Meet our new arrivals -- both ten years old and relinquished for allergy problems -- Liam (left) and Tasha (right center) joined our elderly cat colony a few weeks ago.  Liam is "out on assignment" with a senior living in Ann Arbor, while Tasha is adjusting to "group living" with our other elderly cats at our farm.

Winter Events Schedule
Want to help out with our cat programs?  Learn more about managing feral cats or socializing feral kittens?  We've scheduled the following events to get you going.  Call or e-mail us to reserve a space and get driving directions.

Volunteer Orientations.  The first Sunday of every month we invite all our current volunteers to get to know us and each other better at our Volunteer Orientation session.  Newcomers interested in joining our volunteer staff can join in and sign up for specific assignments ranging from caring for our elderly cats to pairing up with a senior who needs help caring for their cat to researching local cat information for our proposed Cat Lover's Guide.

Feral Cat Care. If you feed outdoor cats and want to learn how to provide the best care for them, sign up for our February 17th class and we'll give you a good overview.

Kitten Socialization.  Want to help socialize the inevitable feral kittens born each spring/summer?  The March 17th workshop will give you the basic info you need to do so.

Our Special Thanks
DONORS: Denise Cain * David Carris * James Robert Collins * Jane & Robert Cooch * Mary DeWan * Alice Dobson * Edmund & Elaine Palmer * Casey Petoskey * Peggy Rogers * Carol Ruff & Bob Preston * Rebecca Super * Judy VonBoncel & John Holmes * Kristine Zvirbulis

CAT MEMORIALS:
Wilbur & Velcro (Diane Locke
Spud (Neighborhood Senior Services for Catriona Mortell)

Want to volunteer?  Call or e-mail for details

Dear Friends,
An old proverb states that "The longest walk begins with the smallest step."  As we close our first full year of cat welfare programs, we have indeed taken our first small step.  Sterilizing over 500 unowned, outdoor cats is only the beginning of a long journey leading to a time when all adoptable companion cats can find loving homes.  We know from experience that we cannot eliminate feral cats altogether, but through managed TNR (trap/neuter/return) we can limit their numbers immensely.  Each managed colony we sterilize is one small patch of land that will no longer produce kittens.  As a bonus, the managed cats live healthier, longer lives -- the males no longer fighting and the females no longer emaciated from too many litters of kittens.  And, most importantly, the pool of adoptable kittens will decrease -- enabling more orphaned adult cats to find new homes.  We hope you enjoy your holidays in the company of your cats -- and that the peace of the season brings with it a safe, secure new year for both you and your feline friends.
Kitty Zimmer