Rescue Work of Theresa Foley's Venice Cat Coalition

Meet Willow, my newly adopted rescue kitten. When the time came to adopt a new kitten, I met with Theresa Foley, the director of the Venice Cat Coalition, to discuss my concern about how another cat in the family would be received by Diana, my 4-year old orange tabby.

Diana had been rescued by the Venice Cat Coalition as a little kitten with a broken tail, left to fend for herself outdoors. She is still a little timid and fearful, so I wanted to be sure whichever new little kitten joined our family, it would not intimidate her further.

Theresa suggested I do a long-term foster to give us all time to see if the kitten I selected was a good fit in our home. I picked Willow, a female tabby with beautiful spotted markings.

Within a week it was clear to me that things were going well between the two cats. Willow has a brave heart and playful spirit. She enrolls Diana in games from time to time, yet respects her space and finds her own. After a few months I am certain she is a perfect addition to our family. I believe Diana agrees. - Raphaella Vaisseau

Venice Cat Coalition Continues Good Work

Three poses by one of the five little kittens who were at death's door a few weeks back. They were rescued by the Venice Cat Coalition and are being nurtured back to feeling pretty darn good under Theresa's care. Soon they will be all well and can go to foster homes where they will grow and play until they are ready for adoption. Click here to make a donation to support this important work.
-Raphaella Vaisseau

Cat Faerie Beds (and a lot of other purr-fect things) by catfaeries.com

Diana tells me she sure would like one of the soft and yummy cat faerie beds (in sage please) from catfaeries.com. You'll have to click on this link to see the pictures.

While you're browsing their site, be sure to see their cat toys, sign up for their mailing list, and read everything. Then check out (& like) their facebook page.

It's nice to know so many people are out there speaking for the cats. I appreciate every one of you (them). Oh, and by the way, here's a link to the VCC's Sarasota Kitten Club facebook page.

Diana - of Venice Cat Coalition T-Shirt fame

Here's a current photo of Diana, Raphaella's beautiful orange tabby cat, who was the model for the Venice Cat Coalition logo and T-shirts. She was first a VCC rescue, and two years later, she's growing up fine and healthy here in Venice.

Three KWCS Kittens currently being fostered by Raphaella in Venice, FL

My three little foster kittens: Abbey Road, Zeke, and Tony. There were actually eight in this litter, and they are all on their way to finding their families through various foster families. I'm blessed to have these three here with me. Mama cat went with three of them up to Cat Depot where I know Marilyn and her crew will take good care of them. Cat Depot is hosting Pawpurr's Ball, their annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 13th at G. WIIZ - The Science Museum, 1001 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota from 6:30 - 11pm. To see all the kittens the Key West Cat Society / Venice Cat Coalition currently has up for adoption, go to petfinder.com.

Kitty Palm Cat Tree

Mary Riley posted this link on our Sarasota Kitten Club Facebook page. What an awesome new product. The Kitty Palm Company is in Sarasota. Here's what she said:

"Want to benefit the SRQ Kitten-Club? Check out this NEW cat climbing palm tree made in SRQ. Kitty Palm won 3rd place at the Global Pet Expo. It is kitten and cat tested, personally, and it curbs boredom, believe me! www.kittypalm.com You can sell them and make donations to the Kitten-Club too!"

It looks like they range from  $122 for 36" to $310 for 80" - the company is in Sarasota, FL so the locals wouldn't need to pay shipping. They're also looking to hire a few retired or semi-retired wood working types for full and part time and light manufacturing. Call 941-925-7737.

Bottle Babies for Me

July has brought me four little bottle babies - 5 weeks old. Theresa has been "Mom" for weeks already and now it's my turn to take over the duties.

She taught me how to feed the little darlings with a miniature bottle. They are so cute. I am getting used to having them climb all over me as I try to work. You can see how "easy" it was to read a book today.

Mind you, I'm not complaining. I am blessed with cuteness, soft furry babies and the opportunity to take 100 pictures a day.

Enjoy!

-Raphaella Vaisseau

Kitty Pile - Raphaella's Picture of the Day

Is there anything cuter than a soft, furry kitten? ... Three of them all cuddled up together taking a nap. 

What a blessing they are.

And then, there's Angel.

Enjoy!

- Raphaella Vaisseau 6-13-10

Poster Child

Here's little Annie Oakley, one of my new little foster kittens. She's so cute and patient, she let me take a hundred pictures of her and make one into a poster.

For once I can tell all the kittens in my house apart from one another without memorizing the little details of a face or a foot. Annie Oakley is smaller and has more subtle markings than her brother Kimosabe (saddleback tabby). Tonto (orange tabby) is their sidekick, a little shy but coming around. And the tiny but very brave kitten is Angel (white and grey). She watches over the whole family.

They're all listed on Petfinder. Click on "Our Adoptable Pet List" and scroll down to see all cats and kittens available for adoption. Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures of my new little fosters. I look forward to watching them grow and helping them find their forever homes and families.

- Raphaella Vaisseau, Foster Kitten Mom

Cats of Key West Cat Society - May 2010

Click here to see new pictures of KWCS kitties taken yesterday, May 28, 2010 by Raphaella. Enjoy!!!

Hooray for Ferals, especially Pinky who lives in my yard

I looked up from my computer tonight to see the feral cat Pinky sitting on the window sill and staring in the window at me and the cats inside. Pinky has lived in our yard for years and has lately been sitting by the front door looking in the screen door and watching the foster kittens play with Diana, my orange tabby (who was a Key West Cat Society rescue last March). When I first moved here we trapped Pinky to check on her medical condition (she has a harelip) and gave it a go at taming her up. She would have none of it, so we returned her to the yard soon after that. She loves her yard, has trained me to feed her at sunup and sundown, and sleeps in the tree at the side of the property. Of late, she has been increasingly interested in the KWCS foster kitten program and the revolving kittens who come and go from my home. -Raphaella Vaisseau

Delta Queen

San Francisco Examiner - Cat declawing a crime in SF since November 2009 - also Beverly Hills, LA, Santa Monica, West Hollywood etc

(Excerpt from story by Joshua Sabatini in SF Examiner dated Nov 4, 2009) - San Francisco has become the first major city in the nation to outlaw the declawing of cats. Some pet owners declaw their felines to protect themselves, or their furniture, from scratches. But pet advocates condemn the practice as animal cruelty.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to enact a ban on the declawing of cats. Supervisors Sean Elsbernd and Michela Alioto-Pier voted against the legislation.

“It is well-documented and well-understood from a medical prospective that [declawing] is torture. It is a form of animal cruelty,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who introduced the legislation.

Other California cities are considering adopting similar bans. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on whether to enact a ban by the end of the year. West Hollywood banned declawing in 2003. Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Berkeley are considering similar ordinances. Declawing is illegal in 20 countries, including most of Europe, Brazil, Japan and Israel.

Read whole story here: SF Examiner

In current news, the pawproject.org has a new billboard on Sunset Blvd:

Love Letter to My Foster Kittens

Dear Little Ones,

I love your little eyes as they look into mine. I love when you look up at me from the floor or the couch, expecting food or attention or a game. I love when you watch what I'm doing and your eyes follow me across the room, even when you're scared and are preparing to scurry away. I love how you learn to trust. I love noticing when you decide I am FOR you.

I love creating spaces for you to play, hide and sleep in. I love making little toys for you to play with and for me to play with you too. I love when you come to me when I'm laying down and you curl up next to me and purr. I love when you touch your paw to my face. I love feeling your soft fur in my fingers. I love taking care of you when you have first been rescued - sometimes you're sick or especially scared then. I love helping you learn that humans can help and make you well.

I love loving you. I love holding you in my arms like a baby and wrapping my T-shirt around you so you feel safe and warm and loved. I love naming you sometimes when it's my turn to do that. I love getting to know your distinct personalities and watch you play with the other kittens in my house. I love photographing you and sharing your cuteness and beauty with the world. I love knowing that I'm helping you find a good forever home even when it's hard to let you go. Most of all, I simply LOVE you ... each soft, furry, sweet, beautiful, magical kitty. You bring so much joy to my life as I freely and completely love you for one day, for a week, for a month or forever. You are a precious gift to me and to the world.

With Sincere Gratitude,
Your Kitty Foster Mom.

Shamrock Preschool Wins $500 grant for Venice Cat Coalition/Key West Cat Society

Deborah Whitham had a great idea to have her schoolchildren at the Shamrock Preschool in Venice learn about what we do to take care of rescued and homeless cats in Sarasota County. They adopted Frankie, our little kitten who came to us last spring with his leg broken in two places. Theresa and Raphaella brought Frankie to the preschool in September so the kids could meet him. They had made a fund-raising jar to collect donations and had a table set up where they would bring things to buy and sell. The children met Frankie and learned about his pending surgery to remove the injured leg. They all wanted to help Frankie get adopted to a family that would care for this special boy kitty. After Theresa taught them about the Key West Cat Society and how we find and help the cats, the kids went to their craft area and drew pictures of Frankie.

Wonderful things came of the dedicated work of Deborah and the children of Shamrock Preschool. First of all a miracle: when Frankie when to the vet for his pre-surgery check-up, the vet said Frankie didn't need an amputation after all. Apparently he had "done his own physical therapy" while trying to keep up with all the other foster kittens at Raphaella's. Second, he found his family!!! Frankie was adopted by a Russian lady from North Port who wanted this very special kitty for a companion. Frankie is now learning Russian!

The third wonderful thing that happened is Deborah submitted her story about Frankie and the Shamrock Preschool to the Community Foundation of Sarasota and this week won a $500 grant for community service for the cats! We are thrilled and so proud of Deborah for coming up with the idea to help, taking action, holding the vision, following through and ... winning! Her devotion to making a difference has already helped Frankie, and now will help a lot more cats in Sarasota County through our work as the Key West Cat Society/Venice Cat Coalition. One person can make a difference.

Click here to make a donation to KWCS/VCC.
Click here to see more pictures on Flickr.

Order Now!!! T-Shirts with new KWCS - VCC logo (featuring art by Raphaella Vaisseau)

The new Key West Cat Society / Venice Cat Coalition T-shirt samples arrived. Shirts are $17 each (donate more if you can) - or better yet, become a member of KWCS.

T-shirt orders are now being taken for delivery before Thanksgiving. Call Raphaella 941-993-7001 for size, style, color choices. See samples at the KWCS booth at the Venice Farmers Market or Raphaella's Heartful Art booth everywhere.

Prints of Raphaella's cat painting are available at www.RescueCatClub.etsy.com

Help find Frankie a Home

Click here for downloadable flyer to post for Frankie.

Help us find his forever home.

Frankie wants a home - Now

Frankie is six months old today. The children at Shamrock Preschool in Venice, FL adopted him as a project to help him get through the next few months of surgery and recovery, help him find his forever home and raise money for his medical expenses. Click here to see a slideshow of his visit with the children.

Please call Theresa (941-445-4322) or Raphaella (941-993-7001) to foster or adopt. Please visit our website to make a donation to help with Frankie's medical expenses. Thank you for your support of Frankie and all the cats helped by Key West Cat Society and the Venice Cat Coalition.

Frankie, aka Franklin D. Roosevelt

Frankie was rescued in June 09 from a Sarasota backyard by a family who said they couldn’t keep him because one of their daughters was allergic. He was six weeks old and had a bad leg. They dropped him off at Feline Flair, a big cat rescue event with dozens of rescue groups exhibiting, but still no one wanted him or his siblings. He came to Venice to reside with a foster home associated with a spay-neuter group, the Key West Cat Society. The people who turned him in didn’t know how his hip and knee joints became injured, nor could the vets say what had happened to hurt his little leg.

All his brothers have gone into good homes, but Frankie is still awaiting a permanent adoption. He has seen several vets for his bad leg, and the consensus is that the leg must be taken off in October. So he is getting ready for that big change, and his foster family is hoping someone will step forward soon to take him home for good.

He is grey and white, slim and handsome, and one of the friendliest, most playful kittens we’ve seen. His bad leg kept him from getting to the food bowl as fast as his brothers when he was young, and even though he is a big foodie with a large appetite now, he is a skinny teen cat.

Frankie has tested negative for FeLK-Fiv and been neutered. Please ask any friends in the Sarasota-Venice area who may want to provide a home for a new “tripod” lovecat to consider adopting Frankie. He has learned quickly to compensate for his physical limitations, hopping and climbing around almost like a cat with four good legs. He is willing to teach his new humans all about living with a handicap and spreading love and goodwill, despite being dealt a difficult hand, in exchange for sharing their lives with him.

If you’d like to meet Frankie, adopt him, or donate towards his upcoming surgery, please contact the Key West Cat Society in Venice, Florida, at 941-445-4322, info@keywestcatsociety.com

KWCS magnets with Theresa Foley's Cat Art are now on ETSY

Our Rescue Cat Club's latest creations are little floppy magnets for a $1.50 donation - available at the Venice Saturday morning Farmer's Market (8am - noon) and our KWCS Etsy store online.

Look for new T-shirts coming soon.