Home Van Pet Care News

HOME VAN PET CARE PROJECT NEWS – October 2010

From: Elizabeth Howard, Project Coordinator

Today there is an actual chill in the air … we’re refurbishing our cold weather shelters for the animals and will have a stock of hay for the homeless pet owners who want to insulate their animal shelters. Most people, we are glad to say, bring their animals in to their tents so they keep each other warm, but just in case we will have hay and those handy Mylar blankets for anyone in need.

Those Pups:  We did get our share of pups … they were born in early August under a bush at WalMart where their people were sleeping in their car. We met up with them the very next day and encouraged a visit to the St. Francis Veterinary Clinic as well as a campsite rather than the car.  St. Francis stepped in with their wonderful care and even visits to the campsite. Our project assisted with pet food and contact information. The mom dog was spayed through PetSnip and we were strongly hoping that the caretakers would allow us to put the pups into a rescue group for adoption but they have refused. That’s a disappointment for us and we believe, a risk for the pups. It’s difficult for me to write or speak of these situations so we must just say that we have done our best and we will try to keep the lines of communication open, for the sake of the animals.

Home for One Kitty:  Our little orange boy kitty from Melrose has a home and is safe. He is one of several kitties that we took to PetSnip for neuter and vaccinations. We wish him the best in his new life.

Wild ones: We also trapped and took to PetSnip three of the kitties who were left in Tent City by their wild mama. That mom is a legend … she is like a shadow and is one of those females who are difficult to find for spay … at least this time the babies won’t have babies and they are being fed.

Medical Foster Needed:

Boots the Cat and the Tent City Tribe: Our own colony, the Tent City Tribe, all long-time spayed and neutered, are well and are exploring the fresh hay and clean shelters. We are still concerned about Boots, who has rather severe hair loss. We suspect ringworm and have a lot of info about it. A culture to be sure takes 10 days.If you want to take in Boots, with potential vet care need, please let us know. At this time, he seems to be responding to herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. He is a sweet and rather tame kitty who could move right into foster and permanent home. We will also accept special donations for our medical care fund and we will fund his medical expenses if you can take him in. Please call Elizabeth at 352-473-9423 for more info.

Hard Times: Over the last few weeks at pet food distribution times we notice that people who ordinarily provide their own pet food are coming to us for help. Those “odd jobs” and “day labor” situations have dried up, and no one is buying those craft and other items that homeless friends sometimes have for sale. Several new people have also turned up, seeking food for their pets.

We are glad to help, but this increases our need for pet food. We always need bags of cat food and dog food as well as canned fishy-type cat food. Call 352-473-9423 to arrange for drop off. Financial donations to Home Van Pet Care Project should be made payable to St. Vincent DePaul Society, earmarked for Home Van Pet Care, and mailed to P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville FL 32604. Contact coordinator Elizabeth Howard at 352-473-9423 or cell 352-359-5712, holisticliz@hotmail.com.