#12085138

Sneakers is an eight-year-old male Domestic longhair kitty.  He has been with us here at Lollypop Farm for over a year as a part of a cruelty investigation.  This handsome boy is finally up for adoption and looking for the forever home he truly deserves.  Sneakers is an independent sort of guy who likes to curl up and observe the action at the shelter.  But, give him some time, and he’ll come over for well-deserved attention.  This sweet cat is eligible for Lollypop Farm’s Seniors-for-Seniors program.  An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring Sneakers home at no charge.  He’s been waiting for such a long time.  Do you have room in your heart and your home for Sneakers?

Has anyone noticed that Sneakers looks just like Dewey, the Library Cat?

It’s been brought to my attention that Magpie, who was featured here before, is still available. That’s surprising. Magpie has been in the shelter since March. Here, have another look:

Magpie

#12787303

Magpie is a lovely kitty of about 7 years. She has intense golden eyes and her fur is incredibly shiny and soft. Magpie was brought in to Lollypop Farm because her owner could no longer care for her. Magpie is a friendly and mellow kitty who has been supervising our work in staff offices (she’s not interested in helping get the work done, however). She has made it clear she does not prefer the company of other cats, so she’d be a great only pet.

Since Magpie is 7 years old, she is eligible for the Seniors-for-Seniors program where a pet 6 years and older is free of charge to approved adopters age 60 and older.

#1113313

Amy is a nine-year-old female Domestic shorthair mix. She was brought to Lollypop Farm because her owner had too many pets to care for. This beautiful white kitty would just love to keep you company. She enjoys attention, but also looks forward to a bit of solitude. Amy isn’t one who goes looking for trouble, but she’s no scaredy-cat either! She is eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring her home at no charge.

Lucky, the cat from last week, is still looking for a home.

From Americans Against the Tea Party. This image is popular on Facebook this morning.

Okay, so your body is NOT public property. I get that. Decisions regarding this are yours-and ONLY yours-to make.  I get that too.

Fine.  Your body is yours and your choices are yours. So take responsibility for your choices. I’m so damned sick of my needs being restricted so that your choices can be subsidised. YOU should pay for your birth control and abortions. Why? Because your choices should not be everyone else’s responsibility. Can’t afford your birth control and your abortions? Then try a little SELF CONTROL. When did you decide that you’re so entitled?  Your body is not public property, and it is pompous of you to expect that the public pay for your choices.

And, Americans Against the Tea Party?  You’re welcome.  Free publicity makes you feel good.  BUT!  Maybe it’s time for you all to actually think about what you’re flapping on about.  Your name says that you’re against the Tea Party.  Your actions and claims are absolutely harmful to all Americans, including yourselves.  Such vitriol, really?  The Tea Party is offensive to many-but what gives you the right to offend everyone because you don’t know how to target your complaints?  Do you actually think you’ll win anyone over to your side? You remind me of the hateful, hate-filled evangelists who interrupt my work day with their spewling about how they’re the one right religion and I’m doomed to hell.  You wear the same cheap short-sleeved dress shirts and have the same maniacal glint in your own hate-filled eyes.  How many of these door-knocking zealots have verbally assaulted me on MY property, and for how many years have they tried?  And how many have converted me?  Hate won’t win your battles.  I’ll just turn away and pay attention to the rational, intelligent people who are capable of presenting their opinions sanely.  Doesn’t matter if I agree or not-it’s MY CHOICE to listen to intellectuals. And hey!  My choice won’t cost you a cent!

By the way:  Abortion rights will not be eliminated. There are far too many “MY CHOICE” politicians on all sides and far too many voters to eliminate your right to an abortion.  Just pay for it yourself.

Nope.  I’m not a Tea Partier.  Nice try.

Lucky 12085128 Lucky is a twelve-year-old male domestic shorthair who was part of a Lollypop Farm cruelty investigation in Riga, New York. He is finally able, after one year, to look for a warm, comfortable forever home. Lucky is a beautiful black kitty who, being a bit set in his ways, likes to view the world on his own four paws. He enjoys being petted, but if you please, he’d rather not be picked up. That makes him a little anxious. This handsome guy is a mellow boy who is looking for a home where he can spend his retirement years. And, Lucky is eligible for Lollypop Farm’s Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring him home at no charge. Lucky has been waiting so very long.

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And now, for a Lollypop bonus edition!  I spotted a bunch of red cats up for adoption.  Many are older cats who would be awfully happy to share your home. Behold:

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Sneakers

Male, 8 years
12085138

My name is Sneakers and I was part of the Riga investigation which has kept me at Lollypop Farm for over 370 days. I am the boy with the fluffy gold-colored fur coat, white bib, and tipped ear. I am the independent guy of the bunch. I like to curl up and observe the activity here at the shelter. And when I am ready, I seek out a companion for pets and attention. Are you looking for a sweet yet independent kitty? Then adopt me, Sneakers! I am ready for a home! Since I am 8 years old, I am also eligible for the Seniors-for-Seniors program where a pet 6 years and older is free of charge to approved adopters age 60 and older.

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Domino

Male, 10 years

12085189

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Sassy

Female, 8 years

14461100

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Red Rover

Male, 4 years

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Bushy

Male, 7 years

14911849

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Jackson

Male, 2 years

15013392

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Dottie

Female, 4 years

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Buddy

Male, 2 years

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In 2011, the world saw some mighty, (and some mighty stupid) geopolitical happenings. I’m not blogging about them. Others, who have a far better grasp, stronger opinions, and clearer writing skills have taken care of that.

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2011 saw a nearly complete disconnect with the fiber crafting that I love. There isn’t a single room in this little house where I can set up my wheel or loom, or where I dare set a knitting project down long enough to fetch a hot cuppa. I’ve been over-run by cats. I have been knitting lately and enjoying it. Pictures will eventually follow.

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My Favourite Picture

We are enjoying our grand daughter immensely.  She is now 3 years old and a fun-filled package of kid.  She is well-loved by all and that love is reflected in her sunny nature.  She is also quite the comedienne.  We treasure our girl!

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We started some renovations on the house but weren’t able to do much with the economy and the cost of things!  What was done is all good, and came out beautifully.

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In 2011 I learned just how hard it is to find homes for cats, even with minimal requirements. I have rigid requirements-they’re not numerous nor onerous, but apparently having requirements devised to help ensure the good care of cats is a ridiculous notion from which most potential adopters feel they should be excused. So I now add a “No Speshul Snowflakes” clause to my requirements. Care to know what the requirements are that have me still living with most fosters?

• No first-time pet owners
• Veterinary reference
• No de-claw
• No small children (unless I’ve had the opportunity to observe them with the cats on numerous occasions)
• No Speshul Snowflakes

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The final litter

In 2011 several ferals raced into the garage for meals when January’s bitter cold became too much.  Most just ate their meals, dried off by the little heater, then went back out to hunker down deep into the straw lined shelters that I’d made for them.  Several others shot past us and down the basement steps. Some stayed, terrified, in the joists, only coming down for meals.  Others took over and made that basement home.  Daphne, the wily old whore, came in pregnant and birthed her final litter in the basement in March. Shortly after that, I finally caught her and spayed her, putting an end to the endless run of kittens.  It broke my heart to think that never again would I look out on a spring day to see her parading her winter litter up to the house to play and be safe.  This last litter grew up in basement and garage.  Two of the four have left for forever homes with wonderful people.  Daphne still resides indoors.  She’s very very slowly overcoming her feral life and getting accustomed to petting and brushing.

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In 2011 we lost some of our ferals.  Stevie disappeared in late March, before the spring came in to warm the earth. In my dreams I still hear him wailing his way round the house, summoning me out for a bite to eat.

Sweet Jackie in the Snow

Jackie, my little sweetie who loved me no end, disappeared for six months from June 2010, reappearing at Christmas 2010.  When she disappeared again in July this year, I wept but kept hope that she’d be back for Christmas.  She did not come back this time. I wish that she had.

Walk in the Light, my Friends.

Grey Man, who lived next door as one of Ginnie’s barn cats, was found dead shortly after his beloved mum was hospitalised for a brain hemmorhage.  I guess he thought he’d never see her again, so passed quietly in sorrow.  Sadly, she passed a few months later.  Now they’re together again. I miss my neighbour and friend terribly, and Grey Man, who was an impossible pest to the ferals but a love to me.  She had adopted two of my socialised feral kits from the March 2010 litter as barn cats.  They had several great months of happiness in the barn, with plenty of attention and warm places to snuggle and explore.  The children who came to learn how to care for horses and ride them were especially taken with the young cats, who liked them back.  After Ginnie’s passing the cats were rarely seen and I never could find them when looking.  There have been no sightings of either in a very long time so I fear that they’ve joined Gin and Grey Man.  Poor babies, not even two years old.

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Mackie in the Recovery Room

Mackie showed up late for dinner in August with a badly injured hindpaw, turns out it was an abcess. His paw is permanently disfigured, but he lived in the office for three weeks recovering and has been a love-buddy ever since. Despite his disfigured paw, he gets around fine and is happier outdoors. He doesn’t even limp. He’ll always be welcomed in if he so desires.  I took this picture then set the camera down to put food into his kennel.  This was right after his surgery to repair the foot.  Supper wasn’t in Mackie’s mind, though. He cautiously wobbled out of that kennel and into my lap, where he curled up, purring, until he fell asleep.  If I hadn’t known his entire life to be feral I’d've sworn he was a pet.

Stewie being Tame

Stewie turned up with an injured foreleg in November.  His leg was cut all around. He’s still indoors, although his leg is healed.  He plays and eats and snuggles like any tame cat.  Another feral born and raised who’s just a doll.

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Simon Vamping for the Camera

Simon, who turned up here last Christmas, was neutered and ear tipped before I realised that he was abandoned, not feral.  He’s very sweet but has litter attitude. He’ll use the pan but insists on being let out at least once weekly or he’ll make a mess next to one of the pans, right in front of me! Yikes! Point taken.  Other than the litter thing, he’s just lovely.  Very sweet cat, very needy of affection, and a great hunter.  He’d be a perfect indoor-outdoor cat for the right person.

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Lollypop requests a spot for Boo Kitty, so here she is. She’s a pretty cat!

Boo Kitty

#1060485

Boo Kitty is an almost-ten-year-old female Domestic shorthair mix who finds herself back at the shelter through no fault of her own.  This pretty girl certainly deserves a forever home.  She is the perfect personal assistant.  Boo Kitty will happily plop down in your lap while you watch television or hold down the pages of your newspaper for you.  You just might wonder how you ever lived without her.  Boo Kitty is eligible for Lollypop Farm’s Seniors-for-Seniors program.  An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring her home at no charge.  How can you resist Boo Kitty?

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Several of the fosters have found homes, thank goodness.  Look in the next few days for the latest: Mickey’s adoption report.

Lollypop requests that Chloe receive the spotlight this week. I’m happy to comply, except that the Chloe sent to me is not to be found! Did she get a home for Christmas? I certainly hope so.

So, here’s another Chloe.

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She’s five years old and a pretty little thing.

And there’s always Toby

And Mogley

And Woobie too.

And many, many more. I visited Lollypop yesterday to get a tag engraved. the gift shop wasn’t open when I visited so I had a look at the cats. So many beautiful cats, displaced and at the shelter when they never expected anything but a steady existence. If you go please consider checking out the two-fers. There are two or three pairs at Lollypop Fairport who the shelter will not separate. Ask any cat owners-we all know that having more than one is healthier, for us and for our animals. And if you can bring home an already bonded pair you’re way ahead of the game.

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Of course I still have several fosters available here. Mine are, like Lollypop’s, neutered/spayed and up to date on vax. The only difference is that they’re living with us instead of taking up space at the shelter. There are Pixie and Loader, littermates but not terribly bonded unless they both want something. They’re 17 months old. There are Mickey, Wendy and Gulliver, littermates who will be ten months old next week. There is Simon, whose age we don’t know except that he was around a year old when he turned up here last Christmas. Personality profiles-accurate individual descriptions-can be given on each, and I will make their pictures available if requested.

Right now, let’s focus on homes for the homeless kitties, wherever they are.

Love to all in the New Year!

Scooby

#14348359    

Scooby is a ten-year-old male Domestic shorthair mix. He was brought to Lollypop Farm because his owner was moving and didn’t take him along. Scooby just likes to chill, watching the birds outside his kitty condo; and he certainly doesn’t object to a good rubdown at the end of the day. His long, rolling purr will be all the “thank you” that you’ll need. So, if you’re looking for the perfect sidekick, look no further. This handsome boy is plain good company. And, Scooby would love to be home for the holidays.

Sparrow

14477736  

Unfortunately, poor Sparrow doesn’t have any description but the lame “personality assessment’.  Poor little cat, she’s a 2-years-old domestic shorthair.  Although listed as black I see a patched tabbie in her pictures.  Also known as Tortie-and if you haven’t had a tortie in your home yet, well, I can certainly recommend one!  These cats really do have a personality based on their coats!

Sansa

#1408885

Sansa is a two-year-old female Domestic shorthair mix. She was brought to Lollypop Farm with her five kittens who have all been adopted. Now, it’s mom’s turn to find her forever home. This pretty lady is a little shy at first, but it won’t take long for her to get to know you. She’s actually fairly chatty, especially when it’s time to eat! Sansa is somewhat mischievous as she likes to jump up onto the kitchen counter, but she jumps off again when she’s told to get down. She lived with other cats in her foster home and got along well with them. Sansa is good company, too. She’ll lie next to you as you check your email waiting for a head rub.

Smudge  & Snickers

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Smudge (A14346963) is a solid white male kitty with golden eyes. A mellow boy who enjoys gentle pets, Smudge will not answer you when he is called; you see, Smudge is deaf. So Smudge tends to be a cautious kitty who likes to watch and observe the activity. His protector and companion is Snickers (A14346998), a male tiger kitty. Snickers is an affectionate boy who enjoys his pets and will roll belly-up to get his belly rubbed too! Since Smudge and Snickers are two companion kitties who depend on each other, they are available for the special two-for-one adoption fee where both kitties can be adopted for the price of one. Please come meet these special boys; it may be the beginning of a special and rewarding relationship.

His Royal Majesty

12443916   

His Royal Majesty was found in Marion as a stray. He is a handsome gentleman with a beautiful sleek coat – very majestic looking. His Royal Majesty is looking for a home that will show him the love and attention he deserves as kitty royalty. He is very confident cat and does well with dogs, but might do best as the only cat. He likes to bat around his spotnip flower toy or a feather on a wand. He’s also content to lounge around and relax while watching the birds out the window. If you are looking for a fun loving boy that just likes to hang out with you or your family, then come see this lover boy!

TroutSniffer

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TroutSniffer doesn’t even have a lame assessment.  But with that wodnerful face and wild name, how can anyone resist?  He’s 7 years old and gorgeous.

#12787303

I'm all dressed up, with nowhere to go. Please take me home.

Magpie is a female Domestic medium hair mix who is seven years old. This beautiful black kitty was brought to Lollypop Farm because her owner could no longer care for her. Magpie is a friendly and mellow kitty with intense golden eyes. Right now, she is a little upset to be in the shelter and is not very fond of all the unfamiliar kitties around her. Magpie is anxiously looking for a forever home and a lap she can curl up in. When you come to meet Magpie, just allow a little extra time for her to get comfortable with you. Magpie Maggie is eligible for Lollypop Farm’s Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 and older, can bring her home at no charge.

Precious, last week’s Cat of the Week, has been adopted!

Meanwhile, I’ve done another show and taken a road trip for the sake of the cats.  The cat caregiver silent auctions are still being held.  I took a break from auction administration while generous volunteers took over to raise funds for my own cats. The generosity and helpfulness of the cat-loving people on Ravelry is overwhelming.

A huge problem with rescuers in my area is the complete lack of programs available. We can TNR feral cats, but there are no spay/neuter programs for cats destined to be pets. Unless income falls below a certain level (ours doesn’t), everything is geared toward people who can’t afford to spay/neuter any other way. There are NO programs for affordable spay/neuter for rescue situations.  Daphne’s last litter of three males and one female would have totalled well over $1300. I don’t think vaccinations are included. But a good vet meets an animal first, and gets a baseline. Then schedules surgery. This is not wrong, by any stretch.  But, for rescuers operating entirely out of pocket, it’s out of reach. So I was stuck, trying to find a way to pay, when the Ravelry Cavalry came to my aid.

One Raveller, hearing of my troubles getting affordable pet spay/neuters for Daphne’s last litter, set up appointments at her nearby SPCA.  This week, I loaded those cats up and set out for her home.

On arrival I was fed home-made pizza.

Vinnie! Formerly known as Hector, the family adopted him in December last year. He's full grown but still looks like a kitten.

This is Paige. She's lovely.

Suicide Louie. Also known as Pork Chomp. He's Vinnie's kitten.

Angel. She's a little shy but very pretty.

Oskar. He's a very friendly curious purrbox sort of guy.

I was welcomed as if I were family. I was pampered all the way.   On arrival  I was fed home-made pizza! I’m a total pizza freak so all that work was trebly appreciated. One boy gave up his room so I could have a place to stay with the kittens overnight. pgithens drove us to the SPCA and had arranged a day away to spend helping me with the kitties. We headed to the ocean in the rain, had luncheon nearby, and talked a LOT. I saw the sock knitting machine that churns out those lovely hand-cranked socks, met a gorgeous electric wheel, and got to meet the cats. Some of the cats let me take their pictures.

There I was, totally disrupting this wonderful family’s routine, definitely inconveniencing them. So. What do they do, after opening their home and spoiling me rotten?

A gift.

That’s a handmade Pink Ribbon basket donated to the most recent auction by another Raveller, SpiritHorse. Loaded with gorgeous Colourmart yarn (I see something airy and lacy made from this!), salt water taffy (YUM) and Garden State honey-the cranberry blossom has been eagerly tasted and is very very gooooood. All this in return for making a mess of a workday and school night! Now I have a whole new family to love.

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Just before I left for the spay/neuters, Stewie disappeared for about 48 hours. Then showed up looking fine. The next day he was limping! I couldn’t convince the Husband to take him to a vet so had to make an appointment for after my return. Then hoped and fretted that Stewie would be okay and safe when I got home.

He was. Still limping badly, poor soul. I grabbed him and stuffed him into a carrier, which upset the little guy very much. We can pet him and brush and comb him, even clip out stubborn mats, but he does not ever want to be picked up. he went rigid in my arms from terror. He cried a bit on the ride to the doctor. They did manage to get him calm enough to deal with. He was tranquilised for examination then the tech combed the stickleburrs out of his coat while he was brought out of anesthesia. His lovely coat was much enjoyed. The doctor found a laceration on his foreleg which looked as if Stewie had reached into something then got cut when withdrawing his paw. He was cleaned up, given pain and antibiotic jabs, then sent home. He now resides in the office kennel, very sad that he’s not romping freely outdoors in the late autumn cold. I’ll keep him in until it looks like the cut is healing well and he’s not limping.

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Here is Lollypop Farm’s Cat of the Week. I confess that I haven’t been still long enough to post several and can only hope that they have got homes.  I feel badly about that.

Precious

#4073871     

Precious is an almost-five-year-old female Domestic shorthair mix who started her hard life as a stray.  This beautiful black and white kitty finds herself at Lollypop Farm for the second time through no fault of her own.  She was first brought to the shelter by someone who had taken her in but had too many animals to care for.  Precious is back at Lollypop Farm because her owner was moving and didn’t take her along.   This little girl (who only weighs six pounds) has her paws crossed that she’ll find a forever home where she can spend the holidays with a caring owner.  Precious is waiting for you. 

Silas, the cat from last week, is still looking for a forever home.

Twice now, I’ve administered online silent auctions  with proceeds going to needy beneficiaries.  I wanted to focus on people like myself, who rescue and foster completely out of pocket, who don’t have Not-for-Profit status, and who are overlooked by the abundance of programs made for low-income individuals only. We have no programs, we’re not low income so cannot qualify for the low-income programs, but we’re always broke from the personal outlay for the work that we do.  Manufacturers donate only to NFP organisations, but we lack the money for filing and the time or ability to meet regulations even if we could afford to file.  There is no help for us.  Yet we are the few who look  after society’s castoffs.

My goal was simple: to find a beneficiary, run an online silent auction using some of my donations and the many donations offered by good, like-minded people.

Donors were required to image their donations, then upload them to an online photo-hosting site with complete descriptions.  I took those images and descriptions, put together a variety, and opened a week-long auction.  After bidding closed, I sent the bid sheets to another volunteer for checking, then published winning bidders and donors so that they could contact each other.  Donors sent their donations to the winning bidders directly.  It was efficient and easy to operate. SEVERAL people stepped forward to help.  People worked to keep the auction noticeable, cheered us on, donated objects, bid on objects.  I am impressed at the caring shown in the groups in which the auction was publicised.

Today we have managed to benefit two different groups.  One is an individual colony caretaker and foster, for whom promised assistance keeps flaking.  The other is a nearly single-handed operation, with NFP status but lacking manpower. Both work directly with cats.

Yes, cats.

And each of these will now have some much-needed financial help to ease their pocketbooks for a little while.  The auctions were a huge success.

I want to specifically note that this activity occurred within the huge wonderfulness of an online knitting/fiber arts community called Ravelry.  Inside, it’s an enormous place filled with forums covering the expected fiber arts/crafting. It’s also loaded with a richness of groups sharing interest in cats, dogs, faith, social commentary, cooking, various careers, and-well, I guess I couldn’t name them all!  I spend my time on the cat boards. Hey, we even spin, knit and needle felt our cats’ hair!  The outpouring love and admiration for people working with cats from people working with cats is the warmth and community we wish we had in our own neighbourhoods.

This post is meant to say thank you to the creators of Ravelry itself. Their dedication to a dream has created dreams for others!  Thank you to the people who joined Ravelry, to the people who created cat-focussed forums where we can discuss our felines as well as our fiber crafting.  Thank you to all the members therein who are so warm and generous.

And an especial thank you to those who give their all for the cats that society threw to the streets.