Jaco coming back for a few days

Jaco's new home is great, his mommy loves him and he's happy there. But, his big sister has been diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer and has not been getting along with Jaco very well. His new mommy has brought him back to us for a few days until his big sister gets stable again and so that she can live her last days in peace.

We'll miss you Minuet.

Jaco's new mommy is considering adopting all three kittens so that everyone can live together. We are really rooting for this to go through- so that everyone is happy and we can help more cats!

Jaco is back now, and doing very well. He took a nap with Mia and Mimi and has been sniffing around (remember this place!) for the past hour. We're sure he misses home, though!

We'll post some pictures soon and keep you updated on everything!

Jaco adopted!

Yep, our first foster kitten has been adopted.

His new mommy is very excited, and we brought him to his new house today.

He met his sister, Minuet and although they weren't purring, Minuet did wonderfully.  We were happy to see that Jaco would be in a really nice home!

A baby book is in the making and a birth announcement is being sent out- all for Jaco!

We know we found the perfect home for the "Little Dude"!

His new name will be "Little Star of Egypt".  

Although we'll miss him greatly, his new mommy promises updates and pictures and we know he's in a good home now!

All about cats

Cats

Cats are very popular in the American household, and everyone loves them.  From the fast and furious little kitten to the calm and sweet elderly cat, every cat is loved.  

Below are a list of helpful links and pages talking about you and your cat:

www.catsinfo.com

www.cats.about.com

www.vetinfo4cats.com/catindex.html

You can find so many more helpful sites by Googling or Yahooing "Cat information" or whatever you are searching for.  But the best thing to do, if you're looking for medical disorders if your cat is suddenly acting different is to talk to a vet.  Many people on the internet can give you false information and endanger your cat's life.  Your vet knows your cat, and so do you.  A sudden difference in a cats temperament can mean a serious illness.  You are the one who needs to watch out for this and the vet is the one who needs to take care of it.

Your cat's health is very important, so it's a top priority to find a vet that works for you, your cat and the vet.  When you first get your cat, take a few days to see how the cat acts.  After three days, assess the cat's behavior.  Is the cat scared or nervous all of the time?  Is the cat calm on a leash?  Is the cat okay around dogs?  Is the cat okay on long car rides?  Each of these questions will help you decide on a vet.  A good vet that is far away won't work for a cat that's not good on long car rides, but you can always get medication for that.  A vet with a lot of dogs visiting isn't great for a cat that gets angry or nervous around dogs.  If the cat is scared or nervous all of the time, it may be good to have a vet that's very close and that has good experience with cats and can help you, step by step to get the cat to stop being so nervous.  When visiting the vet it's always a good idea to keep your cat in a carrier while in the waiting room.  

Before adopting the cat:

Prepare all supplies for the cat.  Have an emergency vet number on your fridge door.  Consider the cat.  Are you ready for this responsibility?  Is the breed a match for you?  Google the breed, or one of the breeds and see if the cat's personality traits match your lifestyle.  A Siamese might not be a match for an older person, because they can be loud and on the obnoxious side as a kitten!

Supplies to buy:

-TWO litter boxes.  One hooded and one not, let the cat decide which one she prefers and keep the other one on hand just in case.

-QUALITY litter.  World's Best works like a charm.

-Some wet food and some dry.  Leave dry out all the time and then feed wet two or three times a day.  Or, do whatever the person you adopt the cat from says.  When you visit the vet, ask the vet what they think you should do for feeding.  Some cats have special dietary needs and need a home cooked meal.

-Three bowls.  One for water, one for dry food and one for wet food.  Take care that they ar not plastic, cats can develop pimples from scratching their chins on the plastic.  Go for non-skid metal, especially for kittens who have a knack for knocking over bowls (especially of water!)  Automatically refilling water bowls work wonderfully, our cats don't drink out of normal bowls anymore!

-Toys.  One on a pole, a few toy mice, some toy balls and misc.  toys are great.

-Two comfy beds.  One that is covered and one that is not.  Let the cat decide!

Our family supports:

-Not declawing your cat.

-Keeping your cat indoors (outdoor aviaries are awesome, though!)

-Spaying or neutering your pet.

Thank you!

Interested in fostering?

Fostering:

Fostering is different from adopting, in that you don't get to keep the pets you are fostering. You might foster for a few days to a few weeks or months. In Spring and Summer, many homes are needed for kittens, momcats with kittens or pregnant momcats. In the winter months, the flow of cats at shelters lessens, but adult cats and seniors are in need of a family to love them. Many times with fostering, the foster parents are able to find other adoption events to take the cats to, or a family friend that would like the cats. The cats are given a few more chances at a good life, instead of the only route they would get at a shelter. 

Every pet at the shelter needs a foster parent, whether it's a dog, cat or rabbit (?).

Please consider fostering!

More info on WHERE to foster:

The Humane Society is having a project dedicated to fostering right now for momcats, kittens and soon-to-be momcats. Google your local Humane Society and find out who to contact.

My family fosters for Pleading Paws Pet Rescue in Central and Eastern Minnesota. They are a completely foster-based pet rescue that takes in animals (Small animals, dogs and cats) from shelters where they would have been euthanized. There is always a pet waiting for a foster parent at this shelter! There link is below:

http://www.pppr.org/index.asp

Any local shelter in your area would probably be glad to get a few of their animals out of the shelter and into your home, so just look around on their website or give a call. Most shelters have you fill out an application to make sure you're an okay person, then do a home visit to make sure your house is suitable. We got our first foster kittens within one and a half weeks. (Time may vary). And if you get attached, you always have first choice when it comes to adopting.

Interested in adopting?

Well, every adoptable pet needs a home.  Keep in mind that an older cat will be calmer and has less of a chance to get adopted.  Kittens are always adopted, so it would be very nice of you to adopt an adult or an elder.  But , with a kitten, they'll grow attached to you and you'll see them through each and every stage of their lives.

Interested in adopting Mimi or Mia?  (Jaco is in the process of getting adopted out!)

If you live in Central/Eastern Minnesota, contact Pleading Paws Pet Rescue, their link is above.  You'll have to fill out an application, then we'll check with your references, you'll do a home visit and meet the cat you wish to adopt and then you'll be able to adopt!  It would be great if you could come back to this site and post comments about the cat you adopted.  We like to check in on the cats, as we do get attached and fall in love.  How could you not?  

Thank you!

Mia: Profile

Mia is in the first picture by herself (we don't know how we snapped the picture at the right time, but Mia must have been having a blast!) and in the second picture on the far right.

Mia's a Domestic Shorthair, gray and white. Her full name is Mia Hamm, because the first night she was in her foster home, she found her favorite toy. A pink, kitty-sized soccer ball. Since then, she's been the star soccer player!

She's working on her shyness right now, but once you get to know her, Mia's an absolute sweetie! She never makes a mess and is never too loud. She does play, but it's not the crazy wrestling that you get from hyper kittens. Mia would be perfect for a family that doesn't want a loud or crazy cat, but not a family that has younger kids that might pull or poke at Mia. She's very delicate!

Mia is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met. No one couldn't love her!

Mimi: Profile

Mimi is a Russian Blue eight week old kitten. She begs to be picked up and will cuddle with you forever. Mimi's very sweet, but she sure knows how to wrestle. She annoys her brother and sister by sneaking up and wrestling... all day.

Mimi was the first one to learn how to jump up to the "second floor" in the cat room. She and Jaco get along really well while playing, but she enjoys grooming Mia and sleeping with her. When Mimi saw Jaco climb the ramp in the closet, she just HAD to do that- and was the first to do it without getting scared in the middle (resulting in help from mom!).

Mimi is on the far left in the above picture, with Jaco beside her and Mia on the far right. They are sleeping on the bunk bed (an old doll bed) together.

At adoption events, Mimi does very well. She plays a lot, but konks out after a few hours of play. She handles being held very well, but has jumped off one person's arm.

No one can pass up this cute little girl!

Jaco: Profile

Jaco is an eight week old kitten. He's black and long haired and very rambunctious. You can see Jaco above, on the right.

When he and his sisters are in a new place, Jaco is the first to come out and have a look. After only four days with us, Jaco was running out the door when he could, and wrestling all the time.

He's certainly not the sleepy type, but after a few hours at an adoption event, or even a few hours playing, Jaco will curl up with you and fall asleep or find a spot and lie down.

As soon as a person touches him, Jaco will start purring (even when he's eating!). He's very affectionate and sweet.

When Jaco plays, everything gets turned upside down! Whenever we go into The Cat Room, the toys are upside down, the blankets are smushed up on walls, the water bowl has been knocked over and... huh? Here comes Jaco, padding over to you purring. You can't say "Bad cat!" to that, can you?

Jaco is always the most popular kitty, so he's sure to get adopted soon. The sweet thing just can't be overlooked!

An introduction to The Cat Room

In our world, so many cats are left out on streets and so many are left at shelters. The thing with fostering is that it gives that cats a chance, and in many cases, one chance is all they need.

Our family started fostering in July 2008, and we have had nothing but good experiences. Right now, we have our first foster babies. Three little kittens found as strays, brought into impound. There's Mimi, a sweet little girl who knows how to play. Then Jaco, a crazy little guy who likes to wrestle. Last but not least, we have Mia who is shy, but fun. Every one of these kittens are going to be going to great homes soon.

Before we started fostering, we set up a cat room. A small room in the back served as a great room. Away from our resident cats (Snowball and Mo) and even farther away from our resident dogs (Petey and Cricket) who are Huskies. We cleaned out the room and a small closet and set up their "second floor" where they can scratch everything. It's a great room. After that, we got supplies. In came the mice, soccer balls (Mia's favorite), litter box, litter, blankets, food and more. Then came the kittens.

The goal of this site can be split up into multiple things.

1. Everyone who knows our family wants to know how the kittens are and what cat is with us at the moment. This blog will give up to date information on the cats and kittens.

2. After the kittens/cats are adopted out, this site will be given to the adopters. They are welcome to post comments and stories about the kittens under the kittens posting. When a kitten or cat is in our household, a posting will be made telling all about the kittens. For example, Mia's posting would be called Mia: Profile. When she is adopted, the adopters can come back at any time and post comments under Mia's Profile. Then everyone can see what Mia is up to.

3. To educate people about fostering and rescuing cats from harmful situations. Every minute, 11 cats and dogs are euthanized. That adds up to about 4 million (4,000,000) in one year. Fostering rescues cats (and dogs) from these situations).

We support:

1. Spaying and neutering your pets
2. Keeping your cats indoors
3. Not declawing your cat.

Thank you for being a part of our site!