King Street Cats in Their New Homes

Meet Emma and Lydia, two of our St. Croix kitties!  

As you can see, they have a great bond.  

Read what their Mommy has to say about them...

“We have two new wonderful additions to our family of five. Emma and Lydia make seven. These cute kitties came to us from King Street Cats. Our whole family has fallen in love. These sisters from St. Croix are so lovable and friendly. They fit right into our family. The kids adore them. Thank you King Street Cats you have changed our lives for the better.”

Year-End Donations of Many Types Appreciated!

In 2011, KSC was able to find homes for over 210 cats and were able to rescue even more this year than in previous years, all thanks to the help and support of volunteers and sponsors. Since the shelter is run purely on donated time, money and the occasional tears (happy and sad), the following items would greatly help the cat rescuing cause.

We are always appreciative of these items that are in constant demand in our shelter:

• Bleach
• Paper towels
• Large trash bags
• Disposable large gloves
• Small sandwich baggies
• Canned kitten or cat food (Wellness and Pro Plan are preferred)
• Cat litter (Feline Pine and Fresh Step is preferred)
• Clean towels and linens
• Unused cat beds & scratching posts (please, no carpeted cat trees)

Items can be brought to 25 Dove Street, Alexandria, VA

(1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends).

We cannot stress enough

the importance of montary donations.

Vet bills were upwards of $89,000 for 2011,

 and even with Ft. Hunt Veterinary Hospital's kindness,

it was a very expensive year.

If you participate in the CFC,

please donate to the following location:

Combined Federal Campaign number is 39069

 Or use the link below to safely donate online:

Click the yellow "Donate" button in the upper right-hand corner.

You will be sent a receipt of your online donation for your 2011 tax purposes!

All of us 2 legged and 4 legged beings thank-you

for all you have provided this year.

We couldn't have made it this far without you!

Online Merchants Giving Back to King Street Cats!

We're all busy finishing up our holiday shopping.  Stores are promising we can order today and still have our gifts arrive in time.  PHEW!  Well how about this...how about you make the deadline AND have a portion of your sale go to the kitties at King Street Cats?  Win win!  

Adopt A Shelter has worked with many merchants so that you have a wide variety of choices.  They've even negotiated with some travel sites, since many of us will be traveling over the next week.  These are some of the participating merchants: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Orbitz, Petsmart, iTunes, Petco, Lowes, Walmart, Walgreens, Target, etc.  Check out the extensive list!

Click the link below and purchases made from there will benefit the kitties at King Street Cats!

Shop to Benefit the Kitties at King Street Cats!

New Pudders, Meet Pudders/Puppers...

**

'Tis the season where a new cat in the house sounds like a wonderful idea! Who doesn't love a new pet for the holiday season? HOWEVER, keep in mind those who love pets have grandiose ideas of how things should go when they bring in a new kitten or cat into an already established pet's territory and it doesn't always work out the best of ways! I would love to have pets who snuggle together and play nicely and follow in around the house in tandem. Alas, if my two cats are in the same room peacefully (AND they are litter mates!), I count myself fortunate.

In order to keep things as stress free as possible when introducing a new cat into the home, keep these ideas at the top of your list:

1) ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION! Spread it around like cheese whiz on crackers. All over and in plenty supply for both the new pet and established pet. Spend one-on-one time with all involved to help keep jealousy and territory battles at bay.

2) Have a separate room where the new pet can relax and the established pet(s) can sniff under the door. In this room, purchase some new items for the new cat like water and food bowls, litter box, blanket and toys. This helps them make their own scent in their own space to bring about comfort levels. Let the new cat/kitten relax here for at least 24 hours. Travel can be stressful, especially for pets!

3) After the 24 hour waiting period, switch the pets. The new cat will go into the space where the established pet was and vice versa. The established pet will be a little upset with the new smells in a stronger concentration but allow them time to adjust (an hour or so). Its all about the odor and sniffs.

4) For the first week or so that they're together in the house, leave them in two separate spaces while you're out of the house, but bring them together when you're home. While you are at it, spread some cat nip or treats around while they are in the same room. This allows them to experience positive experiences when the other is around. Who doesn't love to play and eat together??

5) Ignore hissing and growling, but intervene if a physical battle breaks out by dangling a towel between them. If they do seem to tolerate each other, even begrudgingly, praise both of them profusely.

The introduction can take from two hours to six months, so don't be discouraged if your cats don't seem to get along well at first. Keep in mind realistic expectations. Some pets love to snuggle together and others... not so much.

Factors to Consider

• If you are thinking of getting a kitten to keep an older cat company, you might want to consider two kittens. They will be able to keep each other company while the older cat learns to love them.
• If you already have more than one cat, use the "alpha cat" for preliminary introductions. Once he/she accepts the newcomer, the other resident cats will quickly fall in line.
• Lots of snuggle-time and attention is indicated for all cats concerned during this period. Remember, the prime goal is to get them to associate pleasure with the presence of each other.
• If possible, ask a friend to deliver the new cat to your home, in her cage. You can act nonchalant, as if it's no big deal, then later let your resident cat(s) think it's their idea to welcome the newcomer.

All in all, good luck to you and yours and happy holidays!

**Artwork available in Dancing Cat store on Etsy.com

King Street Cats in Their New Homes

We wanted to keep you updated as we hear back from our Kitties' adopted families.  

This is Monkey and here is the update from his Mommy!

"Monkey is doing very well now! He's finally acclimated and eating better, and hasn't had any "accidents" in 2 weeks! He's still a little weird though--begs like a dog for ham and cheese EVERY day (and it must be Boar's head--NOT KIDDING!!!) and whenever I come home he lays on the floor and waits for me to scratch his belly--and oh yeah, must sleep on warm comfy blankets and the more the better! He's such a king :)"

What Can I Do?

'Tis the season for sharing, caring, loving, and stress. Wait, no, I meant to say trees... just typed it incorrectly (suuure, you say). After spending some time this past Sunday at the KSC fund raiser which included Stella and Dot jewelry, wine, nibbles and treats, I realized how much blood, sweat and tears go into this organization by all the amazing volunteers. Even when they are on their own personal time, they are thinking about the cats and what they can do to help them in every way they can. One volunteer opened up her lovely home and laid out an amazing spread of human treats to encourage donations to cover whatever KSC expenses may arise. A second volunteer carries around pamphlets and cards in her purse to hand out or post in various stores at random interval opportunities. Another volunteer carries around a kitty harness, cat treats, catnip and a small blanket in her backpack so if she sees a cat outside, she has ways to bring them to a warm space at any given moment. This same volunteer also treks out with her husband in tow to place cash donation boxes all over the Old Town area and lovingly talks store managers to help KSC in their own small ways. A fourth volunteer journeys over to total stranger's houses to clip sharp kitty nails in pursuit of donations. Yet another patroness waltzed into the party in all her glamorous splendor and handed over a significant check. Ladies and gentlemen, I am in total awe in their ingenuity and determination to make KSC what it is today and even better tomorrow.

All in all, there are three main ways people can help King Street Cats: Time, money, or connections. Some volunteers have the money to help while no time to do so.  Others have time but little money.  The third group has the connections to bring about all three categories. We truly appreciate all three in each and every way possible. If you would like to know how you can help KSC, please feel free to post questions or comments. If you can think of ways to help KSC, feel free to post as well! A more significant listing of volunteering opportunities will be posted some time in January so keep an eye out for it!

Once again, I am in awe of all our volunteers for all they do. Thank you.

Interested in volunteering your gifts to King Street Cats? E-mail us at Contact@KingStreetCats.org or click here.

The Power of the Internet in Animal Rescue

We all know how powerful and far-reaching the internet can be.  Through venues like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, etc., our messages can be mass reproduced in a short amount of time and with little to no cost.  Do you ever wonder the effectiveness of your cyber-posts?  Here is a heart-warming story of 2 soon-to-be-homeless-or-worse kitties from New Orleans, LA, that have somehow found their way to King Street Cats in Alexandria, VA.  Just one cyber connection after another falling into place to rescue these kitties.  This story came from a blog called Covered in Cat Hair...so nice of them to promote King Street Cats.  We're all fighting for the same cause...don't miss new posts on either blog.

Covered in Cat Hair: WE DID IT! Barney & Bella are Safe!

That very cute kitty pictured above is my Jake.  I'll spare you his complete name lest you think I am OVERqualified in the crazy cat lady department.  No doubt he is surfing Facebook where he and brother and sister share their own page.

Meet the Board of King Street Cats!

From L to R: Helen, Alyson, Dawn, MaryBeth, Vivien

We decided to do a brief interview with the Board Members of King Street Cats (KSC), just to allow you to get to know them a little better.  They are such a great group and put in a great deal of hours, many of which are behind the scenes.  Let’s see what they had to say in response to the following four questions:

1.  What brought you to KSC and when?

2.  What's your real job...the one that covers the mortgage and kitty litter expenses?

3.  How many cats rule your home (feel free to tell us about them as much as you'd like)?

4.  What's your funniest KSC memory?

Helen:

1.   I learned of KSC from Christina Montana, who is a pet communicator. After one of my kitties passed away in 2006, I came to KSC to adopt a companion cat for Pookie...and the rest is history!
2.   I am in commercial real estate.
3.   I have 6 of my own and currently 3 fosters running around my house - and they are ALL KSC cats!
4.   One time a potential adopter was filling out the application and when he got to Spay/Neuter part of the application he put down "yes I am neutered!".




Alyson:

1.  I started working with Vivien because we were, and still do, use KSC as a resource to help WHS with some of our shelter cats. WHS reaches out to local cat rescues in the area to help re-home our shelter cats, as we try to find them homes as well. There is a new person now who is in charge of cat rescue, but at the time, I just knew of KSC because I live in Alexandria and had heard of the great work they do. I was asked to join the board the following year, so I guess I got to know Vivien and KSC early in 2010.

2.  I work for Washington Humane Society (WHS) and I am a program manager in charge of CatNiPP, the feral cat program, plus the cat foster care program.

3.  My husband and I have 4 cats and a dog. Our cats are all rescues; 2 were trapped as feral kittens (that I socialized), one was a foster from a rescue group out in near Louray, VA, and the other was a failed WHS foster. Our dog is a failed foster too.

4.  Not sure of a funniest KSC moment, but I enjoyed my visits to the cattery. I used to transport cats and kittens back from the WHS spay & neuter clinic, after surgery. I always love pulling up in the evening and seeing all of the cat faces peering out the front door of KSC. Plus I enjoy watching them all go crazy as the caregivers/volunteers get wet food ready for them.

Dawn:

1.  I came to KSC back in 2009 when the news broke of Michael Vick’s dog fighting scandal.  I could either express my anger by protesting football games, or direct that energy in a positive manner by volunteering at King Street Cats
2.   I am in government relations.
3.   I have my one very special kitty, Jasmine.  She’s a tortie (enough said).  I adopted her because she was an older kitty and I wanted her to have a loving home in which to live out the remainder of her life…which seems to be longer than anyone expected.   I also foster kittens for KSC regularly.
4.   At one point in time, I was fostering Broccoli, Potato, and Bobby.  I let them out of the guest bedroom (their residence) and they all made a bee-line to the bathroom where I keep Jasmine’s litter box (they had 2 litter boxes in their bedroom, mind you).  Broccoli jumped in and Potato decided she needed to use the box right then as well, crawled under Broccoli, and suffered the consequences of being in that location.  Bobby was smart enough not to jump in the box as well, but he was seen doing the “potty party” dance outside the box until it was clear (and safe) for him to go in.




MaryBeth:

1.  I came to KSC in 1997 - a friend of mine was working at Unique when the Albert Foundation (KSC predecessor) was just opening its orphanage at 213 King Street.
2.   I am a SVP for meetings and events at the Urban Land Institute.
3.   2, two year olds.... From KSC of course. Booker and Fraser.
4.   Creating cat "art" with the kittens.

Vivien:

1.  I came to KSC 13 years ago.  I was a small, local business owner, and Ethel, another small, local business owner came to visit me.  Apparently she pegged me as a cat person and told me about King Street Cats, being housed in her business.  I started as a feeder/cleaner 1-2 nights a week (in a room containing 60-70 cats…you can imagine how big of a job that is!).  
2.  I am the store manager for Decorium, located in Old Town Alexandria.  I also do pet sitting on the side.
3.  That varies, depending on the number of fosters I am housing, but all my kitties are from KSC.  Gracie has held a very special place in my heart.  I met her when I first started volunteering and she was a feral kitty.  I made her my “project” for the next year, seeking her out every time I went to KSC.  She eventually came to trust me and I adopted her.  She still doesn’t like being picked up, but she’ll “allow me” to lend her my lap, on her schedule, of course.
4.  Several years ago Melissa (another KSC volunteer) and I used to sit outside on the sidewalk and "beg" for money for KSC at 213 King Street (where the cat room used to be).  We had a cat called OREO in the room who was a very thin, sick tuxedo female cat with HUGE eyes. She LOVED people so we used to take her outside in a cage and with her putting out her shaved paw to anyone that passed by and looking at them with her huge eyes, and she was our champion fundraiser (Yes, we did anything to get money.). Oreo lived another year defying all the odds!!  The next year we took her ashes to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, located in Angel Canyon, UT, so she could be buried in their pet cemetery. Well the next year we visited her grave site AND there was money on her headstone!!!! Where did it come from???  Last year it was the same thing - more money on her grave and this is the only grave with money on it out of the hundreds in that cemetery. Is she still fundraising for us???????

What About Me?

Remember the kitten I am fostering? Well, the super cute yet super messy Archie (SURPRISE! IT'S A BOY!) got me thinking about the great debate on whether people should adopt a kitten (under 1 yr) or an adult (1 yr +). Let me present a case for the older category. Kittens sure are cute! They are also messy, high energy, and their personalities haven't quite formed yet. They want to climb drapes, scratch (mark) their territories and use your couch as an Indy 500 race track at all hours of the night. Did I mention the chewing on everything as their teeth develop? However, adult cats can still be playful, loving, calm and grateful for being in their "fur-ever" homes. These lovely older cats were given up for no fault of their own. Most of the time, they were given up because of owner illness, divorce, death, they wandered too far from home and weren't micro-chipped, and even the occasional overly nervous new parents of human babies (as crazy as that sounds). Here are talking points to encourage older (even more shy) cat adoptions:
1) Older cats are usually litter box trained. Adult cats don’t play in their box as much and understand the true purpose so will usually cooperate with your efforts to keep theirs tidy.
2) You avoid most of the emotional turmoil of being worried that you are going to step on the tiny moving fur-balls in the middle of the night since they haven't learned the meaning of personal space.
3) Since you didn’t raise the cat, you don’t have to take responsibility for the cat’s shortcomings. Instead, you can blame the former owner and play the role of saint for tolerating their antics.
4) Older cats generally are more quiet and sensible than kittens and generally need less supervision. Instead of becoming bored and needing to let off steam in your absence they are more likely to doze, leaving your furnishings, drapes, etc. intact.
5) An older cat is fully grown so you can see what you are taking on - large, medium, small, long-haired, semi-long haired or short-haired, placid or active. The cat's previous owner or shelter volunteers will provide details of its character, allowing you to select a cat that suits your own needs and lifestyle.
6) As cats grow older, they are more home-oriented and settled. If you enjoy pampering your cats, an older cat will be much more appreciative of this attention than a kitten. Cats are at their most companionable in later years.
7) You’re saving a life - The simple fact of the matter is that older cats are harder to adopt out, because people naturally gravitate toward the kittens in all their over-the-top cuteness. It is unfair to these cats that have already lost their homes should live out the rest of their years in a shelter, even one as nice as KSC where the volunteers love and coddle them as if they were their own, this is no replacement for a real home with a human to call their own.
8) Less of a commitment - When adopting a kitten, few people consider that this feline will be a part of their lives for possibly 16 to even 20 years. Adult cats aren’t at a shelter because they are defective or worn out. They may have simply outlived their former owners or been unable to join them at a hospital, nursing home, or new apartment.
9) Kittens are like human babies: everything goes in their mouths. Whether teething or just exploring bits of the world around them, kittens can be destructive little bundles of fur. Adult cats typically chew less, if at all because they tend to save their energy for more important activities, like window squirrel/bird hunting.
10) It might be their last chance. Separated from their loved ones, surrounded by other strange cats, confused and sometimes frightened, many are emotionally devastated by their misfortune. Kittens will always be popular, but for the abandoned, forgotten, and heartbroken adult cats, you just might be their last chance to have the love and warmth of a home where they can live out their years in comfort. When cared for properly, cats can live well into their late teens or early twenties. Typically, they will remain active and playful throughout most of their lives. Some may need a little extra patience while adjusting to a new home, but once they feel safe and secure again, most will give you years of faithful companionship and unconditional love.

King Street Cats has a special spotlight on "What About Me" cats this December. These cats are sweet, loving, adorable, adult-like and looking for a special person to cuddle up with during these chilly nights. Please consider opening up your hearts and home to an older or more overlooked cat.


What About Me TM is an ongoing campaign of King Street Cats focused on helping ALL of our kitties find homes.

Holiday Decor and Kitty

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The holidays are upon us and with that comes the great challenge.  No, not the crowded malls and highways, not the endless party invites, not the family coming to stay with you for what feels like an eternity.  Those pale in comparison to the biggest challenge of all…keeping Kitty out of the tree.  Kitty napping peacefully under the tree as if he were the only gift that should matter in your world?  No problem.  Kitty gnawing on the tinsel or scaling the limbs?  Problem.  Every day is a new opportunity to play hide and seek with the ornaments.  I’ll come home and notice a bare section on the tree…where 4 or 5 ornaments once happily hung, and 3 little sets of eyes just blinking at me with complete innocence.

Christmas trees present several dangers to house cats. First, live trees, especially pine, can be deadly if ingested. Pine resin can cause disease in cats. Also, the pine needles with sharp points may cause internal damage to his organs if he eats them.  Artificial Christmas trees are safer, but you still need to keep an eye on your cat. Flame retardant chemicals are sprayed on most trees, live and artificial, and can cause thyroid issues in your cat.

Beyond ingesting, the tree, cats may also chew on the electric cords for the Christmas lights. Pet specialty stores sell bitter apple or lemon based sprays designed to keep cats away from furniture or rooms. The smell is a deterrent which works even when you are not there to shoo them away. Spray the base, Christmas tree skirt and branches of the Christmas tree, to include the light strings. You may want to spray again every few days to make sure the smell is strong enough to deter your cat.

If you have rambunctious cats and kittens, it is best to avoid glass and fragile ornaments completely. Use shatter-proof or plastic balls with less fragile ornaments.   Small pieces, detachable parts and flimsy hooks are tempting and dangerous to Kitty, so avoid them whenever possible. Leave the bottom branches free of ornaments to avoid tempting cats.

Skip tinsel altogether. It can choke Kitty or cause intestinal blockages. The same goes for any metallic wrapping paper or bows. Also, clean up wrapping paper scraps as quickly as possible. The thicker coatings may also be hard for your kitty to digest.

Secure the base of the tree with weights so Kitty doesn't turn it over which can cause lots of damage and possibly injury.

Silk holiday plant decorations are the best bet for homes with cats. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are all poisonous for Kitty. However, if you must use the real thing, keep them high and out of reach. Keep a careful check throughout the holiday for leaves, berries and petals, which may have fallen on the floor.  If you are going to be traveling, dispose of poisonous plants before you go.  Who knows what Kitty may get into while you are gone.

Avoid using artificial snow spray, which, besides being tacky, can also be deadly if ingested by Kitty.  Also be mindful of candles and Kitty's whiskers.

Give Kitty his own sets of “decorations.” With all the fun stuff hanging around, it’s only natural Kitty will want to check out all the new and fun-looking stuff. When you haul out the decor, also haul out a set of holiday toys especially for Kitty.  Anytime Kitty goes for something hanging from the tree, quickly hand him one of his own special toys to show him that’s what he should be playing with.

Enjoy this little video...it epitomizes what's probably happening in my house right now while I am at work...

http://www.simonscat.com/Films/Santa-Claws/

**Artwork available in Dancing Cat store on Etsy.com

King Street Cats in Their New Homes

Obviously we are excited each time one of our kitties gets a new home.  We enjoy getting updates on how they are doing.  We will be posting updates as we get them, but we would also LOVE to hear your heart-warming adoption stories, regardless of from where you adopted Kitty!  Share them in the comments section below and insert pictures if you have them.


Above is Dancing Cat, now named Sebastian.  Dancing Cat was rescued from the outdoors when he somehow got separated from his family.  He is now in his furrever home and LOVES drinking from the faucet.

Top Ten Things Not To Feed Kitty This Thanksgiving

As I sit here with a foster kitten named Aimee dangling in a cloth burrito-like contraption hung around my neck to keep her warm and close while my two cats glare at this miniature intruder into their domain, I contemplate the upcoming holiday known as turkey and football day (aka Thanksgiving).  As the planning of a day of feasting and merriment ensues, I wonder how this great feast could affect my furry loved ones.  My girl, Raggedy Ann, is the consistent scrounger of human tidbits.  Not by my doing, mind you, but in part her own curiosity drives her to sniff out and try to consume anything forbidden.  Considering how many other fellow cat lovers are out there, I am positive this information could be of use to them as well.  Keep in mind these items could also affect felines' favorite playmates (canines) in a negative manner as well, we are focusing on cats because their metabolism is different.  The top culprits listed from numerous online references are:

1) Chocolate: The stimulants, theobromine and caffeine are the main offending substances in this delicious human treat that could, quite simply, cause toxic issues to the heart and nervous system.

2) Onions: Remember this because these tend to be in turkey stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes among other lovely items.  Onions contain a substance (N-propyl disulphide) which destroys red blood cells, causing a form of anemia.

3) Garlic: contains a similar substance as onions in a lesser amount.

4) Tomatoes and Green (raw Potatoes): these foods are members of a family of plants, which includes nightshade, and contain a poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms.  The leaves and stems are particularly toxic.

5) Raw eggs: contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

6) Raw Fish: eating raw fish can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.  *Don't forget the bones!  Bones can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.*

7) Grapes and Raisins: Per the ASPCA: "As there are still many unknowns with the toxic potential of grapes and raisins, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises not giving grapes or raisins to pets in any amount."

8) Baby Food: can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats fed baby food for an extended period of time.

9) Yeast Dough: can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

10) Fat Trimmings: can cause pancreatitis.

This is just a peek into the foods that we will encounter during this Thanksgiving holiday and the holidays to soon follow in the coming months but please keep these in mind as the merriment ensues.  Feel free to add in additional items to help educate and enlighten.  All my fuzzies give their highest regards, they are hungry and are demanding their dinner.  Happy Holidays!



**Artwork available in Dancing Cat store on Etsy.com