Cat House On The Kings: Rambo, Kittens & New Adoption Center

Feb 23, 2013 | 2013 Articles, Jackie Dale, Pets

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

A Quick and Easy Happy Ending

Escapee Rambo & pup

My work on this column was briefly delayed by the easiest rescue and reunion I have ever facilitated. I arrived home from teaching a morning yoga class to find a giant mastiff and a matching puppy parked across the street from my rural home. By the time I parked and got some leashes, the pair had left and were wandering down the road. My daughter and I ran down the street and located them in the nearby orange grove. The mastiff was very friendly so we leashed both dogs and walked them back to our property. We proceeded to make to two large signs using neon green poster board that we were lucky enough to have on hand. (neon colored posters are the most visible) I also took a picture and posted it on Facebook. A couple of hours later I saw a truck pause in front of the sign and then pull into my driveway. It turns out the dog’s owners had awakened that morning to find their gates open, their livestock out and the dogs missing. They had been searching the surrounding neighborhoods for hours before seeing our sign. The dogs had traveled about two miles from home including crossing a busy main road. The owners were extremely happy and grateful to have found their dogs safe and sound. There is nothing quite like the feeling of reuniting a lost pet with its frantic owner. It is definitely a good feeling, that’s for sure!

Rescues Are Going Strong

Abandoned Newborn Kittens

In late January Good Samaritans found four kittens, only days old, wrapped in a towel and left next to the garbage bins at a local apartment complex. Not finding any sign of the mother, the kittens were brought to the Cat House on the Kings. Our wonderful Tammy Barker took in the tiny babies; their eyes not even open yet, and bottle-fed the kittens every few hours. Tammy also went back to the apartment trying to find the mother, but since they were wrapped in a towel, it is fairly certain they were abandoned. I think that the person who left them hoped they would be found. Otherwise they would not have wrapped them in a towel and they would have placed them in the garbage bin instead of next to it. We will never know why but with the temperatures dipping into the low 30s, there was no question; the weak, frail kittens could not survive the frigid cold. It was touch and go for a few days but Tammy’s loving care worked it’s awesome magic. The kittens have now moved to another foster home where they continue to thrive and grow. In no time at all the adorable kittens, two orange/white and two tuxedos, will be ready for adoption and looking for their furever homes.

The Cat House has recently taken in five gorgeous Chinchilla Persians from a breeder who only has a short time to live. After the usual quarantine period, the Persians will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and put up for adoption. If you are interested in one of these beautiful Persian cats you should apply early, as these beauties are sure to go fast!

Rescued Persian

Then there is Nemo aka “chicken wing”, who has a deformed front leg that resembles a chicken wing. Nemo was abandoned on someone’s doorstep and has since been adopted by one of our regular volunteers.

Rena Gunn was out jogging one day when she found a white cat that had been hit by a car. Rena called the Cat House for help and we were able to assist with the cat’s medicals needs. Rena and her daughter, Kaylee, named the white beauty Casper. Kaylee and her school service club, Destination Imagination, had been searching for a service project. Calling their project “Crazy Fur Cats”, the girls came out to the Cat House to volunteer. They brought with them a huge donation of paper towels and other supplies they collected. In addition, these amazing girls collected cash donations totaling $200. The club also intends to attend meetings at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors regarding the lack of assistance for cats in Fresno County. It really lifts the heart and spirit to see young people become involved in these very important issues.

Kaylee Gunn & Casper

Petco Satellite Adoption Center is Open!

Our biggest news is the opening of our brand new, 1,500 square foot satellite adoption center at the Blackstone/Ashlan Ave. Petco. This adoption center is a dream that has come true. Tammy Barker has spent the last 15 months pouring out her blood, sweat and tears to bring this adoption center to fruition. We have been adopting our cats out through the Petco for the past nine years. Gone are the long drives back and forth from the Cat House to bring the adoptable cats, cages and paperwork to the Petco each weekend. Our first week open we adopted out 14 cats when we would normally only adopt out four or five cats.

Tammy at Petco Ribbon Cutting

Our grand opening was held on February 15. Fresno City Council Member Clint Olivier cut the ribbon and gave a speech on the state of animal welfare in the valley. Petco corporate head Lori Morton-Feazell was on hand for big day. Lori was our first initial contact with Petco regarding the adoption center. Tammy and Lori worked hand in hand on this project. We were thrilled to be joined by Angela Giorano of Petco’s marketing division, Petco manager Carl Giorgini, and Selma City Councilman, Scott Robertson.

The new adoption center hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6:30.The walls are adorned with donated artwork from local artist Cynthia Benno, Texas artist, April Murphy and Bakersfield artist, Cheri Sperl. Cheri painted the banner painting and several cat portraits including the portrait of our Divine Miss ‘M’. Prints of the Marmalady painting are available at www.fineartamerica.com, with the proceeds going to the Cat House on the Kings. Cynthia Benno’s fabulous oil pastels are also for sale with the proceeds going to benefit the Cat House. April Murphy has donated numerous prints of her colorful works to the Cat House. You can view more of her work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AEMgallery. April recently auctioned off three spectacular prints of St. Frances of Assisi on our Facebook page for a total of $665 for the Cat House on the Kings. Cheri Sperl held a similar auction with a painting of Marmalady that drew a winning bid of $356. Kerry Bashir’s new book, The Little Marmalady can be purchased at the adoption center or ordered online. (more on the book in a special article next month)

Stop by the adoption center and check it out for yourself, we would love to see you! And as always, if you advertise your business in Kings River Life Magazine, you can denote 10% of the ad fee to go to the Cat House on the Kings.

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.

38 Comments

Bonny Schumaker on February 26 at 9:01am

Great article, and the usual wonderful work being done at Cat House on the Kings and by all of their volunteers and associates! Thanks for keeping us all informed, Jackie! –Bonny@OnWingsOfCare.org
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:36am
  
  Thank you!
  Reply
Virginia on February 26 at 10:08am

This is a wonderful column! Always very glad to read it….thank you for publishing it.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:36am
  
  Thank you! for your support.
  Reply
Lynea Lattanzio on February 26 at 12:39pm

Thanks for keeping what we do available for local followers and new supporters. Great job!
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 12:33pm
  
  You are welcome!
  Reply
Mary Walker on February 26 at 12:59pm

I am so happy to hear all your “happy cat” stories and feel that my small financial contributions really do help in a world where horrible incidents make the news and cause me such emotional distress.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:37am
  
  Thank you so much, your donations really do help!
  Reply
Karen Holden on February 26 at 1:46pm

Very enjoyable reading and for a great cause, no less. Thank you.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:39am
  
  Thank your for reading my column and supporting the Cat House!
  Reply
Jeannie Legg on February 26 at 4:38pm

it always does my heart good to read your articales. I have great admiration for The Cat House On The Kings, all who are involved are deeply careing and loveing indiduals. Keep up the terrific job.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:39am
  
  Thank you so much!
  Reply
Priscilla on February 26 at 4:46pm

Thank you for keeping those of us who support The Cat House on the Kings up to date on the latest. It is greatly appreciated. I enjoy reading your column.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:48am
  
  Thank You for your support. Without people like you the Cat House would not exist!
  Reply
Amy Ledesma on February 26 at 6:21pm

Great column
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:48am
  
  Thanks!
  Reply
Carolyn Schellhardt on February 26 at 6:46pm

A wonderful column!!!!! Thank you!!!!!
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 11:48am
  
  Thank you for reading it!
  Reply
Gladys Caldera on February 26 at 6:59pm

Great stories. I love all dogs and cats. The two Mastifs Rambo and Pup that ran away and were found are beautiful. Great column!!!
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 11:49am
  
  Thanks, so glad you enjoy it!
  Reply
Laura Ravenscraft on February 26 at 7:56pm

I love this article and look forward to reading it. Thank you Jackie, and thank you Lynea Lattanzio & your wonderful staff for all that you do. This world is a little brighter because of all of you…
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:49am
  
  Thank You Laura for your kind comments!
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Pat Meredith on February 27 at 2:12am

I really enjoy the column and always look forward to reading about the rescues. I live in Los Angeles and it helps me stay connected with The Cat House and all the exciting events and happenings there. Thank you Jackie!
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:46am
  
  Thanks so much Pat. Our open house is coming up on May 4th!
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Martin Cohen on February 27 at 10:01am

Hi to all at ‘Kings’. Greetings from the UK. We know nothing other than’no kill’ shelters over here so it’s vital that you’re supported to keep your cat population going and to educate people about responsible cat ownership. The work you do is amazing. I will always send donations when I can. Keep up the great work. Someone said once, ‘cats are like chocolates, it’s hard to have just one.’ Our five are proof of that, not to mention your many100s. All the very best. Martin Cohen.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:41am
  
  Thank you Martin, We hope to be a no-kill nation someday too.
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donna on February 28 at 7:53pm

I love to read this newsletter every time it comes out. I wish i lived nearby to help out.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:42am
  
  Reading and sharing Cat House articles is a very good way to help us by spreading the word!
  Reply
jennifer anselme on March 1 at 9:58am

Thanks for the great article. The Cat House on the Kings never ceases to amaze me. Being a native Californian, I have both volunteered and boarded my cats there. Now, I live in Oregon and miss going to the fundraisers but, I’ll be back! Keep those newsletters coming. They are truly inspiring.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:43am
  
  Thank you Jennifer, we hope to see you again soon!
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Wolfgang on March 2 at 3:27pm

I need the mailing address of the cat house on the king.
Thanks.
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- Jackie Dale on March 7 at 12:30pm
  
  thanks for reading the review. The address is 7120 S. Kings River Road, Parlier, CA 93648
  Please check out our website at cathouseonthekings.com
  You can also sign up to receive our awesome quarterly newsletter. We are on Facebook too!
  Reply
Heidi on March 3 at 7:46am

I think what you are doing is great! I try to help the homeless cats in my neighborhood by providing them with many outside shelters around my property and I feed them dry food and can food twice a day, every day, as well as fresh water. I wish I could do more, I love them all like they were, I guess they are my own.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 6:44am
  
  Thank you Heidi, I think what YOU are doing is great. Those cats are very lucky to have you caring for them.
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Laura Ravenscraft on March 3 at 3:12pm

If we could get even one female feral or homeless cat spayed, it would help out immensely. It is hard to trap a cat to spay & neuter but the cat will live a better life. There is assistance to spay & neuter feral cats in some communities. Free trap rentals with a deposit.
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- Jackie Dale on March 4 at 11:51am
  
  Thanks for your comments. I could not agree more. We are all about spay and neuter!
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Lea Hirvikallio on March 4 at 10:10am

Hello!
Many thanks for the lovely article!
We do the rescue work too here in Finland, and it’s always pleasure to read about what happens foreign countries.
I wish all the best for you and the cat house on the kings,
you are great there all of you!
With warm greetings, Lea from Finland
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Jackie Dale on March 4 at 11:53am

Thanks for your comments and well wishes. I wish you the best as well. Animal rescue is a big job but somebody has to do it!
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