The following article includes excerpts from The Whole Cat Journal - May 1999

Angels to the Rescue
Guardian angels CAN make a difference in the lives of homeless felines.

By Debra Berdan Trace

Like many cat lovers, the founders of Cat Angel Network, Inc., have demonstrated their compassion for homeless felines by taking them in and finding them homes. Despite their busy work schedules, they have tirelessly spent their time and money to rescue, care for and place unwanted cats where they are loved and appreciated.

After several years, however, they realized that if they pooled their resources, they could achieve more. In March 1998, they formed the Cat Angel Network Inc. (CAN), a non-profit organization that rescues and places stray and feral cats on a much larger scale than the three women could individually.

Joining forces had a synergistic effect that Charlotte Jay, CAN president, compares to the different parts of a car functioning separately, but working together as a complete vehicle.

"We look forward to continuously upgrading our vehicle to take us to far greater distances," Jay said. Enhanced purchasing power, fundraising events, advertising and non-profit organization status have made a big difference in the number of cats CAN is able to place. The numbers vary ñ during the first year of operation, CAN placed only three cats during the first month, but the count rose to 40 the following month. And the number of kittens that need homes rises dramatically in the spring. Jay, however, estimates that CAN has rescued and provided veterinary care for 500-600 cats within its first year of incorporation. Between 10 and 15 are rescued per week, including feral cats released after spaying and neutering, some cats whose owners require CAN support and financial assistance, and those who are eventually adopted into loving homes.

Jay recommends that would-be rescue groups keep records from the very beginning, something CAN did not do. Now we start a new folder for each new cat that follows it through the program.

Shortly after incorporating, CAN adopted a mission statement:

• To alleviate suffering of stray cats though rescue, spay-neuter, shelter in a no-kill facility and adopted to approved homes.

• To educate the public regarding proper care of cats and the importance of spaying and neutering.

• The shelter is operated by an all-volunteer staff.

Jay says that, while the mission statement implies that the CAN's primary rescues are stray and abandoned animals, they also take some "surrendered" cats – those whose owners have died or that otherwise become homeless.

Volunteers: CAN's lifeline

CAN believes that the true basis of the organization's success is the generous support of their network of "angels" – the dedicated volunteers who offer time and money to ensure that they can rescue, care for and place as many stray and feral cats and kittens as possible.

Volunteers visit the shelter daily to help with the feeding and to clean litter. The women on CAN's Sunday morning crew thoroughly clean the shelter. And after the work is done, volunteers play with the cats and kittens, contributing to the socialization process. "Volunteers often form special bonds with the shelter cats, and many eventually adopt their new friends," Jay noted. "The cats get to know the volunteers so well."

Some donors contribute money and services to support CAN's efforts. The wire cages used for cat orientation to the shelter were bought from a man whose wife had stopped showing cats. When she died, the family requested in her obituary that contributions in her memory be donated to CAN. Jay was touched when their daughter sent the shelter a generous check in her mother's memory. "We get so depressed at the horror stories of some of the cats that come into the program," she said. "Then we meet people who appreciate what CAN is about and are willing to help."

The most important thing cats get out of their experience with CAN is learning to trust people. "In addition to meeting their physical needs, we teach them that they can trust and are loved," Jay explained. "When they come to us, they are very suspicious, no matter where they came from. Even if the cat is surrendered, it still doesn't understand why it is not in its own home."

Spreading the word

CAN raises money and obtains publicity trough a variety of special events and a quarterly newsletter.
Their very first event, CAN Celebration Day, was staged at the local Wal-Mart in honor of the organization's incorporation. Attractions included games, entertainment and refreshments. The local Spayed Club was on hand to provide information and counseling. Dr. Atkinson's West Caln Mobile Veterinary Unit offered on-the-spot examinations and vaccinations.

Volunteers, donors and adoptive families shared cat stories at a December holiday open house. Many who attended brought contributions of food and money for the shelter cats. CAN runs a weekly ad in the local newspaper pet classified column. Its four-page newsletter is also an effective means of spreading the word. "It is important to let the public know what the organization is about with a newsletter, fact sheet or some communication tool," Jay said. "That way, volunteers, adopters and those who find stray cats know how to contact the organization."

Copies of CANís newsletter are placed in area veterinarians' offices for potential volunteers, donors and pet owners. In addition to news about the organization, its activities and volunteers, the newsletter features profiles of some of the special cats awaiting adoption, tips on responsible pet ownership, and little known facts about cats. Business card ads help offset expenses.

The shelter itself

CAN would not be able to care for its large number of cats without an appropriate shelter. An building owned by Jay was vacant for eight years, and she was eager to put it to good use. She used money from her retirement fund for initial renovations.

When the shelter exceeds its capacity, volunteer foster homes help socialize and prepare some of the cats for adoption. From there, they move into the shelter, then they are eventually adopted into permanent, loving homes.

The shelter includes a kitchen where the cats' food is prepared, medications and schedules are documented in the new infirmary, and new arrivals are introduced to shelter life. The kitten room is a work in progress. It features perches on the walls and there are plans for a screened porch. Most of the cats live in the largest room, with a separate screened area for rambunctious adolescents and cages and crates for newcomers. Throughout the shelter there are areas for climbing and hiding and plenty of toys. The infirmary houses those cats under veterinary care or in CAN's two-week quarantine.

"Everything CAN has undertaken, we have found a way to make happen," Jay said. But she cautions against over-extending.

"We want to save all the cats, but we have learned that we can't. You have to know your limitations." Jay, who retired in March after 31 years as an administrative assistant, noted that the founders are single women who make their own decisions and can contribute the funds they wish to the shelter. CAN has also learned by doing some things the wrong way out of necessity. "We needed a heater for the building, and although we held a raffle fund raiser, we hadn't raised all the money we needed. So we paid for it out of our own pockets." She said the experience taught them to find resources before they undertake new projects.

Adoption procedure

CAN has a stringent adoption policy and adopters must sign a contract agreeing to CANís policies and criteria. Jay noted that the spay/neuter issue is difficult to enforce after the unspayed and unneutered kittens leave the shelter so the board has adopted a policy that all animals must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

Before entering the shelter, cats visit one of CAN's associated veterinarians where they are tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. They are also spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and distemper, checked and treated for ear mites, fleas and worms, and given a complete physical examination. Cats and kittens are healthy, disease-free and socialized before they go to their new homes.

Ensuring lifetime care

CAN takes steps to ensure that each cat or kitten goes to a home that will continue the care for the cat's lifetime. References are carefully checked to place the right cat into the right life situation. The process starts with an interview on the telephone or in person in which applicants answer questions about prior and current pets such as whether the pet was spayed or neutered. CAN obtains veterinarian references and confers with the vet about the applicant's pet ownership history. If veterinary references are sufficient, the applicant can visit the shelter to meet the cats.

CAN turns down applicants where obvious problems would prevent the placement from being successful for the cat's lifetime or if their vet gives a bad reference.

When the adopter is matched with the right cat, CAN provides verbal and written information, including how to introduce the pet to the family and other pets in the home. New owners receive a follow-up telephone call and are requested to supply a photograph of themselves with the cat. Jay plans to line the shelter hallway walls with these pictures. "I used to get angry at calls we call 'the big R' from people who want to 'get rid of' their cat." But because part of CAN's mission is educating the public, she tries to find out why the caller wants to give up the cat, explaining that "all things cats do have a reason, and they are trying to tell us something."

CAN takes special care with applicants who want to adopt cats for their children. "When I meet the children in these families, I put the child in the cat's position so the child understands how the cat might feel if hugged too tightly or restrained against its will. If the parent doesn't teach proper behavior with cats and kittens, the child could be scratched or bitten, and the cat will be out."

Although establishing the Cat Angel Network and raising money is very time-consuming, the board members have found it much easier working together as a team – with lots of assistance, of course, from their '"angels." The slogan, "Together we CAN make a difference," appears on the banner of Cat Angel Network's newsletter. And if their first year together is any indication, they truly do make a difference for the cats whose lives they touch.

A resident of Pennsylvania, Debra Berdan Trace has written on various dog and cat welfare issues. She is a member of Cat Writer's Association.

Secrets of Success

• Combine talents and energy.

• Develop a strong network of volunteers.

• Solicit the help of local veterinarians to ensure health.

• Establish procedures for responsible adoption.

• Keep records on cats taken in.

• Involve the local businesses in fund-raising events.

• Use the media for help with ads and publicity.

• Request help from specialty businesses for specific tasks, such as asking the local print shop to assist with the newsletter.

• Educate the public about the importance of spay and neutering and responsible ownership.

On the Wild Side

The Cat Angel Network trapped a colony of about 15 feral cats and had them spayed and neutered and tested for contagious feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. CAN president Charlotte Jay housed them in a single building on her property away from the shelter and worked to befriend them. She eventually brought four into the shelter for further socialization and placement, and released those least likely to become adopted onto her property, where they return for their rations each day. Jay suspects most of the released feral cats could have been tamed with more available time and money.

Alley Cat Allies is available to help shelters and individuals manage feral felines. The non-profit national organization promotes humane feral cat population control through trap-neuter-release programs. It offers literature, guidance and training in humane colony management methods.

Caroline's Sad Tale

Caroline was abandoned in the empty house when her former owners moved away. When the Cat Angel Network stepped in, the two-year-old gray tabby had a hole in her leg.

A veterinary examination revealed that she had been shot, breaking bones that required grafting from her hip into her leg. In addition, she had to be quarantined at the shelter for six months to be sure she did not have rabies. CAN has invested significant funds and specialized care to rehabilitate Caroline and will place her only with a special, understanding owner.