To the rescue: cats and dogs : Ever Been Christened?

To the rescue: cats and dogs

Carol Hawn-Miller and Cindy Liggett are local animal advocates who work to save the lives of homeless cats and dogs. In 2001 they founded Kitty and K-9 Connection, a non-profit rescue/foster/adoption program. In this blog, they will discuss the issues around the numerous homeless cats and dogs in Anchorage, and the process of placement, including animal and human behaviors that lead to success or failure. They are pictured here with Gladys on Carol's knee, Cherri in the middle, and Ambrosia the cat on Cindy's lap.

Contributors

Cindy Liggett

Because she's a "cat person," Cindy concentrates on cat rescues, fosters and adoptions. She faces daily attitudes towards cats as "throw-away pets" and deals with issues regarding "unwanted" cats due to over-population. She has advocated on their behalf for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and insights so cats can enjoy their nine lives in the manner they truly deserveas an important member of the family.

Carol Hawn-Miller

Carol loves being the "dog mom" to all kinds and varieties -- small to large; mutts or purebreds. At home she deals with an ever transitional pack as she rescues, fosters and adopts dogs that would not otherwise have a "new leash on life." She has been doing pet rescue for more than 14 years. While loaded with a lap full of dogs, covered in dog hair or accepting K-9 kisses, Carol advocates for permanent, lifetime homes and responsible ownership so rescue will no longer be a necessity.

Sue Wirth

Sue is the other cat mom who takes in fosters and gets them ready for adoption. She has been doing cat rescue since 1998. To help control reproduction of unwanted pets, Sue advocates with a local veterinarian to spay/neuter cats as young as 8 weeks old before they go to their forever homes. She would like to see an end to full Animal Shelters, euthanasia and a home for every pet.

Emily Brand

Emily joins us as a guest blogger from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to raise awareness about issues affecting companion animals in Anchorage and the surrounding area. She shares the ASPCA�s mission to prevent animal cruelty and provide positive outcomes for at-risk animals across the country. Emily hopes to encourage people to be a voice for animals by doing something to help people understand the importance of treating animals with the love and respect they deserve.

Multimedia

VIDEO

First Aid for pets

Robin Newby of the American Red Cross of Alaska teaches pet first aid. In this video of a recent class, she describes the focus and some of the techniques. Find schedules of ongoing classes at "The Red Cross"

Resources

ALASKA LOCAL

Alaska Dog News

Ever Been Christened?

Posted by Cindy

Posted: August 7, 2009 - 4:32 pm

I think I was today. I had a vet visit on the way to work this morning to see if Abbott had pneumonia, which is what I suspected. The vet confirmed it, gave him a shot to ease the inflammation in his lungs and gave me directions for his continued care. I decided I would just bring him in to work with me so I could monitor him. I figured heck, he will just sleep all day, no one will know he’s there, so I smuggled him into my office.

This cat has never been too keen on wet food, just licks the gravy off and that’s that. Kitten food is not his first choice of kibbles either. You can always find him sitting in the middle of the adult food dish, chowing down. At 1 pound 4 ounces, I have to supplement him via the syringe.

He is a sweet little kitty, starts purring when you pick him up, puts his head on your chest and rolls over for belly rubs. He likes to jump on your shoulders and just sit, so I didn’t think too much about it when he jumped up on my shoulder today. I was mixing his food together and drawing it up in the syringe when I noticed something rolling down my shirt, then I felt my pants getting wet. I reached up to take him off my shoulder and he had been and was still peeing on me. Nothing like finishing out the day with wet pants and smelling like cat pee….at work. I don’t hold it against him. It was worse last week when I put my shoes on only to find out someone peed in them. Now that was gross. It’s pretty funny now; of course it would have been much funnier if it happened to someone else.
Abbott Abbott