by 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.

Will “Like” For Money

I do not think that this column will ever begin with the phrase; “Things have been slow at the Cat House on the Kings.” This is just not likely to ever happen. We started out the year on a very upbeat note with our successful collaboration with Fresno’s ABC Channel 30. Channel 30 issued a Facebook challenge. For every person who “liked” Channel 30’s Facebook page between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Channel 30 donated 50¢ to the Cat House. Well, because we have the absolutely best fans and supporters, we got a total of 15,441 “likes” for a grand total donation of $7,720.50! Plus the ABC 30 news crew came out to hand Lynea the “big check” and they did a nice spot on us for the evening news. Thanks to everyone who helped us by liking and sharing.

Petco Adoption Center Grand Opening

The Cat House on the Kings will soon host the grand opening of the new adoption center at the Blackstone Avenue Petco in Fresno. The adoption center will be ready by January 30th and will be open daily. The new hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5:30 pm. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the center will be open from 10 am to 6:30. The grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place on Friday, February 15, 2013, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Fresno City Council member and district representative; Clint Olivier will be a guest speaker. We would love to have you join us for this joyous occasion!

Rescue Updates

The kittens that Tammy and Amanda Barker rescued on Thanksgiving Day have all been adopted! Holley, the kitten found with severe neck wounds has recovered nicely. She is ready to be spayed and will soon be available for adoption. Tiny little Clark, found starving and shivering on, what else, but Clark Street, has turned out to be a girl. Clark has become an adorable little ball of love. She has been spayed and is ready and waiting for her fur-ever home.

Then there is Helen. Helen was found on someone’s apartment balcony and was listed as ‘found’ on Craig’s List. After several people contacted the Cat House on her behalf, we agreed to accept Helen. Helen had very severe untreated eye infections and as a result is nearly blind. Helen, renamed Sugar to match her sweet demeanor, is currently in foster care. We have two new rescues that were found at a small, local motel. One is an approximately 12-week old kitten and the other is an adult. Both had broken jaws from what was termed as “kick injuries”. Donations are being accepted to help offset the medical costs of these two innocent creatures that have known nothing in their lives but fear and pain.

Paying the Bills

Since the Cat House relies completely on donations and fundraising, our efforts to raise money are ongoing and continuous. The Animal Rescue Site has launched their 2013 Shelter Challenge. We would be so grateful if you would take a moment to vote daily for the Cat House on the Kings at theanimalrescuesite.com. The voting continues until April 28th. We won the Grand Prize last year, and you can help us do it again!

We are also auctioning off a Valentine themed gift basket filled with $300 worth of goodies including wine, candy and a T-shirt and much more! Tickets are $5 each but if you buy 4 you get one more ticket for free. Send a check marked “raffle tickets” to the Cat House at 7120 S. Kings River Road, Parlier, CA 93648 or call the office at 559-638-0300 to purchase tickets by credit card. ($20 min.) Raffle tickets will also be available at the Petco grand opening on February 15th. The raffle drawing will take place on Saturday, February 16th. Remember, we will ship the basket anywhere in the world.

A painting of Marmalady by artist Cheri Sperl was recently auctioned off on Ebay for $356.76. The artist has graciously donated the proceeds to the Cat House on the Kings. Cheri has also donated another painting of the Divine Miss ‘M’ to be hung in the new adoption center at Petco.

New customers to H & R Block can help out the Cat House by going to cathouseonthekings.com and clicking on the H & R Block ad. Download the form and take it with you when you go to have your taxes done. H & R Block will then donate $20 to the Cat House on the Kings.

Disneyland For Cats

The Cat House on the Kings is occasionally described as a Disneyland for cats. The real Disneyland is a pinnacle model of a trap-neuter-release program. It is a little known fact that Disneyland maintains a population of about 200 cats. The park initially tried to keep the feral cats out of the park. When those efforts failed, they decided to put the cats to work instead. At night the cats are released into the park where they stay busy keeping the park free of vermin. During the day the cats eat, sleep and generally just hang out in one of five concealed “cat houses”. And you thought Disneyland was the happiest place on earth just for kids!

We Say Good Bye To Our Sweet Angel, Kaylie

It is with deep and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Kaylie Bergen. Kaylie left to join the heavenly angels on New Year’s Eve. Kaylie was the sweetest little girl whose final wish in life was to visit the Cat House. We are somewhat comforted in the knowledge that her wish was fulfilled. The bench in her honor has been purchased and erected, complete with her picture. Although Kaylie’s time on this earth was far too short, the memorial bench will ensure that that Kaylie will never be forgotten here at the Cat House. The memory of this sweet, innocent child who was taken too soon, will forever live on in our hearts. Thank you to all who sent a donation to help purchase the bench.

In Conclusion:

I would like to thank our Facebook administrator for the fantastic job she does. Thanks to her diligence and hard work, our Facebook page has now reached 50,000 ‘likes’! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads my column. I also appreciate those who leave comments. Please forgive me if I don’t always reply to your comments, I have several jobs that keep me very busy! Thanks to everyone who sends in donations to the Cat House. No donation is ever too small. Without your support, the Cat House would cease to exist. I also thank everyone who comes out to volunteer. Time is money too and we are so appreciative of any extra help. Don’t forget, if you advertise with Kings River Life Magazine, you can denote to the Cat House on the Kings to receive 10% of the ad fee.

Learn more about The Cat House On The Kings in this past article in KRL and check out their website.

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.