The cats have adjusted extremely well to the move to the "shelterage." We have built an enclosure so that the kitties have a play area. (Thanks Alex and Mark for your hard work.) The cats are loving it! They are able to stretch, play, run, and of course they sleep. The overall attitude of the cats has improved greatly. Many who we were unable to touch previously, since the move have become affectionate. They feel safe now and it shows.
In regards to the health of the cats...most are doing very well, many have overcome their respiratory infections, we do have one little girl who may have a polyp or some other form of obstruction in her nasal passages. We are trying to schedule an endoscopy (price ranges from $850-$1400, not including the price of surgery to have this polyp removed)to research this further. We have been in contact with the Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania who is trying to do this for us through grants and funds they have for times like these. When we learn more I will pass along the information.
Also on Sunday evening (February 8) one of the cats had what was reported as a seizure. Under direction of a veterinarian medical attention was administered on the scene as we were preparing Swayze for transport to an emergency hospital. Any of you familiar with Schuylkill County know that the closest emergency clinic is a minimum of 45 minutes away. Swayze was one of our neurological kitties from the beginning. Upon evaluation at the scene, she had a nystagmus, was ataxic, mm were pale and tacky, labored breathing and it seemed as if she possibly had a stroke. Steroids and fluids were administered on scene to try to support her for the long ride to the emergency clinic. Unfortunately, she passed before that trip even began. She passed quietly and peacefully as her breathing improved tremendously after the steroids were given. We had an autopsy performed so that we may know what we are dealing with and if it is contagious or an isolated incident. We are still waiting for the pathogen to be identified. Please pray that it is an isolated case, that is what we are praying for. At the time there were 6 volunteers at the "shelterage." We shared the same thought with each tear we shed...how many more will fall victim to the on going effects of neglect? Bacterial and other cultures are pending and we were informed it may take up to 4 weeks for complete results. Please, as I have asked before, please pray that this is an isolated case.
Swayze.. we will miss you, we hope you were filled with love and comfort throughout your last days.
Pictures of Moving Day and the "Shelterage" click here
The first set of pictures in these albums are pictures of the original conditions these cats were being kept. The second album shows some of the progress that has been made on site. You can see the difference in the floor coloring from the first album to the second when these cats were moved into the cleaned out storage buildings. Every building the cats are being housed in are now heated thanks to Surburban Propane, and all cats are now located in one of two clean buildings. More photos will be added, this is just a few.
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Urgent Update:
February 2, 2009: We were informed today by the land owner that we will not be allowed to stay on the property after Saturday February 7, 2009. We were hoping to acquire the lease for at least 6 months, pending further FELV/FIV test results. We wanted to keep these cats on this property to reduce the stress of trying to move them which will cause undue stress to their already challenged immune systems. Also, if the positive cats, or any other cats tested positive, it was our hope to allow them to live their lives out on these grounds in the clean facilities. We also have been told we can not even relocate the 2 clean buildings donated to the "shelter" previously used for storage that are now housing the cats. We are concerned about the future of these cats. We have placed many phonecalls and pleas to try to find a safe place for these cats to recuperate. we are currently investigating any and all legal options we may have available to us. Please keep these kitties in your prayers, as it seems as their future lie in the hands of the Heavens. If you have suggestions or ideas, please contact us via email or by phone at (570)385-3003 or (570)544-2920.
February 1, 2009: As of today, all the cats have been evaluated by Dr. Denise Jones of Brunswick Veterinary Hospital of Orwigsburg. As stated previously, most of these kids have a moderate to severe upper respiratory infection. All of these kids have been on clavamox, but we will be making a transition to Zithromax if we are seeing no improvement. There are 3 cats with either abscesses or infected lacerations. We have a total of 52 cats being treated at this time. We have multiple cases of ear mites, severe dental disease, dermatitis, ear infections, and fleas. Overall, with the conditions they had been living in, Dr. Jones feels as if they are all treatable at this time. We will continue to monitor their medical conditions. Thank you so much Dr. Jones for your time and the medication you donated to us yesterday.
The grounds of the facility have also been under a transformation. We are limited as to what we can do because of the ongoing investigation. We are currently collecting everything that we can not use for the cats and trying to organize the "junkyard" on the grounds until authorities permit us to do more. (Way to go April!) Everyone must understand that this is a police investigation, so doing more than caring for the cats is extremely limited. We have added pictures of the grounds and the cats below. These are only some of the pictures that I have been able to download to the computer. Each evening I hope to add more. So continue to check back frequently for more pictures. Thank you again to all who have donated their time, energy, spirit, and prayers. None of this would have been possible without you. thanks to everyone who have made any form of donation, each small item adds some joy to these cats lives. They as well as we, are greatly appreciative of everyone!!
Update to CWNN Rescue
We wanted to inform everyone of the day by day progress that is being made on site. Currently we have cleaned out 2 large buildings on the property that were being used for storage. We have now set these buildings up for housing for the cats so that they can be in a clean environment. Other rescue organizations have been on the scene assisting us with this operation. Huge thanks go out to them, we could not do this without you. At this time, due to the ongoing criminal investigation, we are restricted to caring for the cats ONLY. The surrounding grounds are still covered with debris and items that belonged to the previous "so called" sanctuary owner. Honestly the grounds look like a junkyard and we continue to work around it. In regards to the other conditions, as of late yesterday evening we were able to acquire some running water. The pump is old, but we now have water on the property for watering and dish washing but it can only be ran for a minimal amount of time. The conditions we have been forced to work under, including no heat in buildings until Thursday, have hindered most of what needs to be done.
How are the cats? Many have been isolated in one building due to severe upper respiratory infections. Those who are not showing symptoms at this time are being housed in the other clean building on the property. Unfortunately, we do have positive test results for Felv/FIV. At this point it does not mean every positive has contracted the disease but that they have been exposed. This means all the cats have been exposed, and all the cats need to be quarantined and retested in 6 months. The cats that have tested positive at this point have been separated from the general population. On a positive note, all the cats are happier. They have begun to demand attention and love. We have volunteers on scene who are there strictly to love on the cats! Being that each cat has begun to show their own unique personality, the cats with no name, now have names. Updated pictures of the cats and their housing will be available tomorrow. We are currently in discussion with multiple different rescue groups as to the placement of these cats and the fact they all need to be quarantined because of their exposure. We are trying to make a decision based on what is in the best interest of all the cats.
Once again thank you so much to all of the volunteers and the outpouring of support both locally and nationally. Please know that all donations are improving the lives of these cats. It is our goal to save each and every one of these cats.
"In a perfect world, every pet would have a home and every home would have a pet."
