The Cattyshack: Snow and Resolutions

The Cattyshack experienced its first snow this weekend and the cats were in awe. However, as the snow quickly melted, Kisses encouraged the others to turn their attention to making their New Year's Resolutions. Most of their resolutions involved playing more, but in their hearts, they all just wants forever homes of their own.




If you're interested in meeting any of our Cattyshack cats, please email sunshine@bhsva.org or call 540-586-6100.

Miss Mena: The Undercover Diva

This pretty little girl was born in the Fall of 2009 and the tiny kitten ended up on the doorstep of a caring family. She was rescued by the family's young daughter named Mena and nursed to good health. Initially, it seemed the small kitten would have a loving home the rest of her life. Sadly, the family eventually realized that their daughter was allergic to cats.

So this gorgeous little cat came to BHS where we named her Mena in honor of her rescuer. She is now about 3 years old, still young enough to be playful and fun, but quite happy to curl up next to you where you'll find her beautiful, soft fur to be addictive.

Mena is what we call a "torbie," a tortoiseshell with tabby stripes. Her photos don't even begin to capture her unique beauty. She is good with most other cats and dogs, but she would be content to be an only pet so she can be the diva she thinks she is.

Like most of the cats that have come to BHS, Mena has been in foster care far longer than she should. Cat adoptions, as we continue to point out, are rare. Yet, cats can be as playful, loving, and loyal as any dog. They have as much personality as a dog and are, quite honestly, much easier to care for.

Do you enjoy pets with personality? Don't let all the photos with a straight face fool you. Miss Mena has quite the mischievous sense of humor. You know the type. These are the pets you want to yell at for knocking your book off onto the floor while staring you dead in the eye, but the look on their face forces you to bust out laughing. We all need more laughter in our lives, right? Mena would love the chance to show you how lucky you would be to have her as your forever pet.

To meet Miss Mena, the undercover diva, contact LMHANDVTM@msn.com or 586-6100.

Petie: Not a Throw Away Dog

 

This month marks Petie's one-year anniversary of the day his BHS foster family saved his life. In 2011, Petie was dumped at the pound by his owner after 3 years of loyal companionship. We learned of his situation, but lacked an indoor foster space for him. Then, shortly before Christmas, our Board President was contacted by the pound to let her know that Petie's time was up. He would be euthanized by Christmas Eve. Unwilling to stand by while this boy lost his life through no fault of his own, Becky and Scott rushed to the pound and saved his life. He would have to be kept in an outdoor kennel instead of inside with the family like he was used to. But he would be safe and loved. He would have a second chance at a forever family. He would be alive.

Petie's owner had thrown him away and, after meeting Petie, we had to wonder why.

 

Petie was crate-trained, grew up with young children and other dogs, liked to ride in the car, and was housebroken. He had a clean bill of health despite being hit by a car at 10 months old. He was what we would consider very adoptable. So, why would his owner throw him away after so many years of loyal companionship?

 

 

 

Too put it kindly, Petie's owner could no longer be bothered with him. He was trained on an invisible fence and would bark at people when they came to the house. The owner decided it was best to get rid of Petie in order to avoid annoyance to visitors or risk the vet expenses if he were to run through the fence and get hit by a car again. Rather than invest the time to train Petie or invest the money in better fencing options, Petie's owner chose to dump him at the pound.

 

We are continually awed by how amazing this 5 year old mix is. At adoption events, he is so friendly and well-behaved that we cannot comprehend why, one year later, he has yet to find his forever family. He is so patient with his foster mom dressing him up in silly costumes and he eagerly greets every visitor with bright eyes and a wagging tail.

 

 

One area we have admittedly struggled with in regards to Petie is identifying his breed mix. We've had many guesses, including Dane, Catahoula, Australian Shepherd, and Lab. We believe that Australian Shepherd/Lab mix is probably close enough to accurate.

 

His foster mom describes him as being very smart and giving her no trouble at all. She adds that he is "a total sweetheart." He is between 40 and 50 pounds and is quite content to sit beside you and be petted. He doesn't jump up on people and will get into his crate when told to. In short, he is quite the gentleman.

 

 

Petie is one of this week's featured adoptables and we'd love to see him find a forever home of his own for the New Year. We know that there is surely a home out there willing to show Petie that he is not a throw away dog and that he deserves the same love, commitment, and loyalty that he gives so freely.

 
 

If you would like to meet Petie, you can call our office at 540-586-6100 or email info@bhsva.org. Our Office Manager will send you an adoption application to complete prior to getting you in contact with Petie's foster mom.

 

 

He Came to Us Broken

Last spring, a scrawny little orange tabby cat was rushed to the vet by a man who watched him get hit by a car and left for dead. Luckily for him (and us), the vet working at the time is a dedicated volunteer and board member of Bedford Humane Society. She made the immediate decision that this special boy would become one more of our growing number of foster cats. She named him Emmanuel after the kind man who refused to ignore the cries of this tiny, broken kitten and performed the life-saving surgery needed to repair his broken pelvis and set him on his road to recovery.

 

 
Because Emmanuel was such a big name for such a small boy, he became known as Manny and he quickly became every one's favorite. He had such a strong and positive spirit that you couldn't help but feel uplifted in his presence. Despite continued issues with his tail that had also been broken in the accident, he was the most playful kitten we'd met in quite a while.

I was lucky enough to have Manny as one of the first cats to be fostered in the cattery my dad and sons built for me. Dubbed the Cattyshack, this special place has a heated building with a completely enclosed front yard. Manny seemed to enjoy the extra space to run and play. He loves to climb the fence and play chase with Kisses and Laki. He enjoys sharpening his claws on the remaining tree in their front yard. And he enjoys cuddling up for an afternoon nap in the house loft. His favorite time of day, however, is treat time where he often "gently nudges" Kisses aside to eat the extra treats she doesn't need. (This is the only way I can coax all of the cats into the house at night. I've tried to bring them in without treats which is how I gained a full understanding of the term "herding cats.")

Manny has other great qualities besides his playful nature and positive spirit. He has always been exceptionally patient when I asked him to play dress up. (I have seen another phenomenal animal rescuer from another phenomenal rescue organization have great success getting cats adopted with cute pictures like the ones below, so I required my poor Cattyshack Crew to give it a try.)

 

 

 

But now they day I had hoped for this special boy has arrived. My sweet Manny has gone home. He has a wonderful couple that will spoil him and a great playmate in their cat-loving dog. I knew how perfect this home was for Manny when his new Dad kept calling him "son" when he was preparing to take him home. "Come here, son." Those words told me that this wonderful man would treat this special boy with as much love, care, and protection as I would my own children.

 

I wanted to share this story because it is so rare that we get to celebrate the adoption of our foster cats into forever homes. Few seem to recognize what excellent companions cats can be. I have been blessed to have Manny as part of my family for the last few months. And I am equally blessed to watch him begin the rest of his life with a wonderful family.

 

So I will celebrate this Christmas with one less foster cat and I will pray that my other foster cats receive the same wonderful homes for the New Year. And then I will refill my Cattyshack with a new crew.

 

 

And I will be forever thankful to this wonderful man who gave this special boy his forever home. He came to us broken, but he leaves us for a lifetime of love.

 

To see more of our adoptable cats waiting for their forever homes, visit our website at www.bhsva.org or check out our videos at www.youtube.com/bhsfoster.

 

Happy forever after, Manny!



A Cattyshack Christmas

The Cattyshack Crew is busy putting together their Christmas list and preparing for Santa's arrival. You can check out their full Christmas list by copying and pasting this address into your web browser: http://amzn.com/w/10SLZYX76RX2T. Send them a special gift! They're very worried that Santa won't visit them.

BHS Animals of the Week: Tila and TO

Earlier in the week we shared the story of all the sweet furbabies left behind with no one to care for them when their momma was hospitalized. Two of those are highlighted as our Animals of the Week: Tila and TO

 

Tila: 4 year old spayed female Shar Pei mix

 

TO: 7 year old declawed, neutered male cat (and a current favorite among the BHS volunteers caring for him and his housemates)

 

 

Tila and T.O. came to us along with several other cats and dogs when their owner was unexpectedly hospitalized. Both have complete medical histories and are very sweet. Tila is a 4 year old spayed female Shar-Pei mix. T.O. is a 7 year old declawed, neutered male cat. Both love the attention they’ve been receiving from BHS volunteers over the past few weeks and both are quite playful. If you’re interested in meeting Tila or T.O., please email info@bhsva.org or call 540-586-6100.

 

No One Left to Care for Them

As many of you know, Bedford Humane Society plans to build a No-Kill Shelter in Bedford County. This is so desperately needed in a community where pet overpopulation continues to result in dogs and cats dying in the pound.

Until that dream becomes a reality, we must rely on limited funds and space to house and care for homeless dogs and cats. However, when the plea came to help a houseful of dogs and cats left behind when their owner was unexpectedly hospitalized, we made the choice to help, trusting that our community would support us in this endeavor.

Please understand, this is not a case of cruel abandonment or a case of desperate hoarding. Each of these animals was well-cared for, as evidenced by the meticulous medical and biographical records their owner kept. They were rescued from sad situations. They were given a second chance at life. They were loved.

Please take a moment to watch their video and share their story with those who may be looking to adopt a declawed cat or a very playful dog. And take a moment to make sure that you have a plan in place for your own pets in the event of an unexpected tragedy. Many of the animals we pull from the pound have ended up there not because they were not loved by their families, but because there was no one left to care for them after their families were gone.



And if, after seeing their sweet faces, you feel moved to contribute to their care or the care of others like them, please take a moment to donate to our Extra Mile Fund. We anticipate that Max will need potentially expensive medical care, possibly for the rest of his life.

Donations can be sent to:
Bedford Humane Society
Extra Mile Fund
829 Ole Turnpike Dr
Bedford, VA 24523

And once again, thank you to the BHS staff and volunteers who have dedicated so much time and love to this sad situation.