1 The Cat House on the Kings Newsletter U Volume 4, Issue 3 _____________________________________ September 2008 EVERYONE’S INVITED TO THE CAT HOUSE OPEN HOUSE Join us Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 10 am to 3 pm for our October Open House. Now is the time to see our facility, stroll around the grounds and spend time with all the wonderful cats, kittens and yes, puppies. Come and enjoy refreshments, silent auction, raffle and animals available for adoption. There will be lots of gift baskets so you can get some of your Christmas shopping done early! No admission fee, but donations (of any amount) are very much appreciated. . In addition to all the other festivities at the OPEN HOUSE, we will be holding a raffle for two beautiful Feline Fantasies cat trees. The Perfect Place tree stands 4' tall, has an extra large wobble free base with 3 upper levels and retails for $110. The Amusement Park tree stands 5' tall and also comes with an extra large wobble free base with 4 upper levels and retails for $140. Each tree comes with a large bed on top for napping and a 3/8" sisal covered post for claw sharpening. The colors are a neutral "doe skin" beige that would compliment any décor. The raffle will be held at 2:30 pm and the tickets are just $1.00. Tickets will be available at the open house or you can purchase them ahead of time by mailing a check marked “RAFFLE TICKETS” to: 7120 S. Kings River Road, Parlier, CA 93648 and we will mail them to you ASAP. YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN, BUT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP THE CAT TREE. 100% of the proceeds benefit The Cat House. There will be food, fun and lots of furry friends, a family event that promises to have something for everyone! SEE YOU THEN!!! LETTER FROM LYNEA UIt’s hell in the trenches! U Kitten season has been especially difficult this year. Warm weather, bumper crop of kittens, bad economy, etc., etc., etc. Same old story! Bright side - there is an unbelievably generous benefactor from the Bay area who, because she is who she is, has been paying for spays and neuters for rescuers, feral colony caregivers and low-income families here in the valley. She has personally been responsible for over 4,000 spays and neuters since June 2007. Sadly, that program has come to an end. Fortunately, thanks to Dr. Luz Piel of New Village Pets in Selma, we will still be able to offer spays for $25 and neuters for $12. Our most sincere thanks to both Dr. Piel and our generous benefactor, who wishes to remain nameless. Together, we have prevented thousands of unwanted births in 2009. May next year be better for all. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE NOW AND AFTER YOU HAVE, FORWARD IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THEN PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EMAIL ELLEN DEGENERES, OPRAH AND LUCY LIU THROUGH THEIR WEBSITES AND MENTION US, THE YOUTUBE VIDEO AND THAT WHAT WE DO NEEDS TO BE HEARD. NOW IS OUR TIME!!! Lynea
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The Cat House on the Kings Newsletter
U Volume 4, Issue 3 _____________________________________ September 2008
EVERYONE’S INVITED TO THE CAT HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
Join us Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 10 am to 3 pm for our October Open House. Now is the time to see our facility, stroll around the grounds and spend time with all the wonderful cats, kittens and yes, puppies. Come and enjoy refreshments, silent auction, raffle and animals available for adoption. There will be lots of gift baskets so you can get some of your Christmas shopping done early! No admission fee, but donations (of any amount) are very much appreciated.
. In addition to all the other festivities at the OPEN HOUSE, we will be holding a raffle for two beautiful Feline Fantasies cat trees. The Perfect Place tree stands 4' tall, has an extra large wobble free base with 3 upper levels and retails for $110. The Amusement Park tree stands 5' tall and also comes with an extra large wobble free base with 4 upper levels and retails for $140. Each tree comes with a large bed on top for napping and a 3/8" sisal covered post for claw sharpening. The colors are a neutral "doe skin" beige that would compliment any décor. The raffle will be held at 2:30 pm and the tickets are just $1.00. Tickets will be available at the open house or you can purchase them ahead of time by mailing a check marked “RAFFLE TICKETS” to: 7120 S. Kings River Road, Parlier, CA 93648 and we will mail them to you ASAP. YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN, BUT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP THE CAT TREE.
100% of the proceeds benefit The Cat House. There will be food, fun and lots of furry friends, a family event that promises to have something for everyone! SEE YOU THEN!!!
LETTER FROM LYNEA
UIt’s hell in the trenches!U Kitten season has been especially difficult this year. Warm weather, bumper crop of kittens, bad economy, etc., etc., etc. Same old story! Bright side - there is an unbelievably generous benefactor from the Bay area who, because she is who she is, has been paying for spays and neuters for rescuers, feral colony caregivers and low-income families here in the valley. She has personally been responsible for over 4,000 spays and neuters since June 2007. Sadly, that program has come to an end. Fortunately, thanks to Dr. Luz Piel of New Village Pets in Selma, we will still be able to offer spays for $25 and neuters for $12. Our most sincere thanks to both Dr. Piel and our generous benefactor, who wishes to remain nameless. Together, we have prevented thousands of unwanted births in 2009. May next year be better for all. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE NOW AND AFTER YOU HAVE, FORWARD IT TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THEN PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE EMAIL ELLEN DEGENERES, OPRAH AND LUCY LIU THROUGH THEIR WEBSITES AND MENTION US, THE YOUTUBE VIDEO AND THAT WHAT WE DO NEEDS TO BE HEARD.
NOW IS OUR TIME!!! Lynea
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AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
We still have many adorable kittens available for adoption as well as adult cats! Our adoption fee is still just $50 and this price includes spay or neuter, vaccinations, testing for FIV/FELV, flea and ear mite treatment and a microchip. Our cats come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and satisfaction is guaranteed! To make an appointment for Thursday through Sunday 1 - 4 at the sanctuary, please call Lynea at (559) 638-8696 or you can visit Petco at Blackstone and Ashlan in Fresno every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. You can also see more of our available felines on our website www.cathouseonthekings.org.
TAMMY’S NEWEST PROJECT Tammy, that’s me, is on a mission to take on a project that, without the help of all the dedicated Cat House supporters out there, could never be completed or accomplished. I have been volunteering with The Cat House for a little over four years now. Lynea said I would burn myself out within 2 years. Oh how correct she was, but you can’t stop doing what you love just because your tired. With all the support of everyone, I just keep plugging away. Almost everyday I hear a story about a pet that someone has rescued, adopted, saved or maybe not saved, but gave it all they had, happy, sad and everything in between. I want those stories! I am going to put all of these stories together for everyone to enjoy. It’s the glue that holds us all together and makes us a family in the rescue business. We do this because we love animals and want to help them. We all have those special friends that we will never forget. Just put it down on paper and please send them to me, long, short, sad, happy, dog, cat, any pet story, just send them. Let this be our legacy to what we do and love and maybe, in 20 years, people will read it and be amazed at what a difference one group that started with one woman made in the world. Send them to [email protected] or if no email available, mail them to The Cat House and put rescue story on the front of the envelope. If you don’t think you can write a story, do your best and I will have someone give it some help.
Tammy =^..^=
Q & AQ. Why does my cat lick me? Is it for salt or whatever taste is on my hands or is a sign of affection or all of the above?
A. Yes, your cat licking you can be "all of the above" but most often it really is a sign of affection. Another way of showing affection is gently biting on your nose or your face. Also, looking at you and slowly blinking her eyes is a way of saying "I love you." You can respond in the same way, if you want. I do it with my cats all the time.
“By Franny Syufy, http://cats.about.com”
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THE CAT HOUSE CHRONICLES BY ZANEY GRAY
Ow! That hurt! Pat just grabbed me by my tail and plunked me down in front of this nasty ol’ computer. I guess I’m only minutes, days, weeks, whatever, behind on my newsletter article. Once I’m done typing this column, I think I’ll look up the number for CPS, you know… Cat Protective Services. We’ll just see who gets to jerk whose tail around this place. See, I was curled up under the dark, cool shade of the juniper bushes outside the office attempting to fight of this depression that has had me by the throat since the last newsletter. I am in a total funk, having learned that not a single person stepped up to sponsor me! I mean, not ONE person! How is that possible? Some of my Cat House buddies have found sponsors from some far off places called “New Zealand” and “Japan.” I keep hearing all this chitchat about YouTube and how lucky The Cat House has been to be seen all over the world. Sponsors……. my cute little patootie! So anyway, I’ll try to get over the hurt. I will try to put on a brave face and just let it go that so many others get their special human(s), but no, not me. I will just have to persevere without. Now that I think about it, I’ve been just fine these last five years as a solo act, so why not another five? Did you all hear that Lynea got to go to “Doggie Camp?” Yep, she and that fuzzy, little Ellie Mae and Tug took a road trip all the way to some exotic place called South Lake Tahoe. Ellie and Tug got to ride in the Cat House van and everything. Can’t you see them now, hanging their heads out the windows, drool running across the windows while Lynea is singing to some country-western station? She reported that Ellie was the star of the show, but Tug just could not be bothered to participate in any doggie games. The Cat House has weathered another hot, sticky summer. We cats keep hoping the thermometer will drop to where our lovely fur coats will be a help rather than a hindrance. Maybe then Porter can let his lion cut grow back in so he won’t catch a cold come November. I’ve heard rumors of an Open House coming up before winter gets here. I’m hoping some of you will come visit before we look for our caves to hibernate in. Ooops…….cats don’t hibernate, do we? Oh well, guess I’ll just go back to my juniper bush. Zaney Gray
1. A cat’s heart beats up to 140 times per minute, or about twice as fast as a human’s. 2. Cats have five toes on each front foot, but only four on each back foot. 3. Many cats don’t have eyelashes. 4. Many people think that cats are colorblind, but it’s a myth. Now we know that cats can see blues, reds and greens. 5. Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat door. 6. You might think it’s disgusting when your cat brings you dead prey (like a bird or mouse), but you should thank her anyway. She thinks that she’s bringing you a present. 7. Our cats don’t think of themselves as small humans. Rather, they think of us as large cats.
WORD SEARCH
Search for the words on the right and circle them. They can be found horizontally or vertically. Answers are on page 6.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Pam Nishimoto started volunteering at The Cat House back in 2002. Since then she has been coming every Saturday (almost) with one task in mind.…..to clean the fish pond! And that’s exactly what she does every week. The lucky fish and turtle have clean, fresh water weekly, thanks to Pam. That’s not all she does. When she’s here, if there’s anything that needs to be done, such as running cats to the vet or helping the staff with cleaning, Pam is there to help. Pam is also available to help with our fundraisers. Plus she cans the best olives ever, right off our tree! Thank you so much, Pam, for your ongoing support and help. Everyone at The Cat House truly appreciates what you do, even the kitties.
RAISIN WRITES Well it’s fall so they tell me. Guess that’s why my paws are cold and I’m a little stiff in the mornings. Time for warm beds, tuna soups and tuna stews. I can just imagine the lovely pungent smells. I did too have tuna stew. My mother fixed it when I was a kitten. I’m getting to the point. The boss lady wants me to ask for things again. Why don’t I just sit by the roadside with a cup
in my paw? Oh well, here goes. We need Clorox, Pine Sol, money, paper towels, tuna, wagons, money, brooms, tuna, mops, money, large cans of cat food, dry cat food and did I remember to say tuna? Okay, I’ve asked. I just want to talk to my sponsor now. I have one you know. She is so special to me that I not only want to thank her for her support, but to dedicate one of my poems to her.
Tuna Stew The thing I remember once that I grew
Was the lovely smell of fresh tuna stew. It simmers and bubbles and steams in the pot
For six hours or maybe until it is hot. With fish heads and potato peels
Catnip and stuff One bite will not do - it’s just not enough.
You serve it up hot on a platter or two The sight of which makes your eyes bug out too.
For there is a fish head in sauce oh so gooey. No one who tastes it would ever say phooey.
It’s tasty, it’s crunchy, it’s simply delish To think that it’s made from the head of a fish.
I long for a taste or a small bite or two Of that wonderful dish simply called tuna stew.
Thank you dear sponsor for your support - in fact I want to thank all of the sponsors who help us survive out here. If we did not have your support even when you are suffering too; we would not have clean floors, warm beds or even enough to eat. Thank you for helping your poor, hungry, cold, innocent, furry friends. Raisin P.S. This letter is also written to remember Max. The best friend I’ve ever had.
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Hello Lynea, I just wanted to send you pics of the kids, your felines, I adopted, Neyo and Shia.
Monique Bustamante
An Excellent Kitty. Our blind kitty Bogey whom we adopted about a year ago (nobody wanted him because he had to have both his eyes removed due to an infection) has caught 2 mice in our basement the last 2 weeks. My partner Johanna put plastic fencing around the bottom of our deck railing so it’s safe for him to lie out in the sun---& he tracks the birds as they come into the feeders on the rail! He's a wonderful pet, & we're glad others spurned him so that he would be ours! Pam
LETTERS, NOTES AND PICTURES
What an amazing facility. I’ve attached photo’s of my cats – Oliver and Hobbit ;-) Judie Glenn
Dear Lynea, I just wanted to tell you that our first night with Sarah went great. Would you believe she slept on our bed? Sarah is already giving us such joy, thank you so much! I take a lot of pictures, so here are just a few that I took last night and this afternoon. She really loves to lie in the bathroom sink! I'll be in touch from time to time. What great work you are doing!!!
Pat Duerksen
My cat Cagney came from your facility over two years ago. He is in a loving home with his sister Lacy. They play and get a long well. My fiancée and I love the story about your facility. We will send a donation to help your cause. Thank you for finding Cagney. We love him soooo much.
Scarlet Tanner
Just a little note to let you know how the 2 Persians are doing. The one you called Pansy I named Mia. She is very gentle and sweet, but she is a bully. The crazy wild cat I named Bella won’t let me pick her up, but she sleeps on top of me. She is very lovey dovey and begs to be petted. Mia does bully her and she always backs down. They are beautiful! Thank you for allowing me to adopt them. Deborah T.
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ODDS AND ENDS The wine tasting fundraiser we had planned for
Oct. 4, 2008 has been postponed until sometime in the spring. We just didn’t have enough time to organize such an event in the allotted time. We will let you know when we reschedule.
The furniture in the shelter has been shredded (SURPRISE, SURPRISE). We can only cover the holes so much with Mary Lou’s beautiful mini-quilts. What we need is someone who does upholstery work to recover 2 couches, 1 chair and 1 ottoman. The cats don’t care what the fabric looks like, but it should be heavy duty.
Speaking of Mary Lou, she is looking for a used lap top and/or desk top computer for her grandson, Patrick. She can be reached at (559) 255-2024.
When you go to the polls on November 4, don’t forget to vote in positive change for California’s farm animals! Proposition 2 is a landmark ballot initiative that combats some of the worst abuses in factory farming. If passed, it will end the practice of keeping veal calves, breeding pigs and laying hens in cages and crates so small that the animals cannot turn around. This law will not only prevent cruelty to animals—it also will improve food safety and reduce the devastating environmental impact of factory farms.
We could use some volunteers to help with the Oct. 25 P
thP Open House. Some men would be
nice to help with moving tables, chairs and large cat trees. Help is needed from 9 am to 4 pm or any time in between.
Note from concerned supporter: Please check your kitties teeth often. I didn’t and seven had to be pulled. Not only expensive, but I felt such guilt about the pain she must have felt (she was eating fine - just became a loner). She’s fine now, loving and sassy and eating with 5 teeth left.
For low cost spays and neuters and excellent veterinary care, call Dr. Piel! New Village Pets in Selma (559) 896-5300.
Spirit of Woman cats update: Thanks to everyone’s generosity, all of the Spirit of Woman cats and kittens have been trapped and spayed or neutered. Thank you to all who donated to this project.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
ANSWERS TO PUZZLE
GET YOUR NEWSLETTER VIA EMAIL If you would like to get your newsletter emailed to you, please send your name and email address to [email protected]. This will help cut down on postage costs.
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LYNEA’S NEW DIGS Lynea has moved into her new digs and she’s loving every minute of it! All of the staff would like to thank each and every one of you that helped make this happen. Now Lynea has her own space and is getting the rest and privacy she deserves and needs.
We've partnered with Phones for Good to offer you a great deal on your next cellular phone, from any of America's leading providers: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and Nextel. You will have an amazing selection to choose from and receive better pricing than traditional stores. The Cat House on the Kings will receive up to $50.00 for each purchase! (See their web site for details.) When it's time to buy your next phone, please visit Phones for Good.
The Cat House on the Kingsis a private, nonprofit, no-cage, no-kill sanctuary, rescue and adoption center
for cats run solely on donations and out-of-pocket funding by our founder
Lynea Lattanzio.
The Cat House is open to visitors Thursday through Sunday
(except major holidays) from 1 PM to 4 PM,
UBY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
We are located near Reedley, CA, southeast of Fresno.
