Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018

Our OVMA conference was wonderful.  No problem getting there and back--saw lots of flooding. There were 7 of us that went--Lynnette, Angie L, Donnajb, Dawn, Mary Braid, Megan and myself. The nice thing about these conferences is that there's dozens of classes offered and everyone can go to the one that interests them.  All in all, we learned alot and are already implementing some things that we learned. I've been asked what classes that I took, so here they are:
Fri.:  Trigger Time Medications for Behavioral Disorders
Urethral OBstruction
You Can't Do it all Until You S.T.O.P.
Zoonotic Antibiotic Resistance, Whose Responsibility?
Pain Management: How to Recognize and Treat Pain

Sat.: Compassion Fatigue: How to be Positively Unbalanced (TWO extended classes)
Feline Foraging Toys
Ringworm
Feline Coronavirus & FIP:  What's New?

Sun.: Recognition & Management of Ectoparasites in the Shelter/Rescue
Quality of Life Assessments & Making Decisions in the Animal Shelter/Rescue

The other ladies took a wide variety of classes that they enjoyed.

Today starts our next Fun-Raiser! This Fun-Raiser will help us with getting our spay/neuters paid for, to help us restock some of the surgical supplies. Also, at the conference, we ordered some additional instruments that we need for surgeries. This event ends 9 am on Friday with BOXES at 4:00 and the drawings at 4:30.  Come join the fun!

On 2/21, we had an adoption! Our pretty boy Scotia went to his new home! I got the feeling he was going to be one spoiled boy!  Just what we want for him!  Scotia was not here for very long at all!

We had another adoption on 2/22. Our wonderful boy Jaam was adopted! He has been here since he was a kitten. He went to a home with 2 kids that was very excited!

We've heard back from the couple who adopted Brielle. They just love her and think she is the greatest kitten, a real gem! She is also quite the lapcat for them! 

We heard from Cas and Ntima's family too. It appears the kittens are "tearing up the town" in their home!  They are having a blast running up and down the staircase and have made themselves owners of the kingdom! Their new names are: Bub (Cas) and Tina (Ntima). So happy to hear this.

We have thanks to give:
Carol B--donation to FFRC
Pro Gear Boat Rentals--donation to FFRC
Kelly L--donation to FFRC

You may remember that we mentioned there's a change coming up for the Purina One weight circle Program.  

The new Purina One Program is now available. We would like to move up the date for the change over. We would like everyone to get their points  to FFRC by the end of April and I will send in the points in May.  

Can you please send the weight circles ASAP and start saving your Purina Receipts.  

The following info needs to be on the receipt:

Be sure that the following information is included and clearly visible in the picture:

Retailer's Name/Logo

• Date of Transaction
• Time of Transaction
• Total Amount of transaction
• All participating Purina products along with their corresponding price                                           Eventually we can have you take a picture and email it.  Angie L will continue doing this program. In fact, you can ask Angie directly any question and can send your emails straight to her!  Her email is:   alorenzjuiceplus@gmail.com   She's the person with the scoop on this! 

We had BOXES on Thursday afternoon.  YOU are super appreciated!

Robert D/Dimwit - PA  9 blue star wash cloths, 9 pink star blankies

LindaS/mls - Card and 2 pretty bibs for Lucie   She loves them!

Kieko - CA  4 Large Catnip Fish  The cats have been carrying them around!

Kelly R/Littleonemine CA  2 copper wall plaques, Kitty with Butterfly by Robert Sheilds of Shields and Yarnell---so very beautiful. 

Debbidear - Cookies: Tub of Milano Dark Choc. & Orange, Oreo thins & Double Stuff, bag of Santa Cruz oatmeal Raisin, Quaker Breakfast Cookies

Mayumi - Tokyo Branch  4 pkts Tulle, 2 pkgs Maple Nut Cookies, Gift for Eldora

David & Pat - Davids photo of a wishing well on Canvas 16x20

Yvonne/DDK  - 16 lb bag Purina One, Tub of Temptations, 2 Boxes Fancy Feast Broths, Black Tie mini Chocolate mints 4 sleeves

SueM/macncheeseanddoodlesmom - Donation

Sona P - Slovakia - Donation

Robert D/Dimwit - PA  9 blue star wash cloths, 9 pink star blankies

LindaS/mls - Card and 2 pretty bibs for Lucie

Kieko - CA  4 Large Catnip Fish  kitties loved them

Kelly R/Littleonemine CA  2 copper wall plaques, Kitty with Butterfly by Robert Sheilds of Shields and Yarnell

Debbidear - Cookies: Tub of Milano Dark Choc. & Orange, Oreo thins & Double Stuff, bag of Santa Cruz oatmeal Raisin, Quaker Breakfast Cookies

Mayumi - Tokyo Branch  4 pkts Tulle, 2 pkgs Maple Nut Cookies, Gift for Eldora

David & Pat - Davids photo of a wishing well on Canvas 16x20

Yvonne/DDK  - 16 lb bag Purina One, Tub of Temptations, 2 Boxes Fancy Feast Broths, Black Tie mini Chocolate mints 4 sleeves

SueM/macncheeseanddoodlesmom - Donation

Sona P - Slovakia - Donation

You probably know that we have been doing a SCRIP program for a few years now. It's easy and it helps us financially. We will very soon be losing our ad revenue from Ustream. This is a way we can make up for it! It doesn't cost anyone a single penny! It's very easy to get set up and it is a free fundraiser for FFRC.  Here's some info:

What is Scrip?

Scrip fundraising is a no-selling program that enables families to raise money for their non-pro t organization (NPO). Scrip is just another way to pay for everyday purchases using gift cards in place of cash, checks, and credit cards.

You purchase gift cards from your organization at face value, and your coordinator orders those cards from Great Lakes Scrip Center at a reduced price. The di erence is an instant rebate for your organization. It’s really that simple!

Great Lakes Scrip Center has more than 700 of the country’s biggest retailers, including grocery, department stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, home improvement, and more. Just by using scrip to pay for your normal weekly purchases, you can easily raise $500 or more per year for FFRC. It’s time to put your shopping dollars to work! 

Please Contact Angie Lorenz & Linda Shenck at ffrcscrip@gmail.com for more info.

2018 baby season has officially started as of yesterday.
We took on a new mama with her little ones.  Mama is a long hair, brown tiger/white. She arrived with 4 kittens, 5 days old.  She has 1 calico (female), 1 torti (female), 1 black tiger (male) and 1 black tiger/white (male).  All look healthy. Babies are very round! Mama is super sweet.  Names will come soon.

We also took on 2 other litters. This involves 2 mamas that the owners kept and have already made spay appointments for them.
First litter: 2 kittens born 11/20/17. 14 weeks   Brown tiger/white, white body, dark upper nose (female). Brown tiger/white, white upper nose, brown tiger spots on body (female).

Second litter: 5 kittens born 12/25/17 Christmas babies!  9 weeks old
Black/white, 4 white feet, white bib, male
And then we have 4 white kittens, 2 males, 2 females. One of the females has a very blue eye!
These kittens are 9 weeks but are very lightweight--1.03 to 1.10. 
Names coming soon!

So in one day we had a population explosion--1 mama and 11 kittens. That'll keep us hopping! 

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018

Monday was another HumaneOhio spay/neuter day. It was pouring like crazy. This always presents a problem for those trying to trap cats. So, our number was not as high as we had planned. We checked in 29 cats--there were 17 females and 12 males. 

This now brings our total to 149.  We've done 87 spays and 62 neuters. (this also takes in for the spays/neuters we've sent to Dr. P's)  All of the surgeries for Monday went smoothly as did the check-ins and check-outs.  Many thanks to Becky M, Donnajb, Mary Braid and Lynnette for helping with this. Last year at this time we were at 100 spays/neuters.  For 2016, we were at 56 at end of Feb. We keep moving on up!

We had BOXES on Monday afternoon! We are forever thankful!

Deb/Iowa Lady Marie - Card with her kitty Jabberwocky Donation for Valentine FunRaiser

Contessa/Laura, Gary, Sarah, Elizabeth & Tiramisu - Box Tops & Weight Circles

Anony Friend- Kitty Card with Donation

Ruth Y/Discats - OH   Coupons & Donation

Nancy B - PA  Donation for Valentine 

BarbW/Plee - VA  Sponsorship for Spiker & FunRaiser

Janette H - Scotland - Get Well Card for Jordy with a note

Fay W - NY  Thank you Card with Donation

Andrea - CA  Donation for Water Heater

Marilyn & Terry B - Kitty Card and Chicken $5

Phil & Judy - IN  Donation to FFRC and "stuff", as Judy says!

Ray & Rosana G - CA   Valentine Card

Dimwitt/Robert D - Can Strainer, 6pk of spray bottles

ColleenMP  CA   Coupons, Box Tops, Sticky Notes, Paper Cat embedded with catnip seeds

Hazel I - UK -- Beautiful Granny Square Afghan 5'x5'

Bert & Meredith - 2 cases Fancy Feast, 2 boxes (48) Crave

Cheif/Chris R - PA  40 toy mice, ping pong balls

Debbie M & Annie G -- 4 cases Friskies

Kerswill--Serpentine Scratcher, Tower Trac & yeoooow banana

Purple, Orange, White Cat Frankie & Family - Yoga Pad

Deb11111 - 5 lg cans Salmon, 9 Tubs Lysol wipes

Cathy D - CA  Smarty Cat bed, Convertible Cat bed, Lg bags of Temptations, Tub of Party Mix

bag with pkts of Tuna, Lots of Whiska pkts, Mousies & balls, Wash Coths, 3 pkgs of 4 sponges, Reindog Towel,  4 pkgs cloth coil toys

Jayne Mack - Glass necklaces, Paw Print necklaces, eat earrings, bracelets & keychains for Flash Sale

David & Pat - 2 of his Photos on Canvas, an Iris & a Sunflower

Pablo--chickie $ for Shamballie!

Gusti--donation for meds for Jones

Big date coming up!  We're having a Fun-Raiser! This will start 2/27 and end at 9 am on 3/2. This particular fun-raiser has lots of cat items in it. Come join the fun. We will have BOXES at 4:00 on Friday, 3/2 and the drawing at 4:30. 

We had 3 adoptions yesterday! A very special event. Our two wonderful Persian mamas, Nsuku and Julianne were adopted to Paula. Plus, she also fell for Suka which she also adopted. All 3 went to their new home in Rhode Island. I've already heard back from them. Sounds like their adjustment to a home went very smooth and quick. Suka didn't need much adjusting at all--she already owns the house! Nsuku likes TV and Julianne is an eating machine! Paula is very grateful for the kind acts that some of you did for covering the adoption fees and blankies for them and all the good wishes.

I've also heard back from Lucy Ann's family. Lucy has gained a full pound! She is doing great and loves to play, bask in the sunshine and snuggle all night long! Such great news.

Gavin too is doing great. He's very comfortable and so enjoys having his very own home (and his special little girl that plays with him!).

The newest cats are all doing great. Fenella is already in the Main Area. She's a laid back cat. Such a pretty girl. Esta is also back up in the Main Area and seems comfortable. Another very pretty girl. Whitney is a little shy, but enjoys being petted. She floats between the Welcome Room and Main Area.

Who is our brown tiger and had a very rough 2 1/2 days?  Who is this that is now doing very well, gaining weight and purrs like a motor? It's Wendy! She's up and about and feeling so much better!

Tomorrow, we will be leaving in the afternoon and return Sunday afternoon for the educational conference. Please.........go light on the emails as I will not be getting into them while I'm gone.  Thank you! 

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Our FFRC surgery day was successful! We were able to do 13 surgeries--5 spays and 8 males. We also did a nasal flap surgery on little Mally, one of our white Persian babies.  Thanks to Joyce D for providing a pizza lunch and to Gusti for providing drinks. 

This now makes our total for 2017 at 116--68 females and 48 males. Onward to more---tomorrow is a very busy HumaneOhio surgery day.

We also did some physicals yesterday.  
Marilyn is good--her heart is the same now as it was a month ago! 
Cutie had a yearly physical--thin, but has gained some weight--all else is good.
Wendy--good physical, thin is is gaining weight
Scotia--good physical, so very cute! Already neutered.
Hensley--he has lost weight since his dental.  He had 2 of his K9 teeth removed. It appears his upper lip is catching on the 2 remaining K9 teeth, which is why he is forever moving his tongue around. We need to remove those other 2 K9's so that doesn't happen anymore and then he can "feel" normal and will eat better.  
Jones--he has as normal of a physical as Jones can be.  We may start him on a medication as it appeared he had 2 seizures on Friday. 

Our new FFRC shirts are now up for orders!  They are the GOT CATS? design, black teeshirt. The FFRC logo is on the sleeve with our "FFRC Nation, Many Countries, One Heart, One Mission, One Nation" on the back.  They are $18.  We are taking orders till 2/22. You can mail in a check with a note or send payment through PayPal.  Let us know if you need help.

We are still working on the bottles of fur for Queen Coralie and King Derecho and the sprocket pictures too.  When we groom, we normally save the fur in plastic bags, with the cats name on it. That is how we have enough fur for the little bottles. They will go out this week.

We've had 5 more adoptions! 
Brielle was adopted yesterday. She went to a home where she will have 2 laps to snuggle in anytime she wants.

Gavin also was adopted yesterday. He went to a home that I feel is wonderful. The new owners have done alot of education on CH cats, have lots of time for him and has a very sweet little girl that totally loves cats! 

Torgo and Bambi went to their new  home together this morning. Super nice people who will be a great mom/dad for these two kittens. They were so excited.

Sprite went to a temporary home. I want to explain about Sprite. This is what I told the volunteers:  She's been here a while now and is steadily improving each day. She's gained a good amount of weight and has survived this ordeal. Here's the thing---it's obvious to see that she has not been socialized much with people. And as she gets better, this is coming out more in her. I suspect this girl was out on her own, without any people much in her life. I had been letting her out in the front Thumper's Room--but that is difficult for her--she simply curls up in a ball and totally ignores us. When approached, she has such a terrified look about her. In her pen, it's a bit different as she can't get away--she allows a slow approach. There is no way she can be in the main area as we would never find her---she would hide deep wherever she could. So........as hard as this is for some to accept, she is not a very tame cat. I know we all want the good cushie indoor life for all of our cats. But, sometimes that is not the life that the cat has experiened. If she were in the main area, she would probably live her whole life here in fear and never be adopted. My friend from out of town (we've used her before) does wild kitten rescue. She will accept 2 kittens a year from other shelters/rescues and she has agreed to take Sprite on. She will be inside to start with, acclimating her to know that people an give her food, water and shelter without having to be fearful. She will be with a group of other fearful kittens and cats. And then, those that do not meet the cushie kind of cat for inside living, will go as a group to a specific farm family. These families have signed up to be selected to take on some of these wildish cats/kittens. They have an agreement to feed them twice a day, have the vet out twice a year for  "look overs" of the cats. When they first arrive at the barn, the doors are shut for several days to acclimate them to feel at home in the barn. These farm families are hand selected and so will take care of these cats that are in no way comfortable living indoors.
I hope I've explained this thoroughly enough for all to understand. This is not an easy decision for me. But, my responsibility is with the cats long term happiness, not what WE want them to be. We can't ask some of these wildish cats to be something they cannot be. This is an act of kindness and compassion and with much thought--the cat's happiness comes first, before what we wish for them.  Sprite went to the rescue on Saturday. 

We have 2 more adoptions tomorrow---our wonderful 2 Persian mamas will be starting their trip to their new home!

And yes, our numbers are indeed getting lower. We are working on adoptions.  I have been telling the volunteers to enjoy this quieter time as it won't last long. 

We have taken on another cat. Her name is Fenella. She's a beautiful long hair torti--grey/cream beauty. Connie D, our volunteer, was just leaving and saw her in the middle of the road, right in front of the driveway. I'm sure someone dropped her off.  She's a sweetie. Fenella is 1 1/2 years old with a birthday of 8/16/16.  She too was on the spay list yesterday. 

Have a wonderful upcoming week!  We will have a very busy day tomorrow. We have the check ins/check outs for Humane Ohio, 2 adoptions, a board meeting and hopefully BOXES! 

Thursday, Feb.15

Hoping everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. Here at FFRC, we had a great time with ushering in the King and Queen!  The votes were done in the morning and the results presented at 4:00!  

King Derecho had 194 votes

Queen Coralie had 140 votes

First Runner Up Ramsay had 81 votes

First Runner Up Elsie had 77 votes

Second Runner Up Magic had 72 votes

Second Runner Up Cutie had 44 votes

Jones has the honor of Court Jester!

All in all, it was great fun. I was very happy to see so many individual votes---including many new folks!  We had a total of 1146 votes which comes to $5730. That is a whopper amount but then....the Bumper-Uppers did even more! 

Many thanks to those Bumper-Uppers---Joco, Nuthatches, Donnajb, Debbiedear, AnnieinUK, Bellabell, Contessa, Sissyjeanette, Mich & Vern and a couple anonymous friends. All these bumps made our new total $6600.  Isn't that just amazing.  Sometimes I feel so inadequate in how to say thanks. So, as part of my thanks, I will be passing out even more pets and hugs to the cats---all for you all.  Steve will be sitting down tonight and getting those bills paid! Such a good feeling. I thank each and everyone of you. 

The sprocket  pictures are being made already and the fur is being collected from Derecho and Coralie for their little bottle fillups! (we actually save much of the fur from individual cats when the grooming is done--so we have some stock already from Derecho and Coralie)  These will be arriving in the mail to all those who voted for them! Congrats! 

We had BOXES directly after the crowning of Derecho and Coralie.  Boxes just coming and coming these last two days--they filled up the PawMart room! Quite amazing.  Pleae always know I am so grateful for each and every item that is donated to FFRC.

Robert D/Dimwitt  50 Peacock Feathers, 10 laser lights, 48 rolls Northern TP, 5 rolls 2" tape, Cocktail mixer & soft touch mixer, 12 soft Bear Throws 1 for Ramsay, 1 for the Z's the others for what ever you wish---so very soft!

White Cat Frankies Family, Purple & Orange - Slide proof mat to feed kitties--Lucie will extra appreciate this here in the purple room

Justme - 5 Handmade Valentine Hearts with candy heart sayings on them--For Marilyn from her one and only Vern. (3 are for Marilyns adoption bag)

CJ500/Carla - FL  Note & 15 crocheted springs and 20 crocheted fish

Bailey, Ann & Kevin B - UK  Card & Deli Cats, 4 rolls of Meat Sticks, Catnip, 6 pouches Sheba Soup & 11 Wash Cloths

Aussiecat/Nicola J - AU w/Nellie & Murphy - Kitty Card  Handmade Greeting Cards made by mum Chris B.. 7 pkgs of 5 cards.  These are beautiful--will be in a flash sale!

Donna H w/Shadow & Starla - Kitty Card - assortment of 15 cans of food her kitties don't like. The FFRC cats will gobble them up!

Alleycat/Patricia L & Milo - Case of Weruva Kitty Gone Wild

Debbiedear - 2 Boxes Delectables

Annie & Debbie - 2 cases Fancy Feast, 4 cases Friskies, case of Neutro Kitten, Bag of Beyond, 2 pkgs Bondi Licks, 36 rolls Cottonelle TP, 2 Hello Kitty Futons one for Fun Raiser the other for FFRC .  The cats are already lounging on their futon!

Anony - Case of 24 Sparkle PT

Nona - Birdseed    We love feeding the birds!

Patty (cousin)  2 boxes of 25 Bevita & 5 pk of Clorox Wipes

Barb E - NC  - 8 Leggydews---so pretty!

pjpanda - 2 lg bags Pania Flakes

Anony - 10 bags Pania Flakes

Knittenkitten - 2 cases Solid Gold

Lostgirl - 13 lg cans Salmon

Karen C - KS  Valentine Card - Donation in memory of her Sunny & a friends kitty Smoke

Bird Wind Chimes, Bag of balls, Scratch Pad, Play Cube and Purrfect Arch, 2 Delectables, Lots n Lots of Snackers a variety, 2 bags Nine Lives

Lollymop - Big play ball makes noise, 2 cases Wellness

Burt & Merideth - 2 Bags Taste of the Wild

Deb11111 - MN  216 rolls of Cottenelle TP!!

David and Pat  photo of a Japanese Iris.

We took in another cat yesterday. She was found by Connie D, in the middle of the road right in front of the driveway. I'm quite sure someone simply dumped her off. Sure wish these things didn't happen--she could've been hit by a car. Anyway--she's a lovely cat. Young adult (no birth date yet). But her name is Fenella--a pretty name for a pretty cat.  She's a long hair torti. Dr. Darcy will see her Saturday.

This Saturday is our FFRC spay/neuter day.  We have these cats scheduled for their spays: Whitney, Annetta, Esta, Bambi, Fenella.  We also have Nrairbi coming back to have his tail tip checked--it seems to have been injured at one time.  Also one of the Persian babies will come to have her nose checked. 

We also have 10 male cats coming in from the public for neutering. 

We have more thanks to give too:

Lynne W--donation to FFRC 

Pamela C--donation to FFRC

Phil & Judy L--donation to FFRC

Charlotte/need to retire--donation to FFRC

Love these Giggles video!  Another one is out and it's special for Valentine's Day! Enjoy this one--- https://youtu.be/ZZD9yXwbKGA           Directed by Derecho. Please click the like/thumbs up button on youtube as it helps generate more $$ for FFRC. 

As of the end of March, FFRC will lose the ad revenue that we received from everyone watching the ads.  We simply received a message from ustream telling us of this.  "We would like to inform you that as of 31th of March 2018, Ustream, an IBM Company, will terminate its advertising revenue-share Partner Program, ceasing the sharing of advertising revenue with its broadcasters"  This will be a loss of income to FFRC. I thank you all now for having the patience of watching all the ads on ustream for the benefit of FFRC. 

We will have a few adoptions on Sunday! More info as I know more details. Have a wonderful day! 

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018

Tomorrow is the big event--the revealing of the King and Queen of FFRC.  Who will it be?  The cats are all in high anticipation. In reality, they are all kings and queens and wonderful cats! The event is at 4:00 with BOXES following that! 

We've had 3 more adoptions!
Cas and Ntima were adopted on 2/11--they went to their new home together. I've already heard from them. They had a bit of a drive home to PA but they traveled quietly. They have adjusted nicely and love running up and down the stairs!

Bloom also went to her new home. She has a little boy that ever so sweet with the kittens. I think Bloom and he will be good friends!

More adoptions still coming up--have more on hold!

We had BOXES yesterday. Know that you are very appreciated.
Denise and Elizabeth S (South Carolina) – box tops, soup labels, coupons, 5 beef sticks, 2 broths, friskies canned food

Annie and Debbi - Perches from Chewy--2 window perches, 1 padded bolster perch & 1 thermal perch--some of these are for FFRC & some for sales! Delectables, 18 sheba sticks, 

4 oz. Pania flakes

Andy and Nick (two voices radio) -  2 gallons mr clean

Patty Pk  –2 fancy feast seafood, Friskies party mix, Purina One,

Andrew – 320 paper plates 6 in

Debbiedear – 1 case salmon (12 cans)

Envelopes and Cards

Pennysmum Hawaii – donation to FFRC

Melissa L (NY) – donation to FFRC

Patty and Floyd C – donation to FFRC

Phyllis (kittiesmom) – donation to FFRC & Valentine card

Maryann (magi318) - donation to FFRC for Cutie, Coralie, Derecho, Ramsay and Spiker

Elaine and Alan In memory of little kat,  - donation for the Rainbow Bridge

Fran and Mandy – gift certificate for Olive Garden for Jacci and Steve & 4 chicken $5's

Joy and Don D (NY) – donation to FFRC and a very pretty card

KittyLover1--2 kitty beds!

Wendy is out a bit each day. We still put her in her condo pen so we can keep an eye on her eating. She is right now sleeping on top of my printer---a good spot as she can get some ear rubs!

Spite is also out of her pen a bit. She is gaining weight but hasn't decided yet if humans are safe yet. We're working on her! Annetta seems to be cuddling with her to give her comfort. 

Scotia is doing great. He's just a big boy with a soft heart! He comes out to greet us and is eating good. Won't be long until he comes up to the main area.

Update on Jones--he's doing wonderful and life is good. He never gets enough loving--always is open to those hugs and kisses that he loves to much! His urinary troubles are "on hold" right now--no problems. He's a happy boy. He thinks anyone that goes into PawMart is there just for him. He's probably right!

We have more thanks to give:

Pamela C--donation to FFRC

Kristina S--donation to FFRC

BillieK--donation to welcome Sprite, Wendy and Scotia

Lana H--donation to FFRC

Helen C--donation to FFRC

Esta  is sometimes in the front Thumper's Room and sometimes in the Main Area. Such a pretty flamepoint! She is on the surgery schedule for Saturday. We also have Bambi, Whitney and Annetta on the list. We will have Dr. Darcy take a look at Annetta's eyes also. 

Elsie has mastered almost everything here i the rescue center! Her ability to go wherever she wants, whenever is astounding. Maybe there's a complicated jungle gym out there for cats! She'd have a go at that and master that too, I'll bet! What a girl. 

Take care and have a great day. Tomorrow is weigh day for the surgeries that we have. Plus, we'll make a list for those that need physicals. Remember---we are also doing male cats for the public on Saturday. 

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018

Yesterday Steve and I went to Maumee to the cat show!  These are always just a fun little adventure to see all the many different breeds and to see if there's any fun toys we can purchase. We did bring home a few stick toys that the visitors can use to play with the cats. And we found a full-all around the neck bib for Lucie, which she used for breakfast. 

You probably already know, but Derecho would like this info to be repeated! Today starts the hunt for the Valentine's Queen and King! Here are his words and story: The inside cats want to have an election! This would be an election of the first Valentine King & Queen, amongst the inside cats. The bills are accumulating almost as fast as the snow! The kitties want to bring you a day filled with Love & Hearts. I understand they feel bad about not being able to have a job to “earn their keep”. So…..they’ve come up with this idea—a Valentine Queen and King! All week the cats have been primping and beautifying themselves! They would like our cat friends to vote---$5 a ticket. It’s simple---send a check or go to our website at fofrescue.org and click on the PayPal link. You can vote ($5 a vote) as many times as you’d like! You can put your vote(s) all on 1 cat or as many as you want. This event starts Sunday and ends at 9 am Weds. Then we (the cat’s helpers), will count the votes and determine which female and male has the highest votes. They will have a beautifully decorated Valentine photo shot done, complete with their crowns! Anyone who put a vote on the queen or/and king, will get a Sprocket picture sent to them plus a small glass bottle with fur from the queen and king (a real treasure to keep forever!). The person who has placed the most votes will get a tshirt with this special photo on it (you will be able to tell us the size). The winning royalty will be presented to our cam at 4:00 on Weds.—Valentine’s Day. Any BOXES can be opened after their presentation! So......now, we know what those rascally cats have been planning all week!  Who will be the queen and king?!!

Alert!  Alert!!  Donnajb has graciously donated a $100 gift certificate to the person who puts  in for the most overall votes (doesn't necessarily have to be the king or queen votes). This certificate can be applied to PawMart, a fun-raiser or a flash sale! 

We had BOXES Friday afternoon! A jillion thanks---and that's alot of thank yous!

Susan and Chris B and UK Cousins Mairo, Leo, Gizmo, and Sam – 2Tubs Party Mix, 1 case Meow Mix cups, 1 case (24) Friskies Pate, Cuddle Buddy green platypus for Ramsay

Robert D/Dimwitt – 25 cat cleaning teeth, pure natural catnip tooth cleaning sticks, 1 gross (144)ping pong balls

Mary S – Pom Pom Throw

Tina – 5 soft blankies

Anonymous Friend – 2 Kitty bed mats

Nuthatches for Cutie - 3 Cases Fancy Feast Appetizers, for, 2 Tubs Party Mix & 1 Tub Temptation Snackers

Nuthatches for Gavin: 2 boxes Fancy Feast Broths, 2 bags of Bonito Flakes

Billy K – 10 cans Starkist salmon, 10 cans Bumble Bee tuna. 2 24 pack Fancy Feast, 1 case of Meow Mix Cups

Susan345 – 2 resin stools-nice!

David and Pat – Davids photo on canvas (roses, mum lily and flowers)   Beautiful!

Schinn – for Jones, Valentine Day card and donation

And we have more thanks!

WarpSspeed Performance--donation to FFRC, because they enjoy watching the cats

Andrea W--donation in remembrance of sweet Ada Jane's 23rd birthday

Kelly I--donation to FFRC

Timbodut--donation for a fluff for Annetta

SchleeNC--donation for Annetta

We had an adoption yesterday! John went to his new home! He's been on hold for this special family for a while but we needed to wait until their move to their new house was complete! This family loved him from the beginning! And he has a really sweet little girl to call his own! 

Sprite is doing so much better.  She is indeed shy of people, but we will work all that out later. Her abrasions are healing and she is gaining weight!  

Wendy is also finally starting to show progress. She is eating a bit on her own now. And her body temperature is steady too. She's such a pretty girl. Hoping she will be out of her condo pen soon to play with the other kittens.

We took in a new cat--a big orange fella! His name is Scotia. He's 16 months old, with a birthday of Nov. 14, 2016. He had taken up shelter on a porch of a family that wasn't too happy of having him there and let that be known. A wonderful friend saw him and brought him to FFRC. He was rather dirty and didn't mind his bubble bath at all. After removing many mats and burrs, we've realized he is such a handsome boy! Welcome, Scotia!

The surgery appointment on Friday went well.  Bloom and Brielle were spayed with no problems at all. Coralie had her dental--7 teeth were removed (6 minors & 1 major). She's doing great and can now flash her pearly whites at us.

We now have the Navien tankless water heater in place! They came yesterday and made a quick adjustment and now all is well. Hot water for everyone, every time! We love it! 

This coming Saturday is our FFRC spay/neuter day. Our list for spays/neuters is growing but we still want to be able to do some public neuters as well. 

We had a full covering of ice this morning---just to prove it's still winter time. We had quite a bit of snow on Friday but it is already compacting down.  37 days until Spring! 

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

BOXES are a wonderful thing. I deeply appreciate this support.  We not only receive boxes and envelopes that help us tremendously, but they come with a sense of friendship that is truly important to me.  Box time is always an exciting time for me (and for Zelda!)  Thank you.

Elaine & Alan FL - 1  32ct case Friskies, 3 24ct cases Friskies, Case of Fancy Feast, Box of Appetizers, 40lb Dr Elsie's Littler

Denise & Elizabeth S - Spring Toys, more cat toys, 2 Boxes of Sheba, 8 boxes 24ct Fancy Feast, 2 Tubs Pary Mix Snackers

Justin  for Ramsay - case of 24 Friskies Pate

Mr & Mrs Medic 2 cases Fancy Feast

Anonymous Friend - 2 gal jugs Mr. Clean

Mary D & Randi M - PA  4 cases Fancy Feast Variety

Robert D/Dimwitt -  Mr. Clean, box of toys 46 Mylar balls, 2 catnip carrots, 1 lb organic catnip, catnip seeds, 2 Self Warming cat beds, 9 pkgs Kitty Wipes

DebbieDear --4 bottles Mr Clean

Knittenkitten/Donna – grabber (the volunteers will love this)

Jme for Spiker - 6 cases Friskies, 2 boxes Fancy Feast broth, 4 cases Meow Mix cups 2 Tubs of Party Mix, assortment of toys, 1 dozen mousies.

Janna/Jazz13764 and Susan From UK-- 2 cases Fancy Feast in memory of Jordy

Suzanne and John C - FL– KItty Card with a note & Donation

Lauri from Florida – weight circles

Mr. Whiskers/Martha C – box tops, weight circles, 2 chicken $5

We also have more thanks to give:

Josette M from France--donation to help with Annetta's eye care

Melissa M from OH--donation to FFRC

Anne L--donation to help where needed

Six more days to Valentine's Day! I'm betting your cat would love a special treat! The cats here at FFRC have all been primping and grooming and being extra nice.  There's something going on---I can feel it but the cats are closed-lipped and only softly meowing information between themselves.  Derecho did ask for my presence at a meeting on Saturday---hoping he's going to fill me in on the what's going on! 

Wendy is doing just "ok".  She is not gaining weight and is a bit depressed.  We have her in the top two condo pens in the Purple Room.  Sprite has gained some ounces and is now eating better. As she is becoming stronger, it's obvious that she has not been handled as a kitten. She's somewhat ok of being picked up but can definitely tell that she is just tolerating it.  We are working hard on both of these kittens. 

There are just 40 days until spring. There is no time to waste to getting cats spayed and neutered. This week when we did the 35 cats that went to Humane Ohio, the majority of the female cats were already pregnant or in heat.  We had a person come to the door the other day and said she had 4 cats that she's been feeding all winter. I asked if they were spayed or neutered. She said no........they are not her cats. My reply, as usual---if you are feeding them, they are YOUR cats. No one else is going to step up and say that they will spay/neuter these cats.  And if you think 4 cats are alot, wait until mid summer when that number will very probably be in the 20's.  And remember--those cats born in the spring will have fall babies. That's a prime example of how quickly cat numbers can get out of control.  We are begging people--please, grab a cat and get it neutered/spayed. It WILL make a difference. 

FFRC will be raising the adoption fee to $100 from $90.  We have a minimum of $350 in each and every cat that comes in. In case you do not know, our adoption fee covers a bath, capstar on arrival, 4-5 pyrantel wormings, 7 day dose of Panacur worming and a tapewormer, which is a separate medication. It also covers not one test for leukemia, FIV, heartworm, but a second test 4 weeks later. They also receive 2-3 distemper vaccines, 1 bordetella vaccine and oftentimes 2 leukemia vaccines. Our vet gives a physical on each cat and of course, they are spayed/neutered before being adopted. Flea prevention is applied monthly and if they have earmites, we aggressively work on that. If they come in with a medical issue, we also cover that. And of course, they receive lots of love and attention! 

These CH cats are so very smart. They have an extra smartness about them! Many of them have figured out how to extend their front paws and pull those tasty snackers right to them! And most of them know, if they should need a partial bath, how to hang on to the corner of the sink while we do the scrubbing. They also know those rugs and yoga pads are there to help them. And a little cute look or a pat,pat on the leg means they want some "uppies".  

We do have some cats on hold--Nsuku and Julianne will be going together to a home! Brielle and Bloom both have homes (separately) but are waiting on their spays. Cas and Ntima will also be going to a new home together. John has a strong hold on him. 

Tomorrow, Brielle, Bloom and Coralie will be going to the vets. Brielle and Bloom will be spayed and Coralie will have a dental. 

Take care and enjoy this wonderful day! 

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018

Mama Calico Cat is doing good and holding her own! She so loves her Firehouse home. It's snug, warm and plenty of food, water and cushie beds.  We will continue on with her being where she wants to be---right there on the farmyard but will keep track of how she is doing.

Gene was indeed adopted to the family that has already adopted from FFRC before! He now has Olle the Hooligan, Screech, Icky (Ichabod) as his brothers. What an awesome group of cats! Gene is doing very well, just like we knew he would. Sure miss that rascal though! 

This morning we had an adoption! Our wonderful Maya.  A couple came last week specifically to see her with hopes of adopting her. Maya is our torti moderate CH kitty. It was clear immediately that Maya thought these people should adopt her! They came this morning to make it official. When Maya saw them again, she was so excited. It was wonderful to see this!

We have thanks to give---we had BOXES yesterday.
Annie G & Debbie M--3 bags of Precious litter

Mandy T - UK   3 pretty paw print blankies

Caitlin Ot - 1,000 Potty bags

Lannml 4 jars of Udder Balm, for cracked and dry skin

Dimwit - 3 catmint mousies

Pennysmumhawaii/Janice & Randy T - HI   48 kitty adoption folders

Barb E - NC   Kitty Card:  4 kitty blankets and 5 fleece adoption bags

Our White Cat Frankie & Family - Purple collapsible stool with pokie dots

From Ganache & his mom Warped:  18 Biggies and 24 Warpies --sure will help our supply!

Tom C - IL  Donation

Suzie M - OH  Kitty card  Donation in memory of Angel and in honor of Luke & Leia 

Lollymop - CA  Kitty card with note & a donation

Tori & Chris (caretakers of Jordy's colony) Donation in memory of Jordy & his brother Spikey

Jeanne S - FL   Donation to Feliz Navidad

David H - PA  Donation for FFRC

Joanne D - MO   Donation in memory of Geoffrey L, our mod Purplecats husband

Rausch Family - Donation

David & Patti-- 16x20 painting on Canvas of a rose and an iris by David for Fun Raiser   David took the picture which was then put on canvas--so beautiful

Madisonpepper  - Monthly Cat Box:  Make-up brushes with kitty handles, kitty nail decals, kitty nail file, Fluffy Cat Blanket (claimed by Spiker), 2 kitty toys given to Ramsay & Alma

Only 8 more days until Valentine's Day! Such excitement is building to a tremendous level! I came out last night and just sat on the step to watch the cats and kittens. There were clusters of discussions going on.  I couldn't hear what they were meowing about but words such as Valentine, crown, having clean ears, how to bat their eyes.  I even saw some practicing some kind of swaying walk.  I just am not sure what has gotten into them but something is going on for sure! I've threatened to withhold their catnip if they don't let me in on it.  As soon as I know, I'll fill you in on the details!

And we have more thanks to give!

Shirley H--donation to FFRC

Aneta R--donation to FFRC

Emily T--donation to FFRC

Tracy L--donation to FFRC

Hallie G--donation to FFRC

David D--donation to FFRC

Have you checked out the website lately?  It's always changing a little bit, as things change here. And now we have a whole new entry. Go to fofrescue.org and click on Rainbow Bridge in the gold bar.  It's a way to celebrate the life of your beloved cat.  If you're looking for a way to celebrate the life of a beloved cat, please consider making a donation of your choice to FFRC in their memory.  Your donation will help the cats and kittens at FFRC.  You can do this thru email, a check or money order. Feel free to come up with a special thought about your special cat that has passed. You can even email me at ffrcmoss@gmail.com with the thought you'd like to submit, along with the picture of your cat.  And while you're in the website, check out Derecho's Chat!

We took on a new cat. She's a female, about 9 months old. She was found outside, very very cold with not a speck of energy left in her---this was shown by her "faceplant", not able to even lift her head. Her name is Sprite. She's about 9 months old but came in only weighing 2.15---very emaciated/dehydrated.  After giving fluids for 1 1/2 days, she was finally able to lap up some gruel by herself. At that point we were also able to draw blood for her leukemia/fiv/heartworm test--which was negative. Sprite today weighs 3.04 so she is starting to gain a bit of weight (from the fluids).  

Today is a HumaneOhio surgery day! One of my favorite kind of days! I was a bit worried because of the snowfall last night. But...........we had 36 cats arrive. We checked in 20 females and 16 males. This makes our 2017 total at 103. This breaks down to 63 females and 40 males. The cats will be returning to FFRC late afternoon for the owners to pick up.