Superhero - Purrs and Meows

05/14/2024

We have received so many requests for help lately. It is obvious Rexburg desperately needs a cat rescue. We wish so much we were able to help you all. A couple years ago when the location we were working to purchase was taken away, we weren't given a chance to find a new location and continue this important work. We are still heartbroken to have lost what was such an important community resource.

We continue to foster for rescues in other locations, but the need is huge here in Rexburg. We are so sorry we are no longer able to help on the scale we once did. We worked with hundreds of felines during our time in rescue and are so grateful for the opportunity we had to do so. We can make recommendations if you need it, just send a message. We cannot, unfortunately, take in cats and kittens as we once did. 💔

09/30/2023

09/29/2023

This is why we didn't adopt to people who wanted our kittens as outdoor pets. We love all our babies and the people who love them just as much!

Written by: Janice R. Richard.

Cats allowed to roam:

As a rescuer, you have asked me to search and help locate your cat who is allowed to roam. He goes out after dinner, but he's always home before dark. Always. Until he doesn't. I have searched.

Sadly, I am now at your door with some very sad news. I have found......the remains of your cat. Since seeing this over and over, I can say he was killed by a Coyote, as they are more plentiful in your neighborhood. However, could have been a Fisher. They eviscerate their prey. Usually, not much is left to identify, but in this case, the face was clearly visible for ID purposes.

At this point, you are crying and in pain. Yes, I have compassion for that.... but if I am honest, my sadness, pain and pity is for your cat. It was the cat that had to endure being stalked and killed in a fairly vicious manner. It's rarely a quick death. Some cats put up a decent fight, but in most cases....the battle is lost. Imagine the terror they must endure. They are not aware of this danger when YOU let them outside and allow them to freely roam. Yet YOU are aware. You have to be. With all the education, postings, notices that are put out on all types of sites on Facebook and other social media's.... you have to be aware of that fact. And you still open the door.... and put them outside.

Yes, there are some cats that simply cannot be kept indoors. However. There are other methods of letting them out and keeping them secure. Catios. Harness, leash. If you have a large screened in porch? Replace the screening with pet screening, add some enrichment for the cat, i.e.: cat tree's, toys, games.... You have now protected your pet.

GPS collars are not protection. Let me say this louder so the people way down in the back can hear. GPS COLLARS ARE NOT PROTECTION!! Do you think a Coyote or Fisher could care if your cat has a GPS device around it's neck? Makes no difference to them.... I have found many collars in my time... break aways, and some ripped off. I have found "kill sites."

Coyotes, particularly, are living amongst us. We are encroaching on their living spaces/lands, so our backyards are becoming their hunting grounds. And, if we continually supply them with cats allowed to roam... well... the outcome could be devasting for those cats. And sometimes, you'll just never ever know what happened. One evening, they just never return again. No signs, no sightings, no nothing. Gone.

But sadly.... I am here at your door... telling you all this. While we are talking, your other cat runs past us to the outdoors. I look at you. Through your tears, you tell me, yes... she is allowed to be outside too. And after all I have just told you.... after all the tears.....after knowing how your poor cat was ripped apart for food.... you are still going to allow your cat(s) to roam. But you love them. Really??? Love is not allowing your animal to roam and become bait or succumb to any of the many dangers out there for cats. Love is doing whatever it takes to keep them safe. That.... that is love for your pet.

09/22/2023

Thanks for sharing such a precious moment Idaho Falls Animal Shelter. We appreciate all you do to help the animals in your community!

To anyone reading this, reach out and offer your help to these amazing people, or Motley Crew Cat Lounge, or the Rexburg Animal Shelter. These people know what they are doing and love animals! And they could use our support!

We have had a week full of heartbreak and loss. There are moments that happen at our facility that leave us with holes in our hearts that sometimes seem like they cannot possibly heal.

We have had long days and nights of tube feeding, medicating, and trying with every ounce of energy we have to help our sick and injured make it to the next day. We have held them in our arms and whispered our goodbyes to them, as we usher the ones we cannot save on to their next stop... into the stars where we know the suffering will end. We open our arms again for the next one we will try to save, all in the same breath. We have tucked ourselves away, into dark closets and empty hallways to hide the tears we cannot fight back, from each other and guests that enter our facility. Sometimes we can hear each other’s hearts break, and sometimes we see it, and we know with certainty, it is inevitable.

We try to remind ourselves that we didn't lose a whole litter to a virus, that we saved half of them, or we tell ourselves that we did everything we could to change their outcome, but we still lost a dog or cat that we knew deserved so much better. This job is tough.

Then we have moments like this picture.......One of our officers cuddling a kitten that needs socialization because it is afraid of the human world. A kitten that screamed for help from its mother who could never be found, terrified of us taking it out of a trap. That was yesterday. Today, she is purring and making biscuits in the lap of one of our tough guys, the guy who just took her temperature and gave her a mouthful of medication. He dedicated what time he had left after his shift ended, to try to connect, comfort, and show affection to a feral little kitten, and she returned that favor to him and to all of us who were able to see this moment.

The holes in our hearts are ever-changing. Sometimes growing larger, sometimes filling up with new parts and pieces to give to the next one that needs us, or that we need. Sometimes they put us back together as we are trying to do the same for them.

We wanted to share this because there are so many of you out there, just like us. You needed to see this as much as we did.

If you are able to donate towards the cat and dog adoption fees, medical care or our TNR program, we would appreciate it so greatly. These critters are worth it and as always, we can use all the help that we can get!
You can text IFAS to 89871
You can call us to make an over-the-phone donation @ 208-612-8670
You can mail us at Idaho Falls Animal Services, 2450 Hemmert Ave, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
Or you can just come on in and we can thank you in person!
Unfortunately, we do not have Venmo but the text link is so convenient for everyone who uses it, we promise!

09/15/2023

These two!!

09/10/2023

We have the best supporters ever! Can just a few of you donate a few dollars to help Kisses For Coco get a larger space for some of their fosters? We have worked with them before and they are such a generous organization!

09/02/2023

Update : He has been adopted!

This guy is still available for adoption. He has the best personality! He's playful and snuggly and very smart. Go meet him and he will steal your heart!

*Adopted*
Walter is a silly little boy who is also an expert at stealing hearts. He is always front and center at a meet and greet, and he’s excited to show you what he has to offer. Walter is a purring maniac that wants to live and your arms and survive off of your kisses. Walter is good with cats and kids. He has never met a dog.
DOB: 3/22/23
S*x: Male
Special Needs: N/A
Bonded Pair: N/A

08/22/2023

We were lucky to be able to foster this adorable girl and her siblings. She's available for adoption and we have lots of videos and pics of her during the time she was with us. If you are adopting, go meet her!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtiQNvfgFQ8/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==

*Adopted*
If cuteness could kill, you might want to watch out for Margaret. This sweet little angel is known for giving loving purrs and playing in intense games of chase. She believes that she’s the boss of her siblings, and one day, she plans on ruling the world. Margaret is good with cats and kids. She has not met a dog.
DOB: 3/22/23
S*x: Female
Special Needs: N/A
Bonded Pair: N/A

08/22/2023

He's a cutie and we have fun videos of him in Instagram of him from his tiny days! Link in comments.

*Adopted*
Walter is a silly little boy who is also an expert at stealing hearts. He is always front and center at a meet and greet, and he’s excited to show you what he has to offer. Walter is a purring maniac that wants to live and your arms and survive off of your kisses. Walter is good with cats and kids. He has never met a dog.
DOB: 3/22/23
S*x: Male
Special Needs: N/A
Bonded Pair: N/A