HAPPY ENDINGS ~~  

We spend a considerable amount of time working with the cats we adopt out to new families.  We proceed in a very patient fashion, bearing in mind that most of the captured cats/kittens are totally unaccustomed to being around humans.  We also try to remember that every minute of their lives up to this point has pretty much been consumed with trying to survive.  They are so tuned in to fear.  Fear of a different sound which might signal a predator approaching.  Trying to dodge a car in heavy traffic as they run across the street to reach a fast food dumpster to search for some discarded food.  They search for a ditch, bush, or an empty cardboard box to settle into for a little rest.  Never quite getting into a comfortable sleep, as they have to be ready to run at the first sound of danger.  

After capture, even though they are in safe surroundings, they aren't sure if they going to be harmed.  They still live thinking that each movement they make might possibly be their last.  That is, they expect that something terrible might happen to them at any minute.  With each day we are able to win a little more of their trust.  They are usually so malnourished when they come to us, that frequent feedings and rewards with food and treats works wonders.  

Within a week to usually at most four weeks, these cats pretty much forget their past lives and bond so closely with humans that is is very touching to hold one.  You can feel them relax and put all of their trust in you and you know you have succeeded.  These little felines are usually very gentle after socialization.  They are also incredibly grateful for the love and care they receive and the security of a safe place to live.

Here are links for stories of some FLUFFY Cat Rescue graduates:

    ~ The first to be rescued was Shadow.  Captured when she was about six months old.  

    ~ Macy and Captain were the second and third cats to come out of the colony.  They are sisters with Macy being captured one night and Captain the next.  

    Gandalf, Katie and Ashley.  Siblings so very hungry that all three of them walked into a large cage to eat food I had placed there.  

    ~ Jelly Bean.  Very ill when I picked her up and put her into a box.  Happy and safe now.

    Amanda.  
                  Happy now in her new home in Savoy, Illinois.  Click her name to read more.

     Cliff.  (Cliffairy Jiggletuff taken from two of the Pokemon characters)  Cliff has won the hearts of his human mother and his feline friends Amanda (above) and Princess.  He lives with his family in Savoy, Illinois.  Click on his name for more information.    

    Click on Winston's photo for more information on Winston and Lance
WINSTON & LANCE -- approximately five weeks old
            Winston and Lance were placed the middle of October, 1999.  

Not of this feral colony, but abandoned/stray ~~ 

Whenever I find cats in our neighborhood who are obviously injured or lost, I take them in and take care of whatever medical needs they need.  While they are going through this medical process, I put up posters in the area and place an ad in the newspaper to see if I can locate their owners.  I also check with the Humane Society to see if anyone has reported a lost cat and leave information with them as to whatever cat I have found.  I have managed to locate the families of most of the stray cats I have found, but there have been many where I have been unable to do so.  There have been far more than the three listed here, but these are the most recent abandoned/stray cats we have found.  I have also found a number of dogs and have been able to find all of their owners but one.  Our local newspaper, The News-Gazette, is kind enough to run a three-day free ad for anyone finding an animal.  Many an animal has found its home thanks to this generous policy.

     ~ Stubby.  A sweet little girl, probably no more than eight months at the time and very small.  Stubby was either lost or abandoned.  She began coming to my porch and stayed there most of the time.  She was very shy, but we were beginning to win her over and had planned to get her spayed and either placed for adoption or allow her to live as an outdoor cat in our area.  I do not like having any of my cats outdoors, but wasn't sure if we could get her to adjust to indoor living.   She was missing part of her tail.  It had healed over by the time I found her, but she had other problems.  The one of most concern was that she had a miscarriage.  She was so small that we did not realize she was pregnant until we discovered quite a lot of blood on a blanket we had put out for her.  We tried to follow her around at a distance to see if we could locate her litter, but she never led us to one.  It was obvious she was very weak and probably would not survive if we left her in the hope that she would care for her litter if there were any kittens still alive.  Close examination of Stubby indicated she had lost more blood than normal for the birthing process and she had a high temperature.  Antibiotics and veterinary care required.  Also treatment for fleas and coccidia.  She has been spayed and placed.  Has turned out to be a great housecat, seeming to have absolutely no desire to go outside anymore.  

This is Callie and her kittens.  We refer to her as Callie II.  She is not the Callie living in our feral colony in Champaign.  Click on her picture to learn more.

    ~ Biscuit.  AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.  We found her in a small town near here.  She appeared to have been abandoned as she was very social.  She was very much underweight, incredible diarrhea due to coccidia, fleas, just generally in very bad condition.  Dr. Neitzel felt she had recently weaned a litter of kittens.  In a foster environment and available for adoption.  She is actually overweight now but in very good health.  Has been spayed.  She would probably do best in a home where she is the only cat although she is currently with another.  Biscuit loves to snuggle next to someone at night, but is not a lap cat.  She likes to play, but sometimes gets a little rough and accidentally swats with her claws.  In foster care, but would love a permanent home.