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I know all of you are going to love our
re-vamped “As The Fur Flies”! Many thanks to Jeffrey Qualls and
Cathy Clarke for their countless hours in developing its new
look and content. Be sure to let them know what you think and
what you’d like to see in it. This newsletter is for you!
Kitten season 2006 has not only officially started but has
jumped into high gear. Did you know that the majority of the
kittens in our foster system came from feral and stray mothers?
They generally tame quickly when they are very young and are
placed into permanent, caring homes through our adoption
program. Have you ever seen a 4 to 5 week old kitten hiss? It’s
so cute. I might add that earning these kittens’ trust is an
extremely rewarding experience. Perhaps you’d like to become a
guardian angel to a litter of youngsters? I promise, it’ll make
your summer season complete! Just let Mary Ann Means know if you
are interested. A wonderful experience awaits!
Since we’re talking about kitten season, it means it’s also
‘feral season’ (this is not an accurate statement since it’s
always ‘feral season’ in Texas but it also kicks into high gear
this time of year). Perhaps you’d like to help some of the
voiceless cats living on the street but are not comfortable
trapping? The good news is that you can! Team Feral always needs
assistance responding to the folks who call and e-mail us for
help with feral cats. This is a very rewarding experience as it
allows you to offer a healthier, happier life to loads of cats
on the streets…without even leaving your house! If you’re
interested, contact Pam
Asturias. She can introduce you to a wonderful experience!
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A few thank-you notes we have recently received:
"Hi just wanted to say thank-you for all your help in getting my eight
cats neutered and spayed. This was a great blessing for me to find out
about Feral Friends. Thanks again for all your help. B”
"I'd like to thank Feral Friends for the assistance you provided in
helping me control and minimize the litters of kittens I was
experiencing. R"
"Keep up the good work! T & F"
"Thanks again for your help. He came through surgery fine and has been
released back on the property. R" |
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Name |
Foster |
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Andy |
Jamie Crumley |
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Annabelle |
Peggy Atkerson |
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Annie |
Stephani Ding |
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Bella 1 |
James Craig |
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Bella 2 |
Sue Gile |
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Bumper |
Peggy Atkerson |
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Butterfly |
Karen Chapman |
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Buttons |
Jennifer Hamada |
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Casey |
Jamie Crumley |
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Chewy |
Lyn Hurbanis |
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Coco |
Jenene Justice |
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Curious George |
Shannon Krakosky |
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Dan Dee |
Susan Kilgore |
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Daphne |
Jamie Crumley |
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Dickens |
Jamie Crumley |
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Dust Bunny |
Susan Kilgore |
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Elara |
David Josephsen |
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Ellie |
Shirley Bragg |
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Erin |
James Craig |
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Fuzz Ball |
Alicia Meeks |
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Ganymede |
David Josephsen |
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Greg |
Susan Kilgore |
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Heidi |
Peggy Atkerson |
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Helen |
Susan Kilgore |
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Ian |
James Craig |
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Jack 1 |
Susan Williams |
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Jack 2 |
Lyn Hurbanis |
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JiJi |
Pamela Asturias |
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Jill |
Lyn Hurbanis |
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Katy 1 |
Jamie Crumley |
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Katy 2 |
Rhonda Cox |
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Kit Kat |
Elise Bissell |
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Kofi |
Stacy Moreau |
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Lola |
Jenene Justice |
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Louie |
Jennifer Hamada |
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Lucky |
James Craig |
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Maria |
Sue Gile |
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Marshall Dillon |
Stephani Ding |
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Monster |
Jennifer Hamada |
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Oliver |
Karen Chapman |
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Orange Crush |
Shannon Krakosky |
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Pandora |
David Josephsen |
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Precious |
Mary Lou Sheehan |
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Pumpkin |
Jamie Crumley |
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Punk'n Boy |
Susan Kilgore |
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Rhea |
David Josephsen |
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Richie |
Peggy Atkerson |
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Shamus |
James Craig |
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Sheeba |
Jennifer Hamada |
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Shy Di |
Shannon Krakosky |
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Sophie |
Lisa Gassman |
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Susie |
Rhonda Cox |
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Tempe |
Stacy Moreau |
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Thomas |
Jamie Crumley |
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Tigger |
Jamie Crumley |
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Tom |
Rhonda Cox |
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Winston |
James Craig |
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Wishbone |
Jennifer Cody |
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Total ferals since inception – 4,620
Total kitten births prevented – 7,238,543
Total ferals May 2005-2006 – 1,208
Total ferals since Jan. 1, 2006 - 538 |
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| Successful recoveries in 2005: 22 |
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Feline First Aid Kit
Here are some suggested items:
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Standard Rectal Thermometer
Tweezers
Scissors
Needle nosed pliers
Penlight flashlight
Tongue Depressors
Q tips
Cotton balls
Vaseline
Roll of cotton batting
2 1 inch rolls of adhesive tape
1 2 inch rolls of adhesive tape
2 inch roll of gauze wrap
3 inch roll of gauze wrap
1 dozen sterile small gauze pads
1 dozen sterile large gauze pads
Ace bandage
Clean cloth or handkerchief (pressure bandage)
Bottle of hydrogen Peroxide
Bottle of rubbing alcohol
Bottle of Kaopectate
Bottle of Milk Of Magnesia
Tube of sterile 5% Boric acid or plain base opthamalic eye ointment
Small bottle of mineral oil
Styptic pencil or powder
Bar of soap or bottle of phisoderm/Betadine scrub
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Keep your pets indoor or safely confined within a secure, fenced in area
This is possibly the most important advice you can follow to ensure the safety of your pet. When pets are allowed to roam outside, they are at risk of falling victim to traffic, theft and attacks by other animals or people. Reluctant pet owners sometimes justify the fact that their dog or cat is allowed to remain outdoors by claiming that they live in low-traffic areas, or areas without a large population of predatory wildlife - however the reality is that if they are outside in an unconfined area, they are at risk.
Every year, thousands of animals are shot or poisoned in their own neighborhoods, often by a neighbor who was unhappy about the animal being on their property. To compound the heartache of having a beloved pet injured or killed, in many of these situations the shooter is never prosecuted because the animal was trespassing on their land - in fact, in cases where the animal is a dog, the pet owner often receives a summons for their dog being off-leash.
In addition to falling prey to a disgruntled neighbor, your pet faces the possibility of being stolen when they are not within the confines of your home. Contrary to popular belief, purebred animals are not the only victims of pet theft. Mixed breed animals are often stolen and sold to research laboratories or used as "bait" by people who are training dogs to fight.
When your pets are safe at home with you, you prevent these sorts of tragedies from occurring. If you remain unconvinced, take a look at some of the things that happen to animals when they are permitted to run loose in the neighborhood.
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Make sure your pet has an ID tag or is microchipped
If you have an indoor cat or dog, you may be thinking, "Oh, my pet
never goes outside". The fact is, pets sometimes escape, so even
your indoor pets need ID tags. These are easily obtained online, and
many pet stores have machines where you can make them on the spot
for about $6. There are even some places that offer them for free.
While microchipping is an excellent idea, we strongly recommend ID tags in addition to the microchip. If a neighbor finds your pet, they likely do not have a microchip reader, and they will be unable to contact you directly. Additionally, an animal roaming the neighborhood without ID tags may be assumed to be a stray, making it a more appealing target for malicious humans who are looking for easy prey.
Without identification, it is nearly impossible to reunite people with their pets in the event that they get lost - and if your pet winds up at the pound, that ID tag could save its life.
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Make educated decisions about who has contact with your pets
If you are looking for a new vet, groomer, pet-sitter or kennel - be sure to check them out before leaving your animal in their care. Ask for references - and check them. Be sure to check their name in the Pet-Abuse.Com database to be sure they do not have prior charges of animal cruelty.
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