FOSTER CAT # 6

So my foster cat Shaymus is quite hyperactive. He's still under a year old and he loves to play. We don't always have the time to sit there for hours on end dragging a shoe lace string along the floor to satisfy his urge to "chase"! So I figured, "Why not get another foster from the shelter so he can have a play partner?!"

Well, the only one that recently came into the shelter that needed a home right away was a little squirt of a thing...only 6 weeks old! I took her anyway...cuz I'm a sucker! lol

So, it's official. She is my new foster and she is my SIXTH. And she shall be called;

LEEMA

I had to dip her in some water, she had poo on her feet! :(
She looks just like a Lemur hence, LEEMA! :)




Wink ;)



I think she was about to poo here!




Shaymus peering down on Leema. He's way too rough for her.
But I know there's a good big brother deep down inside.

BABY CATS!

Kittens galor. Who can frown in the presence of a kitten? Who can be unhappy when a baby furball is at play? I know I CAN'T. Many people don't like grown cats but will totally go, "Awwwww!" when a kitten is in sight. It's very difficult to get mad at one, too...THEY ARE JUST TOOOOOO CUTE!

Here are some of the kittens who have taken up residence at the Oakville Humane as of recent. Inquire about the foster program or just drop by and adopt one!

KITTY LITTER #1

The Black/Grey kitten has been ADOPTED :)

The 2 Classic Red Tabbies are still AVAILABLE. 

Their names are LOGAN & TONY and they were born

on March 20th, 2009.

KITTY LITTER #2

No names given yet.

KITTY LITTER #3

The Charcoal Grey little guy has been ADOPTED :)

The Mackerel Orange Tabby (JAY-Z) and the Grey Tabby

(BEYONCE) are still AVAILABLE. They too were born on March 20th, 2009.

KITTY LITTER #4

No names given yet.


LONE KITTY #5

No name given yet.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)

FIV is the feline version of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There are a few cats at the shelter who tested positive for FIV. It is not a definitive death sentence and properly cared for FIV cats can live quite normal lives and have normal life spans. The concern comes to play when secondary infections occur such as upper resporatory infection.

FIV is transmitted most commonly through saliva to blood (biting). It can sometimes be passed on from a mother cat to her kittens during gestation but not all of the time. Associated problems can range from skin irritations & diarrhea to kidney failure. Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids can be added to the diet as well as vitamins and anti-oxidants. A close eye should be kept on FIV cats but to ensure that it is not spread, FIV+ cats should be kept indoors and should either be the only cat within the home or in a home with other FIV positive cats.

To prevent your cat fom contracting the virus, there are vaccines available so inquire about it. Kittens should not be tested for the virus prior to 6 months to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

All-in-all...KEEP YOUR CAT INDOORS! ALWAYS!

Here are some cats at the Oakville Humane that have tested positive for FIV. They are great cats that deserve a home just like any other. To ease the minds of the uninformed and/or misinformed, FIV cannot be transmitted to humans in any way. HAPPY ADOPTING!

"KYLE"

Help out an FIV positive cat today! Ask about Kyle at the shelter.


"SPENCER"

Help out this fun-loving guy by inviting him into your life. Adopt Spencer!


"ACHILLES"

You can make a difference in Achilles' (pronounced AH-KIL-LEEZ) life now. Inquire about him at the shelter.

OAKVILLE & DISTRICT HUMANE SOCIETY PROMO VIDEO

All photos were taken at the Oakville Humane Society. 
Photos by Lisa Winn http://www.flickr.com/photos/meejoebee/

Music: "East Parkside (Reprise)" performed by Jochen Ross & Jens-Uwe Popp from the album "The Ten Islands" 

FOSTER CATS THUS FAR

Foster # 5 (Current foster)

SHAYMUS

Shaymus was given his name as soon as we brought him home from the shelter. As soon as I looked at him and his diluted orange fur, the name fit perfectly. So far, out of all the foster cats we've had, he has made the most drastic progress socially. His talents are quite impressive; he learned his name the quickest (within a week he could recognize it when called), he can play soccer, he can box, and although he only has half a tail (cause unknown), you could never tell. He can't resist anything that dangles and hangs, he absolutely loves hugs and kisses and always gently touches your face with his paws.

His story began quite morose. The neighbor of an empty townhouse called the Humane Society saying she heard meowing. When one of the Animal Patrol Officers arrived at the townhouse, a pint-sized, orange kitten was hiding in fear. Apparently, the owners had two cats who bred and gave birth to Shaymus. The owners decided to move from the townhouse, took the two grown cats and left Shaymus behind! Therefore he was classified as semi-wild.

At the shelter he was most unpleasant. Anytime you would walk into the room he would hiss and growl. If you stuck your hand in his cage, he would bounce from side-to-side in a panic. When we brought him home, the first few days were not much different from what he was like at the shelter...but once he realized we wanted to play with him and love him, he made a complete 180! He's the most cuddly kitten EVER!

Fosters # 1 and #2

JOHNNY CASHMERE

&

BLURRY

The brother and sister dark-duo! For my first ever fosters...they were a dream! They were in isolation at the shelter and semi-wild. I had them for a little over a month and upon returning them to the shelter they were adopted TOGETHER within 3 weeks! They were so sweet and packed full of hilarity.

JOHNNY CASHMERE

I came up with the name because 1) I love Johnny Cash 2) He is all black with not even a strand of white fur and 3) Well, just look at his face! Doesn't he look like a feline version of the famous country singer? Oh ya, and his fur is soft & smooth like cashmere. He came into our home SUPER timid and shy. A month with us and he was begging for hugs. He also couldn't resist anything that dangled...and I mean ANYTHING.

BLURRY

Her name came about as soon as we brought her and her brother home. We put the carrier they were in down on the ground and as soon as I opened the carrier door, she dashed out like a little, black bolt of lightening. Ever since that moment, she never walked anywhere. It was like seeing a blur of fur running passed us all the time...hence, BLURRY! She was not completely black like her brother which was a good way to tell the 2 apart at first.

Foster # 3

TIPPY TOE

We only had Tippy Toe for 2 weeks but she was such a joy. Her name was given to her a couple of days after we got her because anytime you would pet her she would go so high on her toes it looked unnatural. I've never seen a Mackerel Tabby before her so that was cool. She had the eyes of a cartoon character and a meow that could make anyone smile!

Foster # 4

SYRENE

Where do I even begin with this little "ball of joy?" Maybe I should start at the part where I felt I would rip my hair out in utter insanity because of her meowing. Although she came to us small enough to fit into our palms, she had a cry that could silence a wailing fire truck! And in that annoying realization came the name SYRENE (I didn't quite want to call her SIREN and scare off potential adoptive parents!) 

She was very independent and did things on her own terms. She was the most confident out of all the fosters we had. When all the other cats would run and hide from the vacuum cleaner, she would just carry on with her playing as if it weren't even running.

Upon returning Syrene to the shelter, she was adopted within 2 weeks. Her adorable nose and stuffed animal-like face made it hard to get mad at her. She wasn't the cuddliest I've come across but she will always have a place in my heart...and her meow will ALWAYS have its' resonance in my ears!

FOSTER PARENTHOOD

So, it's been almost a year since I started working at the shelter. I love animals, the people I live with love animals, too, but I'm the only one that isn't allergic to cats on some level or another. So I saw it most fitting to begin fostering cats early in December of 2008 lol.

Fostering needy animals from your local shelter is a great way to contribute. It's free to do, it's fun and it almost always yields great outcomes (for you AND the animals!)

Animals that may need a temporary home before going up for adoption include those who are;

• SICK: Many animal shelters have poor ventilation and that coupled with confined, overcrowded areas produce poor health in the vulnerable.
• PREGNANT: Sometimes dogs, cats even hamsters are brought in that are "expecting." They need a home during this time
• WILD: Some cats are found completely (or partially) wild. It is crucial that they get the socializing needed in order for them to be comfortable around people and in a home.
• UNDER-SOCIALIZED: Some cats or dogs may not be wild but they might not have been in "proper" homes prior to being found or surrendered to the shelter. The animal could have been abused, neglected or raised to feel fearful most of the time. Dogs born in a puppy mill or cats bred in sub-humane conditions are perfect examples of this.
• TOO YOUNG: Baby kittens whose mother died may need round-the-clock attention and bottle feedings. Animals that are very young do best outside a shelter environment because they are very susceptible to Upper Respiratory Infection and other sicknesses. 

Check out your local animal shelter and inquire about their fostering program. Food and supplies are FREE so you don't have to worry about any costs. Make a world of difference in a needy animal today. For more information about the Oakville & District Humane Society Fostering Program, click here  http://www.oakvillehumane.ca/foster/foster.html