LUCRA

25/05/2024

The LUCRA kitties will be taking the weekend off, while construction on a very special new room on their sanctuary is underway. We will be back on track with our normal ‘Doption Day schedule next Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for understanding! ❤️😻❤️

04/05/2024

LUCRA ‘Doption Days Hollywood Feed Collierville Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 2-4
Come on out and meet your future love!
❤️😻❤️😻❤️😻❤️😻❤️😻❤️😻❤️😻❤️

01/05/2024

🐱 It's Animal Advocacy Day! 🌟

It's time to take action for community cats! Join rescue efforts, volunteer for TNR programs, and advocate for those who can't speak for themselves. 🙌 TNR saves lives and controls the community cat population. Let's make a positive impact on our feline friends and communities! 🐾 Together, we can save lives and build a brighter future for our furry companions! 💪

20/04/2024

Hi all! Sorry for the late notice, but the kitties can’t come out for our event tomorrow. We’re preparing for some upcoming construction on our sanctuary, and have to stay home to get the space ready. Thanks for understanding!
❤️😻❤️

19/04/2024

Carriers are NOT optional!!!

How many times have you been in front of a vet or spay/neuter clinic and seen cats loose in a car? Seen people walk up to the door holding the cat in their arms? And heard them scoff at the need to confine the cat – “MY kitty is fine – s/he’s so mellow, there is no worry” :( Maybe they show up with the cat in an open box…

This concerns people who simply do not think they need to use a carrier! And the true heartache happens when that cat – that mellow, no worry cat – gets frightened and bolts from the owner’s arms. Rescuers often spend hours, days, weeks looking for that terrified cat, who is now lost in unfamiliar territory. This is a tragedy that does not have to happen!

Little Mr. G, pictured below, is a kitten saved long ago – he actually WAS in a carrier, but his human took him out to show him to someone else – in an open car in a huge parking lot. In the blink of an eye he was gone – and only found 3 weeks later due to intense work and dedication by a group of rescuers. He came so close to never being found…

This is not an easy one to solve, but it requires all of us to work on educating the community. ALWAYS make sure those who adopt from you have a carrier. Make sure they understand WHY they need to always use it. Ask friends and family if they have a carrier – it is shocking how many people own cats and yet have no carrier! If they cannot afford one, get them one – carriers are often given away by rescue groups when they get old, or they can be found for $1-2 at garage sales. Carry an old carrier in the car – not only is it good for emergencies you find, you can have it to give away if you see a risky situation. Supposedly a pillow case is a good emergency use for someone who has no carrier – personally I’ve stopped recommending this as I’ve seen cats rip their way out :( Offer to make a poster for your vet’s office explaining why a carrier is required – not optional. And don’t be shy, if you see someone in public with a cat not confined, explain why that is not a good idea. Perhaps starting the conversation with “oh, you know just yesterday a tame cat got scared and escaped, and we haven’t found him yet. You need to confine your cat – may I help you?” Most clinics will have a spare carrier to loan, offer to go inside and get the carrier for them.

Education is a never ending process. Even if it feels a bit awkward, do speak up when you see this happening – it may be uncomfortable, but you just may save a life.

06/04/2024

Happy Tails to sweet Georgie and Pirate! They finally found the purrfect home! We think they will make an excellent addition to the Roberson family, and you can tell from Linda’s great big smile that she agrees completely! We’ll sure miss these precious boys, but will be looking forward to many happy updates!

❤️😻😻❤️

03/04/2024

Looking for a great canine companion? Reach out to our friends at Blue Sky Dog Rescue! They have so many wonderful adult dogs and puppies available! ❤️❤️❤️

30/03/2024

Little Leroy is hoping that the Easter bunny will help him find a wonderful furever home! Why don’t you come out and meet him? He’ll be with us at Hollywood Feed Collierville this Saturday, March 30th from 10-1 for LUCRA ‘Doption Day. We will be taking Easter Sunday off. Hope to see you tomorrow! ❤️😻❤️

25/03/2024

STOP! 🛑 Don't be a kitten-napper!

The first of the spring kittens are here! 😳 If you find newborn or tiny kittens, your first instinct may be to gather them up and take them indoors or to a shelter. Resist this urge!

Wait and watch from a distance! 👀 Their mom is likely close by, getting food or otherwise caring for herself. Unless she has been trapped, hurt or otherwise detained, she will return.🐱💕 Mom is always the best caretaker of kittens; removing them from their mom -- and therefore taking the away from their best caretaker and food source -- will likely lead to their death. Bringing them to a shelter may also be signing the kittens' death warrant; the kittens may be immediately euthanized because there aren't enough bottle feeders to care for all the kittens that enter the shelters this time of year. PLEASE, before you take the kittens away, be sure mom has not returned for some time. (We recommend you watch for up to 8 hours.) Please have patience; watch and wait away from a distance. The lives of those kittens depend on it!

23/03/2024

Update on beautiful Billie (now Lily)!
She’s totally taken over the house and hearts of Cindy and Mitch! Just look at the Lil Princess…spoiled rotten already. 💕
I jokingly told Cindy that it just didn’t look like she was settling in well and that they might need to send her back.
Her response? “Not. A. Chance.” 😂🤣

23/03/2024

Little Leroy sure knows how to steal the show at LUCRA ‘Doption Days at Hollywood Feed Collierville. Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 2-4
❤️😻❤️

23/03/2024

It's that time of year. You have no idea how many kittens are found discarded in trash cans, dumpsters and on the side of the road in boxes and bags. 😭

If you see something suspicious -- especially this time of year -- STOP AND CHECK. 🛑 These animals do not deserve this fate; it's through the failure of humans that they're in this position. Be the voice of those who cannot speak! Check out every bag or box you see dumped in your travels. You never know if there are helpless animals inside. Show them that there are humans who care. 🐾





(Source of photos unknown)

23/03/2024

We couldn’t be happier for our sweet girl, Billie! Cindy and Mitch fell in love with her and we finalized the adoption on Thursday. She’s already settling in to her new and furever home, and is busy exploring! We know she is going to be spoiled beyond belief! They are leaning toward changing her name to Lily, which I think will suit her very well! Have a wonderful life, sweet girl…you deserve it!
❤️😻❤️

23/03/2024

LUCRA ‘Doption Days this Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 2-4 Hollywood Feed Collierville
Come on out and meet precious little Leroy and some friends! ❤️😻❤️

14/03/2024

Little Leroy was a superstar on this morning’s Live at 9:00’s Pet of the Week segment on channel 3! Thank you, Kontji Anthony, for doing such a great job showcasing our LUCRA kitties! And thank you, Nina Wingfield, for having them on and for fostering Leroy this week! ❤️😻❤️

09/03/2024

Hi! I’m Leroy, and this weekend I’m making my big debut at LUCRA ‘Doption Days! I even got a bath today, so I’d be extra purrty…I didn’t like that too much, but I’m hoping it will help me catch the eye of my furever family!
We’ll be at Hollywood Feed Collierville Saturday (3/9) from 11-2 and Sunday (3/10) from 2-4. Come on out! ❤️😻❤️

17/02/2024

We’re so happy to announce that precious Nelly Lou has found her furever family! Carrie and Seth have been coming to LUCRA ‘Doption Days and getting to know our kitties for months now. They’ve had a soft spot for our little grumpy looking girl all along, and last weekend they told us they’d like to make her a part of their family! She’s already settling in to her new digs and getting acquainted with her other four legged family members.

Special thanks to Hollywood Feed, for giving us such a wonderful venue for showcasing our kitties! ❤️😻❤️

12/02/2024

Spay and neuter, folks! You aren’t doing that cat or kitten any favors if you don’t sterilize them before finding homes for them! “Free” kittens…🤦🏻‍♀️ Please don’t litter…fix your critter!

10/02/2024

This sweet girl wants a special Valentine to give her a loving furever home! Billie is so sweet and playful. Truly the purrfect balance of sugar and spice. Please come out and meet her and several of her other LUCRA furiends who are looking for love! We’ll only be at Hollywood Feed Collierville on Saturday this weekend, but back to both days next weekend. Come show us some love! ❤️😻❤️

04/02/2024

Freya isn’t too sure she trusts hoomans yet, but we’re working on it! She is a Snowshoe Siamese mix and is about 7 months old. She always has a bit of a grumpy look on her face, but don’t let that fool you! She absolutely loves chin scritches and lots of pets, and we know she’s going to be a little lovey girl in no time at all. She has a great foster meowmy, but really would love a furever home of her very own! You can meet her at LUCRA ‘Doption Days at Hollywood Feed Collierville Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4!

27/01/2024

Ranger is doing his best owl impression, asking “Whoooo wants to give me a loving home?” He’s such a wonderful kitty, but sadly, adults often get overlooked at adoption events. Please come out to LUCRA ‘Doption Days this Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 at Hollywood Feed Collierville, where you can meet Ranger and several of his furiends. We’d sure love to see you! ❤️😻❤️

20/01/2024

It’s too cold for the kitties, so we’re taking this Saturday (Jan 20) off, but will be at Hollywood FeedCollierville on Sunday (Jan 21) from 2-4. Hope to see you then! ❤️😻❤️

13/01/2024

When you adopt from us, we tell you these things. We ask you a million questions, make you fill out contracts, we check personal and veterinary references and we even visit your home to meet your family and other pets and to ensure that your home is a safe and loving environment. We need to feel confident that you understand this is a commitment for the lifetime of your pet. There are very few circumstances that would be considered valid reasons for giving up your pet. Pets are NOT disposable!

08/01/2024

📚 Our BACK TO BASICS SERIES: the "return" part of TNR (trap/neuter/RETURN)
Why do we RETURN cats and not "get rid" of them? 🤔

The R in "TNR" stands for RETURN. After we've trapped and taken the cat to the clinic for spay/neuter, vaccines and ear tip, we RETURN them to the place where they were captured. We DO NOT release them to a different area, nor do we euthanize them.
Community cats (the umbrella term for stray, feral and unowned outdoor cats) live in a 3-mile radius. Within this territory, they have established resources for food and shelter. This is their home and the area which sustains them; do not remove them from it (unless their lives are in danger).

Community cats are territorial and will protect their territory from outside cats. When you TNR a cat and return it to its territory, it will 1) no longer contribute to overpopulation, 2) defend its territory from outside cats, and 3) be a peaceful neighbor as undesirable habits like fighting, spraying and yowling will have been eliminated through spay/neuter. Theoretically, if you TNR all cats within a territory, the colony should die out over time.

👉 Why do we not trap and kill? Two very important reasons: it's inhumane and it doesn't solve the problem of overpopulation. Cats are territorial! When you remove cats from a territory, other/new cats come in to take advantage of the resources in that territory. This is known as "the vacuum effect." If you "catch and kill," you'll forever be in a cycle of trapping and removing cats. It's better--and more humane--to TNR, bring those cats back to the territory, and let them defend it.

Some people who call for help with cats on their property and are unfamiliar with TNR are surprised to learn that the cats will be returned. When we explain why we RETURN and not kill, they understand the science and allow the cats to return. Education is key!!! 💡 Share your knowledge to protect and improve the lives of our community cats!

Original content provided by Stray Cat Project.






💙🐱

06/01/2024

📚 Our BACK TO BASICS SERIES: "feral"
What is a feral cat, and why should one be careful when using this word? 🤔

A feral cat is AN OUTDOOR CAT THAT HAS NOT BEEN SOCIALIZED WITH HUMANS; they have not had human interaction by being spoken to, played with or held. These cats fear humans and prefer to live outdoors, away from people.

📢PLEASE NOTE: "feral" does NOT refer to any cat living outdoors. "Feral" refers to DISPOSITION only.

Feral cats typically live in colonies with other feral cats and are not suitable as indoor pets. They tend to be nocturnal, coming out overnight to avoid interacting with and being detected by humans. You will not be able to catch a feral cat without a trap; they will never allow you to get close. They will not make eye contact with you, will not meow, and will usually appear well-groomed and healthy. Feral cats want nothing to do with you!

There are varying degrees of "feral." A cat that has never had human interaction and refuses human interaction might be labeled "totally feral." Another cat that has had some interaction--perhaps with a feeder--and will allow a human to come close might be described as "semi-feral." Sometimes, semi-feral cats are taken into foster care for socialization. Success depends on the cat and the person doing the socializing. Socializing a semi-feral cat is a long-term proposition requiring tremendous patience.

👉Are all outdoor cats feral? NO.
👉Can the terms "stray" and "feral" be used interchangeably? NO.
👉Should we use the word "feral" for ANY cat that lives outdoors? NO!

BE CAREFUL of using the term "feral" when describing a cat, as the word has negative connotations. Describing a cat as feral could lead to its immediate demise. Feral cats should never be taken to a shelter; they will be immediately euthanized there as feral cats are considered unadoptable.

What can we do for feral cats? TNR them and let them be. If possible, provide food and shelter to make life easier. 🐈💙

Original content provided by Stray Cat Project.

06/01/2024

“Looking” for love? We always have it in abundance! We hold adoption events on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4 at Hollywood Feed (3615 S Houston Levee Rd, Collierville, TN)Collierville (with very few exceptions). Come out and see us!

Please keep in mind that LUCRA is always looking for adopters, fosters, volunteers and sponsors…please reach out if you’re moved to make a difference! We receive more pleas for assistance than we can handle, and we’d love to be able to do so much more! With your help, we can!

These are the eyes of some of the furbabies we’ve helped. There have been and will be many, many more!
❤️😻❤️

02/01/2024

📚 Our BACK TO BASICS SERIES: What is TNR? 🤔

TNR is an acronym for trap/neuter/return and is the most humane method of community cat population control. TNR is a process whereby unowned, free-roaming cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the outdoor habitat where they were found. 🐾

TNR is a team effort. A trapper will humanely trap any number of cats. The cats are then transported to a TNR clinic where a veterinary team prepares the cat for surgery. (Most "regular" veterinary offices will not treat feral cats.) The cats are spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian at a clinic and are vaccinated for rabies and distemper. The vet will also use a cauterized knife to remove the tip of the cat's left ear, giving the cat an ear-tip. (An ear-tip is the universal sign that a cat has been through the TNR process.) Afterward, the cats are retained until they recover. Males are usually released as soon as anesthesia has worn off completely. Females are typically held 2 - 5 days, depending on their stress level and the condition of their incision. No removable stitches or cones are used during the TNR process as most of these cats cannot be handled. There are no scheduled follow-up visits.

After the cats return to their outside homes, a caretaker will typically provide food, water, shelter, care and love. Outdoor cats in a managed colony have a typical lifespan of 10 years. Outdoor cats without a caretaker have a lifespan of 2 years. Your indoor pet cat might live 15-20 years. Human interaction is critical to their well-being!🤗

In addition to preventing unwanted litters, TNR also improves the health of community cats by providing essential vaccines to protect against disease. Also, the risk of certain cancers are mostly eliminated thanks to sterilization. Community cats also become better neighbors once sterilized as undesirable behaviors associated with reproduction -- such as fighting, yowling and marking -- are eliminated. TNR is a win-win proposition!🤝

Original content provided by Stray Cat Project. ✅

19/12/2023

Just a reminder! Pets are NOT gifts, especially at holiday time when there is so much going on in our homes. People coming and going, doors accidentally being left ajar, dangerous and tempting tinsel dangling from the tree, packages with dangerous ribbons they might ingest, all the holiday food and goodies that could be fatal to them, and much more!
This doesn’t only apply to cats, this applies to all pets. New family members should be brought into the family at calm, quiet times and introduced at a nice, slow pace. Please consider waiting to bring a new furry friend home after the holiday hustle and bustle is over. It’s truly best for all involved!
❤️🐾🐈🦮🐇🦜🐀🐾❤️

26/11/2023

Sweet little Sissy went home with her furever family today, and we couldn’t be happier for her! Adding yet another wonderful family to our ever-growing LUCRA family was the purrfect way to close out the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We’ve already had several updates, and look forward to many more. This little one holds a very special place in this foster mamma’s heart! Congrats to the Johnson family! ❤️😻❤️

24/11/2023

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GivingTuesday is November 28th, a day where giving is celebrated worldwide, and we hope you will consider supporting The Pet Compassion Centers!

Today we are thankful for our incredible partners, staff and volunteers! In this past year, we have distributed over 200,000 lbs in quality pet food to those in need and performed over 3,300 spay/neuter surgeries for pets in our community!

We have very exciting news in the near future! Learn about how you can help at
https://www.thepetcompassioncenters.org/how-to-help/donate.html

🐾 Help us continue to make a difference and donate today!