Winter 2015 - Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue

A D O P T I O N S E V E RY S AT U R DAY A N D S U N DAY : P E T C O, S L OAT B LV D & P E T C O, P O T R E R O C E N T E R
L O O K I N G F O R WA R D T O A FA B U L O U S 2 0 1 6
As 2015 comes to a close I'd like to thank our team of dedicated volunteers, donors,
supporters, adopters, fosters and all those who believe that "Every Life Matters". Give Me
Shelter thanks each and everyone of you for believing in us and the kitties we have saved.
Social Media has played a pivotal role creating awareness of our rescue efforts along with
much needed exposure of cats in need that have resulted in successful adoptions. Thank
you for sharing our posts, it makes a difference.
We will also continue to shed light on the need for shelter reform resulting in more lives
being saved. We are the voice for those who cannot speak and are committed to making
a difference for all animals.
Your ongoing support, whether monetary or through volunteer efforts is crucial to our
ongoing success. We hope 2016 will be a banner year! It takes a village and we are
grateful to have you all on the team! Happy Holidays!
To donate, volunteer or adopt visit our website at GiveMeShelterSF.org
All donations are tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
(EIN 20-1685522), and receipts are available upon request.
“WHAT GREATER GIFT THAN THE LOVE OF A CAT?” – CHARLES DICKENS
URGENT: CHECKERS
Hi! My name is Checkers and I'm a big
sweet eight-year-old boy. I love being
around my person and am an easy going
fellow. I've been waiting since JUNE for
someone to take me home and give me lots
of love. What's a guy gotta do around here
to get adopted? Really, I'm just a cool,
handsome dude, ready to be your boon
companion, wing man, personal assistant,
anything to be of help. You'll see!
FIV MYTHS DEBUNKED
D O N ’ T B E L I E V E E V E RY T H I N G Y O U H E A R
TEST RESULTS ARE RELIABLE
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2
3
20% of positive results are test errors.
The error rate for kittens is even
higher. Thousands of cats are killed
daily because of test errors!
THE FIV TEST SHOWS THE
EXISTENCE OF THE FIV VIRUS
It measures nothing but antibodies
which are microscopic organisms that
fight the virus.
KITTENS THAT TEST POSITIVE
FOR FIV WILL ALWAYS TEST
POSITIVE FOR FIV
Infected mothers rarely, if ever, pass
the infection to their kittens.
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5
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CATS WHO HAVE THE VIRUS
WILL EVENTUALLY GET SICK
AND DIE FROM IT
90% of cats who have the FIV virus
will lead completely normal lives.
FIV + CATS WILL LEAD SHORT,
MISERABLE LIVES
FIV+ cats can and DO live long,
happy, healthy lives, if given a
chance.
THE FIV VIRUS IS A SERIOUS
THREAT TO OTHER ANIMALS
Casual, non-aggressive contact does
not appear to be an efficient route of
spreading FIV.
CONSIDER OPENING YOUR HEART AND HOME TO AN FIV POSITIVE CAT.
URGENT: KITTY KITTY
Hi! My name is Kitty Kitty. I'm quite athletic
and enjoy space to roam around a home. I
can also be quite chatty. Despite being a
big boy, I'm even cool with being picked up.
I'm an all around easy, fun and friendly
three year old cat. Maybe you're concerned
about me being FIV+? I can live safely with
other cats and have a long healthy life. I
would really like to have a home of my own
for Christmas!
H E A R T WA R M I N G S T O R I E S F R O M 2 0 1 5
THELMA
(formerly known as Christine)
Words of wisdom from Thelma's
adopter:
"Here's the thing about shelter
cats that fail this standard
'behavior assessment': if you
save a cat that's going to be put
down because she doesn't do
well socially–if she's like Thelma
and lashes out because she's
scared–it's extra rewarding. After
providing a consistent, steady
stream of days where nothing
bad happens, you get to see her
modify her behavior. You get to
watch her slowly become aware
that not everyone is going to hurt
her and she can finally relax a
little.
PA N DA
It's not for everyone. Sometimes
you receive a swipe on the hand
if you make what she considers
to be a bad move. But if you take
a chance on one that seems to
have been previously handed some rotten life circumstances, you might get to see what
we see: Over time the swipes become halfhearted swipes, then just halfhearted warning
noises, then just a tail flick and a steely-eyed look.
Now, first thing in the morning, she demands head rubs as soon as she sees we're awake.
It's as if she's saying "oh, you're finally awake? Good. Because we are going to seize the
best out of this day." Then she proceeds to fiercely enjoy the hell out of everything around
her. I feel lucky that I get to witness it."
Panda, who is blind, was surrendered to the
city shelter after 18 years because her
person died. She was sad, scared and
confused in the shelter. She was offered to
Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue and, after her
story was posted on Facebook, it was
shared almost 3,000 times and she
received multiple adoption offers. She's a
sweet, chatty little girl who has a lot of
spunk. Our sincere thank you to her
adopters and best wishes to dear Panda.
“WHEN A MAN LOVES CATS, I AM HIS FRIEND AND COMRADE, WITHOUT FURTHER INTRODUCTION” – MARK TWAIN
PENN & ELLIE
(formerly known as Jagger and Rihanna)
Our two beautiful and charming
Cerebellar Hypoplasia kittens were
instant volunteer favorites and found a
wonderful home together! Cerebellar
Hypoplasia is a disorder which causes
jerky movements, tremors, and generally
uncoordinated motion. Cats with CH are
often
euthanized,
as
people
misunderstand the condition as being
painful and/or contagious. However,
they have a normal life expectancy and
are very affectionate, sweet, and loving.
They return the extra care they need with
an intense love for and bond with their
adoptive families.
JA D E
Found as a stray in San Francisco, this
short-legged munchkin waif inspired a
couple to drive all the way up from Los
Angeles to adopt her. Now she is safe with
her own family and loved very much!
T H E B E S T 2 0 1 5 S NA P C H AT S F R O M Y O U R C AT
T H E T O P 5 R E A S O N S Y O U S H O U L D A D O P T A C AT T H I S H O L I DAY
5
SELF-GROOMING
2
SAVING A LIFE
4
HOUSEBREAKING
1
SAVING YOUR LIFE
3
CUDDLING
Having a pet that cleans itself is an
amazing benefit.
Set up a litter box, introduce the cat
to the box, and you are done.
Nestled up against you or lounging
warmly across your chest, you will
find that most cats are both
independent and very affectionate.
By adopting a cat today, you’d be
single-handedly saving a life.
Living with a pet has been
attributed to significantly lowering
blood pressure, the risk of heart
disease, and the risk of depression
and anxiety.
WE HERE AT GIVE ME SHELTER CAN’T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO THE AMAZING
VOLUNTEERS, FOSTERS, ADOPTERS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND VETERINARIANS WHO HELP US
YEAR AFTER YEAR. YOUR EFFORTS BOTH SMALL AND LARGE MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE AND
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE VALUE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
P.O. Box 411013
San Francisco, CA 94141