Adoption Action!

Check out some of the great adoptions we've had lately (special thanks to the adoptive families who provided updates!)

-Mookie (black/white) - one of 8 de-clawed cats left behind when their elderly owner died without a plan for them, leaving them with shelter, but no love or attention!  He was so love-starved when we rescued him that our hearts broke, but his needs are clearly being met in his new home!

-Biddy (calico) - a 3-legged calico who spent years on the street as a stray before being taken in by a kind lady. She did great in foster care and now has a new family!

-Hitch and Costello (black, orange tabby) - these two sweet boys were so bonded that we had to adopt them out as a pair, a double challenge! But, it worked out great and they have a loving family.

-Simba (tabby)- this rambunctious little guy had one adoption fall through before finding his furrever home with a multi-pet family that provides him with the entertainment and love he deserves!

We love updates from adoptive families! Have a PFA cat thriving in your care? Send us the scoop at pfasask@gmail.com.  It will make our day (and be posted to the blog).

-Alanna

For Safety's Sake!

A while ago I posted an article  about the top reasons to keep your cat safely indoors.  Although the tone was light, this is an issue that we take seriously. Cats face many dangers outdoors, and one of the biggest is human cruelty!

Sadly, today we received information about a young cat caught in a leg hold trap in Regina neighbourhood. She managed to make her way home, missing a hind leg, and her owners thankfully were able to get her the vet care (a costly surgery) that she needed to survive.  But, she suffered greatly.

Please keep your cat indoors to keep him or her safe! And, if you see a leg hold trap in place, call the Humane Society at 543-6363.

-Alanna

Catnip Toys - You Want 'Em, We Got 'Em!

Check out the fun Halloween catnip toys we are fortunate to be able to offer, thanks to some creative and hard-working volunteers!

We also have 3 lovely pet beds available as well.

These items are available for purchase at our upcoming steak night at The Hub on September 28th. If you aren't available to visit us then, please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com to order some.

-Alanna

Still Looking for Feral Team Volunteers

Our Feral Cat Team is in need of volunteers to help feed and trap stray and feral cats in the city. 

Feral cats are un-socialized cats that may have been tame once but have been abandoned by their previous families, or have been born in the wild an never socialized.  Feeding feral cats is very rewarding and a tremendous help to those poor unfortunate creatures that have been left to fend for themselves and their babies on the streets.  Without a regular source of food, or shelter, they can easily fall prey to other animals, and are vulnerable to parasites, diseases and of course, the harsh winter weather conditions we experience. 

As a feeder, you would deliver food and water to PFA feeding stations, observe the cats and report any sick, injured, or new arrivals to the Feral Team Leader.  The reward comes in realizing how appreciative the cats are to have food delivered on a regular schedule and how many of them eventually come closer and look for attention. 

Feeders are assigned a route with several stops and a day of the week on which they are responsible to feed. 

As a trapper, you would work with the Feral Team to humanely trap intact cats so that they can be sterilized and released back to the colony.

Training is provided for both roles.  

Please consider helping us care for these needy cats and kittens. We can use the extra hands. And the feral cats will thank you for it.

Visit our website at www.people4animals.ca to read more about our program and view photos of some of our colonies, and our favourite ferals! 

If you want to help, contact us at pfasask@gmail.com

-Alanna

Kia-Cat!

Meet Kia, a tiny two-year old female who was rescued a few nights ago by PFA volunteers near the KIA dealership. 

She was initially thought to be a kitten because of her small size, but upon examination turned out to be a 2 year old adult who is just suffering the effects of being malnourished.

Kia is a super-sweet and friendly girl who loves people and is very affectionate. Like most strays, though, she is very wary of other animals, and is quite stressed in her temporary foster home. 

We would love to find her a permanent home soon where she can be the apple of her person's eye and get all the attention her heart desires. 

Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com for more info. 

-Alanna

Fun Cat Facts

Care2 Healthy Living always has fun pet articles, and their latest is a list of Fun Facts about cats. I'm sure many of us have observed some of these things in our own cats!

-Alanna

Neighbourhood Stray Gets 2nd Chance

This handsome guy is Cyrus, a tame young grey cat who was hanging around in the neighbourhood of a PFA volunteer all summer.  At first she wasn't sure if he was homeless, but after watching his condition deteriorate in recent weeks she decided to coax him into a carrier and take him home to assess him.

Cyrus was skinny, hungry and thirsty and had a bad cause of ear mites but he is doing great now. He has been fixed, vaccinated and had his ear mites treated. He is very happy to have a full belly and he adores soft food.

He is a sweet and friendly boy who loves to nuzzle and head-butt.

You can meet Cyrus at PetCetera! Please pay him a visit, he will be glad to see you.

-Alanna

Strapped for Volunteers

We are short of volunteers for two important fundraisers this week:

• We need at least 3 more volunteers for the fundraising bingo on Friday, the 16th. Please click here to check the schedule and register:http://www.people4animals.ca/index.php?docID=238

• We need 4 more volunteers to work at the Western Pizza Concession stand at the Rider Game on Saturday, Sept 17th from 12:30 - 4 p.m.  There are only 4 games left, so we really want to get our hours in before this opportunity ends. 

We are lucky to have many dedicated volunteers that regularly help out at games AND bingos but we are challenged this week with the two events falling on consecutive days.

Even if you don't regularly volunteer,  please consider helping out this once or please share with your animal-loving friends and contacts who may consider helping us out in a pinch. Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com if you can help.

We really appreciate it!

-Alanna

Update - Little Box Babies

Last week we reported the sad tale of five tiny kittens who had been placed in a box and thrown from the window of a truck.

Luckily, the kittens all survived and are doing well. They are eating well and gaining weight on schedule. Not only do they have a dedicated foster mom looking after them, they have a sweet older foster brother, Hutch, as well. Hutch is the little grey guy just slightly bigger than the babies.
Here is Hutch cuddling with his new little buddies: Lacy, Lara, Leni, Lexi and Lewis. What a sweet boy! Hutch is 10 weeks old and available for adoption! Click here to see his ad.



-Alanna

Bugsy - Former Tom Now Toddler's Best Pal

Bugsy is one of our favourite success stories ever. A former street tom, he was rescued from a feral colony several years ago along with a number of kittens he likely fathered, and their mama. When first picked up and taken into foster care, PFA volunteers weren't sure how tame he would be, but wanted to give him a chance.

Bugsy surprised everyone by being a sweet, calm and affectionate fellow who quickly won the heart of his foster mom, Sarah, and was adopted by her.

Bugsy has been a welcoming big brother to many foster cats and kittens over the years, and now he is best friend and protector to Sarah's toddler, Logan. 

We are so glad that Bugsy was given a chance to be part of a family!

Please consider taking a chance on a rescued stray - they can make the most wonderful pets, as they are so grateful to be safe, warm, fed and loved.

Visit our website at http://www.people4animals.ca/ to view our adoptable kittens and cats.

-Alanna

Sweet Story Re: Canine Hero From 9/11

Here is one of many touching stories circulating in wake of recent 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, featuring a spunky dog who helped save lives:

James Crane worked on the 101st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center ... He is blind so he has a golden retriever named Daisy.



After the plane hit 20 stories below, James knew that he was doomed, so he let Daisy go, out of an act of love. She darted away into the darkened hallway.


Choking on the fumes of the jet fuel and the smoke James was just waiting to die.
..... About 30 minutes later, Daisy comes back along with James' boss, who Daisy just happened to pick up on floor 112

On her first run of the building, she leads James, James' boss, and about 300 more people out of the doomed building.


But she wasn't through yet, she knew there were others who were trapped. So, highly against James' wishes she ran back in the building.

On her second run, she saved 392 lives. Again she went back in. During this run, the building collapses. James hears about this and falls on his knees into tears.


Against all known odds, Daisy makes it out alive, but this time she is carried by a firefighter. "She led us right to the people, before she got injured" the fireman explained.

Her final run saved another 273 lives. She suffered acute smoke inhalation, severe burns on all four paws, and a broken leg, but she saved 967 lives. Daisy is the first civilian Canine to win the Medal of Honor of New York City.


-Alanna

Volunteers Needed - Shelter-Box Building Bee

With signs of fall in the air, we know that the cold winter temps aren't too far away, and we are already making plans to support the outdoor cats at our colonies and feeding stations.

These cozy boxes can make a big difference for cats with nowhere to go in the extreme cold.

PFA is hosting a shelter-box building session on Sunday, September 18th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  to augment our supply of shelter boxes for the upcoming winter season.

We also need supplies to make the boxes, including pillows, and warm fleece fabrics.

Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com to let us know if you are interested in helping out or if you have supplies to donate, and we will provide additional info.

Thanks!

-Alanna

Adoption Fair at Metro Pet Market - Saturday Sept 17th

PFA is hosting our 4th monthly adoption event at Metro Pet Market this Saturday, September 17th.  We are hoping to exceed the success of the August event, when 4 kittens were adopted!

We will be on site from 12 - 4 p.m. with some of our most adorable cats and kittens. Metro Pet Market is generously offering a $25 gift card and free food samples with each adoption.

Please join us and maybe you will find a new furry friend!

-Alanna

Homeless Himalayan

It's very unusual for us to find exotic or purebred cats on the streets, but it does happen on occasion, demonstrating that any cat can end up homeless, whether by accident or deliberate abandonment.

Last night, a feral team volunteer found Bonnie at a feeding station, very thin and and severely matted. She also has a serious wound on her neck, likely from another cat or dog.  However, Bonnie is a totally tame, sweet and affectionate cat who is thrilled to be in the company of humans,  receiving pets and head rubs. She loves to nuzzle and purr. 

Thankfully, Bonnie tested negative for Feline Leukemia and Immunodeficiency virus, and she has been partially shaved to relieve the discomfort of her badly matted fur. 

We are hopeful that Bonnie has an owner out there searching for her, but if not, she will be listed for adoption - and someone will be very lucky to have her.

We are also seeking a foster home for Bonnie as we are still very full with kittens and last winter's rescues.

Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com if you are interested in offering this lovely girl a temporary or permanent home.

-Alanna

PetSmart Adoption Days - Sept 9-11

PetSmart is hosting an Adoption Days promotion this weekend, from Friday Sept 9- Sunday Sept 11 and PFA will be there.

We have many sweet and adorable kittens needing homes and they will be at PetSmart to hopefully attract new forever families.

Please visit us there this week-end, or share this info with someone looking for a new furry friend!

-Alanna

BFFs Forever!

These two happy and cuddly girls are former PFA rescues that were adopted by the same family several months apart. However, you'd never know by this photo - looks like they've been together forever!

Cricket (formerly Abby) is the black and white one and was rescued with her siblings from Evraz late last fall just as it was starting to get cold.  She was adopted in January.  Olive (formerly Tippy, the tabby) was a spring rescue who was part of a litter born to a semi-feral mama in Lumsden.

We are so glad these sweet girls got a happy ending with their forever family.

-Alanna

A Sad Case of Cruelty

These adorable 3-week old kittens were the recent victims of a terribly cruel act. Not only were they placed in a cardboard box and thrown out of a truck, their mama was also thrown from the truck under a moving vehicle and killed instantly, leaving them orphaned and without their main food source.

The kittens were tossed into the yard of a local couple who tried but were unsuccessful in obtaining the license number of the truck.

Luckily, they survived and are doing ok. They are now in a temporary foster home where they are being bottle fed until they can get onto solid food.

The current foster mom already has several foster kittens to care for, so we will be looking for at least one more new foster home for these little ones in a week or so as there are five hungry babies to feed.

Please let us know if you can help by fostering a kitten or two.

And remember, if you witness acts of animal cruelty, please report them right away! Contact the Humane Society at 777-7700.

-Alanna

Ready and Waiting for a Home!

This handsome fellow is Nick, a beautiful tame orange cat that was fixed and released by our feral team as he was initially assumed to be semi-feral. Nick has been at the feeding station for a couple of years now, but it only became apparent this summer what a tame and affectionate fellow he is.

Nick made friends with a nearby family who have been feeding him off their porch and giving him lots of attention and pets. Nick is loving the human contact and would love to be an inside pet - he waits longingly at the door to get in - but the door remains closed. The  family has resisted due to allergies.

However, now that we know what a love-bug this sweet boy is, we don't want him to be homeless any longer. We are anxious to find him  a foster or adoptive home quickly, especially with chilly nights and frost coming soon.

Who could resist that sweet face and such an obvious longing for love?

Nick will be listed for adoption shortly. Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com for more information on Nick.

-Alanna

Still More Kittehs!

Meet Nine (striped tabby)  and Ten (dark tabby), adorable tabby siblings who were rushed to a foster home to be bottle fed as tiny babies when their mama was hit by a car and killed.

These little guys (both males) are smart, agile, active and good with the other cats in their foster home. They also love being held, snuggled, and exchanging kisses - but just briefly, as they are busy little kittens. Busy finding trouble, that is - like most kittens.

Nine and Ten are available for adoption! Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com for more info.

-Alanna

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Harv Curts, winner of the 2011 PFA raffle and owner of a new 42" plasma TV!

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets, and to all our volunteers who sold them.

-Alanna

2011 PFA Raffle

PFA wishes to thank everyone who supported the 2011 Raffle buy purchasing and / or helping us sell tickets.

The winning raffle ticket was drawn on September 1, however, we have attempted to contact the winner but have not been able to reach the person directly to provide notification, so we aren't able to post the name at this time.

However, we will do so as soon as were are able to speak to the winner.

This Cat is Sterling!

Meet  Sterling, a handsome grey boy who has been sterilized and vaccinated and is looking for a loving new home!

Sterling is one of many sweet, tame and friendly cats that remained on the street and reliant on a PFA feeding station for far too long because there just isn't enough foster or adoptive homes out there to help us get all the deserving cats off the street.

We've had to rescue poor Sterling from the Humane Society twice in the last month due to the continual trapping efforts of an un-cooperative neighbour who doesn't want the cats anywhere near his home, which is sadly near a feeding station.

So, we decided Sterling deserves a chance to be placed up for adoption to find a loving home of his own. He is currently boarding at the Vic Vet clinic while being treated for a mild infection, and will be listed for adoption shortly. He needs a foster or adoptive home as soon as possible.

You won't regret taking a chance on this sweet, smart and playful boy!

For more info, please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com

-Alanna

Vote for PFA

The Prairie Dog is compiling their annual best in Regina list, and there is a category for best non-profit!

Please register and vote for PFA!

http://prairedogmag.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=38757

The kittehs thank you!

More Abandoned Kittens!

It's been a crazy week for PFA with several abandoned kittens in peril making their way into the fold.

We have:

• Romeo (tabby with white)and Maxwell (tabby) - sweet brothers who were thrown out of the home where their mama lives, as they were unwanted by a family with multiple pets, including the mama who is already pregnant again. They are so scrawny that their ribs protrude, but they are safe and sound in foster care and looking forward to finding loving new home.
• Thunder (black) and Lightning (black/white - 2 tiny babies being carried around north central neighbourhood by young kids trying to get them homes as they were also unwanted. At just 4 weeks, they are too young to be separated from their mama but fortunately were able to join a surrogate mama whose kittens were just weaned, and they are doing well. They were rescued during a late summer thunderstorm - hence the names!

Thankfully two of our dedicated PFA foster homes stepped up, even though they both already have foster kittens already. 

Please contact us at pfasask@gmail.com if one of these babies catches your eye! 

-Alanna