Dear Friend,

North Shore Animal League America is sad to report that one of our Sponsor Program cats, Buttermilk, passed away on April 15, 2012.

Buttermilk entered the Sponsor Program in 2007, suffering from Atopic Dermatitis caused by severe skin allergies. Luckily, the condition was controllable through daily oral medication, a lifelong treatment protocol.

Buttermilk spent the last five years with a wonderful adoptive family, who also adopted his best friend and littermate, Anisette. The two cats were an inseparable pair that got along beautifully.

This Easter Sunday, Buttermilk began exhibiting unusual behavior, which was of great concern to Tara, his adoptive mother. Typically a very healthy eater with a big appetite, Buttermilk refused his food. In addition, his breathing was slightly labored.
Tara immediately brought him to the Animal League’s Veterinary Center, where tests revealed problems with Buttermilk’s liver values. He was admitted to the hospital and given fluids for dehydration.

Still unable to eat, Buttermilk was put on a feeding tube in the days that followed, and the determined cat seemed to gain strength, putting back a pound of lost weight. As Tara put it, “When we visited he seemed to be back to himself again—bright eyed, curious and cuddly.”

But test results that came back on Thursday, April 12, confirmed the family’s worst fears: the precious cat had cancer. Buttermilk was too weak to endure a biopsy to determine what kind of cancer, but the hope was that he would soon get stronger and be able to undergo treatment. Sadly, he passed away three days later.

Tara asked us to share her thoughts with all of those who have loved and supported her dear cat over the past five years: “I cannot begin to explain how heartbroken I am without him in the house. As a pet owner, you know the day will inevitably come when you see your pet get old and deteriorate. I just never expected it to be this difficult. No matter how young or old a pet is, you really don’t realize just how big a part of your day they are until they are not around.”

The Animal League extends our heartfelt sympathy to Buttermilk’s family. They, along with Anisette, are deeply feeling the loss of their beloved cat. The family asked us to thank all of you for so generously supporting Buttermilk and other pets like him through donations to our Sponsor Program.

Sincerely,
The Sponsor Team

Penny’s adopted mother reports that our dear girl is doing very well. She is physically strong and her health is holding steady. She found a new cat food that Penny loves. The house smells like roses again. Lindsay, Penny’s adopted mother is really enjoying Penny a lot more lately. She is learning how to live among several other feline roommates. Penny always had a friendly demeanor, but at times she was overly shy or spooked, and other times overly aggressive during playtime. Lindsey is happy to report each month any new behaviors she sees coming from Penny. There was a time Penny was afraid to have her face stroked, but now she lifts her face up to Lindsey’s hand to get her chubby cheeks and chin rubbed. Penny lets her know it feels good by purring. She is a super sweet cat and has adjusted to living with a full house of other kitties.

SPONSOR ME!

August 2010: Good news, Bonnie has not had a seizure in a while! She continues to take her medication to prevent these episodes. All the volunteers and staff take great efforts to keep Bonnie in a calm environment to prevent any recurrence of her seizures. She remains a content cat that enjoys cuddling with the volunteers and veterinary technicians that care for her in the shelter; she likes plenty of attention and has no problem demanding it! She also enjoys the comfort of her fancy duplex home with plenty of space to lie around and play. However, every so often she does venture out and prances around the cat room in the shelter. She is very social in the company of people, no so much with other cats. The proof was at the photo and video shoot we had recently at the Animal League. All the attention from the camera crew was very calming for her. Bonnie continues to take her medication like a good girl and is closely monitored.

September 2010: Bonnie adores her duplex home in the Animal League’s shelter with plenty of space to move around. She seems quite content and comfortable. Bonnie isn’t a very social cat when it comes to other cats but she really enjoys the company of people. The proof of that was at the photo and video shoot we had recently at the Animal League. All the attention from the camera crew was very calming for her. Bonnie continues to take her medication like a good girl and is closely monitored.

October 2010: Our Bonnie is doing very well and is a favorite in the shelter Cat Room with the volunteers and staff. She is the first cat that is let out of her cage for playtime every morning – something she feels she is entitled to this because of her seniority! She spends a good part of her day patrolling the Cat Room. She even has a job –“Correction Cat”. She lets the kittens and younger cats know who is boss – and gets the respect she deserves from them. If a kitten or rambunctious cat is getting a little out of hand, Bonnie takes over and shows them how an Animal League cat is expected to behave! All the volunteers and staff watch her closely so she won’t get too excited. She has been seizure free for several months now.

SPONSOR ME!

March 2010:
Kyle’s foster mother is happy to report that he has been feeling great. He continues to follow her everywhere and shows his love for her by spending a lot of time resting next to her and talking to her with his “meows”. He has also been playing around with some of his favorite toys. There are a few new ones that he loves so much that he won’t let them out of his sight. He even keeps them next to his food dish while he eats! He is very possessive, but in a good way.

April 2010:
We are happy to report that Kyle’s foster mother says he is healthy and well. No new “meows” added to his vocabulary this month but she will let us know when Kyle says something new. He continues talking with her with his “meows” as she gets ready for work or when she is going out. It’s as if he knows she will be gone for a while. He is a very vocal and loving cat. Kyle’s foster mother loves him dearly.

May 2010:
Kyle’s foster mother says he is doing fine. Kyle continues to be the sweet and lovable cat we know him to be. His health has been good and catching up with his great spirit. He currently no longer needs to take his medication. Now he’s able to enjoy his days even more – especially all the cat naps he grabs on his foster mother’s big bed! When he awakes each morning he loves to talk to his foster mother with his loud meows before she leaves for work! While she’s away, our shy boy Kyle doesn’t dare venture out into the hallways along with the other cats in the retirement community he lives in. He waits patiently for her so they can cuddle up once again for bedtime.

June 2010:
Kyle’s foster mother, Yvonne, is happy to report that he doig well. Kyle continues to be the sweet and lovable verbal cat we love. He continues to follow Yvonne everywhere she goes and shows his love for her by spending a lot of time resting next to her and talking to her with his “meows”. He has been playing with some new toys that have quickly become his favorites and that he won’t let out of his sight. He is still very protective of his foster mother and very possessive of his favorite toys.

February 2010 Update: Bonnie’s health has been great and she hasn’t had any seizures for a while. While she isn’t the most social cat when it comes to other felines she likes it when people make a fuss over her. One of the Animal League volunteers often engages Bonnie with a laser pointer; Bonnie loves chasing it all over the cat room floor and up the walls! Bonnie continues to take her medication like a good girl and is being closely monitored. We have made great effort to keep her in a calm and stable environment to prevent any seizures.

March 2010 Update: Unfortunately, Bonnie has recently suffered two seizures. Animal League veterinarians are not sure what is setting off these seizures, but they will continue to closely monitor Bonnie. They have also advised to continue her on the same medication. Although she did suffer a small set back with the seizures, that didn’t stop her from licking the volunteers who fuss all over her. She is most happy when the volunteers play with a laser pointer; Bonnie loves chasing it all over the cat room floor and up the walls. Because of your generosity, we can continue to care for and provide love to our dear Bonnie.

April 2010 Update: All the pets here at North Shore Animal League America experience their ups and downs and our special-needs pets are no exception. While Bonnie has been feeling good since being back here at the Animal League, there have been a few times when she has experienced a seizure. Our loving staff in the shelter makes sure to administer Bonnie’s daily medication to help prevent these occurrences and this has helped greatly. The few times that a seizure has occurred, the staff comforted her with extra care. Thank you for your dedication and your support of Bonnie which helps to provide her with the daily medication she needs.

SPONSOR ME!

February 2010 Update: We are happy to report that Avida is doing well! Her foster mother told us that she very much enjoyed the holiday season. She likes the cold weather. She takes pleasure in curling up in front of the wood burning fireplace to warm herself. She has begun to show some signs of getting older and has become more tolerant of the other cats in the home. Overall her health is good, but she still relies on her inhalers to keep her breathing comfortable. She is certainly happy to be one of the lucky cats to be in a foster home!

March 2010 Update: Avida’s foster mother reports that she is doing well. She is on a combination of oral and inhaled prescriptions. Her skin coat has improved as well as her energy level. She still fights for the best place by the pillow. Sometimes she tolerates sharing it with her fellow housecats. They are all looking forward to spring and birds in the window! Because of your generosity, we can continue to care for and provide love to our dear Avida.

April 2010 Update: We are happy to report that Avida is doing well. She is still on a combination of oral and inhaled prescriptions. Her foster mother always comments to us that Avida is a very loving cat. She enjoys her life even though she is challenged by her medical condition. Often, she can be found purring and lounging in peace for hours. Thank you for enabling Avida and all of the pets in the Animal League’s Sponsor Program to live the best quality of life possible through your support.

SPONSOR ME!

February 2010 Update: Sweet Katie has been feeling better. Her bronchitis is fully resolved and her asthma is under control. She continues to be the most gentle and loving cat that her foster mother has ever taken care of. Katie spends her days in the comfort of her foster care home with plenty of toys to keep her busy and naps by the sunlight or windowsill. We are so happy to be able to give her the best quality of life possible.

March 2010 Update: Unfortunately, Little Katie is still having small asthma attacks. She is on a medication called Prednisone which is administered by her foster mother every three days. The medication seems to be helping her. She will be seeing an Animal League veterinarian soon for more x-rays. Otherwise, Katie is doing fine and as always she remains very happy and very sweet. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on her progress.

April 2010 Update: Sadly, Katie is still having small asthma attacks. Test results from the Animal League’s on-site medical center confirm chronic bronchial asthma. Her foster mother is waiting for medication to arrive that the Animal League has placed a special order for. Katie will be on an inhalator and she is now on oral prednisone to help with her asthma attacks which is administered by her foster mother every 3 days. Otherwise, Katie is doing fine. Thank you for your support of Katie which helps to enable her to receive the medication and intensive care she needs.

SPONSOR ME!

February 2010 Update: No news is often good news where the Animal League’s special-needs Sponsor Program pets are concerned. Missy’s medical condition remains the same. Sun worshiper Missy is not a fan of the winter season. That means her hours spent in the sunlight are at their shortest. Her foster mother, Sabine, will often find her sitting in front of the computer modem that has little lights. It’s always amazing to us how the animals know where to find the absolute best places to nap!

March 2010 Update: Can you believe that Missy has been in our care since 2005? Thankfully, Missy is one of the luckier pets in the Sponsor Program. Her medical condition, although life-long, has not changed for the worse. Her foster mother vigilantly monitors her health and makes sure that all her needs, physical and emotional, are met. Her foster mother has been doing the same for another deserving cat in our program named Stripe, also in our care for five years. It is only with the help of generous monthly support from kindhearted Sponsor Program donors like you that this is made possible. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of all our special-needs pets.

April 2010 Update: Littermates Missy and Stripe appear to be getting along better with each other. Stripe does not dominate Missy as often as he used to. Missy’s condition prohibits her from defending herself and Stripe sometimes takes advantage of that. He does not really hurt her, but Missy protests loudly by letting out a cry. She’ll eventually settle down and go back to normal. Missy does not seem to hold a grudge. There is something new and adorable to report about them – they have been sleeping in the same cat bed together! Stripe is doing well on his medications. He has to be watched closely as he will sometimes spit them out. If you enjoy sponsoring Missy, please think about sponsoring Stripe this year. They are a wonderful pair and need your support.

SPONSOR ME!

We are happy to report that Sponsor Program cat Penny had her wellness check-up recently and her “numbers” are all good. Her renal disease has not progressed at all. Unless being a foodie is considered a disease! She did gain half a pound which is not good for Penny. Her adopted family is concentrating more on her activities level. Her favorite way to stay active is with string. She has toys galore, but when she gets any piece of string, that’s all she will play with. She is free to roam, eat and sleep where she pleases. Penny’s adopted mother and the Animal League thank you for your generous contributions and love for Penny which help pay for the medical supplies and wellness visits needed to keep her living the best quality of life possible.

SPONSOR ME!

December 2009 Update:

We are happy to report that Kyle continues to enjoy a carefree life at home with his foster mother.  At home, Kyle is happy to enjoy the winter weather from afar and you will catch him perched on the window sill watching all the happenings outside.  When he’s finished gazing for hours, his foster mother usually finds him lounging around for nap time in his favorite spot on the couch.  However, he does hop up on the bed for some rest when the mood strikes him. It’s quite a sight to see Kyle cuddled up with a bunch of stuffed animals including a lion, owl, fox and kitty cat. You almost can’t tell which one is him!

January 2010 Update:

Kyle’s foster mother is happy to report that he has been feeling great.  He continues to love her to death and spends a lot of time resting next to her and talking to her with his “meows”.  He has also been playing around with some of his favorite toys in tow, a few new ones he loves so much that he won’t let them out of his sight.  He even keeps them next to his food dish while he eats!  He is very possessive.

February 2010 Update:

Kyle is doing well and seems very happy.  His vocabulary has increased.  Every morning when his foster mother says “good morning Kyle” he looks at her and says “Meow”.  He does this each and every morning.   He astounds her every day.  She combs him daily (which he loves) and consequently his coat is very smooth and shiny.  He’s such a darling! He follows her from room to room and in the morning he’ll sit on a little table and watch her put on her make-up.  He loves her so much.  He is a very lucky kitty and he deserves it.

SPONSOR ME!