CAT’s mission is to work with our community to save the lives of homeless, sick and injured cats and kittens by offering shelter, adoption, foster, hospice, and veterinary services to end needless feline euthanasia in our community.
We want to thank volunteer Mitch Besser for creating the CAT Android App. The CAT App is an open source application.
Keep up to date with what is going on at the Cat Adoption Team
View CAT’s public service announcement videos.
Check out our Whisker online auction prior to the live event.
Here’s your chance to review all the great items that will be featured in this year’s live auction. Mark your favorites so you can be sure to get the one(s) you really want.
February is Dental Health Month – schedule a trip to your veterinarian
Did you know an adult cat has 30 teeth to keep clean?
By the age of three, 7 in 10 cats already show signs of dental disease, and it may be our fault. (American Veterinary Dental Society)
Dog food and treats are designed so the act of crunching and chewing helps clean the plaque and yuckies off teeth. Cat food does not share in that design. The kibble is relatively small, making it easier for cats to swallow rather than crunch.
When it comes right down to it, most of us don’t brush our pet’s teeth. So plaque builds up and combines with pieces of food. If not removed, plaque can mineralize in about four days and form tarter or calculus. From there, gingivitis and periodontal disease can develop, leading to things worse than feline bad breath.
“Pet owners don’t realize the importance of dental health,” says Dr. Melinda Barkley, Medical Director at the Cat Adoption Team. “Every week, just over 10 percent of the cats who are surrendered to our shelter have some sort of dental issue.”
In fact, 85 percent of pets have periodontal disease by age four according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Not to be apocalyptic, but neglecting your pet’s dental health may put Fido or Fluffy at risk for diabetes, stroke, or even kidney disease. Bad teeth can abscess, causing bacteria to enter the blood and in turn cause an infection of the heart or other organ. All from a dirty mouth!
We go to the dentist twice a year for more than the free tooth brush. Dentist can be the key to preventing some pretty awful issues with our overall health. The same is true with your pet’s veterinary. Prevention is the key.
So when your vet suggests the need for a dental cleaning, ask questions and schedule the appointment. It could be the key to your pet’s long, healthy life.
For more information about pet dental health, go to www.petdental.com.
View how-to-videos for cleaning your cat’s teeth as well as other other grate information about pet dental health.
Our Cat’s Meow Blogger shared her cat’s dental visit - read more.
If you purchased the 2012 CAT Calendar, thank you.
Even with this being Leap Year, our February still has just 28 days.
Where did February 21 go? We figure it must have fallen off the printer and one of the cats batted it under the file cabinet over there in the corner.
We are still looking for it but just can’t seem to find it with all the dust bunnies, cat kibble, and well loved catnip toys secreted underneath.
In all seriousness, we did not mean to leave off February 21 and sincerely apologize to anyone who is celebrating a very special day on the 21st.
From what we can tell, the missing 21 did not change any of the other months.
Here are some special reasons to celebrate on the missing February 21:
Show your love of cats by using one of CAT’s specially created Facebook Cover images for your Timeline.
We have several to choose from. Simply download the Zip file (below) to open the jpg image (the samples on this web page are not the correct size to use but the jpgs are).
We’ve sized it just right so all you have to do is upload it to your Facebook page.
Blazer
Heppi
Kittens
Flint
Ladybug
Raven
Okay, so a collar won’t make your cat look fat. However, are you making your cat fat?
Humans are in control of what pets eat and too many of us are making our pets fat by indulging in too much wet food, too many treats, table scraps, and little activity.
When I look around the shelter this January morn, I see some very large cats (Monroe, Dina, Lotus, and Violet to name a few). Now many are truly big boned - the ones who might have Maine Coon in their blood line; however, many are just plain fat.
National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study found approximately 53 percent of cats and 55 percent of dogs were overweight or obese. Obesity is the number one nutritional disorder among dogs and cats, making them susceptible to many health problems, including:
• Reduced life span
• Impaired heart, liver, breathing functions
• Digestive disturbances
• Increased surgical risk
• Skin problems
• Heat stress
• Increased diabetes risk
Yikes - just looking at that list should spur you to make a change for the betterment of your pet!
Here at the shelter, the staff veterinarians are able to prescribe diets to help many of the cats who are overweight. Some, however, just need to NOT get the wet food and TO get more physical exercise.
There is even a veterinarian association dedicated to raising awareness of obesity in pets. No kidding. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has information on how to check if your pet is overweight, the ideal weight for your pet, and the caloric content of pet
They created a video to help you take your pet’s measurements to help figure out if your cat is, well, fat.
So, what does an obese cat look like?
A kitty who is 19 pounds when ideal weight 10 pounds. This is like a 5’4” female adult weighing 276 pounds (131 pounds over maximum normal weight of 145 pounds) or 5’9” male weighing 321 pounds (152 pounds over maximum normal weight of 169 pounds).
Please ask your veterinarian about your cat’s healthy weight and what steps to take to get him or her to that weight. Why? Just go back up to that list about the risks.
by Kathy Covey
Have you ever worked from home thinking you’d enjoy the day with a cat sitting on your lap while you type away? Maybe your kitty would chase the tip of your pen as you scribbled down ideas to develop.
If you are ever lucky enough to work from home, you’ll get the opportunity to watch what your cats really do during the day.
Guess what - they sleep!
Oh sure, your cat may have moments of moving around the house seeking out the warmth of the sun spots appearing on the couch, carpet, and chairs. So long as your kitty is in the sun, your cat is happy and content. And asleep.
This is one of the things we accept as cat owners. When we are home during the day for any reason, most of the times our cats will not seek us out because they have something better to do - sleep.
Why do they sleep so much?
Domesticated cats really have an easy life that doesn’t seem to require the level of physical or mental activity calling for the amount of sleep they seem to need. Most cats will sleep an average of 13 - 16 hours each day. EACH DAY. That’s more than a teenager! Only possums and bats sleep more - snoozing away almost 20 hours a day.
You have to go back and look at where domesticated cats evolved from: wild cats who hunted to survive. Cats are also crepuscular (a big word meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk). Since most of the wild cats’ prey is active at these times, cats can hone in on their day time napping skills. Cats also didn’t need to graze for hours to consume enough nutrients to survive. They kill one gazelle and they are set. So they have plenty of time to doze.
We can only blame ourselves because we domesticated and fell in love with an animal would rather be sleeping than entertaining us when we are home during the day. Maybe we are all just a little jealous. They can fall asleep seeming at the drop of a hat, sleep through thunderstorms, sleep in odd places and positions, and make sleep a priority. How many of us can do that?
So stop feeling guilty about leaving your cats home alone during the day…they’ll just be asleep.
by Kathy Covey
Have you ever given your cat a bath? I have, many times.
And the cat in question was not my easygoing Tabby, Mack, or my “I’ll do anything because I am just so scared,” Clio. The cat who received so many baths was Snowball. My fearless, outgoing, hate-everyone-but-you cat who passed many years ago. Snowball would scare visitors with her “piss and vinegar” attitude, yowling if they got to close. She was more talk than action — her vocalizations were more than enough to cause friends to give her a wide berth.
Snowball was pure white, hence her name. This independent cat would never let her prissy color keep her from escaping into the garage to roll on the filthiest spot or, better yet, lie in wait for the kids to leave a door unlatched. She’d escape to the dirtiest place she could find. Afterward, scolding included the threat of a bath. After one such escape, my husband and step kids witnessed, with mouths agape and eyes wide, as I proceeded to bathe her calmly in the sink. Oh sure, Snowball loudly protested, but eventually gave up control to the bath. She must’ve known how beautiful she’d look after yet another bath.
When I adopted Snowball she was just a tiny, flea-ridden kitten. My first chore was to rid her of those fleas with gentle baths (no pesticides or soap). So unafraid of being wet, she’d often sit on the side of the tub while I took a leisurely bubble bath, poking her paws at the bubbles.
Snowball tolerated the bathing process and the towel drying. But what she really loved was blow drying. That warm wind all over her body even felt good enough for her to stop giving me the feline stink-eye.
January is officially “National Bath Safety Month”
Of course the focus is on creating a safe environment to bathe your child, not your cat. But I couldn’t resist offering my own feline twist. Click here for tips on bathing kitty without his or her love for you going down the drain.
I captured a recent bath for the adorable Harvest, who was adopted early in December.
by Kathy Covey
Twenty-two ribbons don’t lie. Shelter cats are awesome.
The Lewis & Clark Cat Club invited CAT to showcase some of our cats for adoption at the December Santa Claws & Kitty Paws cat show at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center.
This is the purr-fect opportunity for ailurophilers (cat lovers) to see more than 200 rare and beautiful cats - from the West Coast and beyond. If you’ve never been to a cat show, you may want to add this one to your calendar for next year. Where else can you watch as purebred and pampered cats – shelter cats and household pets too - with long hair, short hair, even no hair competed for top awards and fancy ribbons. The judges are quite happy to explain what they are looking for as they judge each cat.
And you’ll always find some great bargains on cat toys, furniture, and other kitty related items—even for you.
CAT was invited to bring seven of our adoptable cats to compete in the Household Pet category.
All our cats were extremely well-behaved. As they were moved to and from the show rings many times each day, not a grumble of complaint was heard.
The big winner of the weekend for CAT was Sue Bee. She won 1st place in the Household Pet category.
One sweet orange boy, Cheeto, found his forever home with folks who fell in love with him during the show. So perhaps he was a bigger winner.
Visit our Sherwood shelter to meet all the cats who came home with bragging rights from the cat show and see their ribbons on display.
On a cold, crispy December morning (December 4, 2011), the Cat Food Bank opened knowing that today was going to be different.
Today was the day we handed out our 100,000th pound of cat food since opening the doors to the Cat Food Bank in June 2008.
The two hours flew by and by the end of the day, 3,916 pounds of dry cat food, 854 cans of wet food, and 821 pounds of litter (all that was donated) had been handed out to cat owners (for a grand total of 100,948.1 pounds). Our Cat Food Bank clients are struggling under the still present weakened economy, low job rate, and assistance programs that are running out.
While we celebrate the success of this program, knowing that it is meeting its mission to help cat owners keep their pet cats, we are saddened that 2011 was a record breaking year. A year when we handed out the most cat food ever.
This project is 100 percent donation driven. Every bag and can that is given away comes from generous animal lovers either through a direct donation of cat food or through a monetary donation to the food fund.
Without donations, the Cat Food Bank would close its doors to those hungry cats and owners in need.
CAT cats are featured in many local publications on a weekly or monthly basis. Next time you pick up one of these local publication, take a look for a favorite cat. Who knows, you may find the cat of your dreams while learning about today’s weather or football scores.
Community Newspapers - Green Light Classifieds: Several lucky CAT cats are featured inside the classified section every other week in the 17 Pamplin Media newspapers.
Oregonian - Pet Page on Saturday: Every few weeks you will fall in love with a beautiful CAT cat.
Oregonlive.com - Pet of the Day Blog: Showcases at CAT cat every Tuesday.
Spot Magazine: In each issue, a CAT cat or two is highlighted in the “Rescue Me” section.
Boomer Magazine / NW Senior News: Monthly, you will be introduced to a CAT cat.
Washington County Review: Promotes a CAT cat for adoption in each monthly issue.
Facebook / Twitter: Watch for Tabby Tuesday, YouTube Thursday, and Furry Friday to meet an adoptable CAT cat (yes, we know they are not “publications” however they are places we feature kitties for adoption).
Thank you to each publication generously donating the space to highlight an adoptable cat from our organization.
Is your dog a LifeSaver?
by CAT’s friends and supporters at NWVS
Shortages are everywhere these days, whether it is a shortage of water in dry areas or an impending global shortage of oil for fuel. Veterinarians understand the concern for “running out” as we have been dealing with a severe shortage of an even more precious liquid since the profession began. The liquid? Blood. Often the red stuff comes out of our patients faster than we can find more to put back in. In the past, we at VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists have been able to meet the need for blood by shipping it in from regional and national blood banks. However, as more and more injured and ill pets have come into our hospital—and often at 2 a.m. on a Sunday—a better solution was required. That solution was the creation in 2007 of an on-site community volunteer blood bank—NWVS Critical Care Blood Bank.
Over the past four years, we have enrolled over 150 dogs and 70 cats in our blood bank; their donations have allowed us to produce over 2,500 blood components to help the critically ill and injured dogs and cats of Portland. However, finding good candidates for canine and feline blood donation is a challenging process: only one in 15 dogs is a “universal donor” blood type and cats must be indoor-only pets. If young, healthy, large dogs and cats meet those criteria, the blood bank can continue to the next step in the blood donor screening process: submitting blood samples to the lab for testing, taking detailed medical histories, and completing thorough “nose to toes” physical exams. As you can see, ensuring adequate supplies of the safest possible cat and dog blood is complex! Interacting with these dedicated “lifesavers” and their parents has been extremely gratifying; we have been further rewarded when the readers of Spot Magazine bestowed on us their “Top Dog” award for “Best Veterinary Medical Specialty” for 2008 and 2009.
Our adventure took an exotic twist in 2008 with the arrival of the first elephant birth in Portland since 1994. As the Oregon Zoo veterinary staff and elephant keepers worked to be prepared for every possible birthing scenario, one of the essential items on their list was elephant plasma. Plasma is critical for zoo veterinarians to have on hand in the event a baby elephant doesn’t get enough milk (and the antibodies it contains from the mother) soon after birth. VCA NWVS blood bank staff drew blood from dad—Tusko—and processed it into plasma. Although they had hoped for an uneventful birth, the Oregon Zoo was well prepared when it became apparent that the newborn elephant had undergone trauma in the birthing process. Approximately three liters of plasma were administered to the calf in the first day of his life; and he responded, slowly but steadily, to all the intensive care efforts. We are thrilled to have played a small role in the arrival of Rose-Tu and Tusko’s baby, Samudra!
At VCA NWVS, we know there are more adventures ahead as we try to make sure blood is available for the Portland dogs and cats that are injured, need surgery, or have a life-threatening illness. We are always on the lookout for a “few good dogs” to join the ranks of our blood donors. As for cats, we keep our blood bank stocked by donations from the large number of veterinary staff who have generously enrolled their felines. Whether it is for a dog that was hit by a car, a cat with cancer—or a baby elephant needing help getting started in the world—a blood transfusion is the gift of life to these animals. In this time of shortages, you can not only conserve water and drive cars less, but you can also help the shortage of canine blood by passing the word to someone who has a big, healthy, happy dog. We would greatly appreciate your steering them our way either via clinic phone or website.
Just like your parents did when you were a child, CAT hid a special Holiday Gift deep inside it’s Android Phone Application. Known as “Easter Eggs”, our phone app has one too.
Oh sure, we could make it easy for you to find this special gift (see photo) but what fun would that be.
Throughout December, we will post clues to guide you down the Tinsel Trail to find our Hidden Gift.
When you do find it, you will be rewarded for your efforts. Read each clue and combine them to solve the riddle on how to find the prize.
In order to play, however, you must download the CAT App to your Android-enabled cell phone.
Answer the questions
Read the clues
Don’t judge a cat by its color
The clock is running
To thine own self be true
Haste makes waste
You’re up and you’re down
Your Felineality will help you find the 2 out of 18 cats you’ll need.
Read then Match to Win the Game, Match then Read to Win the Prize
Win the price when you win the game but only if your first follow clue 5
On September 27, 2011, the Cat Adoption Team spayed and neutered more than 50 cats in one day. The cats traveled in cat carriers and file boxes, in pairs and in groups as large as six, to take advantage of Spay & Save – the most affordable spay and neuter opportunity ever offered by the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP). The Spay & Save event provided low-income cat owners the opportunity to have multiple cats—the whole “kitty and caboodle”—altered for a single payment of $10. The remainder of the cost of the surgeries was covered by generous grants and donations from the community.
Spaying or neutering just one cat can have a major impact on the population of unwanted cats. Considering that an unspayed female cat can have as many as three litters of kittens a year starting when she is six months old, it’s no surprise that more than 23,000 unwanted cats and kittens entered Portland area shelters in 2010 alone.
That’s why, in 2006, CAT and leaders of Portland’s largest animal welfare organizations and veterinary associations teamed up to form ASAP, which aims to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens in our community by making low-cost spay and neuter services available and convenient for all pet owners. By offering spay and neuter services at shelter locations around the Portland area, CAT and ASAP have contributed to a 15 percent reduction in shelter admissions since 2008, and have reduced euthanasia by more than 40 percent.
Since 2008, CAT has performed more than 1,100 low cost or subsidized spay and neuter surgeries, but September’s Spay & Save event marks the first time cat owners could bring multiple cats for one low fee.
“With the economic downturn, cost is now even more of an obstacle for low-income cat owners,” said Lowry Stephenson, longtime CAT volunteer who has been volunteering since the very first Spay & Save event. “It’s an opportunity for people to make sure their cats don’t have kittens, and also to put an end to bad behavior like yowling and spraying.”
Rachel from Beaverton brought in her two orange tabbies, Jack and Percy, while her kids waited in the car. “It’s a relief to be able to get them fixed,” she said. “I don’t want them to start spraying on my furniture, and we don’t need any more kittens, that’s for sure.”
For more information on Spay & Save, or to find out about CAT’s other low-cost, high quality spay and neuter services, go to http://www.catadoptionteam.org/spay. If you’d like to make a donation to support CAT’s effort to make subsidized spay and neuter services available to cat owners in need, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/spayfund.
by Julianne and Colin Thacher, CAT volunteers
If you’ve not visited CAT recently, you may want to make the drive to Sherwood just to see our new addition - installed in October 2011.
Thanks to a generous donation from CAT supporters Holly and Cory Sorensen, we now have a “cat-quarium” (a secure enclosure) in our lobby.
Panther, available for adoption, greets clients, gets to check out the comings and goings of volunteers, and even alerts us when there is a dog walking on the sidewalk outside
The Super Silent “Text-To-Bid” Silent Auction will open at 9 am on Saturday, November 5.
You must register your phone in order to participate.
Download, print, peruse, and bid - Text-to-Bid Catalog (pdf)
We have an exciting new addition to our silent auction this year! Text-to-bid!
That’s right. For a select group of silent auction packages and retail items, you will be able to text your bid, using your own cell phone!
The Text-To-Bid silent auction will open at 9 am on Saturday, November 5 (before Whisker starts). Check out the catalog of items.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The first step is to register your cell phone. Go to www.qtego.com/whisker and fill out the form. You should receive a confirmation text message in less than a minute.
Q: I submitted the form but did not receive a confirmation text message. What do I do now?
A: If you do not receive a confirmation within 10 minutes, please call Northwest Auction Support at 1-877-571-1516.
Q: Will I still need to register at the event?
A: Yes, you will still need to register to get your bid number. Text-to-bid is only for our Super Silent Auction items and retail items.
Q: Do I need to have a smart phone (Android or iPhone)?
A: Nope. If you can text on your cell phone, the Text-to-Bid platform will work.
Q: How will it work?
A: At the Super Silent Auction table you will see information sheets for each package number.
a.Text 86132 followed by the Package Number of the item you are interested in (Package numbers are found on the items; for example 419002) to find out what about the item and what the current bid amount is.
b.To place a bid, reply to 86132 with the Package Number and the amount you wish to bid. For example: to Bid $200 on item 419002, reply to 86132 with ‘419002200’ in the message.
c.You will receive a confirmation text that you are now the high bidder on Item 419002, congratulations! Or a text informing you that there is a higher bid and suggesting an amount to bid.
Q: Will there be someone there to help?
A: We will have staff available to help you place your text bid.
Q: How will I know if I am out bid?
A: Once you place a bid on a Package, you will be notified via text when another bidder out bids you. You will also be prompted to increase your bid.
Q: How can I make sure I get an item that I really want?
A: If item 419002 (for example) is an item you just can’t live without, there is a way to make sure you remain the high bidder.
Text to 86132 “419002” followed by the highest amount you wish to bid on the item followed by “m” to indicate maximum.
For example: Your maximum bid on item 419002 is $5,000, text “4190025000m” to 86132. Your bid will now increase at the minimum bid increments (pre-set on each item), with every bid someone else places. You might walk away with the item for $1,000 or someone might out bid you at $5,500 and you will have the opportunity to steal the item back!
Q: Will I be able to use Text-To-Bid on other items?
A: There are two other items utilizing the texting feature at Whisker.
You will have the opportunity to help some cats at our shelter with some of their medical costs. All you have to do is Text “GIVE” followed by the dollar amount to 86132 and you will have made a direct contribution to the cats in our care.
Several other Auction Packages and Retail Items can be purchased directly using the Text-to-Bid process. To participate just Text “BUY” followed by the item number and you will have purchased that item.
Note: All retail items will be available for pick up after check out.
Q: How will I know when the Super Silent Auction is over?
A: We will send out a broadcast text giving you amble time to bid on items you really want.
Q: How do I pay for items I “won” on the Super Silent auction?
A: At the end of the night, all your items, including your Text-To-Bid items, will be charged to your bidder number.
Q: Will I be charged anything else for texting?
A: Standard text messaging rates do apply, but your phone will NOT be charged for any purchases you make. If you do not have a cell phone, we will have Concierge bidders to help you. You do not need to have a Smart Phone to participate in the Text-To-Bid.
Q: Since this is texting, can I start bidding early?
A: We will send you an email on Saturday with the Text-To-Bid catalog. We plan to open the Super Silent Auction at 9 am on Saturday, November 5, so you can get some early bids in on items you like before you make your way down to the event.
Thank you for your participation and happy bidding!
You will notice a QR code on all of the items displays.
What is a QR code?
QR codes are only good for Smart Phones (iPhones and Android enabled). The best QR reader is Red Laser QR Reader from ebay. To access the QR code, open the QR reader app on your Smart Phone and scan the code displayed on the Super Silent Auction item. After that just reply with the bid you wish to place and you are on your way!
Welcome to Cartona located in the Tuscany region of central Italy between Florence and Rome.
Cortona is a 3,000 year old Etruscan hill town recently made famous by the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Along with incredible physical beauty and views of the valley and Lake Trasimeno below, Cortona is a magical place to explore.
Imagine yourself walking up, throwing open the shutters to the sun in a piazza, having your morning cappuccino and heading out for a day of adventure. Your stay for one week is at the Casa Comedia a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment that sleeps four people comfortably. It is situated in the historical center of Cortona and is steps away from Via Nazionale, the main shopping street of Cortona, Piazza della Repubblica, cafes and many wonderful restaurants.
Casa Comedia is situated on a tiny alley up a short incline of steps and is very quiet and tranquil. The first floor of the apartment includes the living room, the kitchen and dining area, an entrance foyer and a full bath. The kitchen has the original stone fireplace that was used centuries ago. The original terracotta floors and wooden beams give the apartment an authentic ambiance. The apartment has been renovated and all its amenities are new and modern. The furnishings are composed of antique and modern furniture. The owners of this home, who live in Portland, will work with you to ensure that you have a unique experience not normally available to tourists. They can help you to arrange personalized tours of the area, cooking classes, hotel accommodations in Rome, Florence, Venice and beyond.
Note: Cortona is an ancient, walled hill-town with many stairs, steep streets and limited driving/parking with no elevators or handicap accommodations. Please be advised of this if you have mobility issues of any sort.
Details: Seven night stay (Saturday to Saturday) subject to availability. Apartment sleeps four guests. Airfare not included. Expires: 10/5/13.
Special Thanks to: Rob and Stacey Friedman
Discover the culture, beauty and delightful people of Bali while enjoying a truly unique vacation and adventure on one of the lovely tropical island of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.
One thing to remember about Bali is that the island is not too big…about 100 miles from North to South and 175 miles from West to east.
You can start after breakfast and drive around the perimeter of the island and you might even make it back before dinner. Your stay in Bali will be at the Villa Paradiso, a private home, recently built and located on the tranquil eastern coast of Bali, in the village known as Amed. It sits just a few hundred meters from the beach and has stunning views of both the ocean and the lush river valley and mountains beyond.
The main house has three bedrooms (two with king beds and one with two twin beds) and there is a separate full self contained cottage (sleeps two) by the pool. All bedrooms and pool cottage have their own bathrooms. In the main house you will enjoy a full size kitchen equipped with all modern amenities.The living room and dining area is surrounded by sliding glass doors that open out to 40” private swimming pool and smaller shallow pool for children so that you may truly experience indoor-outdoor living. The furnishings are tastefully done and all locally made.
Details: Seven night stay for eight guests, round trip ground transportation from airport to and from Villa Paradiso (airfare not included), daily breakfast for up to eight people at the Bar Pazzo, one special dinner prepared for everyone and served at Villa Paradiso, up to four body massages at the beautiful day spa next to Villa Paradiso, daily housekeeping service, one diving or snorkeling excursions accompanied by a master diver for up to eight people with equipment included (a half day excursion may be substituted for diving or snorkeling). Added meals, drinks, phone, excursions, transportation and gratuities NOT included. Accommodations based on availability. Expires: 11/5/13. The owners of this Villa Paradiso, who live in Portland, would take great pleasure in sharing their knowledge of the area and its culture. They can also help arrange many activities to make your vacation the adventure of a lifetime. Airfare not included.
Special Thanks to Rob and Stacey Friedman
2011 was the year of innovation for CAT. We implemented some awesome changes and tweaked some of our programs to make them so much better.
Highlights of why we are such cool cats include (in no particular order):
October is national “cookie month”!
Check out these great homemade cat treat recipes for your kitty.
Please feed in moderation because drastic diet changes, even a treat, can cause diarrhea and pancreatitis in cats.
CAT’s Medical Director advises: no more than two pieces of treat the size of an M&M per day per cat.
If your cat has sensitive intestines, diabetes, or kidney disease, avoid feeding treats.
As always, if you have questions about these treats and your cat’s health, please consult your veterinarian.
Recently, someone emailed to see if a senior cat at the shelter was still available for adoption. They were looking for an older cat to “save” knowing that the kittens and active young adult cats would sell themselves and find homes quickly.
Most adopters do look for the younger, more active pets. Often, animal shelters put a limit on how many older pets they will take in as these animals tend to be in shelters for a lot longer than the youngsters.
The fact that this one family was searching high and low for the perfect older pet got me thinking about why older pets make good companions.
Let’s just take out the “saving a life” factor when it comes to adopting an older pet – that’s a given. Living for months on end in a small kennel no matter how clean it is, how much food is provided, or how many minutes of love is given from shelter staff, it is not a home. Older pets truly do better in a home.
If you are thinking of bringing a pet into your home, here are some things to consider that may put an older pet top of your list.
1) Already house trained. You just need to learn the best spot for the litter box or your dog’s “please open the door” signal.
2) No need to spend oodles on toys, perhaps one or two will do. Since older pets are less active you won’t need to break the bank trying to find the perfect toy to keep your pet occupied.
3) A comfy bed, perhaps with a view, will do nicely. Older pets tend to relax and sleep more. A bed that will ease any aches and perhaps be placed right in line with a long-lasting sunspot could win you extra purrs or wags.
4) Less chance of a precious nick knack being broken since older pets generally are not apt to jump or bolt around the house like they did in their younger days.
5) Be rewarded with the peace and quiet of a companion who would rather lay next to you than get into mischief.
6) Learn your veterinarian’s name. Yes, you will find an older pet requires a few more visits to the veterinary clinic, perhaps a special diet to help with an infirmity, and maybe a daily pill. How scary similar is that to your daily routine. How many of us have cut out a few things from our diet or now take a pill or three on a daily basis.
With love, good nutrition, great medical care, and patience, your pet will be older longer then he/she was younger. My two older cats are the apple of my eye. Clio is a young 13 and Mack is an aging-a-little-to-fast-for-my-taste 16 year old.
by Kathy Covey
From the palm of your hand you can:
Every day, your CAT App will display a new, adoptable cat from our
By clicking the + (plus) sign that appears in the upper left corner of the Cat of the Day’s thumbnail photo to view more photos.
To find out more about the cat’s Felineality, press the + (plus) sign to the right of the Felineality name.
Push the “More Cats…” button to be taken to the entire online list of cats for adoption from CAT.
Push “OK” to go back to the phone application’s landing page.
Exclusively with CAT’s Android Application - your next cat could be waiting to meet you right now.
When you complete the Meet Your Match survey (linked directly from the CAT App landing page), you will be notified when there is a cat at our shelter who could be your perfect feline match.
Meet Your Match™ Feline-ality™” is a program of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Read more about this program.
How to play the Match 9 Lives game
The goal of Match 9 Lives is to match all nine cats in the top row and all nine cats in the bottom row with their correct Felineality icon in the middle row.
You win after you correctly complete all nine matches.
The top and bottom rows contain photos of nine different cats each, a total of 18 cats.
Every cat in a row has one of the nine possible Felinealities that describes how that cat is likely to behave in his/her new home. Each cat in the top row has a unique Felineality that matches exactly one unique cat’s Felineality in the bottom row.
The cats are randomly shuffled when you start a new game.
Line up your matching guess in the center column by placing a finger on a row and sliding the images in a row left or right. Once you have lined up your guess for all three rows, press the Match button at the bottom center of the display to see if your guess is correct.
If your guess is correct, the photos and icons will be visibly marked as correct. If not, you will be shown a message indicating how many cat’s you matched correctly.
If you long press (press and hold) a photo, you will be shown a full biography of the selected cat. The biography includes that cat’s Felineality along with other information about adopting that cat. To improve your score, memorize each cat’s Felineality to help you quickly and accurately make guesses.
You can obtain more information about each of the nine Felinealities by short or long pressing the middle row of icons. The Felineality icons are always shown in the following order:
To obtain the highest possible score, quickly match up each cat with his/her Felineality without any incorrect guesses. Two scores are independently recorded, the amount of time and how many total guesses it took to complete a game.
The bottom left corner of the game displays the running game clock. The clock automatically starts running after your first guess. The bottom right corner displays the number of correct matches over the number of total guesses (Match/Guess). A perfect final score will show nine matches for nine total guesses as 9/9.
Additional game information can be found by pressing your phone’s menu button. When you are done playing, press your phone’s back button to return to the CAT phone app.
After playing Match 9 Lives, consider giving one of these adorable cats a win by adopting them into your forever home. Are you game?
We honored the hard work and dedication of our volunteers on Sunday, September 18, with an end-of-summer picnic. CAT has over 600 active volunteers who, in 2010, gave over 62,000 hours of service to the organization and the animals in our care.
A very special presentation was made to long-time volunteer, Judy Brown, in honor of her late husband Wayne Brown. Wayne was CAT’s accountant for many years. He loved the cats and the organization. One of the free-roam rooms at CAT’s shelter will be dedicated to Wayne’s memory with a special plaque.
Volunteer & Staff Choice Award (voted on by the volunteers and CAT staffers):
Aisha Beck (Tigard) and Noralyn Danielle (Tualatin) team together to head up CAT’s adoption center at the Tualatin Petco, which means she provides care for the cats, adoption counseling, and training for volunteers. Aisha is also CAT’s videographer, taking beautiful moving photos of the cats for adoption that are posted on CAT’s YouTube, played in our lobby, and linked to each cat’s online biography.
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jerry Holmes (Beaverton) can be found at practically every CAT special event or adoption event. He arrives early to help set up, advocates for the kitties, and stays to help clean up and unload back at the shelter. Jerry’s been with volunteering with CAT for over six years.
“Evan Kalik” Volunteer of the Year Award:
Steve Brod (Tigard) takes on all sorts of volunteer tasks for the organization. He provides cat care for the kitties at the shelter, helps find purr-fect homes for the cats as an adoption counselor, and represents CAT at many local events. Steve has a great sense of humor, which keeps us all smiling. He is compassion for the cats is top-notch. (Award named in honor of CAT’s Founder.)
Awesome Teen Award:
Annie Gerlowsky (Beaverton) gives 100 percent to everything she does for the animals at the shelter – from cleaning to cuddling, to boring administrative tasks, she’s there to lend a hand.
Tidy CAT Award:
Sandra Perkey (Sherwood) is one of those volunteers who enjoys doing the jobs no one else will raise a paw to. She’s contributed more than 300 hours since coming to CAT in late 2009. Her favorite task is doing the cat’s laundry – making sure the bedding is clean. Sandra also spends quality time with some of the shier cats to help them become more comfortable at the shelter until they are adopted.
Going the Distance Award:
Bob Anderson (Welches) has been coming to CAT for more than 12 years to care for the adult cats at the shelter. Twice a week Bob travels close to 60 miles one way to spend time at the shelter. Bob also leads CAT’s monthly Hands on Portland volunteer group, providing them an overview of the organization and hands on experience with the shelter cats.
Are you really ready?
Last week while reading before bedtime, I started to smell smoke. You know, that dreadful house-on-fire smoke smell. I didn’t hear any sirens, but it was obvious that somewhere nearby someone’s home was burning. The next morning I read there were two home fires about a mile from me. That gave me pause to think about what I would grab with just a few moments to get out. Where were my cats? Where was that emergency crate?
The Pacific Northwest is primed for the quake of the century . . . tomorrow or in 300 years. This is the big one — the one that could destroy bridges, take down cell towers, and make it nearly impossible to get just about anywhere.
Realistically, the most likely potential disaster is fire, not earthquake. Fire is the most common home disaster and kills more people every year than all natural disasters combined. To give you perspective, in the first six months of 2011, the Portland Fire Department responded to 200 structure fires and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to 50 fires. Last year alone there were 568 structure fires in Multnomah County. TVF&R responds to an average of 100 fires every year.
And what do you think is the No. 1 cause? If you guessed cigarettes, you are partially correct; that’s the cause of one in ten. The distinction is that cigarette-started fires are the leading cause of fire-related death. The leading cause of residential fires in Oregon and nationally, according to TVF&R, is kitchen fires.
Today, most of us are not even prepared to “survive” a traffic delay (do you have water and food in your car?). So how would we live in the days after a horrific natural disaster? According to an online survey I conducted in July, about half of respondents don’t have any sort of family emergency kit and two-thirds don’t have one for pets.
Take time now to put together an emergency kit for your pets and keep it readily accessible. If the kit isn’t for that 9.0 earthquake, it might be for a gas leak, broken water main, or even a fire filling your home with smoke.
Important tips:
•Know where your cat might hide when stressed
•Find a trusted neighbor who can evacuate your cat in case you’re away (86% of survey respondents did not have someone on call to help)
•Practice removing your cat from his/her hiding spot quickly and firmly
•Practice using your cat’s carrier, a pillowcase, a sturdy box — anything to get your pet quickly out of harm’s way
•Involve your entire family so everyone knows what to take, where to find the pets, and where to meet
•Keep your emergency kit up to date. Add it to the list for when you do like annual checkups — of smoke detectors, for example.
•Make sure your vehicle always has enough gas to get you out of the area (over a quarter full at all times)
Prepare now so when something does happen, you, your family, and your pets will be safe.
by Kathy Covey
Bet you are planning a vacation in the next few weeks. Whether it is a two-week cruise through the Panama Canal or a weekend at the Oregon coast, most likely you are leaving your cats at home.
As you are making your packing list and stopping your mail, take some time to consider who will watch your pets.
There are many options for a pet sitter depending on the level of care your cat(s) needs.
I suspect I am luckier than most when it comes to finding a pet sitter for Mack and Clio.
I have a great teenaged nephew who is caring and dedicated (and thanks to my brother-in-law, punctual with his pet sitting duties). For back ups, a co-worker from CAT or a vet tech from my veterinarian clinic are right there for me. All my bases are covered when it comes to making sure my cats get their medication, proper amount of food, clean litter box, and of course a little TLC while we are off vacationing.
If you are still pondering who you are going to call, CAT asked some of our online fans what their criteria was for a pet sitter whether hiring your nephew (like me) or a professional pet sitter.
I always leave detailed instructions, even if it my vet tech friend. These generally include:
Your level of intensity with instructions will, of course, depend on your cats’ needs.
Having a good pet sitter will make your vacation more relaxing knowing your beloved pets are cared for.
by Kathy Covey
Minnie is a four-year-old spayed female Tuxedo kitty who arrived from a county shelter on April 25, 2011.
She was a very shy cat and more stressed than the usual cat coming to our shelter.
She simply would not eat despite supportive care, including subcutaneous fluids and appetite stimulants.
By the third day, we started syringe feeding her; by day five she was vomiting and icteric (resembling jaundice).
Blood work suggested of a classic hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), but x-rays also showed an obstructive gas pattern throughout her small intestines. She showed signs of pain on abdominal palpation.
Was this a case of stress induced anorexia and fatty liver, pancreatitis, or could she have a foreign body in the intestines?
On the sixth day, we prepped her for surgery. The plan was to place an esophageal feeding tube and perform an exploratory surgery to determine what was going on.
That very morning she defecated a twelve inch piece of elastic band along with severe mucoid diarrhea. This was the obvious cause her pain, her lack of appetite, and over all diminished condition.
We kept her on a feeding tube for another week.
Minnie has a made a full recovery and is available for adoption.
Although she is doing well, our medical team continues to wonder if she was surrendered to the county shelter because her guardian knew she was sick with an intestinal problem. We may never know why Minnie was relinquished. Here at Cat Adoption Team, our staff work diligently to thoroughly examine every cat at intake.
When a pet must come to a shelter for surrender, having a complete history can be critical in treating their medical issues. Too bad, Minnie could not speak for herself!
Dr. Melinda Barkley, DVM, Medical Director CAT
Many of us look forward to boxes left on our doorstep: A gift from a far-away relative? Maybe that nifty gadget ordered recently?
Boxes left at CAT’s doorstep are usually wiggling and crying – full of kittens abandoned* in the dead of night. That’s exactly what was found when staff arrived for work on Tuesday, May 31.
The kittens, Doza, Manchester, Finch, and Pringle, were very much upset with the whole experience. They were scared and leery of human intentions, as evidenced by little kitten hisses. These darling kittens suffer from eye infections. And our collective heart dropped when they tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).
Kittens born to an FIV+ mom can test positive for several months due to antibodies in their system from the womb and/or mother’s milk. Because we are unsure whether they will remain FIV+, this litter is now with a long-term foster family until we know for sure. We are hopeful theirs is a false positive.
At their foster home, Kiana (11-year-old cat lover) is doing most of the caring for this litter – under Mom’s watchful eye, of course. Kiana reports that the kittens are “super cute and cuddly!”
Manchester, the black kitten with “tuxedo” markings, will go after anything that moves. Finch loves toys. Kiana’s favorite is Doza because he needs the most care right now. Doza enjoys the toy mouse. Pringle (or “Potato Chip,” as Kiana’s mom affectionately refers to him) is especially fat. But he has a lot of energy and likes to investigate anything strange.
“We will have these kittens for four months and then they will be retested by CAT,” states Kiana matter of factly. “I’m sure I will be super attached to them in four months’ time!”
CAT spends an average of $250 on every kitten we take in. Some kittens require more medical attention and care. Your donation will enable us to shelter more unwanted kittens.
*Just so you are aware, abandonment of pets, even in front of an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, is against Oregon law. While it might seem difficult to prosecute, there have been a handful of cases resulting in convictions. We understand that many folks just can’t care for their pets. However, going through proper animal intake procedures allows the animal shelter (CAT in this case) to find out more about the pets to better find them a home.
The kittens tested negative for FIV and have all be adopted into terrific homes!
Is your house is a little too quiet; the rooms too empty?
Maybe you miss the sound of young ones bounding down the hall or clamoring for your attention?
We can help you fill that empty-nest with foster kittens or cats.
“Fostering has turned out to be one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I’ve done,” states CAT volunteer, Barbara Pirk (60+). “I’ve fostered over 100 kittens and am looking forward to the next 100!”
You provide them with a temporary home while they grow or heal. Shower them with love and attention so they will blossom into wonderful pets. Then CAT finds each one of them a great home.
“Fostering is perfect for those who enjoy having pets for short periods of time – it can fit around trips, surgeries, and visits from out-of-town guests,” comments Anne Jacobs (74). “I’ve foster over 175 cats and kittens over the years. I love it and continue to foster kittens in addition to caring for a long-term foster senior cat.”
Fostering with CAT:
•Provides a safe, nurturing environment for mother cats to raise their kittens
•Socializes shy or timid cats/kittens
•Allows sick or injured cats/kittens to heal in a relaxing environment
•Corrects behavioral issues to help a cat become even more adoptable
CAT will provide you with all the training, a “baby” bag full of necessities, and a knowledgeable mentor to help you every step of the way. You provide the love.
John Carradine (65) shares that helping the cats and kittens is more than fun and purrs: “CAT is a wonderful place that provides a chance for cats and kittens to grow into, well, our favorite pets. At the same time it offers me, and other volunteers, a high degree of satisfaction knowing we’ve been instrumental in helping some of God’s creatures.”
Interested? Please read more information about CAT’s fostering program or give us a call at (503) 924-8903, ext. 258.
Anne warns, “It’s easy to foster but hard to say goodbye to them.”
by Kathy Covey
We are proud to be part of the “People Saving Pets” campaign.
People Saving PetsTM is an exciting campaign that uses positive and uplifting advertising, public relations, and community events to educate and engage the public, change perceptions about pet homelessness, and increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter surgeries. It is designed to inspire action to save the lives of homeless pets. By highlighting the efforts of national and local animal-welfare partners, the campaign will inspire a broad range of public participation.
With advertising that focuses on the human-pet bond, People Saving Pets will showcase the ways that pets enrich our lives and will provide information and education about the ways to end the tragedy of euthanasia. The campaign encourages people to spread the word about the campaign and its goals. Members of the public can participate in People Saving Pets in a number of ways – from joining as a member, attending local pet-themed events, donating time or money, buying official People Saving Pets merchandise, adopting a pet, and spaying/neutering your pet.
We have many wonderful donors and supporters and we thank you all.
When children choose to give, it is especially meaningful. This young generation is learning at such an early age that being philanthropic is good for the soul and the community.
We want to thank Scholls Heights Elementary Brownie Troop 40433 for their generosity. They donated $100 to CAT from their cookie sales proceeds proving Thin Mints are a wonderful treat!
The girls presented us with this delightful hand-made BIG check on Thursday, April 20.
Troop 41604 stopped by on Wednesday, April 21, with a $100 donation and hand-made beds for the cat carriers.
Thank you so much!
Thank you Girl Scout Troop 40291 for collecting donations for CAT’s food bank - you guys are the best!
Thank you Troop 1092
Getting up early on a Sunday morning, Troop 1092 helped the Cat Food Bank Volunteers on May 1 by counting donated food and carrying bags of food to the cars of our food bank clients. They are also putting together a food drive for the month of May.
Earning her Gold Award
Purrs to Julie Collins of Girl Scout Troop 40-176! Julie collected 1080 pounds of dry cat food plus litter and cat toys for the CAT food bank in May 2011. She is sure to achieve her Gold Award with this terrific effort.
Earning their Silver Award
Two of our junior volunteers Audrey Sandquist and Haley Bevandich hosted an event in June 2011 to earn their Silver Award for Girl Scout Troop 42075 and raise funds and donations for CAT They received donations of food, litter, toys, and cash donations of $125.
Thank you Troop 45521
Three members of Troop 45521 came to CAT early in the morning as part of the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce meeting to present CAT with donations for the food bank and the shelter.
Thank you Troop 45592
They collected food and items for CAT. Member Natalie Rieger delivered the donations and got to spend time with the cats!
Thank you Troop 40470
Sixth-graders from Horizon Christian School dropped off a bounty of donations for the cats and the cat food bank.
Join an event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915—American Humane’s “Be Kind to Animals Week”—the first week of May.
At CAT we encourage you to make this a year-long tradition.
When we teach our children how to be kind and respectful of animals, we are giving them to tools to be a more compassionate and caring adult.
And here are some suggestions:
Speak out for animals
Become informed about policies and legislation that can impact the animals here in Oregon.
Report animal abuse
Animal cruelty and abuse is not only tragic for animals, it is an indicator that other forms of abuse such as domestic violence could be happening. If you see something that looks suspicious—a dog chained in your neighbor’s yard that looks underfed, a child putting a cat in a box and kicking it around the yard—don’t hesitate. Contact animal control.
Volunteer to help animals
There are many organizations, from wildlife to animal shelters, looking for your talents and experience to better the lives of animals. Portland has many great organizations who would appreciate your time. Of course, CAT would like to be your first choice. Here are others: Audubon Society, Fences for Fido, or the Oregon Zoo.
Appreciate wildlife
All animals deserve to be treated humanely—family pets and animals in the wild. Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other creatures.
Encourage pet adoptions from a shelter or rescue
Help animals find a second chance at happiness by adopting your next pet from your local shelter, like CAT. Pets teach children so much more than how to fill a water bowl. Loyalty and sharing are lessons a pet can help a child learn. Read more.
Take care of your pet
Pets are like children who never grow up. They need you to help keep them healthy and safe throughout their lives. Keep your animal’s vaccinations up-to-date. Make sure he’s wearing proper identification. Take your pet to the veterinarian regularly. Know what it takes to be a responsible pet owner.
The last Friday of April
This year, the Royal Wedding has nothing on National Hairball Awareness Day (Friday, April 29), especially when you have upwards of 250 cats under one roof like we do here at the Cat Adoption Team.
Hairballs, also known as trichobezoars, are a fact of life when you have a cat. Most cat owners will begin to see them more frequently as the weather warms and shedding increases.
Down and dirty about hairballs:
Preventing hairballs is not rocket science:
Getting rid of the hairball stain left on the carpet:
Hairballs are generally expelled with whatever else was in your cat’s stomach (such as undigested cat food) and, in our experience, they never land on the easy-to-clean tile floor. Therefore, you will have a stain on your carpet, rug, or even comforter.
In addition to the nearly 15-20 spays/ neuters we perform daily four-days-a-week, we are also able to offer a variety of other surgical procedures, including: dental work, mass removals, entropion repair, amputations, and fracture repairs and advanced wound management in our Cat Hospital.
Meet our Case of the Month
Panda, a giant teddy bear of a flame point Himalayan Mix, arrived to us as an intact male.
During his intake exam, we noticed a soft, round mass attached to the muscles just behind the last rib on his right side.
Using a fine needle biopsy, we discovered there were suspicious cells, so he was scheduled for neuter with mass removal.
His neuter was routine; however, his ‘mass removal’ turned into an adventure.
We found the mass was stuck into the muscles of his belly and it went through his belly (basically half was inside his abdominal wall, the other half was outside under the muscle).
This mass was attached to his spleen inside of his abdomen.
We removed the spleen and sent it for a biopsy. The ‘mass’ turned out to be normal spleen, and not cancer.
We surmised he must have been hit by a car that tore his belly wall and his spleen became entrapped in the hernia which subsequently scared putting half where it should be and half where it should not be - outside the adomenal wall.
Panda didn’t seem to miss his spleen and has since forgiven us for his bad haircut and long incision.
In fact, he was adopted two days after the staples came out!
By Dr. Melinda Barkley, DVM, CAT Medical Director
By Milton McCrae, CAT Meow Team Donor
I have had a cat or two in my life for almost 50 years now, and we currently have three. Two of them we picked out as kittens {Jesse and Scooby} and the last one {Silvia} was a black and white stray we found on a Friday the 13th in a Tigard parking lot. Boy, did she pick the right car to walk up to that night! We looked for over a month for her owner with no luck, so we just decided to keep her.
CAT is doing so much to stop the overpopulation of cats and the needless euthanasia of perfectly healthy cats due to overcrowding at county shelters. Whenever I make it by CAT, I always visit the room with the cats who have FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). They are some of the roughest looking cats there, but if you go in and pet them for a while they just want love like any other cat. This is one of the reasons I love the Cat Adoption Team so much - they believe every cat deserves to live.
When I found out CAT was a no-kill shelter, I knew I wanted to do more. I spent time volunteering, time permitting, to help with building projects. Because my job at the time was providing my family with a pretty comfortable income, we decided to make the Meow Team part of our monthly donations. We believe we need to share what we receive.
A little money can go a long way when it’s used right, and I believe CAT does this with the money I donate to them. It was hard to have to reduce our donation back in 2009 when I lost my job, but out of every charity we donated to, we felt CAT was the most important, so we kept them.
I gave up, last year, on ever finding a new job that would pay anything like I use to make and started my own business. We were happy that in January we could take our donation amount back up to $25 a month. I know how important these monthly donations to CAT are, as they help them plan their budget throughout the year.
You may think $10 or $20 a month is not going to help a whole lot till you look at the big picture. If 100 people do this for one year it becomes $12,000 to $24,000 – and that buys a lot of cat food and kitty litter!
The McCrae family LOVES CAT, and this is why we make a monthly donation to them.
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Join the McRae’s by becomeing a Meow Team member with your monthly gift. It is automatic and secure. Sign up today.
In a metro area that prides itself on being green and renewable, Portlanders are flocking to local animal shelters to adopt their pets – the ultimate in loving repurposing! An overwhelming majority of those who responded to CAT’s online quick poll indicated they adopted their pet from CAT (45.5 percent), a humane society (23.3 percent), an animal control shelter (8.5 percent), and/or another rescue organization (15.9 percent).
We were amazed to discover this since nationally only 30 percent* of pet owners adopt from an animal shelter.
Other than adopting, most found their beloved cat as a stray (33 percent – higher than the national average of 19 percent) or through a friend (21.6 percent – a little lower than the national average of 25 percent). †
Most of the comments from respondents raved about their “fabulous experience with CAT.”
James updated us on his adoption of Rubarb from CAT back in 1999. “He was renamed ‘Smoke.’ He’s the sweetest cat in the world. Smoke is now suffering from renal failure. We are doing the best we can for him.” Everyone here thanks you, James, for giving Smoke such a long, happy life.
Another respondent shared that “we are very pleased we adopted two kittens from CAT.” And five years ago, we adopted out the “biggest, sweetest boy ever” to a lucky family.
We do want to share this testimonial about Washington County Animal Services, one of CAT’s adoption and Nine Lives cat transfer partners: “Both of my cats are from Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter. Nicer cats could not be found; just ask them.”
A common remark from survey respondents was “my cat found me.” Our favorite was “I’ve never actually had the opportunity to pick out a cat myself. They always seem to come to me in some way.”
A recent national poll of pet owners showed that 54 percent are extremely likely to adopt their next pet from an animal shelter. Many local organizations were mentioned by name in responses to our survey – what better recommendation than from another pet lover? So when it comes time to enhance your family, check out these organizations: CAT (of course), Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter, Oregon Humane Society, Salem Friends of Felines, the Florence Area Humane Society, Seattle Animal Shelter, and Kitsap Humane Society (Washington).
Here are the complete poll results:
I got my cat(s) from (multiple answers were allowed since most have multiple pets):
Cat Adoption Team 45.5%
Stray/found cat 33.0%
From friend/neighbor 21.6%
Humane society 23.3%
Animal control shelter 8.5%
Kitten from my cat’s litter 0%
Pet store 2.8%
Breeder .6%
Rescue organization 15.9%
*Associated Press-Petside.com Poll (2010)
†American Pet Products Manufacturers Pet Owner Demographics
Easter is right around the corner and bunnies are everywhere.
We thought it might be interesting discover the similarities between rabbits and cats:
•Both make great companions
•Both love to jump and play
•Both are fastidious groomers
•Both shed their fur
•Should be microchipped
•Both can suffer from hairballs
•Both live 15 years or more
•Both use a litter box
•Both do not relish getting wet
•Both should have their nails trimmed
•Both should be spayed/neutered
The Cat Adoption Team reached a huge milestone on the last day of February (Monday, February 28, 2011) when Ebony, a little black kitten, was adopted by Ted and Liz Brandon of Tigard.
When Ted came into CAT that Monday afternoon, he knew he’d be leaving with a life-long companion, just not such a notable one.
Ebony, now known as Luke, was CAT’s 25,000 adoption since opening in May 1998.
A young four-month-old Luke came to CAT in late January through the “Nine Lives Transfer” Program from Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Newport. CAT seeks out and cultivates partnerships with other shelters and organizations across the state. Through these partnerships, CAT helps reduce their feline euthanasia rates by transferring cats and kittens to CAT’s shelter for adoption. In 2010, CAT took in 1,684 cats and kittens from other animal shelters or veterinarian clinics.
Luke went home lots of toys to share with his new cat-mate, Dax, adopted from CAT in October 2010. Both of these young black kittens are enjoying being spoiled by Ted and Liz as well as Ted’s mom who crafts hand-made holiday collars for each of the kitties to wear. Soon Luke will be sporting a four-leaf clover collar only to be replaced by one with an Easter egg motif.
CAT is now looking ahead towards its next adoption milestone. “We predict our 30,000 adoption will take place in early 2012, if not before,” said Aaron Asmus, CAT’s Executive Director.
Thank you everyone who adopted from CAT over the years. Because you picked CAT for your feline friend, we were able to achieve this milestone today.
Imagine you are sitting on a bench at a lovely neighborhood park, enjoying the spring sun when you feel a tug on your pant leg. You look over and into the sad brown eyes of a little one who is all alone. He says to you, “Hi, I’m Sam and I can’t find my family. My momma always makes me carry this, but I can’t read it. I know my house has a green door. Can you help me?”
Sam adds with a little shyness, “I don’t normally go outside by myself, but it was such a pretty day.” You look at the information and know exactly where Sam lives. About five blocks away. You bend down, scoop him up, and take him home.
Wait a minute! Scoop him up?
Sam is a tabby cat, you see, a very lucky cat because he is wearing an ID tag on his collar. All of Sam’s information was there: name, phone number, and address. It was easy to get him back home to the family who had been searching all over for him. They never guessed he got that far from home.
Wouldn’t it be nice if lost pets could ask for our help?
Sadly, only 2 percent of lost cats are reunited with their families. Dogs are a little luckier (19 percent find their way back home). With over 50,000 stray cats and dogs arriving at Oregon shelters each year, that means only 500 of the 25,000 lost or stray cats make it back home.
A microchip is not enough for indoor-only cats.
Many cat owners will only microchip their cat. Consider the story of Sebastian, a beautiful black kitten adopted from a Wisconsin shelter. When he was only seven months old, Sebastian wandered off and went missing. Fast forward to November of last year when an adult stray cat was brought to the local animal shelter, where he was scanned for a microchip. After four years on the lam, he was reunited with his family. An ID tag would have gotten him home about 1,460 days sooner.
Every cat adopted from the Cat Adoption Team gets microchipped and we encourage cat owners to put a collar with an identification tag on their cat.
CAT recently surveyed our online friends about pet identification to see where what pet owners in the Portland area think. The results include dogs and cats:
When asked what form of identification their dog/cat had (multiple answers were allowed):
We then asked if their pet had ever been lost. And thankfully 73.9 percent answered “no”. However, for 26.1 percent who said their pet had been lost at some point, we queried how they got their pet back.
One of the comments received from respondents summed up why many now have their pet sporting some sort of identification:
“My cat who was lost was not wearing ID, as she was an indoor-only cat. She escaped. Lesson learned. Now all my pets are microchipped.”
Many indicated since their cats were indoor-only, they did not feel the need to put a collar with tags and/or microchip their pet cats. Some even stated that their cats would not tolerate a collar. One survey respondent explained the feeling, “my kitty won’t tolerate a collar. We’ve tried many different kinds and she manages to get out of all of them.” Luckily, she is microchipped.
A study sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States found that almost three out of four cats tolerated a collar and kept it on for six months. Most cats in the study exceeded their owners’ expectations about keeping it on – 62 percent of the cats in the study wore collars without incident.
Only 18 cats out of the 538 cats in the study (3.3 percent) had collars caught on the cat’s mouth or forelimb, or on some other object.
Here’s the clincher: the owner’s persistence was the key to the cat’s learning to wear a collar.
Linda Lord, assistant professor of veterinary preventive medicine at Ohio State University and lead author of the study, said, “A lot of people start out with the dogma that cats can’t wear collars, that they won’t tolerate them or that they’re dangerous. Now pet owners can look at this research and, if they own a cat, maybe they will now consider that they will be able to put identification on them.” Read more.
While we hope indoor cats do not get out, the fact is that they do. It just takes a door not closing or a hole in the screen. According to a lost pet study by the American Humane Association, 41 percent of the people searching for their lost cats considered them to be indoor-only pets.
“I feel so much safer when all my pets have collars with tags (and of course microchips). Even though my cats are indoor-only, animals are unpredictable and could get scared or curious and run away at any time.”
Many organizations, such as CAT, host low-cost microchip clinics during the first weekend of April as part of National Tag Day, a pet identification awareness campaign. You can also pick from a wide selection of safety and break-away cat collars at CAT’s in-shelter boutique.
Written by Kathy Covey
Cats Pick OREGON DUCKS to Win BCS National Championship
Hoping to continue their winning streak, four of our adoptable cats lined up to make their prediction for the upcoming 2011 BCS National Championship.
Poised at the goal line were colored plates with yummy cat food (the food was exactly the same on each plate). To cast their vote, the cats nibbled, licked, or gulped from one of the colored plates.
With his mind already made up, Bruiser, a big black cat, headed straight for the green plate to cast his vote for the Ducks.
Cash, a precocious youngster, decided that Auburn was his pick.
Red, a big orange tabby, thought the whole thing was just silly and turned his back on the food and the voting.
January, a lovely white gal, thought long and hard about her vote, sniffing out both teams first. She finally made a small, quick lick on the green plate. NOTE – officials had to go to instant replay to confirm that she did in fact take a lick off the green plate.
Two cats (the majority) ate from green plates—the cats predict the Oregon Ducks will win.
CAT’s cats are 100 percent accurate in their football picks having picked the Steelers to win the 2009 Superbowl and Saints in the 2010 Superbowl.
Whether you’ll admit it to your friends or not, more than half of you reading this right now will give your pet a gift this upcoming holiday season. We do this because Fluffy and Fido are a part of the family.
More families have a pet than ever before; in fact 71.4 million households have at least one. That’s over 12 percent more than a decade before. “Now more than ever, people consider pets an important part of the family and are still providing for their faithful companions even in these trying times,” reports Bob Vetere, the present of the American Pet Products Association, which surveys pet owners annual to track trends veterinary care, buying habits, and overall attitudes towards pets.
CAT’s informal online survey (conducted November 2010) revealed that 71 percent of local pets will receive a gift compared to 52 percent nationally.
While the national trend indicates more dogs than cats will get gifts, respondents of our survey are, naturally, cat owners. “We get them gifts because we love them and its fun to get them new things and watch them play with them,” commented one pet owner.
Even friends and family members get into the spirit of pet presents. Janet, who doesn’t currently have pets, always gives her sister’s dogs gifts over the holidays. Another responder chimed in that “even our friends will send gifts to our pets because we longer exchange ‘people gifts’ with each other since the holiday has gotten out of hand.”
Some local pets will receive practical items such as a new bed, collar, or even a scratch post. Most pets, however, will get a new toy. The most popular ones mentioned, in case you still need ideas, are: nyla bone, catnip mice, balls, feather wand, or stuffed animals (for those dogs who just love to tear them apart, one pet owner suggested getting them at garage sales and washing them – her dog doesn’t know they are not “new”).
Dog or cat, it looks like most will receive something new this holiday season. If you are looking for great gifts for your cat, the Cat Adoption Team’s in-shelter store has a great selection at great prices. If you are looking for a dog gift, check out the items in the lobby store at Washington County’s Bonnie L. Hays small animal shelter in Hillsboro. The best part of shopping at an animal shelter: 100 percent of the proceeds from your purchase help the animals at these shelters.
Add these fun, relaxing, adventurous or romantic things to your social schedule for the next 12 months!
Whether you’re married, dating, or just want to impress that special or potentially special him or her, here are 12 dates for two guaranteed to please:
1) Couples massage by Jennifer Helberg
2) Retreat to the Japanese Garden
3) Sightseeing cruise for two on the Portland Spirit
4) Kayaking lessons and lunch at Rose’s Restaurant
5) One night stay at the Hilton including dinner for two
6) Show tickets to Broadway Rose Theater Company
7) Glowing Greens Mini Golf Experience 59
8) Tour through the Oregon Garden and lunch at Seven Brides Taproom
9) Dinner at Wildwood Restaurant
10) Three night stay in Sunriver
11) Ice skating and lunch at Old Spaghetti Factory
12) Portland Art Museum and lunch at Higgins Restaurant
Special Thanks to Jennifer Helberg, Portland Japanese Garden, Portland Spirit, Roses Restaurant, Hilton Hotels, Broadway Rose Theater Company, Glowing Greens Miniature Golf, Mary Meyer, Lloyd Center Ice Rink, Old Spaghetti Factory, Portland Art Museum, Higgins Restaurant, Bennington Properties, Rob Barker, and Alder Creek Kayak and Hotel
Now YOU can predict the weather – alongside weatherman Andy Carson of KPTV Fox 12 Oregon. Join Andy bright and early on the set of Good Day Oregon to co-host a morning news weather segment.
Receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Fox 12 studio, an autographed photo of the KPTV team – including our emcee, Chloe Houser – and keep a free DVD of your stellar broadcast appearance!
You can continue to play weatherman (or woman) once you get home with your own weather station kit – and keep up on Andy’s accuracy!
Special Thanks to our Friends at KPTV Fox 12 Oregon
Spend a long weekend (three nights) at a fabulous Nantucket-style lakefront home with an incredible view of St. Helens.
Enjoy a weekend of family activities both in and out of the water with hiking, fishing and swimming at your fingertips.
This amazing house is 60 miles from Portland and sleeps 16 people in seven bedrooms and five baths!
Beautiful scenery and a luxurious home stocked with all the amenities will make for the perfect family or special occasion retreat.
Weekend to be mutally agreed on in 2011.
Special Thanks to Roger and Lisa Pollock; Ken Hick and Cheri Cooley-Hick
Picture yourself basking in the sun at the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort in Cabo San Lucas.
You’ll stay seven days and six nights in a junior suite at the Sunset Beach Resort, ranked among the Top 5 Mexican resorts and Top 10 resorts in the Western Hemisphere by Conde Nast magazine.
Your junior suite condo sleeps four with two queen beds in a studio setting. View the sunset from your romantic beachfront locale, visit one of six pools onsite, and enjoy a world-class spa and restaurant.
You’re within walking distance of downtown Cabo or you can take the shuttle instead. Airfare not included.
Week to be mutally agreed on in 2011.
Special Thanks to Ken Hick and Cheri Cooley-Hick
Immerse yourself and 19 friends in the sights, sounds and tastes of Yamhill Valley Vineyards, one of Oregon’s premier wineries, during this exclusive tour and dinner for 20.
Your group will learn about Yamhill’s specialty, the Pinot family of grapes, from company President Denis Burger as you travel via complimentary motor coach to the 150-acre property in McMinnville.
Once you arrive, you’ll tour the facilities under the guidance of expert winemakers before enjoying a gourmet dinner.
Wine enthusiasts, you won’t want to miss the wine tasting and storytelling from Denis that only comes with this special experience.
Date to be mutually agreed on in 2011.
Special Thanks to Denis and Elaine Burger; Ken Hick and Cheri Cooley-Hick
This hugely popular auction item is back again this year!
We have several months in the 2013 calendar up for grabs – meaning several lucky cat owners will have huge bragging rights! Three local professional pet photographers will each provide two complimentary professional photography sessions to capture the purrfect pinup of your fabulous feline.
One photo of your cat(s) will be featured in the 2013 calendar.
The photo sessions will be arranged within CAT’s production deadline and the photographers’ schedule prior to June 2011. You will be able to purchase images from the photographers and are welcome to include the entire family in the photo session.
A ‘hands-on’ experience making wine!
Work one-on-one with the winemaker at Carlton Cellars winery, home of renowned Roads End Pinot Noir, to take part in the preliminary stages of winemaking.
This unique wine lovers package for four adults includes a personal tour of the vineyard in Carlton, a complimentary bottle of our award-winning estate wine, a once-a-year opportunity to be part of the sorting line as the grapes are harvested, and a picnic lunch afterward with wine tasting in our Carlton tasting room.
Attention to detail and hand sorting make our Pinot Noir classic fruit-forward and exceptionally well balanced. come ready to have fun!!
Ripeness of grapes will determine date in September/October 2012.
Special Thanks to Robin Russell and Dave Grooters of Carlton Cellars
We surveyed you, our cat-loving friends, to find out what you thought of black cats. We had 366 responses.
Here are the unscientific results:
Many shared their experiences with black cats, see if you agree with what they wrote:
I just adopted a new black cat from CAT. She is the fourth one I have had since high school. The three previous ones were great pets and I am looking forward to enjoying my latest.
We have 3 black cats that we’ve rescued and they are full of personality and love. (This was a common theme with the cat lovers who responded.)
There isn’t anything more beautiful cat than a black cat with golden eyes.
Cats, like people, can’t be judged by their color. Each is an individual, offering his/her own unique personality. To be suspicious or wary of one by their color is to misunderstand and stereotype.
I love my black cat. He reminds me of a panther when he stalks my shoelaces.
Read more about the myths surrounding black cats.
CAT honored the hard work and dedication of its volunteers on Sunday, August 22, with an end-of-summer picnic. Volunteers work side by side with CAT staff to care for the cats. In fact, it is like CAT has double the employees with all the hours generously donated by our volunteers.
Top Volunteers Honored were:
Anne Rutledge (NW Portland) heads up CAT’s adoption center at the Hillsboro PetSmart, which means she provides care for the cats, adoption counseling, and training for volunteers.
Connie Snow (SE Portland) trains new CAT volunteers each month and manages CAT’s monthly cat food bank, which hands out over 2,000 pounds of cat food to struggling cat owners every month. Connie is also a lead volunteer at CAT’s largest fundraising event, Whisker Wonderland, held every November.
Lowry Stephensen (Hillsboro) is one of the hardest working volunteers at CAT’s shelter. He provides care for the shelter cats several days a week and can be found at CAT’s shelter early in the morning to help Spay & Save (low cost cat spay/neuter) surgery clients. He also helps out at CAT’s adoption center inside the Hillsboro PetSmart store. (Award named in honor of CAT’s Founder.)
Mary Gerlowsky (Beaverton) is always there to lend a helping hand. She has a knack for calming cats who are having a difficult time adjusting to being in a shelter, helping to make their stay at CAT enjoyable. She is also the first person clients see when they come to CAT on the weekends. She greets and helps visitors.
Sally Newton (West Linn) You know it is Friday when you see Sally at the shelter. Sally faithfully volunteers to socialize cats, help clients, mentor new volunteers, and adoption counsel on Fridays. She has a bright smile and a contagiously fun personality.
Barbara Pirk (Sherwood) is the right-hand woman of CAT’s very successful foster program. She provides excellent administrative help and is a kitten foster parent herself. Always finding room to help orphaned kittens grow to be loving cats. Barbara also shares her creative talents by hand making signs, awards, and cards.
Dana Gilbert (SW Portland) started volunteering with CAT shortly after the organization opened in 1998. She heads CAT’s adult cat foster program, which provides adult cats a home environment to heal from an illness or injury. Dana coordinates and mentors these foster volunteers as well as providing some of the adult cats a respite from the shelter in her own home. Dana is a regular at CAT’s in-shelter hospital every Friday. She provides gentle care to the cats and kittens receiving medical treatment.
On Wednesday, April 21, 2010, CAT dedicated its feline hospital to honor one of our significant benefactors, Roger James.
Over the past three years, Mr. James has given the cat only animal shelter more than a quarter of a million dollars.
On Mr. James’s 90th birthday, CAT honored his passion and love of cats by naming its in-shelter feline hospital for him. In 2002, CAT became the very first animal shelter in Oregon to install a veterinary hospital inside a shelter.
In 2008, Mr. James adopted three-year old brown tabby from CAT. Mr. James adores April and looks forward to his annual visits to CAT’s shelter to visit with other cats who are still looking for their permanent homes.
A sign honoring Mr. James hangs above the entrance to CAT’s feline hospital.
Adopting a pet from the shelter like CAT is the beginning of a rewarding, lifelong relationship.
However, there is another relationship you will need to build to give your pet a long and healthy life: a relationship with a veterinarian. For the best health, your pet should be seen by a veterinarian on an annual basis, and choosing one can be daunting. Here are several steps to choosing the right veterinarian for you and your pet.
Narrow down your search: Start with some research. Most pet owners prefer not to travel a long distance for a veterinary visit, so it is important to narrow down your choices to a few clinics in your area. A great first step is to ask friends who have pets what veterinarian they see and how they like that clinic. Staff at your local animal shelter may be able to provide some information on local clinics (note that most will avoid making recommendations since shelters work closely with several local veterinarians). Word of mouth is an important tool. Web sites to narrow down your search include: oregonvma.org, citysearch.com, yelp.com, and Google Maps. Many include customer reviews to give you an idea of how their most passionate clients feel. The highest level of accreditation a veterinary clinic can achieve is through the American Animal Hospital Association.
Call or visit the clinics: After you have narrowed down the list to a few nearby clinics, it is a good idea to call or visit each one. A good veterinary clinic should be welcoming and willing to answer questions. If you decide to stop by, check out the lobby. Is it clean? Does it smell fresh? Are you greeted immediately and does the staff seem friendly? Do the clients there seem relaxed and happy? Many clinics will even offer you a tour.
Ask questions: You might want to ask about general prices and whether estimates are presented before services are performed. Keep in mind that in the veterinary field, like in so many others, you should be careful not to choose simply based on low cost because you may be sacrificing quality of care.
Other questions to ask might be: What are the clinic hours? How many veterinarians are there at the practice? Are appointments required or are walk-in visits allowed? What forms of payment are accepted? How does the clinic handle large bills; is there a payment plan or do they use CareCredit? How are emergencies handled? Are services performed with the owner present or is the pet taken to a separate treatment area? Are records kept electronically? Does the clinic use phone, fax, or email for communication? Does the clinic perform controversial procedures like declawing of cats and tail docking of dogs? What anesthesia is used and how are pets monitored during anesthetic procedures? Is pre-anesthetic blood work always performed?
Schedule an appointment: Once you select a clinic, schedule your pet for a wellness visit and establish care with the veterinarian before a serious health issue occurs. This not only helps you decide if this is the veterinarian you want to trust if your pet becomes seriously ill, but also allows the veterinarian to see how your pet is in a healthy state.
Your first visit: When you come for your first visit, make sure that you have your cat in a carrier or your dog on a leash. Observe the clinic staff and how your pet reacts to the environment. Does your pet seem calm and at ease? (Remember, most pets are anxious in a strange environment so “calm” would be relative to how your pet handles new situations.) Is the staff friendly? Do they approach your pet slowly and handle your pet gently to reduce stress? Does the staff take your pet’s complete history and really listen to your input? Click here for some tips to help make the visit stress free for you and your cat.
Many clinics will try to reduce stress in several ways, such as by offering separate entrances for cats and dogs, minimizing waiting time in the lobby, and letting pets explore the exam room to become comfortable before starting the physical exam.
A complete physical exam includes a staff member taking your pet’s complete history. Be prepared with any previous medical records and information about your pet’s diet, bathroom habits, and any concerns you may have.
During the examination, the veterinary staff may take your pet’s temperature, pulse, and heart-rate. The doctor will examine your pet completely, including teeth, eyes, skin, ears, and abdomen. The results of this exam should be documented in your pet’s file and discussed with you, along with any concerns the veterinarian might have and plans to improve your pet’s health. If any serious issues are discovered, your veterinarian will recommend diagnostics, a follow-up visit, or refer you to a specialist. Also ask your veterinarian for a recommendation of where to go in case of an emergency, as you should always have that information on hand.
Checking out: The receptionist will explain your charges, your payment options, verify that you received all your products (food, medication, etc.), and make sure all your questions are addressed. Look carefully at the labels of any medications prescribed to ensure you understand the instructions and dosage. If any lab work was completed, find out how and when you will get the results. Many veterinary clinics will follow up with you the next day by phone.
This experience will help you decide whether a clinic is a good match for you and your pet. If your first experience is not positive, follow these steps again until you find the right veterinarian. You should have the utmost trust in your veterinarian, who is your partner in ensuring your pet has a long and healthy life.
By Daniela Iancu, Veterinarian Assistant and CAT volunteer
As humans, we count calories and carbs. We strive to take in five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits each day, while avoiding too much sugar and salt. Why? Of course we want to look good in our new jeans; yet a more pressing reason is the desire to be fit, healthy, and pain free.
While most of us spend considerable time planning meals and snacks for ourselves and our families, when it comes to our cats, we just want to open a bag or can and have the food meet all our pet’s nutritional needs. The good news is that any of a wide variety of good quality cat foods will keep most of our furry friends happy and healthy. For about 10 percent of cats overall and 5 percent of cats at Cat Adoption Team, getting the right formula of cat food is critical to maintaining optimal health, comfort, and quality of life.
When an adopter comes to CAT, they may see a notation that some cats require special diets. This is not unlike the special diets humans consume if they have diabetes, kidney disease, or allergies. Indeed, cats suffer from ailments similar to human ailments, and as with humans, diet can play an important role in improving health and limiting the progression of disease.
I became interested in special diets for cats when one of our adopted cats failed to thrive.
Meet Taco! We adopted two-year old Taco from CAT. We were immediately drawn to her cute, raccoon face and her playful ways. We have always been a multiple cat household, and Taco was our second adoption from CAT. Imagine our worry taking Taco to the veterinarian for the fifth time in the first four months. She seemed to alternate between bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Our veterinarian tried withholding food and drink, administering fluids, blood and urine tests, and antibiotics…all with limited results. On the last visit he offered two alternatives: a biopsy of Taco’s stomach or assume she was intolerant of something in her diet and try a special hypoallergenic diet. There seemed nothing to lose in trying the new foods. We went home with canned duck and a bag of special food. In the two years since that visit, Taco has been back only for routine care.
Later we were adopted by six-year old Tipper. Diagnosed last spring with urinary tract disease, he is now on a special diet to treat his condition. On this diet, he has lost a little weight, become healthy and strong, and regained his kittenish love of nipping at human toes.
Cost? Yes, special diets are more expensive than grocery store brands and only slightly more expensive than quality brands. Because these diets are very nutrient rich, I feed less of the special diets while providing my cats with all the food they want.
Seeing how well my cats responded to their new diets made me want to know more about all those special cat foods with the initials after their names. I am not a veterinarian. Much of my information has come from attending lectures, visiting the Internet, and reading in various journals. You will, of course, want to consult your own veterinarian if you think your pet may need a special food program.
Some of the conditions treated by diet or by diet in combination with medication include urinary tract disorders, kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis and joint disease, stomach and bowel disorders, diabetes, allergies and food intolerances, and obesity.
Let’s look at food allergies and intolerances. Food allergies account for about 10 percent of all allergies seen in dogs and cats. It is the third most common allergy after flea bite allergies and inhalant allergies. The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract of cats with food allergies is not well understood. What is known is that true food allergies cause symptoms similar to other cat allergies; namely itchy skin, hair loss, and excessive scratching. Food intolerances, however, can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerance in cats is similar to the upset stomach people may experience after eating too much spicy or fried food. Fortunately, both food intolerances and food allergies can be eliminated when the offending agents are removed from a cat’s diet. Food allergies and intolerances occur in cats, regardless of breed, sex, or age. The most common ages for food difficulties to occur are between 2 and 6 years old.
Diabetes is quite common in cats. Diabetes is complicated in that many organs are affected by the disease. The good news: many diabetic cats can be managed successfully with special diets alone, no insulin needed. Other diabetic cats need insulin therapy but diet therapy keeps the cat in equilibrium and prevents disease complications. With diabetic cats it is important to time your pet’s meals in relation to the administration of insulin. Your veterinarian can help you best meet your cat’s needs.
Timely detection and proactive management are your best tools in dealing with feline heart disease. By providing your cat with the nutrients shown to be beneficial in helping support heart muscle function, you are helping to slow the progression of the disease. Among the nutrients needed in a diet to treat heart disease are: arginine, taurine, potassium, magnesium, and Omega 3 fatty acids. Protein sources need to be high quality and at levels that will prevent muscle wasting. Veterinarians have both special foods and supplements to treat heart disease.
Urinary tract and kidney diseases can be managed successfully with appropriate special foods. Several different formulas are available. Some diets should be fed exclusively for the life of the cat, while others are administered for a limited period only. Again, your veterinarian’s advice is critical. Cats on special diets for urinary tract or kidney diseases must have a constant, plentiful source of fresh water, as increased fluids are necessary in the treatment. The special diets will encourage your cat to drink more.
Lastly, several common conditions not related to disease are often treated with the use of special diets. Overweight cats can thrive with reduced caloric intake by switching to special diets high in fiber. A good weight reduction formula will include enough fats to help prevent flaky skin associated with low fat diets and will be rich in vitamins and minerals. It will also contain adequate amounts of lean protein to maintain muscle mass during weight loss. Senior cats and those recovering from surgery can sometimes benefit from special foods that provide maximum calories in a highly palatable mix.
So what does all this mean to you as a cat owner or potential CAT adopter? If you have been hesitant to adopt one of the cats requiring a “special diet,” you may want to reconsider. Several large pet food producers produce top quality special diets to make life easier for cats and their owners. Your veterinarian will help you find the brand of food that is palatable to your pet while meeting specific nutritional needs. Special diet cat foods should never be fed without the express direction of your veterinarian. Some foods can be fed only for a limited period of time, while others need to be fed for the life of the cat. Cats needing special diets should be under the regular care of a knowledgeable veterinarian.
The “code” of special diets: This is a partial list and varies by manufacturer. Look for these letters below the manufacturer’s name. Most are available only from veterinarians.
A/D Maximum calorie, for seniors and cats in recovery
C/V Cardio vascular diet
K/D Renal or kidney disease
UR or S/O Urinary tract disease
I/D Intestinal diseases
DM or DCO Diabetes treatment
d/d, ha, or z/d For treatment of food allergies or intolerances
written by Fran Hunter, CAT volunteer
CAT’s logo and service mark are easily recognizable.
The sleeping cat inside the lower case word “CAT” with or without the organization’s name underneath are registered trade marks of the Cat Adoption Team in Sherwood, Oregon.
By downloading the CAT logo/mark, you agree to use it as set forth in the Logo / Service Mark Guidelines (pdf). You also agree to use the logo/mark in a positive manner and within materials that are not contrary to CAT’s life saving mission.
Except as set forth above, CAT’s mark may not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise manipulated in any manner without the express, written permission of the Cat Adoption Team.
CAT’s Logos for download (these are zipped files):
CAT full color logo (jpg) (eps)
CAT black-and-white logo (jpg) (eps)
CAT outline logo (jpg)
CAT full color Care-a-Thon logo (jpg)
CAT full color “Proud Sponsor” logo (jpg) ( eps)
Thanks to two young CAT volunteers, Girl Scouts Hannah Mortensen and Bailey Powe, a handsome lynx point named Demitri had a very happy ending to his search for a new home.
Last year, Bailey and Hannah started volunteering at CAT’s Sherwood shelter. They enjoyed socializing with the cats and identifying their unique personalities and behaviors to help match the cats with adopters.
The girls noticed that cats in one free-roam room were not attracting the attention of potential adopters. Concerned and curious, Hannah and Bailey learned these cats were separated from the other cats because they tested positive for FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), which causes feline AIDS. CAT veterinary staff explained that FIV is a retrovirus and it is closely related to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS in humans. The girls were relieved to hear that FIV was a manageable disease. In fact, FIV+ cats often live long and healthy lives with good quality nutrition and proactive preventative health practices such as teeth cleaning and prompt treatment of infection.
These young philanthropists realized that FIV+ cats were just as lovable and worthy of good homes as any other cat, if only potential adopters knew FIV was neither a death sentence nor a danger to humans. So Hannah and Bailey created a full-color brochure featuring five FIV+ cats, including photos, biographies, personality traits, and facts about FIV. They distributed the brochure in their neighborhoods, schools, and businesses in McMinnville and Forest Grove. They also posted one on the FIV+ positive free-roam room at CAT.
Demitri was one of the FIV+ cats featured. He was adopted in late March by Carla Perkins, who had been considering adopting a cat for several months. Carla and her son visited the shelter during spring break. She viewed the FIV room and saw Demitri, who she described as “lethargic and overweight.” In their brochure, Bailey and Hannah explain that Demitri should be named Garfield. He loves to eat and he has the belly to prove it. Demitri likes to be petted and brushed. When he is being loved he gives kitty kisses, it’s adorable.”
Carla and her son visited other cats in the shelter. However after the adoption counselors raved about Demitri, they returned to the FIV room and spent more time getting to know the loving, cuddling side of his personality.
Demitri may have been exposed to FIV in a cat fight while homeless. Since FIV lives in bodily fluids, it can be transmitted from the saliva of an infected cat into the blood of another cat through bite wounds and scratches. When Demitri was brought to the shelter, staff performed a blood test to detect the presence of FIV antibodies. Due to early detection in its shelter cats, CAT can provide each with good nutrition, extra-diligent health care, and separate them from the other cats to prevent the spread of the disease.
“CAT made a commitment to help cats with FIV. There is a reduced adoption fee, and the medical wellness certificate provides certain veterinary care for an adopted FIV cat for up to one year post-adoption,” explains Kristi Brooks, CAT’s Operations Manager. At some shelters, FIV+ cats face euthanasia due to the disease. CAT chooses to separate FIV+ cats from other shelter cats while they await adoption. This practice has the backing of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Carla is determined to provide the healthy life Demitri deserves, the one Hannah and Bailey envisioned for him. He still likes to eat but has lost a few pounds since moving in with Carla and her dog, Jelly Bean. Since FIV infects only cats, Jelly Bean was safe; not that he was ever worried. Jelly Bean loves to playfully goad Demitri who loves his naps. Demitri feels right at home, napping and resting on the back of the sofa, in “his” meditation chair, and on the window ledge whenever the dog will give him some peace.
All the FIV+ cats featured by Hannah and Bailey were successfully adopted as a result of their efforts.
Written by Nancy Contolini, CAT volunteer
Feline immunodeficiency virus attacks and weakens the immune system, making cats more susceptible to infections and diseases. There is no cure for FIV. Fortunately, few cats in this country carry the disease.
A personal story from CAT supporter Jolynn Winter.
A vaccine is available, yet not widely used. And there is one glitch: the vaccine interferes with testing for FIV, which checks antibodies for the virus. Once a cat is vaccinated, the cat has antibodies and testing can produce a false-positive result. Therefore, any cat who receives the vaccine will test positive for the disease even if that cat is not infected. This creates a problem when unidentified cats who have been vaccinated against FIV get lost. It also creates confusion for cat owners who aren’t told about the test’s false-positive tendency. I was one of those uninformed cat owners.
Thirteen years ago, I adopted a stray kitten and named him Deejay. As Deejay grew older, he always looked sickly; his coat was greasy, he was skinny, and his energy level was low. I took Deejay from one vet to the next. They poked and prodded my cat with hopes of finding a cause for his disheveled appearance. Several veterinarians thought he had FIV while others thought he suffered from feline leukemia, a virus that’s responsible for certain types of cancer in cats. Numerous tests always came back negative. One vet finally concluded it was simply Deejay’s genetic makeup. He likened it to a teenager who has greasy skin and a slender build. This same vet told me about a vaccine against FIV and advised that Deejay get inoculated as he was an indoor/outdoor cat. I obliged, and Deejay received the shot.
Several years later, Deejay injured his hip. When I found blood in his urine, I took him to an emergency vet who had no knowledge of his medical history. The veterinarian took one look at my cat and predicted he had FIV or feline leukemia. When I explained that Deejay had been tested for both and vaccinated against FIV, the vet convinced me that the tests should be run again. He soon came back with good and bad news. He told me Deejay did not appear to have feline leukemia, but tested positive for FIV. I was told that Deejay would surely die given his bloody urine. As a result, I was advised to euthanize him. The news was devastating to me. I loved my cat, yet I did not want Deejay to experience a painful death. As a result, I put Deejay down and buried him in my backyard.
A few weeks later, I decided it was time to look for a new kitty. The first place I searched was the Cat Adoption Team. As I was looking over the huge selection of homeless cats, I explained to the volunteer what happened to Deejay. I told her that he was vaccinated against FIV but developed the disease nonetheless. That’s when she then explained that once a cat receives the FIV vaccine, that cat will always test positive. I was told the FIV vaccine creates problems for shelters because it’s difficult to determine whether those cats actually suffer from the disease or have been inoculated against it. She explained that microchipping will not only help reunite a family with their lost cat, it will help prevent their lost (FIV vaccinated) cat from being accidently euthanized at a shelter.
While FIV is not curable, it is treatable. Many cats who are diagnosed with the disease can live long and happy lives. For more information on FIV and the risks involved with the vaccine, consult your veterinarian.
If you have your cat vaccinated against FIV, please also get a microchip and put identification on your cat. Even if he is an indoor only cat, there is always that slight chance he might get out. Identification and a microchip will help ensure he finds his way home.
On January 30, at approximately 11 am, Executive Director Aaron Asmus drew the winner of CAT’s annual Big Screen TV Raffle.
CAT sold 550 tickets for 42 inch HDTV between December 26 and January 30.
Congratulations go to Janet Floren of Newberg.
Some of the Cat Adoption Team’s felines watched the NFL playoffs with great interest. These catty fans were cat calling across the shelter as teams fell by the wayside after the regular season.
Today (January 30), however, 4 felines at CAT decided it was time to take things into their own paws and determine once and for all which team would reign supreme on February 7. Cats can be impatient, you see, they wanted to know now who would win the Super Bowl!
Cosmo, Jorge, Splash, and Lucky Jones used their superior predictive powers to choose the winner and as an outward expression of their opinion, they picked their favorite team by eating from a team color bowl. (Blue for Colts / Black for Saints)
While the Jorge sniffed the Blue bowl before deciding on the Black/Saints bowl, Lucky, Splash, and Cosmo all headed right for the Black/Saints bowl. The results were tabulated and the winner is very clear:
The Cat Adoption Team’s feline football fanatics predict that the New Orleans Saints will win the 44th annual Super Bowl held on Sunday, February 7, 2010.
No one knows what events caused this sweet-tempered cat to seek shelter under the hood of a Portland car one day in April 2009. After the rescuer realized his engine had caused serious burns on her back, he brought her to the Northwest Veterinary Specialist. The hospital staff contacted CAT’s Hospital Manager Ed Pashkin. CAT is well known as a facility that routinely treats strays with serious medical conditions.
CAT’s veterinary director Dr. Wendi Rekers, Ed, and the hospital staff’s first welcoming gesture was to name their new patient Burnadette, a sure sign that she was going to be not only OK but very well taken care of and guided back to a healthy secure life. The skin on her back was thoroughly examined for characteristic thermal burn signs of blisters, redness, and pain and this led to a diagnosis of a second degree burn covering an area measuring six centimeters by eight centimeters.
The degree of a burn describes how deep the actual wound is. First degree burns are superficial, affecting only the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). Second degree burns affect a deeper layer of the skin (the dermis), which is the location of most nerve endings and sweat glands.
Luckily for Burnadette, her deepest skin layer, the fat layer, which includes actual nerves and blood vessels, was not affected. Since all burns are serious and considered emergencies, everyone involved with Burnadette’s case was aware that without immediate care she was susceptible to infection, dehydration and shock.
During the course of Burnadette’s diagnosis and treatment, CAT Hospital staff were surprised by her good natured acceptance of being handled during medical procedures. She was given the “Meet Your Match” designation “sidekick” because of her obvious enjoyment of human company.
Three days after diagnosis, surgery was performed to remove the burned skin layers and to close the healthy skin layers over the damaged area.
Since the skin is the body’s first line of defense, all precautions for sterility had to be taken to prevent infection including a 14-day course of antibiotics. Second degree burns like Burnadette’s heal well because new skin can grow from the dermis.
Ed considers Burnadette one of his favorite patients. He was amazed that she was not emotionally scarred by her experience. She was always ready to have her cheeks rubbed and her head available for petting. Her even tempered, sweet personality made treating her a pleasure.
Burnadette, the sleek yellow-eyed black cat, was adopted in August 2009 by Liz Pysar of Portland, who read Burnadette’s story at CAT’s web site. Liz wanted to adopt a second cat as a companion for her male cat, Mr. Furley. After one day at home, Burnadette was relaxed and comfortable. Liz finds CAT’s designation of “sidekick” fits her perfectly. She follows her around the house and is curious about everything around her. She’s Liz’s steady companion and good company for Mr. Furley. Burnadette enjoys sitting in the window where her curiosity about the outdoors leads Liz to believe that she might have been an outdoor cat. Although a small scar is the only visible remnant of her physical trauma.
written by Nancy Contolini, CAT volunteer
Your dating dilemma is solved! No more worries about where to go or what to do! We’ve put together the ultimate “12 Dates” package to take the time and trouble out of deciding on a fun date. Whether you’re married, dating, or just want to impress that cute him or her, here are 12 dates for two guaranteed to please:
1) Kayaking lessons
2) Tickets to Portland Baroque Orchestra
3) A walking tour of Portland
4) OMSI tickets, including admission, the Blueback Submarine, and an Omnimax show
5) Blazers tickets to the Portland vs. Mavericks game March 25
6) $50 to Tony’s Starlight Lounge
7) Picnic Basket from Elephant’s Deli
8) Ice skating at the Lloyd Center ice rink
9) Wine, chocolate and a movie rental - get creative with this one!
10) $100 to several Portland restaurants, including the Chart House and Portland City Grill
11) $50 to Curious Comedy Theater
12) Cinammon Bear Cruise on the Portland Spirit
Special Thanks to Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, Curious Comedy Theater, Lloyd Center Ice Rink, OregonLive.com, Portland Walking Tours, The Portland Spirit, Tony’s Starlight Lounge
Get set to wine and dine the night away in high style at our Third Annual Winemaker Dinner
Carlton Cellars, a premium artisan Willamette Valley winery, invite you to enjoy their award-winning Pinots at an exclusive winemakers’ dinner at Navarre, voted Portland’s Best Restaurant of the Year in 2009 by The Oregonian. Chef John Taboada will personally prepare your five-course meal, perfectly paired with handcrafted Pinots poured just for you by vintners Dave Grooters and Robin Russell.
Be among the fifty fortunate foodies (and CAT lovers) who will raise their bid numbers to partake of this unique dining experience on Saturday, February 18, 2012, for $125 per person.
Navarre stands out as much for Chef Taboada’s close partnership with Portland’s ultra-local 47th Avenue Farm as for the integrity of its culinary vision. “In a city that prides itself on local and sustainable,” notes The Oregonian, “no one embraces the philosophy more completely.” Look forward to an exceptional dining experience drawing from the traditions of France, Italy, and Spain.
Carlton Cellars will pour its phenomenal estate wine, Cape Lookout Oregon Pinot Noir, and its celebrated Roads End Oregon Pinot Noir, sought after since 2001 by critics and connoisseurs alike. These long, lush, perfectly balanced Pinots have garnered acclaim from Wine Spectator magazine, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and the Portland Indie Wine Festival, among others. This year, the inaugural Oregon Wine Awards gave Roads End 2007 a Gold Award for Consensus Best in Class, and Cape Lookout 2007 a Vintners’ Honor Outstanding Wine Award.
Special Thanks to Navarre and Carlton Cellars
Back by popular demand! Win a coveted slot for your cat in CAT’s 2011 “Pin Up Cats” Calendar.
Think vintage World War II type sepia or hand colored black and white portraits. Your glamour cat’s photo will be taken by professionals who are donating their time and talents in their own studios.
Get ready to bid fast on this one and reserve a month for your fabulous feline.
You know your cat will thank you in headbutts and purrs!
The Alluring Allison Inn & A Big Balloon!
Can’t swing a vacation this year but trying to organize an awesome STAYcation instead?
Well we can help with that! Start your STAYcation with an over night at The Allison Inn and Spa. Your Night of Wine and Roses package begins with champagne. Enjoy dinner at the JORY signature restaurant and end your evening with a luxury bath experience of essential oils, rose petals, tea light candles, bubbles galore, and a singe red rose.
Wake up the next morning ready for your balloon ride at dawn so you can watch the sun rise while soaring over the Willamette Valley.
Enjoy breathtaking views as you float over the valley and take in the morning scenery.
You depart from Sportsman Airpark in Newberg, and when you return there will be a catered brunch to commemorate the excursion.
This is an amazing flight like this doesn’t happen everyday, so take this opportunity to do something new and truly awe inspiring.
Special Thanks to Vista Balloons and Clarinda Hanson White.
Spend the day tasting some of the best local wines, without having to do any of the work!
This amazing package includes pick up service from your home in the Portland/Vancouver area, a day spent traveling to five wineries in the Newberg/Dundee Hills area for tasting, and return service to your home. This amazing tour is for up to eight adults and will surely be a hit!
No need to plan for anything as you will be provided a wine connoisseur to accompany you for the day.
Eight hours of beautiful scenery, wine tasting, and a safe ride home, what could be better?
Tasting for eight at Coeur de Terre and Ankeny Vineyard Winery.
Special Thanks to: Speeds Towing, Coeur de Terre Vineyard, Ankeny Vineyard Winery
Beachcombing at its best!
You’ll enjoy four days and three nights (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) at the Inn at Otter Crest on the Central Oregon Coast.
This cozy one-bedroom, two-bath condo with a queen sleeper in the living room accommodates four comfortably and has a partial ocean view.
Besides beachcombing and exploring the tide pools, you can walk through the woods to the Devil’s Punchbowl, visit the famed Beverly Beach, and savor the chowder at Mo’s. You’re just minutes from Newport to the south and Lincoln City and Depot Bay to the north, so more to do is close at hand.
Available year-round; dates to be arranged with donor. No pets or smoking, please.
Special Thanks to Barbara & Heiner Pirk
With so many opinions about black cats, it must not be easy to be one. So many bad luck myths to debunk and some outrageous good luck theories to live up to.
Just Google folklore surrounding black cats and you are bombarded with entries containing both good and evil mythology around the color of a cat’s coat. While there may not be a difference between a black cat and a tabby, behavior wise, there does seem to be some mystical differences.
When you look at all the black cats in animal shelters, you’d surmise they were the most unlucky of creatures. Overlooked in favor of their orange neighbor, last of the litter chosen, passed over for the more visible white cat—they make up the largest segment of CAT’s shelter population. In 2010, CAT found homes for 2,771 cats and kittens of all colors and ages. Of those, 875 were black or mostly black cats – approximately 34 percent of all the cats adopted last year.
CAT staffers and volunteers are befuddled why black cats are overlooked when they are the friendliest of all the cats in the shelter. CAT’s black felines are routinely described as laid back, friendly, and more social.
According to ScienCentral.com, the seemingly common black fur is actually a quite recessive gene. That means a black cat must carry two copies of the black fur gene to, indeed, be black. Talk about luck! So all of you who have and love black cats, consider yourself fortunate to be in the presence of such a genetic marvel, the black cat!
Eleven years ago, a self-confirmed “dog person” found a soft spot in his heart for an elderly cat and went on to found the Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Since then, Evan Kalik has helped save over 20,800 cats and kittens in the Portland area. On October 8, CAT honored Kalik by dedicating the Sherwood building, which houses the CAT shelter, in his name.
Kalik wanted to start small when he opened the doors of the Cat Adoption Team in a corner of the industrial building he built for his sons’ business back in May 1998. Ten cats quickly grew to 60. Today, CAT houses about 250 cats onsite and hundreds more in foster care and 11 outreach locations in the Portland area.
Kalik’s impact on both people and cats is widespread throughout the state, and many past and present CAT staff and volunteers can recall stories that epitomize his commitment. “Evan is my source of inspiration. Through example, he taught me a deeper compassion for people experiencing tough times,” says CAT"s intake coordinator, Cindy Morrison, who works with the public every day to offer advice and solutions to cat owners who call CAT looking for help.
“Evan’s passion for rescuing and saving lives has no bounds,” says Judy Brown, a long-time CAT volunteer. “It didn’t matter where he had to drive to or how much the medical care would cost him. If a cat was in need, Evan was there.”
Mary Stiles, a former CAT volunteer, says, “Evan always had time to help no matter how late or how tired he was.” Mary recalls working along side Evan when a young woman brought an injured kitten to CAT. The kitten had fallen from a second floor balcony, had a broken neck, and tested positive for FIV (the feline version of HIV). This was before CAT had its in-shelter veterinary hospital, so Evan had to find a local veterinarian willing to look after this little broken kitten. But he did. “She recovered and CAT found her a wonderful home. They even love her funny walk!” Mary recalls.
Using Kalik’s guiding philosophy of doing whatever it takes to save a life, CAT is a shelter with a long list of accomplishments:
“From the moment I met Evan [in December 1998], I knew he was the guardian angle for cats. Those cats who made it to CAT were the lucky ones, they were safe,” remembers Andrea Patrick, who worked at CAT as a veterinarian assistant until 2008. “I admire and respect Evan for his determined vision of what is best for the cats.”
And volunteer Bob Anderson, who still comes to CAT several morning a week to clean and feed the cats, remembers, with a laugh, back in early 1999 when, “I walked in the main kennel area one Saturday morning and there was Evan giving medications to some of the kittens. I remember Evan saying to me, and he was really exasperated, ‘Bob, I am only trying to help these kitties, why are they giving me such a hard time?’” Anyone who has tried to give a kitten a pill will understand Evan’s frustration.
Until 2004, when CAT officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization was funded through the Kalik Foundation. In early 2007, Kalik deeded the SW Galbreath Drive building to CAT, saving the shelter the more than $1 million purchase price. CAT is responsible for monthly mortgage payments.
CAT hosted a Hawaiian Luau themed celebration for its volunteers on Sunday, August 30, to thank them all for the hard work and loving devotion they each give to the cats and kittens. (View photos here)
CAT presented these top volunteer recognition awards:
(voted on by the volunteers)
Angie Britton is the Coordinator of CAT’s adoption outreach center at the Tanasbourne PetSmart, where she monitors the health of the cats on site, coordinates the volunteers working there, counsels potential adopters, and positively represents CAT to the public.
Kathy Strom trains new CAT volunteers, teaches volunteers a Cat 101 class, and mentors new adoption counselors. You’ll see her at practically every CAT event and at the shelter every Sunday with a huge smile as she helps clients find the right cat for them.
Barbara Padden has been with CAT since 2001 and done practically every volunteer job imaginable to help the kitties. She designed CAT’s system for filing adoption paperwork and currently works with a group of volunteers to keep it all organized.
Marcia Guerin is known as one of the hardest working volunteers at CAT. She fosters kittens, provides care to the cats at CAT’s adoption center at the Wilsonville PetSmart, represents CAT at many local events, picks up donated food for the Cat Food Bank, and is generally the first volunteer to respond when there is a unique volunteer opportunity
(selected by CAT Staff)
Ray Zak. If it’s Wednesday, you’ll find Ray at CAT quietly and expertly taking care of any and all maintenance issues. One CAT staffer recently remarked that if it weren’t for Ray, the shelter would probably be falling down. Well, that may not be exactly true, but Ray does take care of all those little nuisance maintenance issues. He repairs broken locks, replaces light switches, hangs shelves and banners, installs doors, and so much more.
Dalma Franulovic not only makes great suggestions, she’s right there carrying them out. When she’s not helping folks find their perfect kitty at the Tualatin PetSmart, she might be deep cleaning a cat room at the shelter to get all the walls and corners perfectly clean. She also conducts the Meet Your Match feline assessments, which is the first step at CAT for a kitty to find a new home. And she opens her home to adult cats needing time away from the shelter to heal from illness or injury.
(for the most volunteer hours)
Barbara Pirk is another CAT volunteer who is at the shelter so much, you’d think she were paid staff. Barbara is the right-hand woman of CAT’s very successful foster program, performing many of the administrative duties essential for keeping the program running so well. Barbara also shares her creative talents by hand making signs, awards, cards, and other things CAT uses to promote programs in the community.
Linda Thomas took home her first litter of foster kittens in 2006 and has not slowed down since. She opens her heart and home to dozens of kittens and cats throughout the year, providing them a safe place to grow or heal until they can be adopted. She also mentors other CAT foster volunteers, giving them support and encouragement. There is no “empty” nest at Linda’s house!
CAT is pleased to announce its 20,000th adoption.
Little Allure, a 10-week old adorable female kitten, was No. 20,000!
She found her way into the heart of Carol Snider, of Lake Oswego, and her family on Monday, June 22, at 2:30 pm.
CAT’s 10,000th adoption took place in April 2006; eight years after CAT opened its doors. The fact that CAT’s 20,000th adoption is just a little over three years since that first achievement, is a testament to the community support of this no-kill, feline-only suburban shelter.
“The Cat Adoption Team has seen phenomenal adoption growth over the past 11 years. In 1998, when CAT was founded, 219 cats were adopted. Just last year, CAT found homes for 3,250 cats and kittens. This is a 1,179 percent increase in just 11 years,” remarks Aaron Asmus, Executive Director of the Cat Adoption Team.
CAT’s staff celebrated the adoption with confetti and joy. The Qadan-Snider family received an overflowing gift basket and a free adoption in honor of this milestone adoption.
Little Allure, who may be renamed to Jasmine, left in a luxurious pink cat-carrier satchel. Already the object of great affection of her new family.
Download the 2011 sponsorship information.
Donate items for the auction.
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Lamm Photography: Award-Winning Portraits of People, Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals by Kathi Lamm, Master Photographer
Serving Portland Oregon and the Vancouver Area
Geoff Peterson: Videographer
Dave Bourne: Voice Talent
Robert Ewing: Pianist
Benefits 360 Auctions and auctioneer Johnna Wells
Chloe Houser: Emcee
Melanie Belshee: Graphic Designer
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Meet Kleinfelter, a very rare cat indeed. You see, Kleinfelter is a male tortoiseshell – a coloration almost exclusively female. About 1 in every 3,000 tortoiseshells or calico cats is born male.
Kleinfelter, just 7 months old, is affectionate, loves to be scratched behind his ears, purrs readily, and has one black and one tan black leg - making his coloring even more unique. He was adopted on Wednesday, April 8.
Read more about Kleinfelter and male torties (pdf).
CAT sends out a monthly electronic newsletter that keeps you up to date with CAT news.
December 2011: Make CAT Purr as 2011 fades away…. with your donation
December 2011: Meowy Holidays
November 2011: CAT Thrift Store
October 2011: treat for you and kitty
September 2011: Are you prepared for disaster?
August 2011: Admit your happy month!
July 2011: Who will watch your cat while you are vacation?
June 2011: No Father’s Day for Male Cats
May 2011: includes details on National Hairball Awareness Day
April 2011: asks if cats “bink”
March 2011: includes story about our 25,000 adoption
August 2010 e-Tail
July 2010 e-Tails
Visit this page often to find new Cat Fun to brighten your day.
This proves cats adopted from CAT are entertaining while they work for a living - Blaze demonstrating how to clean a mirror
Piano playing cat - Nora
Living in harmony - kitty and deer
Working out - cats on the treadmill
Dinner time with Simon’s cat
Sleeping in with Simon’s cat
An engineer’s guide to cats
Cat Adoption Team alum, Clara, plays fetch
The art of cat stalking
These links are provided for your enjoyment. The contents of external websites are beyond CAT’s control. CAT accepts listings to these web pages complementary to its mission statement and reserves the right to refuse or remove any listings that are not in line with CAT’s mission.
We have a new night - Saturday! And we will be joined by KPDX’s Chloe Houser as emcee this year.
We have a new way to bid - www.portland.hilton.com to make your room reservation now.
Thank you Whisker Sponsors and Donors
Cat Adoption Team felines decide to determine what team will win the 43rd annual Super Bowl. Sir Thomas, Tanner, Fudgecicle, and Shamika used their superior predictive powers to choose the winner and as an outward expression of their opinion, they picked their favorite team by eating from a team color bowl.
Hunger won out in the end. Sir Thomas ran to the gold Steeler’s bowl and wolfed down his pick; Tanner was thoughtful as he decided to nibble from the gold Steeler’s bowl as well; and Shamika after a moment of contemplation also choose to dine from the gold Steeler’s bowl.
Fudgecicle was still upset that the Raven’s did not make the game and turned her back on the whole affair.
The results were tabulated and the winner is very clear:
The Cat Adoption Team’s feline football fanatics predict that the Pittsburgh Steelers will win the 43rd annual Super Bowl held on Sunday, February 1, 2009, in Tampa Bay.
Let’s get started! The 5k steps off around 6:50 pm on Friday, August 13, from Sherwood High School.
Read the RunOregon blog and the Cat’s Meow blog to learn more about local running and kitty news.
Even with April showers this month, we have a goal for you to reach so you can build your endurance when we launch the daily training plan in May.
Make it a goal by the end of April to run 1.5 miles continuously.
To reach this goal alternate running and walking 3 times a week.
Run for 5 minutes then walk for 5 minutes. Repeat two times if you can.
Gradually increase the amount of time you run each week by 2.5 minutes and decrease the walk time by a minute.
By the end of the month you should be able to run a continuous 1.5 miles.
It is March, and that means that we have longer days and warmer temps. Yes, it’s still raining, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep our training on track!
Walkers: Last month we built up to 25 minutes of walking with 15 minutes of fast walking. This month, we are taking another small step towards being healthy and strong by adding some core exercises to our routine.
Walk for 25 minutes twice a week, and build up to 30 minutes three times a week if possible over the month. When you are done with your walking workout, take about ten minutes to stretch and strengthen your core (see below).
Runners: Last month we built up to running for one or two minutes at a time. That is awesome! That would likely get you half way around the track or even further!
This month, continue to SLOWLY build up until you can run for five minutes at a time. This is not about speed, this is about teaching your body to keep moving. Often times, going slower will help you achieve this goal. Don’t worry about how fast you are going ... instead focus on finding a pace that you can run and feel good with!
You might accomplish this by adding twenty seconds to your running spurts every time you go for a workout. By the end of two weeks, if you run twice per week, you will have added a minute and 20 seconds on to your run time!
Here’s an example routine:
Week 1: Walk to warm up for five minutes. Run for 2 1/2 minutes. Walk until your heart rate and breathing return to normal and run for another 2 1/2 minutes. Do this until you have completed four running pieces, then walk to cool down. And don’t forget to stretch!
Week 2: Remember your 5 minute warm up! Then try to run for 3 minutes. Rest in between each running spurt. Do four cycles and then cool down.
Week 3: Same thing, but build up to running for 4 minutes and some change. It is important to listen to your body. It may take you longer to get to running 5 minutes; but 5 minutes will get you close to a half mile at most paces ... so remember to take it easy!
Again, don’t worry about the resting time in between running. If this is easy for you, you can add more extra time on each week, but don’t increase it by more than 30 percent. This will help you stay injury free!
Core strength is another way to work on your running:
Core strengthening is very important for walkers and runners. As you walk or run, you are asking your body to stay aligned and using your stomach and back muscles to keep you steady. If those muscles are not strong, you end up using your hip and butt muscles, which can lead to soreness.
Start out by laying on the floor and stretching. Then, bring both feet up so they are flat on the floor and your knees are up in the air. Place your hands behind your neck and do some slow crunches. Breathe out as you curl up and blow the air out as you roll back to the ground. For a bigger challenge, put a salad plate on your stomach and try to keep it flat while you crunch up. Start out with four sets of five and work your way up to four sets of ten. In between sets, stretch out and let your breathing and heart rate return to normal.
There are many exercises you can learn by working with a personal trainer or pilates instructor. A place to check out is Carlee Gehrke of Massage in Motion, who offers 30-minute private pilates sessions for only $15! You can reach her at (503) 200-0557.
Some other ways to prepare for your race:
1. Pick out a reward that you will enjoy at the end of the month if you complete 80 percent of your planned workouts.
2. Take a bunch of bananas or a bag of apples to your office and snack on those instead of leftover chocolates from Valentine’s Day.
First, make sure that you are in good enough health to start exercising. If you are new to exercising, talk to your doctor. If you are feeling under the weather, wait until you feel healthy again to exercise.
Walkers: Walk for 20 minutes at one time. At least 10 minutes of the 20, walk “with a purpose” to get your heart moving! Do this twice a week for two weeks. Then increase the time walking to 25 minutes with at least 15 minutes of faster walking. Again walking twice a week for two weeks. A 20 minute walk at an average pace will get you at least one mile!
Runners: Try a walk/run program to start off with. Start out by walking to warm up. Then jog—slowly—for just 30 seconds to one minute. Then, walk again for four minutes. Continue at this pace until you complete four walk/run cycles. Hit the pavement two or three times per week, depending on how you feel. Then, the next two weeks, try to run for one minute to two minutes at a time and walk for three or four minutes. It’s important that you don’t start running/jogging until you feel your breathing returning to normal.
It might be difficult for the first two weeks, so start as slow as you need to. By the end of the month, you should have no trouble keeping up a fast walking pace for a full mile or jogging for about a half mile without taking a walk break!
Here are some other things you can change to help yourself succeed during your 5k training:
1. Spend extra snuggle time with your favorite kitty. Spending time with pets helps reduce stress levels and will remind you why you’re training for the CATnip Friday 5k!
2. Replace a regular beverage, such as a soda or extra cup of coffee, with a glass of water each day.
3. Read the RunOregon blog and the Cat’s Meow blog to learn more about local running and kitty news.
Get ready for Portland’s ONLY benefit 5K run/walk that raises money specifically for homeless kitties.
Benefits CAT
Friday, August 12, 2011
Venue opens at 5 pm for check in and warm up
5k fun run/walk steps off at 7 pm
Timed street mile for serious runners
In Sherwood, OR (starts and ends at Sherwood High School Track)
All details at catnipfriday5k.org
Print out the poster: 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17
Orange tabby, brown tabby, silver tabby, grey, white, black, black and white, calico, tortoiseshell…there are so many to choose from!
Any adopter who spends even a few minutes at the Cat Adoption Team looking for a new feline companion ponders, “How in the world do I choose one?”
On any given day, there are hundreds of cats, of all different ages, sizes, colors, and personalities, in the shelter to choose from. How do you find the “one” who is right for you?
We are dedicated to making the best possible match between felines and adopters. CAT is proud to announce the implementation of “Meet Your Match™ Feline-ality™” for all cats nine months and older. CAT is the only animal shelter in the greater Portland-metro area using this program.
This new, research-based program developed by the American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a proven success rate in shelters across the country where they experienced increased adoptions, decreased returns, and shortened length of stay for cats in the shelter. Everything CAT is striving for.
Sounds perfect; how does it work?
The program is built around the Feline-ality™ Assessment that reliably predicts how an individual cat is likely to behave in his/her new home. CAT administers eight specific assessments that tell us a lot about each cat. A cat’s feline-ality is determined by her:
Adopters then complete a short Meet Your Match™ Cat Adopter Survey identifying preferences, expectations, and lifestyle — 19 questions about your lifestyle and how you envision your cat fitting in to your family. These questions correlate with specific Feline-alities, resulting in a harmonious match with a well-suited feline companion.
Your results will tell what your “color” is—green, orange, or purple.
From there it is broken down a bit more to get the quirky categories:
When you’re ready to adopt your next cat, come down to CAT and Meet Your Match!
Check out The Oregonian’s story about CAT’s Meet Your Match program.
On Friday, November 7, CAT hosted its annual silent/live auction fundraiser - Whisker Wonderland - at the Melody Ballroom. This year auction goers were whisked away to an Arabian Night featuring glowing lanterns, flowing fabric décor and a Middle Eastern buffet. (All photos are by Kathi Lamm. Have Kathi take your family’s holiday photo. She specializes in pet photography.)
Whisker Wonderland 2008 Raises More Than $91,000 for CAT!
CAT’s 5th annual Whisker Wonderland dinner and auction brought in more than $91,000 for the shelter’s programs. A heartfelt thank you to our 250 guests, who bid generously on both silent and live auction items. The staff and volunteers at CAT send their deepest thanks to the many generous sponsors and donors who were key to the event’s success. Please join us in thanking them by patronizing their businesses when you can.
Click here to view the 2008 Whisker Wonderland Sponsor page.
Click here to view the 2008 Whisker Wonderland Donors.
GOOD NEWS! Cats are living longer. Advances in nutrition, health care, and owner nurturing are moving the life expectancy from 3 to 8 years in 1930 to a long 15 to 17 years now. And it is not surprising to hear of cats living into their 20s.
The pet food industry now formulates food for senior cats (generally 7 years or older). Some may not agree that our 10 year old cats are seniors as we watch them rambunctiously play; however, we all see a decrease in activity and increase in a cat’s favorite pastime of sleeping as they age.
Cat age more rapidly than humans. A kitten reaching the end of his/her first year would, if a human, be asking for a driver’s permit (equivalent age of 15 human years) and when your feline friend reaches the mature age of six, he/she will be experiencing the big “4-0” (equivalent age of 40 human years). If pet food manufacturers ran retirement plans, every human over 44 years would be eligible since most pet foods classify a seven-year-old cat as a senior (7 feline years is equivalent to 44 human years). Click here for complete chart.
November is “National Adopt a Senior Pet Month,” a great time to consider adopting a senior pet, the health concerns for an aging feline, and the extraordinary compassion cat owners are providing to comfort their older cats.
Bob C. adopted Annabelle when she was 10. She is now 15 and, as Bob points out, “still thinks she’s a kitten.” Annabelle is taking an inhaled steroid for Asthma. She’s had cancer tumors removed and is dealing with tooth loss and dental disease that set in before she was adopted. “She’s a loving cat and delights in lap time.”
Commander Grey became a part of the family when Anita Y. rescued him as a stray. At 16, he now has developed hyperthyroidism. Anita gives him medication twice a day. “He is still very loving and energetic,” she reports; adding, “Just a few weeks ago, I found out he is in the early stages of kidney disease. I know this will eventually end his life but with all the love and companionship he’s given my family, he is worth the extra effort to medicate.”
When describing Peanut, her 14-year-old cat, Karen S. claims “he has always been a gentle, sweet cat. As he ages, he has become more affectionate and ‘clingy’.” Recently, Peanut was diagnosed with thyroid problems that are being controlled with medication. “He also has minor arthritis in his front legs so we have ‘cat steps’ to help him get up and down easily.”
Kate is 20 and has become “so much more companionable these last few years.” Shari P. reminds us all that the commitment we made to our cats when they were younger just grows stronger as they get older. “Love and acceptance” are the key. Kate takes medication for blood pressure and thyroid. She is also experiencing kidney problems and drinks more water. Her advanced age makes treatment more difficult so a less invasive path is being taken. “She is amazingly happy and we love her to pieces,” states Shari.
Dharma is just about 15 yrs old. “She’s been with us through thick and thin. She watched over me most 2½ yrs ago, as I was recovering from my second hip replacement. She refused to leave my side during that time and guarded over me on the rented hospital bedside table the whole time,” remembers Charlotte N. She’s had her own medical problems. She was diagnosed with “Mega-Colon” about 8 years ago and bravely faced visits to the vet, and takes the necessary oral medications needed to maintain her health. “What I love about a senior cat is that we’ve shared so much of a lifetime together. We have a history. We know and trust one another,” comments Charlotte. Dharma is somewhat arthritic now, and can’t jump high anymore. “She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s getting a heating pad for her birthday. Shhh. Don’t tell her.”
Rest and Relaxation Awaits You on the Mendocino Coast
For an idyllic retreat on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast, Stevenswood Spa Resort rates accolades. Contemporary, secluded, and only two hours from Napa, this tranquil inn offers a gracious respite from the daily whirl.
Enjoy a four-night stay for two, including daily breakfast, daily resort fee, a $75 spa gift certificate, and complimentary limousine transportation within 10 miles of this AAA 4-diamond rated resort. This package includes round-trip coach class service for two on American Airlines!
Nestled in a forest by the sea, the intimate lodge echoes the natural beauty of its rural setting. Here guests are pampered with comfort, privacy, and peace, and indulged in gracious service and superlative cuisine.
Each room contains a wood-burning fireplace, private baths, cordless phones/speaker phones and a fully stocked honor bar. A private botanical garden, Jacuzzi spas, and landscaped grounds enhance the breathtaking setting, with a backdrop of Redwood groves and ocean meadows.
“Adopt” a Star for that Special Someone
Maybe you’ve adopted a cat from CAT. Now you can “adopt” a star! The International Star Registry has a multitude of gift packages for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays – you name it.
Imagine looking up at the sky and saying “Honey, there’s your star!”
It’s possible with this package, which includes a beautiful 12” x 16” parchment certificate with the name of your designated recipient, dedication date, and telescopic coordinates of the star.
You’ll also receive an informative booklet with charts of the constellations plus a larger, more detailed chart with the star you name encircled in red.
International Star Registry has been naming stars since 1979 for celebrities, dignitaries, and individuals worldwide. Because these star names are copyrighted with their telescopic coordinates in the book, “Your Place in the Cosmos,” future generations may identify the star name in the directory and, using a telescope, locate the actual star in the sky.
It’s the perfect way to say “I Love You!”
Discover One of the Best Kept Secrets in Florida!
Enjoy a sunrise overlooking Tampa Bay and a picture-perfect sunset over the Gulf of Mexico – all from the deck of this cozy Florida townhome during your weeklong stay.
Located on the Dolphin Dance North side of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach, Florida, your abode is an impressive 2-bedroom, 1½-half bath unit with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
You can plan your visit during the months of May, October, or November 2009, with the exception of Thanksgiving week.
This spacious townhome unit will sleep six with a queen size bed, two twin beds and a sofa bed. Savor the sunsets from the large palladium windows overlooking the beach. Extras include washer, dryer, VCR, DVD, and microwave.
On Anna Maria Island, there are no lines except the ones you draw in the sand…meaning miles of pristine beaches, award-winning restaurants, and of course shopping.
Get the private island feel while discovering one of Florida’s ideal places to relax and get away from it all!
Special Thanks to Craig and Alejandra Kalik
See Portland’s Own Emergency Vet/ICU Hospital in Action
Our pets always have a place to go - day or night - when they need top-quality medical care, thanks to our friends at DoveLewis 24-Hour Emergency & ICU Animal Hospital.
Do you ever wonder what exactly goes on at DoveLewis?
Two lucky adults will get a unique opportunity to find out during an overnight experience at DoveLewis’ state-of-the-art facility in Northwest Portland. Our lucky guests will observe staff and learn more about emergency and ICU care for animals.
This is a chance for you or a friend/family member to go behind the scenes at Portland’s only non-profit emergency vet hospital, one of the best of its kind in the country.
Includes a DoveLewis embroidered scrub top for you to keep and wear during your overnight observation.
Special Thanks to DoveLewis 24-Hour Emergency & ICU Animal Hospital
Blazers Fans, This One’s For You!
Greg Ogden is finally playing…and you’ll have a bird’s eye view of him and the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers from your own private Rose Garden suite for 22!
Make it a night to remember while you entertain friends, family, or business associates in VIP style with stadium seating and tables overlooking all the action on the court, plus a private restroom.
We’ve thrown in a $250 gift certificate to help you stock your suite with catered refreshments. Soft drinks are provided.
Four VIP parking passes included!
Game date to be determined.
Special Thanks to Connie Snow, Erika Johnston, and Kelly Lang
Up, up, and away! Grab your binoculars and get ready to drift over breathtaking vineyards and mountains on this great hot air balloon adventure.
Before you launch, you’ll have your choice of refreshing cold beverages and enjoy a traditional toast in honor of your flight.
Once you’re aloft, make it a hands-on experience by helping the crew or just sit back with your video camera. However you experience it, a hot air balloon flight over Yamhill County’s beautiful wine country is a one-of-a-kind experience!
Your post-flight celebration includes sparkling wine or cider, the “Balloonist’s Prayer,” and a brunch in casual elegance.
This hot air balloon adventure for 2 people begins in Sherwood.
Flight season is April 1-November 1. Launch time is at dawn weekdays. Reservations are required. Valid through November 2009.
Special Thanks to Roger Anderson of Vista Balloons
Sneak Away to the Inn at Otter Crest
Beach-combing at its best!
You’ll enjoy four days and three nights (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) at the Inn at Otter Crest on the Central Oregon Coast.
This cozy 1-bedroom, 2-bath condo with a queen sleeper in the living room accommodates four comfortably and has a partial ocean view.
Besides beach-combing and exploring the tide pools, you can walk through the woods to the Devil’s Punchbowl, visit the famed Beverly Beach, and savor the chowder at Mo’s.
You’re just minutes from Newport to the south and Lincoln City and Depot Bay to the north, so more to do is close at hand.
Available year-round; dates to be arranged with donor. Sorry, no pets.
Special Thanks to Barbara & Heiner Pirk
Six-Hour Mini Bus Wine Tour
Experience Oregon’s wine country in luxury during this six-hour wine bus tour courtesy of Pacific Cascade Towncar and Speed’s Towing.
Up to 10 people will visit four of Oregon’s finest wineries in the comfort of a luxury towncar outfitted with all the amenities!
Every tour is designed with your satisfaction in mind. There are literally 80 wineries within a 50-mile radius of Portland, and Pacific Cascade offers a variety of tasting experiences to please every palate. If you have favorite wineries, tasting preferences or desire barrel tasting, with a little lead time they can make it happen for you and your group!
Special Thanks to Pacific Cascade Towncar and Speed’s Towing
Take a Trip Back in Time to German Inn & Castle
Take yourself back to Midieval Times with this 4-night stay in a double room at the beautiful Kauzenburg Hotel in the heart of Germany’s Rhine Valley. Your trip includes daily breakfasts at the hotel and dinner for two at the Knight’s Table in a 13th century German castle adjacent to the hotel. You’ll experience how the knights partook of their evening meals deep in the belly of the castle – complete with traditional entertainment.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe, this romantic spot is the perfect place to start, especially if you purchase Lufthansa’s nonstop flight to Frankfurt.
This is a fabulous location from which to explore the Rhine and its castles, vineyards and other attractions. The hotel and castle are about 30 miles from Ramstein, which is the largest American military base in Europe, and serves as the U.S. Air Force headquarters in Europe.
To give you an idea of what to expect at the Knight’s Table, read on:
Special Thanks to Gunnar Wagner
A garden should be a place of solace and relaxation.
Let professional landscaper Susan Klages, of Black Cat Landscaping, create a garden space unique to you and your home.
Choose between an eco-friendly garden with native Northwest flora or a traditional Japanese-styled garden.
Or maybe an edible garden with herbs and spices is more your style.
Susan will customize the garden to your heart’s desire after extensive consultation with you and an analysis of your space.
Special thanks to Susan Klages
Enjoy some good clean feline fun:
Little Italy in Hood River
Just one hour from Portland, yet you will feel like you are a world away in Tuscany instead of on the Columbia River!
Spend four days and three nights just five miles from downtown Hood River in the foothills of the sleepy town of Mosier. Imagine sipping a lemonade or glass of wine on a huge deck overlooking the vineyards and orchards at sunset or star gazing at the spectacular night sky.
Enjoy your Hood River vacation in this newly completed, custom, energy-efficient home (naturally cool in the summer and warm in the winter) that sleeps six comfortably.
The heated floors, solid wood doors, stone countertops in the gourmet kitchen, wood fireplace, marble showers and venetian plaster, and hand-painted armoires will make you feel like you’re in an Italian villa with all of the modern conveniences.
This Columbia Gorge vacation home is situated on 11 acres with views of our own Sangiovese vineyard as well as surrounding vineyards, flower farm, and cherry orchards.
There is a seasonal creek that flows through the property and brings a variety of wildlife – elk, deer, bunnies, mink, lynx, to name a few!
Expiration Date: November 2010
Special Thanks to Britta and Shawn Bavaresco
The Cat Adoption Team depends on the generosity of our supporters to make the Whisker Wonderland benefit auction a huge success.
No auction item donation is too small or too large.
With over 250 community members attending this year’s Whisker Wonderland, we want to have something for everyone: from travel, entertainment, and wine packages to practical things such as home improvement, health and beauty, all types of services, and cat-related items.
•Do you have a vacation home or timeshare? Trips to places near and far are always popular.
•Do you know someone famous? Maybe you can arrange lunch with them.
•Do you have a line on tickets to a concert or show?
•Can you arrange a stay in a downtown hotel or get a gift certificate from a great restaurant?
•How about a unique item (artwork, a collector’s edition) you’re willing to part with? It may just be someone else’s new treasure.
•We want to go green this year! Do you have anything to contribute to an eco-friendly package?
Print and use this Auction Donation form.
If you have an item you’d like to donate, please contact Kim Christiansen, CAT’s Development Manager, at (503) 925-8903, ext 257, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
14175 SW Galbreath Drive.Sherwood, OR 97140.(503) 925-8903..(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
