Feral Foundation www.feralcatfoundation.org Winter 2011 An All-volunteer non-profit organization

OUR COMMITMENT The overpopulation and suffering of homeless and unwanted in our society demands a humane solution. Foundation (FCF) accepts the challenge to promote public recognition of this problem, to pursue workable solutions and, without euthanasia, to humanely reduce the population while improving the quality of life for these innocent victims of human neglect.

A family in Pleasanton has been feeding a beautiful that matter) to become ill? Tinsel is a major long-haired tortoiseshell cat for several weeks. problem. Pretty on the tree, it is deadly in a cat’s She is friendly, and hungry. Perhaps her story is stomach. Dental floss is also a problem--once much the same as many in her area--her family lost in a cat’s mouth it cannot be spit out because of their home and they were unable to care for her, the design of the tongue. Some flowers, or even or she is just lost, or one of many other scenarios. just the leaves, are harmful to animals. Leftover But she is in their yard now, and they are feeding bones or food from your holiday meal are not her. One day the cat is not in the yard, but the especially good for your because table food is next day she has returned. The family notices too rich for an animal that is not used to eating it. that she is not acting her usual friendly self, and Everyone is, by now, familiar with the problems the next day she cannot walk. anti-freeze can cause. But it is still dumped in The dangers for cats improper places, living in a feral colony or leaks from a car. are many. Feral feeders Unfortunately, in a are always watching for feral colony the feeder cats in their colonies must often wait until a who might be sick. cat is so sick it cannot Predators, foreign run before the feeder objects that might get can catch it to give the caught in the throat cat help. or poke a hole in skin, This family, bad food or food that fortunately, was able has been purposely to pick this cat up, poisoned, a bad water so she could be given source, or chemicals that have been dumped near the help she needed. A friend suggested that the a feeding station--these all can cause serious family call a member of Feral Cat Foundation. We problems to a cat or even an entire colony. Did arranged for the cat to go to the Vet for a physical you know that during the holidays there are many exam. After being tested for aids and leukemia, decorations that can cause your cat (or dog, for x-rays were taken to determine if she was hit by a car. This was not the case, luckily. It was finally staff, and no professional fundraiser. We depend determined that this cat had eaten something that solely on the generosity of the wonderful people was attacking her nervous system. A long-term who so faithfully and generously donate to our foster home was found and treatment begun. work. Every penny of your donation will be spent What a wonderful cat is Rachael! She lives just on the cats in our care, for medical expenses and to be rubbed and petted, and her goal in life is to especially for spay and neuter. With your tax- keep her head as close as possible to someone’s deductible donation we can help each cat’s story hand for face rubs. She is truly the exception to have a happy ending. the rule about the personality of a tortoiseshell. There are many ways you can help FCF at She warms your heart just to watch her. And after no cost to you, in addition to your tax-deductible two weeks of medication, she is getting stronger donation. eScrip is an easy, automatic way to and is now able to stand when she eats. She is still generate funds for FCF every time you do your wobbly, but improving slowly. Walking will come normal shopping. Go to www.escrip.com. next, and then she will be put up for adoption. There are many participating merchants--you Her story will have a happy ending when she finds can search/browse the list, or view the newest her forever home. merchants from the eScrip Merchant’s page. Another cat, this one in a large colony, also FCF will automatically get a percentage of your became ill about the same time as Rachael. This purchases. On the eScrip website you can register cat, Ginger, had also eaten something. The your Safeway Club Card, or register on-line symptoms were vastly different, but the road to with JustGive -- a nonprofit organization. One- eventual recovery the same. An FCF feral feeder Cause is an on-line donation program where, picked Ginger up and took him to the Vet. It once you are on their website you may choose the was determined that Ginger might need surgery organization to which you wish to donate. to remove a foreign body from his stomach. He was stabilized for two days, then surgery was performed. After successful surgery, Ginger This holiday season may your hearts find peace recovered at the hospital for a day, and then went and love. In a world filled with uncertainty, stress to his feeder’s home where he will remain. This is what Feral Cat Foundation does so well. and frustration, please take time to enjoy whichever We are there to stand for and to help the homeless holiday tradition you honor. And take time to allow cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, sometimes, as with Ginger, with lifesaving into your life an animal that will surely give you surgery, but often with minimal cost and lots of happiness and unconditional love for years to come. patience and love. And we can do our job because of your generous donations. With your support we can help where help is needed and give hope to the forgotten felines we care for daily. Feral Cat Foundation does not have a beautiful shelter or a permanent adoption site. All our fostering is done in our members’ homes, and our adoptions are done at local pet stores. Our members pay for their own food and supplies. We have no paid Our Holiday Tradition of showcasing our older cats for adoption is continued again this year. We hope for loving homes for all our rescued cats, but the adults, especially, need to have a chance for a loving, forever home. There are many cats shown on our website-- www.Feralcatfoundation.org a Cowgirl a b Earnest b who have been waiting for their forever home. Here are just a few:

e Ellie e d Gabriel d B Tuna B