`Mews and News` - Hearthside Cats

Hearthside Cats, Inc.
‘Mews and News’
Winter 2012
P.O. Box 282, Geneseo, NY 14454
585-243-0873
Community Service Win-Win
B.J.
Rescued in the
Nick of Time
Hearthside occasionally gets calls
regarding abandonment or neglect.
As hard as it is, our volunteers step
up to help these cats in extreme
need. Such was the case with B.J.,
short for Barbara Jean. Her people
moved away and left this poor twoyear-old tortie outside. B.J. managed
to get by for three months, but began
to deteriorate from lack of nourishment and care. A concerned neighbor called Hearthside to see if we
could help this homeless kitty, who
by now was in poor condition – emaciated, lethargic and covered with
sores. B.J. was accepted and spent
a long time at the veterinary hospital,
where she got excellent treatment
and lots of TLC, before coming into
foster care. Given her ordeal, she is
still somewhat protective of food but
is gradually realizing she will never
go hungry again. Now that she’s
been given a second chance, sweet
B.J. is ready to go to a new home –
preferably a quiet one where she can
continue to recover without stress,
and live a long and happy life. If
you’d like to consider B.J., give us a
call at 243-0873.
From time to time, students
approach Hearthside do to
community service work. This
often involves socializing
cats, helping at the yard sale,
or giving time in some other
way. For the last year several
local students, most from Girl
Scout troop 1103, have made
Hearthside their special
project. The Scouts needed
volunteer hours to complete a badge,
so they arranged to help socialize
cats in foster care. The girls eventually fulfilled the badge requirement,
but found their experience so rewarding that they kept coming to help the
kitties. We thank them for their time,
patience and kindness. Because of
their good work, several cats that
Morgan Makes
a Forever Friend
We’re happy to report that most of
the Hearthside rescues have happy
endings, even when the cat is as
fragile as Morgan. One day this
summer, this tiny four-week-old
kitten was discovered under a bush
way out in the country, with no mother or siblings to be found. Hearthside
got the call, and we immediately
took her to the veterinary hospital.
Still too small to eat on her own,
Morgan was bottle-fed for some time
and happily, began to thrive and
grow. When Morgan was ready for
adoption, her veterinary caregiver
simply couldn’t resist, and took her
home to become a forever friend.
All’s well that ends well for lucky
kitties like Morgan!
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Angelica Lamb, Charlotte McLean,
Briana Lamb and Emma Post from
Girl Scout troop 1103 and friend,
Emily Slade (not pictured), have made
Hearthside their special project.
were once shy around people have
become eligible for adoption. We are
grateful for the girls’ time and commitment to helping homeless cats!
❅❅❅❅
Brighten Blah Winter
Days with a
Kitty
Kompanion…
We all know how much joy pets bring
into our lives. At this time of year,
having a feline companion can make
cold, dark days seem a little warmer
and brighter. What’s more, studies
have shown that having a companion
pet offers important health benefits
such as lower blood pressure and
heart rate, and less depression and
loneliness.
Hearthside’s “Kitty Kompanions”
Continued on page 2
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Italian Dinner Puts the “Fun” in Fundraiser!
Join your fellow cat lovers for a night of fine dining and “fun-raising” at our annual Gourmet Italian Dinner. This year’s event is Friday, February 10th at 7:00
p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Center, North St., Geneseo. The Italian Dinner has
become a signature winter event with fabulous food (prepared by Lynn
Kennison and her capable crew), great camaraderie, silent wine auction, and
fun door prizes…all for just $32 per person! This is a major fundraiser for
Hearthside, and each dollar goes directly to help cats in foster care. Seating is
limited, so don’t wait to make your reservations! Order tickets online at
www.HearthsideCats.org, call 243-0873, or use the form below.
Gourmet Italian Dinner Tickets Order Form
Tuxedo is an affectionate 14-year-old
that was adopted from Hearthside as a
kitten. His people recently had to give
him up, so he is back in our care. Tux
is a bit overwhelmed and would like to
have a home of his own. He looks and
acts younger than his years and would
make a wonderful Kitty Kompanion.
program brightens the lives of seniors,
while giving a deserving cat a loving
home. Through Kitty Kompanions,
we match calm, adult cats with people who would enjoy having a feline
friend at home, without some of the
worries and expense that go with pet
ownership. Hearthside waives the
adoption fee and provides basic pet
supplies, and in some cases can
help with veterinary expenses, if that
is a barrier to pet ownership. If needed, one of our Hearthside volunteers
is available to answer ongoing questions. And in the event the adopter
can no longer keep the cat, kitty will
always have a home with Hearthside.
If you know a senior citizen who
would like to adopt a cat through the
Kitty Kompanions program, just give
us a call at 243-0873.
Tickets for the Gourmet Italian Dinner on February 10th are $32 per
person.
Name _______________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________
Number of tickets requested _______
Number of vegetarian entrees _______
Total enclosed $___________
Please make check or money order payable to Hearthside Cats, Inc.
Our Veterinary Partners Are Simply the Best
The support of our veterinary partners is unsurpassed. They and their staff
make it possible for Hearthside to help otherwise sick and injured cats live
long, healthy lives. Each cat that Hearthside accepts goes directly to one of
our veterinary partners before entering foster care, to get a thorough exam,
needed vaccines and tests, and treatment for any immediate illness or injury.
The veterinarians and their staff work tirelessly to restore and maintain the
health of each cat in Hearthside’s care, sometimes taking after-hours calls or
helping a cat in crisis. We thank these dedicated, compassionate professionals
who make it possible for Hearthside to fulfill its mission:
Animal Care Facility of Livonia: Drs. Allison Cooperman, Peter Hecht
and Jessica Litteer
Caring for Cats: Dr. Betsey Arnold
Genesee Valley Veterinary Hospital: Drs. Eugene Scherline and
Jim Tompsett
Think Spring...Think “Walk for Cats”!
The 2012 “Walk for Cats” will be held on Sunday, May 6th at Highland Park in
Geneseo. This one-mile walkathon is a wonderful family outing that only takes
a couple of hours, and helps raise much-needed funds for cats in foster care.
It’s also an easy and fun community service project for schools and groups.
Please mark your calendar to join us, if you can. Registration starts at 1:30 and
the walk begins at 2:00, followed by pizza and prizes. All walkers collecting $50
or more get Hearthside Cats tee shirt! See the enclosed pledge form for details
or visit www.HearthsideCats.org.
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Special Program for
Special Cats
As a “no-kill” organization, Hearthside never euthanizes a cat to make
more room. Because of this unique
philosophy, we have a growing
Continued on page 3
Continued from page 2
number of foster care cats that are
considered unadoptable, due to
chronic medical or behavior issues
that make adoption difficult. As these
cats age, their health needs increase,
as do their veterinary expenses. You
can help offset the cost of care for
one of these cats through our
“Special Needs” program. For a
donation in any amount, you receive
a framed photo and biography of
“your” cat. For gifts of $80 or more,
we include address labels imprinted
with the kitty’s picture. It is unlikely
that these cats will ever go to a new
home, as they are content and com-
fortable in foster care. But they still
need your help. If you want to make
a difference with a Special Needs
cat, visit www.HearthsideCats.org
and click on “sponsor a cat” or call
243-0873 to see who’s looking for a
sponsor. Note: we thank volunteer
Carrianne Coyne, who recently took
on coordinating the Special Needs
program, and thank outgoing volunteer Lee Anne Schery, who established the program for Hearthside.
Nine-year-old Winky was adopted from Hearthside seven years ago. However, his
family’s circumstances changed and they could no longer care for him, so we
welcomed him back. This sudden change has stressed him a bit, but he is very
sweet and enjoys attention. Because of medical issues, Winky will live out his
golden years in foster care.
Health Corner
Adoption Corner!
How to Control Feline
Obesity
Below are several deserving cats
that are waiting adoption. All have
been wormed and tested negative
for Feleuk/FIV, are spayed or
neutered, and current on vaccinations.
Excerpts used by permission from
fostersandsmith.com
As the number one nutritional problem in cats, obesity is unhealthy for
cats and can lead to serious medical
problems such as diabetes, lameness, and even premature death.
Prevention is the best way to avoid
medical problems related to obesity.
Making small changes in your cat’s
lifestyle can be the difference
between a fit cat and a fat cat!
Tori is a pretty, petite one-year-old
tortie. She is very much a kitten
that loves to play! Tori is small for
her age and sweet as can be.
Tori
Handsome Sunny is another
friendly and playful kitten. This
one-year-old boy is outgoing and
fearless, and seeks attention by
rolling on his back for belly rubs.
Rule out medical conditions.
Although weight gain in cats is often
due simply to feeding too much or
exercising too little, there may be
treatable medical conditions contributing to obesity, such as a thyroid
disorder. If your cat has an unexplained increase in appetite or
weight, have her examined by your
veterinarian to rule out medical conditions. You should have your cat
checked by a veterinarian before
starting a weight loss program, but
here are some basic guidelines.
Mona is a large adult tiger that is
incredibly affectionate and sociable. About eight years old, she is
one of the sweetest cats in the
world!
Please consider giving a forever
home to one of these or any of our
adoptable cats! Visit
www.HearthsideCats.org for more
stories and photos.
Sunny
Feed the right food, in the right
amounts. Feeding a nutrient-packed,
healthy food ensures your cat gets
the most out of what she eats. Use
label recommendations as a portion
guideline and avoid overfeeding. Be
willing to adjust according to your
cat’s body condition. Providing small
Mona
Continued on page 5
3
“Fellowship for Cats” donations as of 11/19/11…your
wonderful support is
appreciated!
Chrissy & Larry Harris – thank you for
taking such good care of them!
Barbara Tange – in memory of Jesse
Anne Thompson
Loretta Vosburg
Michael J. Buckley – in honor of Martha
Wadsworth & SUNY Geneseo Food
Services volunteers
Madelyn Rubenstein
Joanne Wegman
Anonymous – in honor of Autumn &
Gabbi
Ellen Smith
Jane Pfromer – in memory of Pumpkin &
in honor of Tassy
Louise Miller – in honor of Rojo, Spot &
B.W.
Beverly J. Hart – in memory of Bobbi
Steve & Deb Robinson – in memory of
Teekee
Carolyn Scott
Kurt & Lynn Flanagan – memory of Boo,
Pally & F. Lee
Ron & Faith Bailey – in memory of Nicky
Mary Sturm
Irving Schoenacker – in memory of
Rodger H. Smith
Marlene F. Kouwe – in memory of
Pepper, Patches & Butterscotch
Anonymous
Bob & Linda Banfield – in memory of
Buttons
Mary Stadtmiller
Floyd & Beverly Embling – in memory of
Bandit & in honor of K.C. Kitty
Joan Schumaker – in memory of Ginny
Kemp
Paula Henry – in memory of Wildcat & in
honor of Henry Henry
Martha Scala – in memory of Patch
Alice M. Timothy – in memory of Barbie
Ardele Murphy – in memory of Patrick,
my little precious boy
Marilyn Berthold – in honor of Sami
Chris Lucas – in memory of Chi-Chi
Diane K. Pearson – in memory of Slick &
in honor of Jessie
The Mammossers – in memory of Bun,
kind, old, one-eyed ginger tabby
C. Kathy Stewart
Mary Lou Zanich – in memory of Barlow
Gloria Greiner Furcht – in memory of
Billy & Doll Face, brother & sister
Amy DeSantis – in memory of Peter
Tilipko
Karen & Paul Duffy – in honor of Victoria
& Molly
Caroline Ringland
Anonymous
Doris Rocha – in memory of Theodora &
Moses, my two beloved cats
John Kucaba
Kevin & Cheryl Gray
Joyce Semmel
Tara Moodie
James & Arleen Somerville
Anonymous – in memory of Susie & in
honor of Carol Bliven-Kelley
Samuel A. Hanger – in honor of all cats
Rosalind Hyman – in loving memory of
Pepper, Plato, Prezlee, Boots & Red & in
honor of Lucy & Blackie
Jacqueline Werner – in memory of
Momma
Richard Heye
Jack & Joan Tetamore – in memory of
Tory & in honor of Wiffy
Deb & Rick Hagen – in memory of Bear,
Spike, Blackie & Kitten & in honor of
Fleurby, Brownie & Speckle
Winifred Lisuzzo
Carol Q. Browne – in memory of
Blackheath, Bentley & Soho
Joy Snyder – in honor of Jesse
Patricia S. Dempski – in loving memory
of Samantha, a sweet girl & in memory
of Shirley Sullivan, an animal lover
Anonymous – in honor of Kady
Barbara Lee Scott – in memory of
Snickers
Jack & Nancy Baldwin – in honor of Lily,
Sweetie & Luna
Dolly Jonasse – in honor of John &
Elfrieda Motts, cat lovers
Laurie Hausler – in memory of GP
Tarantara’s Glory Mooncalled
Karen Storne & Pete Radosta – in memory of Harry Kohl, who loved animals
Robert & Nancy Moses – in memory of
The Old Man
Jean Hennessey & Tony Macula – in
honor of Lanna Ruddy
Anonymous – in memory of Sage
Betty Wilbur – in honor of Dusty & Keme
Mary L. Kernahan – in memory of Vinny
& Sheba
Norma Rumfelt – in honor of Boo &
Junior
Mary G. Wilkinson – in honor of
Mewslette
Wixie McMaster
Dorothy Kazan
Jeanette Capotorto
Richard Bloomer – in memory of Miss
Phoebe
Jim, Deb, Paul & Claire Allen – in honor
of our dear friend from Hearthside, Zelda
& Caramel
Karen Bernecker – in honor of Smokey,
Oliver & Lucky
Helen Terry
Joann Nugent – in memory of Nifty, Tuffy
& Lexie
Honeoye Falls & Livonia Veterinary
Hospitals
Gina Smith – in memory of Stumpy
Wagner & Squeek LeClair
John & Judy Gascon – in memory of
Larry, Sara & Callie & in honor of Sunny
& Bella
Other support as of
11/19/11…many thanks!
Marie Hack – in memory of Tyler, Charlie
& Oliver
Jean Hamilton
4
Linda J. Parkhurst
Dorothy Kazan
Christina Mattice
Melissa Frisiras – Special Needs
Program
Adam & Tara Liesegang
Metalico Rochester, Inc.
Colleen Miller
Leslee Robach
Jennifer Myles
Kellie Rumfola
Caroline Ringland
Richard Seiler
West Wise – Honeoye
Bonnie Gross
Mary Lu White – Special Needs Program
Robert Sheesley
Cordula Kennell
Elizabeth Sullivan
Linda J. Parkhurst
John & Judy Gascon
Ann Brunner
Annabelle M. Foos
Malinda Hilyard
Joan Prinzi
Jane Pfromer
Diane K. Pearson
Chris Lucas
Joy Snyder – Special Needs Program
Jessica Schojan
Ivy Shauerman
Cheryl Toolan
Mitje Raschi
Carla & Thomas Shafer
Dana Brown
Elizabeth Sullivan
Len & Lorri Bayer
Peter Matzke
Linda J. Parkhurst
Dorothy Pribanich
Kate Lallier
Mary & Greg Fitch
Not Dot Shop
Karen Schreiner – Special Needs
Program
Sally Bickford
Pat Dempski
Betty Wilbur
Josh Anderson
Cat Fanciers Association
Agnes Sick
Roe Smith
Eva B. Douglas
Sue & Roy Lucchese – in memory of
Leatha Baird
Continued from page 3
meals rather than free-choice feeding lets you monitor food
intake.
What is Your Cat’s Body Score?
Provide exercise and activity. Exercise burns fat and calories and helps to maintain muscle and joint health. Try to play
with your cat for at least 20 minutes, twice daily. An exciting,
interactive game of chasing a feathered toy increases bonding between you and your feline friend and helps keep her
healthy. And you will get some exercise and have fun, too!
Offer low-fat, low-calorie treats. The extra calories and low
nutritional value of treats and table scraps are often the
biggest offenders when it comes to cat obesity. Instead of
offering table scraps as a treat, offer one of the many low-fat,
low-calorie treats now available. Even better, offer your cat
affection in place of treats.
Veterinarians often use a 9-point scoring system to
evaluate the body condition of pets. A point value of 1
means the cat is extremely thin to the point of emaciation. A score of 9 means the pet is grossly overweight.
A score of 5 is ‘just right.’ To determine body score,
your veterinarian considers the following areas of a
cat: the ribs, the base of the tail, and the spine/shoulders/hips. The cat is looked at from above and from a
side profile.
Very Thin
Body Score
=1
Thin
Body Score
=3
Ideal
Body Score
=5
Overweight
Body Score
=7
Obese
Body Score
=9
Affordable Gifts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or Anytime! Here are some affordable and whimsical cat items for sale. All purchases
directly support Hearthside cats in foster care. Use the order form below or
visit the “shopping” section at www.HearthsideCats.org.
LIMITED SUPPLY! Cat Lovers Tee
Shirt – 100% green cotton w/whimsical “Life is great…cats make it
better” on the front and Hearthside
logo
on the back.
Adult M, L
or XL.
$15 each +
$1.50 S&H.
Hearthside Cats Bookmarks –
oversized (2.25" x 7"), original whimsical artwork, laminated for durability.
Choose from four designs:
“Napping”, “Kittens”, “House” and
“Yarn”. $2 each + $.50 total S&H for
1 – 4 bookmarks, or $1 total S&H for
5 or more.
Cat Angel Pin – pewter with 24K
gold-plated wings. 7/8" x 7/8". $10
each + $.50 S&H.
Dog Lover’s Bracelets – 7" long,
glossy enamel paint with folding magnetic clasp. $10 each + $1 S&H.
Hearthside Cats Tee Shirt – 100%
grey cotton with black logo. Medium,
large or extra-large. $15 each +
$1.50 S&H.
Cat Notecards – set of 10 w/matching envelopes in two designs -- “Cat
by Window” or “Cat and Pawprints”.
$5 per set + $1 S&H.
Books
The Comfort of Cats – Pamela
Wallin shares her unique bond with
one particular feline, with beautiful
photography of Anne Bayin. $5 each
+ $1 S&H.
The Dog Rules – William Thomas
humorously chronicles the relationship between humans and dogs, with
hilarious illustrations by Peter Cook.
$5 each + $1 S&H.
“Hooked on a Feline: Basic Cat
Care from a Different Purr-spective” – Written by Taunee (a cat),
and translated and illustrated by
local author Barbara MugnoloWilliams... a humorous, no-nonsense
approach to cat care! Portion of purchase is donated to Hearthside by
the generous authors. $11.95 + $2.00
S&H per book.
ALMOST GONE! “Home Is Where
the Hearth Is” Cookbook – 90 main
dish recipes in a durable binder with
beautiful original artwork. $20 each;
two for $35; three for $50. Add $1.50
S&H per cookbook.
Item
Qty.
Price ea. + S&H
Total
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Total enclosed
$_______________
Name _________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________________________
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Wish List
Paw Points =
Free Litter!
Thanks to everyone who collects
and sends “Paw Points” for Hearthside. Through this Fresh Step program, we redeem points for free litter. This is a great savings for our
foster caregivers! If you use Fresh
Step products, please feel free to
send us the Paw Points codes from
specially-marked boxes and pails.
The special Paw Points code is
unique to each package and contains letters and numbers. You can
find the printed Paw Points code
inside or imprinted on the package…
please do not send the barcode. On
bags less than 42 lbs., the Paw
Points code is printed on the back at
the bottom in an area highlighted in
yellow and on 42 lb. bags, the code
is printed on the inside. On plastic
pails, the Paw Points code is located
on a brochure inside the pail.
Thanks for your support!
There are all kinds of ways to help
the cats! Aside from money or volunteers, Hearthside also needs
everyday supplies. Many of you
help in this way…for example, a
generous supporter recently sent
a box of 200 homemade cat toys!
If you have items to donate please
forward to P.O. Box 282, Geneseo,
NY 14454 or call 585-243-0873 to
arrange pick-up. Here are our
most common needs:
- Purina “Naturals” dry cat food
- Friskies canned cat food
- Cardboard scratching pads
- Cat litter (all types)
- Cat toys
- Liquid dish soap
- First class stamps (for letters
and postcards)
We’ve heard from cat lovers all
over the country through our
website. It’s packed with photos,
past issues of the newsletter,
useful links and advice, events
info, shopping and donation
functions, and more! See it
live at www.HearthsideCats.org.
Hearthside Cats, Inc.
P.O. Box 282
Geneseo, New York 14454
Recycling for the Cats
Several times a year our volunteers
load a van with aluminum and cans
and recycle them for cash. Everyone
wins…donors dispose of pet food
cans and aluminum containers, and
Hearthside receives dollars to help
cats in foster care. We even have
supporters who collect cans for
Hearthside at their workplace on a
regular basis. This makes a great
community service project. If you’d
like to help, simply drop off bags of
clean aluminum cans (no tin please)
to one of our collection points: 5577
West Lake Rd., Conesus or 5083
Lima Rd., Geneseo.
If you can safely flatten the cans,
please do so. You may leave the
bags in front the garage at either
location. Thanks for helping to reuse
and redeem for the cats!
Hearthside does not sell, rent or otherwise
give its mailing or e-mail lists to other individuals, businesses or groups. Hearthside is an
all-volunteer organization with no paid staff,
government support or agency funding. All
income is derived from private donations and
fundraising, and goes directly to help pay
expenses for cats in foster care.
Non Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Geneseo, NY
Permit No. 34