Blistered Whiskers Blog

SOME THOUGHTS HEADING INTO AUTUMN

2011-09-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

KITTEN SEASON - WHAT YOU CAN DO FROM HERE
Whew...! Kitten season is almost over. But that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do at Blistered Whiskers. With school starting back up and the seasons changing - along with outside responsibilities that go with it - we've lost many of our volunteers. Congrats to those who've helped so much during the summer, and Bravo for all the good you've done. With those outside changes taking many away from us, there's only seven steady volunteers left. That's quite a load on the shoulders of very few. We'd certainly love to have new volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer, or know of anyone who'd like a chance to make a difference, please contact us. It's such a wonderful opportunity for the kitties to get to know you, and for to see them go from tiny little babies to youngsters then get adopted out is one of the most amazing experiences. Trust me, it touches your soul.

PATIENCE, YOUNG SKYWALKER - FOR NEW ADOPTIONS
When a kitty is relocated, sometimes it takes a while for him/her to get comfortable in their surroundings. My previous post was about sensitive kitties at Petsmart, and how they can really struggle with the strange environment. Hopefully the transition from the shelter to your home will be smooth, but if it takes a little while, please be patient. Some people will adopt a kitty, take it home, and if it doesn't immediately respond they'll bring the kitty back. Of course we're willing to take the kitty back, but the purpose was to get the kitty a home. If you've ever relocated to a new city, for example, you have an idea of how hard it can be. You don't know the lay of the land, where the essential places are (like the grocery store), and most times you barely know a handful of people in your new town. It can quite a daunting transition. But, with time, you managed to find your way. Same concept goes for your new adopted kitty. There are strange smells, sights, sounds, people, and possibly other pets. The kitties senses might be on overload because all of this is so strange to him/her. In time the kitty will adapt, but some take longer than others. My cat, Zara, was an only cat for the first 6 of her 8 years. I've been her entire world, and we didn't get many people visitors, either. So in her world it was just her and me. Now that I'm engaged and living with my fiance' (along with her cat, Leo, and her son) it's been quite a change for Zara. She went from an only with me as her entire world, to a new place, shared by people she didn't know... AND... another cat. Trust me, it took a few months for her to get comfortable with all of this. She's grown into her environment and now runs the household - again. This can happen for your new kitty as well. Patience is a virtue, and an important key for a successful adoption.

Much love to you and we'll see you soon...

Paul Zimmerman

Sensitive Kitties Need Love Too

2011-06-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we do most of our adoptions out of Petsmart. We take both adults and kittens and many of them have no problem there. They are comfortable in their surroundings, and because of this, they get adopted out.

But there are sensitive cats and kittens, just as there are sensitive people. These guys and girls do great in familiar surroundings, the surroundings they grew up in such as Blistered Whiskers, but when we get them to Petsmart, they become frightened or anxious. There's a lot of commotion almost constantly. Even when Petsmart is closed, people are running around doing their stocking of shelves, which causes clatter. There are forklifts, which cause unusual beeps and other sounds. And there are children who come in and see the kitties and tap - or sometimes pound - on the windows. All of these things can be quite overwhelming for a kitty that is sensitive. Ever have a dog that gets really scared around firecrackers or thunder? Same concept. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the animal except that its sensitive to its environment. For most, its just too busy. I think most of us can identify with that at some time or another. Ever been to Toys - R - Us around Christmas time? eeek!!!

There a re plenty of kitties who love a chance to see you at Blistered Whiskers. You can certainly go by there and interact with all of them. In fact, i think i can be a better way of interacting with a kitty because you are seeing them when they are comfortable, in an environment that they are used to, and that way you can get a pretty good idea of how the kitty is going to be once he/she gets used to its new environment with you. You can always call and make an appointment, or you can just stop by between 9am and 7pm. Give it a try. You just might go home with a new friend.

Older, wiser, and better?

2011-03-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

As you know kitten season is well underway. Things are definitely busy here at Blistered Whiskers, but we're doing our very best for all of the new additions.

But I've had something in the back of my mind for a little while. How to write a blog for the older cats still there. Ya see... we've all been thru some tough times, and come out of it better people. There are times when we thought the world didn't give us a care, that our better days are behind us... only to come to the conclusion that are better days are, indeed, ahead of us.

So i think of the older cats at Blistered Whiskers. All of them have their better days ahead of them, and all would love to have a forever home. Could this be your home?

Well, let's look at some good reasons for adopting a cat instead of a kitten. 1) adoption fees are less for a cat versus a kitten. 2) a cat's personality is established. if you're looking for a cat to be at your side and talk to you, we have plenty of those. If you're looking for a more mellow cat, a gentle cat, that is independent and loves you from afar, we have those too. We have just about every type of personality you can think of. You can come to the adult pen, get to know each and every cat there, and find a cat that best suits what you are looking for in a pet. 3) taking care of an animal gives people a sense of purpose. It can certainly lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, and put a smile on your face knowing that your cat is waiting for you when you get home, waiting to love you. No matter how bad my day is, my cat is always waiting for me, and her entire world is complete and happy just because i am around. That's a pretty good feeling. 4) perhaps you're looking for a companion for another cat. Usually another cat who is already familiar and comfortable with other cats is a great addition to your family. Kittens are spastic and frenetic and can sometimes stress out another cat. Adopting a full grown cat to pair with an existing cat in your home most times is a wiser choice.

And, most importantly, although the cats may no longer be kittens, their best days are still ahead of them. Remember what i said about feeling like the world doesn't care? Well, you can care and you can make a difference to a cat that is already happy, healthy, and just waiting for their chance to find a good loving home.

Could this be your home?

All my best to you and your new furry friend,
Paul Zimmerman

Goodbye to Knut the Polar Bear from Berlin

2011-03-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

Sometime in 2007, I came across an article in the Internet about Knut and I fell in love with the little bear and his story immediately.

Knut and a brother were born in 2006 to a former circus performer from East Germany but for an unknown reason, she rejected both her cubs and abandoned them somewhere in the enclosure. The cubs were very lucky because their mother left them in a place where the Zookeepers were able to get to them and remove them still alive.

The first cub died after a few days but the second cub, later named Knut, lived to make history, he was the first polar bear cub to be born and survive in the Berlin Zoo for some 30 years.

Getting Knut to survive was no easy task, he spent a lot of time first in an incubator and then being actually cared for around the clock, in fact, one of the Zoo kepers was almost as famous as Knut for his total and complete dedication to the little cub, his name was Thomas Dörflein. During Knut's first years he fed him, bathe him, played with him, even slept next to his crate at night.

There was a big controversy about this, several animal rights groups said it wasn't natural for a Polar Bear to be raised by a person and that it would only hurt him in the end.

But it was too late already for any other decision to be made, Knut had survived being rejected by his mom, he was growing up and he was already a big P.R. hit for the Zoo and he was already loved and adored by millions of people, so he kept growing under the care of Thomas. Both of them were part of the daily shows at the Zoo, they played together, hugged and were the fascination of the adoring and growing public... Zoo attendance increased significantly, everybody wanted to meet the cute little cub. I saw several videos of these shows and they were just adorable, no other way to describe it.

Before he was 1 year old, he was already too big, not for a polar bear, but too big for humans, so he had to say goodbye to his 'dad', Thomas, and the Zoo started trying to get him to meet other bears. I remember reading that this was very difficult for him, that he kept waiting for Thomas to show up at a certain time or place in the enclosure, that he would exhibit anxious behavior and definitely not very successful at making friends with the other bears, there were reports even that he was bullied by the other bears and this was blamed in the fact that he was raised by people, so he didn't know about relating with others of his kind.

His early childhood seemed so happy, it was sad to hear about his problems adjusting to 'bear' life as he grew up, but I never thought it could be too bad, even without Thomas and sharing his place with other bears, I was convinced he was happy enough and I wanted so much to see him someday.

And that someday arrived! We were lucky enough to make a trip to Germany in 2009 and when we were making plans the items in the itinerary that were a few 'must-do' in our list while in Berlin: visit what was left of the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag and Knut, everything else was negotiable, that's how much I wanted to see him.

It's hard to describe the day we went to the Berlin Zoo. I was the most stereotypical tourist ever! I was so excited about finally meeting Knut in person that I wanted to buy every souvenir available, I kept hurrying everybody up because of course Knut's enclosure was at the other end of the Zoo. It was great to finally see him, but at the same time I couldn't ignore the pacing. He was just pacing from one side to the other, back and forth, back and forth, everybody in our little group commented about that, didn't look quite right... but well, maybe it was close to his meal time and he was anxious or something like that. I came up with several theories to make me feel better, but regardless, it was still a bit sad seeing him pace like that, I hoped that he wasn't spending most of his time like that.

A couple of days ago, Knut died, at an extremely young age. He was just 4 years old when Polar Bears in captivity live in average of 30 years. They still don't know the official cause of death, but there were some preliminary reports about some anomalies in his brain that could have contributed to his death.

I still have a conflict about Zoos and the good/bad impact they have on animals and Knut is a big part of this internal discussion going on in my head, but regardless of my evolving thoughts on the matter, on the ethics around keeping animals in captivity and regardless also on how Knut's unusual upbringing may have affected him during his short live, I want to think that he was happy most of his life and that he made a difference bringing the plight of the polar bears and other endangered species to the forefront. Like me, I'm sure a lot of people around the world are sad about his passing but will remember him fondly.

Tschüß liebe Knut,
Lupemaria

I heart 'Animal People'

2011-03-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

I used to believe that when a good cause came along, all the people that supported such cause would work together without any major conflicts, they would just work together and advance this good cause, make a difference.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.

There are many animal-related causes out there, every one just as just as good as the next, but surprisingly, working together just doesn't come that easy, unfortunately, power, politics, money and personal interests or feelings can get in the way of doing our absolute best for the animals.

The first time I realized that we, animal lovers, didn't have a single voice was when I read an article about a group in California that was lobbying to cut the City funding for a successful TNR program in the Community and instead using that money for trapping and killing community/feral cats and to my surprise, the group lobbying for this change was a group under the animal protection umbrella... This group had a very worthy cause in their hands, protecting birds.

This is when I realized that we aren't all 'animal people' or 'animal lovers'... There are some people out there that will discriminate when it comes to what animals they love and what animals, in their opinion, deserve to live and which ones deserve to be killed.

True animal lovers will not discriminate in such a way, animal lovers will care and be compassionate and kind to all animals, regardless of species or breeds.

I'm not saying in any way that birds are not worthy of our care, compassion and protection, but surely a plan can be devised by animal lovers in which certain balance and compromise can be achieved. Imagine how much more could be done for animals if animal groups don't waste a single dollar or minute fighting each other and they just sit down and work together!

I often hear or read about how bad feral cats are and how many birds they kill... but in reality, cats would never kill a fraction of the birds that we, humans, are killing. The number of birds killed by habitat lost, hunting and as we recently learned, actual sanctioned killing of birds by our Government agencies is appaling! And make no mistake, this is 'killing' not euthanasia like they are trying to label it. Even if the cats of the world were to organize themselves to eat only birds, they would never be able to kill a fraction of the birds that we humans kill, and we don't even kill them in order to survive.

So, instead of killing cats, we should re-double our efforts to keep cats with their families so they don't end up abandoned and homeless, we should re-double efforts around TNR programs in the communities to reduce the number of feral cats that are being forced to fend for themselves, and above all, we should re-double efforts to educate ourselves and make sure we are making a difference in the life of animals by being 'animal people'.

I myself have 7 cats, I love cats, but that doesn't mean I want or support the suffering or killing of other animals, that doesn't mean I will spend any time, effort or money advocating anything like that or supporting organizations that are not true 'animal lovers'. To the contrary, I am very happy and grateful to know that there are a lot of 'animal people' out there, making a difference with dogs, cats, birds, wild animals, farm animals, critters, you name it! In our modern world, all animals are in dire need of our kindness and support.

And one of these groups making a difference every day is Blistered Whiskers. BW is a small group, but they are a small group of 'animal lovers' that are comitted to saving as many kitties as possible with TNR, rescue and adoption. I am a proud supporter of Blistered whiskers.

Lupemaria

here a kitten, there a kitten, everywhere a kitten kitten

2011-02-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

Its coming up on kitten season...

Its the busy, Busy, BUSY time of year. So many people let their adult cats out to prowl, don't have them fixed, and the next thing you know its kitten season. Then again, sometimes people just abandon their cats to fend for themselves, and the next thing you know its kitten season.

Did i mention that its kitten season?

There are times when i've seen well over 150 cats and kittens at Blistered Whiskers. They always find themselves chock full of kittens about this time of year. These little kittens are fighting for their lives before they find their way to Blistered Whiskers. For some, it takes quite a bit of TLC to get them adopted out. Can you help us with some TLC? Here's how you can help:

We always need litter, kitten food, formula, bedding, and paper towels (lots of them). Any donations of these items are greatly appreciated. You can drop them off at the door if its more convenient for you.

We did our charity walk and golf tournament and raised over $2000 for the shelter. That's an outstanding start to kitten season, but money goes fast. Every kitty needs it's first shots and a visit to the vet for a clean bill of health before it can be adopted out. We do everything we can to keep our bills as low as possible, but it can add up. If you have the means, any monetary donation would certainly help. We are all volunteers, so all of the money that gets raised and/or donated goes straight to Blistered Whiskers. Not many places can say that.

We always need reliable volunteers. Feeding, socializing and cleaning the kitties is the order of every day at Blistered Whiskers. If you can't volunteer monetarily, how about volunteering your time? It is a no-kill shelter, so every kitty that comes in will have every chance to find a good loving home. Again, not many places can say that. We need reliable volunteers to be able to come in and help out. Trust me, there's always something to do - especially during kitten season. And there are few things more rewarding than bonding with a kitten from the moment they are born, being a surrogate parent, making sure they get everything they need, and then getting them to a wonderful home where they can be happy. Sometimes its tough work, but you get back so much more. But is is so important to be reliable. The kitties have needs and if someone doesn't show up, then their needs may not get met. Please remember, they're babies and can't make it without you.

We also need foster homes. These volunteers will take home a litter of kittens - usually but other arrangements can be made - and you do the parenting from home. Blistered Whiskers will set you up with everything you need. Our foster homes are the unsung heroes, because they still do the work needed, but since its from home, it saves us more space to be able to get more kittens in. It really is a win-win situation.

We're gonna make kitten season the best its ever been. But we can surely use any help you'd like to give. If you have any other questions about how you can help, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you,
Paul Zimmerman

FIV doesn't have to be the boogie man anymore

2011-02-03T21:34:00.000-08:00

The decade of the 80s is well remembered, among other things, for the AIDS scare. When the epidemy started, we didn't have a name for it and had no clue what was causing it, until around 1987 when the deadly retrovirus was identified and given the name HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Around the same time, the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV, was also identified and for years, FIV built a mean reputation mostly for the fear and impression that the HIV virus was leaving on every mind, worldwide. FIV & HIV seemed too closely related, they had to be equally lethal.

Decades later, and with a lot more research into the topic, it seems we were all wrong! FIV is not what it was thought to be, and little by little the perception has been changing as studies, experience and true stories of cats with FIV leaving long happy lives are available to the public.

Francis Battista, Co-Founder of the Best Friends Animal Society, explains in a recent article than "...rather than being transmitted by casual contact such as sharing food and water bowls and even mutual grooming, FIV is only transmitted in utero from an infected mother to her kittens or by a serum-to-blood route, as in a deep bite wound. And not only was FIV not an easily transmitted disease, for the most part cats who had FIV lived long and uneventful lives when given normal attentive care that included early intervention for common maladies such as the sniffles."

So, it is fair to say that a positive FIV test is no longer a death sentence, not even a good estimator of the quality of life or life expectancy of the cat. This means that we can finally remove the stigma of being FIV+ and give these kitties the same opportunities to LIVE and to find their forever home by sharing the spotlight at adoption events, websites and other media with their FIV- friends. Many rescues are already changing their policies and it's my hope that PETCO will do so soon as well.

At this moment, PETCO does not allow rescue groups to bring FIV+ cats into their stores for adoption events. The old myth of FIV is robbing countless cats of the chance to be discovered by that perfect family, to find a forever home.

As with other illnesses, human or animal, studies and research are helping remove the stigma from FIV+ cats, now it's our turn to make sure we are informed, that we look for facts rather than myths and then act on this new information.

For more details on FIV, please check this list of FIV Facts published by Best Friends.

Then, you can contact PETCO and respectfully ask them to remove this old policy and get with the times! You can contact Karen Meader, PETCO National Adoption Program Manager at karenmea@petco.com and you can also sign the online petition available here

Lupemaria.

I am a believer!

2011-01-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

I love books, I'm always reading one or two while at the same time I'm on the lookout for the next one. Always up for a good, touching, exciting or even shocking story.

Last year, I came across a book that caught my attention right away, the title was a direct punch to a general preconception, one that I shared, pet overpopulation. The title of the book was just too direct and intriguing: "Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America".

I saw this book and read its description, I was shocked, how can the author say this? I thought it was just like a lawyer trying to confuse with words, so, I did not buy the book, but I couldn't forget that title either, so I googled the book and its author...

In the Internet, I found many references to the author, Nathan J. Winograd, most were either very good or very bad, few were in-between... I found many columns and articles he has written during the years and my mind was very confused; on the one side I wanted to believe the premise, but on the other I just couldn't believe it... I was so sure, for years, that we had a pet overpopulation problem that I never thought of questioning it. And even when I saw this book and read the title, I kept thinking that was a very good idea, but I was sure it couldn't be done in the real world, especially in open-admissions organizations, how could they??!!

Months passed and I couldn't forget this title, so eventually, I got the book and read it. It was so good and shocking that there wasn't a page that didn't make me think, react, question, feel awful, feel hopeful, cry, you name it!. I couldn't put it down, even when at times I really wanted to stop reading and forget all the facts, numbers and stories. Because sometimes the truth is so big it really hits you like a ton of bricks, and that's exactly what happened to me, and I thought I knew about rescues, shelters and pets!

Reading this book, you understand that this is the 'No-Kill EQUATION' because you need every single element to achieve the goal. The goal may seem so big that it's unatainable, but it is possible once we believe.

And here, finally, I understood that not all animal rescues & shelters are created equal. All rescues are helping in some way and I believe they all have their heart in the right place, but personally I am in awe of all the groups out there that are working towards the goal of No-Kill. This goal is not achieved overnight of course, but it makes a world of difference to know that a shelter believes in No-Kill and it's taking the necessary actions to move towards that goal. I admire these organizations because it takes a lot of courage and committment to take the tough road and these are the type of organizations that I love to help and support.

The elements of the No-Kill equation are simple, we all have heard them before, but when put together they are powerful and what's most important, they produce REAL results in real communities. They just make sense.

Here's the No-Kill Equation:

Feral Cat Trap-Neuter-Return Program
High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter
Rescue Groups (working together)
Foster Care
Comprehensive Adoption Programs
Pet Retention
Medical and Behavior Programs
Public Relations/Community Involvement
Volunteers
Proactive Redemptions
A Compassionate Director

I invite you to find out more about this movement and to identify, use and support the No Kill organizations in our Community, a good example is Blistered Whiskers.

If you want to read more about the No-Kill Equation, please go to Nathan Winograd's blog and don't miss the success stories posted in the No-Kill Advocacy Center's website

Ready to joing in? It's easy! You have many options!
1. You can help Blistered Whiskers with monetary, in-kind donations or spreading the word, Social Media is a wonderful thing!
2. You can become a foster parent!
3. You can adopt your next pet and spread the word about adopting, not buying pets.
4. Volunteer, there's always so much work to do...

Lupemaria.

A Peek Inside

2011-01-24T18:48:00.000-08:00

This is Sam. He is about three years old, declawed, and pretty skinny. He was found in a manhole a bit ago, he couldn't have gotten there himself...I'll let you ponder how he got there (hint: someone put him there). Did I mention he's declawed? He's also pretty skittish of men, dogs, cats, women, children, blowdryers (even turned off), hair brushes...etc. etc. etc.

I'm visiting Blistered Whiskers from San Diego, CA. I fall in love with all of the cats I meet here, they're so sweet and loving...but I've only fallen in love with two enough to take home with me. This trip I had the pleasure to be Sam's roommate. At first he didn't really want anything to do with me, I mean, if you had a room all to yourself would you want a roommate? Probably not. Well, he caved by the time I hit the hay my first night...he decided to grace me with his presence and cuddle with me. I thought maybe it was a fluke, that was based on the shocked look on Maggi's (the shelter director) face.

The next day, I noticed every time I would walk in the room, Sam would get up from wherever he was and saunter to me, for scratchies. Keep in mind, he's at least 4 lbs underweight and his thighs are pretty emaciated looking...so walking is a big deal for him (and is currently part of his rehab). When I pat the bed, Sam jumps up for scratchies. When I pat the floor, he jumps down for scratchies. Most cats work for treats/food, he works for love. Last night he laid on my lap for about an hour before I finally fell asleep. Today he's been the same loving kitty he was yesterday...

You might be wondering why I'm sharing this with you...I am just so amazed at how cats (and animals in general) are so forgiving of humanity. From what I can gather, Sam has had a rough three years, but he is still willing to give me a chance. Sam is a special guy, sure he looks like ten thousand other brown/black tabbies...but to me he might just be one of those cats that I fall in love with so much, enough to take home to California with me.

Sam's story is not the first of its kind, and it's certainly not the most horrible story I've heard while volunteering at Blistered Whiskers. We've got some real gems running around on the streets - but that's another story...There are plenty of sweet, loving, forgiving kitties running around Blistered Whiskers that are waiting for someone to discover them. Their gentle and loving demeanors are a direct product of the love they're getting from the awesome volunteers here. You won't find a better cat anywhere else. If you have room in your house for a cat, find him or her at Blistered Whiskers.

Below are a few pictures of Sam and our other roommate (who is up for adoption) Patches:

Sam and I (excuse his grumpy face, he can't help it)

some thoughts on the new year

2011-01-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

Kitten Season... a term that's not easy to the Blistered Whiskers crew. Kitten season means more kittens than we can handle. We try to do our absolute best to accommodate as many as we can, but there's only so much money and so much space to go around. Inevitably, we have no choice but to turn away during the end of kitten season because there is simply no more space. There are so many mommas about to give birth, or that already have given birth, and then there's the new-born kittens that need attention. Some have more special needs than others, and some have many needs that strain the abilities of the volunteers and the organization. Trust me, we will persevere, and we will do our best. We've never failed. That is the important distinction. There's too much dedication to fail.

But what can you do to help?

First, how about adopting an older kitty? There are plenty of momma kitties who wound up being awesome mothers, their kittens got adopted out, and unfortunately the mommas never did get adopted out. If they're good mommas then most likely they're gonna be good pets. We try to get the kids adopted out first, then the adults. Most cats in the adult pen a re ready, very willing, and able to come to your house today. They'd LOVE a new forever home, they're cheaper than the kittens, they've already been socialized, they don't tear things up like a kitten could, and they've been snipped, so that's not an issue either. . They're just about as ready to say "let's go, i wanna love you" as it gets. Many of them are only a few years old, so there's plenty of time to enjoy them and they to you. We adopt out many adult cats during the years. This time of year is excellent to find yourself a new furry friend.

Second, how about donating? Oh boy, there's always something that Blistered Whiskers needs. Cat litter, kitten food, formula, and money are just some of the things we need. The money goes to pay for so many different things, from vaccinations to special needs, to a myriad of things. They're very frugal with their money, its all on a volunteer basis, so nearly 100% of your donations goes directly to Blistered Whiskers. There are not many organizations that can make that claim.

Lastly, how about volunteering? It might be the slow(er) season right this minute, but Kitten Season is on its way very soon. This would actually be a good time to get yourself accustomed to the organization as what it entails, get yourself on a schedule that works for you, see if its a good match, than to be thrown into the mix during kitten season. This way, you could go at your own pace, and ease into things. there's plenty of time for action during kitten season.

You can make a difference in any way you choose. The kitties are waiting for you. This a purrfect time to get involved.

Thank you and have a GREAT 2011...!!!
Paul Zimmerman

COOL ACTS FROM COOL CATS

2010-12-08T17:05:00.001-08:00

You know why cats are cool? Because cats KNOW they're cool.

This is my cat Zara, comfortably nestled upon my freshly washed clothes, looking like that is exactly where she needs to be. Never mind that its not where I want her to be. After all... she's the cat.

I have a running joke about Zara that goes "i pay the rent and she lets me live here". Another running joke is "dogs have masters and cats have servants".

But you know what...? Zara is so wonderful to me. Everyday, no matter how good or how bad my day is, when i walk thru the door her entire world is complete. Her talk sticks straight in the air and she comes running, just as happy as can be because her papa is home!!! She talks to me, tells me all about her day, and i tell her about mine. We'll play for as long as humanly (yes humanly) possible, because she can go and go. She never tires of being around her papa. For her, every day is a new adventure. Something we humans should embrace a little bit.

She fetches. Yep, she fetches. She doesn't care if she acts like a dog. She is who she is, and she's just fine with that. She's cool because she's the cat.

When it's time to go to sleep, she always says good night. Sometimes she'll "make biscuits", but every night she comes up and cuddles for a bit, then goes down to the foot of the bed, which is her spot.

Did i mention Christmas is coming up? Yep, i wouldn't kid ya. At Blistered Whiskers, we have many new friends to choose from. One of those little furry critters would love to get a new home from you, and give you all the love you deserve. All of the kitties have been fixed and have a clean bill of health from a vet. Whether its a kitten or an older cat (boy they sure would love a wonderful home and have been waiting so patiently), i'm sure you could find a cool cat yourself... and start a new adventure... What a wonderful present for the both of you!!!

Happy Holidays,
Paul Zimmerman

Holiday Idea(s)...

2010-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'm not one to tell people how to spend their money or their time. Both are precious, and, especially in these difficult times, sometimes very limited. The holiday season can be stressful for any number of reasons. Work can be crazy, family and friends pull and push in every which direction, giving the "perfect gift" to put a smile on someone's face. Well... what about giving a gift for yourself? Yep, that's right, what about YOU during these times? Everyone needs a friend, and adopting an animal from a shelter gives you and your newest buddy the gift of life and of friendship. Together, you can make a huge difference in both of your worlds.

Can't bring another animal home? Trust me, i can't either - I'd bring them all home if i could. No problem. What about volunteering at a shelter? My time at Blistered Whiskers was one of the most amazing times I've ever experienced. It helped put things in perspective for me, reminding me how important it is to give back to the world. These little kitties just want a chance in this world to be loved and to give their love back. Trust me... sometimes the work put in is less than glorious. Kitties get sick and there's litter boxes to be changed, etc. But when i walked thru the door on any given day, i had oodles of kitties all excited to see me, pushing over each other to be the first one that is loved. Most times, you can't get that from any person. The lives that we did save - and they continue to save - were so rewarding to me. To get a kitty off the street, all taken care of to be adopted, and then to get them a good loving home made all the work worth it and then some.

I don't live in Phoenix anymore. I moved to be with my girlfriend and to - hopefully - get married. But i cherished my time at Blistered Whiskers. It was an amazing ride, and i hope to find a place in my new city that will be as good to, and as good for me, as they have been to me. Your time and donations keep the place going, they keep changing lives.

And sometimes it seems that making a difference in this world - - - keeps it from spinning off it's axis. If you can't donate your time, or you can't adopt an animal, try volunteering. There's always something to do, and there's always a way to make a difference. No matter how small it might seem to you, sometimes it means the world to someone else...

Happy Holidays to everyone...

Paul Zimmerman

On-line Fundraiser!

2010-11-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

For some reason I can't figure out how to make this less blurry but large enough to read. Oh well, technology wins this time. Here are the details:

Blistered Whiskers and Scentsy are teaming up to help the kitties!

Scentsy are flameless, wickless candles that are pet and kid safe! It's wax that never gets hot enough to burn you, and is food grade, and non toxic. The wax is heated by a 25 watt light bulb and emits your choice of over 80 scents for over 50 hours! They are affordable and make great gifts. Every pet owner should have at least one of these in their house!

How to help:

Go to Scentsy and make sure you scroll down to "Open Parties" and click on "Blistered Whiskers" (failure to do this will result in BW not getting funds!)
Order up! Anything you order, Blistered Whiskers kitties get 15% of!

Please help us, these make fabulous gifts for family, friends and yourself! They will make your house and/or car smell like a slice of heaven!

Perseverance Thy Name Is Vinnie

2010-11-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

Sit right down and let me tell you a story about a special little guy. His name is Vinnie, and he's pictured above with his best friend Lexi - from the previous story. His story is one that will - hopefully - inspire you.

Vinnie was born with only the top section of his back legs. He has just a small section of the lower bones below his knees, making it VERY painful for him to get around. It is so painful because the little bones that he has to walk on eventually work their way thru his skin!!!

But look at this face. he is the happiest cat in the world. He doesn't give up, and is always purring and playing. Just not walking on his back legs whenever possible. There's a lesson to be learned there somewhere. no matter how painful his world can be... he's still to be a lover, still to be a normal kitty, still to give all the things a kitty can give.

Moral to the story: life can give you difficulties, but its how you overcome those difficulties that makes the difference.

Adoption fees and the lives it changes

2010-10-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

If you've ever happened into a shelter or a Petsmart, Petco or any other any other place thinking about adopting a cat, do you balk at the price? Do you say to yourself, "Gee... this price seems kinda high"? Does the price keep you from adopting a kitty? Let me tell you a story about one tough little girl, and perhaps it will explain where your money goes. Hopefully the story will be worth the price of admission... or adoption, as it were.

Lexi had the world stacked against her from the start. She was the runt of the litter. Her momma passed a few weeks after giving birth. We put her in a kennel with another momma and her kittens hoping the momma would adopt her and the other kittens would accept her as one of their own. No matter how hard we tried, the new momma and her kittens just rejected poor Lexi right from the start. She just huddled up in a little ball, so scared because the others would hiss at her and swat her little head. It seemed nobody wanted her. That is... except for us.

The next thing going against her was the she was a Failure To Thrive kitten. She was very sick for quite a long time. She couldn't put on any weight, nor would she grow in size. The picture above is Lexi at 10 weeks old, which is easily one-third the size of what she should have been.

There were times we would have to force feed her thru a syringe. As time went on, she got sicker. She became dehydrated and it almost killed her. I went home many nights wondering if she would make it thru the night, and saying my prayers that God would help us help her. The things we put her thru would have made just about any person give up. She never gave up. Just as sweet as could be, she would cry from the pain of needles and medication, yet she also trusted us to do what we could.

It took a long time, a good deal of money (this is where the adoption price comes in) and a lot of love to get her where she needed to be. Slowly but surely she got better. She hardly grew in size, but her energy came back. Not too long after that she would play a little. After that, she started following us around and seemed to have endless energy - as a kitten should. She would purr this soft little sound, then come and take a quick bite out of your finger. We were having success!!! After another few weeks, she FINALLY started putting on some weight and growing. She was becoming a big girl now!!!

To end the story, she's all grown up. She's happy and healthy and has herself a wonderful loving home. The little girl who could barely stand, barely breath, and several times had us in tears pulled it all together - - and she's bright, shiny and beautiful.

So now... about that adoption fee. Your adoption fee helps you save the life your your newest bestest friend that you will be taking home with you, but also goes to save the lives of many other cats and kittens that have stories similar to Lexi's. The adoption fee helps everyone.

Instead of feeling sorry for a cat or kitten... adopt one!!!

Paul Zimmerman

Best friends are a wonderful thing...

2010-10-04T09:49:00.001-07:00

Last week, my best friend from Guadalajara arrived here in Phoenix for a visit, and I couldn't be any happier. We met 25 years ago and sometimes we don't see each other often, especially since we live in different countries now, but that really hasn't changed the fact that we're best friends and we have a very special bond that will last forever and ever!

Friendship and companionship are not exclusive needs to us people, many species create such bonds with other animals and with the humans in their lives... and this is the case for most of our pets.

Sometimes these friendships come naturally, they just meet and click, sometimes it takes a little more time for them to get to know each other, but at the end, a very special relationship can happen and enrich their lives just like our friends enrich ours.

This is why i think that ideally, we all should have at least a couple of pets, make sure they have a very best friend living right beside them...

The very first time we thought about adopting a cat, I did not understand this very well, I remember that my intention was to get A cat, having more than 1 cat never entered my mind... luckily, my husband was there with me when we went to see cats and he twisted my arm a little bit until I accepted to adopt 2 cats. I accepted not because I really got it, I didn't, but because he was so sure that was the best thing to do and I don't know if he said or just felt like he said "just trust me", so, what was I to do?...

... Adopt 2 cats and as the weeks went by, I really got it, getting the 2 cats was the best decision we could have made.

These cats were Benito and Gatilla, they were not siblings, they were in different enclosures at the adoption center, Benito was about 6 months of age, Gatilla was about a year... and since we didn't know a thing about cats and introductions, we just bought a carrier, got the 2 cats in there together and headed home.

Even if Benito was just 6 months old, he was never a true kitten, he spent his days sleeping and Gatilla spent her days around Benito, licking him, cuddling with him, very maternal. And we thought it was all normal behavior, but less than a week after we adopted them, we noticed one morning something like a thick and brown paste was coming out of Benito's ear, so I headed to our very first veterinary appointment.

He was running a fever, which we were told explained all the sleeping and lack of 'kitten' normal behavior... plus he had a full list of infections and illnesses, I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming, especially when they told us he may not live much longer. So it started a period of about 5 months when we were in and out of the vet's office, but after that, we were happy to see how he was feeling much better.

During this time, Benito and Gatilla's bond grew by the hour, Benito wouldn't be just the recipient of her caring, but now he was reciprocating, he followed her around, played with her, it was really special to see them together and how Gatilla played a big role in helping Benito recover.

During these months, they bonded with each other, Gatilla bonded with us, but Benito kept a little distance, he probably thought I was just a big walking medicine dispenser.

After another 5 or 6 months, we noticed that now it was Gatilla that wasn't feeling very well and we were told the scary diagnostic, She had Feline Leukemia. We couldn't understand why, in her adoption papers it said she had tested negative and after she had all the boosters/vaccines appropriate for her age, but that didn't change the fact that she was sick and could only stay with us for a very short time.

During this short time, their roles reversed, it was now Benito that seemed to take care of her, he even stopped trying to play with her, he knew somehow that she wasn't up to it, it was all hugs and kisses.

The very first night she was no longer sleeping beside me, to my surprise, Benito did, and I cried, and I felt he was also missing her, mourning her... after that, he slept with me every single night, right on my pillow where Gatilla used to sleep, I think that was the very first moment when Benito and I truly clicked.

Theirs was a very special friendship, even if it lasted only a little over a year. They were there for each other in the good and the bad times, and during the bad times, they provided such love and comfort to each other. We loved them dearly, but I am not sure we could have provided them with what they got from each other, it was truly special to see them together and the lessons I learned from them, invaluable.

We missed Gatilla terribly and it was sweet and sad at the same time to see how much Benito

was also missing her, so it didn't take us long to decide that he needed, we all needed, a new friend in our lives.

Benito and Gatilla took a pair of inexperienced, amateur cat owners and turned us into pet parents for life.

I would whole-heartedly say to any parent of a single pet, to go and find that perfect friend for your pet or if considering adopting a new pet, get at least two, it is hard to put into words how rewarding friendships are for our pet kids, but again, I don't have to put it in words because we all have that best friend that helps us understand and feel how awesome best friends are.

I heart best friends ;D

Lupemaria

A Standing Ovation to Blistered Whiskers & No-Kill Rescues all over!

2010-09-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Up until a couple of years ago, we had always adopted adult cats, and every single one was and is an amazing journey, but a little over 2 years ago, we went into uncharted territory, we adopted a single Kitten!

We were watching the AHS Pet Telethon on TV and we were overwhelmed to see all the pets without a home and a family to spoil them, immediately we decided to go and get a new furry family member. So we went to PetSmart, and my husband spotted a tiny 3 month old orange tabby, all by himself but practically jumping off the walls of the little enclosure; it was love at first sight, we decided to bring him home right there and then.

That's when we discovered that kittens and adult cats may be the same species, but they are really not, we were completely taken by surprise by the level of activity and no-stop energy he had, and of course, our older cats noticed that too, and nobody was very happy about it...

After about 3 weeks we conceded defeat, this was not going to work out, poor tiny Diego was always wanting more and more play and attention, we just couldn't keep up and our older cats were going crazier by the minute.

Giving Diego away was never a thought or an option, he was driving us all nuts, but we already loved him to bits, so, we went with the only alternative we had, getting an other kitten! The very next day, we headed back to a Pet Store, at that time, all we were looking for was a male kitten, around 4 months of age, of similar size to Diego... and we found him...

"Hank" was by himself but seemed quite different from Diego, he was asleep, he had his back to the door and even after the door was opened, he did not acknowledge us, he didn't turn around when we started petting him... he seemed very shy, but that was no problem for us, we adopted him on the spot and as soon as we got home, we turned him loose in a room with Diego... we could not wait the recommended couple of weeks before making introductions, we were that desperate!

It was great to see them together, finally somebody was keeping up with Diego... and all the adults, human and cat alike, were happy ;D A family crisis had been averted.

In the adoption paperwork I noticed that "Hank" (now called Dresden) had arrived at HALO from another rescue group, one that I knew was a kill rescue... and at that time I didn't think much of it. Months passed, and one day, I was online trying to find out more about HALO and to my surprise, the website said they didn't take pets from the public, they take pets mostly from kill rescues, they take animals that are at risk of being euthanized for whatever reasons.

I could not wrap my mind around the thought that there was a possibility that my Dresden, my unbelievable loving, sweet Dresden, was in such risk.

I had heard for years about pet overpopulation and the fact that millions of pets are routinely euthanized, all around the country for this reason, but, once I pictured my Dresden in that risk, in that dreaded list, it really brought the point home for me. The point that millions of healthy, loving and adoptable pets are dying, just like that.

There are many opinions out there on why this problem exists and if it's solvable or not, but i personally think it is, it just requires consistent work and an unconditional commitment to the animals from the animal organizations and the pet parents. Imagine the number of kittens and puppies that could be spared from this fate just by spaying/neutering and extensive TNR... Then responsible and committed pet ownership... These 2 things alone already have a big impact for a lot of animals, but it could be much much larger.

This is why support for the no-kill rescues and organizations in our community is vital, a lot of them are small organizations, but their impact on the animals they touch is big, their impact on the families that adopt their pets is undeniable, their impact in educating the community and raising awareness on this problem and the fact that there are solutions to it, invaluable!

I just have to take a look at my Dresden to know that no-kill rescue groups are the future, they have to be. In the picture above, my Dresden is waking up from his nap with his pet cat... His pet cat used to be the gel wrist rest shaped like a cat that I had by my computer mouse, until Dresden adopted him. Just adorable!

Lupemaria

A Pet's 10 Commandments

2010-09-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

I got this from an email that has been circulating for years. I'm posting it because i believe in it and all that it contains. Enjoy...

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. You are my world.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

Thank you TNR !! (Trap-Neuter-Return)

2010-09-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

I have always thought that TNR is an excellent practice, it helps control the population in feral cat colonies... lets the older cats continue their lives as they know them, with none or minimal human intervention... the quality of life for these adult cats improve because they won't have the hormones to incite aggressive behavior, competition for mates, for food, pregnancies, heat cycles... and for the kittens already born, if they are young enough, they can still be rescued, socialized and they can go on to find a home and a family.

TNR seems like a no-brainer, a win-win situation.

Today, I believe in TNR even more, and I am very grateful for the people that take this task upon themselves.

Throughout the years, we have adopted 9 cats from different rescues around the Phoenix area, but when we adopted our 'little ones' a couple of months ago, we had a first. It was the first time that we got to meet the foster parents that had taken care of our kittens before we even knew them. I was thrilled to be able to talk to them about my Dexter & Ronan, to hear stories of how they behaved, what they liked, how they interacted with the other cats in their foster home, funny stories, you name it! we asked...

Dexter and Ronan were the 2 males in a liter of 4 kittens, they were all fostered together, and by the time we met them, the 2 sisters had already been adopted, so it was just them... for some reason, I assumed that somebody had surrendered the 4 kittens to the rescue group because they couldn't care for them and I was completely blown away when I heard this was not the case...

My Dexter and Ronan were born homeless, to a feral mom and for weeks this cat mama must have had a tough time out there, in the hot Phoenix weather and with 4 little kittens to take care of and feed on her own. And along comes a very nice lady, who loves cats with a passion and sets up a trap in the vicinity, she wanted to give the mom and the 4 kittens a second chance.

She was able to trap the cat mom and the 2 female kittens in one night, but the 2 male kitties couldn't be persuaded to join the family, so they actually stayed on their own, out there, without even their cat mama and sisters for almost a full day. The next evening, she was so relieved when she was able to trap the 2 little male kittens and have the family re-united again.

After trapping this cat family, Charlotte took it upon herself to foster the 4 kittens until they were big and strong enough to be neutered/spayed and be put up for adoption. She also had some hope for the cat mama, maybe she could be placed into a home, and she tried for a couple of months to bring her around, but eventually realized that she was feral and not likely to be persuaded to turn into a lazy, pampered house cat. So, she had her spayed and returned her to her "outdoor" home.

2 months later, I walked into a PetSmart, leaning towards adopting a young cat but still thinking about it and 'Tiger' caught my eye immediately, he was asleep, but something about him caught my attention and I was hooked. We also saw a very playful kitty outside his enclosure, playing with some kids and my husband was drawn to him immediately, his name was 'Scooby'.

We decided to ask about Tiger & Scooby and that's when we were told they were brothers, even if Tiger looked much smaller than Scooby... and that was it, we just had to take both of them home, it just seemed like the best thing to do, and later, once we were home and had a chance to see them together, we realized we had made the perfect decision, they were perfect together, they slept together, played together, groom together and little 'Tiger', the smallest of the pair, just kept following Scooby around. I really think that little Tiger would have been a bit lost if he didn't have his brother with him all of a sudden.

A little over a month has passed, my little ones are growing like crazy, they got new names, Dexter and Ronan, they are completely integrated with the rest of the cats in our home, they are even best buddies with some of them already and we couldn't be happier, we couldn't imagine our family without these 2 little rascals.

I owe my 2 little ones to the practice of TNR and a great lady that saw this cat family fending for itself and took it upon herself to give them a new life.

This is a perfect example of how TNR really has an impact on the lives of people and cats... 4 homeless kittens have homes and loving families, a feral cat mama is now spayed and living her life without the burden and risk of more pregnancies and she won't bring more homeless kittens into this world...

TNR is hard work, but it works! and rescue groups like Blistered Whiskers that are out there doing this hard work and trying to get better lives for these little furry balls and their cat mamas are very special people that put their love of animals to action.

THANK YOU!

Lupemaria

My Dear Qtip

2010-08-31T11:00:00.001-07:00

I wanted my first blog for Blistered Whiskers to be about something very interesting, current, inspirational... but these days, all that comes to mind is my Qtip.

Qtip is my oldest pet kid, he is almost 18 years old, he has been part of our family for 12 years. It sounds like a long time, but it doesn't feel long enough.

Last week he was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure, his blood & urine tests don't look very good, even after 3 days of getting fluids/potassium with an IV, but he is eating and he looks much better than the numbers do, so we're just going to take it day by day, week by week. And for sure, we are going to spoil him to bits, isn't it odd that his absolute favorite treat is the fish-flavored hairball remedy? We have a couple of extra tubes handy now.

Qtip's life with us is full of happy, funny and first moments, so I get to cry and laugh as all these stories rush to mind.

I love that he always makes a point to sleep on the bed around me... I love that he is such a gentle alpha-cat, he keeps all his brothers in-line, just with a meow... I love how he used to sit down with us to watch T.V... I love how he has welcomed 6 pet siblings that came after him... I love his eyes, they are huge, full of life, and blue and green! ... I love to watch him sleep, belly up... I love how he communicates with us, somehow he lets us know, very clearly, what he wants or needs... I love how he trusts me, even when I have my scissors in hand and ready to cut any tangled hair...

When he first joined the family, the third day he was home, he was still spending nights in his own room because we wanted to give our other 2 cats more time to get to know him and didn't want any incidents while we slept. That night, all of a sudden, I'm sound asleep and I hear a door opening; I was really scared until a moment later when I saw Qtip entering the room and joining us on the bed, just like that, no incidents with his brothers, no hisses, in fact, after a short time, he was best friends with our orange tabby Benito.

Qtip was a big traveler in his youth; he used to live in Scottsdale, AZ... Then he moved with his family to San Francisco and later back to Phoenix when he joined our household. He is the only one of my cats to have traveled in an airplane, and what a wild and stinky ride that was! (They fed him before the trip!).

I admit that when we first talked about bringing Qtip to our home I was a bit concerned, I thought that we had 2 cats already and they were perfect together, what if Qtip did not get along with them? What if Qtip just didn't adapt to an indoors life after being allowed outside for so many years? But it was clear to us that he could be happier in our home, so, we said yes and hoped for the best. And the best indeed happened...

I firmly believe that the easiness with how our first cat trio integrated and how much we came to adore them, gave us the confidence and the need to open our hearts to other cats as years went by. Back then we were new to this wonderful world of cats and now we are a big cat family of 8, they go from 5 months to 18 years old, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

It is not the first time we are facing a situation like this (unfortunately) and it doesn't get any easier, I'm terrified of not being able to clearly know that moment when fighting to keep him with us a little longer is more for my benefit than for his.

I am very happy to have Qtip in our lives all this time and to know that he has been happy with us and that he knows how much we love him and care for him... I sincerely wish that all pets can find a forever home and just be as happy and care-free as my Qtip is, and while they all find their forever families, it’s great that animal lovers everywhere are banding together to help and support groups like Blistered Whiskers that are making a difference out there by rescuing, rehabilitating, spaying/neutering and adopting pets, talk about selfless actions!

Everybody just go and give a big hug to your loved ones, furry and not so furry...

Best Wishes,

Lupemaria

THE POWER OF LOVE FROM A PET

2010-08-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

2004 was a very difficult year for me. In March of that year, my father passed away. I was the one who had to take him off of oxygen and watch him die. Less than a month later my 21 year old nephew also passed away from suicide. I was executor of my family's estate, had never done that before, and the complications from that were mind-boggling. I was also putting in 60-70 hour work weeks, and recently evicted a friend of mine because of his drinking.My father's bills were piled high with no idea how i was gonna get them paid, and there was so much legal stuff that i didn't know. I had no idea how i was gonna keep all of this together, and i was wearing down pretty fast. The stress from all of this was giving me insomnia, which in turn made me even more tired and run down.

One night i let it all get to me. I sat on the couch with my legs crossed and my face buried in my hands. I tried to fight back the tears, but the moment i let the first one out the rest just came in a flood. Soon i was sobbing uncontrollably, afraid that i really was going to fall apart. What if i fell apart? Would i then be able to compose myself and get on with things, or would i just sit there and fall to pieces? I felt very alone, very sad, and at my limit.

As those thoughts, and about a million others, flooded my mind, i felt these little whiskers brush up against my right arm. It was Zara, my black kitty. I stayed blocked off, not even wanting my cat to see me cry. She would have none of it. She pushed my right arm to the side just enough so that she could get onto my lap. Slowly she sat down, found a comfy spot, and looked up at me with these slow blinking loving eyes. Then she gave me a very soft but deliberate "reower" and just kept my eyes focused on her. She just sat there purring and looking up at me and talking to me. It was as if to say "Papa, i'm here, no matter what happens i love you and you can always count on me to love you and make it better".

Well... the sobbing stopped and i started to laugh a little bit. Zara is affectionate, but never forces herself on me. She's always near by, but never has she done that in the past, nor has she ever done that since. But it seemed she understood what i really needed at that moment, and she fought me to get to me to comfort me. From that point on, my stresses seemed a little easier. It was one of those moments that are so complex, and yet so simple, that has resonated in my mind and heart since then.

The power of love from a pet...

Perhaps your friend is waiting for you. Would you please find a shelter and help save a life? They just might save yours as well. If you can't adopt a cat, perhaps a donation so that others may find their bestest friend and change two lives? Sometimes the greatest gifts are life and love.

Thank you...

Paul Zimmerman

A Good Day

2010-04-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

At Blistered Whiskers, we practice the trap-neuter-release policy and some of our volunteers are master-trappers...meaning they go out at night, set up these bunny cage looking things with food in them and leave them in areas that are highly populated with "wild" cats that need to be spayed/neutered. After we catch them, we get them fixed and release them back in to the exact location we got them from.

That being said, last week we got a call from a concerned man living near 19th and West Berridge in Phoenix. He said there was a bunch of kittens and their mom living in an irrigation tunnel and he was afraid the water would turn on and they would drown! After some calls to the water company we were unable to get the irrigation schedule so we didn't know exactly when the water was going to run. Oh, and for those unfamiliar with irrigation, the process is the pipe fills with water and they basically flood the yards with water allowing them to soak it up. So, after an hour or so of the possibility of the water being turned on the next morning, the director of Blistered Whiskers and a few loyal volunteers ride out to the location to survey the situation...

What we found was a mom and her FIVE TINY babies that were maybe a few days old, holed up in a tunnel that's about 10 inches in diameter...oh and of course they were about 40-50 feet back from the only opening...great! Not having any idea on how to get them out, the trusty Blistered Whiskers folk leave them that night...

Flash foward to a week later, the kitten-family is still there...and the nice man that first reported them called back to tell us that the irrigation was scheduled for the next day at 9am! Oohhh eeemmmm geeee! We had to act FAST, considering it was mid-day when this information came in!

The director, Maggi, called our local PETA representative who called in some reinforcements who surveyed the pipe to see how thick it was and how far back the kittens were....and if there were any openings we could scare them to. Of course there were not any openings, but many bends in the pipe and even little 2 inch deep divets that the kittens would surely get stuck in if we tried to net them out...ugh! What to do? Well, The Salt River Project was the company that runs irrigation and they said they would gladly cancel it if BOTH neighbors that paid for the irrigation agreed to push it back a week...sounds reasonable, can you believe it's a whole block of irrigation and only two people pay for it? So, Blistered Whiskers tracks down these two neighbors and one man says no problem, but the other lady said to get off of her lawn and shoo'd us out, basically. For some unknown reason she was very unwilling to help...so, we had a time crunch.

It's 7pm and the irrigation runs at 9am. We have a cement pipe and a bunch of clay-dirt keeping us from these kittens...what to do? After we exhausted all options, I mean, we were writing our city council members and everything! We decided to get some manual labor involved...I can't say the exact process of extracting these kittens, but I will say that we fixed whatever damage was done, if any...

So, to wrap this up - YES WE DID SAVE THEM! All of them! After many volunteers and many hours spent on these kittens, they are all enjoying the nice warm kitten room at Blistered Whiskers, along with their timid mother. See the pictures below!

Measuring how far back the kittens were, and exploring the tunnel:

And finally, introducing "The Pipe Kitties"! Available for adoption in 7-9 weeks!

Here is the article on PETA.org:

http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/ActionAlerts-item.asp?id=3038

Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped rescue these kittens! You made a difference! :)

Valentine's Day Tips

2010-02-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for more information on how to

adopt Tabitha and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Blistered Whiskers wishes you and your furbabies a Happy Valentine's Day full of love! Follow these helpful tips from ASPCA on how to keep your pets safe during the Valentine's Day fun:

Valentine’s Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans if dangerous foods, flora and other items are kept out of paws’ reach. Each year our poison control experts see a rise in cases around February 14, many involving chocolate and lilies, a flower that’s potentially fatal to cats. So please heed our experts’ advice—don’t leave the goodies lying around on Lover’s Day.

Pet-Safe Bouquets
Many pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Use our online toxic and nontoxic plant libraries as visual guides of what and what not should be in your bouquets.

Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate, including baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates, methylxanthines—caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don’t leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.

Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large enough amount is ingested.

Life Is Sweet
So don’t let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don’t let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorns that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.

Playing with Fire
It’s nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.

Wrap it Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.

The Furry Gift of Life?
Giving a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine’s Day gift—however, returning a pet you hadn’t planned on is anything but romantic. Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a pet for someone else doesn’t always turn out right. Take a romantic trip to the local shelter together.

PetSmart Charities Petwalk

2010-01-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

Hello to all our great volunteers and supporters! It's time to register for the 2nd Annual Petsmart Charities Petwalk, this will really be a fun day for all of us. The date is February 21st, 2010 at 1:00pm at Tempe Town Lake. We will have a booth there and will be promoting our organization. Blistered Whiskers will receive 100% of the money donated to our walkers.

How you can help:

-You can be a volunteer at our booth
-You can participate in the 1 mile walk
-You can participate in the 5 mile walk
-You can be a virtual walker
-You can sponsor a walker who is registered with us

Register at: www.mypetwalk.org

Look under Get Involved and click on Team Search, we are registered under Blistered Whiskers Inc. You add your name and email address and set a goal for yourself. There are flyers you can print off the site or you can get some at the shelter. The registration is free if you are under 18 years old, for those over the age of 18 there is a $25.00 registration fee. You can also track how much each rescue group has raised to date for their cause on this website.

This will be a really fun day and the largest animal related event in Arizona. Last year there were 8,000 walkers and 10,000 pets there with a total raised of $350,000 for homeless pets!

To look at pictures from last years event click here:
http://www.petsmartcharities.org/petwalk/photogallery.php

Holiday Safety Tips

2009-12-04T05:39:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Nike and his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

With the holidays approaching, it is important to take precautions in order to keep our pets safe. Follow these helpful tips from ASPCA:

Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:

O Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

No Feasting for the Furries
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.

Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Leave the Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills.

That Holiday Glow
Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.

House Rules
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.

Careful with Cocktails
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

A Room of Their Own
Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.

New Year’s Noise As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

iGive.com

2009-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, send a gift that means an automatic donation to Blistered Whiskers, Inc.! When you shop at any of over 700 participating online stores through iGive, a portion of each purchase comes back to us in the form of a donation check.

It's free for you, free for us, and you pay the same (or less!) than you would by going directly to the store. Shopping online means no wasted gas and no more standing in long lines at the mall. And to all you smart shoppers: don't miss iGive's treasure-trove of coupons, sales, and free shipping. Save money, save time, and send gifts that give twice. What could be better than that?

See for yourself at:
www.iGive.com/magscats

Hardship Fund

2009-11-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Parkway Animal Clinic has graciously set up a hardship fund for Blistered Whiskers. Anyone can donate money to this fund and Blistered Whiskers will be able to utilize these funds for our sick cats. Thank you for thinking of our kitties!

Parkway Animal Clinic
25101 N Lake Pleasant Pkwy #1340
Peoria, AZ 85383
Phone: (623) 362-8000
Website: http://pacvets.com

America's Favorite Animal Shelter

2009-11-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

The America's Favorite Animal Shelter contest, sponsored by Care2 and Adopt-a-Pet.com, is a chance for animal lovers everywhere to raise awareness of the need to adopt shelter and rescue animals while helping their favorite shelter win a much-needed donation.

Please vote for Blistered Whiskers HERE and help us win! Don't forget to spread the word to all of your friends.

Combatting Pet Allergies

2009-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Being a pet owner is never easy. While pets bring us joy and companionship on a daily basis, they also require training, veterinary care, time, love, attention, and even tolerance. Tolerance is especially necessary when a pet owner is allergic to his or her companion animal.

Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did. What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died. It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic condition and an adherence to a few rules.

All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy-causing) to people who are allergic to animals. Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Contrary to popular belief, there are no "non-allergenic" breeds of dogs or cats; even hairless breeds may be highly allergenic.

Dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair—the Poodle or the Bichon Frise, for example—may be less irritating to some individuals, although this may be because they are bathed and groomed more frequently. One dog or cat of a particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than another animal of that same breed.

The source of irritation to pet-allergic humans? Glands in the animal's skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.

Create an "allergy free" zone in the home—preferably the bedroom—and strictly prohibit the pet's access to it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner (available at almost any home and garden store or discount department store) in the bedroom. Consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows because allergen particles brought into the room on clothes and other objects can accumulate in them.
Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds. Use a "microfilter" bag in the vacuum cleaner to effectively catch all the allergens.
Bathing your pet on a weekly basis can reduce the level of allergens on fur by as much as 84 percent. Although products are available that claim to reduce pet allergens when sprayed on the animal's fur, studies show they are less effective than a weekly bath. Even cats can become accustomed to being bathed; check with your veterinarian's staff or a good book on pet care for directions about how to do this properly, and use whatever shampoo your veterinarian recommends.
Don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander, rather than making an assumption. And understand that allergies are cumulative. Many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust, insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy. For example, you may need to step up measures to remove cat dander from your home and carefully avoid cigarette smoke during spring, when it is difficult to avoid exposure to pollen.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can improve symptoms but cannot eliminate them entirely. They work by gradually desensitizing a person's immune system to the pet allergens. Allergy-causing proteins are injected under the person's skin, triggering the body to produce antibodies (protective proteins) which block the pet allergen from causing a reaction. Patients are usually given one dose per week for a few weeks to months (depending on the severity of the allergy) and then can often manage with one injection per month.
Additional treatments for allergies to pets are symptomatic, including steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills. For asthma, there are multiple medications, sprays, and inhalers available. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.

Of course, if you do not currently have a pet and are considering one, and know you are pet-allergic, be sure to consider carefully whether you can live with the allergy before you bring a new pet home. Except in the case of children, who sometimes outgrow allergies, few allergy sufferers become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic. Too many allergic owners obtain pets without thinking through the difficulties of living with them. And too often, they end up relinquishing pets, a decision that is difficult for the owner and can be life-threatening for the pet.

Meet Frenchie, a very distinguished young lady. She had four kittens that have all been adopted out to great homes, but this sweet girl has such a big heart that she adopted another four and fed them because their mothers milk was spoiled and they were very sickly. Frenchie saved their lives and nursed them back to health. She loved her kittens, but loves to be the queen of the house now, so she can be a kitten again! She doesn't particularly care for other cats, but she isn't ruling them out completely. :) She is a people's cat, not a cat's cat. Frenchie loves attention and scratchies - meet her today!

email bwadoptions@gmail.com

Another Success!

2009-11-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce another successful adoption! Danielle is a cutie, and found a brand new family! Here is what her new human had to say:

I adopted Danielle Saturday, October 24,2009. Her name has been changed to Echo. Echo has been doing great all week. Today was the first day I kept her out of her room while I was at work. She did great. My other 4 fuzzies have been doing great with her. She follows them around everywhere. especially her new Big Brother, Mal. Echo also has a very large appetite She eats everything we give her and she usually finishes her sisters', and brother's meals. Echo learned how to jump up onto things yesterday. And about 20 minutes ago she was introduced to cat nip. She didn't care about it.

Echo has been wonderful. I will try to keep you updated on her progress.

-Carrie P

Carrie sent this picture of Echo trick or treating for our enjoyment! :)

Thanks for supporting the kittens at Blistered Whiskers and giving Echo a great home!

Upcoming Events

2009-10-28T06:53:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Sparrow and his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Blistered Whiskers is excited to announce the following upcoming events. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering for these events, please visit our website.

Yard Sale: Don't forget about our last yard sale of the year! We will be at the Blistered Whiskers Headquarters (8156 W. Daley Lane, Peoria, AZ 85383) on October 30th-31st starting at 8am.

Pro Am Charity Golf Tournament: Come support this wonderful cause on December 6th, 2009 at the Union Hills Country Club. Roughly 18 teams consisting of 4 amateur golfers and one professional per team will compete for raffles and awards provided by businesses around the valley. All proceeds will go directly to Blistered Whiskers. Email blisteredwhiskers@gmail.com for your registration form.

Pictures With Santa: Bring your pets to Petsmart on Happy Valley Rd. to have their picture taken with Santa! Blistered Whiskers volunteers will help take the pictures on the following dates: December 5th-6th from 10am-4pm, December 12th-13th from 10am-4pm, December 19th-20th from 10am-4pm. A portion of the proceeds will help support our cats.

Gift Wrapping: Have your gifts wrapped by Blistered Whiskers volunteers at Barnes and Noble (7685 W. Bell Rd, Glendale, AZ ) on the following dates: December 19th from 4pm-10pm, December 20th from 4pm-7pm, December 23rd from 4pm-10pm. We will also be at Barnes and Noble Kierland Commons (7030 E. Greenway Rd, Scottsdale, AZ) on the following dates: December 21st from 4pm-7pm, December 22nd from 4pm-7pm, December 24th from 10am-1pm.

Petsmart Charities Petwalk 2010: Blistered Whiskers is excited to be participating in the Petsmart Charities Petwalk on February 21, 2010! We will be announcing more information as the event approaches but please mark this on your calendars.

Blistered Whiskers Yard Sale

2009-10-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars, Blistered Whiskers is having another yard sale with all proceeds going to the kitties. Don't miss this one, we need your help and it will be our last yard sale until 2010. The yard sale will start at 8am so come out and support the kitties!

Keep Your Pets Safe on Halloween

2009-10-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Marty and his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

With Halloween approaching, it is important to take precautions in order to keep our pets safe. Follow these helpful tips from The Humane Society:

Jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treaters, haunted houses and costume parties. Halloween is full of fun things for you and your family to enjoy, but it's one of those holidays that is enjoyed more by people than by pets.

Keep the following precautions in mind when preparing for the frightfully fun festivities and help ensure that everyone in your family—including your pet—has a safe Halloween.

Keep your pet in a quiet place, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. You may know that the miniature monsters and goblins who come knocking on Halloween aren't real, but pets don't. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and could become frightened or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors. In addition, frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion. Be sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case of an accidental getaway.
Cats—black ones in particular—often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors. Visit humanesociety.org/safecats for more information.
Place live flame decorations like candles and jack-o'-lanterns out of your pet's reach. Curious critters risk being singed or burned by the flame—they could also easily knock over a candle or pumpkin and cause a fire.
Keep candy away from pets. All those sweets may taste great to critters, but candy, especially chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Candy wrappers can also be harmful if swallowed. Instead, tempt your pet with a few of his favorite treats.
Resist the urge to put your pet in a costume. You may think your pet looks adorable dressed as a princess, but most pets don't like the constraints of costumes. If you do decide to play dress-up, make sure the costume is safe for your pet and doesn't constrain her movement, hearing or ability to breathe. Check the costume for parts your pet could chew off and choke on and look for dangling pieces like flowing capes that could injure her.
Don't let the family dog accompany the kids on their trick-or-treat outing. Children may have a difficult time handling a pet during the festivities and your pooch could get loose, especially if your dog is spooked by the strange sights and sounds of trick-or-treaters.
Keep decorations that pets could chew on—like streamers and fake spider webs—and wires and cords from electric decorations out of reach. If pets chomp on Halloween decorations they could choke or become ill and, if they chew on electrical cords, they risk a potentially deadly electrical shock. Pets could also become tangled and injured by dangling cords or decorations.

Nail Trimming 101

2009-10-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Evanna and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Unsure of how to trim your cat's nails? Read this article from ASPCA:

Make manicures enjoyable and easy for both you and your cat.

Does your kitty disappear when the clippers come out? Do you have to wrap her in a towel to give her a manicure? According to our behavior experts, calm, enjoyable nail-trimming sessions are not only possible—that’s how they should always be! Check out the following tips for getting kitty to relax while you trim, turning nail-clipping sessions into enjoyable together time.

Setting the Mood
Ideally you should introduce your cat to nail clipping when she’s a kitten. Choose a chair in a quiet room where you can comfortably sit your cat on your lap. Get her when she’s relaxed and even sleepy, like in her groggy, after-meal state. Take care that she isn’t able to spy any birds, wild animals or action outside nearby windows—and make sure no other pets are around.

Make Friends with the Paw
Gently take one of your cat’s paws between your fingers and massage for no longer than the count of three. If your cat pulls her paw away, don’t squeeze or pinch, just follow her gesture, keeping in gentle contact. When she’s still again, give her pad a little press so that the nail extends out, then release her paw and immediately give her a treat. Do this every other day on a different toe until you’ve gotten to know all ten.

Get Acquainted with the Clipper
Your cat should be at ease with the sound of the clippers before you attempt to trim her nails. Sit her on your lap, put a piece of uncooked spaghetti into the clippers and hold them near your cat. (If she sniffs the clippers, set a treat on top of them for her to eat.) Next, while massaging one of your cat’s toes, gently press her toe pad. When the nail extends, clip the spaghetti with the clippers while still holding your cat’s paw gently. Now release her toe and quickly give her a treat.

Never Cut to the Quick
The pink part of a cat’s nail, called the quick, is where the nerves and blood vessels are. Do NOT cut this sensitive area. Snip only the white part of the claw. It’s better to be cautious and cut less of the nail rather than risk cutting this area. If you do accidentally cut the quick, any bleeding can be stopped with a styptic powder or stick. It’s a good idea to keep it nearby while you trim.

Time to Clip
With your cat in your lap facing away from you, take one of her toes in your hand, massage and press the pad until the nail extends. Check to see how much of a trim her nails need and notice where the quick begins. Now trim only the sharp tip of one nail, release your cat’s toe and quickly give her a treat. If your cat didn’t notice, clip another nail, but don’t trim more than two claws in one sitting until your cat is comfortable. Be sure to reward her with a special treat afterward. Please note, you may want to do just one paw at a time for the first couple of sessions.

Clipping Schedule
A nail-trimming every ten days to two weeks is a nice routine to settle into. If your cat refuses to let you clip her claws, ask your vet or a groomer for help.

What Not to Do

If your cat resists, don’t raise your voice or punish her.
Never attempt a clipping when your cat is agitated or you’re upset. And don’t rush—you may cut into the quick.
Don’t try to trim all of your cat’s claws at one time.
Do NOT declaw. This surgery involves amputating the end of a cat’s toes and is highly discouraged by the ASPCA. Instead, trim regularly, provide your cat with appropriate scratching posts and ask your veterinarian about soft plastic covers for your cat’s claws.

Blistered Whiskers Yard Sale

2009-09-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Mark you calendar, Blistered Whiskers is having a yard sale with proceeds going to help care for our furry friends! Come out and support this great cause.

Why Do Cats Purr?

2009-09-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Bernadette and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Wondering why cats purr? Read this article from Care2:

Excerpted from The Cat Behavior Answer Book (Storey, 2007), by Arden Moore.

The phenomenon of purring has fascinated humans for ages. A lot of research has been conducted to figure out this feline mystique, but no one knows for certain why cats purr, though it is believed to be a voluntary act initiated by the central nervous system. In other words, cats purr on purpose, not just as an instinctive response.

Scientists report that cats produce purring sounds by using the diaphragm to push air back and forth across vibrating nerves in the larynx. Purring occurs in a frequency range between 25 and 150 hertz. At the lower end of the range, that rumbling sound can resemble an idling diesel engine, which has a similar velocity.

All domestic cats and most wild felids are are born with the ability to purr. Cats, from young kittens to senior citizens, purr when they are happy, such as when they are being petted, anticipating dinner, or snuggling on a warm, cozy bed. Mother cats purr when nursing their kittens, and kittens purr when nursing.

But many cats also purr when they are afraid or in pain. That helps explain why females may purr during labor and why some cats purr when they are being examined at a veterinary clinic or when they are recovering form an injury. The purring might serve to reassure or comfort the frightened cat, and some studies suggest that the low-level vibrations of purring physically stimulate feline muscles and bones to keep them healthy and actually hasten the healing process.

Keeping Your Cat Safe Over Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to

adopt Isadora and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Here are 7 tips from The Cat's Meow to help keep your cat safe over the weekend. We hope you and your kitties have a great weekend!

Hydrate

If you have activities planned, it’s easy to forget to take care of Fluffy’s needs. Make sure she has plenty of fresh, cool, clean water, especially if she’s a senior cat. Older cats tend to sleep for long periods during the day and forget to wake up and drink, so wake her up periodically, and encourage her to sip.

Keep Matches & Lighter Fluid Out Of Reach

Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested, can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

Don’t Deviate from Her Normal Diet

Keep your cat on her normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give her severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that people foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, salt, yeast dough, grapes and raisins can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

No Citronella!

Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingesting any of these items can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression in your pets, and if inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia.

Never Leave a Pet Alone in the Car

Traveling with your cat? Never leave her alone in the car, and always keep a harness on her in the car so it’s easy to secure here when you stop for breaks.

Apply Sunscreen

If your cat enjoys outdoor barbecues with your family, don’t forget to apply a PET FORMULATED sunscreen to her nose and ears, especially during the midday hours. As with people, the light-skinned cats are the most vulnerable, especially if they don’t have much fur on their ears.

Indoor Cat and Visitors? Lock her up!

If you have house guests this weekend, sequester Fluffy in a spare room so that she won’t escape as strangers enter and exit the house.

Cat Humor

2009-09-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to browse available cats at Blistered Whiskers.

5 Great Cat-Grooming Tips

2009-08-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Kiki and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Here are a few cat-grooming tips taken from Care2:

Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Cat, by Arden Moore (Storey Books, 2000).

Although cats are fastidious groomers, they still shed. Short of shaving your cat, here are some great tips to prevent your home from becoming a giant furball–and to help your kitty stay sleek and hairball-free.

1. For the first grooming session, use a soft-bristled brush. Call your cat in a cheery tone and reward him with a small treat. Start at the tip of the fur and gently work deeper into his coat to prevent the brush from getting trapped in tangles or clumps.

2. Always brush in the direction of your cat’s coat. Going against the grain can irritate her skin and make her want to flee the scene when she sees you pulling out the grooming supplies.

3. To make cleanup easy, slip a piece of old pantyhose over the head of a brush before grooming. The bristles will poke through, an all you have to do is pull up on the pantyhose to discard the hair.

4. Keep brushes in various places in your house. That way, your cat can be treated to a spur-of-the-moment grooming without your having to hunt for a brush.

5. Use two-sided tape to attach plastic self-grooming combs along the lower corner of wall. These products permit your pet to rub against the plastic bristles and get a grooming any time she desires.

Meet Milo

2009-08-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Milo and I'm a handsome adult male cat. I get along with just about everyone, even the dog! I'm known as the teddy bear around the Blistered Whiskers shelter because I love to cuddle. I'm pretty mellow but I still enjoy chasing around balls and toy mice. Please consider me for your family.

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Milo and his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

July Adoptions

2009-08-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that these 27 cats were adopted from Blistered Whiskers in July:

Click HERE to browse other cats who are still available for adoption.

Why Cats Play With Water

2009-08-05T09:50:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to

adopt Destiny and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Wondering why cats love to play with water? This article from Care 2 by Melissa Breyer might have some insight for you.

In spite of their reputation for tolerating only dry land, many cats are actually water lovers. Some like to play in standing water, whereas others are fascinated by running water and perfer to drink from a faucet. In The Cat Behavior Answer Book (Storey, 2007), pet writer Arden Moore writes that there are many theories as well as urban legends about this behavior, but no one knows for sure. This attraction to running water may reflect an adaptive behavior from a wild past. Perhaps because running water has fewer contaminates, many wild animals prefer to drink from streams rather than ponds.

Water bowl splashing could also be attributed to the need to test the water to make sure it’s safe. The paw pad represents one of the most sensitive areas of a cat’s body. A cat may scoop water with her paw to check for possible “dangers” in the water or to test the temperature. Cats’ long distance eyesight is superb and they see anything moving easily, but their close-up vision is somewhat weak. They rely on their noses to sample food and paws to test water. And they may be partaking in a little fun and enjoyment seeing the mini-ripples their paws create in the bowl.

Make sure that you provide your cat with fresh water every day, even if she makes a mess. Offer her more than one bowl in your home. If you don’t mind her perching on a bathroom sink, leave one with a few inches of water for her to play in during the day. You might consider an inexpensive automatic water dispenser that trickles water continuously. Many cats find them irresistible. These are readily available at pet supply stores and through catalogs.

Another idea is to take a one-gallon plastic jug and cut a hole about two inches from the bottom. Make the hole just a bit bigger than your cat’s head (don’t forget to allow for her whiskers) so that she can reach in for a drink but can’t splash too much water on the floor. If she pushes the jug around, you can attach it to a wall.

Meet Esme

2009-08-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Esme and I'm a gorgeous female calico adult cat. I enjoy taking long cat naps, cuddling and purring. I also get along well with my other cat friends here at Blistered Whiskers shelter and love all of the attention that I can get from the volunteers. I'm so excited to be adopted and to have a family of my very own someday.

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Esme and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat

2009-07-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Byron and his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Are you thinking of getting another cat but unsure of how to introduce your cat to the new cat? Read this article from ASPCA on how to do just that.

Free-ranging and feral cats lead complex and busy lives. They maintain far larger territories than most people realize, and these territories often contain a variety of environments, such as forests, farmlands, urban gardens and yards. Within these territories, cats explore, hunt and scavenge for food alone. They only occasionally interact with other cats. They don’t live in groups or even pairs, and they don’t seek out contact with other cats. In fact, they actively avoid it. Considering this natural behavior of cats, it isn’t surprising that it can be very difficult to introduce a new cat into an established cat’s territory, even when that territory is your home.

If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, be patient. The introduction must be gradual. Following the initial introduction, it can take a very long time for a relationship to grow. It takes most cats 8 to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don’t become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced and continue to do so until one of the cats must be rehomed.

If your resident cat becomes aggressive when she sees other cats outside your home, you’ll probably have a difficult time introducing a new cat into your household. If your cat has lived harmoniously with other cats in the past, the odds are good that she’ll adjust to a newcomer. However, it’s impossible to predict whether or not any two individual cats will get along.

Unfortunately, there are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches among cats. Some cats are very social and enjoy living with other cats, while others prefer solitary lives. The individual personalities of the cats are more important than any other factor, such as sex, age or size. Be aware that the more cats you have, the higher the likelihood that there will be conflicts among them.

How to Manage Introductions
Step 1: Controlling First Impressions

The first impression a new cat makes when she meets your resident cat is critical. If two cats display aggression during their first meeting, this may set the mood for their future relationship. For this reason, it’s best to separate your resident cat from your new cat when you first bring her home so that you can control their initial meeting.

-The two cats should be able to smell and hear—but not see or touch—each other.
-Each cat should have her own food and water bowl, litter box, scratching post, bed, etc.
-Feed the cats near the door that separates them so they learn that coming together (even though they can’t see each other) results in a pleasant experience.
-In addition to regular cat food, feed the cats extra-special treats near the door as well, like tiny pieces of tuna, salmon, cheese, chicken or liver.
-After two to three days, switch the cats’ locations so they can investigate each other’s smell. This also allows the new cat to explore a different section of your home.
-Some behaviorists suggest rubbing the cats separately with the same towel to intermix their scents. First gently rub one cat with the towel. Then rub the other cat. After the towel carries both cats’ scents, bring the towel back to the first cat and rub her with it again.
-After a few more days, play with each of the cats near the door. Encourage them to paw at toys under the door. Eventually the cats may play “paws” under the door with each other.

Step 2: Letting the Cats See Each Other

After a week or so, assuming that you see no signs of aggression at the door (no hissing, growling, etc.), you can introduce the cats to each other. One method is to replace the door with a temporary screen door so that the cats can see each other. If you can’t use a screen door, you can try using two baby gates positioned in the door jam, one above the other. Ask a friend or family member to help you with the introduction. Have one cat and one person on each side of the door, and start the introduction by setting each cat down a few feet away from the screen or gates. When the cats notice each other, say their names and toss treats to them, aiming the treats behind them. Over the next few days, continue to encourage feeding, eating treats and playing near the barrier, gradually offering the cats’ meals, treats and toys closer to the screen.

Step 3: Letting the Cats Spend Time Together

The next stage is to permit the cats to spend time together without a barrier between them. Supervise these initial face-to-face interactions carefully.

-It‘s good to bring the cats together when they are likely to be relatively calm, such as after a meal or strenuous play.
-Keep a squirt bottle handy in case the cats begin to fight.
-As the cats become more familiar with each other, allow them longer and longer periods of time together.
-If one cat spends most of her time hiding, or if one cat continuously harasses and pursues the other, please read our article, Finding Professional Help, for information about locating a qualified expert, such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB).

Final Tips

If you’re bringing a new cat into a household with multiple cats, introduce each resident cat to the newcomer individually. After each of your cats has met the new cat one-on-one, you can start to allow all of the cats to mingle as a group.

Your cats will be more likely to get along if they’re happy in their environment. Look at the layout of your home. Make sure there are plenty of hiding spots for your cats. Some like to sit up high, on shelves and on kitty condo perches. Frightened cats, on the other hand, tend to hide under and behind things, so make sure you provide spots at floor level as well. Place food, water and litter boxes out in the open so your cats don’t feel trapped when they access these resources. Make sure you have a litter box for each cat, plus at least one extra.

Meet Emmy Lou

2009-07-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Emmy Lou and I'm a very playful female kitty. I'm also outgoing and I love all of the attention that I get from the volunteers at Blistered Whiskers shelter. I really hope to go live with a nice family of my own very soon. After all, how can you resist my adorable little face?

Click HERE for more information on how to
adopt Emmy Lou and her friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Bringing Home A New Cat

2009-06-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Korky just found his adoptive home but click HERE
for more information on how to his friends at Blistered Whiskers.

Unsure of how to introduce a new cat to your home? Check out this article we found on Petfinder by Elizabeth Teal, Former ASPCA Animal Behavior Counselor:

Whether your new cat is coming from a shelter, a home, an urban street or a country barn, the first twenty-four hours in your home are special and critical. Before you bring a new cat into your life, it helps to understand a little bit about how cats relate to their world.

For the cat, territory is of paramount importance. A cat views his territory the way most of us view our clothes; without them, we feel naked and vulnerable. Place us naked in a room filled with strangers and most of us would try to hide! It is common for cats, regardless of whether they come from homes or streets, to hide in a new territory. Very sensitive or under-socialized cats often hide for a week or more! You know that this cat is now a member of the family, but the cat doesn't.

You can help make the transition to a new home smoother and easier by providing some privacy for your new cat. If possible, start by preparing your home before you bring in the cat. Choose a room for the litter box; a bathroom works well. Set up the litter box with one to two inches of litter, and place it in a corner, if possible.

Now create a safe haven for the cat to hide in. You can buy a covered cat bed but a cardboard box turned upside down with two "doors" cut in it will work nicely. Why two "doors?" Many cats seem to feel more secure if they have a second "escape" route. Get a box big enough for the cat to stand up, turn around, stretch out and lie down in -- but keep it cozy! Place the box next to the wall or in a corner where the cat can see the door to the room. You don't want the cat to feel trapped. Place a sisal, cork or corrugated cardboard scratching post next to it. Finally, clear off a shelf for the cat to perch on to view his new world.

After you have prepared the bathroom, cat-proof every other room of your home. Are there raised surfaces for the cat? If the answer is "no," make some! Cats need to be able to jump up and survey their territory. Do you have valuable mementos that are easily broken? Put them away until your cat is happily moved in. Check out all the nooks and crannies. Are there places that could be dangerous for the cat to explore or hide in? If so, block them off. Finally, put a scratching post or pad in every room.

If circumstances require that you bring in the cat before your home is ready, keep him in his carrier until you have his room set up! He will be fine in there for a while longer. Opposite the litter box, place a bowl of fresh water. After the room is set up, place the carrier next to the "safe haven." Close the bathroom door before opening the carrier. Do not pull the cat out. Allow him to come out on his own and begin to explore his new home. Now, leave the room. Yes, leave...remember you are giving him time to acclimate. Go and prepare a small amount of a premium quality cat food. Quietly place it next to the water bowl.

Do not reach for the cat! Let the cat come to you. If he doesn't approach, come back in fifteen minutes. Do not be surprised if he doesn't eat. It is common for re-homed cats to show no interest in eating, often for several days. Pick up the leftovers and leave. Come back in a couple of hours with a fresh meal of the same high-quality food. If the cat is openly soliciting affection, eating and not hiding, you can open the door and give him one more room. Do this slowly until you have introduced the cat to all the rooms in his new home.

Remember to let the cat set the pace. Be patient. It may take weeks for the cat to comprehend that this foreign turf is his new territory.

Medical Supplies Needed for the Kitties!!

2009-05-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

As you might expect, this year's "kitten season" has seen a record number of street kittens finding their way to Blistered Whiskers.

Currently we have over 100 felines at our shelter (not counting those with our dedicated foster care team). Many of these animals have been abandoned by their owners as the economy has created a whole new generation of "foreclosure felines".

The fact is, that when you have that many animals in one room - if one comes in that's sick, they all get sick. That being said, BWI medical supplies have been dangerously depleted...especially antibiotics and vaccines.

We are able to obtain lower cost medicines in Mexico, so despite the "swine flue blues" and "narco violence" a brave team of BWI volunteers is planning a trip south of the border to replenish Rx supplies.

Hopefully you will be able to help with a financial donation. The economy has hit everyone, even these kitties. If you have $5, anything, please go to our site and donate! Every little bit helps.

Last Fall many of you contributed to our first ever fund drive. And yes we succeeded in reaching our goal of "$1000 in One Week!" Thank you all so much. This time we have two weeks to get ready for the next expedition. Let's make it "Two Grand in Two Weeks!"

Anyway, we at Blistered Whiskers appreciate all of you for being part of our extended family and for helping us minister to these defenseless critters.

If you are able to donate, you can check out our website for a PayPal button: www.blisteredwhiskers.org ... or if you would like to send a check, please make it out to Blistered Whiskers Inc, and mail to:

8190 W Deer Valley Rd, Suite 104-294

Peoria, AZ

85382-2126

Also, don't forget to use iGive.com as your web search engine, and select Blistered Whsikers for your targeted non-profit organization. BWI will receive 2 cents per search for a short period of time.

Thanks again for your encouragement and support.

Maggi & Jack

Blistered Whiskers Inc.

Street Kitten Rescue and Shelter

WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF VOLUNTEERS!!!

2009-05-06T14:21:00.001-07:00

Blistered Whiskers is a home based, 501c3 non profit organization that aims to help rehabilitate and find homes for kittens.

We currently are losing 10 volunteers to college, and desperately need to replace them!

We have positions such as:

- Photographer

- Administrative

- Foster Parent

- Fundraising Director

- Adoption Director

- General Volunteer (play with kittens, clean cages, etc.)

- Travel Volunteer (help take kitties to the vet/spay and neuter events)

- Vet Tech/Vet

If what you want to do isn't listed, please email us and let us know what your specialty is! Everyone is good at something, and everyone can help!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP THESE KITTENS!!

Please reply with your contact info (whether it be email or phone), days you would like to volunteer/hours available, and any questions you have. Your emails will be going directly to our volunteer coordinator.

If you would like more information, please check out our website at www.blisteredwhiskers.org

Thanks for your interest......email to bwadoptions@gmail.com

Trap Neuter Release (TNR) Information

2009-03-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Blistered Whiskers!

Phoenix had its first 90 degree day last weekend and kitten season is in full swing!

I wanted to post a quick bit of info about the TNR program for feral kitties. A lot of the Phoenix area is becoming over-run by feral cats due to no one really caring in previous years...and now it is totally out of control!

If this sounds like your neighborhood, have no fear! TNR is here! Here is an email address and phone number to call if you'd like information on what to do with your feral neighborhood kitties:

FERAL CATS :
TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR)

Trap Neuter Return

Are you feeding stray or wild cats that you cannot catch? Please call the Spay Neuter Hotline at (602) 265-SPAY or email feralcats@adlaz.org for information and assistance.

If you need more information, please leave us a message at (602) 265-SPAY (7729) and we'll be happy to return your call. English or Spanish (oprima 1)

More information can be found at http://www.adlaz.org/spay/maricopa/index.html

Thank you, as always, for supporting the cause!

Brooke - one of our recent kittens that will be ready to adopt in 3 weeks

SAVE THE DATE!

2009-02-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE DATE!!!

ARBY’S BENEFIT NIGHT!!!

When: Thursday February 26th

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Where: ARBY’S at 5920 W. Bell Road

ARBY’S WILL DONATE 20% OF ALL PURCHASES MADE INSIDE THE RESTAURANT (NO DRIVE THRU) TO BLISTERED WHISKERS!!!

BLISTERED WHISKERS KITTEN RESCUE, INC., IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 NO-KILL SHELTER STAFFED BY VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDED ENTIRELY BY DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE STOP BY, HAVE DINNER AND HELP US SAVE HOMELESS KITTIES!!!

Mr. Pickles:

Your love and donations have helped kittens like Mr. Pickles! Thank you :)

Adoptions and Christmas Donations!

2008-12-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
Merry Christmas and happy new year! It's the time of the season when people dash around like maniacs to finish up shopping and last minute business opportunities! Hopefully you're not too stressed. :)

The life and times at Blistered Whiskers have been pretty good...we have been adopting out kitties for the holidays, but are still running light on donations. You'd be surprised how awesome a donation of broken kitty litter bags, dented canned food, or ripped crunchy bags are! We have been looking for major chains to send these donations to us...but to no avail, so hopefully our online community can help! :)

Over the past few weeks we've made some really key adoptions. At Blistered Whiskers, every kitty is special, but of course there are the staff favorites - shelter "staples" - if you will. It is really awesome to have a cat that has been with the shelter for years be adopted out to a loving home. Our adoption location at PetsMart is really helping with room at the shelter and with adoptions. Please visit us!

The last order of business that I would like to bring your attention to is the latest donation application we have been utilizing. We sent out an email "blast" but perhaps it went into your junk mail - so, the information is this -
Go to www.igive.com and sign up for an account - choose your charity (Blistered Whiskers in Arizona) and a percentage of your purchases will be donated to Blistered Whiskers! You can still use coupons and get the same deals - it is directly shopping with the website still, however you sign into igive and go to their "mall" to find the store you want to shop at and the donations start pouring in :) Sure, it's 1% here, 5% there, but if everytime you shopped online...you did this...it could really add up! They have over 700 stores available, from ebay, priceline, victorias secret, to petsmart! I am confident that your store will be on there...so PLEASE...check it out before you do ANY online shopping - I realize it may be too late to catch this years Christmas shopping - but we shop online year round! So please, PLEASE...don't forget about us at Blistered Whiskers!

Thank you for your support!

Another Week From Blistered Whiskers

2008-11-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
As I lounge here with one of my very own Blistered Whiskers rescued kitties, I write to you to update you on the happenings at "the ranch."

Two volunteers are constructing a brand new cat pen for the isolation kitties to run freely in! That should be finished up by the end of the day today, pictures to follow. These pens are essential to these cats, and make all of the difference in their lives. Cats are naturally pack animals - they live in colonies that can sometimes number in the thousands! I read today that a single cat and her offspring can produce over 420,000 kitties in 7 years!!! Now keep in mind that outdoor/feral/"street" cats have a life expectancy of two years...but the point is (as much of a tangent it may be!) to spay and neuter your animals! :)

As for upcoming events, we have the gift wrapping events:

Best Buy Gift Wrapping
10134 W. Happy Valley Road
Peoria, AZ 85383
11-24 10-3 pm
11-30 2-7 pm
12-16 3-8 pm

Borders Gift Wrapping
7320 W. Bell Road
Glendale, AZ 85308
Upcoming Events
11-28 6-10pm
11-29 2-6pm
12-19 6-10pm
12-20 10-2pm
12-21 10-2pm
12-22 6-10pm
12-24 10-2pm

And on Saturday the 22nd, we will be having the BIGGEST GARAGE SALE EVERRRR!!! So come out and support us! We have a lot of cool stuff that needs to go go go!!!

The location is:

8156 W. Daley Lane
Peoria, AZ 85383

We really need donations! This is a great time of year for giving, and you can still count it on your taxes for 2008!! :)

Thanks for your continued support!

~~Blistered Whiskers Web Staff~~

Fundraising Help...A Plea!

2008-11-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
I am hoping you can lend some suggestions for fundraising ideas.

We desperately need funds to continue to run the daily operations, as well as to care for the kitties that need extra medical attention.

How we cover this now is by requesting an $80 donation for kittens and $60 for cats. It just hasn't been making ends meet, sadly.

I was going to type up a story of a kitty that I personally knew and loved - Prudence. Her story is a sad one that explains the extra expenses that a rescue such as ourselves run into, but I thought it'd be best to keep this blog upbeat!

Blistered Whiskers ends up funding a lot of unforseen and unfortunate events, such as surgeries, extra medical attention, lab tests...not to mention the everyday operational stuff...litter, food, shots, spaying/neutering.

We have been toying with various fundraising ideas, such as:

Garage Sale
Monthly Pancake Breakfast
Gift Wrapping (at Best Buy and Borders)
Bake Sale

I am sure that there are some Blistered Whiskers supporters out there that have a background in fundraising and/or just have some great ideas. So please, if you do, don't hesitate to email us at blisteredwhiskers@gmail.com to give us suggestions!

I'll leave you with a picture of Prudence, the perfect little kitty that won her forever home in a lot of people's hearts.

Launch!

2008-11-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

Hello one, hello all! Welcome to the new Blistered Whiskers official blog site!

On this site, I will post pictures, upcoming events, success stories, and anything remotely related to the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of kittens.

Please feel free to email us at any time to ask questions, adopt or volunteer at blisteredwhiskers@gmail.com

Our official website (that usually has about 90% of the available kitties for adoption) is http://www.blisteredwhiskers.org/ - so check us out if you haven't already!

Contact Us

2000-01-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

If you have a question, email us at BlisteredWhiskers@gmail.com

If you want to meet your future friend, email us at BWadoptions@gmail.com

If you want to volunteer, email us at BWvolunteers@gmail.com

Share your success story, email us at BlisteredWhiskers@gmail.com

Our Wish List

2000-01-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

Our Wish List

-Iams Dry Kitten Food
-Royal Canin Baby Cat Dry Food
-Cat Litter (Any Brand)
-Cannded Kitten Food (Fancy Feast, Nutro or PetSmart's Sophistacat Supreme Kitten)
-Adult Cat Food (Costco Brand-Purple Bag)
-Paper Towels, Paper Towels, Paper Towels
-Hand Sanitizer
-Black Trash Bags & White Kitchen Sized Bags
-Plastic Forks & Spoons
-Soft Blankets, Kitty Beds, Old Towels, Flat Sheets
-Outdoor Small Dog Houses (for those kitties sleeping in the outdoor enclosures)
-Heat Lamps
-Scratching Posts, Kitty Condos, Toys
-Bleach (White & Color), Laundry Soap, Laundromat Gift Cards
-Air Purifiers w/Germicidal Features
-Sharps Containers
-Gas Cards (our kitties require a lot of transporting)

You can drop off donations at the following volunteer's residence:

8156 West Daley Lane
Peoria, AZ 85383

PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF KITTENS HERE!
(This is the residence of a volunteer who works full time and your kittens will sit in the hot sun all day or might not be found until the next day)