P&C friend Margaret at the SPCA of Westchester is putting out a special plea for these special kittens. I hope there’s someone out there who can help. Now bear with me and read this through before you say no way.

There are four kittens — two had to have one eye removed and one had to have both removed due to infections. The fourth kitten with both eyes has staples in them right now to keep them open due to an eye condition. There is no need for medical follow-up for these guys, so don’t let that be a concern. They must be indoors cats (obviously) but Margaret says they will lead normal kitty lives, they just need a loving home.
A donation will be accepted for these kittens ($55 or $105).

The shelter is located at 590 North State Road in Briarcliff Manor. Call 914-941-2896, EXt. 11. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Now, here are these four precious babies. Have a heart and go forth and adopt (or find someone who will). Thanks.

Got this from P&C friend Bonnie, who’s hoping to find a home for this interestingly-named but very adorable kitty. As Bonnie says, “Harvest Moon is less than 1 year old, but has probably experinced a lifetime while she was a stray. Found in Garrison by a wonderful couple who kept feeding her and wanted to try to get her inside. We weren’t sure what we would find and boy were we surprised when Harvest Moon turned out to be one of the most mellow, sweet cats we had ever met. Basically she is beautiful on the outside and beautiful on the inside – she gets along with other cats (althought I wouldn’t say she is exactly cuddly – she just sort of tolerates them) – We have not had her in contact with our dog but she seems curious through the door. She loves to lay right next to you and purr all day long.  Harvest is spayed and up to date on all her shots, She is FIV and leukemia negative – very healthy and happy lady.”

Here’s Harvest Moon:

Happy Friday. Unfortunately, I start the day with yet another reason Paws and Claws hates two-footers. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending, but what dark, demented soul does this kind of thing? You can read the whole story here from the Albany Times-Union. The start of the story is below.

A Saratoga County man hunting on his property found something he was not looking for Sunday: A dog bound in duct tape and discarded in a trash bag.
The beagle, named Daisy, had been missing for two weeks. She is now recovering at home.
Her rescuer, Ed Dandaraw, 64, was hunting in a swampy area on his property when he spotted a small black bundle that he said at first looked like a bear cub.
Upon closer inspection, he thought it was just a black garbage bag—until it shifted and he saw two of the dog’s brown legs sticking out.
“When I pulled open the bag, she hardly moved,” said Dandaraw, who said the dog’s skin beneath the tape was hairless and appeared to be rotting. “I don’t think she had much time left.”
The dog’s entire head was wrapped in the tape as was the midsection of her body. Her two front paws were taped together, so that she couldn’t escape, Dandaraw said.
Saratoga County Undersheriff Michael Woodcock confirmed the dog had been found, but would not provide any details.
”(Whoever did this) was a very sick, deranged person,” Dandaraw said. “They left the nostrils open so she could breathe in the bag.”

Yes cat fans, you heard it here…..next weekend from the Westchester Cat Show in White Plains, we hope to bring you a live stream of the famous piano-playing cat, Nora, who has been named the 2009 Cat of the Year by the ASPCA and will be performing via live stream from her home for the show!
If you’re unfamilar with Nora, you can catch up with her on her own blog where, she says, “you can learn all there is to know about me, the cat who was adopted from a shelter, taught herself to sit at the piano and play notes, became an internet sensation on YouTube and then went on to become a world-wide media star – all before the age of four.”

I’ll update you on the details next week when I get them. Trust me, if you can’t make the show, you’ll want to watch this, as it is no lie but the real cat’s meow

These two adorable sweeties, a dog and a cat, are waiting for homes at the New Rochelle Humane Society, 70 Portman Road. Call 914-632-2925 if you’re interested. I don’t know why you wouldn’t be
Let’s start with Chunkie:

Chunkie is one of two kittens rescued from a local neighborhood. She arrived with a terrible wound to her ear, but after just a few weeks of treatment and a visit with our veterinarian, she has healed wonderfully. As far as Chunkie is concerned, missing a portion of her ear simply adds character, and also makes her seem kind of cool and mysterious to the other cats at our shelter! This adorable little girl is ready to win your heart. Chunkie is up-to-date with routine shots, micro-chipped, house-trained and spayed. Adoption fee of $90 includes a carrier, collar and ID tags.

And now the lovely Helena:

Helena is a gentle sweetheart, a pure-bred Cocker Spaniel who was discarded by her previous owner and abandoned in a local neighborhood. Helena’s coat was dirty and matted. An old, worn collar had no tags to trace to a home. She has been groomed and looks gorgeous now, thanks to her shelter volunteer friends Jay and Melissa. Jay and Melissa are also home fostering Helena and report that this pretty gal is perfectly house trained, is a dream on the leash and well-behaved around other well-behaved dogs. Looking for a quiet, gentle dog with perfect manners? Ask to meet Helena. She is up-to-date with routine shots, micro-chipped and spayed. he adoption fee of $152.50 includes training classes and a state dog license.

Go forth and adopt!

Hey all, P&C friend John from Guideposts sent me this handy tip sheet on pets and the H1N1 virus. It comes from the ASPCA so you can always follow the link below for more info.

1. Dogs are safe.
Good news. According to the ASPCA, dogs have little chance of contracting swine flu. Experts are continuously keeping an eye on the situation for any changes.
2. Cats should be monitored.
Although it was previously believed that cats were also safe, a cat in Iowa has now tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners monitor their pets’ health closely.
3. Potbelly and pygmy pigs are susceptible.
Pet pigs may contract swine flu. The ASPCA recommends taking “steps to limit possible transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa.” Influenza Type A vaccines are available for pigs.
4. Ferrets and birds are susceptible.
Ferrets and birds may develop swine flu, or other human flu viruses. Avoid exposing your pet to people and animals with flu symptoms.
5. Watch for signs of respiratory illness.
To date, pets infected with H1N1 have shown signs of mild respiratory illness. This may be rapid breathing, wheezing, sneezing or coughing. Also, it is important to be aware of other types of viruses your pet could contract.

Thanks John. And pet owners, as I always say, if there’s a doubt about whether your pet is sick, head to the vet. Better safe than sorry.

The fur may not be flying, but it will certainly be well groomed.
The Westchester Cat Show, produced by the Westchester Feline Club, returns to the Westchester County Center, routes 119 and 100 in White Plains, Nov. 21 and 22. The event generally features more than 225 feline entries in a wide variety of breeds for competition. There will also be a large number of kittens and cats available for sale or adoption, and a number of vendors featuring cat-inspired clothing, jewelry and home décor.
This year, the Cat Writers Association will hold its annual convention in conjunction with the Westchester show. Most of the association’s events will be held at the Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Ave. in White Plains. On Sunday, there will be a bookstore and book signings at the cat show.

Care to learn more? For the show, click here, and for the conference, click here.

I know I’m not the only one who looks up sometime after Halloween and thinks, “really, it’s Christmastime already!!!” That was my annual reaction when I heard the ringing bells of a Salvation Army volunteer and walked into a store with Christmas decorations last Friday.
I also know that after a lousy economic year folks may not have a lot, if any, extra cash to spare. But in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the upcoming season, I’ll ask you to remember, as the SPCA says, “those who cannot speak for themselves.”

One of the many things I admire about animal shelters is their willingness to take on injured or ill animals and get them the help they need. They very often get deals from local vets, but extra care costs money, especially surgery. So I’m putting out this plea sent on behalf of the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center in Rockland County.

While this plea is specific to Trece, pictured below, the shelter is hoping that if it can raise the $2,000 needed for this little guy’s surgery, or more, it can convince the vet to help Trece and Orin, another shelter dog who also needs surgery, for the same price as one dog. Of course, homes for both pups are always welcome. Here’s Trece, followed by his story:

Trece is a 10-month-old, 15-pound miniature pinscher mix. He is active, affectionate and very playful. This little fellow was turned over to Hi-Tor Animal Care Center when his owners moved and had to leave him behind. He would be adopted in a minute except he has an injury which requires surgery. It is either an ACL problem or the ligament that holds the knee needs to be repaired – the only way to know for sure is surgery. In the meantime, he is in some pain and is loosing muscle mass very fast so the situation needs to be addressed quickly. The surgery will cost close to $2,000.

Please consider contributing to the “Trece Fund”. You can visit this special little guy at Hi-Tor and if you feel you can offer him a home after his surgery that would be wonderful too! So, please open your hearts during this holiday season and be generous. Every dollar counts!

Donations are tax deductible and can be made either by cash, check or credit card. If you have questions contact: Barbara Leavey at 845-267-8234 or poochprotector@aol.com, or Brian Bradshaw at Hi-Tor at 845-354-7900.

Checks are made payable to: Hi-Tor Animal Care Center (Trece Fund) and can be mailed to:
Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, PO Box 743, Nanuet, NY 10954

One last pic of the cutest girl ever. Normally on a free Saturday I’ll go to Diane’s class then chill and do the Times crossword puzzles then whatever…but last Saturday, as you can see from post from below, I got nothing done because of time spent with this cuddly one. Spike’s getting ready to go home here, but has to give one last adorable farewell.

Not many cats can wave goodbye with their hind paws!