Pretty Little Charlene

I'd like to take a moment to tell you about my foster cat, Charlene, because she is awesome.



When Charlene first came to HART, it was thought that she was an older kitten, due to her size. A visit to the vet however revealed that she is actually a couple of years old. She was not really approachable, and very timid, so she was added to the quietest room at the shelter. It was in this room that I first met her - if you tried to approach her, she would run and hide with other cats. She was always with other cats, never off by herself. She always looked terrified at the sight of a person. I decided if there was any hope for her to learn to trust people, she needed to be in a home. Thus, Charlene became my foster.

She hid for the first day, which I expected. It really didn't take very long though, for her to make herself at home and appear (ever so cautiously) when I was in the room. It took her even less time to find the box filled with cat toys, and I learned that Charlene LOVES to play. She not only loves to play with all the toys, she also likes to play with my two cats, and with my feet!


It took Charlene awhile to stop going around the very outer edge of the room in order to get around me; now she just dashes behind my chair and is on her way. She is still pretty cautious when I approach, and I can't pet her, but she will come up and sniff my hand if I extend it out to her. She gets up on my bed while I'm in it, and will tackle my feet. She's even slept at my feet for a few minutes. She has come close to my head a couple of times, but usually will run off if she thinks I'm even marginally alive. Despite her nervousness, she follows me all around the house, and sleeps on the couch next to me.

I love watching Charlene, she provides hours of entertainment. It helps that she is just too cute! She doesn't meow, but I have heard her chirp at birds, and I've seen her mouth open in a silent cry at me when she wants to be fed. I've discovered that she is an undergarment thief as well - if socks or other garments are on the floor and I turn my back, she'll run in and grab them, take them into another room and roll around on them! She's really well behaved though - I only had to speak to her a couple of times to get her to stay off my counter, and she doesn't scratch my furniture.

If you're interested in adopting Charlene, come into HART and fill out an application.

Update: On November 6th I woke up to find all 3 cats sleeping on my bed - including Charlene! She woke when I moved to take a picture, but instead of running, she decided to take a bath. Didn't she pose so pretty for the picture?

When Danger Strikes

I used to have this sticker that I kept in my apartment window advising firemen that I had cats. Then I thought I was "cool" and put up this sign (with an "S" added to Cat with black marker):

Truthfully though, I never had a real plan for what to do with my cats in the event of an emergency or disaster. I can't imagine what it was like for people who had to leaves their homes due to Irene, or Katrina (just to name a few.)

Thankfully, FEMA is out to help.

Plan for Pet Disaster Needs

• Identifying shelter. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets -- well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers -- they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
  
• Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they're not available later. While the sun is still shining, consider packing a "pet survival" kit which could be easily deployed if disaster hits.
  
• Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet's collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
  
• Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can't escape.
  
• Animals in Emergencies for Owners This video, developed by the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) /FEMA, is intended to help pet and livestock owners prepare to protect their animals during emergencies.

Prepare to Shelter Your Pet

• Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information.
  
• If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your pet. Find out where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close.
  
• Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will need your pet's medical records to make sure all vaccinations are current. Include copies in your "pet survival" kit along with a photo of your pet.
  
• NOTE: Some animal shelters will provide temporary foster care for owned pets in times of disaster, but this should be considered only as a last resort.
  
• If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your pet at home alone can place your animal in great danger! Confine your pet to a safe area inside -- NEVER leave your pet chained outside! Leave them loose inside your home with food and plenty of water.  Remove the toilet tank lid, raise the seat and brace the bathroom door open so they can drink. Place a notice outside in a visible area, advising what pets are in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.

During a Disaster

• Bring your pets inside immediately.
  
• Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
  
• Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
  
• Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
  
• In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

After a Disaster

• If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
  
• In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
  
• The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.

Too Many Kittens!

Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when HART has too many kittens, and they're not getting adopted! Everyone loves kittens! We have so many kittens that need homes, we're having TWO tabling events this weekend (October 8th):

Kittens 12 weeks and over will be at HART from 11 to 2 (302 Range Road, Cumberland)

 

Kittens under 12 weeks will be at Pet Life in Portland-Northgate Shopping Plaza from 10 to 1