Thursday, January 14, 2020

A great day!  It's a HumaneOhio Spay/Neuter day! We sent up 43 local cats--29 females and 14 males. Only one of those was an FFRC cat--her name is Mary Catherine. Our total now for 2021 (including some voucher spay/neuters) is 52 cats---35 females and 17 males. We're on our way for another spay/neuter year!

And you may ask.........who is Mary Catherine. She's a beautiful black calico that we took on yesterday. She is 1 1/2 years old, born 7/6/19. A wonderful person found her outside with a terrible condition called pyometra. It's caused by the womb filling with pus and if left untreated, it can lead to toxemia, dehydration, kidney failure and even death. The only cure once pyo has set in is to get the cat spayed. This horrible condition can be completely eliminated by early spaying. 

Mary Catherine arrived with severe uterine drainage, rather thin and with a horrible smell.  It took two baths to get the drainage off. Upon our vet's advise, two very good antibiotics were started. Because she was eating, she suggested getting her spayed asap. So.......up she went with HumaneOhio today. She was very perky this morning, much less drainage and is ever so so sweet. She's a leg wrapper! 

I know not everyone likes to hear of these "icky diagnosis" but believe me, this condition is not pleasant for the cat either. I just want to impress how important it is to spay. Cats (and dogs) can die from a pyo, especially if it's a closed pyo. Her's happened to be an open pyo, hence the drainage. And it's so simple to prevent..........get those female cats spayed!

We also took on another male young adult cat. His name is Bub. He's orange with white toes and bib. One of our volunteers worked at getting him into a trap and then was brought to FFRC. He arrived 1/11 with a birthday of 7/10/19. He is now neutered. A sweetie big boy. He's in the back Thumper's Room, making friends with Ringo and Shamballie. The boys are happy and planning on how to raid the catnip jar! 

Tonight is bill paying night and yesterday was the Fun-Raiser! It was a great event!  But, first, we had BOXES--two of them!

Anonymous Friend--8 cases (12) 9 Lives Pate

NJ Lurker--2 BIG boxes of Cheryl's Holiday Cookies--sooo yummy!

And then the fun-raiser.........

Item A --  $ 240 --Won By Jack Sch 
Item B -- $155 --  Won by Lynnette
Item C -- $200 -- Won By Mary Laf
Item D -- $390 -- Won By Diane/TweetiTweet
Item E -- $185 -- Won By Tammy from Ky
Item F -- $125 --  Won By Danielle Rit
Item G -- $840 -- Won By Outside Girl 
Item H -- $230 -- Won By M & M (returned back to FFRC for another go-around!)

Total $2,365

And then came the Angel Bumper Uppers!  This raised another $635. 

And now, the Grand Total is a whopping $3,000 
Many thanks to those that donated the items for the Fun-Raiser, to those that wanted the tickets and to Lynnette and Marcia for working on the tickets! It was a great time. And of course we had consolation prizes.  All items will be going out today and tomorrow! 

We have thanks to give!
Jeremy H--donation to FFRC
Pamela C--donation to FFRC
Connie K--donation to FFRC (one of the rescue people of the 3 cemetery cats)
CyllW--donation to FFRC
Jessie, Clark & the rest--a happy birthday chickie $$ for Sevaun. She is the oldest FFRC cat!
Watt L--donation to FFRC
Donald E--donation to FFRC
Faithy M--donation to cover 2 public spays/neuters!
William M--donation to FFRC
Albert F from MA--donation to FFRC
Gusti--donation to help Sparrow with her surgery & meds
Irene K from KY--donation to FFRC
Marie D from PA--donation to FFRC
Amanda T--donation for FFRC
BillieK--donation to help with Sparrow, Maddie Mae Tru and Gheenzoe's surgeries
Lana H--donation for FFRC
Cheryl B--donation to FFRC
Alison A--donation to FFRC
Carole G--donation to FFRC
Ryan B from WA--donation to FFRC
Claudina A--donation to FFRC, in memory of Diann Ballesteros
Amy Goode--donation to FFRC
Jill R from IL--donation because she enjoys the livestream!
Charlotte T--donation to FFRC

Wow--even more thanks to give!
Marilyn & Terry--Chickie $5 for the cats & a Happy New Year
Karen & Gilbert--a beautiful purple coat for Janie to keep warm in, 2 brown box toys for Ramsay as backups!

Tineve En J--donation, cat treats, 2 diamond kitty pictures, stationary, chocolate
Aprilcatlover--2 boxes of Beyond CHicken Broth, 2 boxes FF Appetizers

Anne, James & Skippy from Canada--Temptation snacker, sunflower scratcher!
Mr. Meow--for all the good kitties--lots of toys, 5 sardines, 12 FF kitten, 36 cans food.  Also 5 pkgs. BOndi Licks, 4 Delectable Bisque, snackers, 10 Friskies packets

MLS--Santa/Reindeer musical/dancer.  It goes great with the Rooster dancing toy!
Mr. & Mrs. Bedic & baby--2 cases FF adult
Jane9025--bag Purina ONE kitten

Gerard & Wendy from Netherlands--black/white blanket, Stroopwafel, cat yums for Magic, postie notes, snacker for cats & Janie, trash bags, spring toys, Sheba cat food, calendars, stickers, lots of toys.
 
I was asked a very good question--why it looks like we've shortened the hours of the volunteers. A good question! And here is my response----There is a reason we are trying to shorten shift hours.  We are trying to not overlap the volunteers being here. The reason is because of COVID.  It's very high here and it is of great concern.  We all love the cats, of course and they certainly get lots of loving. But, here's the thing.  If a volunteer comes up positive, then I have to shut down most of the rescue work by the volunteers.  So, if we limit how much time volunteers overlap, it may make a huge difference in our not spreading it.  We've already had several very close calls.  And if it becomes a big problem, I have myself and 3 others that could pitch in. And that would be a lot of work for at least 10 days. Sooooooo, we are playing it safe.  The cats are happy, volunteers are happy that we can still be here and all is good. The volunteers understand what we are doing although many would love to be here even more!  But.....we will get through this.  
Please know that I always appreciate sincere questions and try my best to answer them!

Update on Sparrow,  who happens to be sound asleep on my desk at the moment. Sunday after her surgery, she was here, there and everywhere. She was planting her rear right leg squarely under her for balance. Her incision did get a little infected but was promptly put on antibiotics and is looking much better.  However, her rear right leg has been "giving" a bit now. We will still wait those 2 weeks and re-evaluate her. Dr. Darcy may have a plan! 

Take care, have a great day and know that FFRC truly appreciates you all.