Fitchburg Friends of Felines

12/14/2024

Update on Seamus, the once shy kitty with stomatitis from a hoarder situation of indoor only cats, kicked out into the woods over the summer. He is the last one that needs a home of this hoarder situation.

We got him vetted, had his teeth removed to give him the relief he needed for the horrible Stomatitis he had, and moved him to a new foster... And in just 2 weeks of being with this foster mom and daughter duo, they created a LOVE BUG!

Seamus is absolutely flourishing! He is back to normal hard and soft foods (yes, even without most of his teeth), and has decided that he actually loves people. We are beyond thrilled, knowing that he came from such a sad situation, to feeling love and having relief from his very painful mouth disease.

He is now ready for the next chapter of his life: a permanent home.

Would you be interested?

We only allow foster to adopt, so you must foster this love to ensure he is perfect for you, your family, and any other critters in your home. When you know there is no way we are getting this foster Kitty back, that's when it is an adoption. Please consider being his foster to adopt family. Applications are here:

https://forms.gle/1RifYXk6SerKr6q16

We are also hoping some may have $5 to help us cover his dental and other medical costs. We have spent thousands, and he is worth every penny! We are 100% donation based; all monetary donations go only to medical bills and prescriptions of our cats. If you can help, the link below is to PayPal that also accepts credit cards. Your donation is tax deductible as we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

We are always thrilled to share the wonderful transformations of our shy medical kitties, especially during this holiday season.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for caring about these medical cats!

12/14/2024

Fitchburg Friends of Felines is still in search of a foster family, or several, who loves kitties and changing diapers who can help a tripod kitten named Ember. At this time, we are happy to get in place a temporary foster until transitioning to a more permanent situation.

Specifically, those who work from home or a Senior and home every 3-4 hours during the day, either well versed in incontinence kitties or diaper changes.

Can you help?

We have been networking with other networks, and have some traction, but with the holidays, many are tied up.

Ideally, we are hoping for several families to take Ember in rotation as this is an extremely big task and we don't want to overload one person or family with this responsibility.

This is the sweetest special needs kitten who absolutely loves dogs. (Yes, a dog loving kitten.) If you have been following her on our page, she is our double amputee kitten with old wounds of a fractured back and pelvis that caused her permanent incontinence due to a sudden trauma, now living the life of Riley.

She's a bouncy, spoiled, happy, cuddle bug who loves human attention, and cuddles up with pups for naps. This 2 yr old kitty is similar to a baby, 7 lbs, who cuddles with you during the day in her diaper, then mid-day and evening she enjoys her enclosure with the diaper off. Medically, she is experiencing loose stool, which makes diaper changes more frequent. We are working with our vet to resolve this issue. We are happy to transport to appointments if needed as well.

Ember is the sweetest cat you will ever encounter.

Her profile is available for review here:
https://www.petfinder.com/cat/ember-72858759/ma/fitchburg/fitchburg-friends-of-felines-inc-ma574/

If you can help us or know someone who can, please reach out to us directly via direct message, Facebook Messenger, email, call or fill out an application:

[email protected]
Hotline: 978-222-3170
https://forms.gle/1RifYXk6SerKr6q16

She is a trooper, undergoing 4 operations in 3 months. She is worth every penny, and we are dedicated to her! We need others who feel the same and can help in her care.

If you cannot take her, but can contribute to her medical care, 100% of your donation goes to medical bills and prescriptions.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

Fitchburg Friends of Felines takes in the hard medical cases that mainstream shelters cannot take. We provide the supplies, food, medical, and everything needed to ensure her continued care. We just need to find those willing and able.

Thank you for your consideration, and please pray for Ember.

12/10/2024

Update on Stevie, another potential amputee we advised you of right before Thanksgiving, in need of a home with a human that does not care that he may soon be a tripod.

We are still looking for that human or humans for him to call his own.

And tomorrow, he will become a tripod.

The amazing team at Tufts has agreed to take away his suffering and his leg tomorrow, so he is getting the feast of champions right before bedtime, then he will starve until his procedure tomorrow AM.

We are reassured that he will be out of pain soon, and up and walking by tomorrow evening.

Stevie was found wounded in a backyard by a Fitchburg Friends of Felines volunteer, who graciously opened her home to be the Foster until he was healed and could be released from his 4 month quarantine, as his wound resembled a bite wound, which required 4 months of seclusion per state requirements.

When he was released from his quarantine and started moving more, our foster noticed a limp. After x-rays, sedated exams, a doctor and an orthopedic specialist, it was determined this old knee injury that cannot heal on its own, and he will always be in pain if we do not take action.

We will not allow him to be in chronic pain.

Tomorrow, healing begins. His leg will be removed, and he will be able to live pain free.

He went from being a grouchy kitty to a love bug in the short time he was with his foster. His foster family made him not only used to humans, but used to loving them.

This amputation will get him on the road to recovery immediately, in a cage just for a few days after surgery, then he is free to roam.

We have two asks.

First, we are looking for a Massachusetts based foster parent or adopter for this FIV positive former street cat, now huge love. He is not a fan of other cats, so looking for an empty nester that gets that FIV positive kitties are just immune compromised, and medical concerns must be addressed immediately so it does not get worse.

Would you be his human?

We pay for all medical and provide all you need to care for him. You have to do the hard part: give him love and attention.
And we are with you all the way.

Do you have a soft spot for pets with disabilities? Stevie may be disabled, but we won't tell him that. No meds are required, just love and attention.

His adoption profile is here: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/stevie-71894636/ma/fitchburg/fitchburg-friends-of-felines-inc-ma574/

If interested, please message us, email us at [email protected], or call our hotline at 978-222-3170 for more information on how you can have Stevie be a part of your life.

Or, the foster and adoption application can be found here: https://forms.gle/1RifYXk6SerKr6q16

Also, we still have a surgery to pay for. We are a small rescue and do not get regular funding. But we cannot turn away kitties like this. We're hoping that you may have $5 to contribute to his surgery. All donations received goes specifically to medical.

Both PayPal and credit cards are accepted at this link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

We appreciate the continued support from the FB community. YOU are the reason we can help these medical underdogs, like Stevie.

Thank you for your support!

12/05/2024

Update on Seamus, the sad and uncomfortable kitty due to stomatitis from a hoarder situation of 14 indoor only cats that were all kicked out into the woods over the summer. He is our last to place.

We were advised of the stomatitis issue during his first visit to the vet, and started looking for the quickest way to get him relief for his very painful gum issue affecting the mouth, lips, and throat.

We decided to go with the first available which is who our original doctor recommended. Originally it was thought that he could keep his canines, but unfortunately this mouth disease was not allowing that, and he lost everything but some incisors.

We received wonderful feedback from all that have been through this with their kitties and so appreciate the words of wisdom and positive reinforcement of our decision.

Our main concern is always about the quality of life ongoing, and how soon we can get these kitties on the path to relief. Fortunately, his dental early last week was a success, as well as our pursuit of the perfect loving foster parent, with the patience needed to get him out of his shy shell.

Seamus is now recovering, enjoying his all wet food diet in the comfort of a loving foster home, now getting socialized and enjoying snuggles and tall perches to hang out whenever his heart desires.

Next step: getting him cleaned up and ready for a permanent home!

Would you be his wonderful happy human ending?

If interested in adopting this shy, but coming out of his shell snuggle love, please consider being his foster to adopt family. Applications are here:

https://forms.gle/1RifYXk6SerKr6q16

We are also hoping some may have $5 to help us cover his dental costs. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated, as we are 100% donation based; all monetary donations go specifically to the medical bills of our cats. If you can help, the link below is to PayPal that also accepts credit cards. Your donation is tax deductible as we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

We appreciate the continued support from the FB community, and will to continue helping these medical underdogs, like Seamus.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for your support!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Fitchburg Friends of Felines!

🍂🦃 Wishing you a joyous holiday filled with love, gratitude, food, friends, family... And hopefully... felines!

No kitties? We can fix that! If you are in need of a kitty or two, just for a little while, or a permanent resident, consider fostering or adopting!

Petfinder link: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/ma/fitchburg/fitchburg-friends-of-felines-inc-ma574/

Foster and adoption application is here: https://forms.gle/1RifYXk6SerKr6q16

Consider donating to our perfectly imperfect kitties: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/ma/fitchburg/fitchburg-friends-of-felines-inc-ma574/

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a safe holiday season!

11/27/2024

We tell this 3-3-3 rule to all our fosters when taking in a new kitty:

3 days to decompress
3 weeks to acclimate to the new environment
3 months to call it home

Patience is key! Some kitties are faster or slower than others. :)

Change can be challenging for some cats, and they will need time to adapt to their new living space.

11/24/2024

Meet Stevie, yet another potential amputee within a month of our last case, in need of a home with a human that does not care that he may soon be a tripod.

His adoption profile is here: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/stevie-71894636/ma/fitchburg/fitchburg-friends-of-felines-inc-ma574/

Stevie was found in a backyard several months ago by a Fitchburg Friends of Felines volunteer. She graciously opened her home to be the Foster until he was healed and could be released from his quarantine, as his wound resembled a bite wound, which means he needed 4 months of strict seclusion per state requirements.

When he got more freedom in a bigger space after his quarantine, our foster realized he was limping. We took him to our P*P, who confirmed after x-rays that there is a possible old knee injury that may require tendon attention, and referred us to a specialist.

The orthopedic surgeon advised us Friday after our second appointment that his back knee has more issues than what can be healed with simple cage rest. This sweet love has been living with this knee issue for some time, and it is not going to heal on its own regardless of how little activity and how much calcification happens around his knee. He will always have pain if nothing is done.

We can't allow him to continue to be in pain.

His temperament changed from scared and fractious to a huge love in the short time he was with his foster during his quarantine. His foster family did an amazing job with making him not only used to humans, but loving them.

We hope he still loves us after surgery.

We were given a couple options of surgery to save his leg. One consists of a fishing line that is wired through his knee and leg by drilling holes in the bone and sewing the fishing line to his leg and wrapping it around his joint. Another option is a different surgical procedure that does require extensive surgery as well. Unfortunately, both of these options require up to 4 months or more of cage rest.

We have to ask ourselves, for a kitty that just wants to be on a lap, is this realistic for him to have such a drastic change in a quality of life for a quarter of a year or more. We're already seeing in three short weeks he has been confined to a cage, the difference in personality.

The other option is amputation. If you follow our posts, you know we are not fearful of this option. One of our volunteers is a surgical tech, who advised that a professor at Tufts told the class one day about how some pets are blessed with four legs, but only need three.

This resonates with us.

This diagnosis and these options were well articulated to us. We have not even received the estimate of each surgery, but for us, getting our kitties to a high quality of life within a reasonable time frame has always been our priority.

Stevie has been on pain meds to keep him comfortable since his knee issue was discovered, but for 3 weeks he has been on cage rest in hopes that his knee would calcify more and fix his pain. Friday with the sedated exam, it was discovered that all the cage rest in the world will not fix him.

We know we need to do something for him, and are leaning towards amputation, as this will get him on the road to recovery the fastest, and only in a cage a few days after surgery, and he will be on his path to be a true domestic house cat for the rest of his life, and not confined to a cage for months.

We have two asks.

First, we are looking for a Massachusetts based foster parent for this FIV positive former street cat, now love bug. He has decided he is not fond of other cats, so looking for an empty nester that gets that FIV positive kitties are just immune compromised, and needs to have medical concerns addressed immediately so it does not get worse.

Stevie needs a special home where he can recover from surgery, and feel the love of his human.

Would you be his human?

We pay for all medical and provide all you need to care for these loves. You have to do the hard part: give him love and attention, and any meds or treatments required. And we are with you all the way.

If interested, please message us, email us at [email protected], or call our hotline at 978-222-3170 for more information on how you can have Stevie be a part of your life.

Secondly, we still have a surgery to pay for. We do not have deep pockets. We are a small rescue. But we cannot turn away kitties like this. We're hoping that you may have $5 to contribute to his surgery. We know we can fix him. We just have to figure out how to pay for it. We're hoping you might have some spare change.

Both PayPal and credit cards are accepted at this link;

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

We appreciate all the support from the FB community, and hope to continue helping these medical underdogs, like Stevie.

Thank you for your support!

11/24/2024

Please consider all humane options of rodent control before resolving to glue traps or poison.

We received a call from a resident whose cat had become stuck on a Glue (mouse) Trap in her home.

Unfortunately, the caller did not leave her name nor a call back number, so we were unable to advise. If the caller happens to see this post, please call us, as we would like to know that the cat is ok, how the issue was resolved, and also offer some better methods for rodent control in the home. (Clearly, the cat isn’t solving the mice problem anyway!)

The truth is, Glue Traps are considered one of the cruelest methods of rodent control, as most of the animals caught within these types of traps actually suffer and die, either while trying to render themselves free, or from secondary infections from skin tears, lost limbs, from illness from glue ingestion/inhalation, from stress, or from dehydration and/or starvation. These traps also offer little resolve to the source of the rodent problem which may be better addressed through habitat/entry identification which can be met with a more thorough solution.

And then there is the case similar to that of this cat – an untargeted victim of a Glue Trap, which happens far too often. And while the risk of a fatal outcome in a cat or larger animal may be less than that of an intended rodent, the physical and emotional trauma caused by such entrapment is very real.

While there are some recommended home remedies for the removal of animals from Glue Traps, such as gentle massage to the contact area with a household oil (cooking, baby, olive) to carefully separate the skin/fur from the trap; WE recommend transporting the animal (and trap) to a veterinary clinic or wildlife rehabilitator, to ensure safe, expedient resolve, where the animal can then also be examined and treated for any related side effects or illnesses.

Information on more humane rodent resolve can be found by calling your local Board of Health. Our good friends/colleagues at MSPCA-Angell have also put together a great handout on rodent control which can be found at the bottom of their linked page https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/glue-traps/

[Cartoon of two animals falling victim to a Glue Trap, by Just Comics/Joan Chan]

11/21/2024

Kitty Pop Update...

Kitty Pop came to us last Summer, when a good Samaritan found this declawed, very old lady wearing a dog collar that wore off her fur, in the middle of a predator filled woods of West Fitchburg, MA. She had more medical issues than we can count, but we got her to her happy place of living her best life with a foster family that adored her.

We had been advocating "Plan B" for this little 6 lb love since we got her. She originally was in very rough shape, but we decided to treat her ailments instead of the original recommendation by the doctor to euthanize. In fact, four times we were advised that it may be her time when we took her in, but we knew with a medicine tweak and the care of our amazing foster family, it will get her back on track, and it always worked.

Until this last visit.

She again showed signs of weakness, and her behaviors indicated something was wrong. Our foster parents were vigilant, so we got her into the vet to find out her kidneys were calling it quits officially, and her quality of life could not be brought back to an acceptable level where she would be happy and comfortable. She was telling us that it was finally time.

The wonderful and compassionate doctor assisted Kitty Pop over the rainbow bridge, in the arms of her foster mom, where she was most loved.

We are honored to have been able to provide such a sweet kitty a chance in a loving home for the rest of her life. Her foster family gave her their all, with nightly fluids, medications, specialty foods, and every accommodation under the sun including heating pads to ensure her comfort during her extended stay, being Queen of her castle.

It takes a special mindset to care for a terminally ill kitty, or an elderly cat that still has a fire to live life to the fullest.

Do you think you have it in you?

We have several homeless, elderly, and special needs kitties in need of a special someone to love them, and show them they can live their best life now.

Please message us, email [email protected], or call 978-222-3170 for information on how you can be a part of enriching the lives of medical kitties in need.

We supply everything medically. You supply the love and attention. Our cats are the elderly, medical issues, victims of car accidents, or from the streets or hoarder situations that need patience and love to come out of their shell. We are there every step of the way if you are willing give an imperfect kitty a perfect life.

Thank you for your support of our sweet littles, like Kitty Pop. You are the reason she lived her best life, for the rest of her life with us.
Thank you for the support to ensure she was well loved and cared for, for the rest of her life.

If you would like to donate to continue our mission of saving every one, credit cards and PayPal are accepted here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

We again appreciate the outpouring of support for Kitty Pop. She will be sadly missed.

11/18/2024

Meet Seamus. His sad look tells it all. Seamus is not comfortable. Seamus is from a hoarder situation where a little old lady loved her kitties too much. Unfortunately, her husband did not feel the same way, and when this little old lady had to go into a nursing facility, her husband opened the door and let all 14 indoor only cats out. We were advised at the situation by a neighbor and worked with animal control and the neighbor to trap all we could. Unfortunately it was a very wooded area and only eight were retrieved after months of trying. Seamus was the last one trapped.

During the first vet visit where he got his shots and his neuter, the doctor advised us that she felt his mouth needed dental work, more than the average kitty. She suspected stomatitis: a gum issue that affects the entire mouth, lips, and throat and is very painful.

At first, this sweet, yet nervous and shy kitty seemed to tolerate his dental disease, but then started getting finicky with food. We have brought him to a couple consults for dentals. One confirmed stomatitis and recommends a full mouth extraction for $4,200. The other confirms stomatitis but says to keep the canines for only $3,200. What a bargain.

We are torn with how to handle this sweet Kitty's needs.

From the beginning, he has been scared, and we know he is not comfortable. We had him on pain meds that worked, then the pain meds changed, and we think it didn't seem to work. Now we are back to the original pain meds that worked, and enough to keep him comfortable until his appointment.

We now have two appointments scheduled, one in December for a full mouth extraction and one for next week for everything to be extracted but canines. We're leaning towards the first available because it is the soonest we can get him relief.

The concern is about the quality of life ongoing. We are hoping that we are making the right decision in letting him keep his canines. The procedure is with a doctor recommended very highly, as she specializes in this type of disease. We have faith that our doctor would not steer us wrong.

We have two asks. We also hope you share our vision of saving every one and will join us on our mission.

We are hoping you can spare $5 to help us cover his medical costs. Of course more is appreciated as well. We have already spent hundreds on consults, his original vetting, and medications to keep him comfortable and now the big ticket item is about upon us. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated, as we are 100% donation based; all monetary donations go specifically to the medical bills of our cats. If you can help, the link below is to PayPal that also accepts credit cards. Your donation is tax deductible as we are a 501 c3 nonprofit:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

Second, we are looking for a foster parent for this love. He is not had it easy most of his life and the doctor today commented about how he looks feral as he is unkept. He is not taking care of his coat because he feels sick. He is also an FIV positive kitty so when kitties with FIV feel bad, they feel really bad, and their ailments just get worse until treated.

Seamus lets us pet him but is shy. He just needs an opportunity to be socialized and realize how wonderful a domestic cat life can be.

Would you be his human?

We pay for all medical and provide all you need to care for these loves. You give them love and attention, and any meds or treatments required. And we are with you all the way.

Please message us, email us at [email protected], or call our hotline at 978-222-3170 for more information on how to help.

We appreciate all the support from the FB community, and hope to continue helping these medical underdogs, like Seamus.

Thank you for your support!

11/16/2024

Today and tomorrow: Pictures with Santa!

Pets, kids and all!

10AM to 3PM
Leominster Petco, Watertower Plaza

All pictures emailed by the end of the weekend, just in time for your Holiday Card order!

$10 Donation appreciated
See you there!

11/14/2024

Grab your pets, kids, and critters!
It's Pictures with Santa!

Saturday and Sunday, November 16th and 17th
10AM to 3PM
Leominster Petco, Watertower Plaza!

Get all pictures emailed to you by the weekend, in plenty of time for your Christmas Card order!

$10 Donation appreciated
See you there!

11/12/2024

Local vaccines clinic in Winchendon! Sign up now!

Winchendon Area Pet Owners! Sign up now for a FREE pet vaccine clinic Thursday, November 21st from 10am to 2pm at the Winchendon Fire Department, 405 Central Street. Rabies and Distemper will be free and microchips will be offered for $22.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/scasconnect-north-brookfield/ You will receive an email or text (depending upon the information you provide) to complete your registration including uploading previous vaccine records. Once completed, you will receive a time slot confirming your registration.

Advance registration encouraged! Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability with vaccination records, if applicable.

This clinic is made possible in part by a grant from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation.

11/11/2024

Meet Hunter! Hunter came to us a year ago from a hoarding situation of 18 cats. Unfortunately, every cat we received had medical issues, some more severe than others.

We were able to fix all kitties up medically and get them adopted out but two kitties; one is Hunter. The other is Flynn, a lap cat Russian Blue with Pancreatitis that we are also still caring for.

Hunter is are biggest challenge. He is a 3 year old, sweet orange tabby that loves his hammock, his foster family, and his bonded brother that the foster parents also have graciously agreed to foster as well. He came to us sick with ear mites, and showing signs of a respiratory that would not clear up. The ear mites was easily resolved, but his respiratory infection was not, and turned to pneumonia that lasted longer than we were comfortable with.

After a strict antibiotic regiment and amazing care from the foster family, this resolved.

The next issue to deal with was his severe dental disease, at such a young age, that he was on pain meds for while recovering from pneumonia, since sedating him for surgery while sick was not an option.

Hunter was still sounding raspy even after his pneumonia cleared, but our Primary Care okayed his very needed dental, and advised a growth may be present in his throat that the anesthesiologist would be able to confirm during the dental.

Unfortunately, our P*P at Leominster Animal Hospital was right. The amazing team at Gardner Animal Care Center who did the dental determined a growth in the throat that required an internal medicine specialist.

Next stop: Mass Vet Referral Center in Woburn.

Dr. White advised after a sedated exam that he has a rare condition that causes excessive tissue to grow on his larynx, which is causing his lack of meow.

Unfortunately, the larynx is a complicated little organ, and causes big problems when not working properly, and even bigger problems if it needs a procedure and becomes inflamed. We currently have him on a steroid to control inflammation resulting from his biopsy last week, and hoping things go back to normal, or as normal as we can get him.

Hunter is suspected to also have Asthma, which may be the culprit of his raspy breathing. We are awaiting results from his testing.

Hunter may have a long road ahead of him to get him well or to a steady state, but we are willing to walk the mile with him, trusting the teams to get him to a high quality of life. He is a trooper, stoic, but his foster mom has been able to read between the lines to ensure he gets the care he needs and deserves.

He has already cost us thousands in his dentals, his other medical issues, and just last week, $2300 in his testing for diagnosis. We are doing all we can for him medically to ensure he will be well, and is not suffering until we get him there.

We know sweet Hunter is worth all the effort, and hope you agree. We also hope you share our vision of saving every one.

We have two asks. We are hoping you can spare $5 to help us cover his medical costs. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated, as we are 100% donation based, and all monetary donations go specifically to the medical bills of our cats. If you can help, please consider:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8KVXDG6JF8ZPA

Second, we are looking for people who believe in the medical underdog, and may have the time, energy, and a loving home to offer a kitty in need. We seem to find ourselves caring for the sick, injured, and elderly often, and that is completely okay with us. If you may be interested in caring for one of these special kitties, please consider reaching out to us. We pay for all medical and provide all you need to care for these loves. You give them love and attention, and any meds or treatments required. And we are with you all the way.

We appreciate all the support from the FB community, and hope to continue helping these medical underdogs, like Hunter.

Thank you for your support!