Grey)

Bear (DSH Black)

Aurora (DSH Dilute Tortie)

Beauregarde

Hi! My name is Beauregarde. I'm not from Catkins like my cool brothers Jasper and Bryce, but I was homeless and was adopted by their mom. When I was born my cat-mom was living in an abandoned house. Lucky for me the lady next door works for the vet and took us in when we were about 6 weeks old. They say if I had been left alone much longer I would have been feral and unadoptable. I'm still a little afraid of people and tuck my tail between my legs when I am picked up, but my family is great! I wish all the kitties at Catkins, and pups too, could find great homes! My mom heard about Harry and Hermione. They're kind of like I was. No one should be afraid to adopt us because we're a little scared of people. I know I love my family very much!

Designer Dogs

So we've all heard about designer dogs: the labradoodle, the puggle and the bug are just a few. Well we have our own designer dogs!!  Giorgio, Armani, Vera, Dulce, Gabbana and (of course) Versace!!  These pups and their dad (Versace) came from a home with over sixteen dogs!!  All of these dogs were being cared for by a kind hearted gentleman who is over 80 years old! Apparently all the people of this gentleman's town know that he will take in any dogs that are abandoned at his house- and that is how Versace ended up there!  Our big man quickly found a girlfriend and before you know it, five little designers were born!

Catkins was called in to take the puppies and we didn't really know what we would find when we got there.  We had heard that this gentleman fed the dogs home cooked meals, but there might be as many as 35 dogs!  We were happily surprised to only find 16 dogs and our five kids were in very good health!  

While we were discussing how best to plan a massive spay and neuter project with the owner, he asked us if we worked with a vet.  "Of course!  We work with several!" was the answer.  "Could you take 'Goofus' in?"  he asked, "He got out last night and was hit by a car."

Less than two hours later we were rushing all of the puppies and Goofus (now Versace) to the vet.  

After we took X-rays of the injury it turned out that poor Versace had a very serious dislocation of his left hind leg.  We got his leg in a sling in the hopes that with everything held in place we can avoid surgery.  In three weeks our papa dog will be headed in for more X-rays so we can determine how well his leg is healing.  If things are not going as we hope then Versace will be headed for surgery-so lets all keep our fingers and paws crossed for him!  

Since we had to have Versace heavily sedated for his X-rays and to have his leg placed correctly- we decided to go ahead and do the neuter at the same time.  We love all of our designers-but we don't need anymore!

All of our puppies are going through a socialization crash course (which began today with all of the vet techs giving them lots of love) and will be ready for new homes soon!  Versace will be ready for adoption once we know the status of his leg- and I promise I will keep you all posted on his progress!!

Congratulations!!! January Adoptions!

I would like to congratulate these cats and dogs and their new families!  

Gizmo (above) now Bella       (Boston Terrier)

Frosty now Sparky                 (Ragdoll)

       Timmy now Cazaril                 (Maine Coon mix)

            Lucy now Lacey                        (Redtick Coonhound mix)

Also very exciting news (to me anyway), we now have thick fluffy pillows and blankets  donated from 16 cabins out at Boyd's Mason Lake Resort.  We have so much warm, cuddly stuff that I will be driving several boxes to the shelter and the animal control facility in Ashland!