Free Feral Cat Clinic, Sat. Feb. 27th at the CASPCA

THOUGHTS OF A FERAL

I sit beneath the bushes

As she fills my dish each day,

I only venture out to eat

When she has gone away,

I know it will upset her

When I turn away and hide,

As every day she tries her best

To get me by her side.

I wish that I could let her know

That I don’t want to run,

And hope that she will understand

It’s nothing that SHE’S done.

I’d like to have her stroke me

And pat my weary head,

But fear will overcome

And I’ll run and hide instead.

For all the kindly people

Who feed the strays each day,

I pray the Lord will care for them

As they have cared for me.

Dedicated by the author to all the kind and

Caring people who give the lonely ferals a little

care, a little love, and a little hope.

-Annette Easdon

The 11th annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival on Sat., Sept. 29, 2007

The Eleventh Annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival
Celebrating a Healthy Lifestyle!
Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 11 am to 4 pm, at Charlottesville's Lee Park on East Market Street (one block from the historic Downtown Mall district).
The Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival is FREE and is coordinated entirely by volunteers.
The festival draws 100 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors every year.
This FREE, outdoor celebration of a healthy and humane lifestyle, organized by Voices for Animals, brings together diverse individuals and organizations who want to make the planet a more healthy, sustainable, and compassionate place for all to inhabit and enjoy.
The festival includes delicious, FREE vegan food samples, restaurant booths, compassionate-living exhibitors, nonprofit and educational organizations, a dog and cat Adoption Fair, a Kids' Patch for children, fun-raising activities supporting the projects of Voices for Animals, and much more!

Adoption Fair - The Dog and Cat Adoption Fair brings together local animal shelters and sanctuaries with some of their dogs and cats who need loving homes!

The following animal shelters, sanctuaries, and animal-related businesses are participating in the 2007 Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival:

All Miniature Pinscher Service (AMPS)
Chains Hurt
Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA
Green Springs Humane Society
Humane Society/SPCA of Nelson County
Pet Rescue Foundation, Inc.
VFA Pet Acquainted area

Happy 50th Birthday to Sharon

All the Purrin' cats and Purrin' volunteers would like to wish Sharon a Very Happy 50th Birthday. Sharon has been a long-time volunteer for the CASPCA Rummage Sale and a volunteer for Purrin' at Pantops, and she is a very hard worker.

SAMMY WAS ADOPTED INTO A WONDERFUL HOME.

It took a while, but I am very happy to report that Sammy was adopted into a very loving home today, Sat., Jan. 6, 2007. We are all so happy for Sammy. Snuggles was adopted on Nov. 2, 2006, but Sammy was still with us until today. Sammy is very intelligent and knows his name. He also knows when you point to his cage that he is supposed to jump in for the night. We will miss him, but we are so glad for Sammy.
This is Sammy
Sammy
Tiger
Size: Medium
Age: Adult
Gender: Male
ID: 19370
Notes: Sammy is a beautiful, gray tiger with striking golden eyes. His expressions are very amusing as he always seems to be smiling and “thinking” mischievous thoughts. Sammy loves to be petted, stroked and have his back and belly scratched. He’s not crazy about being picked up or held but will tolerate it briefly once he gets to know you. He much prefers that you sit near him and pet him. Sammy is very playful with his roommate, Jasmine. (She has grown to like him, too.) He loves to play chase and leap-frog with her. They are quite a pair together. He would be best in a home with another cat to keep him company and children old enough to know not to force him to be held. Sammy would not like that. He’s a real character! And a wonderful cat.
This is Snuggles
This is Sammy and Snuggles

Sammy & Snuggles had been adopted previously, but were returned.

HOW TO GIVE A CAT A PILL. FUNNY STORY.

DISCLAIMER: This story is only meant to be funny, and it is not the way to give a pill to a cat.

Please do not try this.

It is just meant to be funny.

Thank you.

Bonnie

How To Give A Cat A Pill

If you have ever tried to give a cat a pill, you know
how difficult it is.
The following instructions are "fool proof" and funny!

1. Pick up the cat and cradle cat in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from under chair. Cradle catin left arm and repeat process. 3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away. 4. Take a new pill from foil wrap. Cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pillto back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10. 5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between the knees. Holding front and rear paws, ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make a note to buy a new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set aside for gluing later. 8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from beneath spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down straw. 9. Check label to make sure that pill is not harmful to humans. Drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with spoon, flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for your last tetanus shot. Throw t-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.12. Call the fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining room table. Find heavy-duty pruning gloves from garage. Force cat's mouth open with small trowel. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture store on the way home to order a new table.

15. Arrange for vet to make housecall to give your cat the pill.

Little Al says It was a very good year "2006"

Happy New Year 2007 From Little Al, a "Furr-mer" Purrin' Kitten.

Some Christmas Toys; Santa was Kind to me. I got a tunnel and a condo. I was and am a very good boy! My Favorite Chair and My Favorite Windows to the Outside.

It looks like Nelson found a home in time for Christmas.

Nelson is a large, handsome, and declawed male kitty, and I was told that he was adopted and will be going to an excellent home just in time for Christmas. Nelson is one very, very lucky cat.

Domestic Short Hair-black and white,
Size: Large, Age: Adult, Gender: Male, ID: 23638

Nelson is a loverboy. He enjoys being petted and will soak up all the attention and love you will give him. He is sure to bring joy to your life and a smile to your face. Nelson is 4 years old and was adopted from Purrin' at Pantops.

We express our sympathy to Julie and her Mother.

Please click on the Title hyperlink to visit The Rainbow Bridge Site.

The volunteers who care for the homeless cats and kittens at Purrin' share the sorrow and grieving that Julie and her mother are going through at this time.

This morning Molly, their family dog of many years who was suffering from cancer, passed over The Rainbow Bridge.

It is always a very hard decision to make for our loved ones when their time comes - made even harder at Christmastime.

Julie says, "She fought a long hard fight, and could not fight any more”.

Rest in Peace, Molly, Dear Little Animal Companion and Family Friend.

Happy Birthday, Beth.

Happy Birthday, Beth. A terrific volunteer, whom I am glad I have been fortunate enough to know.






This is Natily
Dilute Tortoiseshell
Size: Medium
Age: Adult
Gender: Female
ID: 22563

Natily is a real sweetheart. She absolutely adores people and attention. Do you have room in your life for her? You will never be lonely again. Natily is currently Purrin' at Pantops.

STARBURST WAS FOUND UP HIGH CLINGING TO A PINE TREE BRANCH.

WE RESCUED BEAUTIFUL, DILUTE CALICO STARBURST.

IT TOOK 4 PEOPLE AND A REALLY BIG LADDER, BUT WE GOT HER DOWN FROM THE BIG PINE TREE. SHE WILL STAY INSIDE NOW UNTIL SHE GETS USED TO HER NEW SURROUNDINGS.

DEAR ST. FRANCIS, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US FIND

STARBURST YESTERDAY.

STARBURST IS NOW IN FOSTER CARE.

Starburst
Dilute Calico
Size: Medium
Age: Adult
Sex: Female
ID: 20396

Starburst is a slightly shy girl at Purrin'.

She has beautiful Calico markings on her fur and an ever so sad face. Please make a point to visit her today and brighten her life and yours by adopting her. She would appreciate being able to find that special someone.

Good Luck to Anna - Purrin' at Pantops Volunteer, Part-time Staff, and Photographer

We will all miss you, Anna, especially the cats.
Good luck in your new job. Please come back and visit often. Your photos of the cats capture their personalities.
You are such a hard worker and have many talents.

Love from everyone at Purrin' at Pantops,

Jan & Wendy
(Bonnie and all the rest of the Purrin' Volunteers)
Charlie
Bert & Ernie
Cammie (Especially).
Charlotte
Cha Cha

A Tribute to Susan for Her Recent Loss

Last week one of the CASPCA's best volunteers, Susan, lost her mother.

We are very sorry for her loss and wish to express our Deepest Sympathy to Susan and her family at this very sad time.

The above photo is of Jade, one the of original 9 Pantops cats. Jade was shy and did not get adopted until Susan took her home. Now, Jade has a wonderful life.

Thank you, Susan, for all you do - not only for Purrin' at Pantops and the cats - but for all you do for the CASPCA helping with all the events and fund raising projects to help all the shelter animal companions. You are truly a blessing to us all.

New Photos of Pesto - Living the Good Life

Pesto with my dog, Isys.