MESSENGER ANIMAL UMBRELLA. We had known the woman for years. She often rescued cats. A TOUCHING STORY The Rescue of a Homeless Woman s Cats THE

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1 THE ANIMAL UMBRELLA MESSENGER February 2005 Dedicated to the Rescue, Welfare and Adoption of Even the Most Unadoptable Homeless Cats Number 42 Published Quarterly by Animal Umbrella P.O. Box 2675, Acton, MA Tel A TOUCHING STORY The Rescue of a Homeless Woman s Cats We had known the woman for years. She often rescued cats and asked for veterinary care assistance from Animal Umbrella. She saved many animals, often finding homes for them or taking them to her home if no one else wanted them. She has a big heart. She lived with her father in a family owned home. Unfortunately, the father passed away and the woman (we are not disclosing her name for respect of her privacy) lived alone with her fifteen cats. As the house was partially owned by other members of the family, a court battle took place for quite a while. They wanted to sell the house but the woman did not want to leave it. The protracted court battle ended with a decision to evict her and her cats. The woman was to become homeless but she refused to accept the truth. Neighbors and friends had tried to help her for a long time but were unsuccessful to stop the eviction. In late Summer, the day before her eviction, I called the town to verify it was actually happening the following day. Winthrop does not have a cat shelter and I inquired as to what would have happened to her cats. I was told the police would have called a kill shelter to remove them. Most of her cats were unadoptable because of age or handicap. One was feral. After work, I sought the help of four animal lovers (mostly her neighbors and friends) and went to her house. I told her what I had learned. She could not accept the truth. She started to scream and cry and did not want us to take her cats as she did not believe her family would have the courage to evict her. My plan was to spare the cats lives by taking them to our shelter where they would be safe and taken care of. I tried with this plan as well to spare the woman from experiencing the pain of learning that her cats had been destroyed if the police had taken them instead of us. After several agonizing hours, all her cats were rescued and brought to the shelter. It was one of the most painful experiences of my life seeing so much pain and suffering as the woman was gradually losing everything she had dear to her heart and slowly coming to see reality. I want to thank all those that helped save her cats that night, mostly Betty and her sister for their incredible efforts. Several months later, the woman is still homeless. Efforts have been made to find her another place but have been not successful. All her cats are well. Six are in foster homes. She often comes to visit the rest of her cats at our shelter where she gives them love and receives so much comfort from them in return. Several times one of our volunteers Sara has opened her home to her and provided food, warmth and safety. Thank you! We still hope that some day she will find another place where to live safely with her cats. Amen! Annamarie Taylor Some of the Rescued Cats

2 Animal Umbrella PAGE 2 Mission Founded in 1985, Animal Umbrella is a strictly no-kill volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, care and adoption of abandoned cats and kittens. We believe in rehabilitation not destruction and make a special effort to find special homes even for highly unadoptable animals because of handicap, injury, age, behavior, feral status (after being socialized) and FIV or FELV positive. ANIMAL UMBRELLA STREET CATS SHELTER ADOPTIONS Every Saturday 3 to 5 p.m. Please call to set up special appointments. We have relocated to 320B Charger Street, Revere. We are located on the second floor of Paws Here. Call for directions. MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 2675 Acton, MA Tel: (617) WEB: THE ANIMAL UMBRELLA MESSENGER, the official newsletter of Animal Umbrella, Inc. is published quarterly. Managing Editor: Annamarie Taylor Contributors: Names vary from issue to issue Typesetter: Hope Berndt Printer: Copyland, Acton, MA Robert Grant Alan Camara (508) Phone 37 Waverly Street Route 135 on the Natick Town Line Framingham, MA WINTER RAFFLE WINNERS Thank you all so much for making our Winter Raffle a success by buying our tickets! All prizes were donated by several Animal Umbrella volunteers as the shelter could never afford the expense. We greatly appreciate their generosity. 1. Pair of Celtics Tickets Sheila Goldstein Needham 2. Pier 1 Imports Gift Certificate Mary Hohmann Saugus 3. LL Bean Gift Certificate Rosemary Martin Beverly Prize donated back to Animal Umbrella - Thank you!!! 4. Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate Mary & Nick Strachan Scituate 5. Pair of Celtics Tickets Ruth Farrey Woburn 6. Macy's Gift Certificate Betsy Unkel Littleton 7. Home Depot Gift Certificate Steve Cannata Saugus 8. Starbucks Gift Certificate Regis Turmenne Lynn 9. Pair of Celtics Tickets Heather Greene Miller Melrose 10. American Express Gift Certificate S.A. McIntyre Lexington 11. Stop & Shop Gift Certificate Patrick Tacelli Needham 12. Sears Gift Certificate Bernstein Brookline 13. Yankee Candle Gift Certificate Heidi Webb Salem 14. Shaw s Gift Certifcate Carol Phipps Arlington 15. Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate Elaine Manzi Saugus 16. Pair of Celtics Tickets Robert Bianchi, Jr. Lynn 17. Bath & Body Works Gift Certificate Ute Gannett Mendon 18. Bertucci s Gift Certificate Nelda Laws Bradford 19. Eddie Bauer Gift Certificate Sheila Callahan-Young Gloucester 20. AMC Theater Tickets Marty Johnson Malden 21. Macy s Gift Certificate Cathy Peterson Woburn 22. Boston Red Sox Tickets Roman Szymkowski Lynn 23. Pair of Celtics Tickets Robyn Ochs Jamaica Plain 24. Bertucci s Gift Certificate Patty Short Melrose 25. Legal Seafood Gift Certificate Robert Grant Berlin 26. AMC Theater Tickets Sandra Navas Lynnfield 27. Macy s Gift Certificate Margaret Kromhout Salem 28. Bertucci s Gift Certificate Joan Benevides Reading 29. Celtics Tickets (No Bruins) Barbara Westberg Tewksbury 30. Lands End Gift Certificate Celeste Petradelis Hamilton 31. Stop & Shop Gift Certificate Carrie & Ray Fratus Shirley ANIMAL UMBRELLA FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER

3 SAYING GOOD-BYE TO OLD FRIENDS Le Femme, Sable and Bruno in younger, healthier days. s most of you know, Animal Umbrella is both a Ashelter where rescued cats are cared for and adopted out as well as a sanctuary to many homeless cats which are considered unadoptable by other organizations because they are feral, handicapped or old. Most of the cats which people adopt from the shelter are friendlier, younger animals. Less frequently people choose to adopt an older or semiferal cat although we have several success stories. We strive to find a home for everyone but the truth is that some never find a home and remain with us because they are afraid of humans. Over the years, the shelter/sanctuary becomes their home where after being tested, vaccinated and spayed or neutered they are free to roam. We provide many places for them to sleep comfortably, play and socialize with other cats. There is plenty of food and water. Litter is completely changed every day. When they become ill, they receive veterinary care. As time passes on, these cats have become accustomed to our volunteers as they know we love them and care deeply for them. In a way, we have adopted them ourselves because no one else wanted them. The sanctuary is a more humane alternative to leaving them to suffer a prolonged agony in the streets. We know these cats by name and individual traits. Each volunteer has a group of favorites often given special treats. Shelter visitors tell us how they find most of the cats happy and serene. We have many very old time residents and unfortunately some last year, passed away because of old age, kidney or liver failure or cancer. This article is dedicated to them. Our way of saying good bye to old friends and tell them how we miss them. We strived to give them a better life and we hope that somehow they knew that even if other humans did not want them we wanted and loved them and in a way they had found a home of their own in our shelter. Annamarie Taylor ANIMAL UMBRELLA FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

4 Zoe HAPPY ENDINGS He was part of a colony of feral cats living off the rocks of a landfill on the ocean at Logan Airport. They survived because of the kindness of two people who fed them regularly despite the terribly bitter cold in the area. We took into the shelter most of this colony approximately 3-4 years ago. Several cats have been socialized and adopted. Zoe is one of them. He now enjoys the love and care of one of our Revere volunteers and is doing great. Roberta thank you very much for giving him a home of his own. Franny Franny s owner was taken to a nursing home. The woman s family did not want her and brought her to our shelter. Franny, once she realized she had been abandoned, did not eat for a while and attacked anyone who came close to her cage. She was so angry we thought no one would ever take her. With love and patience she very slowly started to come around and finally became adoptable. She lives a great life in Newton and her new owners send us a picture every year. She looks great! Thank you for giving her a second chance. KC She belonged to someone at one time but was abandoned. She came from Revere and has been adopted. They are very happy together as you can see from the photo they sent us. Good job! Eric Meyer/Director 12 Apple Ridge #6 Maynard, MA nettmeyer@hotmail.com CUSTOM HAWG Custom Motorcycles Parts, Accessories & Service Scarborough, ME Worcester, MA PAGE 4 ANIMAL UMBRELLA FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER

5 CHECK OUR OUR NEWLY UPDATED ANIMAL UMBRELLA WEBSITE by Terri Grant Animal Umbrella has a new volunteer webmaster so be sure to check out our website for frequent updates. Here you will find: Updated cat adoption list with adorable pictures Recent newsletters Ability to donate to Animal Umbrella online Upcoming Animal Umbrella cat adoption events Coming Soon: Shop for your favorite Animal Umbrella craft items online! Also did you know you can raise money for Animal Umbrella when doing your online shopping? If you shop at and go to Amazon via the icon on the Animal Umbrella website, a portion of each purchase is donated to Animal Umbrella. All you need to do is go to Amazon via the icon on our website. It is that easy! igive.com gives access to over 400 stores that will donate a portion of your purchase to Animal Umbrella. All you have to do is register at and download the igive shopping window. Then whenever you shop at an igive sponsored store a portion of your purchase will be donated to Animal Umbrella. THANKS FOR BROWSING EDITORIAL NOTE We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Terri Grant, a major long time supporter of Animal Umbrella for introducing Stephen Everett, our new webmaster who will be improving our website with a fresh look. Thank you very much to both of you for your time and dedication to our organization. SHELTER CATS PROFILES Bullwinkle Hello. My name is Bullwinkle. I am a long time resident of the Animal Umbrella shelter. My story is sad but with a good ending. I started my life in the streets like all ferals. My family was living in Malden and survived because a good man was feeding us. Unfortunately, he lived on the other side and we had to cross a very busy street every day. One by one one many of us were run over by cars. I was one of the few lucky cats remaining alive and the man took us to the Animal Umbrella shelter where I was slowly socialized. Some of us were adopted and I am still waiting for a home. I am adorable, a little timid and need to go to a quiet home with other cats to cuddle with. WILL YOU ADOPT ME - PLEASE! ANIMAL UMBRELLA FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER PAGE 5

6 RECENT RESCUE STORIES Please support these cats with your donations. Thank you! Ninja Ninja survived his house fire (unfortunately the pet dog did not) and managed to escape. His owners moved to another location but left him behind. He remained faithfully there and only survived because of the goodness of a neighbor who fed him for quite a while. She brought him to us the day before the big snow storm. He is beautiful, with double paws and friendly. Can somebody give him a home? He deserves it after what he has gone through. Lucky Only by sheer luck we met someone at a pet store who told us about a handicapped Lynn cat roaming in an area where a coyote was attacking felines. The poor cat s head is twisted for some reason. We rescued him but found out he was filled with bites of unknown origin and was placed on a six month rabies quarantine by the vet. He is very scared as you can see from this photo but has gained a lot of weight. Hopefully one day he will not be afraid of humans and can be adopted. The Barking Basket Pet Gift Baskets for all Occasions Treat the pets in your life with a special basket filled with toys, treats and accessories. Each basket is made with tender loving care and is a Barking Basket original - no two are exactly alike! Call Jeannie at bolton fitness Margo Meyer, NASM, ACE, CPT Owner, Certified Personal Trainer 626 Main Street, Bolton, MA ph: ww.boltonfitness.com boltonfitness@yahoo.com PAGE 6 ANIMAL UMBRELLA FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER

7 Animal Umbrella Year 2005 Membership Drive Since 1985, Animal Umbrella, a volunteer strictly no kill statewide humane organization has been rescuing, spaying/neutering, testing, vaccinating and adopting thousands of abandoned cats and kittens from the streets. We make an effort to find special homes even for highly unadoptable cats because of: handicap, injury, age, behavior, feral (after being socialized) and FIV and Feline Leukemia positive animals. We would like to ask that you consider sending your year 2004 membershi donation so that we can continue our humane work. By becoming an Animal Umbrella member, you will receive our quarterly newsletter updating you on our latest rescue stories. Your tax deductible contribution will help us save injured or sick animals, socialize unadoptable cats, spay/release feral colonies to reduce unnecessary suffering, finance low cost spay/neuter programs for indigent cat owners and keep our no kill shelter and feral cats sanctuary open. Share this information with relatives, friends and work peers. Your combined support will save many animals from the harshness of street life. THANK YOU! Visit our web site at. Our shelter is located at 320B Charger Street, Revere. We are located on the second floor of Paws Here. Visiting days are every Saturday from 3:00-5:00pm. Other days by special appointment only. Call us at Belle A couple moved to a new location. For days they heard a cat crying but could not locate it until they realized that the cat was trapped in an area within the roof of the house. When they made a hole in the wall, Belle a multi-colored long haired cat came out. She was badly malnourished and dehydrated. She was brought to the shelter to recover from the terrible trauma of being buried alive for who knows how long. A wonderful animal lover saw her picture and adopted her. She is now living a very pampered life and hopefully love and care will make her forget this terrible ordeal. Name Address City State Zip Tel. Are you currently a member? Yes No Monthly Contributor.$25 Annual Member......$35 Supporter $50 Save a Stray $75 Contributor $100 Sponsor $250 Other Are you currently on our mailing list? Yes No Animal Umbrella Contributions are tax deductible THANK YOU! MAIL TO: Animal Umbrella, P. O. Box 2675 Acton, MA Tel

8 The Animal Umbrella Streets Cat Shelter is located at: 320B Charger Street (on the second floor of Paws Here) Revere, MA Animal Umbrella is a statewide volunteer non-profit organization, dedicated to the rescue, welfare and adoption of even the most unadoptable homeless cats. Monthly Contributor $25 Annual Member $35 Supporter $50 Save a Stray $75 Contributor $100 Sponsor $250 Other Animal Umbrella contributions are tax deductible. Animal Umbrella meetings are held regularly. Please call us for dates and times. Name Street City State/Zip Phone Do you currently receive our newsletter? How did you hear about Animal Umbrella? MAIL TO: ANIMAL UMBRELLA P.O. BOX 2675 ACTON, MA TEL: (617) WEB ADDRESS: ANIMAL UMBRELLA P.O. BOX 2675 ACTON, MA