Thank you to everyone who donated and made giveBIG a huge success for MEOW! Thanks to you, we raised over $8,000, which is more than double what we raised last year and that doesn't include funds from the stretch pool yet.
Artist In Action
When: May 19, 2012, 12 - 4 p.m.
Where: MEOW Cat Rescue
Join us and welcome award-winning local artist Mary Gibbs. Mary will display some of her wonderful paintings of cats, as well as create a new original piece at the shelter. Enjoy some hors'doeuvres, meet Mary Gibbs, and visit with MEOW kitties.
Mary will have prints, cards, tiles, and coasters for sale at the event, and 50% of all proceeds benefit MEOW.
MEOW Cat Rescue License Plate Frames
Get yours today and help spread the good word about MEOW. Buy them online now via paypal.com for just $5 plus $3 shipping (in the U.S.). Or, stop by the shelter and pick one up for $5. For international shipping, please contact the shelter at (425) 822-6369.
Meet Tootsie Lu - She's Sweet As Candy!
Tootsie is currently recovering from surgery on both knees, but should be available for adoption later this spring. Read more about her and consider making a donation to help cover the cost of her surgery! More about Tootsie
Paolo and Vaco
Paolo is already a celebrity, with a book written about him by MEOW volunteer Carolyn Banguero, but now he and Vaco are TV stars too. Watch their segment on New Day Northwest.
2 Year Anniversaries Coming Up Soon - Can You Help?
Hi, we’re Joshua, Wilder, Lucy and Kaye. We have the dubious honor of being MEOW’s longest term residents. We all were brought to MEOW during 2010; later this year will mark our second anniversary of being without families. Although we have adjusted to life at the shelter, and have grown much more confident and better able to handle changes in our lives, we really would like to have families of our own, and to be able to curl up on someone’s bed at night (or even during the day time). We are so thankful to our human friends at the shelter because they have helped us learn to trust humans and appreciate being petted and loved. But, we’re ready to move on. Read more about us, and please consider coming to take us home!
Joshua & Wilder (A Wonderful Pair)
They love to play kitten games: chase the feather, chase the mouse, and chase each other. They are very good roommates to the other cats in their community room at MEOW. These guys would be wonderful playmates for any cat who enjoys the company of other cats and perhaps needs a bit of kitty exercise. Since they’ve been at the shelter, they have come a long way from their kittenhood on the streets. They now enjoy being petted when approached slowly and quietly. In fact, sometimes they actually request attention by getting up on their favorite scratching post and waiting there for a gentle hand. We intend to send this post home with them when adopted since they love it so much. Wilder has an irresistible crooked snaggle-tooth smile, created by a bit of dental work to correct his crooked canines. Joshua is nearly a carbon copy of his brother, but with straighter teeth. These long, lean, exotic looking young boys may take a bit more time to warm up to new people than a new cat friend. But once adopted into a forever home, we expect that they will settle in and enjoy being members of a family.
Lucy (8 Years Young)
She is a gentle, quiet, sweet cat who loves to be petted by her favorite people. How do you become one of her favorite people? By giving her a little extra time to build trust between you. Although Lucy isn't a social butterfly, she really bonds with people as they become familiar. Once she has had time to adjust to new situations, she really shows her affectionate side. She'll snuggle up in a cozy cat bed for a nice long nap while you're away for the day and isn't an overly demanding girl. She adores being petted and will persistently head butt you for as many pets as she can get. Lucy enjoys batting around little toy mice now and again and wouldn't mind if they were coated in catnip either! She would do best in a home without children or dogs, but she has lived with other cats and would probably get along well with them in a new home. Overall Lucy wants a home where she can become good friends with her companion and have night time cuddle sessions at the end of the day.
Kaye (3 ½ years old – Still a Young’un)
She enjoys meeting new people and will greet your entire guest list when they come over. Kaye likes toys, and some of her favorites are catnip mice and ball toys. Though she likes playing with toys, her favorite thing in the whole world is to be petted. She will reward you with lots of purrs while you are petting her. She does not mind being held and would do well in a home with children or other cats. Overall her favorite thing to do is to cuddle in a warm bed while being petted by her forever companion. Kaye has a previous history of inappropriate urination. This was due in part to struvite crystals and in part to anxiety in her former home. She was put on a special diet which eliminated the crystals. Going forward a diet of wet food only or wet & dry food should keep the crystals from redeveloping. Like many humans, she takes an anti-anxiety medication. It is inexpensive and Kaye willingly takes her pill each day. As a result, her inappropriate behavior is a thing of her past and she’s looking forward to showing her new family what a good kitty she is.
As much as we have enjoyed watching these kitties blossom while they’ve been in our care, and believe that they are now better equipped to be wonderful, loving household members, we really wish for them to have homes of their own, before their second anniversaries arrive. If you would consider adopting or fostering to adopt Joshua & Wilder, Lucy, or Kaye, please come by the shelter and meet these guys. They are waiting for you.
2012 MEOW Calendar - Only A Few Left!
The 2012 MEOW calendars are almost gone. Don't miss out on this special calendar dedicated to fifteen years of MEOW. Price reduced to just $5 while they last.
How to Buy
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At the shelter
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By phone (425-822-6369
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PayPal ($2 for shipping)
$10,000 Spay/Neuter Grant from Handsel Foundation
The Handsel Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to MEOW, which will allow us to continue to provide needed spay/neuter surgery support to those in our community. This is on the heels of the grant from the Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies earlier this year, which funded 220 spay/neuter surgeries. Funds are available for feral or free-roaming cats, cats belonging to anyone needing financial assistance, and cats who qualify for our Toms & Moms program. While MEOW has often provided monetary support for community members needing financial assistance or those managing feral cat colonies, these additional funds will help us do more. If you know someone who could use our help, please have them call the shelter (425-822-6369) or email us at info@meowcatrescue.org.
More information about MEOW’s Toms & Moms Community Spay/Neuter Program
iGive.com – Your Online Shopping Can Help MEOW All Year
If you enjoy shopping online, now your purchases can help bring prosperity to the pussycats! By registering with iGive.com and shopping through our portal, www.iGive.com/MEOW, from 2% - 26% of your purchase price is donated to MEOW by the participating business. There are over 900 businesses in iGive.com, including pet supply stores, department stores, travel sites, booksellers, office supply stores, ebay, etc. The amount of the donation varies by business. It costs you absolutely nothing to register or donate. Check it out. If you like the idea, tell a friend.
WA Federation of Animal Control and Care Agencies
The WA Federation of Animal Control and Care Agencies is made up of members from all corners of Washington, working together to provide a collective voice for animal welfare.The goals of the Federation are:
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To assume a statewide leadership role with a collaborative approach in advocating animal welfare
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To act as a center clearinghouse for sharing information with animal welfare agencies
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To provide useful information to the public regarding animal care and other issues important to the membership
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To collaborate with the veterinary community in order to share information and resources, and more effectively promote humane practices and laws for all animals in Washington State
Find out more about the Federation and upcoming training sessions/resources available to the public by visiting their website www.wafederation.com.
Adult Cat or Kitten: Which Is Right for You?
Many people who decide to adopt a new feline think they should start with a "clean slate" by choosing a kitten. Many people like the idea of watching their pet grow. What most people don't realize, however, is that caring for a kitten is a lot like caring for a baby. Young kittens need almost constant supervision. You must kitten-proof your home from common household dangers - electrical and computer cords, knickknacks, household cleaners, drawers, window screens, toilet bowls, your feet, and other pets can place a kitten's safety at risk. Young children move quickly and like to hug pets. Kids can accidentally hurt a small kitten, which might bite or scratch if it's frightened.
On the other hand, the right adult cat is more likely to tolerate children and less likely to be injured. Senior citizens are often unprepared for a kitten's energy level and would actually get more enjoyment from the company of a calm adult or senior cat. Kittens are often underfoot and can cause even a sure-footed young person to trip or stumble, injuring both kitty and friend. Kittens have endless energy. Expect your kitten to spend its nights scaling your drapes and running up and down your stairs and across your countertops. Rarely will a young kitten sleep at the foot of your bed. Furthermore, kittens grow quickly, becoming nearly full size by six months of age but often continuing kitten behaviors for much longer.
An adult cat, however, is generally much calmer and less likely to get into trouble. And, because an adult cat is fully developed, you know what you're getting in terms of size, appearance and personality. For example, you can tell whether or not it is the type to sit on your lap. Depending on your own age and lifestyle, you may be happier with an adult cat in your family. If you have a quiet lifestyle, work outside the home, or have children under the age of six, give serious thought to adopting an adult cat or two.
The best part about adopting an adult or senior cat? You're literally saving a life. Because most people want to adopt kittens, a cat's chances for adoption decrease with age. Most of these cats make wonderful pets when someone gives them a chance. MEOW is a no-kill shelter. The cats here will remain here, or in foster care, until they are adopted. Although their odds are improving, many older cats brought into shelters are euthanized. By adopting an adult cat from any shelter, you are helping to make room for another, who might otherwise be put to death.
Finally, at MEOW, we will not place a single kitten in a catless home or a home with only older cats. Kittens need a playful buddy, somebody to wrestle with, to bite and scratch, somebody to chase from one end of the room to the other, somebody to curl up with for a nap. Certainly, they enjoy human companionship, love to play with you, and will learn that a human lap is one of the best possible places to nap. But if they don't have a kitten buddy to wrestle with and to learn from, they may decide the human in their life is suitable for these rough activities as well. Once this inappropriate play behavior begins, it's difficult to break. If you do feel that kittens are the best choice for you, please be prepared for all that this will bring to your home, the good and the bad. If a pair of kittens is out of the question and you really want only one pet, do the right thing for everyone - adopt an adult cat.
AniMeals Food Drive for Families in Need
Throughout this tough economic time, MEOW is hosting a pet food drive to help families in need. Please stop by the shelter with your donation of dry or canned pet food. Sometimes all that is needed to keep a pet in his or her home is a little food and a little help. Donations will be given to Hopelink in Kirkland for distribution.
Have You Seen this Metro Bus Ad?
Do you want people to swoon over your Siamese mix? Be tantalized by your tabby, tortie or tuxedo? Be beguiled by your beautiful black cat? Here's your chance to show everyone how proud you are of your fantastic feline.
MEOW is offering the opportunity for you to feature your own cat or cats on the tail of a METRO bus for four weeks for a tax deductible donation of $400 or more. If you don't have a bus-worthy headshot of your kitty, one of our great MEOW photographers will come to your home and get a perfect picture of your pussycat. Your kitty can become a local celebrity like these two MEOW alumni, Fritz and Morris.
Show your love for your own cats while helping those still looking for their forever home. For more information please e-mail Marilyn.
Local Artist to Capture Senior Residents on Canvas
Local artist Fran Downs has graciously donated her talents to help generate interest in our senior kitties. For a limited time, if you adopt a senior cat (8 years or older), Fran will capture your new friend on canvas. Each senior cat adoption is accompanied by a certificate for a painted portrait. To see more of Fran's work, visit her website at www.francesdowns.com.
To see your future senior companion in real life, come visit us at the shelter or view our Petfinder.com listings.
