by Jennifer Wargo

Published by Tri City Voice 12/19/2006

We're often asked about the backgrounds of our "clients" This is sometimes tough to answer since all our cats and kittens are abandoned. They may have been tossed out with the trash, dumped on a street and left to fend for themselves, or they may have been the product of an "oops" litter. When caring people encounter one of these orphans and don't know what to do with them, they call a rescue program like ours. Sometimes individuals approach us at one of our weekend mobile adoption clinics, with kittens in a box.

Let's follow the story of one of our clients, brought to us about eight months ago. This is as good an example as any of "where they come from." A young man named Mitchell, found two female kittens wandering his neighborhood together. They were a few months apart in age, so we believed they were not siblings. Mitchell told his mom, Leslie, what he found. They went to a neighbor, Sidne, who has been doing cat rescue for over five years. When Mitchell and Leslie showed up with the two kittens, Sidne stepped right in, accepting them into the foster program. She dubbed the two girls, Misha and Michelle, in honor of Mitchell. Misha was a pretty, pastel tortie, younger than Michelle by about two months. Michelle was a beautiful, dilute calico about 4 months old at the time.

After the two girls were checked by a veterinarian and tested for feline diseases, they were vaccinated, spayed, and put up for adoption. During this time, a woman named, Gretchen, had contacted Purrfect Cat Rescue looking for a kitten to add to her family. Her 4-year old daughter Victoria wanted a calico. At the time, we only had two calicos up for adoption, Michelle and Butterscotch. We told Gretchen and Victoria to come down and meet them both. Victoria was instantly taken with Michelle, as was Michelle with her. It was love at first sight. Gretchen wanted to make sure that they were picking the right kitten, so she and Victoria snuggled with a lot of them that afternoon. But in the end, Victoria picked Michelle.

We weren't quite ready to send Michelle home that day, but we told Victoria she could pick her up later that week. The kitten needed to complete a course of medication and then she could go home to Gretchen and Victoria. This news saddened Victoria and caused some anxiety. Rescuers assured the child that Michelle was hers, and that she'd have her in less than a week. Before leaving, Victoria solemnly grabbed my hand, pulled me near, and said, "Please don't let anyone have my kitty". I assured her that Michelle was all hers, and that no one else could have her. We let her pick out some toys to take home for Michelle and promised to see her soon.

A week later, Gretchen and Victoria came to pick up Michelle. Victoria was delighted and relieved to see her kitten, and Michelle was obviously happy to see her new "mom." Victoria renamed the cat, Cali, and the two are quite the happy pair. Gretchen tells us, "Cali is doing very well. She follows everyone around meowing and purring constantly. Although she has many different toys, her favorite thing is chasing a laser pointer."

Stories like Victoria and Cali's explain our efforts better than any compilation of statistics and facts could ever do. Our kittens and cats come to us from a world they cannot trust. Whenever we can, our mission is to show these animals a much better world, one full of love and happiness. This is what makes all our efforts worthwhile.

For more information about Purrfect Cat Rescue, call (510) 739-1597; or visit www.purrfectcatrescue.org. Volunteers and donations will be gladly accepted.

Underage truckers

by Jennifer Wargo

Published by Tri City Voice 8/29/2006

Sometimes you don't always know the whole story, so you have to sort of fill it in on your own. Purrfect Cat Rescue of Fremont recently responded to a most unusual cat rescue call. Here's what they think happened in the wee hours of July 14, 2006.

One of the many stray cats eking a life out of Los Angeles grim and cold industrial areas found herself ready to give birth. Desperate for a quiet, safe place, she chose the back of a truck sitting in a far corner of a terminal. It may have been quiet at the time, but she
learned only too late, her spot was not safe for her purposes. Settled into the difficult task at hand, she had birthed four kittens when the warehouse stirred to life in the middle of the night. Her feral nature would not tolerate this perceived threat to her life. Whether or
not she was done giving birth we'll never know. She bolted from the truck before anyone saw her or noticed the mewling little bundles of fuzz she left behind.

After warming the big diesel engine, the driver slipped his truck into gear and eased out the door heading north; next stop: Fremont. Long hours later, workers began unloading and found an unexpected and even shocking surprise. A lone, tiny kitten with umbilical cord still attached rested fitfully in a corner. Its eyes still hadn't opened for the first time and it wasn't doing well, but it was alive.

In short order, three siblings were found. Chilled, dehydrated and near death, the underage truckers caught the first break of their day-old existence. Warehouse manager (TK) called a former employee who knew what to do with stray kittens.

In short order, Purrfect Cat Rescue dispatched a volunteer who immediately administered kitty first aid. Against all odds, 3 of the 4 kittens survived. One of the males could not surmount his extensive medical challenges and was put to sleep four weeks later. All the kittens were placed in a volunteer foster home where they have been fed, cleaned, and cared for more diligently than "mom" ever did. The remaining siblings are doing well, and will be put up for adoption once they have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and are big enough to go to new forever homes.

Purrfect Cat Rescue doesn't always encounter such drama, but they do effect rescues every day of cats young and old. They are a non-profit organization funded entirely by donations, grants and adoption fees.

Interested in volunteering as a foster home? You can learn more by visiting, www.purrfectcatrescue.org. You'll also find pictures of cats currently awaiting permanent homes.

Purrfect Cat Rescue 2005-2007