The Cat House on the Kings Newsletter

Volume 3, Issue 4 ________________________________________December 2007

LETTER FROM LYNEA Dear Friends and Supporters, It is time to close the books on another year here at The Cat House. In almost 16 years of operation we have saved some 16,000 cats and 4,000 dogs - not counting the close to 40,000 animals we have been instrumental in spaying and neutering!! The only way we could have accomplished this feat is because of you! Your financial help and prayers have kept us going during good times and bad. At this season of giving we hope you will once again remember the critters at The Cat House and open your hearts. With you and your generosity we can have another productive and successful year. Merry Christmas and God bless you. With Love, Lynea P.S. Don’t forget St. Joseph’s mantra of positive thinking: ASK, EXPECT, RECEIVE.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

The Cat House on the Kings invites everyone to our Holiday Boutique from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, December 1 at Petco on Blackstone and Ashlan. We will be offering a variety of Christmas gifts and gift baskets for sale plus a Chinese raffle, something for everyone! Jean Chaffee, author of the True Blue Animal Stories series, featuring animals from the Chaffee Zoo and The Fresno Bee’s own Bill McEwen will also be on hand to autograph their books. Hope Animal Foundation will be there with information on the importance of spaying and neutering and a photographer to snap holiday photos of your pets. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Cat House on the Kings and other Valley shelters.

PET PICTURES WITH SANTA

Have your pet’s picture taken with Santa from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 8 at Petco on Blackstone and Ashlan. The cost is $6.95 and proceeds go to help animal welfare organizations such as ours. Petco Foundation’s Tree of Hope Fundraiser is another way you can help orphaned animals everywhere by purchasing an ornament card in denominations of $1, $5, $10 or $20 or by rounding up your purchase. Last year they raised over $2 million, of which we received a portion.

ADOPTIONS AND RAFFLE

On Saturday, December 22, in addition to adoptions, we will be holding a raffle at 2:30pm for a gorgeous Cat Tree from Feline Fantasies, a beautiful home made quilt created by Mary Lou Rapp and a computer chair donated by Contract Interiors. Tickets for this raffle will be available throughout the month from our volunteers at Petco.

As always, we will have cats and kittens available for adoption every Saturday. (Some will qualify for special price. See page 3 for details).

Together We Will Make A Difference!

OPEN HOUSE UPDATE

We would like to thank everyone that participated for another successful Open House. The weather was agreeable, we had a good crowd and we raised much needed funds for our ongoing expenses. Heartfelt thanks go out to these businesses that contributed to this event: St. Agnes Physical Therapy Center Sweet River Restaurant, Clovis La Posada Restaurant, Clovis Jamba Juice, Sunnyside Yosemite Falls Café, Clovis Denny’s Restaurant, Sunnyside Quizno’s, Sunnyside Spino’s Nursery & Design Center Doug-Out Cookies, Fresno And of course, great big thanks to the volunteers who made this day special: Judy Alcorn Leni Mortensen Pat Bird Pauline Cadd Jolene Higley Kathy White Steve Bishel Eunice Williams Sara Hamilton Helen Fort Alice Baltazar Kara Hoffman Kathy Scheer Tammy Barker Note: If I have left anyone out, I’m sorry.

HOLIDAY SAFETY FOR PETS

Chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins can all kill dogs. (Even dogs that have previously eaten treats of chocolate, or dinner scraps with onions, or raisins as training treats with no apparent harm) Chocolate can poison the heart, onions (cooked or raw) can cause sudden hemolytic anemia & collapse, grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure. Dogs are simply put together differently than we are, and these items can kill in small amounts. Chocolate might take a few bites, yet it's still a significant risk. Also avoid cocoa hull mulch anywhere in the yard that a dog can get to it.

cats aren't going to steal any of the above While foods behind your back, there are other hazards. Tinsel, thread, or string can be fatal if swallowed. I don't know why, but cats do like to swallow these thinwhen they play. Lots of cat toys are yarn or sewn withtrailing thread too. Bad news. Cat's intestines tend to bunch up around the swallowed object to the point of cutting off circulation and/or getting perforated. And these things are invisible on x-ray, though if the intestine is already in trouble, that much can be seen. Sudden & constant vomiting is a warning sign, which unfortunately may not provide enough warning to help

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the cat, though immediate surgical intervention has bable to save some. Plant-based chemicals can cause liver failure in caTheir livers are much more sensitive than dogs or humans. Pine-based house cleaners, (also Lysol type products) also some essential oils, some aromatherapy products, (research thoroughly before use with or around cats) tea tree oil in any form (Don't ask me why somcat grooming products contain this! Melaleuca or tea tree oil can cause severe problems in cats) So do be careful in sprucing the house up for the holidays. Skin absorption is more likely than the cat licking any, such as

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walking on a mopped floor, rubbing against a treated surface... and fumes are best avoided too. The traditional holiday warnings about cooked bones(except beef bones, which are okay), Christmas tree water, fatty foods like turkey skin, or significant amounts of rich food 'treats' having potential for troubleare still valid. The fatty foods and rich treats can trigger more than an upset stomach. Our carnivorous friends are much more susceptible to pancreatitis from such indiscretions, and that's another veterinary-interventionsituation with a possibly poor prognosis. It's so much easier to keep hazardous things away from our pets in the first place.

(559) 324-8312

5th Street Antique Mall 460 Pollasky Ave. Clovis, CA 93612

MARILYN & TOM POUNDSTONE Owners

Antiques • Collectibles • Furniture • Vintage Clothing

THE CAT HOUSE CHRO

Whew! I have just barely escaped by the hair on my myself away from the hordes of my latest torturers and tormhow terribly I have been mistreated this last month! I swear tHouse! A vast horde, a veritable swarm of locusts have set upon everywhere.

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most handsome tail and have now secreted entors. My most loyal readers, you can’t imagine

o you, I can’t have but one or two lives left to give for The Cat our beautiful paradise with anarchy an

In hindsight, I supent little kittens

ll shelters, t

on .

,

ONS

From now until the end of December, the adoption fee for a teenager (over 6 months

neuter, flea, ear mite and worm treatment, vaccinations, testing for

ings,

CLES BY ZANEY GREY

d chaos following them

pose at first glance these invaders appeared harmless enough. They started showing up early this spring, first in small trickles, then in wave, after wave, after wave. They came wrapped in disguise as innocrescued from supposedly abysmal situations or conditions. I imagine they concealed themselves in our local kiknowing that Cat House volunteer Kathy Scheer would not be able to resist their cuteness. Can you believe it? They figured ouhow to get The Cat House to bring them here! Weeks of TLC followed. They ate every can of kitten food in sight. The Queen of the Kitchen, aka Raisin, was beside herself, watching these furry little monsters eating her precious tuna as well as her favorite kibble. Cat House staff would coddle, kiss and caress them at their slightest sound of distress. God forbid they should sneeze, as Lynea would swoop downthem with fistfuls of medications. The Cat House folks worked tirelessly to meet every whim or whimsy of this crafty group It took me a while, but I finally caught on to their devious scheme. Somehow, as a collective, this group of several hundred wolves in kitten clothing had devised a scheme to set themselves up for a life of pure luxury in Cat House heaven.

hey knT ew if they could only figure out how to prevent their mass adoption, they too could live here with the rest of us, living inthe lap of luxury. Let me tell you, their well-crafted plan has succeeded. The teenagers have taken over! Lynea lost the battle for the kitchen several weeks ago. I personally witnessed the swarm that took her, it was a horrible sight, let me tell you. One minute she was standing there reaching for her morning cup of coffee, the next she was buried under a swarm of screaming, meowing teenage kittens clamoring for their morning food. Oh, I can still hear her screams echoing in my poor sensitive ears! Conditions outside are no better. I feel so bad for the poor people who daily have to navigate the front driveway, garage and kennel areas. First, it’s the ankles as they attempt to gang tackle the humans. Twisting, turning, slithering, they schmooze and ooze their way around the two-leggers, all in the guise of looking for affection. They prance and dance along the drivewaychasing leaves and each other in shameless attempts to focus all attention on them. My dear friends, there is but one solution! You must help us! Please, for the sake and sanity of the real Cat House occupants, come get these teenagers out of my hair! Write your congressperson, the governor, your neighbor, I don’t care

hom! w Create a caravan of adopters to get these pests out of here. Did I say pests? Oops! I meant pets! Yes, these are pets! Please, adoptions here are so simple what with all the surgery, shots and microchipping already done. I close this out, not knowing if or when I’ll be able to touch paw to keyboard again. Pray for me as I go back out into the fray, bravely taking my life in my paws, trusting that this message will somehow reach the people who can act to save us.

hank yT ou! Now, I’m off to fight another day. Zaney

SPECIAL PRICE ON TEENAGE AND ADULT CAT ADOPTI

Because we are devoted to finding loving new homes for the teenage kittens and adult cats that reside here and we don’t want Zaney having another hissy fit, we are offering a special price on adoption of these age groups.

old) or an adult cat will be just $50.00. This price still includes spay or FELV/FIV and microchip. We will have these cats and kittens available at Petco on Blackstone and Ashlan every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm and at The Cat House on the Kby appointment only, Thursday through Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm.

Q & A

Q. My pet is “not herself” lately. Should I watch her or call the vet? A. The "wait and see" approach is OK for perhaps a day if your pet is not in pain, still eating, able to relieve themselves normally, etc., but even so, more than 24 hours of being lethargic or "depressed" warrants at least a phone call to your veterinarian If your pet is in pain, won't eat, can't urinate, experi uts of vomiting and/or diarrhea, please call your

us in a short period of time.

to discuss your concerns. encing bo

YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A CAT! I have chosen_______________as my sponsor ca Name_________________________

t.

________ Address_______________________________ City/State/Zip__________________________ Phone_________________________________ Please write Sponsor on your check each month.

You are welcomed and encouraged to visit the shelter and “your” cat as often as you can. The cats do remember frequent visitors.

They enjoy and need the individual love and attention that their sponsors bring.

make an appointment, please call 638-869

To 6.

vet as soon as possible. These situations can be (or become) quite serio

SPONSOR-A-CAT If you cannot have any more cats in your home, please consi der

so $15.00. Your donation helps pay for the basic needs of each cat during its stay with us. You will receive a photo and story of your sponsor cat and some onvenience. Some

lable for sponsor

ponsoring one of our cats that will stay here permanently because of ld age, trauma they have endured, or medical problems. You can become a sponsor with a monthly donation of just

return envelopes for your care: avai

Vana Oreo

Kara Hoffman

Housekeeping Services References Available hskpr@sbcglobal.net

(559) 322-6633 cell (559) 801-4587

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Kathy Scheer

Kathy Scheer first became involved with The Cat House 8 years ago, then much more involved 4 years ago when she retired as a County Nurse. A tireless and deeply caring person, Kathy has given time, energy, financial resources and heart to the plight of

ent with The Cat House is far reaching. She spends her time between erving on

our Management Team, helping at fundr home, and coordinating transport from the Valley to other rescue organizations throughout California.

will have to do.

abandoned cats and kittens. Her involvemrescuing cats and kittens from the Fresno SPCA, off-site adoptions at Petco, s

aisers, fostering kittens in need in her

Kathy’s level of commitment has been incredible. She is a great example of the true spirit of volunteerism. Words cannot express how truly fortunate The Cat House on theKings is to have support of such a caring, passionate and devoted woman, so a big “THANK YOU, KATHY”

RD SA

the volunteers that helped now most of you can’t wait

for hanging in there: Leni Mortensen Sandy Ross Linda Henson Jolene Higley Helen Fort Sara Hamilton Madeline Gleim Judy Alcorn Elba Tibbs Josephine Frausto Toni Hendrix Kara Hoffman Shanyne Tigmo Melanie Hendrix for entertaining the cats by reading to them! Note: If I forgot anyone, I’m sorry! We will be collecting donations for the next yard sale. Please, only clean, sellable items. Call 638-8696 for drop off locations.

YA LE NOTES

Thank you so much to allmake the yard sale a hit. I kto do it again! Thanks

IN MEMORY OF

Nancy Barnes

y Waneta Findley

IRS Friends

Jo Ganoe from Judy Alcorn and Pauline Cadd

Jaffa Walth

Companion of Leigh and John Walth from Paula Robitschek

Ebbo, beloved cat of Susan Nelson

from MJ Goble and Charlotte Peters

Rebecca Lee from Marilynne Dutcher

IN HONOR OF

Kathy Scheer

from husband Joe Koontz

from William Barnes

Trina Smith Walt and Judy Opitz & Traye

Garry and Debbie Findley & Famil

Ad Removed 3/2016

NOTES AND ETTERS

L

Here are a few of the kids watching Cat Video at my house. Kara Note: Kara fosters some of our kittens. These are just a few!

Lynea, Thank you for the August newsletter &

taking care of my 2 cats. I’m enclosing a for

partial payment; this may help you for a little while. As for my other 3 cats & myself, we’ve found a beautiful home & are waiting for the fall’s winter weather to cool us down.

& Smelly-Kat, I think of y’re adjusting

alright to their new surroundings. It broke my heart to leave them behind but I know they’re in very good

As for Mom-Katthem constantly & hope the

hands & I feel so lucky to have known of your “Cat House” & the wonderful care that comes with it. Love, Pam Vida

Dear Lynea, It was almost two years ago that the driver in the car in front of me on Ashlan at Highway 99 tossed a tiny black kitten out the window. I stopped to pick up the

cat whose face was bloody with an obvious head injury. Scheduled to leave following morning, I was desperate to get help for the kitten and

couldn't stand the thought of euthanizing him. e you were at the at House on the Kings, 6 o'clock on a Friday night, th a Prednisone in ection to stop the swelling in the kitten's brain and a

heating pad to protect his malnourished frame from certain hypothermia. You ing the six-week-old injured cat to

ps

more ways than I can fit on paper.

little the country the

Therready wi

Cj

spent two weeks bottle-feeding and teachsurvive. Today, "Crash" the Cat is the joy of my home. My older cat, Penguin, adopted him as a brother. Crash is the most affectionate, loving cat I've ever had. He keePenguin young and insists on occupying my lap at every opportunity. I can't thank you enough for caring for this little animal when no one else would. You saved his life and enriched mine inLynea, G-d blessed us all when He gave us human Angels like you and your volunteers. Love, Linda H. P.S. $100 Home Depot gift card should arrive next week or so.

Lynea, We named your Bambie "OSMIA". My husband is in to wild bees and that is the species name for them. Our last dog's name was Caddis. My husband was in to fly fishing and those are little bugs that can cover over a river. I let him name her and he is quite taken with her. She is doing well. I have taken her

Mon, Tues, and Wed. Our

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tten

to work residents love her and she is so calm and good with them. She slept from1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on two differenresidents beds today (they are roommates and shared her). One oour gentlemen that can't communicate any more reached oufor her today with a big smile on hisface. The staff loves her also. She has been good. She has slept every night all through without having a wet kennel. We don't have a dog door, but she is doing well just letting her out when I do. At thmoment she is in our back yard with our 11 month old male kiplaying. That is the cat that will play with her. The others are a little afraid. She is a joy. Thank you for letting me have her.

Jan Bodily

ARENA SAND FOR SALECLAY FOR THE BASE

SAND FOR THE ARENA

GOLDEN STATE DUMP TRUCKS FRESNO, CA

CALL 237-SAND

TOP SOIL ~ FILL DIRT ~ PLASTER SAND

CRUSHED ROCK ~ ROAD BASE

RAISIN WRITES

Dear Santa, I was making out my Christmas list when I realized that I already have my number one wish - a new collar. It is the most beautiful red color, it has a red bell on it and best of all, it has diamonds. I just love my diamonds. But then a strange feeling comes over me as I realize that I am richly dressed, but aching inside. Tis five weeks before Christmas, when all through the house Comes the sounds of wee kittens and even a mouse. The puppies are sleeping, the cats were all snoring. The house was so quiet, it was positively boring. My stocking was hung on the wall with great care In Hopes that some miracle would happen in there. I sat the whole night just watching it there Imagining it filled - instead of just bare. I pictured my stocking all bulging and fat With all kinds of goodies for each dog and cat. There were gift cards from Costco and Home Depot too, To buy wagons and cat food - even nails and glue. There’s cat food and PineSol and also some money To help with our driveway when the weather’s not sunny. There are quarters and dollars from children in there And change found in sofas because people care. Whether small change or big checks, the money keeps coming The stocking fills up - it’s enough to keep running! And then my dream fades and my stocking hangs there All limp and so empty - only filled now with air But in spite of a stocking so limp and so bare I know that you’re out there and really do care So send in those quarters, those dollar bills, too Small gift cards and cat food - you know what to do. If enough of you My stocking will loTis five weeks bef

donate to this worthy cause, ok like it’s filled by S. Clause.

or s dream Of a Christmas so j . So before Lynea comes to turn o the light Merry Christmas to you and to you a good night.

P.S. I do love tuna.

CAT TREE RAFFLE

This beautiful cat tree has again been donated by Feline Fantasies for your raffle pleasure. This tree stands 5’ tall with a large bed on top, followed by a teepee (with peek-a-boo) and two shelves below. It is a color coordinated sea foam green with an offset cream white and would fit any décor. Four felines could easily enjoy this tree at once and it can be yours with the purchase of just one raffle ticket (or as many as you would like to purchase). This tree wholesales for $140.00 and cannot be purchased in any local pet supply establishments. The raffle will be held Saturday, February 16, 2008, 2:30 pm at Petco on Blackstone and Ashlan in Fresno.

Do not let this tree escape, purchase your tickets today! Each ticket is just

r to win ul tree,

send us a check or

LE TICKETS. ts will be

ck to you

100% of the proceeds benefit

.

$1.00. To entethis beautif

money order markedRAFFYour tickemailed bawithin 10 days.

e Christmas and I have thioyous it’s the best ever seen

ut

Love, Raisin

The Cat House

VOLUNT

We desperately need volunteers to assist us in achfundraising to raise money to help support the care and year round. We are looking for a Vo

EERS NEEDED

ieving our goals. The Cat House demaintenance of the cats in our care.

lunteer Fundraising Coordinator, a detail oriented, cohese events. Once a volunteer becomes

o that volunteer to coordinate and oversee the pro assist with an event by helping with set-up/clean

n, please contact Pat Miranda at (559) 637-9032 o-site adoptions at Petco on Blackstone and Ashla

ing cats and kittens from carriers into cages, keeping cagd of the day. For more information on this community-fr

1-3581.

pends on successful Our fundraisers are mmitted person

who is interested in helping us plan and assist with t established within gress to the organization, an event will be assigned t

completion. Other volunteers are needed to -up, raffles and r (559) 638-8696. more. For more information on the positio

We also need volunteers to help with off n. Duties include screening potential adopters, unload es neat and clean

iendly opportunity, and loading everything up at the enplease contact Kathy Scheer at (559) 28

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services

GET YOUR NEWSLETTER VIA EMAIL

led ddress to

lp cut down on postage costs.

Kings River Veterinarian Hospital

Ph. (559) 638-8252 in Reedley Neuter $20, Spay $40, Pregnant $50

HOPE Anima on

(559) 271-0209 in Fresno Cats – Neuter $35, Spay $45

20 for feral c t in a trap + rabies Dogs – Neuter $55, Spay $65

If you would like to get your newsletter emaito you, please send your name and email acathousekings1@yahoo.com. This will he

l Foundati

$ a

California Feline Foundation/Valley Animal Center

(559) 650-3122 in Fresno Neuter $30, Spay $35 – Cat or kitten over 8 weeks

Y

ou Shop

The Cat House on the Kingsis a private, nonprofit, no-cage, no-kill sanctuary, rescue and adoption center

for cats run solely on donations and out-of-pocket funding by our founder

Lynea Lattanzio.

The Cat House is open to visitors Thursday through Sunday

cept major holidays) (exfrom 1 PM to 4 PM,

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

We are located near Reedley, CA, southeast of Fresno.

The Cat House on the Kings

7120 S. Kings River Road Parlier, CA 93648

(559) 638-8696

Email: cathousekings1@yahoo.com

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