Arms full of love

The picture shows the happy ending, but it was work, luck and perhaps divine intervention to get there!

My friends D & S from work were looking for a friendly, "working" cat that preferred to live outside at their rural home to keep the littlest varmints at bay. Their outdoor cat of many years had recently died of cancer and this time they wanted to get a pair to keep other company. I immediately started asking around, but couldn't find just the right pair. D&S also went looking but hadn't found the right pair either.

I had taken a spur-of-the-moment vacation day last week and decided to take my Golden Valley Animal Humane Society feline foster family (Calliope and the May flowers) in for a routine check-up. While I was waiting there, a couple came in with two cats carriers bearing a mom cat who was a calico (that looked astonishingly like my Calliope) and her big kittens. I heard the woman explain that while she fostered for Golden Valley, this cat was a neighborhood stray that she took in and raised her kittens on her own. The kittens were ready for adoption, but she couldn't keep mom and couldn't bear to just put her out again. She said the cat would really prefer to live outdoors.

I jumped up and offered to take her for my friends. I couldn't reach them, so I had to pray it would work out. The woman cried she was so happy and we exchanged information. Turned out we lived near each other. My friends called as I was driving home and they would stop by after work to pick up the cat. She was called Squeekers for her funny meow.

Here's where it really gets interesting. My friends had already offered to take in some orphaned kittens from an acquaintance who had been bottlefeeding them. I told them that Squeekers had just weaned her batch of kittens, but was extremely maternal, according to her rescuer. I thought she might just take over care of those little kittens.

Well, as you can see in the photo. They are one big happy family now. Squeekers has a new name, Pebbles, and she is scheduled for her spay surgery in about a week. She is taking great care of the kittens and will teach them all they need to know. They have a cat door to come and go from the garage where they have a beautiful cat shelter that's heated in the winter. Until the kittens are older and Pebbles has had her surgery, they are just staying in the garage and the cars stay outside.

Since D&S's indoor cats are elderly now, they have not had kittens around in 15 years and are really enjoying the young family. Happy ending for Pebbles, the kittens, the two sets of rescuers, my friends and me. I was glad I was there to help put it together.

Animals need help in flooded areas

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other
resources for animal victims. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

RELIEF GLOBAL
6/15/08: IOWA FLOOD: Emergency Volunteers Needed
KINSHIP CIRCLE is working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Veterinary Response
Coordinator, Mark Shearer, and Iowa State Veterinarian David Schmitt. We
have been asked to coordinate out-of-state volunteers at key counties where
flooding has occurred or is anticipated. Anyone willing to deploy must be
flexible and realize we have no control over how floods proceed.

TO VOLUNTEER:
1. RESPOND TO: kinshipcircle@accessus.net -OR-
pawsitivedirections@yahoo.com (DO NOT SEND YOUR INFO TO BOTH)

YOUR NAME:
PHONE NUMBER (cell you'll have with you):
FULL PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
BRIEF, COUPLE SENTENCES RE: YOUR ANIMAL DISASTER AID EXPERIENCE:
DATES YOU CAN BE IN IOWA NEXT WEEK:


2. YOU MUST CONTACT ON-GROUND ORGANIZER IN IOWA, LISTED BELOW, BEFORE SHOWING UP.

DO NOT CONTACT THEM UNTIL YOUR ARRIVAL DATE IS FIRM
They can answer questions about specific driving directions to staging area.


3. PRINT OUT ALL CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS IN THIS EMAIL.

Have them with you in Iowa and be prepared to "float" from site to site.
They are fairly close-by and emergencies are expected.



'This is our version of Katrina,' Iowa residents say. Cedar Rapids:
Firefighter Jeremy Wagner saves a cat from a flooded attic on 6/13/08.
http://www.newser.com/article/D91A1F880.html

At least 24,000 evacuations so far
83 of Iowa's 99 counties are declared disaster zones


==================================================================
1. VOLUNTEER NOW: Johnson County Fairgrounds
==================================================================

CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN when your travel plans are firm: 319-621-3274
-- Staging area for evacuated Iowa City Shelter animals + flood rescues/drop-offs
-- Could need volunteers up to 3 WEEKS from today (6/14), depending upon floods.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
Johnson County Fairgrounds; 4265 Oakcrest Hill Road; Iowa City, Iowa 52246

VOLUNTEERS:
-- Indoor area to sleep + cooking facility at Johnson County Fairgrounds.
-- Recommended bring sleeping bags or pads (they might get cots).
-- Can bring a tent, but not mandatory.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FROM CEDAR RAPIDS AIRPORT:
CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN to find alternate routes to road closures: 319-621-3274

COMING FROM NORTH
From CR airport, get on Hwy 380 south
380 just south of I-80 turns into Hwy 218
Exit on Riverside Drive (rt) and will be traveling north
Johnson County Fairgrounds is 1/4 mile on left side of road

COMING FROM WEST
Take I-80 to Hwy 218
Exit on Riverside Drive (rt) and will be traveling north
Johnson County Fairgrounds is 1/4 mile on left side of road

COMING FROM EAST
I-80 between Iowa City and Tipton is washed over

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN BE IN IOWA WEEK OF JUNE 16:
CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN + REPORT TO FAIRGROUNDS: 319-621-3274


Cedar Rapids, Iowa: A rescue worker brings a dog to dry land after rescuing
him and his owner from their home 6/12/08. Getty Images

SUPPLY NEEDS AT THIS TIME:
Large, collapsible dog crates * Large wire dog crates
Small cat litter pans * Cat toys
Vaccine (dog and cat)
Ceramic bowls (prefer large rodent food bowls for cat food/water)
C/D cat food * I/D dog food
Leather gloves * Shampoo

SEND SUPPLIES TO:
DROP-OFF: Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds, BARN #1
Contact Misha Goodman, if you intend to deliver supplies: 319-621-3274
MAIL: Johnson County Agricultural Association
4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE; Iowa City, IA 52246
MARK PACKAGE: Iowa City Animal Shelter, Misha Goodman

SEND MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
DONATE ONLINE OR BY MAIL:
http://www.facf.org/support/
Friends of the Animal Center Foundation
(Support group for Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center)
PO Box 1345; Iowa City, Iowa 52244
ph: 319-887-6083; email: info@facf.org

==================================================================
2. VOUNTEER: Washington, Iowa Staging Area
==================================================================

GROUND CONTACT IS AMBER TALBOTT: 319-461-9708, 319-653-6713
-- DO NOT CONTACT HER YET. Bring her phone numbers with you to Iowa.
-- She is setting up a staging area at WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
-- ANTICIPATED: Overflow of animals from Columbus Junction (18 miles east
of Washington), where a levee broke.
-- ANTICIPATED: Animals from Oakville (44 miles east of Washington) and Fredonia.
-- Columbus Junction, Oakville and Fredonia have been evacuated. Latter two
towns are only accessible by boat and under National Guard protection. We
have conflicting reports that evacuees were ordered to release animals.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS 30 MILES SOUTH OF IOWA CITY (#1 in this alert):
-- Be prepared to MOVE from staging area in Johnson County to Washington County Fairgrounds.
-- Have a working cell phone with you.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR VOLUNTEERS WHEN/IF STAGING AREA IS OFFICIAL:
PAWS & More Animal Shelter
1004 1/2 West Madison Street; Washington, Iowa 52353
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: http://www.pawsandmore.petfinder.com

VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN BE IN IOWA WEEK OF JUNE 16:
-- CONTACT MISHA GOODMAN + REPORT TO JOHNSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: 319-621-3274
-- BE ON STANDBY TO MOVE TO WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS:
AMBER TALBOTT, 319-461-9708


Brandon Smith carries his cats Fry and Bender to dry land from their flooded
home 6/11/08. Getty Images. Evacuations ordered in Columbus Junction,
Fredonia: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/19944364.html

==================================================================
3. VOLUNTEER: Lee County Fairgrounds
==================================================================

PRE-STAGING AREA IN DONNELLSON, IOWA – WHERE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO CREST
-- THIS STAGING AREA IS NOT YET SET-UP. Iowa Ag Dept. officials are
assessing flood course and ANTICIPATE heavy flooding here.
-- Donnelson, Iowa is on the southern border, near Missouri.

-- IF ALREADY IN IOWA, you may check about needs at this potential staging area
by contacting Rich Crook: 435-689-1162
-- Please DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT call Rich on the ground unless you are
already in Iowa on standby to move to these expected emergency zones.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR POTENIAL LEE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS STAGING AREA:
Hwy. 218, Lee County Fairgrounds
(North edge of Donnellson, Iowa, on Highway 218)
City: Fort Madison, Iowa
http://www.leecountyfairiowa.com

==================================================================
4. Possible Volunteers Needed Week Of June 23
==================================================================

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, EQUINE CENTER
-- Overflow staging area for CEDAR RAPIDS ANIMAL CONTROL
-- UAN/EARS and HSUS are already here. DO NOT NEED VOLUNTEERS WEEK OF 6/17.
** May need volunteers following WEEK OF JUNE 23. **
-- I am in touch with head coordinator there and will keep you posted.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS + ADDRESS FOR MONETARY DONATIONS:
Kirkwood Foundation
C/O Friends Of Cedar Rapids Shelters
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW; Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406

http://www.iowaequestrian.com/directions
From I-380, take Exit 13 and go East to Kirkwood Blvd. Then turn left and go
North until 76th Ave. and turn right.

==================================================================
5. NEWS: Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter Evacuated
==================================================================


Cats await transport from evacuated Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter..

ANIMAL SHELTER EVACUATED:
http://www.kcrg.com/younews/19883114.html
6/13/08: The evacuation of the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter began around
1:30pm Wednesday (6/11). Staff had been boated in for days previously by the
CR Fire Department to care for the animals... Volunteers were alerted and
streamed down the only road left to access the area laden with carriers. At
this time, cats were brought by boat to a raised piece of road where trucks
waited to take them the rest of the way through a channel of water crossing
the road. From there they were put in a stock trailer and transported to KCC
who had offered their beef cattle barn as a make-shift shelter.

Next came the small dogs. With 27 big dogs left to bring out, the fire
department decided that the water crossing the road was too deep for animal
control trucks to drive through safely. Hearts sank with the fear that
animals would be left behind, but...CRFD and CRAS staff new it was time to
get creative. The rest of the dogs were boated out through a neighboring
farm field that was now part of the river. It was slow going even with 3
boats operating non-stop as the larger dogs had to be brought out virtually
one by one so as not to cause an incident between two animals...

==================================================================
6. NEWS: Indiana Flood Dogs "Pour" Into Wisconsin
==================================================================


Indiana flood survivors arrive at Wisconsin Humane Society for baths, kisses and comfort.

WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY - DOGS FROM FLOODED AREAS IN INDIANA:
http://www.wihumane.org/news/default.aspx
Forty canine flood victims arrived this week at the Wisconsin Humane Society
from areas in Indiana. Due to heavy storms, Indiana shelters have been
inundated with victims displaced by the flooding. Some shelters are
surrounded by flooded streets that have become impassable, as well.

ADOPTIONS:
Like all the dogs at WHS, the puppies will be vaccinated, microchipped and
sterilized... As soon as they are ready, they will be featured on our
adoptable dogs web page: http://www.wihumane.org/animals/dogs.aspx

==================================================================
7. NEWS: Indiana/Help Morgan County Humane
==================================================================

UPDATE - 6/14/08, INDIANA FLOODS:
http://www.mchumanesoc.org/
Monetary donations are needed for veterinary costs, medication, and grooming
of animals that are displaced due to Indiana flooding.

DONATE TO MORGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:
ONLINE: http://www.mchumanesoc.org
BY MAIL: Morgan County Humane Society
690 West Mitchell Ave.; Martinsville, IN 46151

==================================================================


Action Campaigns I Literature I Animal Disaster Aid Networking
info@kinshipcircle.org or kinshipcircle@accessus.net
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

PLEASE DONATE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE (It's tax-deductible):
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

UNSUBSCRIBE:
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit "FORWARD"
* Enter kinshipcircle@accessus.net
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

SUBSCRIBE:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: kinshipcircle@accessus.net
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alert

Foster homes needed for dogs

Please pass this information along to anyone you know who might be able to help.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Mike Fry [mailto:mikefry@animalarkshelter.org]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 11:35 PM
To: Animal Ark
Subject: Foster Homes/Rescue Support Needed


Hi all,


Animal Ark has been asked to assist in the rescue of about 33 dogs and puppies from a bad situation in southwestern Minnesota. Though specifics about the dogs are a bit sketchy, they appear to be smaller mixes of hunting hounds and other breeds. Some of the adult dogs are reported to be mixes of the bully breeds.


The residents of the property need to be gone from this property in 7 days, meaning there is very little time to find placement for these very needy dogs and puppies. Other than being very thin, they are reported to be in reasonably good heath and well socialized with other animals and people.


Animal Ark is willing to provide all of the needed veterinary care for these dogs. We are also willing to provide transport, triage and other urgent care at the time the animals are taken from the property. We are asking any other shelters/rescues for help. This is yet another wonderful opportunity for us to all work together to help with an important cause.


It is not yet certain, but it appears that transport could happen as early as this weekend. No doubt a series emails will go out to this group with additional details at a later date.


Any organizations accepting custody of any of these animals will be expected to ensure they will not destroy the dogs, unless they are terminally ill or seriously dangerous.


For more information about how you can help, please contact Mary Salter at (612) 849-9681.


I have attached a photo of some of the animals, so that you can get a sense of what the situation is. . .


Veterinarians say the dogs they have seen have climbed in their laps and were very social.
--
Mike Fry
Executive Director of Animal Ark
Co-Host of Animal Wise Radio
http://www.animalarkshelter.org
http://www.animalwiseradio.com
(651) 772-8983 (Shelter)
(612) 590-1868 (Direct)
Animal Wise Radio Comment Line: (888) 668-0687 (Toll Free)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Mike Fry [mailto:mikefry@animalarkshelter.org]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 9:41 AM
To: Animal Ark
Subject: Foster Homes Needed - More Info


Last night I sent an email indicated that foster homes were needed for about 33 dogs being rescued from southern MN.


Well, this morning, I have a little more information for those who would like to help:


First, it is important to state that, since the animals have not officially been released, this is all pending that occurring. However, it appears probable that can happen as early as this weekend.


Catherine Witzel has already received 8 of the animals. At least 4 of these will be arriving at Animal Ark this weekend. She has made arrangements for temporary care for 4 others. Yea! 8 down, only 25 to go!


Not a lot of detail is known about the dogs. We do, however, believe they have been living together as a group and that most of the dogs are well socialized. The puppies are older puppies (6 months +) and are very social.


Since all of our organizations are probably full, a plea for foster homes is in order? Are other groups willing to send out a plea to their supporters asking for foster homes? If you do not want to take on these animals as fosters into your own programs, can you refer people to Animal Ark?


Our foster application is here:


https://www.animalarkshelter.org/animal/AnimalArk.nsf/Adoption+Application?OpenForm


In either case, Animal Ark is willing to provide free vet care for all of the dogs, including vaccinations, spay/neuter, and any other issue they need.


Additionally, Chuck and Don's is offering supplies for foster families willing to take on one of these dogs.


--
Mike Fry
Executive Director of Animal Ark
Co-Host of Animal Wise Radio
http://www.animalarkshelter.org
http://www.animalwiseradio.com
(651) 772-8983 (Shelter)
(612) 590-1868 (Direct)
Animal Wise Radio Comment Line: (888) 668-0687 (Toll Free)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Mary Salter [mailto:marys@animalarkshelter.org]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 8:57 PM
Subject:


Hello Everyone,
Animal Ark has stepped up to help out in a situation in which is in dire need! We need to move 25 dogs and 8 puppies (about 6 months old - so not little pups) in a matter of 7 days!! Most of the adult dogs are very thin, but other than that, they are apparently in good health. We are willing to take on all of the medical care needed for these dogs - including the spay/neuter surgeries eventually (as we can fit them into our weekly surgery schedule).

What we need is a couple of things - we need a few people who are willing and able to help us transport and handle dogs on either Saturday or Sunday of this week - I need to figure out if our vet is available and when - and if I can find enough drivers for our vehicles (or if volunteers are able to transport in their own vehicles?) and when. We also need to house these dogs somewhere and our kennels are full. The dogs are in Worthington, MN and I don't have an exact location as to this time - I just was in on a conference call in which we discussed helping with this situation a few moments ago. I can keep you updated as I receive information. Some photos of dogs we will be taking are attached.

Please let me know if you can help in anyway!
Thank you,
Mary Salter

Calliope's kittens at 4 weeks.

My foster kittens are growing fast and having fun! They get time out of the bathtub now and think it is a great place to explore. I'm calling this group of pretty girls, the May flowers.

Petunia is the black & white tuxedo. She is the most alert and adventurous.

Pansy is the "dalmation"; it's fairly unusual to see a mostly white cat with distinct black spots. She's very playful and often rolled over on her back.

Poppy is the siamese kitten. She's a bit of a mystery from this calico mom, but her markings are clearer all the time.

Midwest Animal Advocacy Conference 2008

Their Lives, Our Voices
Midwest Animal Advocacy Conference 2008

Their Lives, Our Voices 2008 seeks to bring together individuals from across the region for a hands-on, high-quality conference focused on helping animals. Our goal is to make the conference as inclusive and accessible as possible for both new and veteran activists in the Midwest region, with a focus on farmed animal advocacy efforts. We want to enable as much attendee participation and networking as possible, so we're hoping you can come and make this a great event.

This conference is being organized by Compassionate Action for Animals, an animal advocacy organization based in Minneapolis, MN.

The conference will take place Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Conference Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Registration
Registration is still available. The cost is $80 for the general public and $40 for students.
More details about the conference.