Tag Archives: adopt homeless animals

Don’t let what happened to this cat happen to yours!

But first 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 …

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Cece, like all of Rose’s cats (going back 25+ years!), is an INDOOR KITTY!💗 Here she is with her best buddy! pic: R.T.

By Teresa Chagrin

The Humane Society of Utah called it “one of the most extreme cases of animal torture we’ve seen.” A cat named Sage managed to drag himself home after being beaten and tortured by an unknown assailant. His ribs were broken, his toes were smashed, his body was covered with hot glue burns, his eyes were swollen shut and he was suffering from brain swelling as a result of head trauma. Despite emergency treatment by a veterinarian, he succumbed to his injuries the next day.

I wish I could tell you that what happened to Sage was an awful anomaly — that psychopaths don’t lurk in plain sight, in “good” neighborhoods and “bad,” just waiting for defenseless victims to happen along.

But they do.

And we only make it easier for them to commit their horrific crimes when we let our beloved feline companions walk out the door and right into their clutches.

Terrible things happen to free-roaming cats with depressing frequency. In the past few months alone, more than a dozen cats were reportedly shot in California, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. In Mississippi, a video posted online showed that a woman doused a caged cat with a hot liquid as the animal howled in agony. The cat was later found dead, curled in a fetal position and covered with burns. In New York, a cat was found suffering from infected chemical burns so severe that some went all the way to the bone.

I’m telling you these things not to make you lose sleep but to make clear that there is nowhere safe for cats outdoors, not even a “paradise” like Hawaii, where three were shot in a single month. Two died and a third survived after being found on someone’s doorstep with an arrow piercing her body.

It may be hard for those of us who share our homes with cats to comprehend, but not everyone loves them. People get annoyed when cats climb on their cars, dig in their gardens, antagonize their indoor cats and dogs, and pick off songbirds at the bird feeder. A man in Florida admitted to shooting a neighbor’s cat because the animal had defecated in his yard.

While there’s never any excuse for harming a cat, those who don’t want them prowling in their yards have a valid grievance. Cats can spread diseases to each other, to wildlife and to humans, including toxoplasmosis, bubonic plague, typhus and rabies. Endangered Florida panthers have died after contracting feline leukemia from domesticated cats, while endangered monk seals and spinner dolphins in Hawaii have perished after toxoplasmosis from infected cat feces contaminated the water.

In fact, a recent report named domesticated cats the deadliest invasive species in the world, responsible or partly responsible for the extinctions of over 60 species. They are estimated to be culpable in the deaths of up to 24 billion birds, chipmunks, salamanders and other wild animals in the U.S. alone every year.

There’s no question about it: It’s best for everyone when cats live indoors. In addition to being protected from cruel people, they are safe from threats posed by wildlife, dogs, traffic, parasites and deadly contagious diseases such as feline AIDS, leukemia and distemper.

That’s why the average life span of an indoor cat is 12 to 15 years, versus just 2 to 5 years for those who roam outdoors.

Sage’s family is keeping its surviving animals indoors and urging others to do the same. “We don’t want other families to have to go through this, to suffer the way we’ve had to suffer,” said his brokenhearted guardian.

Waiting for our sunshine …

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Cece attacks Rose… pics+text: R.T.

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Ouch!

And Rose’s house plants get no relief from her crazy feline!

Remember last year’s potted poseys, posted on this website? Rose’s foray into indoor plantings? All gone! Every frond, bud, root hair. Cece’s peed in, pawed at, puked over all of Rose’s flowers … All gone…

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Fake flowers fill the void. Ugh.

Cece chewing on one of three live hold-outs:

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This spring all of Rose’s new plants will be MOVING ON UP … out of Cece’s radar…

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These baskets tied to kitchen curtain rod will soon hold flora…away from our adorable brat.

Lilac enjoys Cece…play buds…

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Jett is miffed – has been for weeks …

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We wait for spring daze …

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💚💚💚💚💚💚cunning…

Again, but new too-cute video:

Caring about animals – always in style for Dorrie!

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Dorrie!🍀🍀🍀

For the Love of DaVinci

By Dorrie Maynard

awesome of d(1)
DaVinci – an awesome dog!!!❤❤❤❤

First, I would like to say that although I have never owned a pit bull – in a perfect world – someday I might. I am used to my small (under 10 pound
dogs), and I am not sure I could
handle the strength of a pit. Also, unfortunately, I don’t think I have
the lifestyle that it takes to maintain such a powerful dog. They like
to go for long walks, need plenty
of exercise and eat lots of food.

Some background: Pit Bulls, known as American Pit Bull Terriers, were originally called the “Nanny” dog because of their unparalleled love
and devotion for children. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th century that was their primary use – a family dog for a family with kids. Some may remember Petey, the pit bull of the 1930s movie shorts and later for TV show, The Little Rascals. He was a loyal and well loved pit bull. And for the record, The United Kennel Club does
not recommend using pit bulls as guard dogs because they are too friendly with strangers.

I remember when my son came to visit me and told me he had a“terrier,” I had no idea he was talking about a pit bull terrier. I was nervous about my small dogs and cats. I had never really spent anytime around a pit. Needless to say, that within half an hour of meeting Lacey, she was up on my bed and loved the company of my small dogs and they really enjoyed her playfulness. The cats kept their distance, but only because of her size – they were not used to being around such a large dog. But Lacey the pit bull had no real interest and never went after either of my cats. Within time if Lacey had been at my house for for a longer period, I am sure the cats would have been fine.

On to the story of Davinci.

He was a pit bull scheduled for death row along with two other dogs. Dr. Marty Becker put a plea on his site for help with the placement of these three dogs. They had been at an animal shelter that was closing. The volunteer that sat at the shelter desk took personal ownership of the dogs so they could be placed. Sweet Pea Rescue stepped up and took the dogs in. They came to the rescue on October 31, they were schedule to be euthanized on November 1, 2014.

I met all three of the dogs while volunteering at Sweet Pea before their horrific 2015 fire. Stella and Davinci were the only two dogs that did not perish in the fire! It was touch
and go for awhile after the fire, as they both had major health issues they were now faced with. But their determination to live never allowed either of them to give up.

The the dedication of the volunteers from Sweet Pea who visited the dogs and the staff at West Side also played a
huge part in their recovery and rehabilitation. Both Stella and Davinci had “issues” and needed to be
placed as the only animal in a home.

After the fire, they both had health problems that further complicated their
ability to be adopted, as they both needed long term medication and regular veterinarian exams. After almost a year in boarding, Stella was able to find her forever home, but Davinci was not been so lucky. Since the fire, he was being boarded at West Side and had regular
visits from dedicated volunteers from Sweet Pea. He was taken on long walks and drives and had special treats of ice
cream cones. Unfortunately, he was attacked by an off leash dog and bit the volunteer that was handling him. He bit her as she was trying to get him under control. Because of his bite history, West Side was unable to keep him as a boarder at their facility.

And so the scramble started. What could be done with Davinci? He was such a survivor and everyone had worked so hard to keep him alive! He was now facing an
uncertain future. SP had days to find an alternative situation for Davinci. I was not a part of the brain storming that took place, but within the small amount of time that was allotted, a dog trainer stepped up who is backed by an established 501c3. They have taken custody of Davinci with the goal of helping him to get back on track and hopefully find that forever home that he so deserves!

Rumor has it … that Davinci is now living in a home environment and even has a couch to call his own – for the time being.

This spring, please send
Davinici loving thoughts as he is more than deserving of love and a home with a loving owner/s. We wish him luck on what we all hope to be his last leg of a very long journey … home!

Happy Trails, Davinci! All the best! There are so many who love you and are praying for you every step of the way!

everybodys-somebodys-baby

Don’t give up now: Your New Year’s resolutions are doing more good than you know!

But first …

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Surprise! Rose found these beauties all a-bloom on her kitchen window ledge yesterday! Tender reminders of April in January…She hid this 2-year-old African violet behind the blue draperies, away from Cece’s digging, pulling and peeing but believed her little kitten had out-smarted her again and had gotten into the pot to make mischief … pics: R.T.

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Cece has made a mockery of Rose’s recently “unearthed” interest in house plants!

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The sole survivor!

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The plain pissed-off!

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Love you, Miss Cece!💝💝💝💝

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By Michelle Kretzer

If you need some extra motivation to stick with New Year’s resolutions that seemed so easily attainable just a few weeks ago, consider this: Much like the butterfly effect, your resolutions have the potential to make a positive impact on the environment and animals — including butterflies.

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, made by nearly a third of Americans, is to eat better and lose weight. The two go hand in hand, of course, which explains why numerous people — including Beyoncé, Al Gore, James Cameron and Alicia Silverstone — found that when they traded in their usual diets filled with meat and dairy products for colorful plant-based foods, the pounds fell off and didn’t come back. And the fringe benefits are nothing to shake a carrot stick at. For every day that you eat plant foods instead of meat and dairy products, you will save 1,100 gallons of water, 40 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forest, 20 pounds of CO2—and the life of an animal.

If you are among the many people who will stop smoking this year, you may save not only your own life but likely the lives of some dogs, mice, rats and monkeys. It has long been proved that cigarette smoking causes diseases in nearly every organ of the human body, yet tobacco companies continue to conduct painful experiments on animals. When you stop buying cigarettes, you cut off the experimenters’ funding.

Many Americans are determined to find love in 2017. Dating apps are great tools, but a tried-and-true way to meet people who share your values is to get involved in community-service organizations. You can join groups that help clean up local parks and beaches, hold adoption fairs for homeless animals, plant neighborhood gardens and run countless other volunteer projects. The same goes for resolutions to spend more quality time with family and friends. Working together to have a positive impact on your community instead of simply having dinner will strengthen your relationships and your health.

A lot of us have certain pesky tasks that always seem to get put off, so we tell ourselves on New Year’s Day, “I am going to get this done.” One that often seems to get put on the back burner is establishing a plan of action for emergencies. But if you’re checking that one off this year, don’t forget to include a plan for keeping your animal companions safe in a crisis situation, too. Fill a carrier with leashes, bowls, veterinary records, medicines, a bottle of water, a photo of each animal and a list of hotels that accept animal guests during natural disasters.

If you resolved to spruce up your yard, planting flowers and bushes will provide food sources for butterflies, bees and other wildlife, helping their populations and filling your yard with flora and fauna.

New Year’s is a popular time to decide to save more money, perhaps for a vacation, for a big-ticket item or to build up a nest egg. One easy way to economize that most people haven’t thought of is to order a meat-free dish when dining out. A good vegetable stir-fry, asparagus and mushroom risotto, or veggie sushi roll can cost you about half (or less) what most meaty dishes would. If you dine out twice a week, the savings add up quickly. And of course, if you “DIY” and make plant-based meals at home, you’ll save even more. Either way, as mentioned above, eating vegan is kinder to animals and the planet.

Perhaps best of all, this means that if you can stick with your resolutions for improving your own life, then your intention to do more good for others will easily take care of itself.

Dorrie – always in style! … ‘Tis the season for helping the less fortunate – people and animals!

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Dorrie says dropping off clean, warm clothing and blankets at the Mustard Seed soup kitchen on Piedmont Street is the giving thing to do this Christmas!🐺🐶🐕🐺🎄🎄🎄🎁

By Dorrie Maynard

Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Merry Christmas, Meilleurs Voeux, Felices Fiestas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, and any others that I may have missed!

As we all go on about with our busy preparations for the festivities this season with family and friends, please take some time to remember and acknowledge those who don’t have people to spend the holidays with. There are many out there who don’t even have a safe and warm place to sleep at night.

I know there is a fine line between enabling and helping, but just for this season we can all try to not judge others until we have walked in their shoes or know their battles. Some are out there because they are drinking and/or drugging and choose to continue to do so, and others are out there because of circumstances that they may have contributed to or had no assistance to handle.

A place like the Mustard Seed on Piedmont street is a great place to start giving back to your community! You can drop off gently used, clean, warm clothing, groceries, toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets, pairs of socks, or even offer to prepare and serve a meal to the sometimes more than 100 hungry people who visit daily.

The Mustard Seed is open Monday through Friday, 4 pm – 6 pm.

Other local places to consider: Abby’s House, the Veteran’s Shelter, St. John’s Feeding program, your local senior center, the Boy’s & Girls Club of Worcester, the Friendly House, the Salvation Army, just to name a few.

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Children at the Friendly House Annual Christmas Party, held this past Sunday at FH, 36 Wall St., met Santa, got a holiday gift, had fun and were treated to entertainment because of the efforts and love of volunteers – and FH Executive Director Gordon Hargrove! Donations of gently used (or new!), warm, clean clothing and blankets are always needed this time of year at the Friendly House!

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I don’t like to give money to pan handlers, but I do try to always have some granola bars in my car to hand
out. There was one man on a corner I recognized from working at a local food pantry, and I offered him a bar.

He said, “No thanks. I don’t have any teeth.” And then he smiled at me.

I didn’t have have anything else to give him, but he was gracious when I offered something.

I also try to have on hand: a pair of gloves, mittens, hat, scarf this time of year to give out to folks on street corners. I know it might be their attempt to look cold, thus making people
feel more sorry for them, but at least I feel better knowing they have something warm as I drive off.

If you are more into helping animals, as some are, for various reasons, another suggestion is to give to your local animal rescue league/society. They are always in need of used, clean blankets and towels, rolls of paper towels, bleach, cat litter, pet food, etc. You can always call ahead or look on line at their wish lists to find out what they truly are in need of, as things change daily, depending upon what they have or have run out of.

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Help animals who may need food, shelter or a forever home!

I always believe it is best to donate to small local rescues, as they help animals in your area. I don’t like to donateto the places that you see ads for on TV as they are paying for those ads, and those “free” t-shirts or bags
that they are willing to send you for your donation aren’t “free” either.

Something else that people can do this holiday season and throughout the year: Volunteer!!! Pick a passion! Get involved in your community! It may take some time to find the perfect place where you feel like you belong, but there are plenty of places out there
that are in need of regular volunteers.

So with all this said, I would like to wish everyone a very warm, safe, happy and healthy holiday season. All the best in the coming New Year! In this very difficult world that we live in, try to have a little compassion in your heart and empathy for others. Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards All!

This holiday season, my love for animals shines bright!

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Go, wonderful Dorrie, go!!!

By Dorrie Maynard

People are always asking me how and
when it – my love for animals – began. I can’t remember a specific time or event that contributed to my passion, but I do know that it has awakened something inside of me.

If I see a dead animal in the street like a squirrel or raccoon, I alway say out loud: “Poor baby, rest in peace.” I feel like they should know that someone cares that they died.

I have been saving strays for a very long time. I think it started when I was little and would find cats that were sickly and abandoned. My dad hated cats and would always tell me that I couldn’t keep them. But he would take one look at them and say, Oh that thing will be dead in a day or two – you can keep it.

Low and behold, it didn’t die!

As an adult, my first dog came from the
Grafton Flea market. I called her Grafton. Unfortunately, when I got divorced from my husband he decided to keep her because I was moving into
an apartment that didn’t allow dogs. Eventually, my ex found her a good home with kids when he moved to Florida. I was heart broken that she wasn’t staying with him, but by that time I had moved to Maine and had to let her go.

I am still rescuing stray and feral cats! For one reason or another, they always manage to find their way to me! For instance, one morning I got up and there was a beautiful cat in a cat carrier left in my driveway. I think word got around that I was feeding strays and someone knew I would do the right thing by this cat. I would
have loved to keep the feline but I know my limits. I found the a great home through networking.

The Internet and Facebook have become a great resource for animal lovers and rescuers: there are many sites and groups that help you find homes for homeless animals. There are many, many people who are involved! I find it heartwarming that so many people care and go above and beyond to help animals and place them in forever homes!

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Penny at Dorrie and friends’ Spa Day for pups! She got a bath! photo by Dorrie Maynard

We have to be their voices and their earth angels, as it usually isn’t their fault that they are being re-homed. I live in a college neighborhood, and I believe students get cute little kittens and then when they start to grow or go into heat or their landlord finds out, they just let them go in the neighborhood to fend for themselves.

Last year I met one of my “rescues” because his owners got a new kitten
and this cat, named Buddy, didn’t like the kitten. So he started spending more time outside and eventually warmed up to me. He was sleeping on my porch one
day when the owner walked by and rang the bell.

He said Buddy was his cat.

I said great, feel free to take him
home because it is going to start to get cold. Well, Buddy never went home and made his way into my house for the winter. He had his own suite – I would let him roam when I was home but he never warmed up to my cats. So I eventually put him in rescue. He has
found a perfect home of his own with no
other cats.

This year’s project is a beautiful black
cat with a white tuxedo and paws. He always ran away when I approached him, but I started feeding him canned food every time I saw him. Now I can pet him and he talks to me all the time! I thought he was feral, but now I believe he either belongs to someone who doesn’t feed him canned food, and he comes to see me daily for his “meal” – or he lives outside.

I worry about him come the freezing cold nights …

I will get Mr. Tuxedo fixed and vetted through Spay Worcester and put him into rescue. He deserves a home of his own as well. I have several insulated cat houses throughout the neighborhood but not sure he would use one.

My neighbor and I have a feeding station where there are two set ups of dry food and water for the neighborhood strays, as there are several that come to eat on a regular basis.

I volunteer with Spay Worcester, trapping and then having the feral cats spayed or neutered by a vet. I have met some wonderful people who have become interested in saving strays through this
great program. Recently, I met a woman and helped her trap two kittens that are now living in the lap of luxury in her home! She has become obsessed with kitties, and I consider her a member of
the crazy kit kat lady club! I guess we are all kindred souls when it comes to saving animals.

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Cece in her play-room! “Auntie Dorrie” gave Cece kitten food and three fun kitty toys! Another Auntie gave Cece a bed, a bunch of adorable kitten toys and cozy blankets! We are all in this – rescuing and caring for homeless animals – together! pic:R.T.

With the holidays upon us, please keep in mind that homeless animals are in need at local shelters and rescues. “Fostering” them is a way that you can keep an animal out of the shelter and provide a space for them in your loving home until they find their forever home. It is also a great way to decide if the baby could possibly be the pet for you and your family.

And please remember that shelters and rescues are always in need of pet food, litter, gently used towels and blankets in clean condition, or in kind donations.

Worcester Animal Rescue League

Central Mass Kibble Kitchen

Buddy Dog

Big Hair Rescue

New England All Breed, just to name a few!

I can be contacted at djmbytheelm@aol.com if anyone would like further information!

Happy Holidays to all and to all the fur babies out there!

The Worcester Animal Rescue League would never …

… abandon Worcester’s homeless cats and kittens!

Sure, pups like Lilac (below) are one in a million, and you can find the pup of your dreams at WARL …

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But felines have an awesomeness all their own (see Rose’s April, below)!

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The Worcester Animal Rescue League, located on Holden Street in Worcester, has kitties in need of loving forever homes. Adopt one (or two!) today!

CLICK HERE to see the WARL cats and to learn more!      – R.T.

A friend at the Worcester Animal Rescue League …

… says Lilac may have some collie in her because she has “a soft look … ” Perfect!

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Morning, lil’ girl! Lilac – 9/25

The Worcester Animal Rescue League on Holden Street in Worcester has wonderful pups in need of loving homes!

CLICK HERE, to see them and learn more!

Adopt your next best buddy from WARL!      –  Rosalie Tirella

P.S. … a slight period of adjustment for April!

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Today! Kitten shower at WARL!!

At the Worcester Animal Rescue League

139 Holden St.

Noon – 2 p.m.

I visted WARL yesterday, took a few photos. If you go to the kitten shower this afternoon, you’ll meet this cutie …

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… and, of course, these lovelies. (Sigh …. what people do to animals.)  Please give these beauties LOVING forever homes! – Rosalie Tirella 

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Kitten Shower 2015!

TODAY!  Sunday! APRIL 19

12 PM – 2 PM

Similar to a baby shower, WARL’s kitten shower is a great opportunity to help the shelter prepare for the upcoming kitten season.

During the event you can learn about:

becoming a foster parent

try your luck at the raffle

meet the purr-fect felines waiting to be adopted

… and maybe even meet some kittens currently in foster care!

Bring a gift to the shower and enter to win a door prize!

Admission: Please donate a kitten related item.

Currently we are in need of:

Kitchen Scales (that measure ounces)

Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR)

Cat toys, particularly the fake mice type

Meat-flavored baby food

Dish soap

“he” Laundry detergent

Bleach

Paper towels

Cat nip