Staying Busy At Home

    Staying home during the pandemic hasn't been much of a hardship for us at the sanctuary, not when we have so many cute kitties here who need us! Because Flower Feline Sanctuary has limited space for permanent residents, we've tried to make a greater impact by fostering cats who can go on to be adopted. Perhaps no population of felines is as marginalized as ferals, or"community cats." By trapping feral cats, having them altered, vaccinated, and ear tipped, they can go back to their outdoor homes and live their lives with much less stress and strife. Most folks appreciate them for their ability to keep rodent populations down, and they can certainly do a better job when they aren't fighting for territory, mating, and producing kittens. Any kittens small enough to be socialized to humans can go on to live as domestic cats.

     In the early spring, I trapped around 15 ferals on private property and had them all sterilized. The caretakers wanted the feral cats back but were overwhelmed trying to take care of such a large number of unaltered cats. They surrendered an additional 8 teenaged kittens to be placed via Homeward Pet. One gorgeous, declawed calico had been dumped a few years earlier and they were caring for her, but she needed a strictly indoor home since she had flea allergies. They released her to be adopted out by Whole Cat & Kaboodle, after a mini makeover. Looking back, it was miraculous timing since the pandemic hit shortly after that, closing down the low cost or free spay/neuter clinics. During the fall break from "lock downs," the caretakers called to say a new cat had shown up with two kittens. Other rescue folks have been working on getting cats altered in nearby sites, so I was aware that more cats were in the area. This mother cat was young and not fully integrated into the feeding site; she hung back separately from the existing ferals so I was able to trap her was quickly. I trusted the caretakers estimate that the kittens were around 6 wks old - this is the perfect age to trap and socialize because they are eating on their own at that age but still young enough to tame. After two days though, without the mother at the site and no sign of the kittens, I was starting to worry. I went back that morning with snacks and hunkered down in my vehicle, determined to wait for them. Immediately I saw the little kitties come out from the blackberry bushes - they were alive and safe!! I moved the traps a few times and within two hours they both went into one trap - a highly unusual event. I reunited them with their mom in a large kennel for several days. The mom's spay surgery was a ways out because it was challenging getting an appointment. After 3 days I decided it was time to start kitten charm school, meaning the kittens (Holly and Ben) would need to be separated from mama.

    Socializing is a gradual process; yet some days you will see marked progress. This is what makes it such a high for cat people! First the kittens are confined to a roomy cage with something comfy to hide in. Very spicy kittens need to touched with a wooden spoon until they accept human hands on them. Baby food on a plastic spoon is magical. Mostly, kittens will try to stay tucked into their hiding spot but they need to be pushed just a little to interact. The kittens are graduated to roomier lodging as their social skills expand. 

    Joey was another kitten we socialized, although his life up until being trapped will always be a mystery. My theory is that he was dumped after starting life in an accidental litter, so he was handled a lot but then once outside his life depended upon his basic survival skills. He was trapped with a large, intact Tom cat, who was definitely feral. I think he shadowed this big kitty because big kitty knew how to find food, plus he was safer next to an adult cat able and ready to fight. That guy went onto to a barn home since the site had no caretaker (they had been eating garbage). Joey was adopted with another kitten about his age to play with.

    Angelina and her babies, Tessa, Bart, Gabriella and Peanut were a rare treat because they were all completely social. Two other kittens only a week older, Johnny and Jake, tamed very quickly and were integrated into Angelina'a family after monitoring their health. Motherless Johnny was a little insecure and ended up becoming obsessed with Angelina. They were adopted together of course. There were also a liter of 7 older kittens who needed socialization. A few of them remained exceptionally shy but were still adopted by folks with other cats for them to bond with (a cat for their cat basically).

    Jean Pierre was a kitty who had lived out on the streets for 2 years and had once been hit by a car. Neighbors reported seeing him dragging his back legs yet Jean Pierre's will to live was so strong that he never gave up. Fast forward and he is now quite spoiled in a warm and cozy, indoor home. His new mom doesn't mind at all that he is FIV positive. Holly and Ben have gone onto be adopted into a forever home together. Plans are in process for several kitties in CA to make their way to us for help as well. These are cats who would face "euthanasia" unless a rescue group steps up to guarantee them transport out. We will keep on working around the pandemic difficulties.

    Flower Feline Sanctuary is small but we hope we are making a difference one kitty at a time. We treat each cat as we would our very own while helping them regain their physical and emotional health. It's a labor of love but we always need help. Whether you can help with tech expertise, building skills, socializing kitties, fund raising or donating, we appreciate your support and affirmation that these kitties matter!

Ben and Holly when they were trapped (in one trap!).

Holly (top) and Ben, after weeks of socialization

Ben and Holly receiving love from one of our volunteers

Joey, early on in his socialization

Angelina with her babies

Angelina and Tessa

Angelina and Bart

Updates at the Sanctuary

Like everyone else, we've been "sheltering in place" during the last several months. And  like many animal people, we've been fostering kitties! Most animal shelters have been operating on a skeleton staff and are only open to the public by appointment. While the resident animals are of course being fed, they are likely not getting the attention and exercise they usually do. Smart shelter staff have placed as many animals in foster care as possible, and many foster folks have committed to fostering for longer periods or even adopting the animals. The only problem is that many spay/neuter clinics had to shut down, or focus only on the animals in their care and could not accept pets who needed a low cost surgery from the public. Fortunately many rescue groups found a way around this by hosting private clinics - where a generous donor funds a mash style S/N day and rescue groups bring in as many cats as the vets can do in one day. This doesn't mean the cats got a "budget operation." On the contrary, since these veterinarians care enough to work for far less money than they would make in a private practice and since they do such a high volume of spay and neuters, the cats might be getting better surgeries than from a private clinic. 

We fostered several litters from Yakima, where trappers actually had access to S/N for feral cats but had run out of rescues and shelters able to socialize, foster and adopt out kittens. One litter came with they mama and were perfectly social already. They were a special treat for us since we usually only get very shy/under socialized kittens. There were also two found under a wood pile at such a young age that they tamed very quickly ( Jake and Johnny pictured immediately below). These six went to our incredibly fun Kitty Yoga class at the historic school house on Camano. Nicole with Blue Monarch Health sponsored the event and led two socially distant class. 

Kitty Yoga was our first fund raiser since Covid 19 shut down most events. We rescheduled the rummage sale, which is now taking place Sept. 26th at the Camano Multi Purpose Building. The new normal is that everyone is required to wear a mask/face covering and the number of shoppers allowed inside will be limited to the governor's current guideline. We have a fabulous array of items - antiques, kitchen equipment/small appliances, books, DVDs, holiday decor, cat themed items and pet supplies, costume jewelry, and other fun stuff. Your purchase will help us continue to foster and provide medical care for these kitties such as Jean Pierre, who would have "fallen through the cracks." 

Jean Pierre was a stray cat in Aberdeen for about 2 years. He was "intact." I am guessing he was kept as a pet for perhaps the first year of his life. Someone posted via a FB cat group that this cat needed help badly. This person had been feeding Jean Pierre but couldn't afford any medical. At some point he had been hit by a car and dragged his back legs for a period of time, which many people witnessed. Transportation was arranged and I was able to pick Jean Pierre up in Seattle. This kitty had a terrible combination of lice, fleas, and internal parasites. All his energy was going to scratching and even though he was eating, nothing was being absorbed. I couldn't get into our regular vet clinic and made the grave error of trying the Cat Clinic at Canyon Park because they had immediate openings. This vet not only ignored my wishes and did $200 labs I thought were unnecessary, she literally created wounds on Jean Pierre's scrotum and sedated him unnecessarily. These wounds had to heal up (luckily I had pain meds to give him) before he got neutered at our regular vet, Cats Exclusive in Shoreline, along with a full mouth extraction due to advanced periodontal disease. While he was healing, he developed a staph infection on his back where all the raw skin was from the lice and fleas. JP loves raw food and I had immediately started him on an immune building diet or super high quality raw food with probiotics and digestive enzymes. Eventually JP's body was able to heal (along with antibiotics) and he was playing and feeling like a young cat again. The best part is that a dear friend and supporter of FFS took JP to live with her, so I can visit and hear all about his antics! His voracious appetite slowed down after he built up his body again. Look at the bottom photo and you will see how handsome this guy turned out to be!

Having over 20 years in rescue and natural cat care experience, I have strong opinions on what cats should eat. When a vet tries to sell you kibble designed for IBD for a cat with such severe dental disease he will need all his teeth out - RUN! I hear many stories about vets who appear to be practicing medicine the same way they did at the beginning of their career 50 years ago. They do not listen to people who love their kitties and do research on their own. They do not want to admit that people may have some innate knowledge and intuition about caring for the animals they live with, that may be opposed to what the vet was taught in school. We know when we have a funny feeling something isn't right but sadly we often ignore this, trying to be practical. Don't go to a vet simply because they are close to your house, or other people you know use that vet. You have to feel good about the doctor working with you to create vibrant health for your cat. Healing is about so many things beside just medication.

 

Hope to see you at our rummage sale - take care!

 

 

 

FFS and the Pandemic

Odin sleeps on the bed any way he wants to and enjoys the quiet of country living.

Things are not much different around the sanctuary for the kitties right now, other than less visitors and more time with the mommy figure. Living on an island, we are always prepared for some sort of disaster which may force us to stay in place and carry on. Having enough kitty supplies is our top priority, as the cats wouldn't be interested in the lentils and grains in my pantry! Unfortunately all upcoming FFS events are postponed until further notice. We are still collecting rummage sale items, as we wait to book another date. I truly hope that by the time gorgeous, warm weather rolls around, we can host some additional events at the sanctuary.

On the larger view, this pandemic is greatly impacting humane shelters and adoptions. Folks likely don't want to adopt if their economic situation is questionable and may even be surrendering their animals if the shut-downs drag on. Fostering animals currently in shelters is the best way you can help animals right now. Foster cats only need a spare bedroom or bathroom (with a window preferably) and your resident animals don't need to interact with them. Kittens are already springing up, so possibly fostering and socializing wee ones is more your thing. If fostering is impossible, then donating food for feral cat color caretakers, directly to rescues and shelters and to food banks, is the next best action.

Public spay/neuter clinics are facing closures and limited hours, so sadly we could see an increase in litters born. Please keep an eye and ear out for abandoned cats and kittens when you go for walks. Never remove a litter without waiting hours for the mom to return. If she is a community cat then she needs to be trapped and spayed as soon as her kittens can eat food on their own (about 4 weeks). Nursing cats can be altered, as well as pregnant cats. Getting kittens before 6 weeks of age is imperative in order for them to be properly socialized and "adoptable" by regular folks. Be cautious about taking underage into a shelter - not all shelters have foster homes in place able to handle neonate kits and they may end up killing them. Fortunately there are many excellent feline resources in Western WA, where the kitties will be safely cared for until they can be altered.

In "hard times," animals and especially cats, often experience the trickle down of peoples' woes. People feel overwhelmed, so they throw their animals overboard so to speak. Our companion animals depend on us ESPECIALLY in hard times. They are there for us all the time, not just when we have "enough" money, or are in perfect health. Let's change this cultural norm and use this crisis to really grasp what's important in our lives - our commitments to those who depend on us every day. Those cute, silly, sometimes naughty and annoying, fuzzy little beings we need too.

Spay is the Way/Neuter is Cuter!

February is Spay/Neuter Awareness month. No doubt your kitties at home are already spayed or neutered, but what about the cats you see outside sometimes or the ones you feed at your workplace? many kind-hearted folks feed community cats and free-roaming cats, but taking the time to humanely trap a kitty to sterilize him or her can make a real impact on feline overpopulation. 

Did you know that upwards of 70% of cats who end up in shelters do not make it out alive? They may be perfectly socialized but get started and bite a staff person and then they are labeled aggressive. They may get depressed, stop eating and shut down or develop a chronic stress condition to the point that they are euthanized because they are "sick." They may sit in the shelter for months, until the shelter gets too full (kitten season for instance) and then their time is up. Many underage neonate kittens are killed in shelters that do not have volunteers trained and willing to bottle feed. Some shelters in parts of the country don't even foster programs. Of course feral cats often don't even stay the length of a stray hold because they are a "danger to the staff," unless they have an ear tip and a microchip and a colony caretaker come in to claim them.

Obviously keeping cats out of shelters is the best solution. This means that any community cats or barn cats must remain where they live but that the colony doesn't grow. Even if you live in a city or town with a great, no-kill shelter it doesn't cut you slack to let your cat breed. The shelters doing such a good job with adoption and fostering often take in animals from shelters in areas where animal overpopulation is still a huge concern. So if you take a liter of kittens to your local shelter which is no-kill, that prevents the facility from taking a cat or litter of kittens off the "red" list from Eastern Washington, California, or another area that is drowning in cats and dogs. Most of these shelters are trying to implement life-saving programs but the day-today reality is that they have very limited resources and so many animals coming in. No one goes to work and feels happy about killing beautiful cats and dogs. We need to help these people help more animals, and transport programs are a great first step.

George at 5 mos. old. He was trapped and neutered but could not stay in his original location because it was unsafe and the caretaker was no longer able to feed the cats. George now lives at Flower Feline Sanctuary with his mom and
three siblings.

If you purchase a cat or dog from a breeder, the result is that in essence a cat or dog at a shelter dies. "What harm can buying one cute, little Labrador puppy or a precious Maine Coon kitten cause?," you might be thinking. It's a free country and you can spend your money on whatever you like, right? If we think of the greater good and look at the big picture, we realize that every choice we make has a ripple effect. If we all thought our individual actions didn't matter, none of us would bother to vote, or donate money to our favorite charity, or give a homeless person a meal. We all strive to make a difference in the world, whether it's creating art or music, raising thoughtful children, or volunteering at a non-profit charity. It should therefor resonate that the decision to adopt a homeless animal and not financially reward a person breeding their animals, whether accidentally or because they "love the breed" is clear and simple. So speak up and advocate for the animals who really can't stop reproducing without our help. Offer to do some of the work or cover the cost - whatever the person's excuse is doesn't matter, just help. Let feral cats live on your property, feed them and provide shelter, but borrow a trap and visit a free or low cost clinic and stop the cycle first and foremost.

Make Meatless Monday your favorite day of the week!

Looks tasty...

Join us for a fun class on plant based eating and food prep on February 1st, 11AM - 1PM. Cost is $25 and includes lunch/samples and a take home food/recipe guide. If you've been wanting to include more whole foods, seasonal produce, legumes and grains in your diet, this is a great time to find out how. I'll cover easy preparations so you can fill up your fridge and have nutritious and fresh meals ready in minutes. We'll also look at using meat alternatives and how they can offer variety and familiarity when used in home-cooked meals.

Why is Flower Feline Sanctuary hosting a class on vegan eating for people? As founders of an animal sanctuary, we believe all animals deserve a natural lifespan with freedom from harm and suffering (ahimsa). We connect the felines we share our lives with to the animals forced to live and die in animal agriculture. I also posit that as a feminist and environmentalist, it would be contrary of me to support industries which violate female animals in every possible way and foul our waterways with manure lagoons. Does that mean our cats are vegan? I believe that the kitties, unlike humans, require animal flesh to be healthy. Their very instinct is to hunt and eat small creatures (or most of the creature anyway). Some people do feed their dogs and cats vegan food. This class is not a forum to debate the ethics of eating animals or feeding them to our companion animals. Entire books exist which debate these topics and I can certainly recommend some authors if you are interested.

SO, if you are looking for some new ways to "eat your veggies" and fill up on fiber, please RSVP. I promise there won't be any tofu or soy milk!

RSVP via email, text, FB or telephone

Class location: 815 New Morning Rd.

Camano Island WA 98282

Giving Tuesday

If you are like me, you receive a LOT of emails asking for Giving Tuesday donations. There are so many great organizations doing good things for animals. These groups all need help because most of them don't receive any government money and rely on private grants and/or individuals and corporate matching programs. I started working with feral cats over 20 years ago, when I saw how marginalized and underserved they were. The Feral Cat Spay & Neuter Project hosted only one clinic a month back then so trappers had to seek out any other option they could if they didn't have enough reservations to cover the number of cats they had trapped. In addition to the FCSNP's incredible growth and sustained commitment to providing S/N surgery to all cats, other very low cost options exist now that didn't back then. Feral cats are finally having their day, and large scale trap/neuter/return programs are in effect is so many more communities than they were 20 years ago. Most folks now understand that feral cats have a place as community cats, and removing and killing them is not the solution. 

Feral and semi-feral cats still "fall through the cracks" sometimes, in that they are not adoptable in traditional shelter settings and many barn cat placement programs are overfull with available cats. (Please do not adopt friendly cats and certainly not kittens to employ as mousers in your barn - take in cats with no other options!) Cats who would have been perfectly fine to live out their lives in their manages colony find themselves displaced due to development, or new owners purchasing property with existing feline residents. Many of these kitties will never be lap cats, or even cats who can be petted. But they can and do have high quality lives of their own design. We value these kitties as individuals.

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. – Alice Walker 

Chase, truly equipped to live outside. He was trapped but not returned to his site as there was no caretaker.

Tiny Sasha when she first arrived. At 5 lbs, she had a litter of kittens who didn't survive. She came from
an overcrowded hoarding situation where none of the kitties were altered.

Grace, as viewed through the window. Her colony site is under development.

Eva, a gentle "semi-feral." Her colony site is in peril and the kind person who cared for the
kitties was forced to leave because he was homeless.

Party at the Sanctuary

Party at the Sanctuary on Saturday, December 14th, 2019, Noon-4 PM

815 New Morning Rd. Camano Island 98282

Enjoy some cake (there will definitely be chocolate!) and a beverage, tour the sanctuary, and purchase organic catnip pillows and handmade greeting cards to support FFS kitties. 

Please bring canned cat food to donate to the Bella's Voice pet food bank.

Hope to see you there!

Join Us Nov. 18th 5-9PM

Here’s an easy way to help support Flower Feline Sanctuary and have a relaxing evening with friends or have a "date night:"

Visit Tapped Camano on November 18th and Flower Feline Sanctuary will receive a 20% donation! Enjoy a meal or small bite, beer on tap, wine or locally made cider. Plus there will be seasonal specials focusing on plant based foods! This is a kid and dog friendly establishment. Sorry, no kitties will be present. They will all be home cuddled in their beds after a delicious non-plant based dinner.

Tapped Camano

848 N. Sunrise Blvd., Camano Island 98282

November 18th 5-9PM

www.tappedpublichouse.com

* You must show your server this event listing, or blog/FB post from Flower Feline Sanctuary on your phone or tablet (or print out a copy to take with you) for FFS to receive the funds.

How can your dollars help? Flower Feline Sanctuary is all volunteer run, meaning that all donations go directly to buy kitty food, litter, and pay for vet care. Most of our kitties have had a rough go of it before coming to the sanctuary. They sat in a kennel for weeks on end with undetermined fates, faced "euthanasia," or simply had no place to go back to.

Chase is a feral boy who was trapped in Eastern WA and wasn't part of a managed colony, meaning there was no one was feeding the cats and providing shelter. Chase was not neutered and is FIV+, so if he was taken to a typical animal control facility he would be killed within a day. As a very small sanctuary, we cannot save them all. However we like to think that perhaps we inspire other to care and consider that feral cats, and other who do not fit the cute, "adoptable" mold still deserve to live out their lives. Traditional animal shelters cannot accomplish helping every companion animal in need - that requires the community and individuals make up a community. Individuals can go out and trap/neuter/return feral cats, or do foster care, or host a fund raiser, or volunteer with their favorite organization. The kitties thank you!

Chase

Mending Hearts

In the few months Lottie has lived with us, her expressiveness, sensitivity and funny quirks have completely charmed me. Upon arrival from California, Lottie was frozen in fear for over a week. She barely ate and stayed hidden in a box with a blanket most of the time. After she started coming out to explore, she discovered freeze dried chicken treats and entertained us with her Chatty Cathy video debut. (I later realized she has only a few teeth and now crumble the treats, my bad.) There is so little we know about this precious kitty's former life. The shelter intake form said that she was an owner surrender, no reason given. We know she was shot with BBs at some point in her life. We know that she has cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that causes her heart to skip beats every so often. Lottie takes a beta-blocker and we hope it will not develop into anything more serious, however she will need regular echocardiograms to monitor her condition. 

It's true that the adult cats we've given a home to have nearly all had some medical issues, some requiring dental surgeries and visits to veterinary specialists. Elgie has a hole in her heart and is on two medications twice a day. The cardiologist who saw Elgie was amazed by the size of the hole and that Elgie was doing so well otherwise. She is around 11 years old and has no there health issues. He commented about how resilient cats are and that dogs with this condition tend to faint. Cats hide their deficiencies, an innate trait based on surviving as a prey species for larger animals. But if we pay attention, we can tell if a kitty isn't feeling well by their body language and unusual behaviors that are not their normal. For instance, some cats like to nap in a cozy,  tucked away spot. Bootsie literally tunnels under covers and cat beds rather than sleep in them. But Elgie and Lottie both nap in "public" areas, where we can clearly see them; if they were hiding for a day then we would know that something is amiss. Neither girls run or play much, probably because they know they are slightly limited by their heart condition and they conserve their energy for important things like digestion. 

With both of these heart conditions, sudden death is a possibility. In fact, I read that dogs with cardiomyopathy frequently go undiagnosed until they suddenly die. Certain dog breeds are more prone to this condition than others. Like most veterinary medicine, cardiomyopathy and its treatment is much more studied for dogs than for cats. It's reasonable to speculate that more dogs visit cardiologists than cats do, therefor there are more case studies. And of course some cats simply aren't candidates for visiting a cardiologist or ophthalmologist, because they are too far on the feral spectrum. We treat every cat as an individual and weigh the cost with the benefits. Thankfully both Elgie and Lottie are eating their pill pockets and not minding getting medication one bit.

The many moods of Lottie

Welcome Grace

Our newest kitty, formerly Patsy but now named Grace, is a reminder that animals are all individuals and do not exist for another species' pleasure or profit. It was speculated that perhaps Grace was an abandoned domestic kitty who wandered into the feral site because she was hungry (she's only about 18 months old). But considering how feral Grace is, we now suspect she was born outside and stayed "under the radar" of the person feeding the feral colony. Grace is very quiet and likes and respects other cats, so she would never call attention to herself. She was however visibly pregnant and the experienced rescuer caught that on the wildlife camera photos of Grace, so she was humanely trapped ASAP. It's bittersweet when kittens are aborted using a spay surgery; that is the protocol of many high-volume S/N operations. In Grace's case however, given her small size and high stress level, I highly doubt the kittens would have survived for long. Giving birth and losing the babies one by one would have been even more traumatic. The feeding site sadly must be dismantled because of development in the area, so the rescue operation had to move quickly anyway.

Now Grace has as much nutritious food as she can eat in the hope that she will gain some weight and understand that she is safe and cared for here. She has started gazing at me without terror and we share slow blinks. I often talk to her in a calm manner to reassure her that, "It will be alright." Realistically, it may years before I can touch Grace and I may never be able to pick her up. Only time will tell if she was someone's kitten once, or if she has to start from scratch with trusting humans. Her wariness of strangers, both human and non, probably saved her life while she was on the streets. I strive to have no expectations of her, other than hoping to see her eating, relaxing in the sunshine, and using her litter box. No matter how much I want to pet Grace, it will only happen on her time frame. If we have to visit the veterinarian, she will likely need to be trapped again and that would set us back quite a bit. So we will worry about that if the need arises because right now, Grace has a clean bill of physical health - it is her emotional state we are working on.

A cat like Grace is not considered "adoptable" as a "pet." Indeed, in our culture feral cats make good "barn cats" and are taken in solely to keep rodent populations down for property owners. Some cats probably enjoy that lifestyle, but Grace is highly sensitive and her rescuer didn't think she would like that kind of life at all. Grace is in an individual; unfortunately we have to surmise to our best abilities what she likes or dislikes because she doesn't communicate in a language we readily understand. When I was growing up, our family answered an ad in the newspaper to take Lucy, a beagle whose owner did not want her because she was gun shy and wouldn't hunt with him. The man had no use for Lucy if she could not hunt. He could not recognize that she was individual and only wanted a dog who would help him with his bloodsport.

When we label animals because of the way they look, or their breed, we don't fully see them or know them. When someone purchases a dog or cat because they think XX breed is a status symbol or will make them look good, they are often disappointed to find that the animal has traits they never anticipated and cannot deal with. Each time a Hollywood film comes out with Dalmatians or chihuahuas for instance, these poor dogs end up in shelters in mass quantities months later. When you adopt from an animal shelter or a reputable rescue group, and find you cannot keep the dog or cat, they will take the animal back because they are invested in finding the perfect home for that animal. But how many breeders take an animal back after they have taken your money? If they saw animals as individuals, they wouldn't be breeding MORE animals. They would grasp that 2,000 dogs and cats dying EVERY DAY in animals shelters means 2,000 individuals, each one a unique little being deserving to live. To be clear, shelters are not the bad guys here - it's the folks who purchase an animal because they want a dog or cat with a specific look, never mind that they have no idea what his or her personality will be like. Or they don't want an adult animal, only a puppy or kitten will do.

What can we do, the folks who do care? Keep on adopting and speaking up for the underdogs and undercats. Keep trying to be the change. And think of Grace and all she's been through in her short life and be inspired to do more for kitties like her.

Dinner at the Sanctuary

Our next event: Drink and dine alongside the kitties and garden! Enjoy a sumptuous vegan dinner featuring locally grown, organic produce, delicious desserts and wine. While our property doesn't have a sunset view, you can see a variety of birds and wildlife, in addition to all the kitties. 

Sunday, August 18th, 2019.

Drinks and appetizers at 5 PM, Dinner at 5:30

$65 per person. All money raised will go to 

stocking the kitty food pantry and medical care for sanctuary kitties.

Please RSVP via email, or text by August 15th. Reserve your seat by sending a check made out to Flower Feline Sanctuary via USPS or pay through PayPal on the Flower Feline Sanctuary website. Space is limited.

Ellie and friend

Paddy & Angel go to the Doctor

Recently we temporarily housed and cared for 8 kitties from an out of state animal shelter. These cats were all different ages and personalities; the one thing they had in common was that they were scheduled for "euthanasia." I dislike using this term in the case of killing healthy and adoptable animals because it is offensive to anyone who has ever had to have their beloved companion euthanized when they are truly suffering and have no hope of recovery. The point here is that these kitties are very much alive!

The youngest kittens got adopted at our adoption event. Other kitties went to be adopted out at Cafe Coco at the Whole Cat & Kaboodle. Four of the cats have landed permanently at Flower Feline Sanctuary, mainly due to their age and level of comfort with new situations. As with any adoption, it will take some time to fully understand the wants and needs of each kitty. This past week, we took both Paddy and Angel in for a comprehensive veterinary exam. (I have been unable to get a photo of Angel because she is so shy.) Angel is probably younger than her estimated 12 years of age whereas Paddy is likely at least 12 years old. Paddy has mild allergy reactions in his eyes and ears, so each day he gets some topical ointment each day. Both kitties are in need of dental surgery, as they have some potentially painful dental issues. As in humans, infections and root abscesses can cause other serious health problems if left unaddressed. Estimates for each kitty run about $500-$1,000; only after x-rays are taken will the doctor know how severe the teeth are diseased and how many need to be removed.

Unfortunately we don't get a discount on veterinary services but do take advantage of purchasing kitty drugs online and administering what we can at home. We have three cats on fluids to sustain their kidney health, two on thyroid medication, as well as appetite stimulant as needed. I believe that feeding very high quality, grain-free food with a good quantity of raw meat supports healthy immune systems and staves off common feline conditions such as urinary blockage, so we don't buy budget kibble. All donations go directly to buying cat food and litter, and paying veterinary bills. 

We do not take any salary and we cover the cost of kitty housing and heating. If you would like to host a fundraiser for FFS kitties we'd love to be part of it. If you would like to contribute to the upcoming dental procedures for Paddy and Angel, any amount is appreciated.

"Spot" in his temporary quarters, just after arriving from CA

Paddy, enjoying a nap in his new home

A New Life in the Pacific Northwest

A friend who has made helping felines her life mission contacted me a few weeks ago to ask if we were up for fostering some kitties from high-kill shelters in California. As a foster parent, we could be part of the rescue chain that gets these kitties into permanent, loving homes. A group of volunteers transports cats who have no hope of making it out of these shelters alive via plane or automobile to our state, where a small group of foster homes wait to help them get healthy and get ready for adoption. Then the cats will go to cat cafes in Redmond or Bellingham to be adopted.

Some people feel that there are plenty of companion animals in Washington who need help, so why help cats form another state? While the Puget Sound area has amazing animal shelters, Eastern Washington shelters could use some help getting their "live release" numbers up. My view is that kitties have no idea what state they live in, or why they are homeless and having litter after litter of kittens they can barely take care of because they are so hungry and barely surviving themselves. They don't understand that they should have a chance at a better life when they arrive at an animal shelter but maybe they won't be so lucky. Maybe they are "too old," "too black," "too sad looking," "too unpredictable..." You get the idea. 

I believe the kitties DO know that once they get into a safe, clean room with comfy beds and delicious, abundant food, that maybe things will be okay. And although we can only help a small fraction of the kitties who need a lifeline, my hope is that we can inspire the shelters to not work harder but smarter. To implement subsidized spay/neuter programs, get out into the community, speak their own language and educate folks on why spay/neuter is important for all cats. Maybe even reward the people who bring in their cats with vouchers for pet food or supplies. To have a van that transports the cats to and from surgeries so that senior, disabled and impoverished folks who can't drive can still get their cats sterilized. To develop a huge foster network so that these homes are ready when "kitten season" hits but that each year the number of kittens actually goes down. To simply sterilize and vaccinate community cats and return them, NOT kill them, which creates a vacuum effect. How much more pleasant for the kitties and the humans who work at these shelters, knowing they don't have make up a "list" and lethally inject cats on a daily basis. Plenty of shelters are getting to that happy place - why are California and Texas lagging so far behind?

Our first two foster cats include a boy, estimated to be 8 YO and recently neutered. He's affectionate but would likely do well as an only cat or with safe, outdoor access. Also, a darling little girl barely a year old. She apparently has flea dermatitis, which is an allergy to flea bites. She should be an indoor only kitty. They are both coincidentally tuxedo kitties!

Former Tom cat, waiting for just the right name

Carly

Want to help us give Kitties their best life?

Now that the weather is warm and it's beautiful on Camano Island, please consider volunteering at Flower Feline Sanctuary. 

Here are our current volunteer needs:

• Help socialize our shy cabin kitties: simply sit and chat with the kitties, pet them when they are ready, be non-threatening, and give them a treat at the end of the session. Read to them if you like! 
• Weed kitty cabin area (in and around outside), shovel and load wheelbarrow with wood chips to replenish the enclosure chips.
• Help with FB, social media
• Know lots of cat people? Host a fund raiser at your home or business. 
• Foster a kitty who will go on to be adopted at one of our rescue partners. 

PLANNED 2020 EVENTS:

Spring Rummage Sale at a public site on Camano

Date TBD but we will give you plenty of notice.

• Start collecting donations from your friends and relatives and deliver donations to my garage for storage anytime. We will accept household items, books, pet items, tools, antiques, clothing only if in very good condition. No furniture or TVs please. WE ARE ACCEPTING DONATIONS NOW. 
• Volunteer the morning of to move goods to the location of sale (amount 2 miles from our home, just off the main road). This is for early risers! 
• Volunteer the day of, shifts TBD. 
• Load up your vehicle and deliver unsold goods to thrift store at your convenience (nothing can remain at the blue building at the end of the day as we only have the building for a set number of hours). 
• Help us publicize the event through social media and by posting fliers on Camano a few weeks before the event.

Crafting for Kitties/ Arts and craft fair and sale at a public site on Camano 

Date TBD but we will give you plenty of notice.

• If you are an artist or crafter, start making items to sell (no fee to participate, donate 50—100% of profit to Flower Feline Sanctuary plus a raffle item of your choice). Plan to be there to staff your table and sell your products. Items must be hand made or finished by hand; ie. dishtowels that you buy but then embroider on to "finish", birdhouses that you buy assembled but then paint by hand.
• Volunteer the day of, shifts TBD.
• There is a kitchen in the building, we may offer cake and tea for sale and would need a few volunteers to run the snack bar.
• Help us publicize the event through social media and by posting fliers on Camano a few weeks before the event.

See something you want to help with? Just let us know!

Next Open House

Spring Sit 'n' Sip on Sat., May 4th, 1-5 PM. 

You can see our catios, chat with fellow kitty lovers, and meet our adorable sanctuary residents (some will be hiding from"strangers" but don't take it personally). We'll have hot and cold drinks, and vegan snacks. Fingers crossed for a lovely spring day.

Sara, the kitty with violet eyes

Sara, a "chocolate" seal point Siamese, is now quite friendly with me! She loves being petted and with her bunny-soft fur, I love petting her. I haven't weighed Sara but I believe she has lost a little of the extra weight she came with because her skin seems looser. She simply doesn't have the slender body type some Siamese kitties have and will always be a curvy girl. 

The kitties mostly favor raw meat and along with canned foods, get a higher protein/high moisture diet that kibble cannot provide. When kitties come in to the sanctuary, they often have dull coats from eating mainly kibble and low muscle tone because they can't run and jump in conventional shelter settings. I understand that cost and convenience matter in shelters dealing with high numbers of cats, and hopefully these shelters are just temporary housing for most of the resident cats. (Anyone who has read books, blogs or the website of Nathan Winograd can marvel at the amazing work shelters and rescue groups are doing these days, compared to 50, 30, or even 15 years ago, while still aiming for a truly No-Kill nation.) Flower Feline Sanctuary is not sheltering a great number of cats. We are providing a loving home to a small number of kitties, albeit more kitties than most people have in their home. Sara is blossoming because we are a small sanctuary and able to address all of the kitties' individual needs. We won't grow past that point or we would be doing a disservice to the kitties.

A Favorite Cat Activity

Cats love it when you read a newspaper or magazine! Indulge your kitty and help Flower Feline Sanctuary kitties by purchasing a magazine subscription through Amazon. Please use the link below to shop - hurry because the offer ends at the end of this month.

Hannah being extra cute

Through January 31, 2019, AmazonSmile will donate 15% the purchase price of new print magazine subscriptions. Visit https://smile.amazon.com/b?node=18541223011 for details.

The Elusive Ms. Foxy

Here's a long awaited picture of Foxy in her loft! She looks a bit unhappy but her eye contact is a huge sign of progress in her comfort level. Her chirpy meows in place of or in addition to hissing when I put her meal down are also a big step for her. Foxy lived under the Magnolia Bridge for possibly her entire life. Her only positive contact with a human was a lady who fed her regularly. Fortunately Foxy was spayed early on and hasn't spent her life producing kittens, so she is strong and healthy. I never lived with a calico cat and think I only sat for a few during my career in Seattle, as they are fairly unusual to find. Now I have two beautiful calicos living with me, Christina and Foxy!

There are feral cats living in many public areas and neighborhoods in communities all over the country. Feeding them is nice but the most important thing anyone can do for them is to get them altered to stop the cycle of kittens. If you know of someone feeding community cats and they are not capable or are overwhelmed with the idea of trapping and altering the cats, please help them or reach out to folks who can help. (Resources for folks who need help with TNR) We are lucky to have quite a few free and low-cost clinics in Western WA, such as. the Feral Cat Spy & Neuter Project in Lynnwood. Never trap cats like Foxy and take them to a shelter - this is certain death for a truly feral cat. There are barn home programs in more progressive shelters and rescue organizations, but make sure they actually screen the adopters and that the adopters understand how to acclimate a feral cat to a new location so that the cats don't simply get "dumped" and disoriented at their new property. (Help with finding placement for a working cat) Unlike house cats, cats in barn homes may be exposed to predators and face a shortened lifespan but given their nature, being free is tantamount to their ultimate happiness.

Foxy has access to an outdoor catio and isn't actually free to roam like a barn cat might be. Given that she had a consistent food source and was living in an urban setting, the Flower Feline Sanctuary is hopefully the best option for her to be safe and comfortable. Technically Foxy is "feral," but each cat has a unique set of circumstances about what living situation may be best. Being feral is not a black/white dichotomy and is not a crime that should result in death.

Settled in for a Long Winter Nap...

I thought I'd give you an update on some of the kitties. I have not been able to get any pictures of Foxy, although she is comfortable with me seeing her now. I still get a little hiss from her when I put her meal down but a few mornings she has let a little meow slip out as well! She has less of a grumpy face too. Could be Stockholm syndrome, or maybe she is starting to like the set-up here?

Bunny, who is a perfect cat but sadly remained overlooked at the shelter because of her age, is still doing great. She cuddles with the other kitties and allo-grooms me and the kitties. Sara is out and about in the room and the Catio all the time, unless there are people other than me around. She has discovered a toy that gets her to push a ball around a ring and really gets into it. She doesn't like me to see her doing that but I love watching how happy she is when she plays. 

As the year winds down, I am thinking about all the people who have helped and supported us on our mission to create Flower Feline Sanctuary. All of these "cat people" love to see cats who haven't had the best of luck so far learn and grow to be happy, healthy and playing just like I do. Sanctuaries can only house a very small fraction of the animals who need a safe haven, but hopefully we send the message to society that these animals matter and inspire other caring people to continue to care. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in whatever way to help Flower Feline Sanctuary help kitties. We hope to see you in 2019!

Bunny will hypnotize you with her eyes!

Adian, Cole and Bunny enjoy a heated bed on a very comfortable sofa

Sara in one of her favorite beds (heated and near a heat vent)

What a Fun Day!

Thanks to everyone who came up to the island for our recent event! While some of the kitties hid because they are only used to their caretakers, others enjoyed the attention. Riley especially loved meeting new people, being admired, and having his picture taken. He is our most outgoing personality here, although he can be somewhat aggressive with people.

It's good for the kitties to see new people so they have less anxiety when they have to see people, such as during a vet visit. Bramwell and Christina likely didn't have adequate handling and socialization when they were kittens but were still around people, so they are shy but not feral. Ellie simply prefers some people over others and to do her thing. Foxy, our newest kitty, is a true feral and is finally allowing me to see her after being here for 6 weeks now. She still lets out a big hiss when I put her food down for her! I know it will be a long time before Foxy lets her guard down and feels comfortable with me being even remotely close by. I realize it literally could be years before she allows me to touch her. Sara, in the senior room of the house, is "letting her hair down" - I caught her playing with a toy when she thought I wasn't looking. So each kitty settles in at their own pace and hopefully, eventually, finds some joy in life. 

Riley is mesmerized by a toy

Ellie with a sanctuary guest