2011 a great year for the cats

Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic helped more cats than ever this past year. The clinic spayed/neutered 7,445 cats and kittens. Of those, 1,450 were ferals. The shelter took in 258 cats and kittens and adopted out a record 218. In contrast, in 2010, we took in 134 and adopted out 113. (A total of 53 cats were adopted in November and December, while the adoption committee promoted the “From Homeless to Home for the Holidays” campaign. If you want to join the committee, please attend the next meeting Jan. 12. Details in the calendar.)

Thank you to the adopters, clinic clients, donors and fundraisers, shelter volunteers, clinic staff, veterinary offices, board members,  foster families, the TNR committee, colony caretakers, the adoption committee, Cincinnati Cats and everyone else.  Let’s celebrate together at the OAR A”cat”emy Awards on Feb. 25. And here’s to more great achievements in 2012!

Clinic expands to 5 days a week

The spay/neuter clinic’s 2011 success means we’re adding hours. Starting this week (Jan. 9), we’re open for surgery Mondays-Fridays.  Ferals welcome without appointment but must arrive by 11 a.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday.  Appointments: 513-871-0185. More info: www.neutervilleexpress.com.

• A PetSmart Charities grant for $8,425 will allow us to “beat the heat” in February and lower the cost of surgery plus a rabies shot for female cats and kittens to $20.
• In observance of Spay Day (Feb. 28), we’ve received a grant from the Greg Biffle Foundation and will join with Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry to offer free spay/neuter surgery to its clients in mid-February. In addition, we’re offering free spay/neuter Feb. 28 to Hamilton residents in need.

My Furry Valentine open house, Feb. 10

Which cats will be crowned king and queen at this year’s My Furry Valentine Party? OAR already treats its shelter cats like royalty, but the top titles depend upon your votes at our open house 6-9 p.m. Feb. 10. Enjoy free refreshments, enter to win a raffle basket, and make valentines for the cats and cat people in your life.  Volunteers are needed to bring desserts and appetizers and to work at the event. Contact Beth, bjohnston@fuse.net or 513-575-1771.

A"cat"emy Award tickets on sale now

OAR’s second A“cat”emy Awards Extravaganza is 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 25 at The Gardens, 1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, Ky. Tickets ($50 each, $16 of which is tax-deductible) are available through Feb. 13. The price includes hors d'oeuvres, a glass of wine, dinner (vegetarian option available) and dessert.  Go to www.ohioalleycat.org, call 513-675-0628 or email OARawards@ohioalleycat.org.  Fox19 meteorologist Katy Morgan returns to emcee the event, which will feature movie trivia for prizes, a wine toss game, live and silent auctions and a “swag bag.”

Thank you to our first business sponsors, Veterinary Medical Center of Independence and Webster Veterinary. We are continuing to accept business, group and individual sponsorships ($250-$2,500), plus items and gift certificates for auction. Contact OARawards@ohioalleycat.org to donate. Auction items include a Bourbon Trail getaway and a night downtown at the Palace Restaurant and Cincinnatian Hotel.

Be an Angel to a shelter cat

Some shelter residents that are shy, older or a little feisty need extra TLC to help them on their way to a forever home.  Tina DeLorenzo has established the Angel Program to round up other volunteers who’ll pledge to give these cats the attention and socialization they crave.  As the year began, 34 Angels were caring for 48 adult cats. Three cats had already been adopted since the program was created in late fall. Contact Tina@casadelorenzo.com to help. “I have seen remarkable changes in some of the cats over the last month and know that they will only get better with more TLC,” Tina says.

Adoption spotlight: Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn is one of the adult cats in the Angel Program. Tuesday volunteer Susan Widder is giving this soft gray tabby extra cuddle time.  As a result, Gwendolyn, who used to curl up in a cube in her cage, has come out of her shell.  She was rescued from a parking lot with her two kittens and is only 1 or 2. Despite her time on the streets, she is a sweet, gentle cat. If you are interested in adopting Gwendolyn or any other cat, fill out a questionnaire.

Fundraising round-up

OAR’s fundraising committee thanks Beth Muccillo for her many years at the helm. Beth is stepping away from the post to spend more time with family, but she’s not leaving OAR or the garage sale. (Thank goodness!) Tricia Fetters is now leads the committee and shares end-of-2011 successes:

• OAR was honored to be included for a second year on the Cincinnati Zoo’s Annual Enrichment Gift Tree as the domestic cat recipient group. Employees and volunteers took “wish list” ornaments and supplied our shelter cats with new toys, a laser light to chase, a scratcher refill, Snuggle Safe discs, cat beds, food and bowls.
• OAR received more than $1,500 net from Rusty Ball ticket and raffle sales and the silent auction.  The fall party benefitting local nonprofits is coordinated by the Rusty Griswolds band and the Spirit of Cincinnatus group.  
• OAR’s inaugural cat calendar sale was a big success.  At least $2,400 has been raised, and some calendars are still for sale at the rescue ($15 each). Thank you to the calendar committee and everyone who submitted a photo.

The fundraising committee welcomes new faces. The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at OAR.

Calendar

Jan. 12: Adoption committee, 6:30 p.m. RSVP to eilcon@zoomtown.com. Discussion will include a Valentine’s-related adoption promotion, adoption hours at the Oakley PetSmart and open hours at the rescue.
Jan. 14 and 28: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) workshop, noon. Contact tnr@theanimalrescue.com.
Jan. 22: Volunteer orientation, noon-1 p.m. RSVP volunteers@ohioalleycat.org
Jan. 31: Volunteer orientation, 6-7 p.m. RSVP volunteers@ohioalleycat.org
Through February: $25 spay-plus-rabies shot special for female cats and kittens. Appointments 513-871-0185.
Feb. 1: Fundraising committee, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 10: My Furry Valentine open house, 6-9 p.m. To volunteer food or work at the event, contact Beth at bjohnston@fuse.net or 513-575-1771.
Feb. 25: A“cat”emy Awards Extravaganza, 6:30-10 p.m., The Gardens, 1622 Dixie Highway, Park Hills. Tickets ($50) available through Feb. 13. Details: www.ohioalleycat.org, 513-675-0628, or OARawards@ohioalleycat.org. 
Feb. 28: Spay Day USA. T-shirt sales TBA.
June 22-24: Garage sale weekend. Details TBA.

We want to hear about community events where we can spread the word about OAR. Contact Charlotte.

Events, meetings take place at OAR, 5619 Orlando Place, Madisonville, unless noted. New volunteers welcome!

December Statistics

Adoption Spotlight!
Each month we will feature several OAR residents who need a good home! Be sure to click on each cat for more photos!


Albers


Binzer


Roger Bacon

These cats were rescued from a boarded-up house in Price Hill after their owner entered a nursing home. Could you provide the forever home each of these sweeties deserves?

See photos and descriptions of all our available cats and kittens, then fill out an adoption questionnaire. Adoption fee is $85 kittens, $75 adults. 

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