PACIFIC ANIMAL FOUNDATION -  DECEMBER 2014 E-NEWSLETTER

Hope you enjoy the stories of some happy rescues to end the year with !

SCRUFFY LIVES IN AN ART GALLERY!

In late August we were contacted by a family in North Vancouver who needed help with a mother cat and kittens who were living in their backyard. Actually, in their tree house to be exact! The family had noticed a skinny, scared cat going in and out of their garage/workshop and eventually discovered 6 tiny kittens stashed on shelves and in nooks inside the garage. The garage was not a safe place for them so they scooped up the kittens, climbed the tree house ladder and carefully made a safe haven for the kittens inside, hoping that mom would use the ladder to climb in and out. That's exactly what she did. Screens already covered the open windows and Pip and Pam built a temporary wall barrier in the tiny room, high enough for mom to be able to jump over but too high for the kittens to climb out. The tree house even had a little door and, every night after mom had gone inside to be with her kittens, Pip would come out and close it so mom and kits were safe and cozy. They named mom cat, Scruffy and, although she was nervous, Pip could eventually touch and carry her a short distance if he needed to. It didn't seem mom was a true feral but she was hissy and protective of the kittens with anyone else coming too close to her.

Several weeks went by and the family visited the kittens everyday to hold and play with them so they became very social. The kitty family was fed daily so the kittens were healthy, pudgy and even learned how to use the litter box. But now the kittens were nearly 6 weeks old and learning to climb so the family needed help getting mom spayed and the kittens to the vet for their first shots and de-worming. PAF was contacted and made arrangements with a vet. One morning, Pip managed to get mom into a carrier and off to the vet hospital she went for spaying. Later that same day, the family brought in the 6 kittens for their first examination and vet visit. Pip and Pam kept two kittens and found homes for the other four with family and close friends.

Being typical of a nursing mom living outside, Scruffy was very thin so I took her home with me after spay surgery to give her 4 days to recover before releasing her back home. Within a day or two she was letting me touch and stroke her and, by day 4, I could hold her for a short period. She packed on some weight. In the meantime, Pip used to the time to 'upgrade' Scruffy's digs! He is an artist and painted the inside of the tree house a beautiful blue and hung some of his own original art creations on the walls! Scruffy has a cozy couch, litter box, daily food and Pip to close the tree house door at night when she is in for the night. We all thought it wouldn't be long before Scruffy might be taming up and wanting to interact with the family in the house. In the meantime, she has her own art gallery to live in!

See photos of Scruffy

PATCHES and TIGER

We are pretty sure these two are brother and sister although they live a half block apart at separate businesses not far from the Second Narrows Bridge. We trapped Patches first and had him neutered and a few weeks later caught Tiger. We were all pretty certain that Tiger was a boy because of his size but 'he' turned out to be a 'she' ! They are now about 9 months old and have daily feeders looking after them.

Thanks to Helen's husband, Doug, both Patches and Tiger each have two stations; one for their dishes and a second one for sleeping, stuffed with straw. We have seen their mother, Sunday (trapped and spayed last summer), at both businesses so we know she goes between them and we suspect that both Tiger and Patches do as well. We have our cameras ready in case we can get photos of the family together!

We know PAF has helped Sunday, Patches and Tiger to live healthier lives by getting them sterilized, vaccinated and de-wormed. We have also stopped the reproduction cycle which could have resulted in endless numbers of more feral kittens in the area. Trap/Neuter/Return works!

See photos of Patches and Tiger

FELIX

A few years ago this little guy started showing up at one of our North Vancouver feeding stations where we had been feeding feral cats since 2002. We suspect he may have had a home as a kitten but then wandered off and decided he liked the food at the feral station better as he began to be there waiting for us. At first he was quite skitzy and was always getting into cat fights with numerous cats that came to feed. PAF always got him veterinary care if he needed to be checked out after any fight. A couple of years ago he needed long term antibiotics but he was so regular at the station that we managed to medicate him daily and get him through that episode.

One day a little short haired black cat showed up at the same station and he was wounded and unneutered. We scooped him up and off to the veterinary clinic he went to be neutered and patched up. He was also quite skitzy but not feral and the two little boys hit it off, became good friends and were company together. The feral station was protected from rain and wind by the commercial/apartment building overhang and heat from the building's vent blasted out on to their blankets tucked behind the feeding station. The boys could be warm, cozy and dry even in bad weather. As well, the security gate to the complex was closed and locked at night giving the boys added protection from cars, wandering dogs or coyotes. Eventually with all the caring cuddles and attention from the daily feeders, the boys became quite tame and also made a lot of friends with the apartment residents. Many people stopped by to give them treats, catnip toys and spend time playing with them. They loved to run in the grassy field and trees opposite their station and would come running to any visitors if called.

We have had no raccoon/cat fight encounters at any of our feral stations since we started our feeding programs many years ago but it seems that Felix must have been too inquisitive with one raccoon at the end of July. Likely it was a mom, with babies nearby, who was acting protective and the two had a tangle with Felix getting his leg hurt. A nearby resident witnessed the attack and called Lorrie, from SNAPPS, to report it. She went to get Felix and kept him overnight as the vet clinic was closed. We all hoped it was just a bite that could be mended with antibiotics.

Next morning at the clinic xrays showed there was one broken foot bone and one that was dislocated. On recommendations by the vet, PAF brought in a specialist to do the intricate surgery and we weren't sure if Felix would regain the proper use of his foot. Only time would tell. Little Felix had a BIG cast on his leg and would require confinement in a large dog kennel for nearly six weeks while the bones healed. It had been tricky surgery which included inserting a plate and screws to secure the foot bone.  Many visits to the vet were needed for bandage changes and on-going assessments as to the healing outcome. A second small surgery was required to adjust a screw and a shorter period of confinement endured.

Through it all, Felix was a real trooper. He seemed to know that he had to stay in his kennel to get better and Taylor and I fostered him back and forth for nearly 4 months during this time. He had two kennels at each of our houses so he could have different environments during the day to keep him stimulated. He didn't fuss to get out of the kennel which amazed us! He loved watching cartoons and happily watched Sunday afternoon TV golf. Taylor said he especially loved the cooking shows. 'Paw Patrol' was also a special favourite!

After all the bandages were removed, Felix was allowed limited walking opportunities to strengthen his leg muscles and foot bones again. He limped but he at least had his foot! And he could jump up and down from couches but we felt his safety would be at risk if he went back to his station home. So Taylor talked one of her friends into fostering him and, bingo, within 3 days they asked us if they could officially adopt him! So dear little Felix lives with his new girlfriend, Sweetpea, who was also a PAF rescue from West Vancouver a couple of years ago and they chase each other around the house. The family reports that, with the two of them roaring up and down stairs and playing tag, Felix's foot and leg muscles have strengthened and his limp is hardly noticeable anymore!

We want to say a very sincere and grateful 'THANK YOU' to Cathy T. and to David and Irina who covered Felix's substantial veterinary expenses. Very much appreciated. . . .

See photos of Felix's journey here.

If you would like to help defray our continuous veterinary and cat food expenses, please go to our website for a link to Paypal or Canada Helps.  As well, we have continuing monthly medical expenses for some of our senior cats!  A tax receipt will be issued for any donation over $10.  Or you can mail a cheque to our post office box at # 735 - 1641 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, BC  V7M 2J5.  It would be very much appreciated to help us continue our work!
Lana Simon, Director Pacific Animal Foundation www.pacificanimal.org		Happy New Year from Handsome     (rescued in August 2014)