Barb Training: Last week we worked on getting her to take steps toward me and get closer to me. I know this doesn't look like much but it's huge for her. She's been pressed against the wall in a tight ball for a few weeks. The day after this video, she moved from hiding behind the recliner to laying onto the recliner. Soooooo proud of her. We have a loooooooong road to go and I still don't know what she went through to make her this fearful.
Today we worked on Barb standing up confidently and taking steps. Yes, mild setback near the end of the video but I wanted you to see it bc that's part of the process. It's important to remember that and not get discouraged. Patience and persistence are the keys to changing behavior (for humans and animals). What do you think Ginny Hahn ?
Training Barb: This terrified tripod needs a lot of work. Ginny Hahn saved her from life on the streets, but she's not quite adoptable yet.
I videoed a training session and my followers on IG enjoyed it so I wanted to share it here! The idea is not to reinforce the fear, so she only gets a treat when she's calm and quiet. I started with clicker training her to accept pets, but now am just using the word "pets" when I pet her. As the training continues, I increase the number of pets. When you are training, you always want to reward the positive, not punish the negative. I'm not punishing her for growling, but I am rewarding her for being calm and accepting pets.
Spitting is a form of defensive aggression and she doesn't swat or try to bite, so I know I'm safe in these situations, which is why I'm okay allowing her to lick my hand. She doesn't want to engage, she wants me to go away. (Do not put your hand in a cat's face if you aren't sure of your safety. I've been working with Barb for weeks so there is experience behind all of this.)
Barb doesn't have a rescue yet. She has already been vetted but I know a rescue will likely want to vet her again themselves, and she's just not handlable right now. A vet visit would also set her back. Once she's a little more accepting of contact, I hope to find a rescue to help her find a home.
Welcome Meep to Boot Camp. Formerly Road Runner, this shy 4 month old is from ACCT Philly and her owner surrendered her bc she couldn't care for her anymore. She's a bit skittish so we're going to work on her confidence and get her adoptable! So far she's super sweet.
🌈Tonight, I said good-bye to Binti, a big shock I didn't see coming. These were some of our last moments together.
Binti was bright and alert this morning, but when I went to feed her dinner, something was wrong. She was just laying in the corner, pupils dilated, and had peed on the floor. She tried to walk but wasn't steady on her feet and was showing signs of fear/discomfort/confusion (I wasn't sure which). The vet at the ER said it sounded like she's had a seizure, but we had to find out why. We'd start with bloodwork. Binti had two recent blood tests and the lab couldn't process the blood. We found out why when we got these results back instantly - her red and white blood cells were HIGHLY elevated, causing her blood to be thick and viscous. This condition is called polycythemia. It's rare, but it can happen on its own or secondarily from something like cancer. To treat her would have been a very long and complicated process, which would not have resolved any underlying issues. To bring her home overnight would have risked her having a grand mal seizure (a seizure that never ends), which is not a kind end to her life. Thanks to the vets and techs at Blue Pearl Conshohocken, she passed peacefully in my arms.
Binti had been returned to the shelter 4x and was timestamped for euthanasia. I met her at ACCT Philly and loved her. With no rescue interest, I asked Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary if they would help me save her, and they did. She turned out to be super sweet, loving, and affectionate. I was determined to find her last forever home ... Little did I know it was going to be mine.
Sorry to share this news, Angela Seward Kaity Lacy
My and Binti's convos are deep ... I tell her she looks like a hyena from The Lion King and she purrs extremely loud. It's a good relationship and it works for us. She's being fostered through Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary , and although she's not listed for adoption yet, I expect she will be soon ❤️
Oh Chuckie ... This poor boy. Fri his eating was off, then Sat it picked up, but yesterday I noticed his gums were jaundice. Art City Vets & Urgent Care saw him today. He had a fever and elevated bilirubin, but not much else that was concerning (one other liver value was slightly higher than normal). Since he is eating on his own, they gave him fluids and an antinausea injection and sent him home. He's on antibiotics, a liver supplement, and appetite stimulant. I'm also watching him like a hawk bc if he declines at all he'll likely need to be admitted to the hospital. He ate a big dinner and took his antibiotics like a champ and groomed after💪 He's being fostered through Stray Cat Relief Fund❤️
I got to visit Jasmine today. She perked up when she saw me, ate for me, was walking around her incubator, and even pooped a little! Here's a breakdown:
1. Dexatrose (blood sugar supplement) is down to 1.25% (started at 5). She'll need to be off it completely and maintaining her blood sugar before she comes home.
2. They've been able to turn down the heat in the incubator because she's doing better at controlling her body temp.
3. She was constipated AGAIN so she got another enema and they got two big poops out. Gross but good.
4. She's needed her bladder expressed, which they believe is related to the constipation. They said it is common for constipated kittens to need this too.
5. She is eating, which is the key to this whole thing!
We do not know when she'll be discharged, but she may have to be transferred to another hospital tomorrow evening.
Her hospital bill continues to grow. Please consider donating directly Fishtails Animal Rescue or to my GoFundMe to help: https://gofund.me/1debb0b8
In honor of May, meet Jasmine and Sugar Rose, two 6-week singletons put together for socialization from ACCT Philly . Both have colds that are presenting in their eyes and will be on a lot of meds over the next week (Sugar Rose has 5 and will still probably lose her left eye). I'm still extremely sad and miss May, but the shelter is full and this felt like the right thing to do.
What we fosters experience when we lose one of our babies.
Update: Vet bill was covered by everyone's donations. Thank you ❤️
Rest in Peace May.
After having issues eating and becoming severely constipated, the vet put together a plan for May. I was following it, but tonight she became very lethargic so I took her to the ER. Sadly, her blood sugar and body temp were low, so I decided to help her pass peacefully. I'm devastated, but I do know it was the right decision.
It's hard to not know what was wrong, but I assume something congenital because she came to me very underweight already.
Run free sweet girl.
Binti Update: Binti loves affection. Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
Binti Update: Look at her playing AND listen to her purring while doing it 🥺 (previous owners said she didn't play🤔). I noticed today that her shave kinda makes her look like a hyena 🤣 She's started her skin supplement (Redonyl, and I swear by it for skin issues), and so far I think he skin looks great. Her belly is a little pink here but I think that's from being curled up and sleeping. I have yet to see any biting or scratching like previous owners stated. She seems to absolutely love attention. Special thank you again to Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary for helping me save this girl, and to Kaity Lacy and Angela Seward for promoting her😍
Colby Jack hated me when I got him...now listen to those purrs! He's available for adoption through Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
Binti Update: Binti's first full day without anxiety meds went great! There is nothing wrong with giving anxious cats meds, but I had a feeling she might not need them now that she's out of the shelter. If she continues to do well, I'll keep her off of them. I ordered Redonyl, a supplement for her skin, which should be here soon. She's been a little pink, but not red, which is good, but I'd still like to see her skin be a normal pale color. She's also settling into our meal routine and meows when I come in to feed her. I like scheduled meal times bc it helps build a bond with the cat...they learn you're feeding them and there is a positive association. So glad this girl is safe and sound and thank you to Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary for helping me with her.
Progress with Binti last night before bed❤️ Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary
Pulled from death row on her 4th shelter stay. Clearly she is not grateful😂 Welcome to Boot Camp Binti. Thank you to Whiskers of Love Cat Rescue & Sanctuary for partnering with me to save her. The shelter staff at ACCT Philly was so excited I was saving her.
Binti is at her 4th stay at ACCT Philly . She has a history of aggression and now skin issues (suspected allergies and over grooming). She is timestamped for euthanasia on Sat. Because of her skin issues, she needs a rescue to take her. My heart literally breaks for this poor girl, and even more since I met her and she seemed sweet. I hope a rescue saves this girl. She's lived a life of being unwanted and it's so sad.
Meet May! My foster from ACCT Philly because sometimes I just need a kitten 🤷🏻♀️
