The Chakurda Cat Castle

17/01/2024

It must be cold. Buddy is cuddling with the space heater.

01/01/2024

25/06/2023

No electricity. So far the fur babies haven't complained. I'm sure they will let me know when it is feeding time! Estimated time for electric to come backon is 11pm-2am.

16/08/2022

Today we lost our last FIV+ feral kitty, Callie. She was happy inside the house although she never did allow us to touch her. Well, she did pick 1 person to be hers - and it was not me. :( I'm glad she did bond with one human even if it was not me so that she knew the love and felt the caress of a human hand. She had lots of kitty friends while she was with us, and was especially fond of Buddy. She followed Buddy everywhere and wanted to always be touching him. It was so sweet!

Callie was not 'our' cat, but she lived with us for just over 8 years. Callie came with some property that was purchased in Berryville, Virginia. She had already been TNR'd and roamed that property keeping it free of tiny critters. The new property owner came to me and asked how he could become her caretaker. After a few quick lessons he was determined to make friends with his new tenant. It took nearly 2 years of twice daily feeding to completely win her trust. But, during that 2 years it had become obvious that the cold weather was causing her some health issues. So, he introduced a carrier into her feeding area and started moving her food bowl closer and eventually inside the carrier. Then, one cold morning she stayed curled up in the carrier when food was delivered so he closed the door and brought her inside. She was brought to us that day since we had other feral FIV+ cats here and her caretaker stays with us too when he is not on his property.

Callie was older when she arrived. Just how old we will never know. A TNR group in Berryville, Virginia had already had her spayed and ear-tipped. I've often wondered if she had a previous caretaker that wants to know what happened to her. If so, I want them to know that she was happy and loved at the Chakurda Cat Castle!

25/06/2022

Shortly after arriving at the Castle, Jasper had to be shaved because he was so heavily matted. Many scars were discovered that showed us just how hard life is outside.

This lion cut was the first of many for Jasper, but it was his first and last salon cut. Now I shave him myself, I just have to catch him first! His fur grows in thick and fast.

15/05/2022

25/12/2021

Merry Christmas from the Chakurda Cat Castle colony to your colony!

Have you ever tried to put a Santa hat and scarf on a semi-feral cat? It is not for the faint of heart. Make sure you wear combat gear before starting, sure wish I had before I tried to get these pictures of George and Rascal!

07/11/2021

Joanie is not a fan of being cold! Don't worry Joanie, I got the hint and turned on the heat just for you. :)

03/11/2021

UPDATE:

I guess I was hoping for a miracle. The results are not good at all. The official written report will come to us in a few days, but the vet talked to us to explain that the cancer is in every single organ. Also, there is a fluid build up in his abdomen that is also full of cancer cells so there is no hope, and nothing is operable.

We brought Alex home with us and will provide as much love, attention and his favorite foods as he will allow us to bestow on him. We don't know how much time he has left but we will make sure that he enjoys every moment of the time he has with us before he crosses the Rainbow Bridge to join the others we have rescued and lost before him.

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Please wish us luck tomorrow. Alexander the Great (White) was rescued by us in 2008 and was already an adult. About 5+ years ago we realized he was diabetic and he has been on insulin twice a day with no problems, until recently. Two weeks ago his sugar went down to 22 and he started having convulsions. Of course as with nearly all emergencies the vet was already closed, but we had the vets home cell phone number and left her a message telling her what was going on and that we were taking Alex to the emergency vet (40+ minutes away).

She called back and told us to rub Honey or Karo syrup on his gums before leaving to get his sugar up. Not having either in the house we grabbed pancake syrup. It worked! By the time we got to the vet office his convulsions had stopped. Not being able to talk to the vet (emergency vet - not our regular vet) directly and having to pass messages through the staff it was not made clear to him that Alex was diabetic and on insulin for over 5 years. So, the first thing the vet did was an x-ray.

We then did get the vet on the right track when he came out to ask why we were bringing Alex to him. So he went back and took his blood sugar level and it was up to 30 at that point. Alex got 2 bags of glucose through IV and several hours later his sugar was up to 127 and he was walking steady (for him being an arthritic old man) so he was sent home.

We of course followed up with our regular vet and she got copies of all tests and results done on Alex that night. The x-rays were unable to be read by the vet as there was not enough contrast so they were sent out to a specialist who also could not read them. There is a large mass inside Alex that is blocking most of his upper chest area. They could see most of his lungs, and the lower portion of his bowels and that was it.

Alex is going in tomorrow for an Ultrasound. This is to determine if the mass is in his pancreas. If it is in the pancreas then that is what is causing his sugar to drop. It may also be causing pancreatitis and if it is, he must be in pain and we need to work out a pain management plan. We are sure that he has cancer, we just need to know exactly where it is located so that we can help him be comfortable for as long as possible.

11/07/2021

We are preparing ourselves as Tom is nearing his time. He has been such a joy to have around all these years. I'm so glad that we were able to rescue him when we found him injured outside all those years ago.

05/07/2021

Happy 4th Gotcha Day to Joanie! Video is of her first meal in captivity. 🐈

02/05/2021

Have you met Bolt? He got his name because he does not walk or run - he BOLTS from one place to another. He is ALL energy! :D

30/04/2021

Rare pictures of Lizzy. Most of the time I can't touch her, but once I get into bed she lays across my feet!

29/04/2021

Rascal is posing just for you!

25/04/2021

Tom Sawyer watching me work from the perch over my computer monitor.

23/04/2021

Joanie thinks she is hiding! Yes, those are Teenie Beanie Babies that she is cuddling.

07/04/2021

3:25am in the Castle!

06/11/2020

Callie when she heard her Mommy was coming home.

06/11/2020

Joanie, on her best behavior!

05/11/2020

07/10/2020

To provide education, information and dialogue that will create a supportive environment empowering people to help cats in their community.

29/06/2020

Found on 5 Oct 2015 in North Stafford a Black & White intact male. Seems tame but suddenly appeared in a maintained feral colony. Contact Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc. if you think this is your cat. 540-226-0050

29/06/2020

Pictures of Maxwell a Domestic Shorthair for adoption in Stafford, VA who needs a loving home.

29/06/2020

We show lots of pictures of cats that we have trapped. We can't possibly show them all, so we usually post the ones that are found with injuries or illnesses and then only if someone at the scene has a camera to even take pictures.

This formerly feral baby kitten, now named Daubin, was found at a local Walmart last year on 16 Oct 2015. He was injured, sick, starving and terrified. His injuries have healed, he was adopted, and is a happy healthy young man! He is estimated to be 1 year old now so we thought we would show you the 'then' and 'now' pictures together to celebrate his first birthday.

What you see in these pictures is why most of us do what we do in animal rescue. We make a difference to every animal we can help, and they need us!

If we had more funding and more foster families we could help so many more like Daubin. Please go to our website ShadowCatAdvocates.org to make a donation. While you are there you will also find the forms to fill out to become a foster family, or even adopt one of our precious kitties so that you can help make a difference too.

29/06/2020

I just ResQwalked 6.19 mi in support of Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc! Thank you Merial, the maker of NexGard® (afoxolaner) Chewables for dogs for sponsoring me!

29/06/2020

I just ResQwalked 16.03 mi in support of Shadow Cat Advocates, Inc! Thank you Merial, the maker of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) for dogs for sponsoring me!