The Cages Are Ready!

Catsnap cats will be entering the cages at Petsmart tomorrow!  We'll have- 

* Bessie

* Ian

*Lenny

*Fang

*Luna

*CJ

*Belinda

*Gibbs

*Gina

Here's hoping that we'll have a great adoption month and everyone will find their fur-ever home!

Meet Gibbs!

I can't believe that we still have kittens in January!  It's so cold out there - It's just amazing that they are able to survive all the snow and ice we've had lately.  

With that, meet lovely little Gibbs.  He's about 14 weeks old.  He was trapped outside and is getting used to people.  He's still scared with his new surroundings.  Since he is so small, he should come around quickly and be a wonderful, social cat for his new family.  His foster mom has been spending lots of time working with him and she says he is a champion snuggler and purrer.  

Gibbs loves toys, stuffed mice (not the real kind though!)  and other cats and would need to go into a multi-cat home.   Keep your eye out for him to make an appearance at Petsmart sometime during the month of February.  

More Pics of Fargo

Megan...my latest foster

I can't believe how much Megan looks like my brother's cat Cally. I'll have to get a pic of Megan and post it so you can see what I am talking about. Looks just like her, except for less white.

Megan is quite a character. She'll take some time to get used to her surroundings and of course Linus, but she's going to be fine.

And.....she's available for a new forever home!!!

Sweet Dreams!

Ian is really helping CJ with his socialization.  I think CJ will turn out just fine...

Petsmart Saturday

Carter and Flint have been adopted.  That just leaves adorable Fargo, who is still looking for a home.  He is very loving, playful and just a bit on the rowdy side.  He will be at Petsmart again tomorrow.  He is quite the little charmer and I'm sure he'll have no trouble finding himself a great home.

Ian sat very patiently today.  I don't know how this guy hasn't been snatched up yet.  He is 'Mr. Personality.'  He loves to talk and play and follow his foster mom around the house.  He would be a great addition to any home.

Vermillion County Animal Shelter is also at Petsmart on Saturdays.  They arrive at 11 am and are there until at least 2 pm.  I couldn't resist taking pictures of the cute dogs they had.  Their volunteers are super nice, and were working hard to find forever homes of their animals too. Unfortunately, none of these cute pups found homes today - but they sure looked like they were having a good time with all the attention they received.  

Petsmart- This Weekend!

Catsnap will be at Petsmart this Saturday (1/24) from 11-2 and Sunday (1/25) from 1-3.  Making an appearance will be: Fang, Ian and the 3 adorable boys from last weekend, Flint, Fargo and Carter.  

We'll be set up in the litter aisle.  Even if you're not looking to adopt a cat right now, stop by and say 'hello' to us and the kittens!

Catsnap in the Rantoul Press Today!

Catsnap is hard at work again - 

Check out today's edition of the Rantoul Press

What It's Like to Cat Trap

Tonight I cat trapped in the parking lot of a local bar. I've shortened the video so what you're not seeing is the typical 10-45 minutes of just staring at a cat trap with no cats. Normally in the winter you lay down newspaper under the food in the trap so the cat's paws don't freeze to the cage, but as the video shows, I am sitting there waiting so I can get the trapped cat immediately. In the end, a little spotted black and white kitten goes in the trap to get the stinky wet cat food and is the first of three kittens to be trapped (saved) that night! I also trapped one adult cat.

The other two kittens I trapped that night came as a pair in one trap. The one kitten went in the trap and pushed down the lever pushing the other kitten in the trap with him. The kitten that got pushed in had his paw caught for a minute but you can see him spring back to life as I lift the door up a little. To see that video, visit Catsnap's You Tube channel.

Adoption Update: Cody and Doodle

I received this from a Catsnap parent, Grace, who has adopted 3 cats from Catsnap.  They are in a wonderful, loving home and I am so happy they found each other.  Seeing such a happy ending, makes fostering just that much more rewarding-

From Grace:

I first met Daisy, now Doodle, when she was a tiny baby at Petsmart and almost brought her home the weekend that I met her, however, there was something for her to do before joining our family. Since the timing was off, she moved into foster care. While she was with her foster family, she met Cody, a very shy older kitten. The two of them bonded very strongly and soon seemed to be “attached at the hip.” One evening, I was curious to see if Doodle had found a home yet and to my very pleasant surprise, she was still searching for her new family. As I read the information on the site, I noticed that due to her strong bond with Cody, it was hoped that both kitties to be adopted to the same home. I took one look at Cody’s picture and knew this was why Doodle had not come home sooner. I brought the kitties home the end of August 2008 to join our other cats, Charlie and Magic {a former Catsnap kitty}. 

For the first week or so, Cody hid and would only come out when no one was around, while Doodle was little miss social butterfly, trying to make friends and play with the older cats. After Cody got a bit more comfortable and braver about being out when we were, he slowly started warming up to us. Over the last couple of months, he had become “Mr. Social” and is wherever I am when I am home. He has also become very vocal with me, chatting up a storm when I get home from work each evening. There have been many times that I have come upon them to find Doodle, Cody, Magic {who we were told, hated other cats} and Charlie sleeping together or playing. 

It seems that the kitties have chosen who their favorites are. Doodle and Charlie prefer John, while Magic and Cody prefer me. Guess we are evenly split with the boys and girls. All of them are such treasures and add so much joy to our home.

Success Stories Wanted!

Did you adopt a cat from Catsnap? We'd love to hear how they're doing and post their pictures on our blog!
Feel free to send me an email (under contributor section) with your feline's story and a picture or two.
It's always nice to hear from the people who have opened up their hearts and homes to a Catsnap cat. You have helped save their lives and we couldn't do it without you!

*Thank You!!*

Sweetie Pie's progress

I moved Sweetie Pie, adoptable foster cat, into the bedroom to join the more mellow "bedroom" kitties being that Punk Kitty Willow and Linus were tag-teaming her. She just wasn't happy and it was really sad to see her sitting in her little cave.

Since I moved her, she has been like a new cat. She is playing with toys and attempting to play with the other BKs.

I have never dealt with a cat that is so big. I really do believe that her weight problem was due to someone feeding her table scraps or high calorie cheap food. She truly doesn't have her head buried in the bowl, even when she was in the foster room, so I don't think she is truly a stress eater, like her foster mom.

I am feeding her Felidae Platinum (reduced calorie senior) which is a great food and I love how her coat is looking fabulous.

Her favorite place to lie is on the bed looking out through the window at all the birds and squirrels.

I will try to get a video or updated pictures of her to post.

S.

It's a 3-cat night

I can't believe how cold it is. It's more of a bone-chilling cold. Check out my picture of Babushka Gracie (it's the picture on my account).

Hope everyone stays nice and warm. Snuggle up with your kitties for they are the lucky ones - just wish all were as lucky.

Lovely Lulu

Meet a very special Catsnap cat - Lulu.  This beautiful girl is about 5 years old.  She loves to follow her foster mom around the house like a puppy and is very chatty when she is spoken to. She spends her day lounging in the sun and then playing with her catnip toys.  

Lulu had to have her left eye surgically removed due to an infection.  She seems to get along just fine with her one eye, but she will have to be on a vitamin supplement for the rest of her life to keep her right eye healthy.  The supplement, Lysine, is low-cost and Lulu doesn't seem to mind taking it everyday.  

Lulu would do fine as an only cat, but would like another gentle cat to keep her happy.  She deserves only the finest of homes - and promises to love you forever in return.  

Petsmart Adoption Days

A few pictures from our day at Petsmart - 

We had the cutest long-hair kittens to show!  We have Flint (black), Carter (white and grey) and Fargo (tabby and white).  They are very loving and purred the entire time!

Of course.... being this adorable is exhausting and requires frequent napping...

These beauties will make an appearance tomorrow (Sunday the 11th) from 1-3 along with Ian.  

Stop by and say 'hello!'

Trapping Feral Cats and Kittens

One of the reasons Catsnap has been so successful in reducing the number of cats and kittens euthanized in Champaign County is a strong TNR (trap - neuter - return) program. Cats are caught in humane traps then fixed and vaccinated. 

We've been very busy in the last few weeks trying to trap as many as we can before the snow hits. We caught several dozen between Christmas and New Year's including the fluffy and fabulous Parker (brother to Lucky) who is pictured here. Parker has been spoken for, and he promises to be a loving, high-maintenance cat (just look at all that fur!).

Parker's parents are feral so they were fixed and released. His brother and sister were socialized and have a wonderful life ahead of them. By fixing this small family, we have made a tiny dent in the number of kittens born without homes.

Catsnap is always looking for people who are willing to help us trap or transport cats to vet appointments. We can also use people who are willing to open up their homes to a cat in transition just like Parker.

Available Cat: CJ

Ian wanted everyone to meet his foster brother CJ. 

CJ is about 8 months old and is one of the nicest cats you'll ever meet. He was trapped several weeks ago by Catsnap and is still trying to learn how to adjust to life indoors. He is gentle and sweet, but he is very shy. He has good litter box habits and gets along well with other cats.  

CJ would thrive in a quiet home with cat-savvy parents or someone willing to be patient with him while he gains the courage to let his personality shine through.  He would love to live in a house with another cat or two to keep him company. 

 

Do you have room in your life for this special boy?

Guest Blogger: Ian

Hello Everyone!  

My name is Ian and I'm looking for a fur-ever home for the New Year!   I'm a fun, chatty, 9 month old boy.  I've never meet a cat or person I didn't like.  Here I am in my room having a stare down with a treat (I won).  

My foster mom says I'm a bit mischievous and have a slight addiction to canned food, but I more than make up for it in personality.  I can spend hours playing with my favorite stuffed mouse.  

If you want to get to know me better, send Catsnap an email or you can visit me during January Petsmart Adoption Days on Saturdays 11-2 and Sundays 1-3. We usually hang out by the litter aisle, so stop by and say 'hello'.  You can also meet my buddies, Fang, Willow and the occasional rowdy kitten at Petsmart as well.  If my foster brothers ever wake up from their nap, I'll make sure they introduce themselves to the blog.  

Welcome to Catsnap's official blog, where you can find the latest on what is going on with the group and its cats.

At the end of December, we will be pulling our cats from Petsmart and won't return until Feb 1.

On Jan. 2, 2009: Bear and his sister will be having eyelid surgery. Both were born without proper eyelids, so they are constantly squinting. After this surgery to correct the defect, they will be ready for a permanent home. These cats would do well together in a home.

Lucky's Story

Lucky was born outside to two feral cats and was luckily trapped this past December of 2008. He turned out to be the sweetest kitten, loving to be pet and purring nonstop. A family adopted Lucky and to begin his new life as a fixed and warm indoor kitty, he is now known as Twinkie.