Home2Cats, Memphis | Newsletters | Photos | Lynx

Home2Cats.org - Fall, 2006

THE  SCRATCHING  POST

Issue #29, by Barbara Stanley, home2cats@aol.com
Home 2 Cats, P. O. Box 752671, Memphis, TN  38175-2671

 

Our mission is:
To provide food, medical care, love and sanctuary for injured, disabled or abused animals.
To educate the public in what constitutes responsible cat care and ownership.
To engage in other activities related to animal rescue and public education about cat care and responsibilities.


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Mews You Can Use

Ear Mites and Beyond

Otodectes cynotis!  That’s the scientific name of one type of tiny spider-like creature that loves to take up residence, along with all their family and friends, on your pet. You know them as the common ear mite.

The term ‘ear mite’ can be misleading because this parasite can live anywhere on your pet’s body. Besides the ear canal, another area that ear mites love to take up residence is on the cat’s tail. This is because while sleeping, the tail is curled around the cat's body in close contact with the ear.

These mites are highly contagious and are easily spread pet to pet within the household. Kittens are more susceptible to ear mites but cats of all ages are at risk. Luckily, these tiny creatures do not prefer humans!

When the mite burrows into your cat’s ear, it causes irritation. The cat’s natural body response to this irritation will be to produce more wax. That natural body response makes the perfect haven for this creature, since the mites feed on wax and debris.

The irritation from the mites will cause an intense itching. The cat will scratch his ears and depending on the severity of the infestation, may scratch incessantly. Along with scratching, there may be head shaking.

The scratching can cause the ear canal to bled. This dried blood resembles coffee grounds. When you inspect your cat’s ears and see this material, it is a good indication that your cat has ear mites or possibly an ear infection. Other symptoms to look for are black waxy build up and bad odor.

Ear mites are common and if left untreated can severely damage the ear canal and eardrum. This damage can cause permanent hearing loss, deafness and secondary bacterial infections.

Treatment may take two to four weeks to kill all stages of the mite. Since mites are easily transferred between animals, your vet may recommend treating all pets in the household.

 

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Cat Tails



                 

Mystery Kittens

Early one morning, we retrieved a message that alarmed us; two kittens were locked in a truck. We returned the call immediately. The caller, who was in Louisiana, stated she had been informed by a nurse at Veterans Hospital in Memphis that her father, Chuck, had been admitted during the night to the ICU with a ruptured appendix.

She was unable to talk directly to her father, but the nurse stated that he was stressed and concerned about two kittens that were left in his truck. She was unsure where the truck had been parked. This was a hot Memphis summer and two kittens locked in a truck would not survive long. Larry and I were out the door in record time to head downtown to the hospital.

We made our way to the ICU and the nurse introduced us to Chuck. As sick and miserable as he was, he was extremely concerned about the kittens’ well being. He said he found the two kittens in Texas. They were in a sealed box, starving and dehydrated. He was transporting them to his ex-wife who would be adopting and sharing custody of the two with him.

We told him we would retrieve the kittens from his truck and would be happy to care and foster them until he was able to leave the hospital.

Chuck’s truck was left on the Swift company compound, which was across town. We needed the use of his keys to access entry to his truck.

We went through the ‘red tape’ for the hospital staff to retrieve Chuck’s belongings from the safe. Eyebrows were raised when they heard Chuck was handing over his keys to two complete strangers. We informed them that we were with a non-profit cat rescue and that seemed to ease the suspicion just slightly. Thankfully, Chuck trusted us completely and had no hesitation in the matter.

We went through the final protocol; acquire the keys via proper channels. Hospital staff had to physically give Chuck the keys who then had to be the one to physical transfer the keys to our possession.

As we scurried out the door to head across town to the Swift compound, I think we left the hospital staff taking bets as to whether Chuck would ever see his truck again. I’m not quite sure that they realized his truck was a big rig semi-18 wheeler!

At Swift we explained the situation to security and we were then allowed on the property. Security would only allow one person to accompany them to the yard to locate and access the truck. Larry, with kennel in hand, accompanied him while I waited and worried impatiently in the car.

I was relieved when I saw Larry returning carrying the kennel, but as he approached he was shaking his head, no. He had searched every nook and cranny of the cab, sleeping quarters, behind the dashboard and was unable to find the ‘mystery kittens’.

The window had been left ajar, so there was the possibility that they had climbed up the back of the seat and jumped out. My heart sank thinking of the kittens once again homeless and starving.

As Larry was leaving our name and phone number in case the kittens were sighted, a security guard who had heard of our search, phoned to say the kittens had been removed from the truck earlier. A guard then accompanied Larry to the business office building and again I impatiently waited.

A business meeting that was in progress immediately came to a complete halt when they heard Larry was there to retrieve the kittens. The twin black bobtail ‘mystery’ kittens had been given their very own office and had been supplied with food, water, litter box and lots of attention. The kittens were having a ball and so were these wonderful people. They wanted to continue to care for the kittens for Chuck.

Knowing that the kittens were in great hands, Larry left with several business cards that had been handed to him to deliver to Chuck.

Being a long distant truck driver and Swift being a large company, Chuck did not personally know the employees that were being so kind and generous. He was completely overwhelmed.

A week later, Larry called to check on Chuck and the kittens. Swift said Chuck was still in the hospital but progressing nicely. The kittens had grown and were now robust and everyone was enjoying them.

Amazing how two little ‘mystery’ kittens were able to unite so many people!

 

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Animal and People Recognition

While losing a companion is one of life's greatest sorrows, never having one is to miss out on years of loving companionship.


 

 

In Memory Of Animals

Katie
Beloved dog of Carol Lazzarevich.
--Jodi Rupp

Trixie & Shadow
Beloved cats of Jim & Shirley Redman.
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Luc
Beloved dog of Jim & Lynda Sheppard.  Lynda's little shadow.
--Ellen Lentz

Shadow
--Bob & Jean Vance

Edmund
Beloved cat of Genni, Chris Ian, & Will Greer.
--John, Diane & Grace Clement

In Memory Of People

Charles Davis
"A lover of cats, who befriended all strays".
Beloved husband of Anne Davis and beloved cat person to Reggie.
--Bill & Rita Vandenburgh

Ruth Ashford
Beloved wife.
--Wayne Ashford

Ted Cartledge
--Ruth Blann Cartledge

Norris W. McGehee Jr.
Beloved son of Dr. & Mrs. Norris W. McGehee.
--Kimbrough & Susan Gregory

In Honor of People

Larry & Barbara Stanley
We admire the work you so faithfully do.
--Ruth, Phoebe & Holle

Bill & Rita Vandenburgh
--Steve Meyer

 

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A Word From Home (2 Cats!)

Home 2 Cats Announces a Youth Outreach Program!

If you are under 18 years of age, we need your help.

Home 2 Cats needs your input to assist with youth education. We need to hear from you! Please write us and share your thoughts, opinions or even cat rescue stories with us.

Your response may be published by Home 2 Cats to help in youth education. Responses received will not be returned and will become the property of Home 2 Cats to be used for this youth project. If, however, we publish your comments, Home 2 Cats will notify you by mail.

If you are able to help us in any of the areas listed below, please write or email us at the addresses given at the bottom of this page.

Rescued Cats:

If you have rescued a cat please write us and tell us about your rescue story.

We would like to know if you kept the cat or found him/her a home. If you found the cat a home, other than your own, tell us how you accomplished this.

What have you learned from the rescue experience?

Have you ever fostered a rescued cat, if so, tell us about the experience.

Family Cat:

Tell us briefly about your cat.

If your family has a cat in the household, in what way are you responsible for your pet’s care?

In your own words, what makes a responsible pet owner?

What have you learned from your cat?

What do you like best about your cat?

Youth Rescue:

Without help from a rescue organization, in what way could youths be active in rescue?

 

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Ongoing Projects

      

Home (2 Cats) On www.petfinder.com

Looking to adopt a cat or kitten? Check out our current pet list and our adoption day calendar on Home 2 Cats home page on www.petfinder.com under shelters/organizations. You may also access our home page directly by http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/TN159.html

 

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Home2Cats, Memphis | Newsletters | Photos | Lynx
Please send email to:  home2cats@aol.com

Or write to: Home 2 Cats
P. O. Box 752671
Memphis, TN  38175-2671
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Microsoft Office: Design Gallery Live
*NaNcY*'s Cat Animation Gallery

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This page was last updated 12/31/10.