Tag Archives: pets

Local rescue focuses on helping ‘community’ cats

July 19, 20232-row, Citizen Journalism, Pets/AnimalsCats, pets, TNRJoanne

From the left, Lynnette Wieck and Maureen Herendeen, the founder of Feral Cat Solutions (Courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

By Janet Vormittag
WKTV Contributing Writer

Most retirees enjoy traveling, grandkids and sunny days in southern states during the winter months. Not Maureen Herendeen. When the Grand Rapids woman retired from nursing in 2020, she decided to advocate for community cats in Kent County.

“I like the challenge of it,” she said.

Herendeen has a passion for cats, especially outside cats. She believes in trap-neuter-return (TNR) and in July 2022 she turned her passion into Feral Cat Solutions, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

The importance of getting feral cats fixed

“Community cats” is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned free-roaming cats who may or may not have a caretaker. Caretakers, who provide food and shelter, are not the legal owners of the cats.

Often Herendeen finds people willing to feed community cats and even provide them shelter, but they don’t get the cats fixed.

“Spay/neuter costs money,” she said.

In TNR, the cats are live-trapped, spayed or neutered, ear tipped and returned to where they were caught. A tipped ear is the universal sign of a spayed/neutered cat. One centimeter is removed from the tip of the left ear while the cat is anesthetized for spay/neuter surgery. Ear tips are readily visible from a distance, making it easy for caretakers, trappers and animal control personnel to immediately identify a cat as spayed or neutered.

Herendeen’s goal is to get community cats spayed/neutered to prevent unwanted litters from being born. The mortality rate of kittens born outside can be as high as 75 percent. Survival often depends on the mother’s access to food and shelter. Feral kittens can starve to death or fall victim to diseases. If they are born when it’s cold, hypothermia can take their lives. Raccoons and other predators also kill kittens.

Herendeen’s also wants to get friendly cats off the streets.

The elaborate dance

Over the years, Herendeen has volunteered for numerous cat rescues including Carol’s Ferals. When Carol’s closed, she continued TNR on her own. She approached staff at the Kent County Animal Shelter and asked if they could help with the spay/neuter surgeries of cats she trapped.

“I couldn’t ask for more cooperation from them,” she said. The shelter has a staff veterinarian and a grant to help cover surgery costs. They’re able to give Feral Cat Solutions 16 surgical appointments each week.

People with outside cats who need to be fixed contact Herendeen. She loans traps and expects people to do their own trapping. She will help trap for seniors and disabled people.

Trapping is scheduled for five days each week. When the cats are caught, they’re taken to Herendeen’s home in northeast Grand Rapid and she transports them for surgery. She has ten cages in her garage where cats stay before and after surgery.

“It’s an elaborate dance of a schedule,” she said.

Utilizing community resources

When there is a need, Herendeen also uses local veterinarians who offer discounted spay/neuter services.

If there are kittens who can be socialized and adopted, Herendeen finds them a foster home. The same goes for adult cats who appear to be friendly.

In 2022, Herendeen had 534 cats and kittens spayed/neutered. Of those, 329 were placed in local adoption programs including those at Second Chance Cats, Crash’s Landing, Kent County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of West Michigan.

A co-hort in rescuing

Herendeen gets a lot of help from fellow cat advocate Lynnette Wieck who has also volunteered for numerous rescues over the years.

The women’s personalities complement one another. Herendeen is an action person. “I move at warped speed,” she said. “I do all the interacting with trappers, planning, collecting the cats, caring for the cats and transporting.”

Wieck is laid-back, detail oriented and spends a ton of time doing behind-the-scenes work. She also feeds feral cat colonies several days a week.

The rescue community

Herendeen has a network of rescues and fosters who help as needed. “I love all the people I meet in animal welfare. There are so many awesome generous people. It’s so satisfying.”

When she can’t find fosters for adult cats, Herendeen puts the cat in her Socialization Boot Camp, which means she lets the cats loose in her house and gives them time to become friendly. “It can take a long time, but it’s so rewarding. I feel like I won the lottery when they let me pet them.”

Besides being a lot of work, helping the cats is a big expense. There are intake fees for cats accepted into adoption programs, veterinarian expenses, and the cost of supplies including live traps. Occasionally, Herendeen will do a fundraiser on Facebook, but when donations don’t cover the expenses she opens her own wallet.

Feral Cat Solutions has a waitlist of people needing help.

A choice to help

“It’s astonishing how many starving cats there are—in parking lots, abandoned buildings, yards,” Herendeen said, adding she’s more than willing to help but no longer has the heart to hear depressing stories involving cats.“

“It hurts my soul,” she said. Some of things she has witnessed haunt her.

“Hearing a tragic story doesn’t compel me anymore,” she said.

Wieck agreed. “It’s not fun. It’s a need. It’s our choice to help animals.”

As much as Herendeen, Wieck and other rescues have done, the calls for help doesn’t slow down.

“It’s discouraging not to see an end in sight,” Herendeen said.

If you need help with outside cats contact Feral Cats Solutions through their Facebook page or you can text your first name, address and a brief description to 951-852-7063 to get scheduled or to ask questions. Feral Cat Solutions is a TNR organization. They do not rescue and do not have an adoption program.

Janet Vormittag started Cats and Dogs, a Magazine Devoted to Companion Animals in 2006 as a monthly publication. It’s geared towards West Michigan readers and features pet-related advertisers, animals available for adoption, and articles about animal rescues and pets. In 2018, Cats and Dogs transitioned to a quarterly publication. The print edition is free and can be found at local libraries and businesses.

Wyoming resident ‘hops’ up to help unwanted bunnies

July 12, 20233-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Pets/Animals, RecreationBunnies, pets, RescueJoanne

Wyoming resident Diane Dykema learned about how many unwanted bunnies there were, she started Bunnies-R-Us rescue. (Photo courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

By Janet Vormittag
WKTV Contributing Writer

Wyoming resident Diane Dykema has a passion for rabbits and thought breeding and selling bunnies would be a fun hobby. She changed her mind when people started asking her to take rabbits they no longer wanted.

“I didn’t realize how many unwanted bunnies there were,” Dykema said.

That realization compelled Dykema to transition from breeding to rescue. In July 2019, she started Bunnies–R–Us and began taking in unwanted rabbits and finding them new homes.

In 2022, Dykema adopted out 92 rabbits. She has a 100% rate of finding new homes for rabbits in less than two months.

Education the key

Dykema thinks most people get rid of rabbits because they aren’t educated on what is involved in caring for their new pet.

“You can’t put a rabbit in a cage and leave it there,” she said. “Having a rabbit is a big responsibility.”

Sp,e buddies bond with each other and become best buddies. (Photo courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

Before taking home one of Dykema’s rabbits, tentative adopters are required to sit through a one-on-one, hour-long educational session. Using handouts and videos, Dykema teaches them what rabbits should and shouldn’t be fed. She shows how to hold a rabbit and explains why exercise is important.

Rabbits in Dykema’s care get out of their cages at least once a day to play with toys in an exercise pen.

People learn rabbits never look sick, have a high tolerance for pain, and can die from stress. Rabbits can also be trained to use a litter box.

Adopters leave with a folder full of information, a starter kit with litter, hay and bunny food, and Dykema’s telephone number.

“They know everything they need to know before they leave,” Dykema said. “They can also call me anytime.”

If people are hesitant about adopting, they can foster to adopt.

Some of the bunnies available for adoption at Bunnies-R-Us rescue. (Photo courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

Working to make an adoption a success

Besides owner-surrendered rabbits, Dykema gets rabbits from people who find domesticated bunnies roaming outside. “People think they can live like a wild bunny. They can’t.” She added that rabbits shouldn’t be released outside—they lack survival skills and are vulnerable to predators.

Recently Dykema took in seven bunnies from Traverse City Animal Control who got them from a rescue that had closed.

Adoption fees range from $30 to $100 and depends on age, breed and if the rabbit is spayed/neutered. Dykema doesn’t routinely spay/neuter rabbits but won’t adopt a male and female together unless one of them is fixed.

Dykema said adoption fees keep people from taking rabbits for snake food or meat.

Some rabbits bond with each other and become best buddies. Dykema won’t breakup a bonded pair or trio, but if the pair consists of a male and female, one must be spayed/neutered.

“I don’t adopt a male and female together. I learned that the hard way,” Dykema said. She also won’t adopt to someone who has a rabbit of the opposite sex at home. She explained that one gentleman adopted two females and neglected to tell her he had a male at home. He soon brought her a dozen young rabbits and the male rabbit.

Dykema is learning as she goes and now charges an intake fee and asks that a rabbit’s cage be included in the surrender to reduce the stress on the rabbit.

A family affair

When full, Dykema asks people to foster the rabbit they want to surrender until a new home can be found. She has room for about two dozen rabbits and she does most of the work of feeding and cleaning by herself. Recently, a 13-year-old girl started volunteering to help care for the bunnies.

Diane Dykema checks on the bunnies. (Photo courtesy, Janet Vormittag)

Dykema’s family is supportive of her rescue. Her husband, Russ, helps where he can and her daughter works on the website and makes bunny videos.

Dykema said rabbits are often a neglected animal and are usually looked at like a farm animal. She sees them differently and hopes to educate people about their true nature.

“They’re smart and clean,” she said. “They can be silly and are easy to care for. They each have their own personality. Each one is different and unique.”

For more information visit www.bunniesrusrabbitry.com.

How to protect your pets from the cold this winter

November 11, 20223-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Pets/Animalspets, shelter, Water, winterJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law requires that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water, and dry bedding. (Photo from Pxhere.com)

The weather is turning colder and before it does, the Kent County Animal Shelter is reminding residents to make sure their pets have appropriate shelter.

While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law does require that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water, and dry bedding. The statute also stipulates separate shelter requirements for livestock.

“The best place for our pets is in our home but we know that is now always possible,” said KCAS Director Angela Hollinshead. KCAS is working in collaboration with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division to remind residents of the special care their pet needs during the cold weather. “We encourage all pet owners to take appropriate steps to protect those animals that may be left outside for long stretches of time.

“Many pets are not equipment to handle the effects of cold temperatures so we want to remind pet owners of their responsibilities to care for them during the winter.”

A few of the cold weather requirements in state statute include:

Maintain adequate shelter, which can be one or more of the following:

Inside the owners’ home

An enclosure or shelter with at least three sides and a roof that is appropriate for the size and breed of the dog.

A structure, including a garage, barn or shed, that is sufficiently insulated and ventilated to protect the dog from exposure to extreme temperatures, or if not sufficiently insulated and ventilated, contains a doghouse inside the structure.

Structures or natural features such as trees or topography for livestock

Provide dry bedding, such as straw when the temperature is or predicated to be below freezing. Avoid using blankets or cloth bedding as these materials will likely get wet and freeze.

Provide water that is safe to drink and suitable for age and species of the animal. Owners are encouraged to check every few hours to ensure the water is not frozen.

Although Michigan law does not directly address free-roaming cats, the KCAS encourages residents to also be mindful of their needs. Cats are typically well adapted for living in colder climates but they greatly benefit from having access to a shelter. Simple cat shelters made from a storage tote lined with foam and stuffed with straw make great places for cats to escape from the cold.

“It someone suspects an animal is being neglected or is in danger due to cold weather, we encourage them to contact Animal Control,” said KCSO Lt. John DeGroot. “The KCSO is prepared to investigate all reports of animal neglected throughout the winter.”

All reports of animals being kept outside for an extended period without adequate shelter, water, and bedding should be reported to Animal Control at 616-632-7310.

“Michigan winters are certainly beautiful but an be dangerous fo some animals if they do not have appropriate resources,” Hollinshead said. “If you cannot keep your pet indoors and need resources, please call the KCAS to see how e can help.”

BISSELL’s Empty the Shelters program helps pet crisis accelerated by pandemic

July 27, 2022Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Pets/Animals, West MichiganBISSELL, Empty the Shelters, pet rescue, petsCris Greer

BISSELL Pet Foundation founder Cathy Bissell (Courtesy)

By Philip Janowski, WKTV Contributing Writer

The BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters summer event aims to relieve stress on animal shelters across the country.

The annual event, which began July 11 and runs through July 31, hopes to provide a relief valve for the homeless pets.

Shelters are experiencing an all-time high of dog and cat residents that was accelerated by the COVID pandemic and the housing and rental crisis.

Fig and Friends Pet Rescue

“Intake numbers are up, adoption numbers are down,” said Julie Beukema, of Fig and Friends Pet Rescue. “Combine that with an increase in vet costs and the daily expenses of housing animals, and you have the perfect storm.

“Every inch of every shelter and rescue that I know is full.”

During the nationwide Empty the Shelters event, the BISSELL Pet Foundation (also known as BPF) sponsors reduced adoption fees for $50 or less. The event is hosted at over 250 organizations in 42 states. In Michigan, nearly 40 sites are participating.

“Shelters are calling me daily, and BISSELL Pet Foundation is feeling the burden of overcrowding,” said Cathy Bissell, who founded BPF in 2011. “Empty the Shelters is the largest funded adoption event in the country, and by extending the event to three weeks, we can help meet the immediate need to save lives.”

Saving two lives: the adopted pet and the one taking its place in the shelter

The Empty the Shelters program itself started in 2016, and since its inception, over 96,000 pets have found homes at participating shelters in the United States and Canada. Events are held quarterly.

As part of the program the BPF pays the majority of adoption fees, allowing for adopters to take home a fully vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered pet. Shelters get a second chance to give pets they love a home. And pets win by finding a loving family.

“Shelters, rescues, and those involved in running them are in great distress,” explained Julie Beukema. “I continue to get calls every day from people wanting to surrender animals or from someone that found a cat or kitten. Yesterday, I had a request [to drop off] a mom cat and four kittens.”

Local participating shelters include the Humane Society of West Michigan and the Kent County Animal Shelter. For more information, visit the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s website at https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/ and the Empty the Shelters page at https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/programs/empty-the-shelters/.

How to keep pets safe during the July 4th holiday

June 27, 20223-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Pets/AnimalsJuly 4, microchip, pets, safetyJoanne

By BISSELL Pet Foundation
bissellpetfoundation.org

Tire your pets out by spending more time exercising them than normal to keep them calm. (pxhere.com)

With more pets running away on July 4th than any other day of the year, shelter intake rates are once again set to skyrocket after the holiday weekend. As Independence Day celebrations begin, BISSELL Pet Foundation is sharing tips to minimize fear and protect your pet from becoming lost.

According to 24Pet ShelterWatch data, July is consistently the highest month for intakes in our nation’s animal shelters. Shelters across the country are already in crisis with overcrowding and other significant obstacles such as longer length-of-stay for pets, seasonal high intake of puppies and kittens, lack of spay/neuter services during the pandemic, short staffing and slowed adoptions. BISSELL Pet Foundation is committed to fighting shelter overcrowding. One aspect of this is ensuring pet owners take all necessary precautions to keep their pets safe during celebrations to minimize the risk of a pet escaping and getting lost or ending up at a shelter.

“Shelters are full right now and space is limited. Please be proactive to keep your pet safe at home and ensure they are microchipped with updated information,” said BISSELL Pet Foundation Founder Cathy Bissell. “A microchip is not a GPS, but it will increase your chances of reuniting with your pet if they are ever lost.”

To keep pets safe during the holiday weekend, BISSELL Pet Foundation is encouraging pet owners to:

Keep pets indoors in a quiet place where they will feel comfortable. Give pets their favorite toy and check on them often to ensure they are calm.
Be sure your pet has a microchip with up-to-date information.
Always keep ID tags on your pet and ensure the collar and tags are secure.
Tire your pets out by spending more time exercising them than normal to keep them calm.

As our nation’s shelters face unprecedented overcrowding, BISSELL Pet Foundation is doing its part to take homeless pets from kennels to couches with the longest-ever Summer National Empty the Shelters event! From July 11-31, adopt a dog or cat for a reduced fee from one of hundreds of participating shelters throughout the country. A full list of participating shelters will be available soon at https://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters/.

Man’s best friend, meet mom’s new baby

March 11, 20193-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Pets/Animalsbabies, Dogs, pets, safety, Samantha Kauffman, Spectrum Health Beat, TrainingJoanne

A dog with proper training and a good disposition will react well to the inevitable surprises a baby can bring. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Samantha Kauffman, Spectrum Health Beat

In one of our recent childbirth classes, a mom-to-be asked me for some advice on the best ways to bring her new baby into the home, since they have two dogs.

Now, my family doesn’t have inside animals at home, so I don’t have any personal experience.

But this struck me as a great question, and it led me to ask around and search online for some helpful tips. I found plenty of great information.

To start, you should assess your dogs—or even your cat, if that’s the case—to get a handle on their experiences and disposition around small children.

Has your pet ever been around small children before? How did the pet do?

One site I looked at recommended preparing your dog at least four months in advance for the arrival of the baby. You can do this by showing the pet the baby areas for play and sleep, the baby’s clothes, and so on.

When you’re one to two months from the delivery date, adjust the dog’s normal routine. You’ll have to do this anyway if you plan to have the dog sleep somewhere else, or if the dog’s access to certain areas will be limited because there’s a new baby in the house. It’s best to ready the dog in advance.

If you have time—and if your dog doesn’t already know these—teach the dog some basic commands like come, go, sit, stay and drop it. (That last one comes in handy with baby items.) It’s very important to teach the dog not to jump.

Prep your pup

One great way to prepare you dog for the arrival of a new baby in the home is to mimic—appropriately and respectfully—the potential behaviors of your baby. This can be done before your baby comes home, but also after.

Babies don’t know what they’re doing. If they see a dog, it’s inevitable they will pull its ears, fur, paws and nose.

The recommendation is to gently interact in a similar way with your dog—gently pull on the fur, for example—and give the dog a treat for behaving properly. Then, say something to your dog that you would have said if baby had been pulling on the dog’s fur.

For example: Give the dog’s paw a gentle tug, and then in a kind voice say, “What was that? Just baby!”

Continue this, appropriately, so your dog learns not to react. Your dog can learn how to properly respond to baby’s poking and prodding. Also, remember you’ll be teaching your baby what is OK and not OK with your pet.

Also, teach your dog that the nursery is off limits. (Remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your baby sleep in a crib or bassinet in your room for the first year if possible, or the first six months at a minimum.)

At the end of the day, your baby’s safety is more important than all else. If you suspect your pet can’t behave or can’t be properly trained to accommodate a new baby, you should find the pet a new great home.

Some other tips I found in online research:

When you’re still at the hospital with your new baby, give a family member something that has your new baby’s scent on it, such as a burp cloth or a blanket. Have the family member take that item back to the house so that your dog can smell it. This can acclimate the dog to the new baby’s scent.
Once you’ve left the hospital and you arrive home with your baby, try to enter the home first. You or a family member can hold the baby at a safe distance, possibly in another room or a quieter part of the house. Let your dog get used to your return and work through its excitement. Just keep your baby a safe distance from the dog until the animal settles down.
Have someone distract the dog with treats until everything settles down.
When you eventually do allow the dog to come over and see the baby, be relaxed. Allow the dog to smell baby’s feet first. Praise your dog for being gentle and have treats available.
Never leave your baby alone on the floor with your dog.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Paws for peacefulness

March 7, 20193-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Healthbirds, Cats, Dogs, HealthDay, mental health, pets, Robert Preidt, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

There’s an infinite amount of calm and comfort to be had in the company of dogs, cats and birds. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay

Cats, dogs, birds and other pets can help people manage their mental disorders, a study says.

Researchers from the United Kingdom asked more than 50 adults with long-term mental conditions about the role pets play in their social networks.

Sixty percent placed pets in the central and most important circle—above family, friends and hobbies. Another 20 percent placed pets in the second circle.

Many said the constant presence and close proximity of their pets provide an immediate source of calm. For some, a pet helps distract them from symptoms and upsetting experiences such as hearing voices or suicidal thoughts.

“You just want to sink into a pit … the cats force me to sort of still be involved with the world,” one patient said.

Another patient said: “I’m not thinking of the voices, I’m just thinking of the birds singing.”

The findings were published in the journal BMC Psychiatry.

“The people we spoke to through the course of this study felt their pet played a range of positive roles, such as helping them to manage stigma associated with their mental health by providing acceptance without judgment,” said study lead author Helen Brooks, from the University of Manchester.

“Pets were also considered particularly useful during times of crisis,” Brooks said in a journal news release.

“Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which [the patients] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,” she said.

Despite this, pets weren’t considered in the individual care plans for any of the people in the study, Brooks said.

The results suggest pets should be considered a main source of support in the management of long-term mental health problems, Brooks and her colleagues concluded.

Through open discussion of what works best for individual patients, the mental health community might better involve people in their own mental health care, she said.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Cat of the week: Hero

March 22, 20173-bottom, Citizen JournalismBig Sid's Sanctuary, Cat of the week, Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, crash's landing, Dr. Jen, pets, Sharon WylieJoanne

By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing

Each week WKTV features an adoptable cat from Crash’s Landing or Big Sid’s Sanctuary. Both cat rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Petrovich, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).

In June of 2013, Dr. Jen received a very nice email request from an employee at a Michigan shelter in regards to transferring over a Feline Leukemia positive boy who was stuck in a cage—with limited adoption opportunities. Since their shelter did not have a program for cats with FELV (most do not) and he was not able to roam much due to lack of space, he was primarily confined to one spot. The shelter was able to house him temporarily with a positive kitten, so Hero (who was born in late 2013) had a buddy to snuggle and cuddle with.

Since we focus on cats older than six months of age, Dr. Jen gladly accepted this striking, stunning tabby fella into our program at Big Sid’s. So on July 7th we welcomed this long and lanky, MARVELOUS manx into our free-roaming, two level facility after a work-up was performed at the clinic—and Dr. Jen got to bond and fall hopelessly in love with him. I mean those ear tips and tufts alone are enough to knock your socks off, but when you couple that with those piercing green eyes… it’s all over!

Hero is probably one of THE HAPPIEST CATS we currently have at our sanctuary! He could not wait to be released from our intake suite (we had to speed up the process a wee bit to accommodate his eagerness) so he could meet the rest of the residents and hang out with all of the volunteers. Instant-presto nice guy Hero impressed everyone with how cordial and outgoing he was from the moment he padded paw into our place. Our cat care director went so far as to say that he was one of the nicest cats we have EVER had at Sid’s—and that is saying A LOT. She says he thrives on chatting with you and following you around; no matter what you are doing or where you are, jubilant, overjoyed Hero is there with a smile plastered on his face (he sports a very winning grin).

It is a crying shame that our handsome Hero contracted the virus because it does limit his chances realistically of being adopted. He is too social and has formed such a strong kinship with the other cats that he absolutely has to have another kitty to play with, and he needs a bustling household that can energize and entertain him. It can be a tall order to fill when asking someone to take a chance on a Feline Leukemia positive kitty, but Hero has SO MUCH TO OFFER—virus be damned! He is most definitely worth looking into what it requires to take on a positive kitty, so if you are interested in finding out more about Hero and FELV, please contact Dr. Jen directly.

MORE ABOUT HERO

Felv+
House trained
Spayed/Neutered
Current on vaccinations

Get the facts about Feline Leukemia here.

Learn about our 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: Heyward

February 15, 20173-bottom, Citizen JournalismAdoptable cat, Big Sid's Sanctuary, Cat of the week, Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, crash's landing, Dr. Jen, petsJoanne

Just look at that handsome mug

By Sharon Wylie

Crash’s Landing

We happen to think that ALL of our Crash Cats are good looking, but this guy right here is one hot commodity, and so flipping handsome we can hardly contain ourselves when we gaze upon his gorgeousness! Hunky Heyward (born in late 2011) ended up homeless and helpless in mid-October, 2016 when a cat lover provided him with the safety and comfort of a really awesome outdoor coop she has set up for the strays she often comes across out in her northeast Grand Rapids neighborhood.

When Dr. Jen had the extreme pleasure of welcoming him into our program on November 14th, he was extremely shy and suffering from severe dental disease; in fact the neutered male had pockets of pus present in his mouth and was missing many teeth that had literally rotted and fallen out sometime before his rescue. He was pretty scruffy and matted, probably from not being willing to groom himself as meticulously due to profound oral pain, so we spruced and fluffed him up while he was under anesthesia for his surgery. He looked and smelled SO much better once he woke up and was able to enthusiastically dive head first into bowl after bowl of yummy soft food.

Once at the shelter, Heyward hunkered down in his two-story cat condo and refused ANY and ALL human contact for two whole weeks, though he delighted in the endless supply of meals and didn’t mind people speaking softly to him. Then, all of a sudden, at exactly the two-week mark, he waltzed on out of his condo and demanded affection, and he hasn’t stopped since that wonderful, glorious day. He prefers to stay tucked away out of the limelight but will seek out attention when all is quiet in the shelter.

Heyward is especially fond of belly rubs and lap snuggles; we suspect that once he feels comfy and cozy in his new, mellow home, he will offer his tummy up for major pets and warm the laps of those who have chosen to take a chance on him, take him home and love him up one side and down the other:) Heyward deserves to be doted on and adored, and he will most certainly reciprocate your kindness with unconditional love.

Want to adopt Heyward? 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!

Cat of the week: Clawed LeMew

February 8, 20173-bottom, Citizen JournalismClawed LeMew, Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, crash's landing, Dr. Jen, pets, Sharon WylieJoanne

Meet Clawed LeMew!

By Sharon Wylie

Crash’s Landing

At the tail end of January 2015, Wyoming resident April D. came across this very hot mess of a cat on a bitterly cold winter day; abscessed and oozing, this intact male needed help ASAP. So she contacted us and we got him out to the clinic the very next day, which turned out to be not a minute too soon, as there was way more going on than what met the eye. Not only was this 5-year-old tom cat (born in early 2012) suffering from multiple infected bite wounds on his very swollen and lame left rear leg, but both of his ears were terribly infected , one of his nails had been completely torn off resulting in a nasty infection AND he was anemic from a blood parasite carried by fleas.

Although he looked really rough on the outside, it was the lack of red blood cells that was the bigger threat; he ended up requiring two different types of antibiotics, narcotics and steroids to treat all that ailed him. However, in spite of it all, within three weeks after his arrival, our fabulously fine fella with the frayed ear tips recovered completely. In fact, to look at him now, you would never guess the laundry list of issues he had upon arrival into our program.

It took a bit for Clawed LeMew to fully acclimate to his surroundings, something that we totally understand given his tumultuous history and the fact he came in looking like a furry little punching bag. He is still a bit head shy (who can blame him?) but each and every day he is with us he becomes less leery of the other cats around him. However, Dr. Jen admits being told that he is one to speak his mind and spew kitty profanity if someone gets a wee bit too close for comfort.

Clawed adores human attention and is very willing to engage in sessions of belly rubs and heavy petting (sounds naughty right?) but he isn’t too fond of being picked up. He gets a little spooked if you move too fast around him, so we try to remember to go slow and shower him with his favorite tasty treats, Temptations. He may have been a bit of a bad boy while out on his own, but now that he is part of this new team, Clawed gets to stop being defensive and show his softer side.

It has been remarkable for us to literally watch his transformation occur right before our eyes — not only has he developed into a mature, well-adjusted fella, but he has shown us, and more importantly himself, that he is capable of being gentle and loving. He thoroughly enjoys soaking up the reassurances and tender touches of the volunteers that are spoiling him on a daily basis.

Since life on the streets proved to be aggressive and chaotic for Clawed, we will strive to find him a home that is calm and quiet, one where he can settle in, hunker down and reap the rewards of being a handsome, pampered house cat.

Want to adopt Clawed LeMew? 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!

Cat of the week: Elegant Ellie

February 1, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Pets/AnimalsAdoptable cat, Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic, crash's landing, Dr. Jen, Elegant Ellie, pets, Sharon WylieJoanne

By Sharon Wylie

Crash’s Landing

Elegant Ellie first arrived at Crash’s via the Veteran’s Home back in the fall of 2005. Because she was so alluring and outgoing, she was quickly adopted by a wonderful gal, who took her home and doted on her for almost nine years. Dr. Jen was fortunate enough to have been her veterinarian for seven of those years, so she got to see her on a regular basis and offer advice when her mom moved, got married and acquired a dog as a house mate.

When the furry and human family moved to Allendale in 2012, Dr. Jen lost contact with her, until an email came to us in August of 2014, asking us to take her back into our program. Seems that for some reason that summer, Ellie took to urinating inappropriately, first on the carpet and then on the couch. Her mom mentioned that the basement did flood due to a leaky pipe, and that is where her litter box was located, and they had a person stay in their finished basement which was previously Ellie’s territory.

As we all know, sometimes things WE think aren’t significant enough to warrant a behavior change can indeed be terribly upsetting to a cat, who will then act out by urinating where she shouldn’t. As pet owners, it is up to us to dive deeper into the issue at hand, not blame the cat for being ‘bad’ and figure out what can be done to rectify the problem. But, all members of the household have to be on board with this game plan, and sadly, this wasn’t the case with Ellie.

It was extremely difficult for her mom to have to make that tearful trip to the vet’s office to relinquish custody of her little girl, one she had been through so much with over the years, but decisions were made and that was that.

Ellie, born in early 2005, was as darling and adorable as Dr. Jen recalled, talking up a storm and purring and head-butting her like the long-lost furry friend she was! Dr. Jen promptly collected a urine sample, which did prove to be completely normal. Knowing that stress is a HUGE factor in feline house soiling issues, she gave Ellie a pep talk, told her to mind her manners, and prepped her for her return to Crash’s. She was in need of dental work, as she hadn’t seen a vet since she left our practice, so I took her to surgery and removed a bad tooth. She woke up ready and raring to go, excited for the next chapter in her life, eager and willing to make new friends.

In fact, within a day of arriving back at Crash’s, where she spent no more than a few weeks so long ago, this ebullient girl wanted OUT of the intake suite in a major way! She is extremely affectionate to all who cross her path, seems to really enjoy the company of other cats and is far more outgoing and accepting of her surroundings than Dr. Jen anticipated of a senior citizen new on the scene.

If Ellie continues to behave and beguile everyone with her winning ways, Dr. Jen has no doubt that she will be able to place her in a home again. She is simply too sweet and stunning to not afford her another chance!

Our policy has always been one of acceptance in spite of imperfections, and we are thrilled to be able to offer her that. Plus, it is very easy to become enamored by her beauty and energy, so we are quite happy to be hosting her once again!

MORE ABOUT ELLIE

Declawed
Spayed/Neutered
Current on vaccinations

Want to adopt Ellie? 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!

Cat of the week: Roku

December 21, 20163-bottom, Citizen JournalismCat of the week, crash's landing, Dr. Jen, pets, Roku, Sharon WylieJoanne

By Sharon Wylie

Crash’s Landing

In mid-November, 2015, a pet groomer alerted us to the plight of a cat in need that had been hanging around her house for a few weeks. Although she had set him up on her front porch, and he was camping out there quite contentedly in a heated cat house, she soon discovered that he had been kicked out by another stray, a wild child that wouldn’t let him back in.

So she set him up in her garage for a few days, awaiting program intake, and the overwhelmed, exhausted fella slept like he hadn’t in ages. He had absolutely no interest in venturing further than his food dish and litter box, so he was allowed to just rest and regain his strength.

Although Roku was grateful, he had a hard time expressing his emotions, as he wasn’t used to anyone being decent to him; he grumbled and growled in spite of himself. After some research, his rescuer discovered that this stunning Siamese (born in late 2011) had been living in the area for a few years, sheltered by people’s garages and porches, being fed intermittently, but most of the time fending for himself. Given his history, it is no wonder that this gorgeous guy was a bit grumpy.

Once at the clinic, Roku decided that even though he wasn’t too keen on this whole TLC thing, he did enjoy the endless supply of food and the creature comforts provided. Not a fan of other felines too much, he will tolerate them as long as they are not in too close of proximity; however since we house on average 90 cats at Crash’s, he won’t be able to go very far without encountering another cat.

One good thing though is that Roku now finds humans more tolerable, though if he has had enough petting or attention slathered on him, he will gently slap your hand away or nibble at your fingers, though not once has he attempted to scratch or chomp. We feel that given his strong personality and the fact that he is very set in his ways, he will do best in a solo home, but one where he isn’t expected to be a lap cat, because that just isn’t his thing.

Roku really is a nice boy, but he is stubborn and independent — and obviously these traits served him well in his past, so we can’t begrudge him that.

We have no worries that in time, with patience and stability, Roku will understand and accept kindness wholeheartedly. Each resident in our rescue deserves to have his or her care tailored to meet their individual needs, and Roku is no exception. He’s a work in progress and the volunteers continue to provide him the affection he may not know he wants — but most definitely needs — until his forever family comes along.

MORE ABOUT ROKU

House trained
Spayed/Neutered
Current on vaccinations
Prefers a home without cats and Young Children
Primary Color(s): Flame Point Siamese

Want to adopt Roku? 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!

Cat of the week: Mushka

November 30, 20163-bottom, Citizen JournalismAdoptable, Big Sid's, Big Sid's Sanctuary, crash's landing, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, FIV, Mushka, petsJoanne

Mushka (born in March of 2009) was a homeless boy whose whereabouts prior to his rescue were unknown, but he was as timid and reserved as they come.

During those first few days at the clinic, he cowered and shied away from Dr. Jen as she ran blood work on him and cleaned out his ears which were impacted with ear mite debris. And since he had just been neutered days before, he needed a good, old-fashioned bath to remove the grease and oils common in intact males, known as stud-tail. Usually at the end of a cat’s stay with Dr. Jen, he or she is putty in her hands, but that wasn’t the case, and Dr. Jen sent Mushka down to Big Sid’s for some much needed compassion, gentle and positive interaction and heaping doses of one-on-one! If anyone can bring out a frightened cat’s inner lion, the dedicated volunteers can for sure.

Mushka is as handsome as they come when his ears aren’t flat against his head. The volunteers dote on him daily and allow him to slowly open his petals and blossom; in time he will flourish and realize that life is better than good at Big Sid’s.

Mushka is adoptable! Go here to read about the adoption process and then fill out an application form here. Get info about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) 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!

See Mushka’s Petfinder bio here.

MORE ABOUT MUSHKA

FIV-positive
House trained
Spayed/Neutered
Current on vaccinations
Coat Length: Short

Furbulous Gift Ideas for Fluffy, Fido, Frisky and Finn (Frances too)

December 10, 2015Holidays, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Eventscat eye glasses, cat hat, christmas tree, feathers, ferret hammock, fido, fin, finn, fluffy, frisky, fun, fur, Holiday gifts, pets, squirrel, thumbs, underwearJoanne

By: Victoria Mullen

There are tons of stories floating out there in the holiday ether proposing all manner of gift ideas for people. Tons. And we (oh, who am I kidding–I) almost wrote yet another such article. Key word: Almost. Because at the very last minute, we (er, I) remembered something important: Landfills are filled with crap. People have way too much crap. Yep, and if people want even more crap, people can get online or hit the malls to shop for more. People have THUMBS, dammit!

But there is a vast portion of our population that is often overlooked, yet far more deserving. What about Fluffy and Fido? Frisky or Finn? What about their holiday wishes? Who will speak up for them?

Who, indeed?

Furry family members are at our mercy. They can’t drive (with the exception of Toonces, and we all know how that turned out). They can’t use the computer (and if they could, you’d be rich and they’d be famous). That’s why, more than ever this season, it’s important for us to be good people and surprise our fluffy, fuzzy, feathered and finny little loved ones with something that will make them happy and lift their little spirits.

Here are only a few furbulous ideas. But first…

Full disclosure: My two boys, Bobby and Frankie helped me compile this list, but they can vouch for only one of these products. (If you can call not ‘stinking outside the box’ a form of vouching.)

World’s Best® Cat Litter
So what if this is the pet equivalent of giving your spouse a vacuum cleaner for Christmas? This stuff is awesome. My boys LOVE this product and so do I. It’s made from corn, so first off, you don’t get that nasty clay dust whisping up your nostrils when you pour it into the box. Plus, it’s lightweight, clumps even better than clay, and virtually eliminates that special aroma emitted by the treasures your cat(s) insist(s) on leaving for your sifting pleasure. I always make a beeline for the red bag because it’s for multi-cat households. $17.49 to $29.99

Whisker City® Cat Bowl
Warning: If your cat is horrendously spoiled, this gift is a very bad idea. The first line of this product’s description is a tip-off: “Spoil your princess of a pet a little more with this designer, ceramic bowl.” Only $7.99, this bowl has “Princess” printed on the inside and sports a princess crown and rhinestone. Which is overkill, in my opinion, but some people are just that nutty about their cats. This bowl is intended only for cats, so don’t go gifting your 160-pound Rottweiler with this. You’ve been warned.

Laurel Burch Carlotta Cat Bowl
My mom has a cool collection of Laurel Burch cat prints and wooden cat figures, but she doesn’t have a cat. I have two cats, but they are manly and certainly would not be impressed by this bowl. But girl kitties will love this because it’s adorned with vibrant colors and an exclusive Laurel Burch design. I’m not going to say that your precious kitty deserves a bowl fit for a queen because I will not be a party to upping the ante on your cat’s snottiness. $8.99

Whisker City® Pet Holiday Christmas Tree Cat Hat
I enjoy annoying my boys every chance I get, so when I saw this online, I decided that I have to get it. It’s festive and they say it’s lightweight and comfortable for a cat to wear. I don’t believe that for one minute because no matter how comfy and cozy this thing is touted to be, no self-respecting cat will ever be comfortable wearing this hat. I mean, look at it. It screams, “I look like an idiot!” and your cat will hate you for getting this. But will that stop me? No sirree. Caution: This item is intended to be used for a short duration, under close supervision. Fit should allow room for two fingers to fit between the item and the cat. Do not use as a restraint. $5.59 (Other styles available.)

All Living Things® Ferret Hammock
Isn’t this thing adorable? Ferrets and other little guys really love hammocks, and this one sure looks comfortable. At $7.99, it’s worth it, but a cautionary tale, if I may. I had three ferrets once, all of whom were sweet-tempered; all of whom were fun. One even smelled like a chicken enchilada. Poodha was my first, so she has a special place in my heart. But darn if that little stinker didn’t have a quirk: She liked to chew on fabric–especially my ex-husband’s underwear. Clean or not, Poodha was an equal-opportunity underwear-eater.

I mention this because you really have to keep an eagle eye on your beloved mustelid–in fact, never let him or her out of your sight. Because although I was well aware that Poodha had a hankering for cotton underwear, I did not realize how dangerous this could be. I thought it was funny. Oh, it was funny all right. Right up until the day she went limp and lethargic, and I rushed her to the vet. He took a radiograph of Poodha’s tiny belly and found a blockage. This is dangerous in any animal or human, but in a creature as tiny as a ferret, things can go south in a hurry.

I am happy to say that Poodha survived the ordeal, and I was much more observant after that. My other two ferrets never did anything like that, and maybe yours won’t either, but just a heads up. Having said all that, it turns out that the distributor of this product has a similar warning. Instructions: Observe your pet’s behavior with this product for suitability. Some items may be inappropriate for your pet. Remove and replace the item if it becomes damaged. Caution: Ingestion of this product can result in serious injury. Hey, they’re not kidding. Maybe it’s because they want to keep calling their company ‘All LIVING Things.’

All Living Things® Pet Holiday Ugly Sweater (Small Animal)
OMG! OMG! OMG! An ugly sweater for GUINEA PIGS!!!!! Be still, my heart. At $7.19, it’s an absolute must-get. This 100% polyester gift will lift the spirits of little Sparky for sure. Take photos and post on Facebook. Please. I would get a guinea pig specifically for this sweater, but that would be a very irresponsible thing to do. Caution: This item is intended to be used for a short duration, under close supervision. Do not use for more than a few hours at a time. Sizing should allow room for 2 fingers to fit between the item and the pet. Do not use as a restraint.

[Editor’s note: Although the writer was highly unprofessional in reporting this finding, we nonetheless published it as written because this thing is SO FREAKIN’ CUTE!]

Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure
Ummmmm. OK, so maybe this isn’t meant as a gift for your pet, but it’s related to cats, so I think it’s appropriate to include here (plus I’m the one writing this article, so there you have it). Chances are, you know a real-life cat lady, an enchanting, endearing, eccentric soul who makes the neighborhood lively and vibrant. If you don’t know a cat lady in person, here’s the next best thing. This gift is a great way of saying, “Here, take this, you crazy old bat!” Comes with six cute kitties. $17.49 It’s worth noting that the product description is a hoot, so be sure to check it out.

Stroller
The perfect pampering pram for your senior cat or dog up to 35 lbs. Strut your little pride and joy out in the fresh air–durable, breathable mesh provides visibility and airflow. Shock absorbers offer a smooth ride on any terrain (well, I’m sure there are exceptions) and locking brakes keep Fido or Fluffy safe from unintended rollbacks. $195, but your precious baby is worth it. Right?

All Living Things Knots & Blocks Bird Toy
Birds are smart. Really smart. They’re emotionally sensitive too. If their minds aren’t kept stimulated, they will go bat-shit crazy. I am not making this up. There is a PBS documentary called Parrot Confidential about birds in captivity who have been surrendered by their humans. It’s heartbreaking. These intelligent beings can live more than 70 years and may very well outlive their caretakers. Responsible bird caretakers know this about their feathered wards and do what they can to keep their minds active. This toy will help. $16.99

Cat Video Clapperboard
I’m in film, and my boys are always bugging me to make them Internet stars, going so far as to video-bomb my auditions. Sadly, casting directors have to date not been amused, and I’ve missed out on several high-profile opportunities. There are plenty of felines out there who aspire to be famous, too, so there is a real market for this item. It has the added attraction of offering the ability to write your cat’s name in chalk (although you’ll have to purchase the chalk elsewhere). My guess is that this item will soon sell out, so don’t wait. $4.99 And, no, I’m not getting my boys one of these. Heck, no, not after they’ve ruined my very promising–albeit budding–career.

Cat Mate Pet Fountain
My Frankie doesn’t drink nearly enough water, and I’m concerned about his kidneys so I’m getting him this for Christmas. What the heck, Bobby can use it, too. The makers of this fountain say that it’s exceptionally quiet “and maximizes the appeal of drinking by providing multi-height drinking levels with plenty of water movement to ensure naturally oxygenated, cool water throughout the day.” Whatever. If my cats will drink from it, I’ll call it good. Yes, for $49.99, I can–heck, will–feel better about my pets’ health, so much so that I may very well give myself a pat on the back for being a responsible pet caretaker. This is an important distinction, by the way: Pet people are not “owners”. One does not “own” a pet. (In case you haven’t noticed, property laws are evolving.) People merely have the privilege of caring for creatures who are far more deserving of love and kindness than we humans are.

Whisker City® Paris Cat Bowl
The product description says that this bowl “allows your cat to feel like she’s dining at an exquisite diner in the middle of the most beautiful city – Paris! Your cat will purr, ‘oh la-la’ after eating out of such a delightful bowl.” First, I believe “rrrrrrrooh-la-la” is the correct interpurrtation. Now, I can tell you without hesitation that my guys don’t give a rat’s ass where they eat as long as there is food, and I’m fairly certain they wouldn’t be thinking of Paris if they were to eat out of this pleasingly pink bowl. More likely they’d be thinking–accompanied by an evil glare, mind you–“We’ll get you for this.” Which is why the copywriter was astute enough to use the word “she” in the product description. $6.99

Top Fin® Snorkel Santa Holiday Ornament
The product description says that this thing traveled all the way from the North Pole, but I don’t believe that for a second, nor should you. You could probably get Phineas F. Finn to believe it, but don’t be surprised if all you get are some bubbles in reply. $3.19 Be sure to rinse this thing in warm water before surprising Master Finn.

Egg-Cellent Dinosaur Erasers
For that special human on your list. These are cool. I wish someone would get me one of these, but my boys don’t have thumbs, so I’m s.o.l. on this one. But that doesn’t mean someone you know and love should be deprived of the joy of receiving this little stocking stuffer. It’s seriously clever and I wish I had thought of inventing it because I would be rich instead of living hand to mouth. Well, as long as the boys are fed, life is good. $2.99

Oh Deer! Hot Water Bottle
Another festive gift suitable for a human, this product’s description states, “It’s just fawning at the opportunity to get you nice and toasty warm!” Brilliant copywriting, if I do say so myself. I can see quite a few uses for this thing: To get your bed warm and ready for you as you turn the thermostat down to 55 degrees to lower your electrical bill. Or to apply to a stiff, sore neck. Great for soothing menstrual cramps, too. (Just being honest here.) $12.99

Understand What Your Dog is Thinking Breath Spray
Clearly, I’m in the wrong business. Here’s how this one works: Spritz in your mouth (not Fido’s) and you’ll instantly find out what your dog really thinks of you. Think twice before using this: Not for the fainthearted or tragically sensitive. $6.99

Dog Hoodie
Bruno secretly covets one of these, and if you know what’s good for you, you will get him this hoodie. Made from soft cotton for a comfy, cozy fit because you sure as hell don’t want to set your dog off by making him wear something that annoys him. $19

Squirrel Underpants
It takes an awful lot to offend me, but I’ve had it up to here with naked squirrels. I’m frankly tired of seeing all those nuts. If I have to wear pants, then so should they. Each pair of these adorable little briefs measures 3″ around the waist and is crafted of 100% cotton. Hamsters, gerbils–you name it–if an exhibitionist rodent refuses to wear pants, you know what to get him or her. Do it for them. Do it for yourself. Just do it. $5.99

‘Deer in Headlights’ artwork by Victoria Mullen