Category Archives: Yorba Linda CIN News

An Update on Desiree & Kittens

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IMG_20130606_202837 Desiree’s babies, born May 26, are doing well, and they are growing fast!

Desiree has been taking great care of them, and we’re happy to report that her own strength is returning too. The babies eyes are open now, but they’re still teenies.

IMG_20130606_074837Cats in Need estimates that the littles will be ready for the adoptions around July 4, and as such, they have been dubbed “The All-American Kitties” and named after some of our presidents!

Kennedy and Regan are girls, while Garfield and Jackson are boys.  Our foster is having some trouble telling if we have a little Monroe (boy) or Madison (girl) but hopes to have that question answered at the babies first vet check up.

Desiree has been keeping a little diary (besides sleeping, there’s not too much to do in Under-the-Sink) and we have a small excerpt from the day of birth to share here:

Today I went into labor. Mom checked on me at 7am this morning, and I was resting quietly in Under-the-Sink, and I said “meow” to her.  I wanted to let her know today was the day, but she didn’t really understand, just made sure I had food and water and was comfortable.  She’s good to me.

Later that morning, I had a surprise for her: My first two babies had arrived! Just before noon, at 11:52, with Mom right there with me, I delivered my third kitten.   After that, I had a bit of trouble delivering the placenta from #3, and Mom was really worried about me. She sent out SOS’s and called the vet, but she didn’t need to worry, as I delivered the placenta shortly after she sent out her calls.  At 2:30pm I delivered my 4th baby and at 3:05 my last baby.

I was exhausted! Five babies, but all of them were doing well.  I made sure I cleaned them, and that they nursed. Mom was with me every bit of the afternoon, rubbing my back and helping me stay comfortable, changing the bedding, and keeping things clean. She also keep up my spirits, telling me what a good girl I was, and how I was doing a good job.

I’ve decided to name her godmother to my babies.  She’s taken good care of me, and she’s just the right human to help my babies find their forever homes.”

IMG_20130606_202849Desiree is registered at Amazon.com and a paypal fund has been set up for the “kitten shower” for her babies, along with several other kittys in our care who have delivered recently.

She wants to thank those that have sent gifts, money, and well-wishes for her and the little ones.

Just Born!

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It’s officially ‘kitten season‘ here at Cats in Need, and like most rescue groups out there, we’re bursting at the seams with itty bitty babies.

Featured today is mama kitty Desiree, and her 5 new babies!

Desiree, who came to us pregnant, delivered 5 healthy kittens yesterday, Sun. May 26, while in the care of one of our Yorba Linda chapter team members!

Desiree joins Yorba Linda mama cats Missy and Target in the ‘new mama club.’

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After many hours of labor, and a bit of nerve-wracking waiting on our end, all five babies arrived in Under-the-Sink.  Mama and babies are doing well.

To celebrate, we’re kicking off our “Kitten Shower” – Mama is registered with Amazon.com with some special kitten-specific requests.

We are also taking direct donations for the mamas and babies for special needs kitten food, medical care (we’ve a lot of immunizations and vet check ups pending!), and other kitten-specific items through our secure Paypal donation link.

Your donation (minus paypal fees) will go directly to helping support the new kittens in our care and the donation is tax deductible!

And keep watching our Facebook page and checking this site, as our team member has promised us regular updates on the kittens, complete with photos!  And after the babies get their first vet-check, we will be taking applications for their adoption, so that as soon as they’re ready to leave their Mommy they will have forever homes waiting for them!

Faithful – Recovered and Ready for a Forever Home

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Faithful-Thank-You-Card-webFaithful, the kitty who had her eye removed on March 25, is fully recovered and awaiting the right home!

Faithful came to Cats in Need with one eye permanently damaged from a ‘past life’ puncture wound, and was able to have the surgery necessary to remove it thanks to the generous donations of the online Cats in Need extended family. Thanks to you we were able to raise over $550 to help offset the cost of the surgery, preliminary care, and post-op medicines and follow-up treatment.

Faithful, being a good kitty, sent out thank-you cards to all of her supporters who helped make the surgery a possibility.

Faithful 3-webFaithful’s eye may be gone, but her loving (and spunky) personality remains strong. Her stitches are out, and she’s navigating well. Due to her lack of right side peripheral vision, she can be a bit easily startled if you attempt to pet her from that side (and there’s an occasional warning nip that comes with it) but once she has you trained, its cuddle time!

Faithful is available for adoption through our Yorba Linda Branch, and the first step to finding out if you’re her forever family is to fill out an Adoption Application form, and send it in to catsinneed@yahoo.com.  If you look like a good fit for her needs, we’ll be in contact with you to set up a chance to meet her, and go over the adoption process in more detail.

You can read more details about her story and see more pictures of Faithful here:

Faithful – Blind in One Eye
Faithful – Eye Surgery Update
Faithful – Out of Surgery

 

Faithful – out of surgery

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Faithful 5-webThank you Cats in Need extended family for all of your support and well-wishes for Faithful as she went in for eye removal surgery March 25.

The surgery went well, and she is now a ‘pirate cat’ though she doesn’t seem to mind.  She’s still asserting her personality, refusing the ‘cone of shame’ after surgery in favor of being a good girl and leaving the surgery site alone.
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The fur around her right eye has been shaved, and she has multiple stitches holding the eyelid closed as it heals.  Faithful is on regular medicine for pain management and also an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Her stitches will be removed April 8, when she will also have her next post-op check-up.

She’s staying with one of Yorba Linda CIN’s site managers, a retired nurse, who’s keeping  a careful watch on her recovery. She reports that Faithful is in good spirits, is eating well, and generally being quite well behaved, though she doesn’t love medicine time.  She sent us over these pictures of Faithful from earlier this week, just relaxing and recovering.

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Faithful will be sending out ‘thank you’ notes to her surgery financiers, as she is very grateful to have had so much love and care sent her way.

Because of the generous donations from cat lovers from around the United States, CIN has managed to raise $503 towards our $800 fundraising goal for the Faithful Surgery Fund. This goal amount includes not only the surgery, but pre-and post-op appointments, medicine, and bloodwork.

We are amazed at the outpouring of support for this kitty (though we know she’s wonderful, many of you who gave to her surgery fund have never even met her!) and are so thankful for your help of our non-profit rescue in caring for this little girl.

We are still accepting donations on her behalf through Paypal – 100% of your giving (minus the paypal fees) goes directly to offsetting her surgery costs, and is completely tax deductible too. We’re a 501(c)3 charity, completely volunteer run, and so we appreciate donations in any amount (nothing is too small).  We are also taking donations of cash or check on site at the weekend adoption event in Yorba Linda; just find a staff memeber and let us know you want to help Faithful.

Thanks for caring about Faithful!

(see previous posting about Faithful, with ‘before’ pictures)

 

Faithful Eye Surgery Update

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Proof-001First off, we want to thank everyone who has contributed to the “Faithful Surgery Fund” for their amazing generosity – we have raised just over $300 towards her surgery so far.

Faithful has had her visit with the eye specialist, and the doctor concurs that the eye needs to be removed.  While she has zero vision in that right eye, the tissue itself is continuing to degrade, which puts her at risk for developing cancer.

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She was a very good girl about the car rides and vet trip, and even the bloodwork that was necessary as part of preparing for the surgery.  She is scheduled to have the eye removed with our local vet on Monday March 25.  Right now, she’s down in ‘the suites’ at Yorba Linda Petsmart, having a nap, and enjoying the extra attention we’ve been lavishing on her.

Proof-004Because we’re going with the local vet for the surgery, our fundraising goal is ‘just’ $800, and thanks to the generous donations from our online supporters, we’re almost halfway there!

If you can donate any amount, we are immensely grateful –  know that 100% of your donation to the Faithful Surgery Fund (minus Paypal fees) will go directly towards paying for her surgery. We are a 501(c)3 charity, 100% volunteer run, so your donation is also tax deductible!

Thank you for your support of Faithful and our efforts to find homes for all the kitties in our care!

(Read Faithful’s original story post here)

Faithful – Blind in One Eye

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Meet Faithful, a sweet, loving 18 month old Tabby/Calico girl who is blind in her right eye due to a ‘past life’ accident.

Before coming to Cats in Need, Faithful lived a wild life, but she’s not a wild girl. She’s an extremely sweet and affectionate lap cat, who loves to cuddle and purr like crazy. She’s not a playful kitty, but she’s a lover-cat!

Faithful has just returned from a follow-up appointment about her eye, and the veterinarian believes that the eye must be removed. She’ll be seeing a specialist tomorrow for a second opinion and an evaluation for surgery. As a non-profit rescue organization, the specialist has offered to do the surgery at a discount, but it’s still going to end up costing about $1200.

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This loving little girl deserves the best for her remaining 8 lives… so we’re looking into a bake sale to help raise some of the funds, and we’ve started a“Faithful Surgery Fund” to accept donations. You can donate any amount securely through Paypal, and all proceeds (minus our Paypal fee) will go straight to helping offset the cost of her surgery.

Think about it, share this post, and if you can help us help this sweet darling kitty, we thank you for whatever you can contribute!

Special Delivery from Girl Scouts!

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389851_459282630808156_1358275427_nYorba Linda Cats in Need received a very special visit Friday March 8, from the Brownies of Girl Scout Troop 1965!

While they didn’t come with cookies, they came with something the kitties need and appreciate more: goodies just for them!

From fancy new napping beds (kitty favorites) to scratching posts and water mats, there’s something special for all the kitties. And they brought special goody bags complete with hand drawn cards.

The girls achieved two patches as part of this donation program: a Community Service patch and a Money Manager Patch. How’d they do this? According to their troop Facebook posting, “Our girls decided to work with Cats In Need this year by collecting recycled cans, bottles and paper around their homes. With the money they earned, they purchased items need essay to make a cat comfortable in a new home- treats, food, toys, etc. we set up a pretend shop at our meeting and the girls learned the value of the dollar as well as learning what is required when taking care of a pet.”

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Way to go girls! We’re very grateful for these items, as they will go to great use while the kitties in our care wait for their forever homes.  Thank you girls for caring about the kitties!

Pixie & Remy – Adopted!

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We are pleased to announce that Pixie and Remington Steele, of the “spray painted kittens” fame, have found their new home together!

Their new mommy and daddy had recently said goodbye to their 18 year old darling kitty, and were looking for a sweet kitty or two to help fill the void in their lives… and they found Pixie and Remy, our two purr machines with an amazing orgin story.

These two little darlings instantly claimed them, and will be going to a home full of toys and love.  We couldn’t be happier for these kittens, knowing that they’ve found the right home and a forever family that will adore them and love them like they deserve!

Please take a moment and share this happy ending to their story!  We will post pictures on our Facebook Page as updates from their new family come to us.

Meet Mama Leah and babies Tango & Cash

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Mama Leah, just a kitten herself, turned up with 4 kittens in a neighborhood in Orange.

She was dedicated to keeping them safe, constantly moving them from spot to spot and making it nigh impossible for our Cats in Need team member to trap them.

One day, when Mama was moving the kitties, they climbed a backyard wall that was under construction, and two of the babies got trapped inside.

The homeowner called the shelter, and when animal control arrived, Mama escaped with the other two kittens. Animal Control took the other two babies.

When our CIN team member heard what had happened, she tried to get the babies from the shelter, but it was too late. Just 2 hours after the babies arrived, they were killed.

She kept searching for Mama and the surviving kittens, who resurfaced two days later. Eventually, she was able to trap all three of them, and they are now being cared for in the Cats in Need foster system.

We have set up a Memorial Fund for Mama Leah’s kittens for donations to Cats in Need to help this teenage mama and her babies. You can contribute at this secure link:

We desperately wish that we had had the opportunity to save the other babies, but understand the realities. Perhaps, in the sharing of this story, we can get a community change to happen – to get a grass-roots call for all our shelters to become no kill shelters. And if so, then these little ones have not died in vain.

Pixie and Remington (aka Pink & Blue) are now available

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Pixie and Remington Steele, our famous spray paint kitties, are out of quarantine and looking for the best home ever!

They are the sweetest, cuddliest little darlings, and are ONLY being adopted as a pair. It’s obvious that they’re bonded, and after everything they’ve gone through there’s no way we’d split them up.

The picture here is of them last weekend down at the Yorba Linda Cats in Need adoption show at the Yorba Linda PetSmart in Savi Ranch.

They were getting a lot of attention, not just because of their outgoing personalities, but because Pixie is still stained pink!

As always, please continue to share their story and the updates. And we thank those that have donated to their care. If you’d like to become their ‘godparents’ you can donate at this secure link here.