We at Stray Feral Rescue are so grateful for the tremendous support we received during the 24 hours of Give to the Max Day (Nov. 17-18). We raised $1,270 to help outdoor cats get through this winter. We may also receive a small matching grant. If you missed the deadline, you can still donate through GiveMN.org, where no admin or processing fees are deducted; we receive the full donation (which is tax-deductible).
CAT-OBER-FEST!
Thanks to all who made this fall's fundraiser a success! Please frequent the businesses who donated and let them know you appreciate their support of programs that help homeless animals.
Axel’s Bonfire, 850 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Bibelot, 1114 Grand Avenue, St. Paul C Burda, Minneapolis Cafe Latté, 850 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Charlemagne Fine Jewelry, 1262 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Chatterbox Pub, 800 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul Cinema Ballroom & Latin Dancing, 1560 St. Clair Avenue, St. Paul Coat of Many Colors, 1666 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Corepower Yoga, 867 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Dunn Bros Coffee, 1569 Grand Avenue, St. Paul Fleur de Lis, 516 Selby Avenue, St. Paul Formosa High Mountain Tea, Lauderdale, www.formosahighmountaintea.com Frame Works, 2022A Ford Parkway, St. Paul Grand Casino, Hinckley & Mille Lacs Michele Hays, St. Paul Herbergers, 1400 University Avenue W., St. Paul Jeanne Hess, St. Paul Jimmy John’s, 2446 University Avenue W., St. Paul Joe Senser’s, 2350 Cleveland Avenue S., Roseville LA Fitness, 1370 University Avenue, St. Paul Yvonne Loeffler, White Bear Lake Mike Marolt, Maplewood J McClure, St. Paul Menards, Inc. MGM Liquors, 275 White Bear Avenue N., St. Paul Midway Liquor Store, 1944 University Avenue, St. Paul Midway Pro Bowl, 1556 University Avenue, St. Paul Mississippi Market, 622 Selby Avenue, St. Paul Paper Patisserie, 366 Selby Avenue, St. Paul Quality Pet Products, Woodbury, www.qualitypet.net Dan Reddan, Minneapolis Ritz/Proex, 2130 Ford Parkway, St. Paul Barb Schwendig, Lake St. Croix Beach Mary Kathleen Scott, St. Paul St. Paul Fellowship Church, 868 Sherburne Avenue, St. Paul G Stout, Woodbury E Tessman, St. Paul Trader Joe’s, 484 Lexington Parkway S., St. Paul Wild Birds Unlimited, 2050 Ford Parkway, St. Paul Willie’s American Guitars, 254 Cleveland Avenue S., St. Paul Wuollet Bakery, 1080 Grand Avenue, St. Paul
We had a great time eating, drinking, bidding on great stuff, listening to good music, meeting folks, and seeing some of our old friends.
From the sale there remain several of the original paintings by artist Mary Kathleen Scott. Four works are in the "Nebulae Series" on canvas, the others were inspired by her sleepy, cuddling, old-lady cats. The artist describes the characters in these paintings as "Fairy Grandmothers." They're colorful, delightful, and fun!. Please call 651-644-3890 any day 9am to 9pm or email
rsq@iphouse.com if you'd like to make an appointment to see the rest of the collection. To see more of this artist's work, or commission a piece, contact her at
marykathleenscott@msn.com.)
Also a BIG thanks to the Petco Foundation for funding our spay/neuter project two years in a row! When the economy is this bad and many businesses have stopped giving grants and donations, this gift from Petco is especially needed and appreciated!
Our Featured Pet . . . Adrian Monk, Lovable Oddball!
This odd cuddler of a cat is looking for an especially sweet human to call his own. Adrian isn't quite sure how to respond to his own kind, and likes to hide from unfamiliar people, but when he has you alone he will hop in your lap, stand up on his back feet, put his hands on your shoulder, and nuzzle you cheek-to-cheek for all he's worth. It's certainly one of the oddest, most endearing behaviors we've ever seen in a stray cat. Read more about this fun, beautiful boy by clicking his link above, or click on the Donate button below to help us provide continuing care for Adrian Monk and other cats like him.
Who We Are
Stray Feral Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit, all-volunteer, no-kill, pet fostering and adoption organization also providing information, education, resources, and advocacy to benefit all animals and the humans who love them. Some of our volunteers are state Humane Agents trained and certified to assess and investigate cases of animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect.
However, we can't do what we do without you. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation in any amount. Click here:
to log in to PayPal and transfer funds from your bank account or credit card directly to Stray Feral Rescue, and accept our heartfelt thanks! (Checks can also be mailed to Stray Feral Rescue at the address at the bottom of this long, long page.)
Courtesy Listings
While we are a small organization and often too full to take in more animals, we are happy to post your "finds" on our site. If you have taken in an animal and are trying to find it a good home, send us your photos and information. We will add it to our pages as a "courtesy listing," refer interested parties to you and, if you like, help you choose the best adoptive home. We may be able to help address other needs you have while fostering homeless animals, just call or email us.
Cold Weather Tips, for Helping Feral Cats
Alley Cat Allies has these suggestions to help outdoor cats weather the coldest days and nights:
Provide them dry, warm shelters that allow feral cats to escape the cold while continuing to live outdoors where they are most comfortable. Visit www.alleycat.org/colonycare for info on building a shelter for cats living near you.
In the shelter, provide bedding that doesn’t retain moisture; straw is best. Blankets, towels, and rugs can mold.
Add a door flap to the shelter to keep out winter winds.
Provide food and water. Use wide and deep water dishes which freeze slower than shallow, narrow ones or, for under $20, Fleet Farm and Menards sell nice, electric, heated water bowls with covered power cords that prevent cats from chewing through.
Cats like to curl up in warm engines during cold days. Before you start your car, bang on the hood to scare away any sleeping cats.
Antifreeze is lethal to animals, and it tastes sweet to them. “Pet safe” antifreeze is also dangerous. Clean up antifreeze spills before animals get to them, and support legislation that mandates adding a bittering agent to antifreeze.
Lost & Found
If you've lost or found a pet, Petfinder.com has a lost and found section where you can search or add listings, but don't stop there! Check other lost & found sites like your city's, your local humane society's, Craigslist, www.animalarkshelter.org, www.acsikennels.com, www.fidofinder.com, and www.tabbytracker.com. If you've lost a pet, don't forget to call the Animal Control offices and impounds in your area, too. Hillcrest Animal Hospital is now the impound for 30 cities in the east metro; if that's your area check with them for your lost pet, 651-484-7211,
HillcrestKennel@rocketmail.com
A Note About Dogs
Please don't put 'em in choke chains, prong collars, or electronic zapping collars. Here's why:
Most reputable and humane animal care providers (including Oprah's dog trainer, Tamar Geller) call these collars "instruments of torture." Try a better way; visit www.theloveddog.com or the site for Victoria Stillwell's It's Me Or The Dog, www.animal.discovery.com/tv/its-me-or-dog/index.html.
Minnesota statute 346.37 subd. 3 prohibits the use of cruel training and handling methods or devices on companion animals, and there are strong arguments that these collars are cruel. (What about "choke chain" sounds like it feels good to wear?)
All of these collars are meant to be worn for short training periods each day for a few weeks, not all day every day for years.
In 2004 the North American Veterinary Conference put out a recommendation that dog owners not even use trainers who use choke chains, prong collars, or electronic collars because:
A survey of trainers indicated more than 30% were using the collars incorrectly and that most owners using the collars were also using them incorrectly.
Even when used correctly, these collars can easily cause serious and permanent physical and psychological injuries and/or death to dogs.
The injuries are not suspected by owners and can go for years without treatment until they are discovered while a vet is looking for something else.
The collars are ineffective. Like anyone else, dogs learn better and faster when treated with loving, kind, and patient methods rather than a system of pain and punishment.
The Difference Between Strays and Ferals
Strays are tame, friendly pets who are homeless because they were abandoned or lost. Ferals are members of a domesticated species (dogs, cats) who are born and raised as if they were a wild species---without human interaction and affection (“socialization”). (It can be very dangerous to handle unsocialized ferals without proper equipment and instruction.) Ferals instinctively fear humans as larger predators and will hiss, spit, claw---may even bite savagely---to scare off or get away from people. Many strays living outdoors will appear to be feral, running and hiding from people, too. A true feral, unless caught and socialized very young, will always be somewhat shy of new people, loud noises, and quick movements.
The ferals we offer for adoption have been socialized to humans to varying degrees. Some are very good housepets and will play with people but don’t want to be touched; others seem just like ordinary, cuddly housecats until they hear an unfamiliar voice or footstep and run to hide. Some will grow more attentive and affectionate to people in time; others won’t. Any formerly-feral cat will need time to adjust to a new home, new people and pets and sounds and smells. We will try to give you as much information as we have about the animals along with instructions on how best to care for and live with them. If we require special circumstances for the adoption of a cat, it’s for the safety of the cat as well as the safety of the people, pets, and possessions in the adoptive home. If you feel it’s necessary, please don’t hesitate to ask for information and instructions in writing; we’ll be happy to provide that.
Adopting a Cat Companion
Our rescue cats don't live in cages but in our homes and hearts and become part of our families during fostering, so we are very particular about how they'll be treated when adopted. We don't ever want them to be homeless, frost-bitten, infested, infected, neglected, starved, injured, or abused again.
We will not allow our cats to be let loose outdoors.
We will not allow our cats to be declawed.
We will not allow our cats to live in unsafe, unkempt homes.
We provide each adopter with a copy of the cat's veterinary records, a good amount of food the cat is used to eating, and the cat's favorite toys.
Our main focus is to find really good homes for as many animals as we can. Our adoption fees need to be high enough to aid us in our work but are set to be comparable with other rescues, and can be discounted under certain circumstances. The adoption fee for each cat is listed on its web page and generally reflects only a fraction of what caring for that cat has cost us in food, litter, grooming, toys, and veterinary care. (With courtesy listings, there usually is no adoption fee; the lister is just interested in finding a good home.)
We gratefully welcome tax-deductible donations of any amount to help offset our costs and allow us to provide as much vet care as we can for each animal's needs. So please give whatever you can. Checks can be mailed to Stray Feral Rescue at the address listed at the bottom of the page.
Should your circumstances change and you are no longer able to care for a cat you adopted from us, please return the cat to us for re-homing.
Prior to scheduling an appointment to meet our cats, please email for a copy of our Adoption Application and Adoption Contract that cover all of our specific requirements. We ask that you read the contract carefully before completing the application and returning it to us.
Recommendations (Stuff We Love!)
Good nutrition is essential for your cats' lifelong health and wellness. We recommend the Natura pet foods, Innova Evo in particular. Look for these foods at your retailer, or purchase online at www.qualitypet.net. Free shipping or 10% discount if you pick up at their Woodbury warehouse.
And after they eat? When it comes to cleaning the litterbox we have one word: DuraScoop. Solid metal construction and comfortable grip, it looks and works like a tried-&-true old garden tool. Purchase DuraScoop online at www.durascoop.com or save shipping and buy one from us at $12.95!
And if they miss the litterbox? Zero Odor is the answer for stains and smells. Order online at www.zeroodor.com.
Good pet furniture can save your furniture! We highly recommend Little Tigers Cat Furniture. Although they're not making any more products, we do have some in stock for purchase (the Feline Flights, both sizes). They are sturdy, good-looking, very reasonably-priced, and made locally---with care and love---in Maple Grove, MN. Many thanks to our good friends at Little Tigers for their support over the years, and our very best wishes for their future endeavors---
One of which is Coats of Many Colors, "Painting Your American Dream." Call Andrew for estimates on your home or business painting projects: 763-639-7562. Be sure to tell him Stray Feral Rescue says hello!
Special thanks to Northwest Camera & Video Repair. When our digital camera died and we couldn't take any photos of our rescue cats for their web pages, the good folks at Northwest came to our rescue with a free digital camera! Please check them out for all your camera and video repairs www.northwestcamera.com, conveniently located right off Hwy 61 on Buerkle Road in White Bear Lake, 651-483-8588.
If you buy pet supplies over the internet, please take a look at www.pethealthandnutritioncenter.com, The Pet Health & Nutrition Center. They have a wide variety of the best organic foods and products for all kinds of pets. When you place an order, be sure to enter our code (RSQ) so we get 3.5% rebate on your purchases.
We love the catnip from Kooky Kats Catnip Company. They also have a full line of toys and specialty feline products. Check 'em out at:
www.kookykat.com.
You've seen their commercials, try 'em out! Twin Draft Guards, lightweight, easy to use, home insulation that stops drafts from doors and windows and can save 13-20% on your heating costs. (They also work great under doors when you're trying to keep cats separated.) Get some now and be ready for next winter, www.twindraftguard.com.
"Love your pet, hate the shedding?" Try the FURminator deShedding tool. You won't believe how much loose hair you can quickly and easily remove from your pet! Less vacuuming for you, more comfort for your pet in the summer heat. Take a look at www.FURminator.com.
For holistic cat care, we recommend Dr. Sue Swanson at the Cat Care Clinic (www.holisticcatclinic.com) in Mahtomedi, just off 244 on Hickory Street. Dr. Sue will not perform "mutilation" surgeries (declawing, ear-tipping), a policy we heartily support, and she runs a non-profit shelter for cats who are Feline Leukemia positive. Call 651-429-4153 for an appointment with Dr. Sue. To learn more about the Feline Leukemia Care Center, visit www.felineleukemiacarecenter.org or call 651-497-8720.
If you have a concern about a vet or breeder, check out the complaint section on the Minnesota State Board of Veterinary Medicine web site www.vetmed.state.mn.us.
The more you know . . . here are some books we highly recommend:
ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats by James RichardsThe New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier
. Please call 651-644-3890 any day 9am to 9pm or email
rsq@iphouse.com if you'd like to make an appointment to see the rest of the collection. To see more of this artist's work, or commission a piece, contact her at
marykathleenscott@msn.com.)
Also a BIG thanks to the Petco Foundation for funding our spay/neuter project two years in a row! When the economy is this bad and many businesses have stopped giving grants and donations, this gift from Petco is especially needed and appreciated!
