A lot has happened at the Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) since our May column, some of it very challenging — like the shelter burglary and subsequent rescue of the stolen kittens in early June — but much has also happened in the nature of happy surprises. We continue welcoming new and returning volunteers, though we always need more, especially cleaners and those with a background or interest in helping with administering medical treatment.
Kitten season (spring, summer and sometimes autumn) is our most difficult time, both in caring for often fragile youngsters and in the number of sad stories requesting cat placements at the shelter. People often report finding abandoned litters — where mom has gone missing or, worse, been killed by predators or cars.
There are always kittens born to pets whose owners didn’t spay due to the expense, or the desire to see and share the birthing process, without realizing the pyramid-like effect that one pregnancy has.
One cat who has five kittens in January, all of whom have a litter of five kittens themselves in June, who in turn all have a litter of five in December, becomes 216 cats born in one year! Please spay and neuter!
We are doing our best and sometimes we win big. HART recently saved a beautiful but injured Siamese, renamed Lucky, through the cooperation of Woods Animal Services, Bear Valley Animal Clinic and the generosity of special individuals. She is available as our resident “tripod” cat. Her story is in our latest newsletter (available at
www.slohart.org,
at the shelter or in the mail to many of you), which will keep you up to date about current doings and future plans.
Similarly, Booth, an injured kitten, has regained full use of a damaged leg, thanks to the resilience of youth and the efforts of numerous volunteers at HART who helped to identify the injury, obtained prompt medical treatment and provided him regular physical therapy and love.
Our August special: adopt one cat and get a second cat at half price, with all the HART trimmings and two bags of Science Diet food included. (Some restrictions apply.)
Upcoming Events:
“Heart Impressions” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. Local ceramic artist and HART volunteer Carol Jean Attoe will be introducing “Love Paws,” fine art clay sculptures created with your animal friend’s name and paw print(s). Suggested donation: $25. At noon, animal communicator Suzan Vaughn will present a free talk, “Do Animals have Emotions?” and take questions afterward. Private readings to follow ($25.00 for 15 minutes, or $45 for 30 minutes). Check out her web-site at
www.telepathictalk.com.
Bring your pet or their photograph. Proceeds will benefit HART. The shelter will also feature some special sale items during the event.
Labor Day weekend, look for our Adopt-A-Pet van in the Pinedorado Parade and visit us at the nacho booth.
“Meow Mixer 3” on Oct. 9. An exciting evening with wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and a raffle at the Cambria Pines Nursery. Details forthcoming at
www.slohart.org
and in upcoming fliers.
Claire Hawkins and Susan Barghini are members of the Homeless Animal Rescue Team Board of Directors. For more on HART, call the shelter at 927-7377 or go
slohart.org.
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