A Food Bank for Pets

Due to the current economic situation, Michael and Adeana Ruback decided to open a free pet food bank for families that are financially unable to feed their pets. Without this assistance, some of these people would be forced to surrender their pets to shelters or animal control -- or possibly decide to just set them loose to fend for themselves. When a person calls CCPR to inquire about surrendering an animal because of lack of money for food, Michael and Adeana provide canned food, dry food and even cat litter. The food they receive is graciously donated to the food bank by CCPR through the food donation containers at Ingles in Hiawassee and Blairsville. Donations also come from various other sources and if the need arises, Michael and Adeana buy it themselves. Once in a while a recipient of food assistance will give a check for whatever amount they can afford, and this in turn is given back to CCPR.

Michael and Adeana also find out if the pets are spayed or neutered and if their rabies vaccination is current. If not, and it's because of a lack of money, they offer those services with the assistance of Logan's Run Rescue or North Georgia SPCA.

If you or someone you know has pets which they are struggling to feed -- and they live in Union, Towns, or Fannin Counties in Georgia or in Clay, Cherokee or Graham Counties in North Carolina -- please call CCPR at 706-781-3992.

Is Your Dog a Basketcase During Storms?

If you have a dog that is frightened of thunderstorms, here are some tips you can follow to help keep him calm.

• Close windows. Turn on an overhead fan to high and/or a table fan that oscillates on to high speed. This tends to mask outside sounds which is helpful. Close drapes, blinds etc, to cut off any flashing light displays from their view -- they tend to not be frightened of lightning per se but quickly come to associate it with the boom of thunder.
• Thundershirts seem to be effective, too.
• An airline-style crate could be used for the sense of protection/enclosure and noise-muffling qualities, covered with a quilt to muffle sound still further. Then set the oscillating table fan right on the floor in front of the gate. It will disrupt sound transmission and blow air intermittently which is helpful if the dog is panting to keep it from overheating.
• For an animal so terrified by thunderstorms that it bites, the best course of action might is to muzzle them at the first sign of a storm, and then crate. If you see any aggression, just get the dog into a sturdy crate at the first sign so as not to get hurt. If you can do it soon enough that a muzzle isn't needed, that's ever better.
• By the way, meds are notoriously ineffective. Mainly, anything you give when you see a storm coming will not take effect in time to be really kicked in before the storm hits so you end up with a terrified dogs that is doped up after the storm passes. Anything like ACE is just too dangerous (some vet no longer stock it and airlines no longer allow dogs on it -- or any other med -- to fly, so even if you know of old-fashioned or low-cost vet practices that still use, be wary.)

The best research shows that it's the booming deep sound that terrifies them -- not electricity in the air (see Doddman at Tufts for work on this) or the flashing of lightning.

Special Thanks...

A Special Thanks...

To Never Giving Up

A phone call from a woman named Erica in Utah resulted in the rescue of beautiful Crystal. Nate, a firefighter with Utah Department of Natural Resources, was working with Georgia DNR and The Nature Conservancy on prescribed burns near Columbus, Georgia, when a little fluffy white cat moved into the campground where he and co-worker Brad were staying. For the next three weeks she was 'their' kitty but it was time to head back to Utah and Crystal couldn't go with them. Nate's girlfriend Erica called no-kill shelters all over the area but couldn't find anyone to take her. The camp staff planned to shoot her when the guys left, so it was critical to find her a safe place. After a five hour drive to Blairsville we were happy to meet up with them and give refuge to this lovely little cat. Crystal is a very fortunate kitty that Erica, Nate and Brad cared enough to keep trying until they reached Castaway Critters. We feel fortunate too, that we are never hampered in our rescue mission by geographic considerations and can respond to such a heartfelt situation and save a life. Regular updates are being provided to her firefighting crew. Thank you Nate, Erica and Brad for caring about this lovely cat.

The Cat with Feline Leukemia

Leo had just a brief stay at the shelter before a truly wonderful home was located for this leukemia positive cat. He is now named Suede and you can tell from his picture that he is quite happy and relaxed. He shares a large and lovely home with other seriously compromised cats, most suffering from feline leukemia. His caregiver has devoted her life to providing hospice care to these 'unadoptable' kitties. She knows they often have very short lives, only months sometimes, so she has created an environment that gives them 'heaven on earth'. Most important of all, she LOVES them! We were so fortunate to find this sanctuary for our boy and while his caregiver wishes to remain anonymous, we all honor her. Very few people can offer this kind of care and deal with the emotional impact of losing them. Suede, for however long he lives, can enjoy a quality life with lots of love.

Georgette - Dog of the Month

Meet our Dog of the Month: Georgette is a 2-year old female Bluetick Coonhound. She is grey with black patches and has a short, smooth coat with a long tail and weighs about 53 lbs. Georgette was found all alone on a cold winter day starving and pregnant with 10 pups! She is now on her way to finding a forever home, with your help. She is current on all her vaccinations, is spayed, and loves to be around other dogs, cats, and kids! Georgette is ready for adoption!

Call 706-781-3992 or email castaway_critters @ hotmail.com if you would like more information about Georgette.

Bandit - Cat of the Month

Hi, I'm Bandit! I'm a gorgeous silky haired black and white kitty and I'm looking for a special home where I will be loved! I'm very gentle and calm, extremely loving and I enjoy being brushed and petted. I'm about 1 1/2 years old and lived in just one small bedroom until a few months ago. I need a little patience until I learn my new surroundings. I'm not timid but I need a little time to adjust. I have a lot of love to give. I'm well mannered, good with other cats, quiet and would do well in almost any home. Give me a chance and you won't be sorry!

Call 706-781-3992 or email castaway_critters @ hotmail.com for info on Bandit.

A Reminder: The World is a Dangerous Place

The world is a dangerous place for animals. Dogs and cats should never be allowed to run at large. Two cats are recent additions to our cat house and both suffered because they were allowed to roam. While we don't know their histories or how their injuries occurred, neither cat would have suffered had they been cared for and kept indoors.

Tootsie the cat was found starving under a U.S. Forest Service building. She was obviously in pain. She had multiple broken bones, including hip, knee, pelvis and tail bone. She had also been shot with a pellet gun. She is very sweet and loving and was obviously somebody's pet. Fortunately Tootsie is recovering nicely at the shelter.

Fuzzy was dumped with three other cats. His tail was badly damaged and so infected it had to be amputated. He was infested with fleas and ear mites. Fuzzy was unneutered and may have been injured in a fight. He is also very social and loving, another pet left to fend for himself.

We see so many animals, like Miracle the cat, hit by cars and enduring grievous and painful wounds and broken bones. While responsible dog owners are careful to keep their animals behind fences or on a leash, cats are commonly allowed outside. The prevailing myth is: cats need to go out; they need to hunt and climb trees. When the cat disappears, it is assumed that he/she ran away. It's more likely he was hit by a car, attacked and injured or killed by dogs or wildlife, became ill and crawled under a bush to suffer and die, is trapped in a neighbor's shed or garage, or was shot.

The average life span of an inside-only cat is 15 years. Contrast that with the life span of inside/outside cats: 4 years. Inside-only cats are just as happy, cleaner, have fewer parasites, and live much longer than those allowed to roam. Please, spay or neuter your animals and be their responsible caregiver. They depend on you to keep them healthy and safe.