It's the bottom of the ninth...

I feel like we’re in the home stretch now.  The Pas Cats & Kittens Shelter will be closing as soon as homes are found for the cats and kittens under its care.  It’s definitely bittersweet.  The shelter was established in August 2014 when homeless Misha arrived in my yard.

June 30, 2018 was the day that I officially stopped intake of new cats.  It was a relief, in a way, but I was also very sad because I knew that as of that day, there was no place for cats in distress to go in our town.  Once again, we will have to rely on the goodness of residents to take in and care for these cats…or they will have to go to the Town Pound.

I have so many memories from the four years of operating the shelter.  Many are wonderful but some are not so good and are very sad.  Running or working at a shelter can be very stressful and, of course, often emotionally draining.  I will always have fond memories of every single one of the beautiful cats and kittens who have come through the shelter.  Bless their hearts and souls.

I am very proud of the fact that we have ensured that every cat that has come under our care has been spayed or neutered.  I think the shelter has made a sizeable difference in the overpopulation problem…but it will not take long for it to increase again now that the shelter is closed.

I’ve met so many great people through the shelter.  My volunteers – young and old - have been fantastic and so dedicated.  I have some volunteers who have faithfully come every week to help in the shelter.  And I am still in awe of the amount of donations in kind that supporters have made and are still making…..food, litter, deodorizer, toys, treats, travel kennels, blankets, bowls, cat stands, garage sale items, photos, furniture, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, gift cards….I could go on and on.

Finally, I feel absolutely blessed that we have wonderful veterinarians and veterinarian assistants in our local vet clinic.  I could not have run the shelter without them.  They have saved the lives of many, many beautiful cats and when it wasn’t possible to save them, their kindness and professionalism was always evident.  Bless you, Drs. Karen and Ainsley Dyson....Erin, Dallas, and Amanda.

For four years, my life has revolved around the shelter.  I don’t regret a minute of it.  Well, maybe I regret the days that were 40 below!   I want to thank my family for being understanding when Mom couldn’t visit or attend events, etc. because I had to ‘do the shelter’. 

As I write this, we have 13 cats needing homes yet…and 3 possible adoptions in the works.  If you would like to add a member to your family, please contact me, Lorraine McIntosh, and I’ll get an adoption application to you.    

So...where do they all come from?

Where do all the cats come from?

This is a question I’m often asked when people come to visit the shelter.  So here’s a little explanation of where some of the cats that we have in our care right now have come from…

Bane came from a good home but a family member became allergic.  I’ll never forget that the young man cried when he had to give Bane up to us but he didn’t know what else to do.  It was either give him up to the shelter or have him 'put down'.

Adira was thankfully spotted by a man as she dragged herself down a street in The Pas.  Her front legs were paralyzed due to nerve injury, her left leg was broken and her back toe had been ripped off.  She was severely underweight.

Maximus "Max" was found living in a local store’s storage shed last winter.  He had obviously been beaten up by the other stray cats and had several wounds on his face.

Blue was a stray taken in by a kind lady this spring.  Blue was pregnant and gave birth to six kittens in the lady’s basement.  The lady cared for them for a few weeks but her allergies just didn’t allow her to keep them any longer.  Blue is just a kitten herself…and pregnancy has taken its toll on her.

Oreo and Romeo are Blue’s little sons. 

Fergus had been homeless and living outside for years in The Pas.   We finally had room for him and concerned citizens managed to get him to the shelter.  He had severely frostbitten ears.

Benjamin was found freezing under a dryer vent not far from the shelter.  He arrived matted and thin.

 Ebony came to us when a family had to move and couldn’t care for her anymore.  She and her 3 babies arrived together to the shelter.

Binx had been homeless and living outside a motel all winter.  Some kind people took him in and decided to foster him.  He was underweight and severely matted.

Angus is a street smart cat who survived a winter outside very well on his own in spite of the freezing temperatures. A kind family let him in to warm up and eat until we had room for him at the shelter.

Miss Blue

Ten Random Things I've Learned from Running a Shelter

1.  Your heart will break when a new family comes to take their newly adopted cat home and another cat climbs in the travel kennel instead.

2.  Given time and love, feral cats most definitely can and will learn to trust. 

3.  Cats are so very resilient.  Even with awful sometimes permanent injuries, they learn quickly to adapt.

4.  Homeless cats that survive outside in our frigid northern winters are the bravest animals I know.

5.  Even though some cats hiss and growl and scratch when they come to the shelter, you know that deep down they appreciate everything you are doing for them.  You can see it in their eyes.

6.  Cats and kittens that have been heartlessly abandoned by their families and then rescued will always have a special place in my heart.

7.  When homeless cats need to have their fur shaved because of mats, I get angry but I feel good once their fur grows back in and they look beautiful.

8.  Every cat has a different personality!

9.  It’s so important to do everything possible to help a new cat feel safe and protected in the shelter.  Gradual introductions are crucial.

10.            Cats develop friendships with other cats just like humans choose their friends.

A dream coming true!!

After I moved to The Pas, Manitoba, in 2008, I wanted to volunteer my time at an animal shelter, so I stopped by the Humane Society which was housed in a building in the business area of town.  I could hear dogs barking inside, but the door was locked and there was a sign that said “We’re closing down”.  The sign said that they were trying to find new placements for all the cats and dogs that were under their care.

So for years now, there has been no official animal shelter in our town.  Dogs or cats that were abandoned, injured or homeless had nowhere to go unless some kind soul took them into their home.  Many, I’m sure, have perished in our bitterly cold winters or have been euthanized if they go unclaimed at the Town Pound.  For two years, we had a wonderful dog rescue run privately but unfortunately it had to close down.  We have our mini-shelter for cats but it is simply not enough. 

All that is changing now and the future looks bright!  I’m so excited to be a part of the Steering Committee that is planning to build a beautiful 3000 square foot brand new animal shelter in The Pas!  The Town of The Pas has offered to sell us a plot of land for $1.00…and one of our junior advocates is excited to pay that bill when the time comes!!  The new shelter will be energy efficient, environmentally friendly and community oriented.  It will house 15 dogs and 10 cats at one time and will service The Pas and surrounding areas.  You can check out our progress on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPAAS/

This January, we began our fundraising for the building fund and we have amazing volunteers who are donating their time and energy to this wonderful cause.  The support from the community is just heartwarming.  If you would like to donate to our project, donations may be mailed to:

The Pas and Area Animal Shelter Inc.

Box 4079

The Pas, Manitoba

R9A 1S6

 

Architectural Renderings Courtesy of Bridgmancollaborative Architects - Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Why I hate 'freezes'...both kinds!

The first kind of freeze is seasonal.  Our town (in Northern Manitoba) is right now receiving its first large snowfall about 3 weeks earlier than usual.  As a shelter manager, I am sad to see the snow come as I know that there are a lot of homeless cats and even some kittens that are living outside and who are now desperately trying to stay warm and to find food.  Even though we have saved numerous cats from freezing this winter…there are too many more that we can’t save.  Too many more will be on their own in the harsh winter season.

The second kind of freeze that I hate is a shelter ‘freeze’.  We are a mini-shelter.  We unofficially have a maximum limit of 10 cats that we can comfortably take in under our care – both in space and financially.  But, for several reasons, we are at l5 now.  Today, I’ve had to announce that, yet again, we have to put a freeze on intake…just like many other shelters across Canada.  This means that if there are cats in distress, we cannot take them in.  It makes me so sad to say ‘No’.  I feel even sadder to think that these beautiful animals are outside and cold and in some cases starving even as I write this.

While there’s not much we can do about the first type of ‘freeze’ – the weather - we all can do something to reduce the necessity for shelter ‘freezes’.  First of all, sharing the cats pictures and information on social media is so helpful and helps us find homes for the shelter cats and every new adoption could open up a space for the others in need.  Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/254702881320200/  and sharing the link to this website regularly on your timelines would also help.  Secondly, people can choose to adopt from a shelter instead of picking up a ‘free’ kitten from an advertised litter.  Many times, I think some of those kittens eventually end up in the shelter.  Another way people can help is to open their homes and hearts to foster a cat or kitten while they wait to be adopted.  In addition, constructing a winter shelter in your yard would save some lives as well and buy the shelter some time until we can take the homeless in.  Finally, and most importantly, we can all make sure our own cats are spayed or neutered and continuously advocate for and share the benefits of spaying and neutering. 

Guest Blog: "Knock, knock...may I please come in?"

Zeke's Story…

This is the story of our Zeke, a tiny little ball of fluff, who arrived unexpectantly at our door one day. It had already been decided that our family was not going to have a pet (well, husband/Dad had decided) because we lived a very busy life and it wouldn’t be fair to the animal, dog or cat, to not be able to give him or her the time and attention that they needed and deserved.

One day, my co-worker told me that one of her barn cats had given birth to a litter of kittens and then unfortunately the mother cat passed away – she asked me what to do about these 4 to 5 week old motherless kittens? Since we had had pets all my life growing up, I gave her some advice as to how to care for them.

Well, one day soon after, my co-worker (crafty soul she was) knew the kids were at home.  She arrived at our door and just happened to have a little grey kitten in her arms. He was so tiny and so darn cute. The kids fell in love immediately and that was it – we had a cat. How do I get around this one with the hubby? Quite simply! I told my daughter to phone Daddy at work and tell him to get a pencil and paper ready - he had a shopping list to take care of before he left for home. Of course, he thought it was a grocery list - uh no - on the list were the following: a litter box, litter, and of course cat food - look for the ones for kittens and oh, Dad? Throw in a couple of really cute cat toys, too! He did what was asked.

I had some explaining to do when hubby got home. The kids were thrilled and the great debate came as to what to name this little fellow.  I figured since I was in so much trouble I should get that honour and Zeke it was. When hubby saw the little guy and how totally happy the kids were, he still protested (yes, he ended up on "crap" box duty) but, it wasn’t long before kitty knew how to get him on board, and hubby was seen many a time, with a purring ever growing ball of fur sleeping beside him or on his lap.

Through the years Zeke gave us so much love along with some of those "damn cat" moments. We put up a Christmas tree and Zeke, being a cat, naturally decided to climb it - figured it was his new home and had no intention to come out.  Yes, Christmas decorations were found under the couch in June!

And one time we found we had mice - mice in a house where there was a cat, unheard of!  The thing was, good old Zeke, because we got him so young and he was an inside cat, had never learned to hunt. Hubby, as the story goes, went to the hardware store to purchase 2 things - mouse traps and a gun. The clerk laughed and asked if he was planning on shooting the mice that avoided the traps. Hubby answered "No, the traps are for the mice, and the gun is to shoot the dumb cat who doesn't know how to catch them". Of course, he came home with just the mouse traps.

Then there was the time that Zeke was pressed up against the glass doors of the fireplace (in June).  Hubby hollered at son who was running towards the fireplace “DON’T OPEN THAT DOOR!!”  Too late, 2 birds covered in soot, took flight and hit the white ceiling a few times, of course leaving black sooty marks - big ones! A revelation quickly came to Zeke - cats chase birds! And so he did, with husband and kids running frantically after them. Hubby yelled at son to go and get the fish net.  But, unfortunately son grabbed the old one that had holes in it. The birds spotted the patio doors and "freedom" only problem was, they weren't open. Birds hit the glass and dropped to the floor, cat jumps into action as does hubby. He took chase using the holy fish net.  In the meantime, the birds had got their senses back and there stood hubby with the cat in the fish net - the birds had escaped through the holes and resumed trying to get out the door. This is where I come in to the story - simple solution…open the patio doors, and the birds flew to freedom.

These are just a few of the many great memories that "Old Zeke", as we called him as he grew older, gave us.  The moral of the story is, if that friend had not shown up at our door that day with that tiny little kitten we wouldn't have had so many beautiful family memories…so many times to laugh and say "that damn cat".  If you’re lucky enough to have an animal, whatever it be, come into your life unexpectantly one day - love it, it will love you back – unconditionally forever.  They will become a precious part of your family.

Lovingly written in memory of Old Zeke….

Barb Friesen

Hey, I am not garbage...

On August 26th, I got a phone call from a woman who had found five little kittens abandoned in a local landfill.  The kittens were all huddled together in a box and she didn’t have the heart to leave them there to die.  So, she took them home with her and cared for them overnight. 

When she called me asking for help the next day, I told the woman that I was so sorry but the shelter is full to capacity (which it is) and my first reaction was how could we possibly take in five new kittens?  But, I changed my mind, took a deep breath, and we made room for them.  I’m so glad we did. 

The babies are only 4 or 5 weeks old.  Only one of them knew how to drink milk.  Thankfully all of them could eat solid food…but we have had to teach them how to drink from a bowl and are still giving liquids by syringe every 2 to 3 hours to some of them.  It’s so great to see them playing and grooming themselves already.  Their mother had obviously taught them well before they were ripped away from her. 

The support from our community and neighbouring towns for these little ones has been wonderful.  People have donated supplies and members have come over to help feed them.  I’ve had several offers to foster and some to adopt.  One little girl is pre-adopted already!

I am angry.  And others have also expressed rage especially on social media.  How can someone think that they are doing the right (or humane) thing by abandoning five babies in a dirty, unsanitary dump?  I think the kittens would have likely died from dehydration in another few hours had they not been found.  Or…they could have been eaten by wildlife.  Or..they could have died from hypothermia if it had rained.

Abandoning animals is an act of animal cruelty and people who choose to do this can be charged and/or fined.  It’s important that if you witness someone abandoning an animal, to call the RCMP and the Manitoba Animal Care Line at 204 945 8000 .  Provide the authorities with as much information as you can…take photos or get a license plate number. 

These five little ones have a second chance at life.  But, sadly I know there are many more who won’t.  If you choose to have a cat or a dog and do not have them spayed or neutered, you remain responsible for the health and welfare of any babies that may be born.  Kittens and puppies should never…ever…be disposed of like garbage.

Baby, it's cold outside...

It’s nearing the end of August and the air is starting to get cool and crisp already – a chilly and rather sad reminder that old man winter is soon going to arrive here once again.

In our little town in northern Manitoba (Canada), it can get mighty cold during our sub-Arctic winters that can last from October to April. According to Wikipedia, the coldest temperature ever recorded here was −57 °F (−49.4 °C) on February l8, 1966!  Yes, it’s true…the temperature sometimes gets as low as -50 Celcius or more if there is a wind chill!

For humans, surviving our winters is easy because we have homes to warm up in and outdoor clothing made especially for sub-zero temperatures.  Unfortunately for many homeless cats (and dogs) in our town that isn’t the case and they struggle for survival alone outside.  Many do not make it and will die alone from a combination of hypothermia, malnutrition or starvation.  A few are lucky to be rescued from the cold and some cats were brought to our shelter during last year’s winter. They have recovered with frostbitten ear tips as a forever reminder of those horrible days spent outside in the cold.

A cat’s fur coat doesn’t help him much to survive our bitterly cold and long winters.  If hypothermia sets in, a cat’s body temperature can drop dramatically. His heart rate and other body activities will start to slow down.  His body will start to violently shiver in an attempt to generate warmth.   Blood flow becomes restricted to his feet and ears, and this usually results in frostbite.  And if he does not find a warm place to shelter, he will become lethargic and will go into a coma. His heart will just stop.

There are things we can all do to help prevent these horrible deaths for these innocent homeless cats (and dogs).  First of all, if you see an animal shivering outside, take it in to your home immediately if you can.  If that is not possible, call the Pound and have them come to pick up the cat.  It will have a better chance of survival at the Pound than spending more days outside in the cold.  Contact us at the shelter to see if we have room to receive the cat.  Post and distribute photos of the cat to see if someone is missing their pet.  Most importantly, consider constructing a winter shelter for animals that might seek shelter in your yard.   If you do a Google search, you will find tons of great, easy to build winter shelter ideas.   Search “animal winter survival tips” and you’ll find great websites like this one. http://www.bwar.org/freezing/ 

Photo from bwar.org