Tag Archives: Dr. Jen

Cat of the week: Hamish

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

On Friday the 13th of July 2018, a kind-hearted, cat-trappin’ citizen contacted Dr. Jen about a pair of friendly brothers that she had on a waiting list for another local shelter. Back in June the duo was brought in to Focus on Ferals after having been taken from a large population of stray cats roaming around on the Northeast side of town; they were neutered, tested and started on vaccines in hopes of eventually going into their adoption program.

 

But one of the boys (born in early 2016) had evidently suffered a trauma so severe to his side that his body wall ruptured, leaving him with a huge herniation that continued to grow over time; in fact it had been present for so long (probably over two years) that the repair attempt by his initial vet was ineffective. So when Dr. Jen was asked to give a second opinion on the case, she offered to take the brothers in to our program and set out to fix that humongous hernia (in the words of his rescuer).

 

As it turns out, not only was Hamish’s intra-abdominal fat pooching out underneath the skin through the tear in his body wall, but his poor spleen had become adherent to the opening, so it had to be surgically removed in order to close the defect. However, we are thrilled to report that with layers of sutures, cage rest and many crossed fingers, Hamish’s hernia is a thing of the past.

 

Hamish was nicknamed ‘The Handful’ as he can be as bratty as he is cute. He is a door diver, likes to rile the other cats up by picking fights or causing them to go after him due to his over-exuberance—he is constantly in motion. We can imagine that it feels downright awesome to be able to move around without having an internal organ squish out your side, so we do give the guy a bit of a break on this.

 

He LOVES people, but when he has had enough, he will swipe or swat to let you know that your services are no longer needed. He could live with other cats as long as he can be the dominant one, but small kids we feel are out of the picture; we do however suspect a dog might be right up his alley.

 

For safety measures, his owner will need a two-door entry and exit system as he is constantly darting out into our lobby (we have a triple door system. We have had quite a bit of success with taming the wild beast running wild by squirting him with a short burst of water from our ‘naughty kitty’ bottle; slowly but surely he IS learning to play nice with the others.

 

Overall we feel he is somewhat of an overgrown kitten and is just now getting to live the life he had always wanted: crazy, carefree and with reckless abandon (versus abandonment).

 

And he is STINKIN’ CUTE!

More about Hamish:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair — Tabby (Tiger-striped)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats; older children

Want to adopt Hamish? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Rockette

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

This summer (2018) has brought us an overabundance of kitties with injured legs, so when a Kentwood resident called the clinic asking for help with a cat whom she thought had a bone sticking out of its leg, Dr. Jen had them bring the kitty right down. As it turns out, this darling little girl (born in early 2017) had suffered a traumatic injury to her right rear leg, but the amputation had occurred some time ago, leaving behind a stump just above where her hock (ankle) should have been.

 

She did come with heavy fleas, a horrendous case of ear mites, a puncture wound on her neck that wasn’t healing well, and sadly in the early stages of pregnancy which Dr. Jen discovered during spay surgery. We can’t imagine what this poor cat went through, but thankfully her skin and bones healed, and even though she is a tripod without a foot, she is fearless in her fight and fabulous with her ferocity for fun!

 

From the get go NOTHING has slowed her down: she runs, leaps, bounds, twirls, kicks and literally jumps for joy, so giving her the name Rockette seemed to fit her perfectly. The observations of our shelter and cat care managers mirrored Dr. Jen’s impression of exuberant Rockette:

“Our girl so super sweet! She has made herself at home since the minute she arrived at the shelter. Her injury doesn’t hold her back at all; she climbs, runs, and jumps just fine. She can be very sassy with the other cats so she might enjoy being an only cat. She would do very well with kids though!”

“Despite her missing part of a leg, she is purr-petually on the move. She has a very sweet personality and craves attention. While she’s not one to be held for long, she will hop up on your lap and soak up whatever attention are willing to give. I love how she holds her own against the 4-legged cats, occasionally swatting, but yet playing nicely with them MOST of the time. Loves the laser show, and sprawling out on the toddler beds. Would do well in a home with another cat or two, but I think dogs may be a bit too much.”

We’re making it our mission to find our goofy girl a home that has children that can match her energy and enthusiasm for life, yet a kid or two who also wants a cuddly companion when playtime is over; we don’t think this will be a difficult task at all. Rockette is going to be kicking up her heels (er, heel) once we find her a family of her own, and we simply can’t wait!

More about Rockette:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Short Hair (Gray/Blue/Silver/White)
  • Adult
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats; children

Want to adopt Rockette? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

 

Cat of the week: Dove

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Dr. Jen wrote this biography in a bit of reverse order, because she felt that the astute observations of the cat care team paints a pretty accurate picture of darling Dove, a 4-year-old (born in the spring of 2014) who came to us quite suddenly in mid-July, 2018.

 

“Dove has been a complete surprise, as we all expected her to be a complete challenge after how she first acted at the clinic with Dr. Jen; she settled in almost immediately and is loving (free-roaming) shelter life. She has a soft coo that she elicits when she purrs, so Dove is the purr-fect name for her. She will swat occasionally when she gets overwhelmed, so I think it’s best that she is adopted into a home without small kids. She gets along great with the other cats so a feline roomie would be to her liking.”

 

“Dove has finally become more social and is tolerant when we pet her, although she does set the tone of the interaction. As a matter of fact, recently when I was petting her, even though I THINK she realized she liked it, she still slapped me. To me she acts like she may have lost some trust in humans. If I remember right, didn‘t her previous owner pass away, and then she was taken in by someone else who also had to leave her? If so, I guess it’s no wonder she’s not fully able to trust right now, but deep down I know there is a good girl in there looking for a new person to give her a home of her very own again. It would be nice to see her placed in a quiet one that will take the time (and be patient) to help her build up her confidence again, and knock down the wall she’s put up. I am a softie for dilute calicos and she is no exception, even though she may be a bit of a diva.”

 

It’s totally true: Dove HATED the mere sight of Dr. Jen that first day after our cat care director came to kitty’s aid and retrieved her, even though she literally walked right into the travel carrier. Although Dr. Jen took it very slow and easy with her, losing one owner, then being shuffled off to another only to lose that one within two months, had to have turned Dove’s delicate world completely upside-down. Dr. Jen was concerned that all of the TLC in the world wasn’t going to right what Dove perceived as wrongs, but once out of that clinical setting and into a laid-back space that allowed her room to adjust and acclimate, she showed us her sweet side — and hasn’t stopped since, even though she spices it up a bit.

 

Dr. Jen would love to see Dove in a home with a mature couple who have homebody tendencies as Dove would love nothing more than a lap to claim and a human who would stroke her fur and tell her how beautiful she is, eliciting that soft coo we have all come to know and love.

More about Dove:

  • Extra Large
  • Dilute Calico & Domestic Short Hair Mix
  • Adult
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats; no children

Want to adopt Dove? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

Cat of the week: Chanel No.2

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

When a Belding resident (and a rescuer herself) contacted us in early July 2018 about this injured little lady, Dr. Jen knew she had to make quick work of getting this kitty into our care; Kathy and the kitty’s caretaker noted this dainty girl’s wounded neck, called around for help and received no assistance locally. Upon arrival at the vet clinic, the cutie-pie (born in early 2016) proved to Dr. Jen that the quite nasty neck wound wasn’t about to dampen her spirit—she purred and trilled the entire exam! However Dr. Jen had to sedate kitty to take a closer look at what the heck was going on (a proliferative lesion known as an eosinophilic granuloma), debride the wound site of the exuberant tissue that was delaying skin healing, and treat it topically as well as systemically with antibiotics.
At that time Dr. Jen had noted a small upper lip ulcer, which can be common for this type of inflammatory condition, but it wasn’t until a few weeks later when Chanel No.2 developed another one (they are commonly called rodent ulcers) that Dr. Jen chose to treat the condition with injectable steroids. This seemed to do the trick in expediting skin repair, as did another gentle debriding at that time.

We also had to come up with creative ways to keep her neck covered so she wouldn’t excessively lick the tender skin as it slowly healed, but that proved to be quite the challenge. After trying (and failing spectacularly) with a sweater and stockinette, our cat care manager brought in a doll bib from home—and it foiled Chanel’s efforts to over-groom. Plus, she look absolutely adorable in it, though it was only needed for a few days.

The leaps and bounds of improvement Chanel made over the next few weeks were absolutely remarkable!
From the get-go, charming lil’ Chanel was a heart-stealer. Not one to ever grumble or hiss at another cat (or human, for that matter, as her lesion was tended to), this perfect little purr-machine lives for belly rubs, and absolutely craves attention. She acts as if she has always been around other kitties and received tons of attention from whomever had her at one point, so it would be to our extreme liking if we could place her in a home that would continue to treat her like a princess, as she really thrives on the pampering she has been receiving. We all have no doubt that once her bio hits the internet, we are going to be receiving inquires and applications almost immediately for our lovely, kittenish girl.

We are known for thinking outside of the box when necessary—and we certainly have a crew of creative folks working with our fur-kids! We will do whatever it takes to get our feline companions up to par so that we can ultimately send them off into loving, long-lasting homes of their own!

More about Chanel No.2:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Short Hair; Black & White/Tuxedo
  • Adult
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Chanel No.2? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

Cat of the week: Bunsen Honeydew

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Beguiling, handsome Bunsen Honeydew is the coolest boy—we kid you not! Even if you ignore his twisty half-tail that curves to the right and those gorgeous ocean blue-green eyes of his, you can’t overlook his charm and the super-chill, surfer-dude vibe he gives off.

 

This fabulous four-year-old (born in the summer of 2014) came to us from the west side of Grand Rapids in late July 2018, after he was wrangled and whisked to Focus on Ferals to be tested for FELV and FIV (both negative, thank goodness) and neutered. He was initially thought to be a bit of a wild child; he appeared a bit rough around the edges (just look at his tattered and torn ears) from living on the streets for so long, had an upper respiratory infection and was terribly flea-ridden.

 

Once rescued, the boy gobbled down two entire cans of food in a flash — proof-positive that the way to a wayward boy is through his stomach.

 

At our free-roaming facility, Mr. Honeydew here instantly meshed with his new surroundings; in fact he is so laid back that he literally hangs out on top of our intake cages (doors are always open) and simply waits for a volunteer to approach him, make eye contact and wander on over to receive kisses! He is oblivious to the presence of the other cats as it is human companionship that he craves with every ounce of his beautiful being.

 

We would LOVE to be able to place him in a home where he can be the center of attention; though he won’t demand it, he will reciprocate with the sweetest gestures of gratitude and affection. If you are looking for a people-pleasing, sweet and stunning cat to be your cuddle buddy, Bunsen Honeydew is exactly whom you need to take home with you!

More about Bunsen Honeydew:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Bunsen Honeydew? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Cerys

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Naming this cute-as-a-button calico was challenging in a fun sort of way, as Dr. Jen wanted something that embodied her personality and was as unique as her arrival to the shelter.

 

On the evening of July 30th, 2018, a nice guy by the name of Kyle found this kitty wandering around on Turner NW too close to the highway off ramp. He had briefly seen her in the neighborhood a time or two before, assumed she belonged to someone, but he was certain she did NOT belong in the middle of the busy road dodging traffic. He scooped her up, popped her in his car and actually drove over to our facility with her riding in the back seat.

 

Now we aren’t actually equipped to take strays in directly off the streets like this, but he was so sweet with her and had nowhere else for her to go, so we made an exception and set her up in the lobby away from the other cats, treated her external and internal parasites, let her fill her belly and then sleep off the events of the day.

 

Cerys (pronounced ‘care-iss’) had a nasty bilateral ear infection secondary to ear mites. This caused quite a bit of trauma at her ear bases as she scratched and rubbed them—and who could blame her—so at her workup the next day at the clinic, comfort was first priority. Dr. Jen also spayed Cerys a few days later, even though it appeared that she had had a litter earlier in the spring. Dr. Jen guestimates Cerwys was born in January of 2016, so who knows how many kittens she had actually birthed prior to her rescue.

 

Everybody fell in love with this darling cat, so we settled happily on the name Cerys, whose Welsh meaning is simply ‘love’.

 

Dr. Jen likes to ask shelter and cat care managers to give the scoopdidoo on our residents when it comes time to write their bios, as she usually only spends time with them at intake and again at their one month recheck. The gals had this to say about our lovely little lady:

 

“Cerys definitely has a calico disposition at times; she is getting along better with the other residents but did have a tough time at first. She absolutely loves human attention, and will let you hold her for some one-on-one time. She is also very playful, gives great head bumps, and enjoys the windows and bird feeders. She would do best in a home with another cat and where she will receive lots of attention. She loves to follow us around, and will jump up on any surface to make sure you see her. “

 

“Cerys is so sweet with people but is overwhelmed with all the other cats at the shelter. I think she would be fine with another cat, just not 20. She definitely makes sure she gets her fair share of attention, she follows everybody around asking for pets!”

 

So the consensus is in: Cerys is ready to be loved AND she’s a lover! We think this is exactly the type of cat most folks are looking for, so we suspect that once her story goes public, we aren’t going to have her with us for very long.

More about Cerys:

  • Medium
  • Calico & Domestic Short Hair Mix
  • Adult
  • Female
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Cerys? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

Cat of the week: Abner

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Most of our favorite kitties are (or have been) Sid’s Kids, those cats that probably wouldn’t have had a real chance at a long life and adoption due to their FIV or FELV status. The majority of them are male, as the viruses tend to be transmitted through fighting, which is a common problem with intact tom cats roaming the streets; however once neutered the boys typically simmer down as the hormones vacate their macho bodies, and super mellow former studs remain.

 

Just when we don’t think we could possibly (yeah, right) have room for one more fine fella on our Top 10 List, along comes adorable Abner, (born in the summer of 2012) a sweet-as-pie FIV guy from the Kent County Animal Shelter. He came in as a stray just two days before he transferred to us mid-July 2018 and you sure could tell he had spent a lot of time outdoors, as he was filthy, his paw pads were hard and calloused, his ears had been chronically infected, his skin was inflamed and scabby, and he needed a dental cleaning.

 

However, he spiffed up nicely and was ready to go woo the ladies at Big Sid’s just a day after his arrival, which was great for them, but Dr. Jen had already become instantly enamored by him and would have loved to have been able to spend some more one-on-one with him at the clinic.

 

Our cat care director says that if every cat was THIS easygoing and accepting of his new life with us we wouldn’t have to worry an ounce about acclimation and adjustment periods—it was as if Abner had always lived with us! From the minute he arrived, Abner was extremely comfortable in his surroundings, adventurously outgoing and beyond friendly. One of his favorite pastimes is to follow you around the shelter as you go about your chores, or else to perch up high on a cat walk or in a cubby above you so he can monitor your actions, being sure not to miss a thing.

 

Spiffy Abner will steal your heart

No matter where he is hanging out, the second you approach him he materializes directly in front of you, begging for well-deserved pets, attention and treats! He also has a very playful side, especially with plastic toy springs that he can flip and toss around with glee, and he delights in clamoring and chumming around with the other cats. We do feel he is a bit timid at times so a rambunctious dog may be too much for him, but other cats may just be a must.

 

Besides his cool markings, Abner has the prettiest sea-glass colored eyes. Overall, Abner is an absolute doll, one of THE nicest cats around, and one who should rightfully claim a home of his own in short order. Even though we would all miss him terribly, we will be thrilled when we can send him off to live in the lap of luxury with a family who has fallen head- (and heart-) first for fabulous fella!

More about Abner:

  • Extra-large
  • Orange & White, Tabby (Orange/Red)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • FIV-positive
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Abner? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

To learn about the FIV virus, go here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

Cat of the week: Lina

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/Animals, , , , , , ,

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Lovely little Lina (born in June of 2015) came to our sanctuary as a FIV+ outdoor kitty that one of our volunteers had been looking after since kittenhood. Having multiple cats of her own she wasn’t in a position to take this darling in, so she did the next best thing by setting up a cozy shelter in her garage; Lina and two other strays could come and go as they pleased (after they were fixed, of course).

 

The living situation worked well enough for all of them, or so it was thought, until Lina arrived at the house with a nasty injury on her back, similar to one she had sustained previously. Knowing that our primary focus at our facilities is sick or injured outdoor cats, the volunteer contacted Dr. Jen for help.

 

As it turned out, the large lesion on her back was more of an abrasion with a secondary infection (which healed nicely with antibiotics), but Lina was also afflicted with a bilateral ear infection (chronic from the looks of her ears, though her left one was tipped way too short when she was spayed), swollen lymph nodes and a previous tail injury (dislocation/fracture) that stops her from swishing it fully.

 

As you can see, this gorgeous girl had seen her fair share of injuries and ailments, so it was about time she found the safety and comfort of an indoor environment. Her rescuer noted how outgoing and unafraid Lina was and surmised that is how she kept ending up on the wrong end of trouble; she expected everyone else to be as friendly as she was.

 

Lina loves to snuggle

Sadly, by the time we took her in, the poor thing had finally gotten exasperated by the treatment she had been receiving and put her guard up. Given the fact that Lina needed repeated ear flushes and medication infused, along with lots of vaccines, it is no wonder we have only witnessed her meek and timid side at the writing of her bio (July 21, 2018) one month after her arrival).

 

Although seriously shy and very reserved, she is extremely sweet and would literally spend 24 hours a day nestled in the arms of a willing human. When she isn’t being held close, she prefers to perch high up on one of our walkways out of arms’ reach until you gently retrieve her and allow her to do one of her favorite things — bury her head into your neck and nuzzle. She does have a fear of having her ears touched, so if you approach her head-on too quickly, she will hiss and retreat, but if you approach her slowly and assure her snuggle time will ensue she will melt into your embrace.

 

Lina is mostly ambivalent towards the other cats, as long as they leave her be and allow her to have her own space — which is totally out of the spotlight. Since she herself doesn’t have an ounce of ornery in her, placing her in a home with a mellow feline companion would be fine, but honestly, our Lina needs a home where she can be treated with patience, kindness and the understanding that her love will come to her human over time, once trust has been gained and she feels safe and secure.

 

If we could find a retiree or someone who works from their home to take this sweetheart in, we would be absolutely thrilled, as she has been through so much in her life thus far that she deserves nothing but calming comfort to surround her for the rest of her days.

More about Lina:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Tabby (Gray/Blue/Silver)
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, no children

Want to adopt Lina? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

To learn about the FIV virus, go here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Craig

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Volunteer and Wyoming resident Leanne F. is no stranger to the strays in her area, but unfortunately there was one particular cat that was causing quite the commotion this spring (2018) when he kept harassing her newest porch resident who had been hanging around for about 3 months. It had taken about that long for her to gain this fine gray and buff tabby fella’s trust, as he would only appear to eat at her feral cat house when she wasn’t around.

 

Slowly, over time, he began to put on weight and build up his confidence and allow her to win him over. Although she has a heart of gold and will feed whomever is in need, she couldn’t allow this docile, gentle guy whom she nicknamed ‘Gray the Stray’ get the tar beaten out of him, so she enlisted Dr. Jen’s help when he appeared with an infected puncture wound on his head.

 

By the time schedules aligned, the topical medication she’d been applying had allowed the bite to heal and he was happily on the mend, having bonded with Leanne as she lovingly tended to him. However, it didn’t surprise anyone that Craig tested positive for FIV, which is transmitted solely by bite wounds. Even though you can’t find a nicer, more even-tempered cat that Craig here (who was born in the fall of 2016), ya can’t blame a guy for trying to defend himself, even if he failed. Now, he won’t have to worry about that ever again!

 

That. Face.

Once at the clinic Dr. Jen set to work neutering him and getting him program-ready, so this sweetheart could make his way down to our sanctuary in short order. His acclimation period was insignificant, as Craig obviously had been an indoor cat at some point and clearly remembered just how awesome that was. He made friends instantaneously, feline and human alike, and in no time at all had proven himself as one of the most easygoing guys we have. In fact, our cat care director stated that if all of our cats were like Craig, their jobs would be so much easier.

 

Craig is the perfect mix of playful and mellow, relishing time spent napping on the toddler beds as much as he does delighting the volunteers with his enthusiastic lust for life. He could really give or take another cat as a companion when he lands a home of his own, because as long as he has people to please, he is absolutely golden. One-on-one attention is what revs Craig’s engines, and when his rescuer came on shift the first Monday after his arrival, he literally galloped like gangbusters over to see her in response to her voice—how cool is that?

 

He is going to hands down (er, paws down) make the absolute BEST PET for a family who is looking for a fun, fine fella with lots of energy and eagerness to shower his human with affection!

More about Craig:

  • Medium
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Tabby (Gray/Blue/Silver)
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats, children

Want to adopt Craig? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

To learn about the FIV virus, go here.

 

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Edison

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Edison, in his wilder days

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Once upon a time, Edison was a feral cat fed and sheltered by one of our volunteers. It took three years for Edison to trust her and be petted, and in April of 2017, our awesome volunteer was able to live-trap him to have him fixed through a TNR program. It was then she realized that Edison just couldn’t get enough love and attention. Were it not for a house full of kittens, Edison would have had a home right then and there.

 

We believe this FIV+, handsome boy was born in December of 2013 and know for a fact that he is as happy as can be with his new-found indoor life. We have observed the following since he joined us at our sanctuary on May 10, 2018:

 

“Edison is so incredibly sweet,” says another volunteer. “Once he figured out that the other cats were pretty cool he picked a couple favorite buddies and curled right up with them and went to sleep. He hangs with Gertie and Billy. He likes people, bird watching, and sleeping on the windowsill. He would do well with another cat in the home. He tends to be shy and a buddy would help him be more confident.”

 

He uses his litter box like a champ, and like most cats, he’s afraid of the vacuum.

 

It only took a few days for Edison to stop hiding under beds and now he never hides. He is so sweet! Since Edison doesn’t have a mean bone in his beautiful buff and white body, the risk of FIV transmission is minimal, with maximum affection towards his new owners guaranteed. Help this little guy’s light shine by taking him home and letting him make your life brighter! I almost forgot to mention that he has two orange polka dot ’angel wings’ on the top of his shoulders, making him even more handsome and unique-looking!

More about Edison:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Buff & White
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats

Want to adopt Edison? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

Cat of the week: Elphaba

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Lovely Elphaba

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Energetic, enthusiastic Elphaba came to us as a shelter transfer (from Harbor Humane Society in West Olive) on May 31st, 2018. Seems that this darling, adorable little lady (she weighs a whole 6 lbs and was born in the spring of 2016) was all set to be adopted when she tested positive for Feline Leukemia. Since she was being housed in a cage in their lobby she received lots of attention, and the staff was heartbroken as they knew they would no longer be able to keep her as part of their adoption program; they reached out to Dr. Jen and she told them we would be able to accommodate her.

 

As far as her history goes, we know that they took her in on April 23rd, and that she was an OGU (owner give up) who was to have been spayed prior and sported the tattoo to prove it. However, within about 10 days of her arrival at our sanctuary, guess who started exhibiting sings of heat, sticking her derriere up in the air in a very non-ladylike fashion, teasing all of the (neutered) boys with her feminine wiles? So Dr. Jen took her back to surgery to recover a complete ovary, not a remnant of it, that had been left behind when she was spayed. Surgery was a success this time around and she recovered without a hitch.

 

Prior to that retrieval, Elphaba was quite anxious and ornery, terrified in her new surroundings. Given the fact that she had spent the past month caged, we can see why our free-roaming facility was a bit daunting to her. However after her hormones settled down and she settled in, she became an outgoing, sassy little diva with very big opinions. She is not afraid in the least to smack a cat twice her size right across the face if they get too close for comfort. She also isn’t too keen on being picked up although she loves her humans who dote on her, fulfilling her every whim and desire.

 

Elphaba would really like to be the only kitty for a family who is looking for a petite little princess who is playful and precious. And—great news—even though she tested NEGATIVE FOR FELINE LEUKEMIA (TWICE) at her recheck exam a month after her arrival, adopting her in to a home of her own in her opinion is the ideal situation, so we are going to do our best to find that place for her and grant her every wish.

More about Elphaba:

  • Medium
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed
  • Not good with other cats

Want to adopt Elphaba? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Charly

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Meet charismatic Charly!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Charismatic Charly (born in May of 2015) came to us from Focus on Ferals (FOF) in May of 2018 since he was feline leukemia-positive. However, it is part of Dr. Jen’s intake process, even with shelter transfers, to retest any cat coming in prior to placement at our sanctuary, so she was pleasantly surprised that Charly tested negative for the virus (twice, with two separate samples submitted).

 

Charly came into FOF in February of 2017, a Cedar Springs stray with a gimpy left front leg and a variety of gashes and wounds on his face from fighting (he was intact). Although his skin lesions healed well, he never lost that limp and diagnostics weren’t performed until Dr. Jen took him in; physical exam and x-rays showed that he had suffered significant trauma to his left carpus (wrist) to the point that the ligaments were damaged and his paw hyperextends. Charly therefore has a bit of hitch in his giddy-up, but it doesn’t stop him from enjoying his life to the fullest by any means!

 

Most of the time he has manners and behaves, but since we welcomed several recently neutered tom cats to Sid’s around the same time, he sometimes acts like the sheriff in town—which doesn’t always go over too well. He isn’t the aggressor in these situations but mainly appears to be trying to keep the peace by inserting himself into the mix. When he isn’t involved in patrolling the perimeter you can find him curled up snoozing away in a kitty teepee or open cage, proving that even busy guys need their down time.

 

Once he is well rested he is extremely energetic, so we feel placing him into a home with kids to wrestle and play with would be ideal. He has also shown us his sweeter side by sidling up next to and snuggling close to some of our shy females, so a home with another cat to chum around with would make him a very happy partner! And just look at that face! It is so stinkin’ adorable—how can you resist?!

More about Charly:

  • Large
  • Tabby and Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Tabby (Brown/Chocolate)
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats and kids

Want to adopt Charly? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Baz

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

If Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh was a cat, boisterous, beguiling, bouncing-off-the-walls Baz would embody him for sure! This busy boy (born in March of 2017) came to us on May 31, 2018, after having been found in the yard of a Wyoming woman who lived in the trailer park just down the from the vet clinic. Initially his rescuer thought he was injured, and coming from the corner of 44th and Clyde Park, she thought perhaps he had been hit by a car and was laying in her grass, stunned and hurting; of course Dr. Jen had the rescuer bring him right down for evaluation.

 

Once Dr. Jen examined Baz, it was clear that nothing physically was wrong, so it left her wondering if he was yet another cat who was tossed out and left behind, too scared to move or cry out for help. Within a few seconds, he was trucking around the exam room like he owned the place, sporting a way too-tight collar that had probably been on him since kittenhood. Dr. Jen offered to take him in, got him neutered and program-ready with all of the required medical care. He hung out with Dr. Jen for a day or two to recover from his surgery, during which time Baz and she became fast friends. This fabulous fella has the most magnificent markings, a beyond playful spirit and is overall just a terrific tabby!

 

Once at Crash’s, he took the place by storm, acting as if he had always lived there amongst the furry fold. He is a hoot to watch as he tries to engage the other residents in a wrestling match, but sadly no one quite lives up to his activity level, so Baz is left with us humans to entertain him! We want — no NEED — to find him a home that is energetic as he is, one with kid cohorts and a cat or two that can give him a run for his money! We think he’d even do well with dogs as he is THAT easygoing and open to new experiences.

 

Nothing gets him down or stands in his way of having tons of fun; it is really fascinating to observe him in his glory, gallivanting around our place like the Energizer Bunny, with his inquisitive nature bringing big smiles to our faces. Not only is Baz adorable, he is comical and curious, promising that there will NEVER be a dull moment when he is around! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to welcome this wonderful, whimsical boy into your world!

More about Baz:

  • Medium
  • Tabby (Tiger Striped)
  • Adult
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Good in a home with other cats and children

Want to adopt Baz? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Gus

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Sweet Gus, upon intake at Crash’s Landing. His cyst has since healed nicely.

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Gorgeous Gus came to us under very sad, shocking circumstances in March of 2018 when his neighbor alerted us to his plight: his owner had passed away days before, leaving Gus and two other cats alone in the house without food or water; they were afraid and freaked out (as you can imagine).

 

The third cat in the house didn’t fare so well and passed on before we got approval from the police to remove the cats from the home. It appears that all three boys, along with their owner, were in need of medical care for quite some time and didn’t receive it. Thankfully for Gus (born in 10/2009), it wasn’t too late, but he was in dire need of both physical and emotional attention immediately after we retrieved him.

 

As you can see from the initial photos, poor Gus had a nasty, infected cystic mass on the top of his head that required topical ointment and injectable antibiotics to resolve. He also came in thin as a rail due to being undiagnosed as hyperthyroid, but we are able to manage this effectively and affordably with twice daily oral medication that he takes like a champ. Multiple teeth also had to be extracted after he had been with us for several weeks, allowing him to acclimate and get as comfy as possible in his new surroundings. As you can imagine that task was quite daunting and Gus has made it known that he would prefer to be back in a less crowded social situation, and believe it or not he has taken to bossing around most of the other residents, even though he is only about 9 lbs soaking wet.

 

Gus loves a good belly rub and is a very low-key, overall easy-going cat. I wouldn’t say he loves to be picked up, but he will crawl up on your lap and fall asleep. He loves to be up on the cat walk watching all the action. He’s a little quiet when it comes to seeking attention, but when he gets it, he loves it. A lot of the volunteers think he’s completely deaf, but I know he can hear a treat bag from the next room over.

 

He isn’t the playful, kitten-type cat, but the “I just want to lounge around like a lazy cat” kind. He loves bird watching on the window ledges and playing with feather toys on a stick. I think he’d be perfect matched up with an older couple. Gus is very social and is especially is known for following volunteers around demanding attention. Hee has been picking on other cats, so it may be best for him to be an only cat or at least be the dominant cat in the house.

 

So, there you have it! Come on down and meet this special boy.

More about Gus:

  • Medium
  • Orange/Red
  • Senior
  • Male
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed
  • Special needs
  • Prefers a home without other cats

Want to adopt Gus? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Ace

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Pets/Animals, , , , , ,

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Absolutely fabulous FIV+ Ace came to us by one-woman-rescue wonder Sandi D, who came across him on Davis St NW in Grand Rapids in February, when she helped her friend Cheryl live-trap him to get him off of the streets and into safety. Once indoors she noted a limp involving his right foreleg, and since Dr. Jen was out on surgical leave, Sandi took him into the vet clinic to have him checked out; three visits in total and nothing other than a soft-tissue injury could be determined as the cause of his intermittent limp.

 

Born in November of 2013 (guesstimate), Ace appeared to be the picture of health with the exception of an ear infection caused by ear mites, a bit of gingivitis and that darn old lameness. Dr. Jen witnessed his slight hobble for herself but again, could not find any radiographic reason for the hitch in his giddy-up. So Dr. Jen started him on short-term pain medication and a long-term joint supplement to counteract arthritis symptoms even though we couldn’t pick anything obvious up on x-rays. Within a few short weeks, the limp had resolved and Ace was trucking around like nobody’s business!

 

Since Dr. Jen is mostly hands-on at the clinic, she always asks for purr-sonality summaries from two of her right hand women at the shelter. Here are their glowing reports on amazing Ace:

 

“The way to Ace’s heart is through endless bowls of wet food! He is absolutely obsessed with food and often has to be locked away during feeding times because he will steal others’ food. He is a really nice cat and will do well in pretty much any household.”

 

“He’s really becoming a more laid-back kind of guy. He isn’t too bothered by other cats, but does enjoy his own space. He loves people, and will come sit by you on the floor. Not one for being fussed over or carried, but I think deep down he really does love attention. He’s a pretty handsome guy. Would do good with a cat buddy, and maybe even a calmer dog.”

 

So there ya have it — all about Ace and why we would LOVE to place him in a home! Since he is a lover and not a fighter, the risk of him transmitting FIV to another cat is minimal, so come meet this adorable guy for yourself and see why we are all so heads-over paws for him!

More about Ace:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Tabby (gray/blue/silver
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Ace? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

 

Cat of the week: Tully

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Meet Tully, a lovely, reserved gentleman

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

In mid-March 2016, Dr. Jen received an email from Sara at the Humane Society of West Michigan asking if Dr. Jen could take in a shelter transfer from Allegan County that tested double positive—meaning he had both Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Viruses. If that wasn’t enough, this fine fella (born in March of 2012) came to them sporting a nasty open wound on his left elbow that needed to be surgically repaired, was intact, teeming with fleas and greasy and grimy due to hormonally induced stud-tail.

 

When Dr. Jen got him two days later, he had been neutered and sutured but was still inhabited by those pesky buggers, needed a bath in a big way and would greatly benefit from a dental cleaning. No worries though, as suds and soaking spiffed him up nicely and his pearly whites were sparkling in no time! Although timid and shy, this guy proved to be quite sweet, just a bit out of his element—totally understandable considering the whirlwind events of the days prior to his arrival.

 

Dr. Jen and Tully embarked on a quiet friendship that involved reassuring head rubs and soothing praises while she encouraged him to spoil himself a little with the smorgasbord provided; we know the way to one’s heart is often through the tummy! This reserved, reticent boy had to be enticed to partake in the finer things in life, something that continued once he made his way down to our sanctuary.

 

Given his tendency towards reclusiveness and preference of the shadows versus the spotlight, our attentive volunteers make sure they calmly draw Tully out, literally and figuratively, each and every time they are in his presence, so that he realizes he is now safe and out of harm’s way. Considering how docile and demure he is, there is no doubt that he was not the aggressor, but rather the victim, when he was out and about on his own for who knows how long; this saddens us to no end. He is such a modest, non-threatening, tranquil creature that Dr. Jen chose his Irish name as it means ‘calmness’ and ‘peacefulness’.

 

Slowly but surely, under the gentle guidance of his devoted caretakers, Tully is coming out of his shell, poking his head out for those pets that he craves but doesn’t always ask for. That is OK because we are great at reading non-verbal cues and have no problem going to him and slathering him with affection! In time we have no doubt that this sweet boy’s true colors and inner strength will shine through, and he will fully grasp what that he is a fabulous force to be reckoned with.

More about Tully:

  • Large
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Black & White/Tuxedo
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Tully? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

 

Cat of the week: Mo Cheeks

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An extra-large, easygoing feline with tons of love to give!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Meet MoCheeks, a massive sweetheart with a face that is to die for! Born in early 2013, this FIV+ fella ended up at Harbor Humane Society in November of 2016, but since they do not have an adoption program tailored to FIV or FELV cats, they contacted us to see if we could help out and give this great guy a chance. Thankfully we were in a position to do so when 2017 rolled on in , and we happily welcomed MoCheeks (our very fitting name for him) into our program.

 

From the get-go, he was very confident and extremely social. He does have chronic tearing from a herpes virus infection that is all too common in kitties, but he takes his twice daily Lysine supplement and cleaning of his peppers like a champ; any time and attention lavished on Mo and he is in utter heaven! He gets along great with the other cats and is often found hanging out with a buddy or two. He’s just a very easygoing, easy-to-please guy. In fact, no one has heard a hiss or snarl from him from day one as he is just such a gentleman! And as one of our cat care directors put it so eloquently: he is soooooooo melllllllloooooowww!

 

Prior to his rescue, our outgoing onyx boy suffered some sort of trauma to his choppers and rear feet, as his upper canines are broken and two nails on his toes are misshapen and a bit ‘janky’. However, he doesn’t let past experiences taint the vibrant colors of the world around him, especially since he has landed with us at BiG Sid’s! Overall, he is probably one of the nicest boys we have the pleasure of claiming as our own—and this is HUGE considering the population at our place is beyond phenomenal!

 

There is SO much mo’ to love with Mo Cheeks!

More about Mo Cheeks:

  • Extra Large
  • Domestic Short Hair
  • Adult
  • Male
  • Black
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Mo Cheeks? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

 

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Karaoke

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One of the sweetest kitties you will ever meet

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

On March 4 , 2016, this outspoken, kooky, little kitty ended up in a rural ‘kill’ shelter much to her—and our—dismay. Since cats very rarely get adopted from within the four walls that held her, a local group took it upon themselves  to pull her out and transport her to us, a feat made all the more impressive since the gray-and-buff tabby tested positive for Feline Leukemia. Born in early 2014, no one involved understands why this gregarious, outgoing girl ended up homeless and helpless, but all of us are in agreement: she was well worth the group effort to get her into Big Sid’s!

 

Initially she was dubbed ‘Smoky’ as the facility had to call her something, but those of you who know Dr. Jen know that she refuses to bestow such a bland name on such a bold, beautiful cat. In speaking with one of her caretakers, Dr. Jen discovered that this sassy little lass had a set of pipes on her, she thought that Karaoke would be the purr-fect name. This little kitty is so stinkin’ cute.

 

Karaoke reminds us a bit of the Energizer Bunny, a real honey of a gal who is as busy as can be, a most curious cat who has to explore this and that and everything in between. She is also exceptionally loving and sweet but can only stop by briefly for some pets and chin scratches before she is off to see what the heck else is going on. Places to go, people to see—that is the mantra of Karaoke.

 

It’s upsetting that such a darling kitty is harboring the Feline Leukemia Virus in her bloodstream, but even a high fever spiked a few days after arrival didn’t slow her down, as she responded to treatment and rebounded like an Olympic sprinter set on winning the race. Nothing gets this gleeful girl down as she has a fun-filled life to live to the fullest; we are pleased as can be that Karaoke will be ricocheting off the walls of Big Sid’s. With her, you definitely get more ‘bounce to the ounce’—there is NEVER a dull moment when she is gloriously gallivanting around, strutting her stuff for the world to see and admire. We are all in awe of her awesomeness!

More about Karaoke:

  • Medium
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Tabby (Buff/Tan/Fawn), Gray/Blue/Silver
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Karaoke? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Lacy

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Hello, Lacy!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

In March of 2013, this captivating little calico cutie ended up at Harbor Humane Society in West Olive, where she tested a faint positive for Feline Leukemia. Hoping that in time her body would clear itself of the viral load she was carrying, they housed her until it was time to retest her again in 6 months, but sadly there was no change in the results. So their kennel supervisor contacted Dr. Jen to enlist her help — having been caged since her arrival, she was anxious to get her into a free-roaming facility.

 

This little lady proved to be more brash and bold than her much larger counterparts; leave it to a lively, little 8-pound female to take charge and show the boys who the boss is! Honestly though, Lacy is a sweetheart, but she had lots to do and say once freedom was finally obtained. She didn’t let confinement dampen her spirit or extinguish her feisty flame; she is a gregarious girl on a mission to seek out fun in every possible form!

 

Don’t let that innocent face fool you

That famous ‘calico cattitude’ isn’t for everyone, but Lacy won our hearts the instant she hopped on out of her travel carrier, firmly planted her little paws on the ground and took off running. The antics and high-octane activity exhibited those first few days  at the clinic were entertaining to say the least! She’s charming and her face is quite cherubic, but don’t let it fool you — Lacy is a party pussycat at heart and only settles down when she has to.

 

This wonderfully wild child (born in the spring of 2012) simply has an unbridled passion for life, and now that the world is hers for the taking, she is going to conquer it with reckless abandon and wholehearted glee.

 

Way to go, girl!

More about Lacy:

  • Medium
  • Adult
  • Calico and Domestic Short Hair Mix
  • Multi-colored
  • House-trained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Spayed
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Lacy? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Grumpy

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

On June 18th, 2013, our sanctuary welcomed Grumpy to our fold; he had been TNR’d through Focus on Ferals. Born in the summer of 2009, Grumpy was being fed and sheltered for months by a kindhearted resident. He looked like hell with his whole body one huge mat, and he was constantly fighting with other neighborhood cats.

 

When Dr. Jen took him in for neuter, she knew he would be FIV. He had a war wound on his face and just had that look about him. Scrapper no doubt! He earned the nickname Grumpy as he walked around literally grumbling all the time. He had very distinct personal space zone and when other cats overstepped their boundaries, they got a stern warning. He does love people though — just wants them all to himself.

 

We were pleasantly surprised at just how docile and accommodating with regards to personal space Grumpy had become in the time FOF housed him. Grumpy is a gentle, giant-headed boy, who is more than thrilled to be living the cushy indoor life! This reformed sour puss is a complete love bug — sit on the floor and your lap will be commandeered until he decides to let you up!

 

We are so happy to have Grumpy as part of our family at Sid’s, but our ultimate goal is to find each and every one of our cats homes of their very own. After all these cats have been through prior to their rescue and placement with us, don’t you think they deserve that?

More about Grumpy:

  • Extra-large
  • Adult
  • Domestic medium hair & tabby mix
  • Black and white
  • Housetrained
  • Vaccinations up to date
  • Neutered
  • Not declawed

Want to adopt Grumpy? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

 

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Ellyn

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Sweet, gentle Ellyn

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

We first laid eyes on Ellyn back in the fall of 2014, when clients of Dr. Jen’s brought her in for medical attention; she had been a stray for quite some time and was in dire need of care. When Dr. Jen first examined this beguiling brown torbie (who was born in the spring of 2010), Dr. Jen discovered that Ellyn was significantly anemic secondary to a blood parasite caused by a heavy flea infestation, had a bilateral ear infection due to untreated ear mites, was plagued by chronic nasal discharge (since her ear infection had ruptured the ear drums and was deep-seeded in the Eustachian tubes), had an umbilical hernia that had to be repaired once she was healthy enough to be spayed AND had lost ALL of her teeth.

 

To complicate matters, she was also FIV+, but in all honesty, that was the least of her worries. When her rescuers learned of her laundry list of ailments, they didn’t turn her away, and even though Dr. Jen offered to take kitty into our program at Big Sid’s, they instead opted to take her home, treat her and hopefully get her well enough to become part of their household. It took several weeks before Ellyn bounced back, but overall we were all pleased with her progress and they were totally smitten with her! In fact, the three of them lived happily and harmoniously together until the fall of 2017, when sadly it was her humans’ health issues that brought her back to Dr. Jen.

 

Unfortunately, when our gorgeous girl returned to the clinic this time around, she had yet another list of things that needed addressing, though not from neglect but rather circumstances beyond everyone’s control. Her ear issues were back with an vengeance, her eyes were quite inflamed and irritated, eventually leading to a nasty corneal ulcer in her left orb, and she needed a new fancy haircut as she was very matted.

 

However, this lovely lady did NOT let her present circumstances get her down, and once Dr. Jen had Ellyn spruced up and feeling fine, she was sent to our shelter to meet everyone; literally everyone who meets Ellyn is completely in love with her as she is just so, so sweet! She is the first one to greet you at the door and won’t stop following you until you sit down for some cuddle time. She will most definitely do great in any home that will give her plenty of lap time, and in return she promises to be your official lap warmer and snuggle bug!

 

In the meantime we are all enjoying the charming creature that is Ellyn, she who embodies grace and possesses the gentlest of spirits.

More about Ellyn

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Autumn

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Autumn is a shy girl, but has tons of love to share

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

 

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

Meet one of the most introverted kitties we have had in recent years — Autumn. Sadly I have to repost her plea for adoption since her ‘happily ever after’ didn’t last.

 

On March 2, 2018, Dr. Jen received a call from a colleague at our local humane society stating that our pretty girl had been turned in to them by a friend of her initial adopter, stating that Autumn was no longer wanted.

 

It appears that the initial adopter gave this little lady to a friend (in violation of our adoption contract), and that person decided she didn’t want Autumn after all, despite promising the initial adopter that Autumn would be safe and sound.

 

Somehow in the shuffle, Autumn contracted FIV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, transmitted via a bite wound from an infected cat (she was either let outdoors or was housed with a positive cat that bit her). Since she hasn’t a mean bone in her timid tabby body, there is no risk of her spreading it to the other cats that she shares company with, thankfully.

 

Born in the fall of 2009, Autumn and her still-nursing offspring were originally dumped off in Saranac, and a kindhearted soul swooped in to the rescue.

 

All were hungry, cold, and flea-ridden. Even though she had just been tossed out like garbage with her young kittens, Autumn was relaxed and ate, fed her babies, and slept. Whoever dumped them did not care that they were pretty much ensuring a slow death to this family. There are so many dangers — including bad weather, coyotes, cars, stupid people, and other wild animals.

 

Autumn’s kittens grew, were spayed/neutered and vaccinated, then finally adopted out to great homes. Another older brother, Baelfire, was also dumped in the meantime, and was able to charm his way into Crash’s. This left Autumn, who now was suffering from pneumonia that was a result of her poor life prior to finding us and stress from having to remain in our foster kitten room for so long. She beat her pneumonia, and was able to secure her spot at Crash’s also.

 

Autumn is settling in but is still head shy and uncertain. Potential adopters must be willing to take things slowly, on Autumn’s terms. This sweetie deserves a kind, loving home.

More about Autumn

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Adoptable cat of the week: Kitty Kitty

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Kitty Kitty has already proven herself to be a wonderful companion!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

Kitty Kitty was once a Crash Cat back in 2009. Her name was Sandra then and we had taken her in on a shelter transfer from Harbor Humane Society. How this darling, dainty girl ended up homeless and in need of help was beyond us, but we sure were happy to help out and to have her with us. In fact she was such a charmer that she was adopted out just a few months after her arrival, and Dr. Jen has had the pleasure of providing veterinary care for her all of these years. Dr. Jen can attest to the fact that her owners, a mother and son duo, doted on their baby girl, and our visits were always enjoyable because they simply beamed when they brought her in.

So it was understandably heartbreaking when we were contacted in Sept. 2017 and asked if we could take Kitty Kitty back into our adoption program. Due to unexpected health issues, her mom suddenly found herself caring for her adult son, and that took up all of her time. Knowing that her fluffy friend deserved more than she could now give, she handed her back over into our care, although heavyhearted during the entire process.

Although the dark chocolate beauty (born in the summer of 2006) needed a bit of grooming and some teeth extracted due to dental disease, the bigger concerns were weight loss, loose stool sand arthritis symptoms; she was now sporting a hitch in her giddy-up that needed attention. So Dr. Jen set about righting the wrongs, starting Kitty Kitty on meds to improve her appetite, firm up her stools (major success) and injections to treat her aging joints.

Each and every one of the volunteers who care for her think she is just the sweetest thing, a stunning senior who is more than ready to start the next chapter in her life. And we would like nothing more than to be able to offer her a home of her own again, as her former family would be extremely appreciative and could rest a bit easier knowing that she was once again lounging in the lap of luxury.

More about Kitty Kitty

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Billy

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Billy has turned over a new leaf

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

This big, bold, beautiful boy with the sultry, slight pout initially came to us back in the summer of 2011, a stray that had been wandering around Eastown sowing his wild oats. He tested positive for FIV, so he was transferred to us from Focus on Ferals and headed on down to our sanctuary. He turned out to be such a lovable lug that it was no surprise when one of our volunteers and her husband took a shine to the terrific tabby—and took him home. Billy, Allison and David lived happily together in a home full of love and many other cats, all of whom Billy got along famously well with; even though he was quite large at 15 pounds, he didn’t try to be in charge, instead allowing the little ladies in the household to run the show.

Over the years, Billy (born in late summer of 2008) made a few trips to the clinic to be treated for a common inflammatory condition known as plasma cell stomatitis, something FIV cats are unfortunately prone too. We were able to manage his illness by extracting all of his teeth except his canines, and periodically with steroids . But in late 2016, it was quite apparent that not only was this physical problem starting to really affect his behavior negatively, but the birth of a human baby had also set him off-kilter. Sadly, Billy started lashing out at the others in the home, and misdirected his aggression towards the baby; his folks had no choice but to relinquish custody back to us at Big Sid’s.

When he arrived at the clinic on Dec. 1, he and Dr. Jen had a good, long heart-to-heart and she issued an ultimatum: he had to behave at Sid’s because we were his last chance. We encouraged him to embrace his return with open arms (er, paws) and to make the best of the situation, because if he did, he would experience comfort and camaraderie that would hopefully take the place of the only family he had probably ever known.

We’re not sure exactly how much Billy actually understood, but we’d would like to think that he turned over a new leaf because from the get-go; he has been nothing but a purr-fect gentleman in every sense of the word! When our cat care director learned of his return and got to spend some time with him, she had this to say:

“This cat reminds me of the bar he was initially named for—Eastown Billy’s—as he should be singing the blues, having been returned to the shelter, but NO—he is rocking it! He fit right back in like he had never left the premises, and has been so incredibly sweet to the volunteers and the other cats alike!”

More about Billy

NOTE: A $825 grant from Lil BUB’s Big Fund for the ASPCA will enable Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary, to fund comprehensive exams for five Big Sid’s Sanctuary cats before going to their new home. Each exam would include a full blood panel, dental care, radiographs, urinalysis, antibiotics and pain medication, if needed. Big Sid’s caters exclusively to cats who test positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). FIV and FeLV are viruses that can, if they flare up, suppress a cat’s immune system. The shelter takes cats with FIV or FeLV from all over Michigan.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Butters

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Who could possibly resist that face?

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

In October of 2017, volunteer and one-woman-rescue-machine Sandi D. came out to the clinic with her latest charge, although it was literally two years in the making—so the trip was quite the momentous occasion! Born in the spring of 2014, Butters was hard-pressed to become domesticated and really didn’t care for the company of other cats whatsoever, which made Sandi’s job of rehabbing and rehoming him all the more difficult. In fact, she wasn’t able to gain his trust enough to have him neutered until this fall, so by the time we were able to take him into our program in November, he was sporting some pretty chubby cheeks.

 

It took several weeks for Butters to be, well, buttered up into fully immersing himself in the Crash’s experience, however, once he figured out that indoor life was pretty darn awesome, he simply melted into the warm and comforting arms of the volunteers—and we discovered how much this big boy likes being carried around like a baby. He morphed from a shy guy to an attention-grabbing, affection-hogging hunk o’cat! When people aren’t around he is more than content to just chill on the windowsill and watch the birds, but his real passion is anything and everything HUMAN!

 

He would do very well in a home with others of the feline kind, but honestly, as long as there is at least one person to offer him a lap to lay on and a shoulder to rest his head on whilst being cradled in enveloping arms, he will think he is in heaven! Really, his wish list is pretty basic and minimal, so it shouldn’t be difficult to grant him what he desires.

More about Butters

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Adoptable cat of the week: Captain Kidd

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Captain Kidd has 21 toes!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

On Oct. 2, 2017, this totally adorable, 21-toed, intact male was unceremoniously dumped on the doorstep of our shelter, in a filthy travel carrier with a note attached. Evidently he was thought to be suffering from a urinary blockage and his owners couldn’t afford to have him treated, so instead of asking for help, they left him behind in the hopes that we would: 1) be able to care for him and 2) have the space to accommodate him once his medical issues were addressed.

 

As luck would have it, even though the unexpected addition of 2-1/2 year old Captain Kidd (Dr. Jen’s name for the handsome bloke who was born in the spring of 2015) put us up over our acceptable head count, he wasn’t afflicted by a urinary tract blockage but rather a non-infectious, inflammatory condition of his bladder.

 

Dr. Jen suspects that Kiddo was showing symptoms of discomfort and either straining to pee, producing bloody urine or going outside of the box. His issues have been simply remedied by neutering him, making sure his daily water intake is increased by feeding him canned food, and inexpensive medical management in the form of twice weekly anti-inflammatory tablets that he takes like a champ. And his litter box manners are something to behold, as he is a proud piddler and uses those massive mitts to cover his business when all is said and done.

 

Captain Kidd is not only drop-dead gorgeous but he is HILARIOUS! He is always in the thick of things, sticking his nose (and those toes) into anything and everything he isn’t supposed to! He is like our very own Energizer Bunny and he cracks us up with his playful antics and his zany, kitten-like behavior.

 

He gets along famously well with the other kitties at Crash’s but in all honesty he wouldn’t have to go into a multi-cat household; as long as he is the center of attention and has plenty to keep him occupied (think rambunctious children or perhaps even a boisterous canine companion), he is absolutely going to make a fabulously fun addition to any family that is fortunate enough to end up with him! And c’mon, those tootsies alone are simply stupendous!

More about Captain Kidd

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Adoptable cat of the week: Nessarose

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Nessarose

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

On October 27th, 2016, we got a call at the clinic from a Meals On Wheels worker who was out and about and came across this hungry, flea-ridden little lady who was hungry for human contact even more than she was craving food. A kindhearted volunteer scooped her up and took her home, offered her some tasty treats and then tried to figure out what exactly to do with her. The cat appeared to have an injured rear leg and her paws looked odd, so the volunteer thought it best to seek help from Dr. Jen.

Although we really didn’t have any extra room at our facility, turning away a cat in need of medical care just isn’t anything Dr. Jen is comfortable with, so she said to bring the kitty on in. Thankfully, the injury sustained to kitty’s left rear leg was minor, and the pododermatitis (or ‘pillow foot’ as it is commonly called) affecting all four foot/toe pads is easily treatable if actively inflamed or painful. Since her tootsies weren’t bothering her, the condition was noted and would be monitored.

Dr. Jen set about treating the kitty for fleas and a mild case of flea allergy dermatitis, spayed the 2-1/2 year old (born in the spring of 2015) and got her program-ready.

Once at Crash’s, Nessarose immediately took to the volunteers. In the words of our cat care director: “What a doll! Nessarose just can’t get close enough to people. Whenever you pick her up, she snuggles up and burrows to the point of almost crawling inside of your clothing — and never wants to be put down. She loves everything about shelter life, especially the never-ending supply of volunteers to cuddle with her. She also makes feline friends eagerly. She really doesn’t need to go into a home with other cats though — as long as there are plenty of people to give her attention — but since she thrives on physical contact, another kitty to claim as her BFF would be fabulous”.

You really couldn’t find yourself a nicer cat than Nessarose, so seriously consider doing something wickedly wonderful by welcoming this darling, delightful girl into your heart and home!

More about Nessarose

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Adoptable cat of the week: Basil Wrathbone

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Sir Basil awaits a purrmanent home

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

Dr. Jen was told that this little fella (who was born in the fall of 2014) was living under a community pool deck at an apartment complex in Byron Center, and the residents loved him as he kept the rodents away. However, no one opted to bring him indoors, and at some point this poor creature ended up with his left front paw in a wild animal trap that was hidden away in his hiding place.
Although the residents quickly noticed his perilous predicament, they couldn’t catch him as he darted out of arm’s reach; he was in terrible pain and frightened out of his mind. They were able to loosen the trap from the deck, but sadly not his foot, and off he ran with it still attached; no one saw him again for about a month.
When he hobbled on back and they caught sight of him again, he was obviously on three legs—and the bones of his foot were sticking out of the paw that had lost all of its toes. One of the concerned apartment dwellers took him in and contacted Dr. Jen through the vet clinic, and she had her bring him right down so she could assess the damage. Needless to say, there wasn’t much left that could be salvaged, but Dr. Jen was able to take him to surgery, remove the desiccated and devitalized metacarpal fragments, treat the infection present and bandage him up so that he could heal (with narcotics on board).
Suffice it to say that Basil was more than ecstatic to finally be indoors, safe and sound, cozy and warm, and get this—free from pain and the metal mess that massacred his precious little paw. He simply couldn’t get enough attention from Dr. Jen and the staff while he recuperated, but Dr. Jen didn’t think it would be wise to send him down to Crash’s with an open wound site (she couldn’t safely close it for risk of deep-seated infection developing).
Handsome kitty!

Dr. Jen took him on home for the next four weeks, until he had received his second set of vaccines and was fully up and running. He was a bit out of his element at first, but he took a quick liking to Dr. Jen’s nine cats and found her Basset hound to be very interesting, although he preferred to keep a safe distance away from the dog.

Over time Basil’s confidence rose, but his mobility was never in question as he was tackling the stairs, furniture and even counter tops from the get-go; nothing stands in this beautiful boy’s way when kitty croutons are being offered! It was an absolute delight watching him grow stronger and become more assertive, claiming the windows as his favorite bird-watching perches and tackling the motorized cat toys with dexterity and determination. He wasn’t a lap cat by nature but when picked up and held close, he would melt into our arms and purr the sweetest of melodies.
Dr. Jen knew transferring Basil to Crash’s would be a bit challenging, but she needn’t have worried. Here is what our cat care director had to say about the marvelous Mr. Wrathbone and his new life as a free-roaming shelter kitty:
“Basil has absolutely no problem getting around the shelter. He’s a bit of a work in process—he spends most of his time sleeping up on the cat walks, but when it’s quiet he does come down and ask for attention. He has great potential to make an awesome cat though, so I am sure he will come out of his shell soon. He LOVES other cats! He is almost always snuggling with someone, so I feel that he should go into a home that has a cat that will snuggle up with him. He’s a little quiet and easily started, so probably no children or active dogs.”
Whattya think? Given all that Basil has been through, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give him the kind of home he has probably always dreamed of?

More about Basil Wrathbone

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Zillah

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Meet gorgeous, gray Zillah!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

In early Jan. 2017, one of our volunteers came across a stunning but profoundly, shy gray girl at a feral feeding station in downtown Grand Rapids. Born in early 2013, this poor soul ended up a shadow dweller, hiding out in the darkness until night fell, then scrambling out for a quick bite before scurrying off to safety.

 

After observing the volunteer diligently at work day after day, supplying all the cats with canned food, the stray finally gained enough courage to crash on through the dishes one day, knocking everything over in order to get to the yummy wet food — and amazingly allowed herself to be petted while she gobbled down with gusto and delight. It took a bit longer until Zillah — whose name means ’shadow’ — could be convinced to come to our clinic. Once she arrived, she was spayed, treated for intestinal parasites, tested (negative–YAY!) and vaccinated. Zillah spent a month at the volunteer’s home getting acclimated to indoor living, then came down to Crash’s to spend a month with us before heading off to another foster home that offered a bit more peace and quiet.

 

Zillah’s foster mom, Sara wrote up a synopsis of her emerging personality, as the longer she is with Sara, the bolder she becomes and the brighter she shines. Here are the sweet things Sara had to say about her timid little lady:

 

“Zillah spent most of her time in the corner of her open cage in Intake while at Crash’s, not wanting a thing to do with anyone — cat or human. In her foster room (with companion Moriarity) she has gone from hiding all of the time to sitting in a cat bed looking out the window. She loves being petted all over, even her sleek belly and, of course, is absolutely wild about wet food, tolerating tummy rubs while chowing down to her heart’s content.

 

Here, Zillah sports a pensive look

“Her favorite toy is a bird on a stick and she will jump extremely high to catch that little bugger! It has been an absolute delight teaching her all about treats, as so many strays are unfamiliar with them and don’t understand quite how to take them from a person’s fingers; she licks away at the hard kibble until she finally takes it in through the side of her mouth and looks up beseechingly for more! She does NOT like being picked up at all and is not, at least at the writing of this bio in April, a lap cat. She will sit close and allow you to stroke her sleek coat, which is one of our favorite pastimes.”

 

We are all so very proud of how far Zillah has come in such a short time! We are looking forward to watching her blossom as spring turns into summer and she finds comfort and security where she is planted.

More about Zillah

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Nigella

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Beautiful Nigella

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

On July 11th, 2016, Dr. Jen received this email from a wonderful gal, Kate, who is doing her part to help out the homeless cats in her neighborhood:
“Hi, Dr Jen, I feed a feral colony and end up attracting friendly strays from time to time. I’ve brought some to you in the past and I swear the minute I bring in one, another one appears. I always wait to see if they hang around or seem to have a home, but for the past 6 weeks this grey female has been basically living on my porch. At first she was scared but now she is very friendly; she has been looking more and more sickly with her fur very unkempt, and also she’s getting skinnier … she’s not doing well and she is not comfortable in my house. …”
It took a few weeks before we had an opening, but in the meantime, Kate combed an entire cat’s worth of matted fur off of her 3-year-old rescue (born in the summer of 2013) and managed to fatten her up a bit. Dr. Jen discovered the reason why kitty wasn’t eating or grooming herself that well was because she had two bad teeth that needed to be extracted AND she was also losing weight from having chronic diarrhea. Tests revealed she was internal parasite-free, so Dr. Jen suspected the loose stools were from the fact that kitty was eating more soupy canned food versus dry kibble. In any case, Dr. Jen was able to get the kitty’s medical issues under control, and a few days after her arrival, this incredibly sweet but painfully shy girl made her way down to Crash’s.

Nigella has a soft, gentle purr and is quick to roll over for belly rubs once she feels comfy, but as soon as anything startles her she high-tails it back to her safe place. It goes without saying that Nigella will need a very quiet, stable home environment to flourish in; she will require a person with patience to allow her to come into her own at the pace she sets for herself. She will need a room to herself, at least initially, as Nigella is all about taking baby steps towards her goal of becoming a brave soul.

Nigella, after a good brushing

After a month at the shelter, she still wasn’t ready to leave the cozy confines of our intake suite, so we let her guide us as to when she was ready to roam. The nice thing about our facility is that there are no time limits or constraints, and every single cat can acclimate and adjust according to his or her own comfort level.

We strive to make the Crash’s experience a positive one for everyone, tailoring it to meet individual needs. It doesn’t matter to us how long it takes.

More about Nigella

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Sparky

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By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

Sparky is a lovely cat, ready and eager for his forever home

When you take a gander at this gorgeous gray-and-white guy’s photo, you would have no idea that upon arrival back in October of 2015, his cheek and jaw were a swollen, infected mess. A victim of a nasty cat bite—a common occurrence in intact males— this 4-year-old (born in the spring of 2013) was suffering from a huge pocket of pus teeming with bacteria that caused a terribly high fever (105.7 degrees).

If it weren’t for the kindhearted Wyoming woman who cared for him for over six months noticing that something was awry, Uncle Fester (as he was named then) would have become even more ill than he was, risking widespread infection and devastating tissue damage. As luck would have it, Dr. Jen was able to surgically drain and flush the abscess and treat with heavy-duty antibiotics and pain medication; within a few hours his body temperature had normalized and Fester was no longer festering but eagerly filling his face with yummy canned food.
Further exam showed a previous injury that caused avulsion of his right thumb and a mild flea infestation, but both of those paled in comparison to that erupting volcano of goo and gore!
After a few days of rinsing, rest and relaxation, our beautiful boy was ready to make his way down to Crash’s, where he settled in nicely, totally digging his new surroundings and being doted on hand and foot. It didn’t take him long to win over the volunteers and roomies alike, and within a few short weeks of his arrival, he was out and about, meeting everyone who came to visit our shelter and charming them with his quiet sophistication and sultry good looks. He proved to be a very busy boy that involves himself in any activity happening around him—he loves being in the middle of the action!
Given his bubbly, outgoing nature, he wasn’t with us for a lengthy time period, and soon resided in a family home where he had tons of fun with the kids and adults alike. However, in late June of of 2017, Sparky (as he was renamed) ended up back with us due to unfortunate circumstances beyond his control; although his humans were so very sad to have to return him to us, rest assured he readjusted to life in our free-roaming facility, getting reacquainted with old friends—and making many new ones!
Sparky is an all-around good guy—adventurous and energetic yet gentle and sweet , all rolled up into one stunning perfect companion style package; we have no doubts that we will be able to send him into a home of his own again soon—and hopefully this time forever!
More about Sparky:

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the Week: Jamie

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Gorgeous Jamie wants a home of his own

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

It is typically not an easy task for a pet owner to come to the realization that he or she has to return their beloved Crash Cat to us, especially when the kitty in question has been a family member for years, so when an owner contacts us, we try to get as much information as possible so we can make the transition as smooth as possible for both human and feline alike.

 

We were contacted in mid-August of 2017 because Jamie (formerly known as Phillie) found himself in this unfortunate situation, and in all honesty, we were a bit concerned as to how he would do back at our free-roaming facility, considering he was adopted out over 5-1/2 years prior, and had been the only cat in a household with two adults. But, with his owner becoming a single pet mom and having to travel more than she was home, we all felt it was best to take him back into our furry fold.

Jovial little Jamie, who was born in January of 2008, came in to see Dr. Jen at the clinic before being transferred on down to Crash’s. Dr. Jen did a complete work up on him, since he is now a senior citizen, though quite the spritely one at that. Unfortunately she discovered that he was suffering from early-stage kidney disease and a kidney stones as well; best-case scenario was that infection was causative, but a less likely underlying issue.

At the writing of this biography (early September), he is in the midst of receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics for a total of 6 weeks, just in case bacterial invasion has seeded his unsuspecting kidneys, and he has been put on unlimited canned food to help increase the water content to his diet, flush toxins from building up and also put weight back on his thin frame.

However, don’t fret too much, as he is one helluva happy camper who mingled, meshed and made himself right at home with the other residents almost immediately, which is utterly amazing! Here is what our cat care director had to say about our terrific tuxedo:

“Jamie adjusted so, so well. It only took him a few hours to start exploring, which is pretty good for a cat that had been in a home for so many years. He is very social now and greets everyone who walks in to the shelter. He doesn’t care about the other cats at all, so he could live with or without them. He also talks — a lot!”

And although we fully realize placing an elderly cat with kidney disease in a home is going to be challenging, Jamie is up for it!

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the Week: Heihei

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Hey! It’s Heihei!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

It’s been quite the year of changes for Crash’s Landing, as we had to combine both or our shelters under one roof, though keep the populations separate; one side of our building houses the Crash Cats and the other houses Big Sid’s, our rescue for FIV- and Feline Leukemia-positive kiddos.

Because our space limitations are greater now than they were when we were fortunate enough to have our Sid’s Kids running around a huge two-story building, we had to decrease the amount of residents we could have at any one time; needless to say our intake has drastically reduced, much to our dismay. However, we are always happy to help another local shelter in need and leave spots open for just such instances, so when our friend Amber at the Kent County Animal Shelter contacted us in mid-August with a transfer request, Dr. Jen was more than thrilled to oblige.

On August 7th, this FAB-U-LOUS FIV+ boy was picked up as a homeless wanderer in Kentwood, and after his stray hold was up and no one had claimed him, the employees were hard-pressed to find him a place to go that could accommodate him given his viral status. Although Heihei (pronounced ‘hay-hay’) doesn’t have a single ornery bone in his gorgeous body, the virus is transmitted by deep puncture wounds, so putting him with the general population wasn’t ideal or even an option.

He was already neutered when the animal shelter got him, but sadly he wasn’t kept indoors; intact males tend to fight, no matter how nice they are, so if he had only been safe and sound inside, his story could have been written up just a little bit differently. The good (no, GREAT) news is however that since our sanctuary caters to kiddos with either FIV or FELV (feline leukemia virus), we were the purr-fect spot for him to land—and boy did he ever hit the ground running!

From the second we laid eyes on his handsomeness, we KNEW he was going to be a fast favorite, as not only is he utterly stunning with his dark black tabby markings, but he is such a gentle, sweet soul that you can’t help but fall helplessly in love with him. It also appears that the volunteers and other residents alike echo this sentiment, as he can always be found snuggling up next to another Sid’s Kid, or hanging out next to one of the humans as they do their chores around the shelter (these cats can be quite the task masters). In fact, our cat care director had these glowing words about Heihei:

“We couldn’t have a more wonderful boy! He adjusted immediately when he got to the shelter and was demanding to be let out of the intake room less than 24 hours after he arrived. He is super cuddly, social, and playful and he also talks non- stop, which is absolutely adorable. He will make a great cat for any family, especially one with kids. I doubt we will have him long.”
Want to adopt Heihei? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here. Go here to learn about FIV. Go here to learn about FeLV.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Cuervo

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Meet Cuervo!

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

 

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, 2017, Dr. Jen opted to give all of the ‘newbies’ for the month names of Hispanic origin; we had already had a Cinco (and Dr. Jen is saving Mayo for a white kitty).

 

Cute and cuddly Cuervo (born in the spring of 2013, came to us through volunteer Sandi D’s TNR efforts on the south side of town. Suffering from a full thickness right-sided facial wound, he sported a lop-sided grin for several weeks until his skin healed. Since he was all male before his rescue, it is no wonder that fighting with another cat transmitted the virus to him.

 

He is the type of cat that THRIVES in our free roaming shelter situation and he is enthralled by everything and captivated by everyone! He literally follows the volunteers around and throws himself at their feet, flopping over and begging for belly rubs every chance he gets; however, it is getting brushed that induces an almost catatonic, rapturous state — more than anything, this tickles his fancy to no end! He is going to make paws-itively THE purr-fect companion for the luckiest of families who scoop him up and take him home!

Want to adopt Cuervo? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here. Go here to learn about FIV. Go here to learn about FeLV.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.

Cat of the week: Sassy Salsa

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Sassy Salsa

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

On June 13th, 2017, we took in this affectionate little girl, about 18 months of age (born in late 2015). As it turned out, Salsa was pregnant (and eating bird seed in her rescuer’s yard to feed her growing belly).

Salsa was very lucky that she stumbled into the yard of volunteer Sandy R, as she put food out for the darling calico until such a time that she could coax her into her good graces and bring her in to Dr. Jen. She recovered well from her spay surgery and was totally meshing with the other residents at Crash’s when she fell ill with Calici virus, a very contagious feline respiratory disease that strikes unvaccinated, immunocompromised kitties. Thankfully we were able to treat her successfully and she recovered fully.

Salsa has earned the nickname of ‘Sassy Salsa’ — she is a spitfire, but only in a totally endearing way. She has a lot of spunk in her teeny little body; for example, she will only eat wet food that she steals from other cats, even if you put the same food in front of her. She is not afraid to show her roommates who’s the boss and will smack them right across the face if she doesn’t like what they are doing. She will do very well in any home that has lots to do, but she would probably prefer to be the only cat.
Want to adopt Salsa? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.

Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!

Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.