Adopting Two Cats from Animal Friends is Twice as Nice!

During an extremely active kitten season, Animal Friends has been working diligently to admit as many cats and kittens as possible from a variety of sources. In an effort to do all that can be done, Animal Friends is filled to capacity.

That's why we are sharing the many, many benefits of adopting two cats - it's "Twice as Nice!" But we're not stopping there. When you adopt one cat between now and June 30, your donation will cover two feline adoptions!
 
Here are just a few of the reasons to consider adopting two cats:

• Having a constant playmate to chase and wrestle with helps keep cats lively, well-exercised and healthy.
• Often, destructive behavior in pets can be traced to boredom. The stimulation of a companion can help to ward off inappropriate feline behaviors and scratching.
• Two cats will keep you laughing with their antics.
• Many cats are social creatures, and will happily groom one another and sleep cuddled together.
• People who work long hours, travel overnight or spend frequent evenings away from home will find a warm greeting upon returning, but without the guilt of leaving a beloved pet all alone.
• Two cats will bring their humans double the love. The only thing more heartwarming than the love of a pet is the love of two.
• They make great lap warmers in winter and will offer an endless supply of purrs and head butts.
• Adopting two cats actually saves four lives - the two you're adopting, and the two that will take their places on Animal Friends’ adoption floor who are then given a priceless second chance thanks to your adoption.

Having two cats doesn't require much additional effort. An extra food and water dish and litter box is worth the joy your instant family will bring. AnimalFriends' Adoption Counselors will work with you to find exactly the right cats – two that are compatible with you as well as each other.

Click here to view our adoptable cats right now, or stop by our resource center to meet them today and take two of our furry felines home for the cost of one adoption donation!

Guest Post: Dede Rittman, Author of Grady Gets Glasses

Who doesn’t love dogs, and cats, and bunnies?

Animal Friends employees and volunteers do an extraordinary job of caring for furry friends in need, as I have seen firsthand.  I visit Animal Friends on a regular basis, recycling my newspapers, cardboard egg cartons, towels, and blankets (and they always need more- plus pet food donations!) I was very fortunate to “book” a book reading and signing for my new children’s book “Grady Gets Glasses” at Animal Friends- with new children friends and all of the bunny friends!  What an exciting afternoon!

The volunteers brought all of the bunnies into the room- with pens set up around them to keep them safe.  I read “Grady Gets Glasses” to the kids- while wearing bunny ears, of course!  The kids were very responsive to the rhymes and the rabbits- so, of course, I had to hand out Grady stickers!  And then, all of us went inside the penned areas to pet the bunnies!

What a fun afternoon!  The Animal Friends employees and volunteers kept a watchful eye on the small children, educating them about the care and petting of bunnies.  It was so sweet!  And the children truly enjoyed the book reading and their new (pretend) rabbit friend Grady, and their new real rabbit friends at the shelter.

Please invite us back for another reading!  Grady and I had a wonderful time!

“Grady Gets Glasses” coloring books are also available, and a new toy Grady is coming soon!

Dede Rittman
Author, Speaker, Teacher

Animal Friends' Home-to-Home Adoption Program Presents Jake!

 

Jake is an 8-year-old Black Lab/Australian Heeler mix who is in search of a full-time home with lots of love to give! He is neutered and up to date with all of his vaccines. Jake is very well trained, house broken and loves to play with the other dogs and cats in his home. He is also great with kids and loves to run around and play fetch.

 

This handsome guy was taken into his current home when his previous owners were moving and were unable to take him with them. Instead of surrendering him to a shelter, family friends offered to take him in. Unfortunately they do not have the space to keep Jake. He is a wonderful dog and they would love to find him a great full-time home!

 

Jake would make a perfect companion for someone who wouldn't mind throwing a ball about a thousand times (although Jake is a good sport when it's quitting time). This dog is a professional when it comes to a good game of fetch. He will always drop the ball in your hand when he brings it back. Jake is always looking to please, he listens to commands very well and is just a big sweetheart.

 

UPDATE: Jake was adopted and has started his new life with a loving, new family!

 

 

 

 

Why 'Kitten Season' is Much More Serious than It Sounds

At Animal Friends, each spring marks the beginning of what is known by many as ‘kitten season.’ And it’s not as fun as it sounds.

Between late spring and early fall, thousands of kittens are born in our region to stray and feral cats that are becoming active after a long winter. From April through August of 2015 alone, Animal Friends brought in 385 kittens.

With such an influx in cats in need of immediate help and a limited amount of space, volunteers and resources, kitten season can be a difficult time for any shelter.

The sudden spike in the cat population this spring means many residents will likely encounter a litter of kittens in a window well, in a bush or in a garden. When this happens, there are several important things to bear in mind.

Do not attempt to pick up or move a litter of kittens.
Mother cats can often leave their kittens alone for up to three or four hours while they are out finding food or searching for a new location. If you’ve been watching a group of kittens and are not sure if the mother is returning, try sprinkling baby powder in the area and looking for footprints. Kittens should never be taken away from their mother.

If you're certain a litter is abandoned, know what to do.
While the best-case scenario is always to bring a mother and her kittens to the shelter together, this is not always possible with stray litters. Keep in mind that kittens require a constant source of heat and must eat every two to four hours. They cannot drink dairy milk or water so it is always important to have a plan before taking in a litter of kittens. When in doubt, always contact a shelter to ask for instructions.

Once the kittens are in our care, the fight is just beginning.
Many stray kittens are often exposed to fleas, upper respiratory problems and countless other medical complications. With very fragile immune systems, kittens under four weeks old require 24-hour supervision and must receive deworming and flea treatments every two weeks. When they reach two pounds, they are spayed or neutered, helping to proactively decrease the number of stray and unwanted animals in the area. Once they reach a weight of 2-1/2 pounds and are given a clean bill of health, kittens are ready to be adopted.

The road to adoption for a stray kitten is certainly not an easy one and without aggressive spay/neuter programs combatting overpopulation, this journey will only become more difficult. By continuing to provide education and valuable resources to pet owners, Animal Friends is helping to end kitten season once and for all.

You can get involved with Animal Friends this June by sponsoring a spay/neuter, attending some cat-themed June events, or donating an item on Animal Friends’ Amazon Wish List. And remember, June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month so stop by Animal Friends and you just might find the perfect furry friend!

A Message from our President & CEO

Dear Friends,

From the steadfast dedication of our staff and volunteers to the unwavering support from caring, generous people (like you!) it’s clear how deep the compassion runs at Animal Friends.

And, if we could run on compassion alone, Animal Friends would forever be without want or need. But, this is not the case … and is my reason for writing you today.

We have not yet maximized our 50-cents-on-the-dollar, up to $40,000, match for 31 Days of Compassion. We still need to raise approximately $10,000 to take full advantage of the challenge!

With that in mind, I am thrilled to announce that we are extending 31 Days of Compassion through Fri., June 10. In doing so, I know every dollar of this generous challenge will be successfully matched. But we can’t do it without you.

Please, click here to donate generously today.

In appreciation,

David J. Swisher
President & Chief Executive Officer
Animal Friends