CHESTERS STORY
This beautiful boy with cartoon-like eyes came to us in March of this year.
However Chester’s story started months before that when some cat lovers noticed this beautiful boy seemed to have no place to go. He seemed to be on his own fending for himself, he was very nervous of people so they started leaving food out for him and trying to earn his trust.
After some time watching him, they noticed he was limping and holding up his front paw. This set in motion a plan to try and trap him to intervene. Luckily Leslie, one of the ladies caring for him got in contact with us resulting in a plan to trap him and to loan her a trap… It was a success… Chester was taken straight to our vet. After some x-rays and an exam it was found that he had an abscess from an old wound in his foot. This was drained and treated. This sweet boy was treated for a bad case of uncomfortable, itchy ear mites as well. It seems he may have been out there for a while.
After this veterinary visit Chester came to live with us at C.A.R.E.S.
He was lost, he was defeated, he was exhausted and hurt. It was obvious to us right away Chester was not mean, just afraid. We all gave him the space he needed and for a long while he hissed often… then it started to slow down and was less frequent. Then the hissing stopped… and he appeared to remember good human touch and interactions. It started with a few pets from his favorite volunteers… and grew…and after about 6 months here Chester became a mush! He became the kitten cuddler, always curled up close to one of the younger cats here and he has become a real, sweet love bug like we presume he was prior to being lost or abandoned.
This handsome man loves his chin scratches and his shoulder massages. He comes to greet you when you arrive, asking for attention and treats! Chester is a relaxed, happy pet again!
He is no longer scared, hungry or alone…he has literally been loved back to life!!… Chester is back!
Anddddd, the best part of this entire story is…
Chester was adopted this past weekend, and has gone to his forever home to be spoiled rotten for the rest of his life!!
This happily ever after could have not happened without the entire community working together to better this little life. And that is exactly what happened, we did!! Hopefully Chester can forget the time he was on his own out there and will enjoy the rest of his life safe and happy in a loving home.
Thank you to Leslie, Crystal and Bob for caring for him and starting this process that changed his life forever!
And a HUGE thank you to everyone from Chester…
SUZIES STORY
A story of a much needed and deserved chance at life again.
This tiny girl came to us from a heartbreaking situation. It seems that this sweet girl had at some point many years ago been confined to the basement due to dogs moving in upstairs. What may have started as the basement, turned into a very small metal walled pen in the dark damp corner.
That is where this beautiful little shining light lived for many many years neglected, cold and rarely visited. She had sawdust for litter and a very small area to move around.
This precious girl came to us nameless, we don’t know if she even had a name during those lonely years. It is believed she may have lived there in that basement alone with minimal care for over 10 years.
This petite girl has been named Suzie after the lady who changed her life! We are unsure of the exact specifics, but a wonderful woman named Suzie became aware of this tiny cat’s situation somehow. She then began tirelessly looking for help and somewhere to take her. After some time and frustration she luckily found us! We did not hesitate for a moment when it came to getting this sweet cat out of that situation and into our care.
When Suzie arrived at the shelter she was literally purring! She just seemed thankful to be free from where she’d been, without even knowing where she was going. As soon as she arrived here she ate tuna, purred and enjoyed the attention she was receiving. She was just incredibly delighted to be with people and happy to be free, happy to be safe and happy to be cared for.
We had Suzie in for a check up at our vet and she is in incredible health for her age. We believe her to be approx 16 years old. Suzie is so content and has absolutely flourished with all of the love and attention she received here. All of us volunteers fell in love with her immediately. Each time someone would enter the senior room she would come down from her little perch to chat and visit. She is the sweetest, friendliest little lady.
Finding a Foster home became a top priority for our foster co-ordinator Donna. She worked tirelessly to find this sweet little girl a forever place to call home. A place filled with love, care and attention. Some of the things she missed out on for way too long.
Donna did exactly that, our precious Suzie has gone home with a wonderful lady named Carla. She will make sure Suzie is well cared for, loved and is never alone again.
Here are some parts of the update we received from Carla:
“I am a little purr monkey they say… when they peek into my tiny bedroom I just start purring right away! I am so brave! I am no scaredy cat, oh no, not me. I cruise about when people are here and I like to switch it up and travel back and forth to the living room seating areas to sit by the visitors. I’m not a lap cat but I like to sit nearby for a while, mostly I’m listening to the visit with my eyes closed, if you get what I mean. I just love this new place to live! The shelter was okay, but this place is my favorite so far. They say they love spoiling me, and I’m okay with that, let me tell you!”
We are so thankful that Suzie came across this little tiny soul in that basement that day, and was able to start in motion this much deserved change in her life. Thank you Carla for opening your home to this sweet little girl! She is so lucky to have crossed paths with you both.
Thank you to all of our donors and supporters for helping us help cats like her.
GIZMO
My mom adopted a cat from C.A.R.E.S. Canadian Animal Rescue and Extended Shelter last weekend. Gizmo is very happy in his new home. – Kimiko T.
JACK
From Stephanie: “I adopted Jack from C.A.R.E.S. just under 2 years ago when he was just a wee kitten….now he thinks he’s a human and sits around watching TV like a typical teenager!”
IGGY
Sometimes we receive sad messages at the shelter from people who no longer want their animals, animals in distress or trouble or sometimes worse. But sometimes we receive wonderful messages too. This is one of them!
A lady named Melisa contacted C.A.R.E.S. through Facebook about a cat named Iggy. She had been feeding Iggy for sometime as Iggy would come to her house frequently to visit her own cat (who has now passed) and to look for food. Iggy was in rough shape – his fur was matted and covered with feces, rotten teeth and in generally rough shape. Poor Melisa tried to bathe him herself which turned out to be not sure a good idea!
Melisa and her daughter were going to be moving and they didn’t want to leave Iggy behind and were looking for some advice on how to transition Iggy to an indoor cat so he was able to go with them. C.A.R.E.S. was able to assist her and Iggy by getting him up to date with his shots, a dental scaling and a snazzy new hair cut (not sure if Iggy agrees that it is so snazzy!)
These photos are of Iggy now – happy in his new home, with his new Mom and even a human sister that he loves to cuddle with! We received a lovely note from Melisa to thank us and to let us know that Iggy is doing well! He has not wanted to go outside lately but she is sure it is because he is embarrassed with his new do!
We would like to thank Melisa for giving Iggy a second chance at a forever home.
October 8, 2014: How cute is this? Melisa sent us a wonderful update from Iggy and apparently he has learned how to take “selfies”!
“Iggy is loving his home, he spent the summer chasing grasshoppers around our little yard. Somehow he even took a pic of himself on my phone..hilarious”
MINOU
We received this beautiful update from Minou’s family:
“Hello Everyone at Cares – and a special hello to Lauralee,
We just wanted to let you know Minou is doing very well.
She has made a very easy transition into her new home. The only issue we have….it’s no issue for Minou….she thinks she owns the place LOL. As you can see, Minou is basking in a little morning sun today
Thank you again for giving us such a wonderful gift
Jacqueline Ponsart & Vern Olsen
ROO
So happy for little Roo! We received a wonderful update:
Roo is very happy in her new home! She has made friends with the dog and she just loves tuna, cheese, chicken & turkey.
Roo has several windowsills to watch the birds and squirrels from. She loves her cardboard box, purple fluffy bed and blankets.
We can always find her in the most comfy place in the house as you can see by the pictures.
She has taken over my old cat’s toy collection and made it her own. Roo has lots of room to run thru the house at top speed, back and forth. Friends have dropped by with welcome gifts for her including a little plush pink flamingo stuffed with catnip – she insists on carrying it up to her water dish and wetting it’s feet. Good thing it’s a wading bird!
thanks so much for your help
love
Cynthia
GIZMO
These photos are of Iggy now – happy in his new home, with his new Mom and even a human sister that he loves to cuddle with! We received a lovely note from Melisa to thank us and to let us know that Iggy is doing well! He has not wanted to go outside lately but she is sure it is because he is embarrassed with his new do!
So happy for little Roo! We received a wonderful update:
has lots of room to run thru the house at top speed, back and forth. Friends have dropped by with welcome gifts for her including a little plush pink flamingo stuffed with catnip – she insists on carrying it up to her water dish and wetting it’s feet. Good thing it’s a wading bird!