To the rescue: cats and dogs : New Home for Homeless Kitty

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

New Home for Homeless Kitty

Posted by animalrescue

Posted: December 2, 2009 - 1:00 pm

Howard Howard

Several weeks ago, I rescued a male kitty that had been living under a trailer in Birchwood for 2 years. A kind Trailer Park resident had been feeding and watching out for the cat. He was beloved by many folks in the area. I understand that someone moved away and just left him to fend for himself. They did see fit to neuter the poor guy, thank goodness. His name was GFK (for Ghost Face Kitty) since he is mostly white. He has the cutest little goatee under his chin. A clump of hair, not to be mistaken for part of his mane, under his chin all by itself of brown hair. I renamed him a more dignified name, Howard (after Howard Hughes from one of his old movies where he also had a goatee).
Howard goatee
Since he has long hair, it is prone to matting. When I first met Howard, he had 2 solid strips of felted fur along both sides of his backbone. I'm not taking in any cats, and haven't for the past few months, but I was afraid Howard would freeze to death this winter since the matted hair was not much protection. So, into my resuce he came. He got checked out by the Vet and got a cute lion cut.
After having Howard live with me for about 10 days, a nice family with 4 children came to visit. They all fell in Love with Howard. He is a laid back kitty, but I wasn't sure how he would deal with children and living indoors. Regardless, they seemed like the right family for Howard, so they adopted him and took him home. About 10 minutes after they got home, I received a phone call. Howard had come out of the carrier, explored his litter box and the house. Then ploped down on the couch and let the children maul him. I am so happy that Howard got the home he deserved. May he have a long and happy life with his new family.
Sue