2015 has been a roller coaster for Catlandia. It's hard to sum it all up, but there are a few special cats I want to remember and celebrate this evening, and a few events.
In March I rescued Clementine, a dumped and very pregnant mama cat, 4 days before she gave birth. I got to watch her birth 4 beautiful kits, and I watched her raise them for the next couple of months. She was so devoted and tireless. She was skin and bones. She worked around the clock.
In March I rescued Clementine, a dumped and very pregnant mama cat, 4 days before she gave birth. I got to watch her birth 4 beautiful kits, and I watched her raise them for the next couple of months. She was so devoted and tireless. She was skin and bones. She worked around the clock.
Clementine, Raven, Stevie, Jaime, and Scribbles. They taught me so much, and brought so much joy into my life. Still do.
And in May I also got a call about a homeless kitten who was all alone and needed help. I went to get him straight away. Prana.
And in May I also got a call about a homeless kitten who was all alone and needed help. I went to get him straight away. Prana.
In June we tore down the old 8x8 ft cattery, and replaced it with a 24ft long cattery! Very exciting. We still have some work to do on it, but this cattery has been key to the happiness of all the Catlandia cats.
Also in June we rescued the Magnolia Triplets. Virgil is the only one left here, unadopted as yet, and he is utterly adorable.
In July I rescued Louis Zamperini.
In August I rescued Santino at the Little Italians colony. He is still here but he is doing so well I may put him on our Adoptable Cats list one day soon. Seeing him soften and relax has been so wonderful.
In December I rescued Wally and Karl from a high kill shelter where they were in a cage together and very ill. Karl had been up for euthanization when a kind woman begged for one more chance and posted their photo online. I saw the photo and my heart broke when I saw little Wally, who reminded me of Prana and Louis. These two are now with a foster mom and they will be going up for adoption as a bonded pair in mid January.
The amazing thing about all these rescues in '15 is that we are full here. We were full in January of this year. No room at the inn. And yet, with the help of some very wonderful people, we made these things happen anyway. That's part of the magic of Catlandia.
So we were able to help some great kitties in need this year, but our year was also one of incalculable loss. We lost three beloved friends.
First was Martin, a GPK colony cat in the prime of his life. One of the most kind, calm, and loving cats I've ever know. He was the heart and soul of his colony, and of this place. He was the sparkling jewel in the center of the Love Clique, the group of friends and family cats mostly made up of GPK kitties. He was also the best friend of Big Boy. He got sick, and died following a procedure at the vet's office. It was a shock. I still miss him. I wish he had gotten to be healthy and happen for another decade or two.
Then Prana came down with a mystery illness. The vet feared it was rabies. We never found out was happening to him. Not rabies, we know. Prana was a beautiful soul. He was a kitten still, when he died. There's nothing more to be written about it tonight.
Lastly, Louis Zamperini, so sick when he got here, got a lot better, held on for months, and the nosedived. He really never got a chance to feel great this year. He did the best he could, for as long as he could, and I'm so glad I found him when I did.
Writing this has been crap. I have been nauseated the whole time. Forgive me for not doing a better job; I didn't think it would be this hard.
This year also brought us some lovely friends near and far. I tell you in all truth, we could not have made it without you. You are making the miracles happen. You are the miracles. Every kind thought, every gift, every donation sent has been received in great need and with great appreciation. Please know that you have saved lives this year. And know that we think the world of you.
2016 will be a great year for Catlandia. We will continue to do TNR work. We will try to find homes for the adoptable cats who live here, and for the adoptable cats we know out on the street, and if we have room, we will bring others in from out of the cold. We will strive to be happy and healthy and for our little community to be a safe haven for all here, and a place that inspires others to open their doors and hearts to the little wild ones out there waiting for them.
This year also brought us some lovely friends near and far. I tell you in all truth, we could not have made it without you. You are making the miracles happen. You are the miracles. Every kind thought, every gift, every donation sent has been received in great need and with great appreciation. Please know that you have saved lives this year. And know that we think the world of you.
2016 will be a great year for Catlandia. We will continue to do TNR work. We will try to find homes for the adoptable cats who live here, and for the adoptable cats we know out on the street, and if we have room, we will bring others in from out of the cold. We will strive to be happy and healthy and for our little community to be a safe haven for all here, and a place that inspires others to open their doors and hearts to the little wild ones out there waiting for them.