Caring for Cats in SE Nebraska

Cat rescue in Fairbury today

marta — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:32:47 GMT

Since last post much has changed as for organizations in Fairbury; FC4C turned into a link to other rescues in the state and Marta is running her own from her home.
That happened because there was little or no response as for having a chain of foster homes and Fairburians prefer to work individually rather than in a group.
Marta and Jon are fostering only six cats and kittens and involved in TNR, both "return" and "release".
Pat has adopted out the rescues she fostered and currently maintains ferals and strays in her neighborhood.

A FAF by another name; Fairbury Cause 4 Claws

marta — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:43:38 GMT

Fairbury Cause 4 Claws is as of today the name for a starter cat rescue group in Fairbury, Nebraska.
There are only two people actively involved; Pat Welke and Marta Gasper. However we are always on the lookout for more members that we know are out there.
Click on story to visit the groups' page.
FC4C already has kitties for adoption; see Cats for Adoption page.
We practice TNR, take in kittens and friendly cats according to foster homes capacity and generally instruct people on how to care for their cats. We hope the group will continue to grow & do well by the many homeless kitties in Fairbury

Yard Sale to benefit Fairbury Cause 4 Claws

marta — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:35:19 GMT

Pat Welke hosted a succesful Yard Sale at her house last Saturday September 29th.
The day was was blustery (wind ripped off one of the sale banners and it rained overnight.) But, stuff was protected and many folks stopped by more often than expected in that weather..and folks bought lots of stuff._FC4C hopes they'll enjoy their purchases and assures each of the buyers their cash will be put to good use.

FC4C wishes to thank Lambriar Veterinary Supplies for their generosity donating items; all but a couple of dog toys were gone by 8 am!

Thank-you everybody for making this possible, a small event that will go the extra mile to help kitties.

Yes Virgina.. part II

marta — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:51:48 GMT

TNR in Fairbury has taken wings..or is trying to/breaking ground.
Late in June 07', Marta Gasper answered an ad in Fairbury Journal News calling people interested to work in TNR in the community. Ever since she and Pat Welke_responsible for the ad and other Fairbury resident,_along with co-workers have formed F.A.F. (fix-a-feline) cat rescue.
They are supported by police authorithies and Fairbury Board of Health that are concerned stray animals are hosts of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
So far a few cats have been rescued, vetted and are in foster care. Plus they have been approached by neighbors who in other circumstances would call the police to shoot annoying strays.
It is and will be an ongoing effort and with exception of individual cases (Pat has rescued and adopted strays, currently is fostering a kitten and working with a stray cat) and TNR ( the feral colony and environs she and her husband Jon take care of, as well as in Marta's neighborhood) no major cases have been undertaken. As of this day, that is. Pat, Marta and Jon are tending to 9 loosely owned cats that could have a farm home after medical treatment. Or be adopted out to individual homes, must evaluate them first.
Neighbors are approaching them almost daily with reports of cat hoarding and "feeders only" situations.
Dr. Stewart at Fairbury Animal Clinic has agreed to give a discount to TNRers and farners willing to take ferals and hard strays.
A major store will donate food as well as litter and supplies to foster homes. So it seems the project is on their way.
The City invited F.A.F. to discuss a TNR pilot program later on this month.
Bravo F.A.F. for a good beginning, it is up to everybody now that this program can be a reality across town and surrounding areas.

Cats needing homes : Nebraska; FIV+ kitty needs a forever home

marta — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 06:01:42 GMT

Luciano is a FIV+ adult (4-6 yrs old) b&w shorthair looking for a home. He was a stray that joined the feral colony we care for and lived with them until I practically picked him up (he is that friendly & love cuddles ) and had him go in a trap b/c we're out if carriers at the time. He tested positive for FIV which I consider a very high possibility as he's a roaming tomcat & FIV is common here; also he has sores inside his lip & a bad case of earmites for which is undergoing treatment. I'll bring him home next week to foster him, I've other rescues so it'll be tricky but hopefully this loving kitty will have a good home soon. We're in Fairbury, Nebraska and would like to adopt him out in a 200 mi radius though even farther can be arranged..you can see Luciano at his webpage http://www.catster.com/cats/500065
Thank-you:)
Marta

Cats needing homes : Lincoln, Nebraska; two 12.5 yr old kitties for adoption

marta — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:10:58 GMT

Two sweet 12.5 year old kitties need new home;
Pepper, male, 4 paw declawed.
Storm; male, 4 paw declawed. Storm is diabetic and needs a foster or forever home that can handle his condition.
The kitties are in Lincoln, NE..please contact me for more or directly to Beth Boal beth@thecathouse.org

*Permission to crosspost*

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

marta — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:54:08 GMT

I'm happy to hear that the baby is doing well at his new home..you saved two lives!!!! And all the others not born yet. That's something to be proud of..I understand you said that the mama hates you. But she really doesn't, ferals just look that way. We don't get the feedback we expect from ferals but that's the way they are. You've to accept it (I know, I feel like that all the time and I've to remind me myself it is their nature) Kudos to you, if the mom is a barn cat she'll do much better now that she isn't breeding everyyear or twice a year.

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

go_cat_go — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:22:00 GMT

The baby is healthy and happy (I hope) in a new home-she is doing well and LOVES dogs which has helped to socialize her.

Mama kitty came back twice only. Just to look for her kitten, give me dirty looks, and leave. I feel SO BAD! It was a no-win situation for me. I even set her up with an insulated house for the winter, but she wants nothing to do with me. However, I did see mama last week down the road, so she must have gone back "home" where ever it is she lived (there are 2 barns in near where she was seen).

RE: RE: RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

bogiedew — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:15:52 GMT

I just found this forum..has the mama cat come back yet? How is the kitten?

Cat health : Elongated palate question

marta — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:43:54 GMT

One of my fosters was diagnosed with having an elongated palate. Not a health theat and does not have to have medicines; she isn't uncorfortable either. Only 'chuffes' when drinking and splutters sometimes. She's a kitty with a soundtrack as we can hear her breathing, sounds like she'd be humming. I'm relieved athat after several false dxs an x-ray revealed an elongated palate only..
Have no former exoerience with the condition and would appreciate hearing from others that do..thanks!
Marta

The kitty is Nanette(black top), there with sister Juliette

RE: RE: RE: Juliette, feral kitten (now teenager)

bogiedew — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 02:47:53 GMT

yes, I have tried sitting down at her level, but that does not work. Something inside her is very fearful. I am putting Flower Essence in her water..been doing that for about 2 weeks..nt working yet, but hopefully it will soon. I would do anything to have her crawl into my lap..you are so lucky!

RE: RE: Juliette, feral kitten (now teenager)

marta — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:14:10 GMT

Oh yes..all the time (bending and the kitten runs away) but it varies, I find I'm less terryifing if I squat, sit or somehow lower myself, Nanette has this thing of jumping on my shoulder and rubbing her cheek on mine, or chewing my hair, I can even stand up (slowly) and she stays on my shoulder.
Juliette doesn't do that but loves to sit on my lap, she'll reach for my face and tap it.
Suzette doesn't at all but I can pet her and she rolls over and purrs.
All that if I'm closer to them, if I reach from my height
they run..

RE: Juliette, feral kitten (now teenager)

bogiedew — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:10:07 GMT

What a beautiful kitty. Are you allowed to pet her or her siblings? I have a kitty, Sydney, that I adopted in Sept. When she first came to the rescue group she was wild and would not allow anyone to pet her. She was fostered for a couple of months then brought back to the shelter. She let me pet her, so I fostered her, then adopted her. She acts like a normal kitten, except one thing, we cant pet her now. If I bend down to pet her while she is standing beside me, she runs. I have had her for 3 months. So, I was wondering if you experienced this.

RE: RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

go_cat_go — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:52:18 GMT

The mom and baby were trapped and spayed, given shots, tested for Feline leukemia, etc...A friend is trying to rehab the kitten, and it seems to be going ok. The mom was released and returned after about 4 days. She did not stay! She came back one more time about a week ago and I have't seen her since. I feel so bad!!! I took her baby and spayed her and she hates me! We are getting out first winter storm tonight, maybe 4-11 inches. She has access to my garage where I have a dog bed covered in blanklets for her, and I built her a pretty insulated house in the garage. I am so worried about her-I think she is afraid of the garage because I trapped them in there and kept them there right after surgery.

RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

marta — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:12:58 GMT

And at 3-4 months they are not beyond taming; I'd put that at 9-12 mos; some people don't want to deal with it b/c it is harder than a 2 wks old kit, it is more time consuming, yes but not impossible.
Right now I've 3 rescues I took in when they were 3 and 4 mos, they had not human contact other than feeders they ran away from (see my post at 'I was rescued!' forum) and they had had it rough earlier, well, I've been working with them and though they have not warmed up to all people yet not know all of the house yet they are coming along OK (one is slower than the other though but it is to be expected) I'll post more about taming later on..I've tamed 8 mos ferals and 1 adult (2+ years or so) too, it does depend lots on each individual kitty but it is worth it.
That said, you migh not have the time, that is understable too. Re my former post about what to do..spay that Mom ASAP..and beware that kittens can get pregnant as early as 5 mos (never seen it but had one feral that had kittens at 7,8 mos..BTW, two of her litter are in my avatar, the black one was shot last year :((
Much, much luck

RE: RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

marta — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:59:34 GMT

Oh so very sorry I didn't see before..what did you do? how did it go? It is a toughie specially with winter coming..we maintain a feral colony and I dread that situation; fortunatly the ferals are all altered but there can be always a pregnant or nursing newcomer or a dumped kitten.
Rule of thumb is take in the kittens, spay and release the mom. Here you'll have to overlook the "family" thing b/c the mom can deal better with losing her kittens than they would, the mother will grieve sure but it is not worse than if the litter had died. And being an adult she'll get it over.
Make sure to get her spayed as soon as you take the litter as she would go into heat once her kittens are gone.
Now in your case, if she is the only cat she could be trapped and taken in too.
And if you have no homes for them it is better to trap them all, alter mom and litter and release them together. On the way do vaccinate the kittens for FVRC before returning; do you have a vet that does early s&n? At what age does the vet alter cats? If you can't do that contact a rescue group to take care of these kitties, please let me know how it went and again so sorry I'm replying almost a month later
Good luck!

I was rescued! : Juliette, feral kitten (now teenager)

marta — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:41:03 GMT

I'm fostering Juliette along with her sisters Nanette and Suzette. She comes from the feral colony we maintain. J and her sisters were 3 mos old when panleoukopenia hit the colony and killed their two siblings Biloxi and Juju2. We took in the survivors to be tamed and adopted out..it has worked fine for N and J but Suz might take longer..I don't mind, it is so rewarding wachting them grow up after all they went through..they turned 7 mos in Thanksgiving (fittingly enough :)

RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

go_cat_go — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:43:57 GMT

We need advice, don't we? To top it off, I am in Wisconsin where it is very cold all winter-we already have snow and I kind of want them to keep warm together. And I am told the kitten is a bit beyind the normal rehab age...she is about 3-4 months and it may be possible, but not definately. I have contacted Alley Cat Allies and BF animal help, but haven't heard from either yet. If you hear from your rescue person let me know! Thanks for replying.

RE: Bonded pair-mom and baby

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 08:34:58 GMT

I am having a similar problem. I trapped a mom and her 4 kittens but now the "teenager" from the last litter appears to be all alone outside.
I am fostering mom/kittens for a rescue group- we TNR'd the teen but now he keeps coming up to my enclosed porch and wants to socialize with my own cats
I am trying to reach my rescue person to see if we should try to trap and socalize him. He seems so lonely now.

Feral cats : Bonded pair-mom and baby

go_cat_go — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 12:37:56 GMT

Is it better to release a mom cat and a baby after spaying or just the mom? I am torn between trying to rehab the baby while there is still a chance, and releasing them both as they are a family. There are no other feral cats here, just the two. So if I release the mom she will be on her own.

NEED advice NOW!