Helping Paws Upper Darby

12/11/2024

Come visit our online auction to raise money for the cats in our community. Here's here is another small sample of some of the great items we have.
We even have an Eagles handmade rag quilt, made specifically for this auction! We have something for everyone. New items still being added!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15RjpaBoqF/

12/08/2024

Check out our online auction to raise money for the kitties! Here's just a small sample of some of the items !

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15RjpaBoqF/

12/04/2024

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!
Our shelter maker is in need of styrofoam containers to make for the outdoor kitties to stay warm this winter!

They need to be at least 14x18 which leaves an inside diameter of 12x16 if it’s thick.

Please let us know if you can help us help the cats stay warm this winter

12/01/2024

11/30/2024

The temperatures are dropping in our area. Here's a post from Stray Cat Project with tips to encourage your community cats to use outdoor cat shelters.
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📢 How to encourage an outdoor cat to use a shelter...

In most cases, cats will figure out how to use shelters on their own. Here are a few things you can do to attract them if it doesn't seem like your community cats are using the shelter:

▪️ BE PATIENT. Some cats need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new shelter.
▪️ Loosely fill the shelter ½ to ¾ full of straw, NOT HAY. Replace the straw at least every year (or when dirty).
▪️ Remove any door flaps on the shelter. While doorway flaps help keep cold air out and warm air in, they should not be added until after your cats are used to going in and out of the shelter.
▪️ Do not place food in or near the shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sleeping near food as it attracts other cats and wildlife (predators).
▪️ Location is important. Place the shelter where your cats are already hanging out. More feral/less social cats typically want to shelter farther away from humans. The more secluded the shelter, the more likely cats are to use it.
▪️ Place the shelter near natural cover, as opposed to out in the open where your cats may not feel safe. Cats prefer to move along walls, hedges, or other natural barriers and boundaries. Place the shelter under or up against a building, fence, tree, porch, bush, or some type of overhang.
▪️ Place the shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind, rain, and snow.
▪️ Make sure the shelter is on a flat surface. A wobbly shelter could discourage cats from entering.
▪️ It’s possible that your cats have another shelter where they feel safe. They may already have a shed, crawlspace, or some other shelter they prefer.
▪️ When all else fails, try a new location, but only after giving your cats plenty of time to explore and get used to the current location.

(We thank FeralVilla.com for this great advice!)

💛 THANK YOU to the caregivers who have taken the time to build a feral cat shelter. Protection from the elements is critical, especially during the cold months, and your thoughtfulness will no doubt save many lives this winter. 🐾❄️









(source of photo unknown)

11/28/2024

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Day today! The kitties send their love! We are thankful for all the support you have provided to us this past year, as well as for all you do for the homeless cats in our areas! May you and yours (human and other) be blessed!

11/22/2024

Last week, we wrapped up trapping under the United Spay Alliance Grant that we were awarded. We would like to take this opportunity to again thank everyone for your support during the Pet Portrait fundraiser, which enabled us to qualify for the grant. We would not have been able to complete the fundraiser without the participation of all of our followers on Facebook and the people who have supported us.

We would also like to give a huge shoutout to the amazingly talented artists who participated and volunteered their time to complete all of the pet portraits: Jocelyn Vallery, Erin Mauterer ( illdrawyourpet.com ), Heather Johnston Carey ( [email protected] ), and Michelle Ottey. We'll be posting some of their artwork in a separate post soon.

During the grant period, which ran from approximately June 1st until November 17th, we sent 353 cats to the spay/neuter clinic, 94 of which were paid for by the United Spay Alliance Grant/fundraiser.
Thank you again to everyone, and a special thank you to the United Spay Alliance for giving us this opportunity to help more cats!

11/15/2024

11/15/2024

When temperatures drop, outside cats need twice as much food as they eat during warm weather to maintain their body heat. Let half of their dry food be kitten chow. 😸

10/26/2024

Please come out and support Helping Paws Upper Darby today, and help us in our mission to help our local community cats.

10/16/2024

DONATIONS NEEDED:
If you have gently used items you no longer need, we would be thrilled to have them for our upcoming yard sale. (No glassware please.) Please message us to schedule a drop-off or pick-up.

The yard sale will be on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The location and time will be announced in the very near future.

Thank you!