FINALLY!!!!! Cripple Creek has a Facebook page! Be sure to click and "like" the page to keep up with our activities and available animals. CCFF Facebook
WOW!! Thank you to everyone who came out to the 2nd Annual Stray Cat Strut and made it a big success!!! We had so many wonderful raffle and auction items! Rodney Dimmeling of Dimmerling Auctioneers got the crowd going with a live auction. The food looked and tasted great! Thanks to The Hitmen of North Canton for providing a great set list of "cat themed" songs. The event raised just under $4000.00 before expenses. These funds provide the needed supplies for the animals in our care and also for the animals we TNR.
Cripple Creek Feral and Friends (CCFF) is a nonprofit Ohio corporation dedicated to promoting animal welfare, and caring for animals in need. Its primary place of business is in Lake Twp., Ohio. CCFF is in the process of applying for tax-exempt status, but tax-exempt status under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code has NOT been granted at this time. Contributions to CCFF are gratefully received, and will help us in our mission, but they are NOT tax deductible (yet!).
I am sure many of you have read the recent article in the Canton Repository. Canton Rep Article Today, Jan. 28, 2013, I received a letter from the Vice President of the Stark County Humane Society, Brian L. Zimmerman revoking my membership. This is what you get when you speak up for the animals without a voice.
The CCFF Animal Appreciation Day was a success! 39 animals were spayed/neutered! Many local rescue groups and animal related businesses participated and the weather even cooperated! Many thanks to the Lake Community Branch of the Stark County District Library for being open to holding such an event!
On April 13, 2013 I was a presenter at the Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue Animal Seminar. My topic was dispelling the myths regarding feral cats and their overpopulation. It was a wonderful seminar with a lot of information and great networking opportunities. Looking forward to next year already!
CCFF is teaming up with Franks Ferals to provide monthly Trap/Neuter/Return seminars (free of charge) held at One of a Kind Pets in Akron. The next seminar is scheduled for June at the adoption center. Hope to see you there.
The Wild Cat Wednesday program through the Stark Co. Humane Society has been discontinued. Sadly, this is just before breeding season which will result in many cats/kittens ending up in the local shelter. CCFF had spayed/neutered 73 cats through this program. Unfortunately, the animals of Stark Co. will once again suffer. I apologize for any inconvenience. Despite this...CCFF has already spayed/neutered 41 cats as of June 1, 2013 for the year. Traps have been loaned out to allow others to TNR cats in their own neighborhoods. Thanks for being part of the solution!
URGENT!!! A RECENT SEIZURE BY OUR LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY RESULTED IN THEM CAPTURING 40 CATS USING SNARES/CATCHPOLES. 38 OF THESE CATS WERE KILLED. 13 WERE LEFT AT THE RESIDENCE. CCFF REMOVED THE REMAINING CATS WHO ARE ALL HEALTHY AND FRIENDLY, NICE CATS. THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS SITUATION TO BE HANDLED THE WAY IT WAS. SNARES WERE NOT NECESSARY, WE WERE ABLE TO SCRUFF THE CATS AND PLACE THEM IN CARRIERS, CALMLY AND SAFELY. A LITTLE COMPASSION FOR THE ANIMALS AND THE OWNER IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED. I AM NOT CONDONING THE LIVING CONDITIONS BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION LIKE THIS PROFESSIONALLY. HERE IS A LINK TO PHOTOS OF THE CATS. THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN THE FIRST NIGHT. AS STATED, THEY ARE ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND LOVING AND LOOKING FOR FOREVER HOMES. THESE ARE EXTREMELY NICE CATS, VERY AFFECTIONATE AND LOVING. PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING!! Seizure Cats HERE ARE SOME UPDATED PHOTOS OF THE CATS. THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE COMING THROUGH AS THEY BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE, WHAT NICE DESERVING CATS! All but 4 have been adopted!! Newer pics
I received a call regarding a stray cat with one eye and a large lump. After checking out the situation, this kitty was in desperate need of help. She had a huge tumor that had burst. After a trip to the vet, she was scheduled for surgery on the 17th. She had the tumor removed and is in day three of recovery and doing pretty well considering she is an older gal who was dehydrated, anemic and hyperthryroid. Once recovered, Ms. Kitty will be looking for a quiet retirement home. She has quite a road to travel yet but is making considerable progress. UPDATE..... Ms. Kitty has had some setbacks including a urinary tract infection and the incision opening up between her shoulders. She has had a couple visits to the vet and two trips to the ER when this opened up so big. We have had bloodwork and two urinalysis done. Waiting for the thyroid portion of the bloodwork but everything else looks pretty good. Tonight Sept. 13, 2012, she went back to the vet who performed the surgery and was stitched back up and a drain put in. She is on antibiotics and will hopefully be feeling better very soon!!! UPDATE Sept. 14....Thyroid results came back normal, she seems to be feeling better this morning!! UPDATE....Sept. 27.....Ms. Kitty has once again been to the vet and is now on different antibiotics, pain meds and cosequin to help with any inflammation due to her UTI. Her incision where the majority of the tumor was is not healing as it should. If she does not respond to the new meds, the concern is that the tumor is returning already. Her appetite is good, attitude it great and she is peeing clear!!! Small steps but hopeful!! UPDATE Oct. 13.....Unfortunately the tumor has returned and is growing at a rapid pace. Her UTI is better but she appears to be in the very early stages of renal failure. She is basically in hospice care but doing well. Her attitude and appetite are great as is her personality. She will be kept warm, comfortable and loved until the time comes to say goodbye. Anyone wishing to donate toward Ms. Kitty's care can do so through paypal at criplcrkferals@aol.com or through the mail at CCFF PO Box 272 Uniontown, Oh 44685 Photos of Ms. Kitty and her surgery (WARNING...GRAPHIC) can be seen here. Ms. Kitty UPDATE OCT. 27......Unfortunately Ms. Kitty's cancer had progressed to the point that she was no longer comfortable and was relieved of her suffering. What an impact this little cat had on me in just over 2 short months. Thank you to everyone who contributed to her care.
********URGENT!!!!!!******** UPDATE......I am sure you aware of the Evergreen Trailer Park in North Canton. http://northcanton.patch.com/articles/21-cats-rescued-from-former-evergreen-trailer-park It is being bulldozed this week. I went over to rescue A litter of kittens and found yet another litter. I got both litters and two moms. This evening 8 more cats were trapped. These are all young friendly cats in need of somewhere to go!! They are going to One of a Kind on June 4 to be fixed. Anyone wishing to help with this cost can make contributions directly to One of a Kind Clinic on Exchange in Akron. Please make sure you note it is for Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends. Financial assistance will be desperately needed. I will post pics of all the cats asap. For now, here are some of the kittens available. Evergreen Update June 5.....2 more kittens rescued, there is a third we cannot find. Will have pics and info posted soon on who is what, etc... .******UPDATE*****.As of June 11... 21 cats/kittens have been trapped. The last one this evening was the one I wanted the most! He has a broken tail from someone deliberately running him over. It is in VERY bad shape. He will be tested and evaluated for what can be done for him. Robert "Robert" has had his tail amputated and has been neutered. He has tested positive for FIV, as did my BobCat (my mascot). Robert is able to live a quite normal life with other cats. This disease is transmitted through deep bite wounds, not casual contact through grooming or shared food bowls. What a loving, grateful cat Robert is!!! We did get the third kitten that we couldn't find. They are coming along great and enjoying some attention. All but one of the kittens have been adopted. There are still plenty of young adults waiting for a forever home. These kitties have come so far and are quite loving once they know you. Out of 21 cats, we have 6 remaining from the Evergreen Trailer Park.
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On March 31,2012, I attended an Animal Rescue Seminar in Wadsworth to gain more knowledge on animal behavior, marketing, networking, etc...it was a great and inspiring day! On April 13, 2013, I will be presenting at the same Animal Rescue Seminar! Looking forward to another inspiring day with great people.
CCFF does not discriminate and only rescue cats....I was recently contacted about a domestic rat that had been left in a box on the porch of an abandoned house. I now have her, she has a large tumor behind her front leg. She is scheduled for surgery on May 9, and will hopefully do well and recover quickly. Rattie Tat had her surgery and is doing super and being spoiled rotten. I hope that her mission in life was to open people's eyes to the wonderful pets rats make. I would have never known had I not come to know her! UPDATE NOV. 27 Rattie has now had a second surgery to remove another tumor on the inside of her hind leg. She is doing well post op. It is with great sadness I have to report that I had to Rattie Tat put to sleep due to the development of two more tumors that were inhibiting her ability to eat. Rattie Tat
Rubbermaid offers special pricing for containers used to make feral cat shelters. See website for info and instructions. Feral Cat Shelter
Thank you for all of your support and donations following the wonderful article in the Canton Repository. A link to the story is below. It is so nice to know there are caring people who are willing to help the helpless animals out there!
We seem to be having problems with the email link. If you have requested an application/information, please type in the address rather than using the link. Email to criplcrkferals@aol.com
If you are utilizing your own or local veterinarian for spaying/neutering a feral cat, please make sure they are aware it is feral. Make sure they do not try to handle it and make sure they use disolvable sutures. We highly recommend using One of a Kind Pets in Akron for your feral surgeries. 330-865-6890 No appointment needed for ferals. One of a Kind
PLEASE....if you are feeding a stray, take the initiative and get it fixed BEFORE your problem escalates! One of a Kind offers low cost surgeries or I can put you in touch with other alternative mobile clinics. I cannot take in animals BUT I can post and network your animal in need. They MUST be fixed in order to do so. Thanks for doing your part!
GREENTOWN CATS UPDATE
The above links tell the story of a recent rescue. All but 7 of the 25 cats have been placed and are doing well in their new homes. 14 of these 25 cats were females who were spared having another litter to contribute to this problem. The owner is currently in a nursing home and will never return to the home. I want to thank ALL of you who so generously donated supplies, money and homes for these cats. The "owners" have now abandoned the 11 cats that were living on the property. They have locked/boarded up the garage which is the only home these cats have known. As of today, April 21, all of the cats have been retrapped and are safe, warm and well cared for! It is because of you, I am able to continue to help animals in need. If you would like to contribute to the efforts of Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends you can now do so through PayPal at criplcrkferals@aol.com.
WHERE ARE MY DONATIONS GOING? I want to assure you that ALL donations go toward the spay/neutering, vetting and care of the animals in my rescue. They also go to assist those in need. Donations of food (dry and canned) and scoopable litter are also very much appreciated. CCFF continues to help the people with large colonies of cats by providing food to them when we have it.
**** Monday March 7, we will begin trapping 27 cats living outside with access to a garage/food to transport them to One of a Kind Clinic in Akron to be spayed/neutered. This is once again a situation caused by not spaying/neutering. UPDATE....27 cats were altered with 18 of them being female! Even if you cannot afford to donate money to help, you can help by educating others of the importance of spaying/neutering. Just one "oops" litter means alot of money, time, love and heartbreak for animal rescuers, all of which could be easily avoided.
**** CCF&F is also assisting a woman with two outside strays, one of which has a deformed leg. As of Mar. 16, the two cats, Smokey and Mango were neutered and the leg was treated. UPDATE...March 28, Smokey, the kitty with the deformed leg had it amputated today. He is recovering with his brother by his side and doing as well as he can after having such a procedure. After his recovery, he will be returned with his brother to the families that care for them. While going to pick them up Sunday night, a third cat was found across the street that had been hit by a car. I was unsuccessful at trying to catch it so a live trap was set. The cat was in very poor condition and upon return today, I'm sorry to say he did not make it. He was buried by a wonderful friend. Copy and paste this link for pics of Smokey and Mango... Smokey and Mango UPDATE April 11, Smokey and Mango returned to their home with all kinds of new toys and a nice scratching post donated by ZiffyCat Condos. In return for the help with their cats, the owners have donated bags of food back to the lady caring for the 27 cats that we fixed earlier.
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will never let what I can not do interfere with what I can do."
Edward. E. Hale
I am one individual trying to do my part in helping homeless and helpless animals find their forever home. I do NOT have a shelter so I am unable to accept animals from individuals. I will accept your animals information and network with others to help place it. Please understand, I am doing my best to help those that call but I can't always be of assistance. I do try! All of my time, gas, supplies are donated because spay/neuter is a cause that I so strongly believe in. All trapping/transporting/recovery is done in between operating three businesses as well as caring for my own animals/home.
I have a soft spot for special needs animals and will do my best to help with them. Not limited to dogs and cats.
Donations are always welcome!! Donations can be made conveniently through PayPal at criplcrkferals@aol.com Gift cards to help with the purchase of food and litter or gas cards to help with transportation costs for spay/neutering. All animals are altered using One of a Kind Clinic in Akron. Never think that any amount is too small...1 dollar buys 2 cans of cat food!
ALL animals adopted through Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends will be altered PRIOR to adoption. Adoption contracts and applications are required. Applications will be reviewed in order to place the pet in the best possible home. Cripple Creek adoptables have come from less than perfect situations and I want to ensure they never have to worry about being homeless and hungry again. If for any reason an animal does not work out, CCFF stipulates the animal be returned.
Cripple Creek Ferals and Friends
P.O. Box 272
Uniontown, OH 44685
WE DO NOT HAVE A SHELTER & ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANIMALS
Email: criplcrkferals@aol.com
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
