Conference misery::feline

This note will be reserved for the Framingham (Mass.) Animal Humane Society..

Mary

The Framingham Animal Humane Society (F.A.H.S.) operates an animal shelter (all 
cats) in Southborough, Mass. The Society accepts unwanted cats and catches 
feral cats, then put them up for adoption. It is staffed entirely by volun-
teers. 

The Society currently has about 60 cats available for adoption, mostly 
previously-owned animals, and all lovable. Some of these cats were mistreated 
or were abandoned, some were given up for personal reasons. All can use lots of
love and T.L.C. 

If you are interested in adopting a cat, consider taking one of theirs. Please 
contact me and I will put you in touch with an adoption counselor, or you can
call the Society directly: (508) 875-3776, or, -- DURING ADOPTION HOURS ONLY --
(508) 460-0587. Adoption hours are Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00, and 
Sunday afternoons between 1:00 - 4:00.

Below is a brief list of cats, representative of the population at F.A.H.S. 
Some of them may have been adopted by now, but there are others just as pretty.
All animals have been altered, have been leukemia tested, and have had all 
necessary shots.

->NOTE: THE F.A.H.S. HAS A POLICY OF *NEVER* PUTTING A CAT TO SLEEP! This, of
	course, creates special space needs, and the need for support.

EXCERPT OF CURRENT CAT POPULATION:
*******************************************************************************
MAX: 3-year old neutered, long-haired male, declawed, buff color.

GILL: Adult, orange/white cat, medium hair. Very lovable.

GYPSY: 6-year old short hair, declawed, gray/white tiger. Great lap cat.

CLAIRE: 2-year old spayed female, long hair, orange tiger, somewhat shy but
        ve-r-r-y affectionate.

INKY: 1-1/2 year-old long hair, black female, playful, an indoor kind of gal.

CARLTON and ANGEL: Black short hair, neutered male and 1-year old short hair,
        black/white spayed female. Accepted together, and would like to stay
        together (understandable).

SAMMY D.: A *big*, very loving black cat, who formerly called a dumpster his
	  home. He has many scars, and lost the sight in one eye. He is very
	  gentle, and could use a steady home, with lots of care and affection.
********************************************************************************

Heinz Franz
DTN 296-4757

The Framingham Animal Humane Society (F.A.H.S.) operates an animal shelter (all 
cats) in Southborough, Mass. The Society accepts unwanted cats and catches 
feral cats, then put them up for adoption. It is staffed entirely by volun-
teers. 

The Society currently has about 60 cats available for adoption, mostly 
previously-owned animals, and all lovable. Some of these cats were mistreated 
or were abandoned, some were given up for personal reasons. All can use lots of
love and T.L.C. 

If you are interested in adopting a cat, consider taking one of theirs. Please 
contact me and I will put you in touch with an adoption counselor, or you can
call the Society directly: (508) 875-3776, or, -- DURING ADOPTION HOURS ONLY --
(508) 460-0587. Adoption hours are Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00, and 
Sunday afternoons between 1:00 - 4:00.

Below is a brief list of cats, representative of the population at F.A.H.S. 
Some of them may have been adopted by now, but there are others just as pretty.
All animals have been altered, have been leukemia tested, and have had all 
necessary shots.

->NOTE: THE F.A.H.S. HAS A POLICY OF *NEVER* PUTTING A CAT TO SLEEP! This, of
	course, creates special space needs, and the need for support.

EXCERPT OF CURRENT CAT POPULATION:
*******************************************************************************
MAX: 3-year old neutered, long-haired male, declawed, buff color.

GILL: Adult, orange/white cat, medium hair. Very lovable.

GYPSY: 6-year old short hair, declawed, gray/white tiger. Great lap cat.

CLAIRE: 2-year old spayed female, long hair, orange tiger, somewhat shy but
        ve-r-r-y affectionate.

INKY: 1-1/2 year-old long hair, black female, playful, an indoor kind of gal.

CARLTON and ANGEL: Black short hair, neutered male and 1-year old short hair,
        black/white spayed female. Accepted together, and would like to stay
        together (understandable).

SAMMY D.: A *big*, very loving black cat, who formerly called a dumpster his
	  home. He has many scars, and lost the sight in one eye. He is very
	  gentle, and could use a steady home, with lots of care and affection.
********************************************************************************

Heinz Franz

    I have a happy entry about a cat I saw yesterday....
    
    For those of you who work with the Framingham Humane Society you
    will feel good about this one - what a successful placement!!
    
    Anyway, I had stopped by a nursery in Ashland to get a plant or two and
    on my way inside to pay I stopped to pat a wonderful white with grey
    spots male cat who was rolling on the cement walkway in the sunshine 
    saying "hey look at me lady - what a ham I am". So of course I stopped 
    to pat him (him with his new purple collar). The owner was watching and 
    said "I just got him last week from the Framingham Humane Society - isn't he
    a great cat?"  Meanwhile Travis was turning upside down, inside out and
    every which way.... just being a clown.
    
    I mentioned that I had cats and the owner then proceeded to show me Travis'
    toys. He asked me if I thought he was feeding Travis the proper amount
    of food - which he was - and went thru Travis' daily routines. Also,
    remember this is a nursery - the owner mentioned that he grew cat nip
    and Travis could have all he wanted. Also he grew mint which apparently
    Travis also loved. Travis was supposed to be a mouser during the day 
    as Travis was locked inside at night (which I was glad to hear) but
    that Travis had already fallen into his designated role and caught
    invading mice. 
    
    This cat looked SO CONTENT that I felt really good when I left. He had
    all the food and fresh water he wanted and it was quality food - dry 
    and moist; all the catnip and mint he could ever want; his own toys; 
    people with him all day and into the evening; his own place(s) in the 
    sun; and a comfy place to retire to at night.
    
    He really looked like he was enjoying his new lease on life.
    
    Pat
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    What a great story, Pat!  I love to hear stuff like this, especially
    when I'm currently dealing with a situation that isn't so happy and
    wonderful.  However, that is a topic for the WHINE note!!  :^)
    
    Thanks for sharing it with us,
    
    -Roberta
    

    
          knowing how my gang loves helping me in the herb garden, 
    (especially the catnip, catmint row),  I agree he must be in 
    heaven!

    I love to see those former shelter cats being spoiled rotten!!!!!!!
    
    Thanks for sharing the story!!!!!!
    
    Sandy

    what are the hours for the Framingham Humane Society? 
    Thanks, PAt
    

    If your asking about adoption hours at Framingham (FAHS) they are
    Thursday evening (not sure when they begin) and Sundays from 1:00 to
    4:00.
    
    If your asking about volunterr hours, I only know I get there at 6:30
    on Thursday. 
    
    Big help, eh? Nancy Cross might be able to help witht he startting
    hours on Thursday night for adoptions. We get there later to work,
    because of the adoption time, so I think it might be around 5:00 or
    5:30. We let people in pretty much any time during the evening while
    I'm there though.
    
    Yonee

    Well, since this kitten is now in the shelter loop, I guess I should
    take it out of the WHINE note and put it in this shelter note! ;-)
    
    Anyway, little Indy (Indy 500 car race, because he was covered with oil
    like a pit crew member) is doing really well, and is now at my house
    for a few more days before he enters the adoption loop officially.
    
    He had a tough few days at the vet last week/weekend! I brought him in
    Wednesday afternoon, after I had bathed him and stuff, and expected to
    be able to pick him up Thursday, but he was running a temp! :-( I called
    Friday, and the vet spoke with me. She said the oil may have damaged
    his liver/kidneys, and they were going to watch him, and do a blood
    profile to check the function of these organs. They didn't know if he
    was even going to make it! :-( I flipped out, and Nancy Cross came to
    my rescue, and we went and visited him.
    
    I called yesterday, fully expecting them to tell me his little system
    had failed him, and he was gone, and the technician got on the phone
    and said, "He's ready to go home!" I was walking on air all day!
    
    So he's at my house now, along with medicine for a few more days, but
    what a rambunctious little guy! He kept me up most of the night playing
    and purring and head butting me into oblivion! I'm exhausted, but I
    don't mind! ;-)
    
    Anyway, I figure by Sunday's adoptions, he will be well enough to go to
    a new home, if anyone is interested! (hint hint) ;-)
    
    Thanks for listening, and thanks to the Framingham Shelter for
    supplying the medical attention this little guy needed to get through
    that awful motor oil incident! They (we) sure are wonderful folks! ;-)
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee
                                                    

    I just wanted to update everyone on my little Indy, the motor oil
    kitten. We went to the shelter for adoptions on Sunday, (his first REAL
    day at adoptions) and he was scooped up right away! 8-) 
    
    A nice couple that I had met before when they were just visiting the
    shelter fell in love with hjim, and he took to them just as well
    adopted him. I also have visitation rights whenever I want to go visit
    him! YEEHAW!!!
    
    It was my first attempt at fostering, and I think I did a great job,
    although I admit I cried all the way home with that empty carrier!
    I now have a little extra room to help another poor waif if necessary,
    and my cat Furby is not writing "run away from home"" notes to Mom and
    Dad anymore! ;-) 
    
    It was very hard to give him up, but I know it was the right thing, and
    I feel very good about his new parents.
    
    Happy ending to a not so happy beginning! I love it when a plan comes
    together!
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee

    Great job Yonee.... you sure have me and Nancy C beat as far as
    being a good foster mom and being able to let go!!!!!!!  I keep telling
    myself...that I will get better!!!!! (I have to or I'll end up with
    50 cats!!)
    
    So happy little Indy is now in a wonderful new home!!!!!
    
    Sandy

    Thanks Sandy! 
    
     It was VERY hard, and I had to keep pushing down the lump in my
    throat, but I knew in my heart it ewas the right hting to do for him,
    as Furby was starting to get downright nasty to him, and was
    threatening to leave home!
    
     I hope I don't have to go through that again too soon though! Whew!
    It's a really tough job, and I miss him terribly, but I do get to go
    visit, and that makes me feel real good about my choice of parents.
    
    Yonee

    Well,  the FAHS is having it's annual yard sale next month. I haven't
    been a volunteer there long enough yet to have gone through this, so if
    you have any questions, I may have to find out myself first, then get
    back to you. ;-)
    
    Here's what's on the flyer I got with my newsletter:
    
    Date: Saturday September 11, 1993
    Time: 10:00 - 4:00
    Place: St. Stephen's Church
    	   221 Concord St.
    	   Framingham, MA
    
    
    "We're looking for household goods, small appliances, bric-a-brac,
    toys, etc.  Your donations of any of these items will be gratefully
    accepted. It would be greatly appreciated if you donate only those
    items which you feel are resaleable. No books or clothing please."
                                 ^
                         (is this a word?)  8-)
    
    
    DROP OFF DATES: Saturday, August 21
    		    Saturday, August 28
    
    DROP OFF TIME:  10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    
    DROP OF LOCATION: 110 Belknap Rd.
    	              Framingham, MA 
    
    INFORMATION: (508)877-5354
    
       "For our baked goods table, please bring any items you are able to
    bake for us (brownies, cookies, etc. - individually wrapped) to the
    yard sale at approximately 9:30 AM."
    
    
    If anyone is interested in donating anything to this, you can
    coordinate with me if you like.
    
    If you're intertested in attending, and need directions, contact me,
    and I'll either get you a copy of the map on the flyer, or just give
    you directions.
    
    FAHS only has a couple of fundraisers a year, so any support you can
    give them will be appreciated.
    
    Disclaimer: I get no benefits from this. The shelter receives any and
    all proceeds.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Yonee
                                        

Just a thought, but the classified_ads notesfile often has
items being given away for free.  Maybe that would be a 
source of items for the sale?  Shelter volunteers could
arrange to pick it up perhaps, it doesn't seem fair to ask
someone giving something away for free to also provide
transportation of said item -- they can give it away to
someone else who'll come and get it!


JanB

    Jan,
    
     What a great idea! I go to the shelter tonight, and will pass that
    along to the right person! I never would have thought of it! Thanks!
    
    Yonee

Actually Yonee I was thinking of the Classified_Ads notesfile
here at Digital -- I realize that's NOT what I said, and
you can't read my mind...

I don't know if classifieds in the newspaper offer things
for free -- if they do then it was still a good idea!
Otherwise, it means some Digital employee who helps the
shelters will need to read Classified_Ads on a regular 
basis.  Good luck either way!


JanB

    Hi,
    
     Well..... they thought it was a good idea anyway! ;-) I'll keep my
    eyes on the classifieds in the meantime. ;-) I hadn't thought of that
    either! My brain is dead after the SLMF this week I guess! DAH!!!
    
    Love,
    
    Yonee

    Hi,
    
     This note is being pretty much directed to the folks who shop at Pet
    Supply Depot. I know of the one in Shrewsbury, ands one in Natick.
    
     These wonderful folks have struck a deal with the FAHS. We collect
    register receipts from people who shop there, and PSD, grants us 10%
    cash value of the total of these receipts! We did not have to purchase
    special food, or litter last year because of this! (Of course there
    were donations of food and litte that helped this too.)
    
     So, if anyone shops there, and doesn't need to keep their receipts,
    the FAHS would really appreciate receiving them! They can be mailed to:
    
     Framingham Animal HUmane Society
     P.O. Box 1068
     Framingham, MA 01701
    
    
    Thanks!
    
     Yonee

    
    Does anyone know if this no-kill shelter is still around?  I have been
    trying to call them for 2 weeks now at various times and have never
    gotten an answer.  I am urgent need of finding a no-kill cat shelter
    by the end of the week that can take my cat!
    
    Terri

    Terri,
    
    Most no kill shelters are already full, and none will just "take a
    cat", unless the circumstances are really dire (hurt stray, feral cat,
    pregnant mom with kittens, abused cat).  Only the kill shelters will
    readily accept cats, since the turnover is quick.
    
    I used to volunteer way back when at Framingham Humane, and am aware of
    their rules and procedures.  They take in many, many strays and abused
    cats and those receive priority over people who are giving up their
    animals for other reasons.
    
    Good luck in your search, but it will probably be a tough one.

    Yes,
    
     The Framingham Animal Humane Society is still around. I volunteer
    there on Thrsday nights. Roberta was pretty much right about the
    priorities. 
    
     The number I have for the shelter is 460-0587. You will probabaly get
    an answering machine, but someone is 'supposed' to answer all the
    messages left. I don't really know how it works. I'm just a
    feeder/scooper/work with the feral cat person. 
    
     The only thing I could suggest is if you could promise a sizeable
    donation for taking your kitty, along with a matching gift form from
    DEC. The shelters are all pretty much running in the red most of the
    time, and dollars can sometimes make a difference. I hate to admit it
    happens, but it sometimes does. Especially if the cat is friendly, and
    readily adoptable. Framingham doesn't have a lot of 'adoptable' kitties
    right now, so I'd give it a try. 
    
     If you can't get anyone during the week, call that number on Thursday
    evening between say, 6:00 and 7:00. There are adoptions that night, so
    someone who could help you 'should' be there then. I can't promise
    anything, but it's worth a try.
    
     Good luck!
    
     Yonee