Cat House on the Kings: UnWanted Black Cats, Pokemon Fever, Kitten Therapy, Rescues, & TNR

Jul 23, 2016 | 2016 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Jackie Dale

Jackie is a part of Cat House On The Kings in Parlier and does a monthly column on the Cat House here at KRL.

“UnWanted” Black Cats

Awaiting TNR in Fowler

It has been a grueling month of heat and kittens. Endless, endless kittens. However the 2-week “Every Kitten Counts~Every Dollar Counts” fundraiser was a tremendous success!! The goal of $25,000 was reached, and there are just not sufficient words to convey our gratitude to you, our loyal fans and supporters. With the number of cats and kittens that come through the doors during the summer months, the additional funds mean that we can say, “Yes” more than we have to say, “No.” Unfortunately The Cat House can’t take in every single kitten. Particularly if they are black. Black cats and kittens are the most underadopted group of cats. A significant percentage of the cats that reside at The Cat House are black because they just never were chosen for adoption. Are they just not exciting enough? Is it the superstition factor? Whatever the reason, there are far too many black cats and nowhere near enough homes for them. If you have a black cat, male or female, I beseech you to get it fixed. If you do not, if you allow them to have kittens, you will be a contributor to a major problem. You will be sentencing black kittens to an extremely uncertain future. The Cat House offers affordable spaying and neutering. The city and county animal shelters usually offer low-cost spay and neuters also. Please choose to make a positive difference, a contribution to society if you will, spay or neuter your black cat.

Pokemon Go Earn Us Some Money

As Pokemon fever grips the world, it is prudent to realize that there are some positive aspects to running around town in search of………ok, I admit it, I have no idea what people are looking for or why this game is such a phenomenon. But it has served to get people off the couch and out walking around. Exercise is an undeniably good thing that will benefit anyone and everyone. But if you walk, you can raise money for The Cat House at the very same time. Yes, that’s right, at the very same time! “How do I do that?” you say. Just download the ResQWalk Mobile App to your smartphone, and please choose The Cat House on the Kings as the rescue you wish to benefit from your walking. With all the walking going on, participants have the opportunity to make a difference with every step they take. Download that app and get walking!

Kitten Therapy

Cat House web cam kitty

There is a lot of research to indicate that watching and/or interacting with cats and kittens can be very therapeutic. It can calm the nerves and lower blood pressure. One has only to look to the Internet to see the wild popularity of cat videos. We often get visitors who just want to sit and pet the kitties. Particularly the kittens…the cute, adorable kittens. However, not everyone is close enough to come get a “kitten fix.” For those people we offer, The Petco Kitten Cam! Just go online to www.cathouseonthekings, scroll down toward the bottom of the page and you can click on it, and then sit back and watch hours of unbelievable cuteness! You could even help defray our internet costs by sponsoring the webcam for only $5 a day, up to 30 days in a row.

Rescues & Updates

In the usual modus operandi of people who fall into the category of “scum-sucking, bottom feeders,” we frequently find kittens abandoned behind buildings, in alleys, etc. One group of kittens was found behind a local movie theatre. Foster mom Cheryl named them, Annette Furicello, Robert Meowny Jr., Brad Kitt, Nicole Kittman and Jennipurr Lawrence. Robert Meowny Jr. and Brad Kitt are actually available now, and you can submit your application online.

Almond Joy, the kitten stuck in the glue trap, has completely recovered from her ordeal. Julius, the stray being mistreated by employees of a local restaurant, is healthy and has gained weight. His potential adoption fell through, and this sweet-as-pie guy is likely headed to a nearby feral colony. Ventura, found on Ventura Blvd in Fresno covered in maggots, has also made a complete recovery and will be neutered and put up for adoption. I would personally like to thank everyone who so generously donated to pay for Ventura’s care and to Facebook page, 559/Lost and Found Pets, for spreading the word about needing donations.

Blue Lite Special on Cats & Kittens!

Finally, after receiving many comments about the number of cats at the Kmart in Kingsburg, California, I initiated a TNR project there. With approximately 30-35 cats being the quoted number, I had my work cut out for me. The jumpstart came from a Kingsburg resident who had grabbed three kittens from the garden department of the store. Upon visiting the store I saw numerous kittens and cats everywhere. I spoke with the manager of the store who was rude, and said he didn’t care what happened to them, he just wanted them gone. I said that I would then like to speak to his superior who was not much more receptive to a TNR project. He also wanted them gone. I gave my usual speech and he grudgingly said I could TNR if I wanted. The store however would absolutely not consider paying for any of the costs. So I started a Go Fund Me account and raised the money to complete the project myself. Many, many thanks to all who donated, I am so grateful for your support.

The project started with grabbing as many kittens as possible. Not even counting ones previously brought to The Cat House by other Kmart shoppers in the past couple of weeks, I removed 13 kittens of various ages. First day of trapping is always the easiest. I would put out one trap and have a cat before I had the second trap prepared. I had five cats in less than an hour. They were ALL girls. During Week 2 I trapped four more, three girls and a boy; Week 3: two males and one girl. One only has to do the math to see how this colony quickly spiraled out of control. Nine females x three litters a year at say, four kittens per litter would equal another 108 cats in just one year! I still have a ways to go, but a significant dent has been made. You are welcome Kmart!

Muffin and Timmy from Selma

This month I also trapped a mom and son dumped at the Selma Walmart. Mom had somehow lost half her tail but was pretty sweet, her son, not so much. I had them fixed and found them a home together as farm cats at an organic farm that needed natural gopher control. In addition I trapped a straggler from The Best Western hotel down the street. Then just to put the icing on my cake, someone calls about abandoned kittens behind a vacant store. Two are black (face palm) and two are black and white. I hope to find a foster home and once big enough to be fixed, they will be up for adoption.

Reedley College

Black kitten recently rescued by Jackie

We recently had a meeting with the one of the head honchos at Reedley College regarding their massive cat population. The meeting was attended by myself, Lynea, the head of the campus police, one of our board members, Lin Faurie, and three representatives from the Fresno Humane Animal Services, including Brenda Mitchell herself. We made what we felt was a persuasive argument for a TNR project at the college. The college’s stance of doing absolutely nothing for years hasn’t worked out too well for them. They, of course, just want them gone. That was several weeks ago and to date, we have heard nothing from them about initiating a TNR project.

Taking a Break

I will be taking a break from writing this column as I just have too much on my plate at this time. I need to focus on my TNR work, my family, and other things in my life I wish to pursue. You can still keep abreast of the goings on at The Cat House by following us on Facebook and by reading the newsletter that I will continue to write.

Check out more animal rescue & pet related articles, including more Cat House columns, in our Pet Perspective section and remember that if you buy an ad in KRL you can designate 10% of the ad price to go to the Cat House.

Jackie Dale is a freelance writer who lives in Reedley with her husband of 21 years, Frank, and their 2 children. Jackie currently writes for Traffic Magazine and for The Cat House on the Kings Feline Rescue. A former ballerina, Jackie now teaches yoga and fitness classes privately and at local area gyms.

18 Comments

Della Williamson on July 23 at 10:12am

We love black kitties. Too bad we are so far way. Our little lady died last. She was old. Had given us many years of love.
Success with your other projects. Hope all goes well. And enjoy your break
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Anne on July 27 at 7:44am

I think black cats are very attractive. I had a tuxedo female in the past and we also had an all black manx when I was a kid. I currently have an all black male (well, with age he’s gotten a few white ones around his neck). So, I was surprised to read that they are unpopular a few years ago.
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Barbara on July 27 at 8:19am

I just adopted my all-black kitten, Murphy on July 2. When I was deciding among all the kittens, one of the members of the rescue group said that black kittens are the last to be adopted, if at all. Murphy is a cuddle-bug and absolutely adorable. I also adopted his sister, Trixie who is another cuddly tortoise-shell-colored kitten.
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Virginia on July 27 at 9:21am

ThankyouThankyouThankyou Jackie.
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Melanie Kilian on July 27 at 9:46am

If you have an email address for the Reedley college campus police, I’d like to send them a polite email. Maybe others could do the same.
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Marc Shulman on July 27 at 9:55am

I’ve always found black cats to be smart, affectionate and independent. How do we breakdown the prejudice against them? Hope my comment is a tiny start.
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- Linda Wiltshire on July 27 at 10:50am
  
  I have got three cats, a ginger one, a ginger and white mix and an all black cat.
  Guess which one is my favourite. Don’t tell the other two but it’s my black one.
  It’s a shame that there are so many over looked cats because
  of the colour or disability.
  I had a deaf cat with three legs I loved him just the same.
  Reply
Kelly Rae on July 27 at 11:04am

I’ll miss this column! Hope you eventually have time to write it again. Thank you for all you do.
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Diane on July 27 at 11:31am

I have 2 black cats among the 8 that allow me to live with them. Both are rescues and both are wonderful. The female has been with me for about 5 years and is a true lady. she is very loving, loves to help me read the paper in the morning and sleeps next to me at night. The mail asks to be adopted on the 4th of july last year. He had bee stopping by my house to “say good morning” for weeks. On the 4th he ran across the street and went right into my arms. That was the decision and he had a home. I would recommend to any cat lover take a black kitty in to you home and into your hart. You will not regret it.
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DeeAnne "Doc" on July 27 at 11:53am

Howdy! Sent an email off to Reedley College’s President – as an academic I noted that this would be a great opportunity for their students to conduct independent research in partnership with a formal TNR program – holy cow if this was on my campus I’d have my students doing all sorts of cool biologically oriented studies (long term assessment of impact of TNR program to feral colony, even genetic research, etc.) as well as cultural/sociological studies (survey of on-campus and off-campus population about their knowledge of TNR projects, assessment of attitude to feral cat population, etc).
Folks have got ta’ think outside’a box!!
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Lisa on July 27 at 11:54am

I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I also TNR in my community. I am fostering a litter and 2 teenagers. I enjoy reading your column knowing I am not alone in my efforts.

My God bless and keep you always!

Lisa
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Carrie on July 27 at 3:38pm

I downloaded the app, and added you guys as my rescue. I hope that it helps! 🙂
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Ramona Ingrassia on July 27 at 11:39pm

Black cats are fantastic. I have one big boy named Sammy. He is my Tub of Love. He was a feral kitty from a colony I started when I first got in touch with Lynea in a panic because I thought they needed to be relocated. She was very understanding and I think if I paid $15 a month for each kitty, I could relocate them. Turns out I found a place for most of them and the few that remained were taken care of by one of the people who works there. We set up feeding stations and they were cared for over their lifetime. There are only two left now and it’s been about a span of seven years. I ended up with my big boy Sammy and couldn’t be happier. I have a crew of seven kitties and they are all rescued, some with clipped ear, some with their beautiful ears intact. What the hell difference does color make. If we felt like that about the human race, we’d have a much nicer world! Love all colors!
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Mona Banning on July 28 at 2:24pm

I love black cats !! I have always had at least one living with me . It is a shame that they are over looked for adoption. My babies are wonderful companions. If I lived in a larger house I would adopt a few more black kitties. They are the best!!
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Liza on July 29 at 9:12am

I have just downloaded the ResQWalk app and have of course chosen The Cat House on the Kings!
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BlackCat on December 8 at 10:05pm

love your work about pets keep it up ….nice blog Gracias!
Regards:

Black Cat Breeds
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Lisa Keller on December 9 at 4:42pm

Thank for all you do and I enjoyed the updates.

I know we are all crazy busy with rescue.

God bless!
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Willy Parlor on October 3 at 1:30am

I currently have an all black male (well, with age he’s gotten a few white ones around his neck). So, I was surprised to read that they are unpopular a few years ago at survey. We set up feeding stations and they were cared for over their lifetime. There are only two left now and it’s been about a span of seven years. I ended up with my big boy Sammy and couldn’t be happier.
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