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Feline Friends of Destin>
Feline Friends Feral Cat Holidays
December 19, 2006
WHY CELEBRATE NATIONAL FERAL CAT DAY?
Do you really want your tax dollars to support separating
tiny nursing kittens in the wild from their mother?
The usual animal control solution isn’t a solution.
We celebrate National Feral Cat Day to make the Destin and
national community aware that there’s an answer for feral
cats that works --an answer you can feel good about.
There is a solution that not only reduces feral cat
populations, but also improves the lives of feral cats:
Trap-Neuter-Return. TNR is a proven procedure in which
entire colonies of stray and feral cats are humanely
trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and neutered by
veterinarians. Kittens and tame cats are adopted into good
homes. Adult cats too wild to be adopted are returned to
live out their lives under the watch of voluntary
caregivers.
TNR works The breeding stops. Populations are gradually
reduced. The annoying behaviors of breeding cats, like
yowling or spraying, stop. The cats are vaccinated against
disease, and they are fed on a regular schedule. This
ongoing care creates a safety net for both the cats and the
community."Life is a Beach" for the Destin feral cats as
they keep our community free of pests. They have
become part of the Destin landscape and our visitors love
them too!
FELINE FRIENDS 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Feline Friends of Destin has been working hard
and has sterilized over 500 feral cats this year and
returned them safely to their colonies. This has
significantly reduced the problem and supported control of
pests in the City of Destin.
The PETsMART Adoption Center Program has adopted out over
490 homeless cats and kittens. An average of 10 cats or
kittens a week are adopted to wonderful homes.
SIGNIFICANT RESCUE MISSIONS (See Photos in Photo Section)
The following story appeared in the NWF Daily News:
ET Kitty In A Jar-ET Comes Home
Date : April 20, 2006 (See photos in our photo album)
Cat’s stuck head finally freed from jar
By Liza Martin
E.T. is finally home.
After spending six days with his head stuck in a Mason
jar, the year-old, 18-pound black cat has returned safely
to his owner on Kelly Street. E.T.’s owner, who asked that
she not be identified, called Anne Herriott of Feline
Friends on Saturday, April 8, for assistance in removing
E.T.’s head from the jar he found snooping around in some
trash. Feline Friends is a "no kill,” non-profit Destin
organization that finds homes for domesticated cats and
ensures that feral cats are healthy and sterilized.
Herriott arrived at the scene to find that in a frenzy
to free his head from the jar, E.T. had broken the jar,
leaving a jagged necklace of glass around his neck.
“One false move and it would have cut his neck nearly
through,” Herriott said. Two Destin veterinarians, the
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, and a dart gun were brought
in after Feline Friends President Shayne McCullough and
other volunteers tried unsuccessfully for days to catch the
animal, which refused to eat, be trapped, or even come near
humans. “It was just awful. After seeing him for six days
like that, we felt the cat would be better off dead,”
McCullough said. Frustrations in trying to find help eased
when Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge lent McCullough a
tranquilizer gun, and Dr. David Henderson at Village
Veterinary Clinic, along with Dr. Kelly Haeusler at Airport
Veterinary Clinic, put together a tranquilizer dart to
sedate E.T. and remove the broken jar. Charles Morgan, who
owns Harbor Docks restaurant and has a 2-year old cat,
“Tom-Tom,” offered to help find and tranquilize E.T. “We
gave it our best effort but we couldn’t find the
cat,” he said. Morgan has been on the board of Feline
Friends for a year and said the organization “has a real
humane program.” “Feline Friends is one of the greatest
organizations around here that you don’t hear much about,”
he said. “And Shayne McCullough is really something.”
On Thursday, McCullough used the tranquilizer gun to
sedate E.T. and took him to Village Veterinary Clinic,
where Henderson used pliers to remove the broken jar from
the cat’s neck. McCullough said, “We had a little trouble
finding where he fell asleep, and he was a little mad after
the incident, but he’s fine now.” Herriott, who loves
animals, said it’s important to remember to not leave open
jars in the trash. “If anything, this shows that you
shouldn’t throw away open jars, or other pets could end up
like E.T.,” she said.
CHANCE GOT TWO KITTENS TO REMEMBER HIS FRIEND
This is the story of Chance: BY Jane Ricketts
I received a phone call from Chance. He told me he wanted
to adopt a cat. He said his co workers were putting money
together to pay for the adoption. He went on to tell me
his partner and puppy had been killed the week before on
Halloween night. They were hit by a drunk driver and
killed instantly. Chance said he just didn't want to go
home at night. As we talked I suggested he adopt two cats
instead of one. I told him the advantages of having two
and about our discount for the second cat. He listened and
then I made an appointment to meet him that night at the
adoption center. When I arrived he was already there,
looking through the glass. He spent time with several
cats, trying to decide. Then he choose the two he wanted.
Before he left the center he told me their names...Midnight
and Pumpkin. this was in memory of
his friend and puppy that got killed that night.
(SEE MORE RESCUE STORIES IN THE PHOTO SECTION)
MANY THANKS
From Shayne McCullough President
Although it would be impossible to thank everyone who
supports Feline Friends in so many ways, I would like to
acknowledge a few people who have been especially helpful:
- Charles and Carla Morgan,from Harbor Docks
- Melissa Smith at the Cat Clinic
- Jackie Tway, Harbor Docks
- Amy Perry, Pleat & Perry, P.A.
- Harry Schwartz Foundation
- Cheryl Sharpe,
- Genevieve Moye
- Andrea Richards
- Anne Herriott & Joe Mras
- PETsMART of Destin & Adoption Center Volunteers,
- Trappers, Feeders, Foster Homes
- Linda Hodges,Kathy Furlong
- Maryetta Doss, Jane Ricketts, Kitty Phelps, Tami Baker,
Mary Louise Laney, Lena Rodriguez, Rachel & Hannah Simerly,
Midge Denton, Cheri Matros, Gloria Reid.
- Sandestin Homeowners Association
- Hidden Dunes, Parrot Heads
All of our dedicated Veterinarians for their medical care
to our cats and kittens.
IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
New Trapper Takes Charge and Makes a Difference!
- Linda Hodges, Miramar Beach - Linda had a need for help
and, since FF was shorthanded, she became one of our best
trappers. After a lesson and viewing a video, she became a
a real pro at trapping. Over 10 cats and kittens in her
neighborhood were lucky enough to get her help. She even
purchased her own humane trap after finding out
she was really good at trapping and wanting to help more
cats and kittens. The neighborhood is getting in order. TNR
works and you can try to take action in your own
neighborhood. As a concerned neighbor, Linda took action
and made a humane difference. Now she relaxes on her deck
and has a controlled colony and feeding station, including
new furry friends that visit her with purrs and love. Her
neighbors are happy, too, and are collecting donations to
help out FF. Go Linda!!!
Foster Mom For Special Needs Cats
- Maryetta Doss, Foster Mom on Holiday Isle, takes charge
by running ads at her expense to help special needs cats
get a home. Many of these adult cats had been in the
PetsMart adoption center for several months without getting
adopted. Some of them, like Duchess,are sweet and
beautiful but do not behave in the kennels. Many of the
adult cats are very scared to be left in a cage and do not
show their real personality. Maryetta designed ads and
discussed each cat with the new prospective pet parents.
All of them found new homes and turned out to be very
loving affectionate pets and are making families happy in
their new homes. Thanks Maryetta!!! (Picture in Photo
section)
HOLIDAY PET SAFETY TIPS
For many, Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is your
annual tree-shopping (or chopping!) day. If you decorate a
tree and have pets in your home, consider these safety
tips. Keep the water stand covered. If your dog or cat
drinks out of a toilet bowl, they're sure to slurp from the
tree stand. The pine-sap and water mixture can make him
very ill. The box of See’s candy, even if wrapped, won’t
fool a dog’s nose. Each holiday season, pets who’ve
ingested chocolate end up in emergency veterinary clinics
for treatment. The holidays can be equally perilous for
cats. Make sure your tree is secure in its stand. And,
avoid tree tinsel, the shimmery stuff that gives your tree
the appearance of icicles, as it’s enticing to some cats.
Stress, heartache and dollar signs will replace the
sugarplums dancing in your head when you’re in an emergency
vet office. Once your decorating is done, vacuum! Make sure
to get any stray ornament hooks. Finally, while you’re
making your list and checking it twice, you can always add
“favorite Feline Friends of Destin” to your gift giving
list along with your favorite two and four-legged friends.
Our Kitties take paper or plastic!
EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS HELD
SANTA CLAWS PHOTOS
Thanks to Jane Ricketts this year as the coordinator for
the Santa Claws pictures at PetsMart. All the cute pets got
a picture with Santa and part of the proceeds went to
Feline Friends.It was a success this year!!!
Thanks to all our voluteers for their participation.
KIDZ On The Coast Magazine welcomed Feline Friends of
Destin as one of the groups to join in all the fun at
the Destin Commons Oct. 14th. They watched local
kids perform from many different schools and took part in
showing off what Feline Friends does for Destin. Jordan and
Ashley were dressed up as sweet felines along with Shayne
and several other volunteers as they passed out info on
Feral Cat Day. Buddy, the South Bay success feral kitten,
stood by and was happy to listen to all the music as
people admired him. He is as sweet and as tame as can be,
thanks to Feline Friends. (see photo)
MARY CAT PARTY with Mary Kay Cosmetics was held
in August to let the ladies have an evening of beauty.
Shayne was the Hostess and went over the top in providing
the best goodies and beautiful Pink Cat dishes to put us
all in the mood of Think Pink!! 20% of the proceeds went to
support Feline Friends. Anne was the Mary Kay Consultant
that presented some Heavenly beauty products.
FUNDRAISER IDEAS NEEDED
*** We welcome any donations and fundraiser ideas. The City
of Destin had to cut back their budget and we were slashed
along with a planned Dog Park. If you would like to do a
fundraiser, that would be wonderful. Thanks again for all
your support and have a safe and fun Halloween.
Also, any volunteers that would like to trap
for Winter for Feral Cat awareness and TNR
are needed.
We Welcome Our Snowbirds Back! To Volunteer
Call 850-837-3869
Feline Friends of Destin, Inc. is a registered non-profit
organization. We encourage you to check GuideStar or any
reliable nonprofit database before donating money to any
charity.
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