Sep
10
2009
Sep
10
2009
Anyone who has ever been to South Louisiana for an extended amount of time knows it rains here…A LOT.
Well, there have been very few days the past couple of months were we did not have at least 1 afternoon thunderstorm.
One good thing about all these storms is it has given us daily tests of how the new roof is holding up.
For some reason, we just can’t seem to get the roof to quit leaking, even after it has been replaced.
Each time we do something new, we find even more structural damage. It seems Hurricane Gustav hit us a lot harder than we realized.
After an entire year or trying to rebuild and repair, we have decided it just might be best to start from scratch.
Our current kitties will remain in the temporary building while we start over, and once the new building is complete, they will be moved and the entire old building will be torn down.
We really did hope we could save it, but it seems our resources would be better spent just starting over.
Thanks for all your continued support.
Blessings to all!
Jul
12
2009
We have 5 new feral babies. Unfortunately, we have NOT been able to successfully trap the mother (yet), but the babies are doing well and getting big. I am fairly certain all but one will be adoptable. Gray tabby, 2 orange tabby and solid black are all getting used to people and enjoy human attention. Sadly, a very beautiful cream/orange tabby is just not warming up. We will continue to work with him and hope he will come around.
I will try to get some pictures of them posted soon, and add their profiles to cajuncatopia.com
Jul
12
2009
The roof should be complete by the end of the week!! Very excited! =)
Next will be electrical work, then getting the office (in new section) all set up.
Once the office is moved from old and still very damaged area to the new area, we can then completely finish ripping out the damaged floors and walls and start working on getting them replaced.
Still a LOT left to do, but at least starting to see some progress again, which is very nice!
May
22
2009
Recall — Firm Press Release
Nutro Products Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products
Contact:
Monica Barrett
Nutro Products, Inc.
(615) 628-5387
monica.barrett@effem.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) — Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.
Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.
This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.
Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.
Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.
Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.
Apr
21
2009
Our original plan to have the hurricane (Gustav) repairs and temporary shelter complete by early summer is likely pushed back until at least late summer.
We removed the tarps from the roof, repaired the roof (4 times now), however it is just not holding. That means before we can do anything else, we need to get an entire new roof.
Once that is complete and we are able to work on the shelter again, I will post updated photos.
***SPECIAL NOTE***
We are still in desperate need of volunteers to service feral cat colonies, as well as funds to spay/neuter feral cats in the TNR (trap, neuter, return) program.
Mar
11
2009
We have finally posted our cat’s stories, profiles and pictures on our sister site: CajunCatopia.com
The pictures are not the greatest and not near as many as we would like, but until we get a better camera, those will have to do!! =)
We desperately need a camera that takes pictures quickly, since cats rarely stay still for a photo.
For now, we are using our camera phones, because with all of the construction, a better camera is certainly last on the list of things to get.
We hope you enjoy meeting all of our amazing kitties!!
Mar
11
2009
The temporary building is now covered and enclosed. We still have some minor exterior trim work to do, but that should be complete soon.
Then time for sealing, weather proofing, ceramic tile and the rest of the interior (well, after we get the electrician over to do his part)!!
We are so excited and the cats are too. They are already having a ball “climbing the walls” (LOL) and checking everything out when we are not in there working.
Here are some pictures of of the cats doing their inspection:
Aggie thinks this is super cool!
Charlie thinks it is pretty cool too!
We were not surprised Mess was the first one to find the best climbing spots!
Einstein is just chillin' as usual...
Cookie thinks this "might" be OK.
Timmie (Miss Priss) says, "You better not get any of that sawdust stuck in my beautiful coat!!"
Mar
3
2009
Well, it has been a long few months but we are FINALLY getting close to having our temporary sanctuary complete (while still working toward our ultimate goal of a HUGE sanctuary in the future).
The framing is done, as well as the siding and roof, minus a few small details such as weather proofing and trim.
Our next steps will be to add the porch/entry to the office, storage room (which will be attatched to the back side of the porch), have the electriction and plumber come do their thing and then start working on the interior!
We are very excited and hope to be fully complete early summer (‘09)! I know our current kitties will be very happy to have their own space as well.
Here is a snapshot working on the framing:
And here is one of my son, ever so diligently helping!! =)
Blessings to all!
Oct
24
2008
We are VERY happy and excited to announce our membership to an amazing program that will allow us to build the sanctuary 100% mortgage free AND even bigger than we ever imagined!!
PLUS, because we can remain in the program even AFTER the sanctuary is built, it will also help us to fund many of our programs and give us the ability to expand past our wildest dreams!!
Memberships and Sponsors will always be important and helpful, but we are so excited to have found a program that will help us to be much more self sufficient in reaching all of our goals.
Please check out the details of the program here –> www.MortgageFreeDreamHome.com
This program is available to anyone (of legal age), regardless of credit history, so it can help YOU build your dreams as well!
Oct
16
2008
By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY
A very rich, very impatient retired surgeon wants the pet overpopulation solved.
So Gary Michelson has put a hard-to-ignore enticement on the table: $75 million.
The person or group that comes up first with a safe, one-time non-surgical means to sterilize male and female cats and dogs gets $25 million, Michelson’s non-profit Found Animals Foundation will announce today at the National Spay/Neuter Conference in Chicago. And up to $50 million more will be available to support the research of one or several individuals who come forward with plausible approaches.
“No one will stop what they’re doing and turn their attention to this problem for $10 million. That’s not enough,” says Michelson, 59, a retired Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon who invented and patented hundreds of surgical instruments, won an infringement case in 2005 and landed at No. 317 on Forbes’ 400 Richest Americans list last month.
Animal lover Michelson is convinced, like most animal-welfare experts, that if unwanted litters never materialized, U.S. shelters wouldn’t be euthanizing 4 million to 6 million animals a year.
He “absolutely” believes that the $25 million carrot, coupled with the cash grants to spur research, will prompt sufficient activity that an affordable non-surgical sterilant will be on the market within 10 years.
The solution may originate from any of several arenas — from human or animal researchers who are endocrinologists, neuroscientists, reproductive biologists, molecular technology experts, or even pharmacology specialists.
“We’re completely agnostic regarding the approach,” says foundation executive director Aimee Gilbreath. “We’ll consider anything. We really believe if cutting-edge technologies are applied we can solve this.”
The foundation is partnering with the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, a non-profit that for eight years has pressed for non-surgical approaches to pet sterilization, believing that millions more pets would be sterilized if there were a non-surgical alternative. “This is huge for our cause,” says alliance president Joyce Briggs.
Removing barriers to sterilization
It is estimated that nearly 73% of dog owners and 86% of cat owners now spay or neuter their pets. But the rest mostly seem inclined to keep things as they are. The very notion of surgery is off-putting or scary to some of them, many of whom worry about anesthesia, experts say. Sterilization can cost $150 or more per animal and requires a substantial time commitment as the owner must transport the animal to a vet and return hours later, a journey of many miles in rural areas.
Also, surgery is cumbersome “in the field,” where groups attempt to conduct on-site mobile sterilizations in neighborhoods or communities where a high percentage of pets are known to be producing litters year after year.
A quick, reliable, life-of-the-pet sterilant “would completely change” the way sterilization-focused non-profit groups spend their time and resources, says Tonja Robertson, founder of Spay/Neuter Indiana Pets. She and three other volunteers devoted nearly 600 hours from April 1 to Sept. 30.
They spread the spay/neuter word in grocery-store parking lots in rural, low-income southern Indiana. They distributed discount sterilization vouchers and, three times a month, transported a dozen or more pets to a veterinarian, then picked them up after the surgery (200 miles in all).
That resulted in 205 cats and 38 dogs being fixed. “If we could have a quick, non-surgical method,” Robertson says, “we’d set up once a week in areas of need, get the job done, and we could redirect our efforts to adoption or cruelty.”
Dependent on humans ‘for a good life’
Michelson’s foundation has put together a review board of experts from several disciplines and will add more if proposals from unexpected arenas arrive. The board will meet in January to consider which proposals will receive a first-stage grant.
To those who object to his channeling so much money to help animals when there are so many human problems to be solved, Michelson has a simple answer: his medical research foundation, which has funded more than $110 million in research and discovery, most of it related to hereditary diseases.
He offers no apologies for his pet program.
Animals are “helpless. They depend on humans for a good life,” says Michelson, who shares his home with two rescued pit bulls and a runt-of-the-litter whippet.
It’s unclear how veterinarians will react to whatever alternative sterilization method might emerge from the contest as they will want to assess its safety and effectiveness, says Gail Golab of the American Veterinary Medical Association. But, she says, her group is on record as supporting efforts to non-surgically sterilize dogs and cats.
Oct
8
2008
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters.
Oct
3
2008
Yes, you heard that right!! Simply join the i-Say Market Research Panel, for FREE through the banner below and earn us $3.00!! Share THIS page with your friends, and if they join from the banner below, they will earn us $3.00 as well!
Why Join the i-Say Online Panel ?
(other than to help us out)
- As a panel member, you influence political, social and consumer decision makers with the thoughts and opinions you provide on surveys.
- You’ll earn reward points for the surveys you take – points can be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise from popular retailers.
- You get a chance to win $5000 cash just for joining plus members get chances to win many other great prizes.
- You’ll see new concepts or test new products and services first.
- It’s always free, always voluntary and your answers and information are kept confidential.
Our Friends in Germany and UK can even help out too!!
German residents, please sign up through the banner below:
UK residents, please sign up through the banner below:
Oct
2
2008
Cajun Catopia is happy to announce the addition of our new program (in development), Operation Noah’s Bark.
For more information, please visit: http://cajuncatopia.org/bark/
Oct
2
2008
Find more videos like this on Cajun Catopia
For more information, please visit: www.CajunCatopia.org/wetlands
Sep
22
2008
Our forums and cat profiles are still under construction, however you are more than welcome to check out our progress by going to www.CajunCatopia.com
Sep
22
2008
The Humane Society of the United States Pet Overpopulation Estimates:
Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:
6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:
3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000—30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:
25 percent (HSUS estimate)
Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
Unless otherwise indicated, statistics provided by The National Council on Pet Population, Study and Policy.
Sep
22
2008
* There are approximately 88.3 million owned cats in the United States
* Nearly 34 percent of U.S. households (or 38.4 million) own at least one cat
* Fifty-six percent of owners own more than one cat
* On average, owners have two cats (2.3)
* More female cats are owned than male cats (73 percent vs. 63 percent respectively)
* Eighteen percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter
* Cat owners spent an average of $175 on routine veterinary visits
* Eighty-seven percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered
For additional information on pet ownership statistics, contact the APPMA at 255 Glenville Rd., Greenwich, CT 06831, 800-452-1225, or visit www.appma.org.
Sep
22
2008
We are currently in the process of developing our Feral Cat Program.
If you are in Houma, Louisiana (or surrounding areas), and have a feral cat issue in your neighborhood, or know of an area or neighborhood with feral cats/colonies, please email us at:
admin@cajuncatopia.com so we can incorporate your neighborhood/area into our program.
We are also in need of volunteers who will help monitor and service areas once our programs have been successfully implemented.
For more information, frequently asked questions and facts about feral cats and their populations, please visit:
Sep
22
2008
Our goal is to have our facilities fully operational by January 1, 2010.
Cajun Catopia Sanctuary will provide a no-kill shelter, refuge and care to abused, abandoned and homeless cats and kittens, in a primarily cage free, home like environment.
Our cats will be available for adoption, once they have gone through complete health inspections, toilet trained and are spayed/neutered.
Our facility will have an in-house Veterinary Clinic for the care of our cats, and will have specific days available (open) to the public for low/no cost spay/neuter and vaccinations.
If you would like to help us reach our goals, please visit our Membership Page, or our Sponsorship Page.
Please also consider shopping with us! 100% of all profits are used for the care of our current rescue cats, and toward our building fund. Shopping in our Mall, you are sure to find anything and everything you need, from gifts to every day living.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sep
21
2008
We are currently in the process of developing and establishing our local Spay/Neuter Program.
Our goal is to find the best low to no cost Program available, or to establish a new Program with local Veterinarians. If we can not find a Vet to work with in Houma or the surrounding areas, we will work with LA-SPCA in New Orleans (until we have our facilities built in Houma, and hire an in-house Veterinarian).
You CAN currently take your cat (or dog) to be spayed or neutered, at their office in New Orleans.
For complete details, CLICK HERE!
How Much Does It Cost?
-
$25 feral cat/kitten (includes
ear-tipping and rabies vaccination) -
$40 owned male cat/kitten
-
$50 owned female cat/kitten
*If you are NOT able to make the trip to New Orleans yourself, but can drop off your cat to us (in Houma), we will transport your cat (by appointment only).
Transportation cost is $10.00 per cat (in addition to LA-SPCA fee).
Drop off time is between 5am – 6am
Pick up time is between 6pm – 7pm
For full details and/or to schedule an appointment, please call: 985-746-1870
Sep
21
2008
Membership Drive!
Cajun Catopia is currently seeking members and sponsors.
Click HERE for our Membership Information.
Click HERE for our Sponsorship Information.
General Funds and Programs Fundraiser!
Cajun Catopia is currently using www.MassiveFundraiser.com
for our general fundraising needs.
We are also working on the design of our First Edition Cajun Catopia plush kitty, which will be used as our main product fundraiser, and as soon the details and specifics are complete on each of our programs, we will also be holding community events focusing on education, awareness and ‘fun days’ promoting all programs.
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