City shelter cat wins top spot in the world

A small white kitten with black spots was abandoned at the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter in late spring; a frightened, lonely little girl without much hope. Today shelter staff learned that the same kitten should now be the poster child for a true rags-to-riches story.

In October the kitten, named Butters, was adopted by a wonderful man from Santa Clara. They met at the two-day Jazzy Cats Cat Show in Sacramento, where several of Ken’s show cats were competing in various categories. The show is a sanctioned event by The International Cat Association.

Butters and other adoptable City Shelter cats and kittens were also there competing in the Household Pet (HHP) categories, on the invitation of Jazzy Cats show manager Gloria Mahan. Competing in the show allowed them to be seen by a large number of people – more than 1,000 members of the public visited the show – thereby increasing their chance of adoption.

What increased their chances the most, however, was the treatment they received at the City Shelter. Like all other animals at the shelter, the cats and kittens had received top-notch treatment, vet care and socialization from shelter staff and volunteers.

Ken Kershaw stopped in at the City adoptables area before the Jazzy Cats show started on the first day and immediately fell in love with the now bubbly, playful and happy Butters. He filled out her adoption papers even before seeing her in action in the competition.

Butters and her fellow City kitties surprised everyone by performing like real pros in the competitions; they earned a total of 50 awards during the two-day show. One kitten even won “Best HHP Kitten in Show” and they all seemed to enjoy the process.

Butters is now named “Feral Faucet” and has been competing in shows across the West Coast since Ken adopted her in October. Kershaw says she loves showing off and strutting her stuff in front of the judges and crowds, and is the happiest and most friendly feline around.

Today Kershaw let City of Sacramento Animal Shelter acting manager Gina Knepp know just how well things have been going for the formerly frightened and lonely little ragamuffin kitten.

“Currently” says Kershaw, Feral Faucet is the “#1 International” Champion in her category, as well as being in the first place position within the Mid-Pacific region.

Knepp is proud of how her shelter staff and volunteers treat the animals in their care. She says that Feral Faucet is living proof that “extraordinary pets can be found in shelters.”

The next Jazzy Cats show is coming up on January 6-8 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. More adoptable Sac City shelter cats will be there, and Feral Faucet herself will return for her first showing as an adult cat. Click here for more information about the show and a coupon for $2.00 off the admission price.

Want to see Feral and the other City kitties during the October show? Click here to see the You Tube video of their Jazzy Cats weekend.

I see Fido kissing Santa Paws – this weekend

Santa is famous for assisting a certain ruby-nosed reindeer gain the affection of his peers, but his philanthropy doesn’t end there. The jolly fellow also works to get pets adopted and to raise money for worthwhile animal rescue groups.

Santa is particularly glad to help LAPCATS, a nonprofit organization created to help special pets from the Sacramento County Animal Shelter. To raise funds for LAPCATS, Santa is happy to pose for a keepsake photograph with your beloved pet.

Since he will be quite busy next week, this is the final weekend that the big man is available for pet photos.

He requests all to dash away, dash away, dash away to the PetSmart in Elk Grove on Saturday 12/17 or Sunday 12/18/11. Being an equal opportunity fellow, Santa has been known to pose with dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and even pet rats.

Within minutes, you will receive one quality printed photograph along with a special Christmas picture frame.

A donation of $10.95 is all it takes; guests with a free PetSmart “PetPerks” card get an even better deal of $9.95 for the pose, photo and frame.

LAPCATS understands how precious our pets are, and is pleased to email you a copy of the photo for an extra $5.00 donation to the rescue group.

During Santa’s visit, you will also have the chance to win unique prizes and gift baskets by participating in the annual raffle. This is a great opportunity to save money and time by winning the perfect gifts for someone on your list.

Proceeds from the photos, raffle and optional email go to support the work of LAPCATS in the Sacramento and Elk Grove area.

Some of the group’s adoptable cats will be at PetSmart during the event and you’re sure to be impressed with these sweet, beautiful animals. All of the cats and kittens have been fully screened to learn about their personality, temperament and health. Placement in temporary foster homes has also given LAPCATS more insight into how each cat interacts and reacts to day-to-day life with people and other pets.

Before joining LAPCATS, each animal has been spayed or neutered, microchipped, given flea/tick/worm treatment, vaccinated, and tested for FELV/FIV.

Please join Santa and an elf or two in celebrating the holidays with your pet.

• Photos with Santa Paws to benefit LAPCATS
• Saturday 12/17 and Sunday 12/18/2011
• 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. both days
• PetSmart Elk Grove
• 8215 Laguna Boulevard
• Elk Grove, CA 95758

A month of free dog food for 2011 adopters

Did you adopt your dream pooch from an animal shelter or rescue group at any time during 2011? Pedigree wants to thank you for rescuing a needy dog, and they’re ready to put their money where their mouth, well, where your dog’s mouth is.

As part of Pedigree’s adoption reward program, rescue groups learned today that eligible adopters in the Sacramento area can get coupons for a free one-month supply of dog food. In the current economy that is an especially nice gift for your wallet as well as for your dog.

The Pedigree coupons are redeemable for one bag (up to 20 pounds) of dry dog food and four 13.2 ounce cans of wet food. Unless the dog you adopted loves to binge and is the size of a bull Mastiff or a giant Newfoundland, that amount of food should last a month for one dog.

Judy Kent of Sacramento nonprofit Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue was pleased to hear that Pedigree is so supportive of animal rescue groups. While Pedigree may gain some new customers who continue to use the product after the freebies, Kent acknowledges that adopters likely have more to gain than the company.

Did you adopt your dream pooch from an animal shelter or rescue group at any time during 2011? Pedigree wants to thank you for rescuing a needy dog, and they’re ready to put their money where their mouth, well, where your dog’s mouth is.   As part of Pedigree’s adoption reward program, rescue groups learned today that eligible adopters in the Sacramento area can get coupons for a free one-month supply of dog food. In the current economy that is an especially nice gift for your wallet as well as for your dog.   The Pedigree coupons are redeemable for one bag (up to 20 pounds) of dry dog food and four 13.2 ounce cans of wet food. Unless the dog you adopted loves to binge and is the size of a bull Mastiff or a giant Newfoundland, that amount of food should last a month for one dog.   Judy Kent of Sacramento nonprofit Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue was pleased to hear that Pedigree is so supportive of animal rescue groups. While Pedigree may gain some new customers who continue to use the product after the freebies, Kent acknowledges that adopters likely have more to gain than the company.

Kent says that “those who adopt animals are special, generous people, and it’s great that a large company is willing to give back”.

To receive the coupons for free food, people simply need to complete a short form and mail it in with proof of adoption, such as a copy of the adoption certificate or receipt for the adoption fee payments.

The company will not be able to return any of the adoption documents they receive, so they request that people only send in copies rather than originals.

If you do not have any of the original adoption documents, contact the shelter or rescue group from which you adopted the dog to see if they are able to provide a copy of it.

This offer is valid for dogs or puppies that were adopted at any point during 2011; unfortunately the exceptional people that bring in stray or abandoned canines are not eligible. Certain restrictions apply, and only one form can be completed per household.

All requests for coupons must be received at Pedigree by January 31, 2012 in order to be eligible.

• Pedigree Adoption Drive – Free Dog Food for 2011 adopters
• Click here for details
• Click here for get the form that needs to be completed.

Holiday shopping; businesses that support what you believe in – Part 1

During the holidays people rush to crowded malls and mass retailers for gifts that often end up being pretty generic and uninspiring. But there are some great gifts available that fill the heart and soul in addition to filling those empty Christmas stockings.

The key is shopping at a place that supports the causes you believe in and that have special and really fun gift options. Suddenly the holiday season will become merrier for everyone involved.

While some mega-monster corporations have their paid staff give help to charities, they operate with multi-million dollar budgets to publicize and market their good works. By contrast, small businesses that help do so without the fanfare or the big money.

If you (or the person you are shopping for) love animals, here is some jolly holiday news.

• Sacramento-area animal shelters and rescue groups have identified small businesses that voluntarily go the extra mile to help them, and there are plenty of options for gift seekers.

This series of articles will profile some of the businesses that put their money where their heart is; part 1 begins with Ned Buratovich, owner of the busy one-man shop imagiNed Web Design

Buratovich is also the creator of the fun and inspirational 100-year “One of These Days” calendar poster.

One of Buratovich’s dearest childhood pals was his short-haired fox terrier named Lucky. When long-time friend Suna Kneisley needed assistance for her Sacramento nonprofit group C.A.T.S. (Cats about Town Society), Buratovich immediately jumped in and offered his talents for free.

Kneisley describes Buratovich as one of the most “boundlessly creative, dynamic and whimsical” people she knows, and is grateful for the large amount of time he has volunteered to create and maintain websites for animal rescue.

She encourages people to visit the sites he does for C.A.T.S. and for the nonprofit Spay It Forward to see just a few examples of his talents.

So what does his passion for the under-dog (or cat) have to do with holiday shopping? The 100 year calendar makes a perfect present and is available online – with no long lines, crowded parking lots or desperate shoppers – for only $15.00. And this gift is a lot more than a blank canvas with numbers on it.

Buratovich describes it as “a long-term project planner, a dream vacation scheduler, the ultimate bucket-list calendar, a lifetime timeline, an anniversary keeper and birthday reminder, a historical push-pin map, a chronological chart AND a work of conceptual art”.

The calendar is an entertaining way to help people appreciate every day of their lives, and comes with a 14-page user’s guide booklet.

Best of all, the calendar is a great present in more ways than one. In addition to being something special they can keep forever, the giver and receiver are partnering with someone who donates his time and talents to help needy animals.

Beats a box of reindeer-decorated socks from a mega-corporation any day.

• LifetimeCalendars.com (or its “evil twin” ProcrastinatorsCalendar.com)
• Both are the same item, created by Ned Buratovich, but “pitched with different spins.”

Happy hour party to benefit Sacramento Pet Food Bank

Put together music, wine and beer, hors d’oeuvres and a chance to win money, and it sounds like a good time. Wave a magic wand; it turns into a party for a great cause and becomes a downright excellent plan.

The event, set for Friday December 9 is a benefit for the Sacramento Pet Food Bank (Titanic’s Pantry) and the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter.

The $5.00 entry fee includefs one drink, wine, beer, water or soda.

There will be a raffle and items for sale, including unique jewelry, artwork and pet supplies. One particular raffle item will appeal to the dog owners on your holiday shopping list; a gift certificate from Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply, Spa and Boutique for a full-service dog bath and grooming.

Bring a donation of cat or dog food, cat litter, toys or other pet care items for Titanic’s Pantry, and get a free ticket to the raffle. The more donations you bring, the more raffle tickets you can get.

“Keys to the Kennel” according to Gina Knepp, Acting Animal Care Service Manager for the City of Sacramento. Knepp said today that the kennel keys are $5.00 each and the winning key will open the lock on a $100.00 prize.

Party attendees should bring either cash or their checkbook, as credit cards can not be used at this event.

There will also be gift certificates from the City of Sacramento Animal Shelter available for sale; this is your opportunity to give a holiday gift that really counts. Certificates can be redeemed for animal adoptions or other services at the shelter.

The benefit will take place in the Garden Room at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, part of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association.

• Titanic’s Pantry Party
• Friday December 9, 2011
• 5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
• Sierra 2 Center Garden Room
• 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818
• $5.00 entry fee includes one drink (Wine, beer, water or soda)
• Raffle tickets are $1.00 each / $5.00 for six; free raffle ticket for donations to the Pantry
• $5.00 for each kennel key for a chance to win $100.00

Talking dog makes shocking confession; Sacramento listens

During a packed press conference in California’s capitol city today, the world’s first English-speaking dog made a brief, direct and indisputable statement. Rupert Smithson, a handsome pooch of undetermined lineage, spoke firmly and without need for a microphone.

“I’m hungry”, said the reddish-brown canine, “and I expect that I will want to eat again tomorrow as well”.

California’s “First Dog” Sutter Brown stepped in to add his support; the Corgi manfully admitted that he also felt the urge to have food on a daily basis.

A petite Persian cat in a flowing white fur coat, dark sunglasses and jeweled collar joined  Smithson and Brown at the podium and faced the crowd defiantly.

“I have an eating disorder”, she said. “Trust me, if I don’t get food every single day I become disorderly in the extreme”.

Although none were asked, she left the podium insisting that she would not answer any further questions.

Upon her departure a stream of pets surged onto the stage in solidarity, confirming that they share the same addiction as Smithson. Despite failed attempts at rehabilitation, all of the animals admitted to craving and essentially requiring food every day of the year in order to survive.

Smithson announced that he was going to a 12-step meeting and left the audience in shocked silence.

Okay, so maybe a bit of the above reporting isn’t completely accurate. In the interest of full disclosure, the Persian’s sunglasses weren’t actually very dark and the press conference wasn’t really all that packed.

But those little fibs did get you to read this far, so please stick around for a moment more.

Real or not, the message of the press conference comes through loud and clear. Just like people, pets need food every day, no matter what the weather is like or how the economy is behaving.

The need for food, whether for children or kittens, has a way of leveling the playing field. As living beings we all need it, and as a community we can help each other get it.

In this community, pet owners needing a little assistance can turn to The Sacramento Pet Food Bank.

Also known as Titanic’s Pantry, the all-volunteer-run nonprofit has helped thousands of families get a portion of their pet’s monthly food at no charge. Without assistance from the Pantry, many would have been forced to surrender their pets to already overburdened animal shelters and rescue groups.

This Saturday there will be a special pet food drive for Titanic’s Pantry, hosted for the third year by the Sacramento Cat Hospital.

Donations of unopened and unexpired cat and dog food (both canned and dry), leashes, collars, cat litter, bedding, and other pet supplies will be gratefully accepted by volunteers at the event. Monetary donations are also welcome, as they can be used to purchase whatever items are most needed.

By the way, Rupert really is hungry every day and the Persian diva can be difficult even after being fed.

• Pet Food Drive for Titanic’s Pantry
• Saturday November 19, 2011
• 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
• Sacramento Cat Hospital
• 4115 Manzanita Ave. Carmichael 95608
• For more information about the pet food drive, contact the Sacramento Cat Hospital at (916) 488-4161 or email info@sacramentocathospital.com.