Big Sky Ranch/CATNIP Foundation

09/04/2024

It’s again! And for this week, we have an interesting request. With this past month of hot weather, our electric bills have been the highest so far this year. Can you help chip in cover part of our electricity?? Our bills for the clinic and sanctuary locations total $1,489!! Yikes 😳 !!
And this is just one component of all the expenses it takes to care for 200+ animals and 2 locations. There is also the building note, water bill, lawncare and landscaping, trash pick-up, building maintenance, insurance… All of that on top of labor cost to pay staff to take care of the animals, cost of medical drugs, supplies, and vaccines, plus cat food, cat litter… The list is never ending!! We need help!! Donations have been drastically reduced this far this year 😞

09/03/2024

Our name is Big Sky CARES. But have you ever wondered what the “CARES” stands for?

Community
Animal
Resource &
Education
Services

Here is a story about education. A man has been feeding stray cats at his business for many years, with the cats continuing to breed and have kittens. No attempts were made to alter the cats. A worker saw some tiny, newborn kittens and jumped into action to try to save them. Not knowing the momma would come back for the babies, he tried to take them to 3 different rescues before he got to us. Every single other rescue turned him away, without any sort of help. No words of advice or information. When he came to us, this worker was in tears, praying that these little babies would not die.

So what did we do? And why are we different from every other animal welfare organization?

1. We educated the worker about leaving baby kittens where they are so that the momma can come back to take care of them. Momma needs to leave them to hunt for food.
2. We did take the kittens. We bottle fed them. And we found them a new momma that could nurse them.
3. We have arranged with the property owner and a partner trapper to trap all the cats at the business and get them altered. If we can catch the momma, we will reunite her with her babies.

Education is such a vital part of improving the welfare of animals in need. Rather than just turning people away, help them understand what they can do now and what they can do better in the future.

09/01/2024

Huge shout out to our friend Amalie with Four of Spades Detailing Service 4spadesdetailing for coming through once again with cleaning and peeping our transport van for its next lifesaving trip out in two weeks!!! If you would like to be part of our lifesaving transport team and contribute time, materials or dollars to keep us rolling on these life saving missions, come in down! You help us set up or bring some supplies…paper litter, canned kitten food, gas cards, gift cards for sustenance on the long drive… or you can chip in at the link below to help with medical and travel expenses that allow us to take in and prepare more animals that would have NO OTHER CHANCE at a home!

09/01/2024

Remember sweet Radley who came in with a cold and very swollen foot?? Well, not only did we win the battle of saving his foot, thanks to all who donated, he won himself a wonderful new home with his own little girl!!! Go Radley!!!

08/29/2024

One lost her leg 10+ years ago, and one is just starting her life without one…

Greta (pictured right) endured severe trauma as a kitten, losing a leg as a result. Many years now behind her, a wound to her only other front leg threatens her life. She has undergone 4 surgeries to help close and heal her wound, including the application of a fish skin graft. Nothing has worked thus far, but we have not given up yet.

Minka (pictured left) suffered a broken leg with nerve damage. Unfortunately, her leg was useless and had to be surgically removed. She is just a baby but yet has suffered immense pain. We have initiated her healing process, and she has many years of life ahead of her.

We see these kinds of cases on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis. Rescue work is hard and never relenting. We are here as a resource for these animals who have no owner, have no money, have felt no love. We provide them with everything they need to have a lifetime of care and love. We want to always be here for them. In order for us to continue, we ask that you support our efforts. Donate. Volunteer. Foster. Share our posts. It takes a village.

08/28/2024

It’s !! And we just never seem to have enough food with all these mouths to feed. We could really use some adult pate wet food & kitten dry food in particular. Pictured are some favorites of our picky eaters!

Adult wet: Sheba, Fancy Feast pate
Kitten dry: Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Royal Canin
Kitten wet: Blue Buffalo, Wellness

Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3LZV5SKE19Z2D/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?
Venmo:

08/27/2024

We are struggling with many of our older cats at our sanctuary location. Several are battling stomatitis, and others have varying ailments from gingivitis to possibly cancer. We are just drowning in the expenses of surgery… many have had all or most of their teeth extracted. There is also the cost of their medications- steroids, pain meds, antibiotics…. We have performed cryotherapy and laser therapy on many of them. Most of these cats came to us with no other options, and they have now been in our care for years. They are near and dear to our hearts. 💕 We want to continue to provide the best medical treatment available to keep them comfortable. In order to do that, we need to raise some funds to continue their ongoing treatments.

08/27/2024

Maya doesn’t understand why she is still unemployed!! She is THE BEST, most highly qualified executive assistant around!! Seems no one wants to give her a chance because of her seniority, but she is full of life and love and will never let a day go by that you are left unassisted!! Maya is available to start in her new position IMMEDIATELY, applications can be found at https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/BSKY/Cat

08/26/2024

Super BLOWOUT SALE!!! All prescription food, dry and canned (except Tiki Cat) is 50% off while supplies last! All in date! Anyone needing Rx food for your part, here’s you chance to buy or stock up at way below wholesale cost. Just bring your current Rx if you are not a client of our clinic. Don’t miss this one time deal!!

08/24/2024

We are thrilled to report that our weekend is off to a great start!! Our sweet Luna FINALLY found the perfect home, and siblings, Czar and Empress went home together!! Come out this weekend and bring home love!!

08/22/2024

We are interested in speaking with the caretaker of the cat community in the Chimes/Claiborne Hill area. If someone knows someone who knows someone we would greatly appreciate speaking with that someone.

08/21/2024

Desperately seeking a barn or working home!!! Meet Manitou and Piquet… these two poor cats have been through the wringer!
Piquet is one of our longest stay cats. She was brought to us as a mama with new born kittens, destined for the Shreveport/Bosier area shelter. Manitou was dumped at a Home Depot in Covington and after an all night event, trapped by our Director Catherine, and Sharon. These two have shared what they would call a jail cell (actually a nice catio, but not their beloved outdoors) for months and been promised not one, but TWO working homes, both backing out. They have lived in an acclimation cage, only to be picked up because their care takers changed their minds, then they waited in that cage for their next home that also backed out on them!! They need A HOME NOW!!! Their stress level is getting higher the longer their captivity, and they will still need a month to acclimate in their new home!!! PLEASE put these beautiful, healthy, altered, vaccinated and microchipped cats to work!!! We will do ALL the work to deliver and set up their acclimation cage, bring the cats and set them up for success!!! Please reply or text 504.415.0137 ASAP. They are in a catio the is getting repaired beginning tomorrow!! We can deliver ASAP!! Please give these guys a chance!! They will repay your hospitality thousands of time over in rodent and pest control!!!
🐱

08/18/2024

We interrupt the daily banter for this PSA

08/18/2024

Maya would like to remind everyone that while yesterday was National Black Cat Day, you can celebrate Black Cat Day EVERYDAY by giving her delightful, sweet senior self a home!!
Maya came to us on what many would say was he “last leg”… anemic and covered in fleas, her skin twitching with nerve pain fron a constant barrage of flea bites, and bearing a sparse, damaged coat…but clearly she had more lives to live. From day one, despite her physical struggles, Maya has been THE SWEETEST cat ever. All healed and full of life, she is the determined greater to all who visit Calico Cat Cafe adoption center!! She PERSONALLY asks every visitor to please consider her for their perfect new companion, but she is always left behind for a younger choice. If you are looking for the sweetest, most loyal and loving companion to share laps for long naps or movie watching, or to help with work projects from home, Maya is your girl. Maya is a senior and qualifies for our Seniors for Seniors adoption program, and while she is older, she is super healthy and has no ongoing health issues. He cost has come back in black and beautiful!! Are you the best friend Maya has so patiently been waiting all her life for??? Application for her adoption can be found at https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/BSKY/Cat

08/18/2024

Any volunteer carpenters that could build us one of these to help us organize and store our transport supplies and linens?

08/18/2024

08/17/2024

If You Think Shelter Cats are Expensive, Wait Until You See the Price of a FREE One!

How many times have you seen a post like this?

Wanted Free Kitten -- We are a loving family and will be a great home for a kitten. We went to the shelter last week and they want $125 for a kitten! That is outrageous. Who can afford to pay that for a kitten? That is way beyond our budget, so we are hoping for a free kitten.

When I saw this post on NextDoor there were already several responses from people offering free or "inexpensive" kittens. One woman proudly claimed that she lets her cats have kittens as a "community service for people who can't afford the insane shelter adoption fees."

Are rescue and shelter adoption fees unreasonable? Several years ago, my coworker "Annie" chose to adopt a free kitten to save money. She knew I was involved in rescue and asked me for recommendations for affordable vaccines and altering. Annie was certain that a free kitten was going to save her a lot of money. Since money was very tight in her household, I had her make an appointment at Feral Cat Spay Neuter Project for the kitten's spay. The cost for spay, initial vaccines, microchipping and treatment for parasites were going to be only $100. A bargain! But she still needed combo testing and follow up rabies and FVRCP vaccines. That was going to add another $125 to her total. At $225, this was more than the adoption fee for a fully vetted kitten. But before she could take her in to be spayed her free kitten became very ill. She spent over $1,200 trying to save her life.

What are the costs in your community? In our area, adoption fees for fully vetted kittens tend to run between $100 and $150. This includes a wellness exam, age-appropriate vaccines, treatment for fleas and worms, spay / neuter, FIV / FeLV testing and microchipping.

We are fortunate to have low-cost options in our community, but most areas aren't so lucky. At a regular vet clinic, expect to pay $250 on the low end and up to $800 for more expensive clinics. If your free kitten has a common health issue like an upper respiratory illness, add $150 to $500 to your total. For a major medical issue, it could be thousands.

If you know someone interested in adding a kitten or two to their family, be sure to tell them that they can save money by adopting from a local shelter or rescue. If they are skeptical, encourage them to call their vet and find out the fees ahead of time. Free kittens contribute to the homeless cat population in our country because their uninformed adopters don't realize the costs of vet care. If you can't afford the adoption fee for a spayed and vaccinated kitten, you absolutely can't afford a free kitten!

08/16/2024

WARNING: Graphic image! (And sad story...)

Prayers needed!!🙏🙏Greta is a long-time ranch resident who was rescued by our organization as a kitten. Many years ago, she was held up by some savage individuals who cut off one of her front legs. Later found wandering the Tammany Trace, Greta was rushed into emergency surgery to repair the injury and keep her alive. She has lived her whole life safely and peacefully at our sanctuary as a tripod kitty.
Fast forward to today. We are not sure how, but Greta somehow managed to cut open her elbow. We have tried everything to get the wound to close. She has undergone THREE (!!!) surgeries to close her wound, but it has re-opened every time. She has received daily wound care, bandaging, laser therapy, and antibiotics. We have just a couple ideas left to try. Greta, and her human caretakers, need your prayers and support to help us save her only front leg.
Venmo

08/15/2024

Mercury, our resident MALE torti, is in need of some poultry-free wet food. He has a chicken allergy that causes his whole body to be covered in scabs, and he becomes very itchy. He picked out a couple of yummy fish flavors pictured below. 😋 Mercury will even save some kisses 😽 for you if you bring him some yummies.
He also has lots of senior ranch friends that love wet food too. They don’t mind some chicken 😉

Here is also a link to our Amazon wishlist
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3LZV5SKE19Z2D/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

08/14/2024

UPDATE/CLARIFICATION…
Apparently there is a lot of miss information being spewed regarding this cat, with the omission of some very important facts, so here is some clarification…
First of all, this cat was found injured and in pain and was brought to his parish animal control. He needed ongoing pain management and ultimately surgery, or he would have to be euthanized. Withholding treatment is animal abuse. The parish animal control sincerely wanted to help the cat and reached out to their local rescue group who posted the cat on Facebook and asked for help for the cat. We were contacted and asked to help, as it was now a weekend, and the cat would go through the weekend with no one to administer pain medication. During the time the cat was in animal control custody, and posted on Facebook, no owner, replied to any posts, nor did they go look for their cat at animal control, nor did they report their cat missing to animal control, nor did they post anywhere that their cat was missing. And, with all the chatter about the cat being micro chipped, this person did not report the cat missing to the chip company. The cat was reported missing by us when we took the cat in for surgery and scanned him and found he had a microchip. At that point, we immediately notified the chip company and the person was notified. (sidebar… When we reported the microchip for the cat missing, we said we had a domestic long-haired brown tabby cat. The information on the microchip did not match this cat as it was registered to a domestic short hair, black cat.) It was not until after the cat had orthopedic surgery to pin his broken leg and was treated for infection and received ongoing pain management and medical care, did anyone come forward to try to claim the cat. When we spoke with the person claiming ownership, it was explained to her that we would work with her to pay the bill and that we had only charged reduced pricing that we give the rescue group we work with. Anyone can call around for quotes for orthopedic surgery for pinning a cat’s leg and find the bill would be much more than this cat’s charges. To that point, we work with everyone to help them keep their animals to keep pets out of shelters… We work on reduced rates, payment plans, and even helping with Facebook fundraisers to help cover part of cost. All of the above was offered to the person claiming this cat. The bill of charges to date, all of which were in July and clearly shown on the bill, were sent to this person. Not once did she attempt to make any good faith payment, to discuss a payment plan, to offer to try to raise funds through a fundraiser, nothing. Just nasty, ungrateful comments, saying that her cat did not need treatment. It is heartbreaking to think someone wants a pet just to say it is their pet, yet would not be concerned, and relieved that it was provided appropriate medical care, and was no longer suffering and in pain.

Individual comments will not be replied to, as our time is utilized caring for animals in need and helping families who need help caring for their animals in need. It appears there are quite a few people with extra time on their hands to advocate for animals. If you would like to spend your time in a positive manner, there are many animals who need to be advocated for… Ones that need homes, ones that need medical attention, funds that need to be raised to transport animals to better homes, not to mention the hands-on work of cleaning, feeding, and tending to the sick and injured. Anyone who truly wants to make a difference with their time is always welcome.

Cedric needs your help. This sweet, affectionate little man has endured so much. Animal control of a neighboring parish found him wandering the streets, limping along and not putting weight on one of his legs. A partner shelter pulled him and had radiographs done, revealing a broken humerus. They were going to amputate. Luckily, we caught wind of the situation and offered a better solution. Our awesome orthopedic surgeon was able to pin the leg, with a high probability it will heal correctly so Cedric can keep his leg. Can you chip in a few dollars for his surgery?? Costs are easily over $800 to cover surgery, pain meds, and additional x-rays.
Just look at that face... how can you resist??

08/13/2024

URGENT DONATIONS NEEDED!!! Despite being on closed intake, we could not say no to this little girl. She was rushed into our care late last night. Her leg was eaten up by something and is now infected and super swollen 😢 Her left paw is about 3-4 times the size of her other paw. Her daily care requires pain meds, wound care, antibiotics, and laser therapy. Radiographs will also be needed. A good samaritan found her roadside, so she did not come with a checkbook. Can you help us save her leg?? We are her only chance.

08/11/2024

Wow!!! What an amazing day! 60 animals, owned and indigent, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and treated for fleas and parasites!! Huge shout out to our two veterinarians and our amazing staff for pulling this off last minute and short handed, to help our communities in need!! Thanks to Petco Lovepetcolove for providing critical vaccinations to all of our patients!! And, to Domino's Pizza for supplying lunch!!!
Please “Spay it Forward” and contribute to this effort… it is THE ONLY WAY we can make permanent change and get this problem under control!!

08/09/2024

Good morning☀️kisses💋
Brought to you by Mercury the amazing boy torti!!!

08/08/2024

We have lots of little mouths to feed, and we are running dangerously low on kitten food. Can you help these little babies by providing some wet and/or dry kitten food? Wet food is extremely important to make sure these growing babies get enough calories and nutrition.
Pictures of some of our favorite foods are posted below- Baby Blue, Royal Canin, and even Fancy Feast would be amazing!