Cowlitz Animal Rescue Resource

12/31/2024

12/19/2024

I personally as a rescuer try my best to have all rescued animals microchipped & register them in my name as the owner as a second contact. This way if an adopted out animal is found I'm contacted 1st & can return them to their owner if no neglect is found.

"If Someone Owns This Cat They Don't Deserve to Get Her Back!"

When this handsome senior cat was posted on social media, the finder didn't mince words. "This cat has been trying to get in my house for the past week. Some low life person abandoned this cat and she needs a good home. She is starving and flea infested. Please help!"

Right away, someone offered to adopt the poor cat and commented that they had sent the finder a message. Soon after, another reader suggested that the cat be checked for a microchip. The finder was furious at the suggestion. "I don't care if she is microchipped, I will NOT allow this cat to go back to her owner. A neighbor told me she was left behind when the people moved. They don't deserve her back!"

It is easy to judge when you see an animal in poor condition, but it is important to keep an open mind when you see an animal who appears unkempt. Abandoned cats can look rough and we want people to notice them and help them. But before you jump to conclusions about their appearance, connect with neighbors and see if anyone knows the owner or has a background story on the animal. And ALWAYS scan for a microchip.

Why would you check for a microchip on an animal that appears neglected?

-The cat may be a beloved pet that is lost and living on their own. Lost cats often look neglected because they have lost their food source.

-The cat may have been adopted out by a rescue who cares deeply for the cat and will take them back.

-If you rehome a cat without checking for a microchip, the new owner won't know that they need to register a microchip. If she is lost again, there will be no way to get her back to her new owner. A rescuer will only be able to return her to the registered owner or shelter.

Kitty "Ethel" lucked out when the person offering to adopt her took her to her vet for an exam and flea treatment. The vet scanned her for a microchip and contacted her grateful owner June. Ethel wasn't a neglected cat at all, she was a much loved 17-year-old who had been missing for 4 months. She was lost when her elderly owner was moving to a senior apartment in a nearby town. The movers assisting her propped the door open instead of closing it as they went in and out, so Ethel took the opportunity to step outside. Then, seeing the strangers come towards the door with a hand truck, she bolted into a neighbor's yard. June desperately wanted her back, but with mobility issues and no access to a car, she could only contact her old neighbors, the shelter and the microchip company.

All cats should be scanned for microchips regardless of their age, condition or adoptability. It is easy to jump to conclusions because there are so many homeless and abandoned cats, but don't let your inferences about the owner stop you from doing what is right.

12/19/2024

12/19/2024

4 month old kittens will get pregnant & give birth before 6months old.

12/19/2024

I saw this post over the weekend and it really hit home with me. Sharing from the Stray Cat TNR page....

Stray Cat TNR

Are you one of those people…
..who sees sad animal posts and wonders why there are so many?
..who sees a stray cat outside in the cold and wonders why someone can’t come pick that cat up and find it somewhere warm to live?
..who looks at the shelter and wonders why they have so many cats/kittens available for adoption ALL THE TIME?
..who thinks animal welfare organizations are not doing their job well enough?
..who cannot stand the thought of cats or kittens being euthanized at a shelter?
..who sees strays/ferals in your neighborhood and just want to see them in a better place?

All good questions and all come from a place of compassion.

BUT, if you answered yes to any of these questions, Y O U need to volunteer in some capacity! You cannot expect change from others that you are not willing to participate in yourself.

It is impossible for people to understand all the challenges that rescues and shelters face unless they have worked in it. It is easy to sit behind a computer and make assumptions about why something isn’t getting done. It is eye-opening to get in there and actually witness all the work that IS being done, day and night, by such a small number of staff and volunteers. Hats off to all of you special people!

I guarantee if you volunteer a small amount of your time with a shelter or rescue, you will not only get the answer to these questions, but a greater understanding of the challenges.

Stop seeing the problems and wondering “why”. Start participating to help fix them. Do it. Make time. For your love of the animals.

12/19/2024

Always prepared. Once scuffed a ferral n jumped into my car with him as I didn't have a carrier... let's just say it was the scariest drive in my 57yrs. Luckily it was only 4 blocks from a more experienced rescuers home, & thankx to her help he was quickly contained.

Are You Prepared????

What would you do if saw an injured cat hobbling along the side of the road? A skinny obviously lost cat huddled at a rest stop? A dog running in and out of traffic along the side of the road?

Many of the people involved in rescue always have a carrier, dog and cat food, and a leash stashed in their trunk for just those types of scenarios.

Just last week when Sara and Laurie were heading home they saw a dog racing in and out of traffic and then running along the side of the road, obviously terrified. They were prepared….they had food and treats in their van and were able to lure her to them with the food. Fortunately the people who were missing her had posted on social media and Sara was able to connect with them and get her back home. This poor girl was 15 years old and had been rescued from a breeding situation. A happy ending because Sara and Laurie were prepared for just that type of situation.

Think about keeping a few supplies in your vehicle…..you just might save a life.

12/19/2024

Do you advocate for your cat?

Rescue can be a bit of a challenge for us; if it was just dealing with the cats it would be so easy! But you have to deal with people – caregivers, owners, neighbors, other rescuers…

Last week, Sara encountered a difficult situation. A woman she has helped in the past contacted her to say there was a male cat in her neighborhood needing to be neutered, if she trapped him could Sara get him fixed? Of course she said yes, but there were no clinics scheduled for five days so don't trap him yet. And of course the next day she got the message "OK I've got him trapped, come get him".🙄

Well, knowing that this woman was a little… unique (trying to find the right synonym for crazy😆), Sara went in to get the cat even though she had no place to hold him and no clinic to take him to. But that was a better option for the cat! And happily, she was able to connect with a Rescue vet who agreed to neuter the cat the next day.

The next obstacle was returning the cat – because this cat was definitely one you could call feral – this boy did not want to be a tame cat. When she connected with the unique lady, Sara was told she planned to keep the cat in her basement along with another cat she was already holding there. But why? This cat was healthy, a good body weight, in good condition and not social – he lived in the neighborhood where several people put out food for the cats. Why not let him go?

This is where advocating for the cats can sometimes be a challenge – you have to be able to read the person you are helping to know how to approach the best scenario for the cat. Sometimes it's a cat you think needs to get into a home, a friendly cat who could do better living inside. Sometimes it's a sick cat who needs medical care. Sometimes it's a matter of helping to create a healthy colony with caregivers who may tend to be hoarders. Or as in this case, it's a feral cat who would live his best life in his own territory. How you approach the person to help them see the best option for the cat is important, because if you offend them, you lose your chance to help now or in the future.

Happily, Sara already had a previous relationship with this unique lady, and was able to take a firm but reasonable stance to help her see this cat really wanted to go home. They opened the carrier door, the cat bolted out and went straight to his home – a home where there was a cat tree on the porch -and the cat immediately crawled up and into a cubby. He knew where he was, he was home – he ignored the plate of food already sitting out for him and crawled into his safe place, thankful to be free of those crazy people😆

Remember when you encounter these situations, it's important that you keep your emotional reactions in check. Do your best to not lose your temper, to not show irritation or disgust with choices you feel are detrimental to the cats. Learn to "speak their language", really listen to them so you can hear what THEY need to hear to make the right choice – with your guidance☺️

10/20/2024

Anyone know whose dog this is? Seen him around 20th running amuck last 3 days. Just wonder if he has a home or if he was dumped. He's been soaking wet last 2 days.

09/24/2024

09/05/2024

07/02/2024

Someone passed this onto us and we thought it was a great idea to share.
With the 4th of July right around the corner we tend to get several calls about dogs getting out, and owners frantically trying to find them. We ask that you make sure your dogs have their collars on, updated contact information on their licenses, or do something similar to the picture below !
We can not scan for microchips. We do not have a scanner, and if the vets offices are closed, we will have to transport any found dogs that are unclaimed to Lake County Dog Shelter.
We love our community fur babies and want to make sure they are safe! 🐾💕