A Tribute to Hugo

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Kermit

As some of you already know Hugo’s vet, Dr. Ann Middleton of the Cheshire Cat Feline Health Center, helped him to pass on January 14, 2010. His mom, Bob and I were there with him showering him with all the love that everyone had for him and for his mom for all she had done to enrich Hugo’s life.

He was a cuddle bug – yes, Hugo had turned into quite a lover – right up until he left us. He solicited neck rubs from us and even did an abbreviated elevator butt.

It is so hard to accept this fate and difficult to believe Hugo is really gone. I do find solace though in the fact that Hugo found a loving home and had blossomed into a wonderfully friendly and confident cat.

You are gone from our daily lives Hugo, but you will never be forgotten!

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Hugo Needs Your Help

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Kermit

An Update on Hugo

Hugo is a survivor of the Great Kitty Rescue. After being rescued from this horrific institutional hoarding situation, Hugo graduated from the Feline Finishing School where he learned to trust people, to love and be loved and to act like a cat.

Hugo went on to stay with a foster family who worked with him on his graduate studies. When they felt he was ready, Hugo was adopted by a wonderful woman who has fallen totally in love with him.

After only 8 months of a perfect life, Hugo suddenly became seriously ill. He is in need of special care, but his Mom has been unemployed for months and doesn’t have the money to pay for it. Hugo’s Mom is heart broken as are Hugo’s human friends. Hugo has been brave and strong and he deserves a chance for a longer life with his doting Mom.

We have started a fund raising campaign at Give Forward called Pennies for Purrs to help pay Hugo’s medical bills. As of right now, the vets involved with his case are baffled as to what is wrong…

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Hugs for Hugo

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Kermit
Hugo before socialization

Hugo before socialization

Hugo after socialization

Hugo after socialization

Hugo has been socialized!

Hugo has made an impression  on everyone he has ever met, and most have fallen a little bit (or a lot) in love with him.

And there were a few who met him and saw great potential even though he was a scared, hissing and striking punk – think a feline James Dean. Still, he was enrolled in the Feline Finishing School where he called the shots for the longest time. Class would start and Hugo would hiss, quickly followed by what we called his “fwap, fwap, fwap” move wherein he rapidly struck out at your hand with  alternate paws. A really quite impressive and at times intimidating move. Continue reading →

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Revisiting the Cats

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Kermit
Andrew and His Ball

Andrew and His Ball

Even though Miss Sherry’s Finishing School for Felines has closed and the name of the yurt has been changed to “Mustang Ranch”, there are still some of the former students residing at Rescue Village.

As most of you know, many of the cats have been moved down to Cat World and integrated throughout the buildings down there. We spent almost an entire day with Andrew, Delilah and Oblio at Cat HQ. We visited with Layla and Sterling in Benton’s and Bogart, Delta, Ayesha, Wild Child, Candy, Dancer, Demi, Pacific and Cybil in other buildings.

Ozzy and Puddy acknowledged us, but wouldn’t let us pet them. I was happy to see Lexy looking so good. She was perched up high, but looked right at me when I called her name and talked to her. Continue reading →

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Bramble’s Story from The Great Kitty Rescue

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Kermit
Bramble is a Scared Kitty

Bramble is a Scared Kitty

One of the most dedicated volunteers at The Great Kitty Rescue got to know Bramble better than anyone.

Dacia first met Bramble when she was assigned to Room 10, a room of “feral” cats. Dacia and the other caregivers soon found out that these cats were not feral at all; they were just traumatized and terrified after all they had been through.

Even Bramble whose cage sported a sign saying he was mean and untouchable.

I have seen first hand when a caregiver quickly labels a cat as “mean” or “vicious”. Yes, many of the most scared cats can come across as cats you cannot work with. But to label the, set a negative tone and turn your back on them is unforgivable.

Dacia ignored the sign and took a chance on Bramble with very positive results. In her own words, “This cat is NOT feral.  He purred. He is scared and traumatized and it has been a long time since someone has been kind to this cat.”

Read Bramble’s and Dacia’s entire story and see how a little love and kindness can bring out the best in a cat, even a “Mean” one.

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Sylvester’s Story – The 3rd Time is a Charm!

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Kermit
Sylvester ~ Formally Feral

Sylvester ~ Formally Feral

Anyone close to the Great Kitty Rescue knows that Sylvester is one of the few documented feral cats saved during the rescue. Meaning that there is documentation that shows that he was truly born in a feral colony whereas the majority of the cats rescued seemingly had been abandoned, lost, captured or given up, but they had not been born in the wild as is the true definition of a feral cat.

As you will see after you read his story, for Sylvester, the third time rescued was indeed a charm.

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