Low Cost Spay and Neuter Day October 6, 2016

We cannot allow the summer to end without another Low Cost Spay and Neuter Day!  If you have been wanting to do the right thing for your pet and have been short on cash, now is the time.  "Spa treatment" includes spay/neuter and vaccinations for rabies and distemper. 
This event is for spay/neuter only...no additional services can be rendered for your pet during this appointment.
 If you would like to have a flea/mite treatment, that medication is available at the vets office for an additional charge!

When:   October 6th 2016

Where:   Harlan Veterinary Clinic and Referral Center

  910 Chatburn Ave

Harlan, IA

FEMALE: $60 
MALE: $50

How:  Preregister and prepay  fee by calling Kathy @ 712-784-2660

There is a limited number of slots available, so call early!

Summer Auction Begins on Ebay!

Lenox - Laundry Day Figurine

Three times a year, Western Iowa's Feral and Homeless Cat Program holds an online Fundraising auction on Ebay!  Auctions are generally held March, July and November.

This summer auction will start Saturday July 12, at noon CST and will end the same time the following Saturday July 19th, 2014.  We are super excited to offer you some fun and interesting items!  Some new, some vintage, and some hand made.

All items offered at our auction are donated by kind supporters and for that we thank you all very much! Many items we get are handmade which to us, make them very special.  We hope you will be generous in your bidding, as we know that much time and love have been put in to each item.

It's easy to participate.   Just be sure you are registered on Ebay, and then once the auction goes live (noon CST on July 12th), you can type WIFCaP in the search box on the ebay site and all our offerings will list out.

Our auctions are a major source of income for WIFCaP and with the funds raised we are able to help more kitties in Western Iowa live a happy healthy outdoor life!

Snicker Gets His New Home...

Snicker looking gorgeous - pic courtesy of Kim Adams

I am so happy to announce that Snicker, the big yellow tomcat that was brought to us in April has found a home!

As any of you who work with animals know that  after helping hundreds of them, they kind of start to blend together and without a picture or some strong assistance, the names and faces are hard to distinguish in your memory.  Not so with Snicker.   He became my favorite at "hello" and I will never forget him.

A big, burly guy who needed some good meals, the hand of a good doctor lots of love.

Snicker had apparently been involved with some kind of confrontation that left him with a wound on his neck.  Untreated, it became a massive infection site that opened his neck nearly ear to ear.   Thankfully Nata G. found him and got him to us so that we could get him the help he needed.

Everyone, and I do mean everyone fell instantly for this gentle giant.


Our wonderful Dr. Schultz repaired his wound as best he could...stitching part of it together and allowing the remaining area to heal on its own.  This meant daily cleanings and treatment with medicine.  Snicker was a trooper and endured it all like the hero he is.

Snicker at the clinic - you can see his wound.

After many weeks, I (Kathy) brought him home so that he could have a rest from the kennel at the clinic and to see how he would do with other cats.   He was a purrfect gentleman as far as interacting with humans and using his litter box etc.   BUT with my two girl cats, he was aggressive.   After two fur-flying incidents, I decided he needed to be an only pet and back to the clinic he went.

One of of friends on our fb page came to see him at the clinic and decided to attempt to foster him herself.  She has other cats and at least one dog...Like a miracle, Snicker has settled in with  their family like a charm.  He sleeps with the humans and the other pets.

I have to admit that I secretly (OK, not so secret) wanted Snicker to meld into my family.   I love him so much and I am so very happy he has found a new home....one where he is taken care of and loved like he deserves!

Thank you Nata, for calling us about him.  Thank you AVCheryl, Doc S and Mallory for caring so for him while he was at the clinic and thank you Amy for giving him a try.  There was no doubt in my mind. the day you picked him up, that he was "home".

AVCheryl provided LOTS of love at the clinic!

Some think working with animals like we do, that we will either be an emotional wreck all the time, faced with decisions and the choices we have to make in the best interest of the animal, or we will be come calloused and hardened by these same issues and our hearts will become stone.  I think we are a balance...we make the hard choices with a tear in our eye and a pain shooting through our hearts,  and each pain that shoots through, keeps it soft and pliable so that when we see the GOOD that comes along, like the success of Snicker, we notice and we celebrate.

I will always Love my Snicker-Boy! Pic courtesy of Kim Adams

It is only because of the kind and generous donations of our wonderful supporters that we have the funds to care for sweet kitties like Snick.  Thank YOU to all who help us buy donating or participating in our sales and auctions!  We are a great team!

WIFCaP's 2013 Spring Spa Event!!

Thank you for chipping in! Every donation, large or small will help us to spay/ neuter and medically treat a cat in Western Iowa! Just click on this ChipIn widget to add your donation!

A Winter Wonderland of Wondering!

We are experiencing our first winter storm of 2012.  Looks like we will for sure have a White Christmas!  Its blustery cold out today.  As I watch my indoor kitties look out the window, I wonder what is going on in their head.  Are they happy to be inside?  Are they wishing they could go out and "play" and make kitty angels in the snow?  What goes on in my head is how many there are out there that don't have a warm cozy window to peer out of...I don't mean our community cats so much.  I know they can survive, it's all they have ever known.  They most likely have a warm hole somewhere and even other warm kitty bodies to snuggle with when the going gets tough.  I'm thinking of the ones who have been thrown away, or abandoned or have gotten themselves lost.  How do they handle it, not being "street wise" like Mrs. Gray, Franks and EJ?...

I am grateful that we have been able to rescue several from the throws of winter.  These are at AVC, waiting and hoping for a new home to call their very own.

This is Sylvester.  He was found in a field by a farmer.  Thinking this nice boy had been attacked, he took him to AVC.  We found him to be friendly and very lovable!  He is currently being treated for a severe case of ear mites and a skin infection and very soon he will be ready to find a new home.  We are happy he is out of the field.

This is sweet Roscoe!  I found him on my porch last week crying.  He is a beautiful boy who is just as friendly as anything.  He likes his space, but when given the choice, he will crawl right up into your lap and heart!

So at least these two aren't out in the blizzard, wondering where they are and when and what they will get to eat.  Being in a cage at AVC is much better than that!  BUT what would be the best??? A forever home with a family.....like yours!!

Fundraising Drive was a HUGE Success!

Our Trick or TREAT Matching Donation Drive is over and was a huge success!  Thank you all for "chipping in" or sending checks to make this event work.  We ended up with $1,173.50 in donations, so with the matching donation of $1000...we are set for the winter with $2,173.50.   We at WIFCaP are amazed and awed at your participation and want to thank you from the bottom of our kitty loving hearts.

This picture of Polly is just a representation of the many kitties that will be helped because you all care.  Polly  is a social girl who had to have had a home at one time.  She is friendly and gentle.  Somehow she got left by a hotel in Panora, IA and thankfully the lady there fed her.  She is #140 for getting a WIFCaP Spa treatment and we are hoping she finds a furever home soon!  Polly is Polydactyl!  She has seven toes on each of her front paws and five on each of her back paws...a total of 24 toes!!!  Very Rare!

Thank you all again for helping us help the helpless!

As Our Year Comes to a Close and a New One Begins!

The final 2011 edition of The Walnut Bureau came out last week!  On the front page, 2011 in Review included our very own Amber and Einstein!!!  

 Also chosen as a top story, was the creation of Western Iowa Feral Cat Program!

Here's a bit of a close-up of what the Bureau had to say about our program.

"Feral Cat Program Started"
Western Iowa Feral Cat Program was started in Walnut this year to provide a humane way of reducing the homeless cat population.  Best of all, it's all done with contributions.  The program receives no funding from the city, state or federal government."

  I'm so happy they included us as one of the highlights of the year.  Love how they emphasized that no funding comes from the city, state or federal government.  Like that's something to be proud of.  

This week I will be working on a year end review of our accomplishments!  I cant wait to report on all we've done!

A huge thank you to everyone that has been involved with WIFCaP in any way.  Whether it be an donation, adopting one of our lonely felines, time spent helping or even an encouraging comment on  face book.  We need you ALL.  We are hoping that you will stick with us through 2012 and beyond!  Just wait to see what we can do as we all pull together!

Awesome Art by AA

Today I'm featuring one of our very good friends and supporters, Autumn Armstrong.  Ive know Autumn for a couple years now.  She is a friend of my daughters, a cat lover and a great artist.  She paints kitty-atures...  Autumn will take a picture or pictures of your cats and create a fun and winsome painting for you!

Autumn tries to capture your kitty's personality and she does a  great job of it!

Autumn has been cartooning and painting for years, but has recently combined the two.  By the request of many friends, she started creating her Kitty-atures and has started her business as Art by AA!

You can follow her on facebook @ Art by AA

I almost forgot to mention that Autumn and her family adopted one of Walnut's friendly strays a year or so back!  Edwyn had strayed into my yard, and Autumn took him in!

By the way, be on the lookout for our new logo, which will be created by Autumn!

Walnut Iowa's Feral Cat Program News

Walnut Iowa’s Feral Cat Program Update:

August was the first official month of Trap Neuter and Return of feral cats in Walnut. We’ve had much success. We were able to trap, neuter, vaccinate and return 5 feral cas; trap, neuter vaccinate and re-home two strays, and vaccinate and find a home for one kitten.

Einstein was the kitten found in town by Hannah Johnk. We found her a foster home and put her up for adoption at the Avoca Veterinary Clinic in Avoca. Doc Hoffman and Doc Schultz, along with Donna have been fantastic in helping us with our program. Einstein ultimately went home with her foster mom, my comrade in feral cat tending, Amber Heiny.

Einstein is doing well. It is a huge responsibility to own a cat. One must see that they are vaccinated and spayed or neutered to keep from continuing the overpopulation and risks that come with free roaming cats. Amber has taken on that responsibility by being sure that Einstein has her vaccinations and when the time is right, to have her spayed.

WIFCaP wants to urge all cat owners to be responsible as well. Please see that your pet is spayed/neutered and that they have the necessary vaccinations. It is irresponsible humans that have caused the feral cat problems and now the only way to prevent its increase is to properly vet our animals. If you would like information regarding what you can do to help, please see our website at www.takepittyonthekitties.blogspot.com or our face book page at www.facebook.com/wifcap You may also contact Kathy Humann at 712-784-2660.

August 2011 In Review

During the last week of July 2011, Kathy and Pam finally put boots on the ground and decided to launch Walnut Iowa's Feral Cat Program.  From the first "go live" weekend, we have been in a whirlwind of feral and homeless cat business!  Our team is unbelievable!  All the way from Las Vegas Nevada, Kathy's sister Kris is a huge help with administration and social networking support.  Pam, in Omaha is a source of physical help when possible and encouragement and financial support as well.  Amber and Cheryl and Linda are always standing at the ready to help where ever needed.

 As for me, Kathy, I'm sort of the runner.  I have the privilege to be ringside for all the activity and I'm loving it.  We are counting Gibbs as our first "sneuter".  He has become a beloved member of my family, along with my other 3 rescued kitties.  After vowing I would never have more than 3, Gibbs taught me never to say never.

We've been busy! From caring for and finding foster and fur-ever homes for town strays and abandoned  or lost kitties, to

trapping and taking care of feral cats and kittens.... to setting up and maintaining  feeding stations and

collecting the funds to do so!

In August of 2011, we were able to spay/neuter, vaccinate eight cats, and feed and care for many more through our stations.  We are happy with that total for our first month. 

Thank you to everyone who has been involved with helping us get our wings.  We have experienced such generosity and we are humbled by the signs of compassion for these furry little friends.  Donations of food, traps, and finances have been overwhelming. 

September will be even better! Stay tuned!!

Walnut's Feral Cat Program News!

Here is our most recent Newspaper article.  As you can see, I sort of added a Q&A feel to it.  Im hoping I will get some Q's!!!!

Here is the copy....

The Walnut Iowa’s Feral Cat Program is in full swing. We are happy to report that we have been able to spay or neuter 4 cats already.




As we continue to update you on our progress, we will also attempt to answer some important questions, you might have.

Q: Why not just let animal control come in and take these cats?

A: Animal control’s traditional approach for feral cats, which is catch and kill - is endless and cruel. Cats choose to reside in locations for two reasons: there is a food source (intended or not) and there is shelter.

When cats are removed from a location, new cats move in or survivors breed to capacity. This vacuum effect is well-documented.



Q: Are you sure Trap- Neuter - Return works?

A: Yes, TNR benefit’s the cats and the community. Cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped (the universal symbol of an altered and vaccinated cat), and then returned to their outdoor home. The colony’s population stabilizes- no more kittens! TNR improves their relations with the community - the behaviors and stresses associated with mating stop. Trap - neuter- return is the humane, effective approach for feral cats.



If you have a question you would like addressed, please email us at wifcap@gmail.com or call Kathy Humann at 784-2660



To learn more about our program or to donate to our cause, visit our website at www.takepittyonthekitties.blogspot.com and to keep up with all the feral cat happenings, you can follow us on our face book page at “Walnut Iowa’s Feral Cat Program”.

Bonnie is Home and All is Well

I picked Bonnie up this morning.  She did very well during surgery.  She's in the bathroom now, recovering for a day or so.

Bonnie is not feral.  Ive learned to tell the difference thanks to articles Ive read on the Internet.  Bonnie was crying and meowing in the cage and didn't totally freak out.

I feel she is most likely another stray cat that has been left in Walnut, by someone who didn't want her anymore or couldn't take care of her.  How in the world do they think that just leaving them outside somewhere is somehow OK?

I'm finding that we have a lot more of this kind of cat in Walnut than I realized.  We are not a shelter, but we have been able to re-home some of our tame kitties.  I have been contacted by another animal shelter a bit to the north of us that wants to talk about helping us out.  I don't have any details yet, but stay tuned!

Meet Bonnie!

This little lady is "Bonnie"  She has been wandering Walnut with her kittens for a couple months.  It turns out she is a bit wild, but not feral.  She has warmed up to several people in town, thus the live trap was not needed in this situation.  We were able to get her and keep her overnight in the bathroom of one of our foster homes.  Her kittens are gone...we dont know how many she had or where they are.  She kept them hidden quite well!

She was frightened this morning, but we got her to the vet at 8 sharp!    Welcome to WIFCaP family, Bonnie!

To those of you reading this blog, please consider a small donation to offset the cost of spaying, deworming and vaccinatting this little girl!  We need your help to continue helping our babies.  We are a small town that needs big support to get where we want to be!  NOT Feral Free....Feral Friendly!

Our Very First Trapping Day!

This is Abby...named for one of my favorite NCIS characters...black hair and would be tattooed if she could...She is one of Mrs. Gray's babies, about 4 months old and caught in our trap!  We caught this little one and Big Daddy and both are safely back home.  We are monitoring them to be sure all is well and by tomorrow they should be out and about and free from the worry of having unwanted babies! 

Our trapping went really well.  We had Abby by 9:30am and Big Daddy by 3:30!  A good day!

Now we are ready to set traps again.  We will continue at Mrs. Gray's as there are four other babies in the litter and Mrs. Gray herself.  I'm planning on using both traps for the Gray family until we get them under control.

Please realize that all of our activities are volunteer and donor driven.  We need you!  Please help us if you can.  You can "chip in" if you have pay pal by clicking the chip in button at the top of this page!

Mrs. Gray and her Babies Emerge!

This morning I finally saw Mrs. Gray's babies!  I replaced the food and water dishes with fresh and when I turned around, there were 3 of them at the corner of the house, peering at me, waiting for me to leave so they could feast!  I didn't have my camera, so I thought I'd go back this afternoon and put a little more food out and maybe get some pics to share.

This little one seems to be the bravest!  Isn't it cute???? Two others were right around the corner, patiently or not, waiting for me to leave.

I, however decided to go around the house from the front and see where they were hiding.  I think I just found their "house".  I'm thinking they must live under the porch and this little gray one is sunning him/herself on the front porch!

She/he did decide to wake up and take a longing look at the food across the yard, so I decided to leave.



One final look at the feeding station revealed that Mama, Mrs. Gray decided to show up and have supper!

I actually gained a LOT of info today.  There are at least 3 babies, maybe 4.  I 'thought' I saw 3 blacks, but the baby sunning itself is definitely gray.  They are all definitely eating and they do indeed live at the green house, under the back porch.  They are about 2 1/2 to 3 months old. 

All this to say...the trap goes out tomorrow.  I will place it next to where they have been eating and put a small dish of food inside.  My hopes are they will gain some trust in the trap and in a few days, I will attempt to trap one.

Also I worked downtown today for Cheryl.  She has a donation can on her counter and I got $5 from it today!  Yay!!

If you are reading this blog and your heart is melting for the welfare of these sweet kitties, would you please consider "Chipping IN" to help us take care of them???  If you dont have paypal, you can send a check to WIFCaP  PO Box 244, Walnut, IA  51577 

Thank you in advance for being an advocate for these helpless animals.

A New Stray has Found a Home!

A few months ago, this guy showed up on my porch.  As hard as I tried, I couldn't ignore him, or not feed him, or totally and completely fall in love with him.  I named him Leroy Jethro Gibbs.  Named after Mark Harmon's character in NCIS.  I figured hes a tall, gray haired, blue-eyed handsome man...the name fits perfectly!


So he has been neutered and vaccinated and is acclimating to a household with 3 other cats.  He so wants to fit in and become part of our family.  He was starving when he found us and eats like a hungry dog.  I'm hoping that calms down soon, as the others  are nervously protecting their food.  I have to supervise.

This kitty is not a feral.  I believe one of two things have happened.  He either got lost and ended up on my porch or he was dumped.  I don't want to think that someone dumped this wonderful feline.  He is loving and gentle and quiet.  His purr is loud and comforting.  All he wants is a family.  Now he has one.

And the feral cat problem prevails in our little town.  And still nothing has been truly organized to take care of the problem.  Although we have found homes for some, spayed and neutered a few and attempted to feed some, we are not "up and running" and the thought of all that needs to happen is daunting.

My first agenda item is to hold an organizational meeting.  My mind gets overwhelmed when I think of all the facets of this project and I cant help but think no one will want to help and I will be alone, with Pam and Cheryl to try to do this.  I feel like I dont want to start if we arent totally prepared.

What we do have is the following:

• A wonderful vet that will spay or neuter and give the rabies vacination for a very reasonable rate.
• A volunteer to drive kitties to the vet for SNV (spay, neuter, vac)
• A source for some donated food. 

What we need:

• Cages for trapping
• Volunteers to set traps
• Locations for Feeding sites
• Volunteers for Feeding Daily
• Education to the community on the importance of TNR
• Encouraging community to Spay, neuter and vac their pets.

When I put it all on paper, it doesnt seem so crazy or overwhelming.  I guess its just taking the first step, once Im sure what the first step is....

Now There Are TWO more!

This is Be-Bop! I think anyway....I believe this kitty belonged to a family in Walnut, who decided to move and leave their cat to fend for himself. He is a nice kitty. A bit shy right now, but he needs a home. He also needs to be altered. :(

This is the kitty that rode 60 miles on the undercarriage of a pick up truck. From Corning all the way to Walnut! She has found a new home in Omaha with my nephew and her name...PIXIE!

This is Boo. He has hung around my house since he was a kitten. He is feral and Im worried that he might be sick. He is very thin. Eating and sleeping. Coat doesnt look real good. I heard him coughing this morning. I hope it was a hairball but...I think I need to trap him and take him in. Breaks my heart, he's been around nearly two years.

This is the sweet little black cat that strayed up to my porch. One of the feral gene pool, but very friendly! Took him in for altering and happily found a home for him. His name EDWYN!

There is a little gray stray hanging out at Kelly Reed's shop. They asked if I knew of a home for her. I dont. :( She needs fixing.

Cheryl's stray Tara has brought her two little babies to the feeding spot in the courtyard. We've lovingly named them Rhett and Scarlett.

I going to the City Council Meeting tonight to ask permission to put money cans in the downtown businesses for donations to get these babies all fixed and maybe find homes for them.

Take Pity on the Kitties is on a roll!

!

Neuter- time!

A little Did ya Know about Cats!

Kittens should be neutered at about six months of age, before they reach sexual maturity. Neutering a safe, inexpensive and permanent procedure, not only prevents accidental breeding, but also reduces behavioral and health problems.

Our "Take Pity" vet, Dr, Sharyn Jones, says when considering neutering feral cats, younger is better. If they are at the age where you see them during the daytime (mama doesn't have them hidden away), then they are old enough to bring in for the procedure. This is also a good time to try to tame them if you are going to get them "off the streets" and into a good home. Meow!