HOMELESS ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM Cambria, CA The HART of the Matter Kitty Cuddling: Good For Us, Good For Them Cuddling our kitties is good for our health. A vari- ety of studies have shown that pets can help prevent allergies in children, ward off respiratory infections, im- prove mood, and boost self- esteem. And now, recent research tells us that cuddling our cats is also good for them. A study on the effect of positive human interaction with cats, published last year in the journal, Preventive Veteri- nary Medicine, verified that cats who received positive attention (called "gentling") were less likely to have up- per respiratory infections than cats in the control group who received no gen- tling. Conclusion: Cuddle your cats. It's a win-win! Snowstorm's Stormy Life During her short 1½-year lifespan, Snowstorm may have lost several lives. Found living outdoors with her kittens in 2015, she was rescued, brought to HART, and adopted. All seemed good, until she ran away from her new home, or more sadly, perhaps was abandoned; either way, disaster shad- owed her. Trying to survive on her own, Snow- storm developed a serious wound: the result of her entire foreleg being inextri- cably wedged between her collar and chest. She lived this way for an esti- mated two weeks, until a kind rancher interceded and took her to a local vet for treatment. She was later returned to HART where palliative care was contin- ued and her ill-starred fate took a more positive turn. Following unsuccessful attempts to find her owners, a volunteer adopted Snowstorm in December. She underwent two surgeries and spent months recovering; even then, she required another surgery at the end of March. Thanks to "Dr. Suzy" Van Beurden, the dedi- cated veterinarian who performed all three surgeries, the wound has finally healed, restoring Snowstorm to the playful, 1½-year-old cat she was meant to be. Her next big challenge: work out peaceful liv- ing arrangements with established feline housemates--should be a piece of cake by comparison. * Fourteen-year-old Oliver met his new love: 94- year-old Ginnie, who was looking for a cat compan- ion. Within two days of their meeting, Ol' Blue Eyes had the run of the house, making himself right at home, and sitting alongside her as they watched television. Oliver’s family has written to say how well he is doing: sleeping on the bed with his new lady, and de- lighting her with his well-mannered deportment. Spring 2016 LOVE IS AGELESS as two HART adoptions recently proved At almost 14, Suzi, a Lynx Point Siamese, had found liv- ing in the shelter a little tricky, until the day Betty, a spunky 90-year-old woman, came along looking for a kitty to en- joy her lap and her compan- ionship, and Voilà! A match was made! Suzi did not look back as she went to her for- ever home, where she now happily works as a lap warmer and loving companion. Senior cats (8+years) often make ideal companions for senior people (62+years.) The Noble Senior Companion program encourages this pairing by waiving adoption fees when senior citizens adopt senior "kitizens"—makes the deal even sweeter. For more information about all available cats, please contact HART at 805-927-7377, visit our shelter at 2638 Main Street, visit us at www.slohart.org, or like us on Facebook.
Transcript
HOMELESS ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM Cambria, CA
The HART of the Matter
Kitty Cuddling: Good For Us, Good For Them
Cuddling our kitties is good for our health. A vari-ety of studies have shown that pets can help prevent allergies in children, ward off respiratory infections, im-prove mood, and boost self-esteem.
And now, recent research tells us that cuddling our cats is also good for them. A study on the effect of positive human interaction with cats, published last year in the journal, Preventive Veteri-nary Medicine, verified that cats who received positive attention (called "gentling") were less likely to have up-per respiratory infections than cats in the control group who received no gen-tling. Conclusion: Cuddle your cats. It's a win-win!
Snowstorm's Stormy Life
During her short 1½-year lifespan, Snowstorm may have lost several lives. Found living outdoors with her kittens in 2015, she was rescued, brought to HART, and adopted. All seemed good, until she ran away from her new home, or more sadly, perhaps was abandoned; either way, disaster shad-owed her.
Trying to survive on her own, Snow-storm developed a serious wound: the result of her entire foreleg being inextri-cably wedged between her collar and chest. She lived this way for an esti-mated two weeks, until a kind rancher interceded and took her to a local vet for treatment. She was later returned to HART where palliative care was contin-ued and her ill-starred fate took a more positive turn.
Following unsuccessful attempts to find her owners, a volunteer adopted Snowstorm in December. She underwent two surgeries and spent months recovering; even then, she required another surgery at the end of March. Thanks to "Dr. Suzy" Van Beurden, the dedi-cated veterinarian who performed all three surgeries, the wound has finally healed, restoring Snowstorm to the playful, 1½-year-old cat she was meant to be. Her next big challenge: work out peaceful liv-ing arrangements with established feline housemates--should be a piece of cake by comparison.
*
Fourteen-year-old Oliver met his new love: 94- year-old Ginnie, who was looking for a cat compan-ion. Within two days of their meeting, Ol' Blue Eyes had the run of the house, making himself right at home, and sitting alongside her as they
watched television. Oliver’s family has written to say how well he is doing: sleeping on the bed with his new lady, and de-
lighting her with his well-mannered deportment.
Spring 2016
LOVE IS AGELESS as two HART adoptions recently proved
At almost 14, Suzi, a Lynx Point Siamese, had found liv-ing in the shelter a little tricky, until the day Betty, a spunky 90-year-old woman, came along looking for a kitty to en-joy her lap and her compan-ionship, and Voilà! A match was made!
Suzi did not look back as she went to her for-ever home, where she now happily works as a lap warmer and loving companion.
Senior cats (8+years) often make ideal companions for senior people (62+years.) The Noble Senior Companion program encourages this pairing by waiving adoption fees when senior citizens adopt senior "kitizens"—makes the deal even sweeter. For more information about all available cats, please contact HART at 805-927-7377, visit our shelter at 2638 Main Street, visit us at www.slohart.org, or like us on Facebook.
piece development for Wines, Pines & Felines, HART’s annual fundraiser. In December, staffing the Santa Booth poses chal-lenges, but Terry manages with aplomb—and HART gains vital funding.
If HART were a six-act play, Terry would be in every scene. She
serves as vice-president on the board of directors, is HART's Volunteer Coordinator, and attends various committee meetings. As “closers,” she and Shale feed cats, scoop boxes, and close up on the first and second Sundays of each month. Other responsibili-ties include gift shop ordering and displaying, sched-uling changes with cleaners, and organizing and overseeing volunteer gardening.
Terry deserves our immeasurable gratitude and end-less appreciation. We don’t know how she does it, but we’re surely thankful she does.
Terry Hanson makes the time and has the heart. She and hus-band Shale moved to Cambria in 2000, where she began her vol-unteer work at HART. "I’m al-ways sad when one of the cats gets adopted because I miss them when they are gone; but knowing they will have a family of their own helps to ease my sadness,” she says. “Now, if Julius could just find a home…and Bear, Bonnie Cat, Joe & Fritz, Travis & Trevor, Trixie, and, and, and …." she finishes wist-fully.
Beginning as a HART cleaner, Terry later turned her attention to recruiting and coordinating volunteers. Now, she is an integral part of the organization, and one of her major responsibilities is organizing volun-teers for fundraising events.
As a former licensed interior designer, Terry's touch can be seen in publicity, theme, décor, and center-
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: TERRY HANSON "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart"– Elizabeth Andrew
As kitten season advances, the needs at the shelter grow exponentially. To ensure our cats' good health, safety, and comfort, our kitties would greatly appreciate donations of one or more of the following items.
Fancy Feast canned kitten food (turkey only, please) KMR (kitten milk replacer) powder—12 oz. cans Fancy Feast grilled beef or poultry feast in gravy (chicken or turkey) Friskies canned food—Paté, any flavor—5.5 oz. cans Clay litter (non-clumping, unscented) Bleach, one-gallon size Laundry detergent 40 gallon trash bags
Say It Like You Mean It Looking for a special gift for someone you know? Just need something to smile about? The Gift Shop for Cat Lovers has a great selection of box signs—find one that expresses your sentiment. Whether a gift or just a whimsical reminder of your love for your own feline, these box signs have words of wisdom and wit to make you smile and nod.
Come to the Gift Shop at HART to check out the full array of clever sayings and find your perfect message-on-a-box along with other fabulous feline frippery.
For more information on kitten season and its attendant challenges, see the article: "Coping with Kitten Season" on The Humane Society of the United States website: www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/facts/kitten_season.html.
The Evacuation Committee’s
emergency plan requires some
special items. You can help
by donating any of the follow-
ing:
Tarps
Duct Tape
Disinfectant Spray
Battery-free Flashlights
LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP?
HOMELESS ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM Spring 2016
A TRIBUTE to BUNNY ANDERSON
We are saddened by the passing of Lois "Bunny" Anderson in August of 2015. Bunny, a long time HART volunteer, was active at the shelter into her eighties, working on the retail committee and in-volved with purchasing supplies. Best known for her skillful dedication to laundry needs, she could often be found in HART's laundry room sorting, washing, fluffing, and folding. No one could do it better. We will not soon forget her commitment to our feline resi-dents and will keenly miss her sense of humor, and camaraderie.
HOMELESS ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM Spring 2016
Mission Accomplished
Pheobe* is a black beauty who arrived at HART in a litter of five kittens. It was soon dis-covered that all five lit-termates were born with Eyelid Agenesis, an in-complete formation of the eyelid, which allows hairs to rub and irritate the surface of the eye.
Liquid Tears eye drops, two or three times daily, help relieve the irritation. However, in Pheobe's case, an excessive number of hairs were scratch-ing her corneas, so a veterinary opthalmologist was consulted to discuss options. She recom-mended cryosurgery to destroy the damaging hair follicles and relieve Pheobe's discomfort.
HART’s Guardian Angel (GA) Program stepped in and cryosurgery was performed. Pheobe’s cor-neas are healing, and soon she will have normal eyesight. This loving, gentle kitten is now happier and more comfortable. On her behalf, we say, "Bravo, GA!" for continuing to accomplish your mission: to relieve suffering and help animals live full, pain-free lives.
*While not traditional, the spelling of Pheobe's name is
printed correctly.
We cannot offer enough THANK YOUs or adequately emphasize the value of our selfless volunteers who con-tinue to shoulder the unglamorous, yet major responsibili-ties that keep our facility clean, grounds presentable, mis-sion statement viable, and cats healthy and happy.
From adoptions to retail committee members, cleaners to photographers, and transporters to fundraising volun-teers. When you see these tireless workers, please thank them:
Allison Hayward, Amanda Rice, Ann Pope, Arla Stevens, Becky Kincaid, Beth Yudovin, Bob Vredenburgh, Bonnie Ahlstrom, Bonnie Little, Breanna Schwarz, Bud Goff, Carol Jean Attoe, Chantal Donahue, Darlene & Neal Shubert, Debbie Fields, Debra Kinsley, Diane Norton, Erika Fredericks, Evelyn Zanella, Gail Robinette, Gary Swauger, Jana Marchionda, Jennifer Rogers, Jennifer Ehlers, Jim Haney, Joan & Richard Berry, Jor-dan Johnson, Judy Lyon, Judy Mills, Juli Amodei, Julie Sand-ers, Karen Frair, Linda Haskins, Linda Turney, Liza Saint George, Loree Parral, Lori Rosenlind, Lynn & Gary Lamb, Marianne Selindh, Marilyn Zahm, Marni Stanfield, Mary Levkoff, (Continued on back page)
We are so happy with our Shad. She Is spoiled, talkative, funny and loving. Although everything is on her terms we love her. She might like us, but I think its all about her."
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 17 Farmers’ Market Adoptions
JULY TBD Volunteer Potluck 15 Farmers’ Market Adoptions
AUG 19 Farmers’ Market Adoptions 27 PGE Siren Test—VOAD
SO YOU THINK YOUR CAT IS ADORABLE … Let His/Her Peers Be The Judge!
Email a photo of your charismatic cat to [email protected] by July 22, 2016, and an im-partial panel of randomly chosen felines will judge each photo to pick the most adorable.*
We will post the contestants and winner(s) August 5th and 26th, respectively, on our website and Facebook page, and feature the winner(s) in our fall 2016 newsletter. Please send only one photo per entry, one entry per household. Submit photos in JPEG format, if possible. Please include contestant's name, your full name, address, phone number, and email with your submission. No videos, please.
*Maybe one, maybe two, maybe five...you know how cats are…
Don’t miss the demonstration video: HART’s 2016-ADORABLE-CAT-SELECTION PROCESS, Com-ing to the HART website and Facebook page in late June.
Non-Profit Org;
US POSTAGE PAID
Cambria, CA 93438
Permit No. 5
Megg McNamee, Melinda Britz, Midge Schulkin, Mike Zarowitz, Muril Clift, Paige Monteer, Paige Spiller, Patti Rowe, Paul Yeager, Priscilla Owens, Renee Rubin, Rhys DeRose, Robert Tieman, Ross Miller, Russ Wiggins, Sa-bine Oliver, Sara Tiedeman, Sue Walker, Susan Barghini, Susan Loganbill, Suzy & Ted Siegler, Tammy Wood, Teri Sanders, Terry & Shale Hanson, Tom & Betty Barton, Tom Lott, Valerie Eastman, Verlinda Bailey, Walt Andrus, Winston Hayward, and members of the Coast Union In-teract Club.
Please let us know if there is anyone we missed, and accept our sincere apologies for any omissions. We will gladly include any oversights in our fall edition of the newsletter.
HART VIPs (Cont. from previous page)
HART’s WINES, PINES & FELINES Event May 3rd at Robin’s Restaurant
Photography: Tom Lott
From left, Midge Schulkin, Steff Gould, Nancy and Doug Taber, and Lynn and John Wilburn browse auc-tion and raffle offerings while enjoying wine and gour-met cuisine.
