Archive | April, 2011

A Fund and a Cat in Need

30 Apr
Webster Fund

Webster in healthier times.

A Brave Cat

Webster came to us at 3 weeks old from the Bellows Falls area. About a month later, he fell ill with diarrhea. Our veterinarian began a series of treatments, none which seemed to have much effect. When his blood tests returned he was diagnosed as having Feline Infectious Peritonitis FIP, which is deadly and has no cure. A decision was made to contact Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine which is researching the disease.

Meanwhile, Webster’s weight was falling, his fur became brittle and his small bones were protruding. One day he became listless, barely able to lift his head. His foster mom decided it might be best if she let him go. The phone was busy at the vet. She went to prepare herself some tea before trying the vet again. Miraculously Webster had crossed the room, climbed the drapes and, staring down at her, made it clear with a loud squawk that he wasn’t ready to give up so neither should she. Not soon after, Cornell called, prescribing what was an effective treatment. By his first birthday Webster was much stronger.

Because of his amazing recovery, the special fund has become The Webster Fund. In the last few years, the money has been helping other cats to get treatment which may have been unavailable to them.

Loss of Health and a Depleted Fund

This year, Webster has fallen ill again. This time he is not responding to the medicines which helped him before. The next alternative is an even more expensive path.

Now Webster is in need of the fund. Unfortunately the account has been strained by recent needs.

We are looking for donations to help our Webster and the fund.

If you have an interest in contributing to The Webster Fund and helping Webster, please contact us by calling 802-875-7777. Or email shelter@TARPSAnimalShelterVt.org. Or mail your check made out to TARPS (memo: The Webster Fund) at P.O. Box 274, Chester, VT 05143

If you have questions or need more information, please go to the donate page and fill out and submit the form on the bottom.

Just Our (Good) Luck

28 Apr
Steinlein-chatnoir

Chat Noir

As many a superstition that paint black cats as evil and bad luck, there are those that have black cats as good luck.

For instance, let’s take Ship’s Cats. Throughout history black cats have been chosen as ship cats to guard the cargo from rodents. The sailors who were superstitious, believed the cat would protect a ship from dangerous weather. But if a cat fell or was thrown overboard it could call up a fierce storm.

A sailor’s wife would keep a black cat to ensure the safety of her husband at sea. (This I am sure, is great news for my daughter who is engaged to a sailor and loves cats)

Esther and Lady Catherine

TARPS lucky black cats: Esther & Lady Catherine

In the north of England and in Japan, owning a black cat is considered lucky. Other superstitions mention that it is good fortune for a newly married couple to have a black cat cross their path as they leave the church. It is also reportedly good luck to have a black cat walk into your home. A strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity. A black cat in the audience of a play’s opening night is a sign it will be a successful play.

Next time you are at a shelter looking for your pet, take a closer look at these magically, wonderful animals. Bring a little luck into your house.

Encyclopedia of Superstitions 1949 By Edwin Radford, Mona A. Radford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship’s_cat

Help Stop Littering

27 Apr
©Lampe-Wilson Photography

Spay or neuter your animals please.

We love our animals. Sometimes doing what is best for them, is difficult. No one enjoys putting a healthy animal through an operation of any kind. But if you consider the facts, spaying and/or neutering a pet is a healthy choice for your animal.

The best time to spay or neuter is at a young age (six to nine months). But any healthy animal will have little problem with the procedure. Ask your veterinarian what is appropriate for your pet.

We at TARPS, would love it if you put us out of the business of finding homes for unwanted litters. Being a no-kill shelter, it makes us sad to turn away animals because of our limited space. We know many of those turned away will be killed or euthanized.

Here are some opportunities to do a great thing for your pet.

Springfield Humane Society is offering spay/neuter clinics on Tuesday, May 10 & June 7 in Springfield, VT and Tuesday, July 19 in Charlestown, NH

If cost is a factor for you, these clinics are offered for low-cost, $30 for neutering and $35 for spaying.

Please call the Springfield Humane Society shelter (802-885-3997) to set up appointments and find the locations. They would also be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding the procedure.

This link supplies the answers to many myths about the operation:

http://www2.aspca.org/site/DocServer/Why_SpayNeuter-English.pdf?docID=188

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