Here's a sneak preview of some of our elderly cats -- Lucky, Ashley, Sheba, Scooter and Penny -- just hanging out while they wait for a new home.  You can see more of them at our web site under "Our Adoptables"

(Continued from page 1) Barn Cat Adoptions

from running away in fear, which can be a terrible fate for them.  Strict confinement gives the cats some time to acclimate to their new surroundings and bond with their new caregivers -- frequent, pleasant, calm visits with the cats, with yummy canned food in hand, is necessary during this time.

These "creative adoptions" are true win-win situations.  The cats receive food, shelter, and a second chance, and the caregivers receive mousers, chicken-coop monitors, companions, and perhaps most importantly, the satisfaction of improving or even saving these cats' lives.  Contact us if you would like to offer a safe, different-kind-of home for some of our less "socialized" cat friends.

Feral Spay/Neuters.  We're now up to 75 managed feral colonies in the County, have funded almost 350 feral spay/neuters and are adding to that pool at about 30 a month.  Almost all the veterinary clinics in the county have participated -- over 25 at last count.

Private Letter Ruling.  We've received our private letter ruling from the IRS approving our older-cats and feral-TNR programs, as well as a fee-based cat-retirement program for those doing estate planning and wanting to provide for their companion cats.  Similar programs are in effect in other areas, but we believe this will be the first in Michigan.

Dear Friends,
We're heartened by the number of individuals in our community who care for the cats that wander onto their property -- oftentimes pregnant and hungry -- and needing minimal assistance to survive.  These caring people , many of whom assert they are not "cat lovers", instinctively start to provide the support services outdoor cats need to live a quality life.  They allow them access to garages and porches or put up houses to shelter the cats from harsh weather.  They feed them daily.  They care for their kittens and find homes for them.  And, when we offer to fund the sterilization and vaccination of their outdoor friends, they willingly live trap them and take them to a vet for the surgery.  These are the unsung heroes of cat welfare.  They are making a difference one cat at a time.  They are not asking for someone to take the "problem" off their hands, and understand that the conventional adoption prospects of these outdoor cats are grim.  They willingly take on a commitment to these special cats -- those caught somewhere between domesticated house cats and their wild ancestor -- felis lybica.  Not because they chose to adopt them, but simply because they are there.
Kitty Zimmer