• Spay/neuter assistance  
• Feral cat colony guidance

OUR SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC HAS RELOCATED:  We are now based in North Windham.  Directions will be provided at time of appointment.  For our clients in Willimantic, we can often provide transportation depending upon volunteer availability.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MOST RECENT PROJECTS:  Since most people have been "tuning in" to our FB page to see the latest, we have been updating our adventures less frequently on our website.  Our FB page has many pictures and stories of animals we have helped at our little clinic.  Although we are not a "high-volume" clinic (we are part-time and staffed by volunteers), we serve the community in many ways, including providing care over and above spay/neuter services.  We have a passion for helping shelter and abandoned pets with their medical needs (minor tumor removals, aural hematoma repair, wound & abscess repair, enucleation, amputation of limbs damaged beyond repair, feline dentistries as our equipment allows)...we are not "specialists" in any of these procedures but realize how difficult it can be for shelters and rescues to afford these services through traditional practices.  Whenever we are in the position to help, it is our pleasure to do so.

LUCKY UPDATES:  Lucky the Golden Retriever cross was discharged from the hospital Wednesday, May 26, with a glowing report of her progress.  She received treatment for the heartworm infection and reportedly her fur is beginning to grow in, following a regimen of medicated baths and treatment for what appears to be a severe, neglected allergy.  She is scheduled to return for a recheck in two weeks and another heartworm treatment in about a month.  Her x-ray showed that her heart appears to be normal, which means that the heartworm infection had not yet reach the level of an advanced case.  The staff at the vet remarked on her loving disposition and they were happy she had the chance to get the care she needed.  The donations of generous animal lovers made this treatment possible!  We are so grateful to all of you who donated, and to the Chronicle for publishing the story of Lucky's plight.  Stay tuned for further updates on Lucky's progress :)

June 18 - Lucky went for another heartworm treatment this week and the vet said she is good to go!  She is scheduled to go to a new home this weekend with two other itchy doggies and a mommy who knows all about taking care of them.  Hopefully all the dogs will get along well together and we will post another update when we get one from her new home.  We are hoping to have a picture to include when she's all beautiful again.  One of our favorite quotes:  Nothing is impossible if you believe it can be done.  We believe in our community's animals, and so did enough of you...to make it happen!  

June 21 - Lucky went to her new home this weekend and mom Lark reports that she is settling in and getting to know the resident dogs.  She likes to watch TV and sometimes swats at the moving objects on the screen - talk about "tuned in".  Here she is with her new mom on adoption day! 




SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC


In August of 2007, CATS Northeast began its most exciting project yet:  our community spay/neuter clinic in Willimantic, CT.  The team consists of a licensed vet and an all-volunteer support staff.  These generous, dedicated people donate their time day after day, simply for the satisfaction of helping the animals and working with colleagues who have the same goal:  stamping out pet overpopulation, thereby giving each and every animal a decent chance at a responsible home.

BILLBOARD/T-SHIRT PROJECT

Fall 2007:  Eastern CT State University Design Group students, under the guidance of professor, artist & musician June Bisantz, designed a series of billboards and posters promoting and praising Windham's recently-passed mandatory cat spay/neuter ordinance.  The goal of the ordinance is to reduce the number of homeless cats through prevention, which is the most effective, efficient and humane solution to cat overpopulation.  The quality of the students' work inspired the continuation of the project through production of t-shirts featuring their designs.  T-shirts are available at the Swift Waters Artisans Cooperative at 750 Main St., Willimantic.  Designs can be viewed at www.junebisantz.com.


 LATEST PEANUT UPDATES

2/10/10 - Peanut is six years old this year and doing great!  We never expected her to do so well once we had the diagnosis of unrepairable multiple liver shunts.  She rules the roost, dominates her housemates, and appears to have no idea that she's supposed to be medically fragile.

3/4/07 - Peanut continues to thrive and have a wonderful quality of life.  We would like to say she's breaking records for liver shunt cats, but there is so little information on longevity with this condition that there's hardly any basis for comparison!  She continues to take her medication with no trouble and is playful and rambunctious.  Her health has been stable since the last update and she has a fan in New York who has been sending special liver supplements (thanks, Susan!). 

9/21/06 - We are thrilled to report that Peanut has been back to her normal energetic self for about a month now.  Following a slight diet change, she started eating without any assistance from an appetite stimulant.  There were a couple of hiccups along the way, including a puzzling phenomenon where she seemed to not recognize familiar people and animals for a brief period but apparently this has resolved.  Permanent foster mom Hedi keeps a close watch on her and notes any variations in behavior/routine.  We stand by, always ready to jump in with immediate medical assistance should she need it.  Our thanks again to all who responded with help and good wishes for Peanut.

8/12/06 - Someone turned the power on Peanut tonight:  She zipped through the house for nearly 2 1/2 hours nonstop - chasing housemates, trying to catch a fly, playing with balls, leaping over someone in her path - a slip, a slide, a crash, and continuing on her merry way.  Although she still needed her meds to help her eat, it's the longest time she's been supercharged in almost a month.  Her ailment is still a mystery, but she seems to be determined to make up for lost playtime.

8/8/06 - Lively and playful today, she gave the scratching post a good workout this morning.  Peanut has a new antibiotic, Fed-Ex'd in by Dr. Wood, who did some research to find a medicine special for cats with liver problems.  She chased balls today, and imaginary prey.  Another milestone reached:  Our little Peanut has topped 7 pounds!  Her body is well-fleshed and her fur velvety soft.

8/7/06 - Up and running this morning, dashing down the hall in excitement to greet the day.  Peanut is much more vocal today, more than she's been in weeks. 

8/3/06 - The good news is that tests indicate Peanut's liver function, while showing elevated levels, is still better than before she went in for the surgery last year.   A decreased red blood cell count along with another specific value suggested a possible internal bleed, but the pancreatic and intestinal results we were waiting for showed normal functioning, so there was no bleeding identified.  For some reason she is needing a bit of an appetite stimulant to get her to normal intake and she has been sleeping a lot (like anyone whos had a bout of an illness).  Our main concern is to see that she maintains a good quality of life, but shes looking brighter, is starting to bat around her toys, and has developed an affinity for being held that is out of character for her.  She has been back to the vet for one re-check and will be returning in three weeks for another followup.  Rest assured that we will continue to provide little Peanut with the best possible care, thanks to your generosity and concern.

7/27/06 - After more than a year of generally excellent health, brave little Peanut was admitted to the hospital with some serious symptoms and underwent a battery of tests to determine the problem.  While we await the results, her medical bills are expected to exceed $700, and we desperately need help to cover them, having exhausted our resources caring for the neglected cats in the community.  All donations are deeply appreciated!!

  PEANUT'S HISTORY

For those of you who have been waiting for news of Peanut’s surgery & progress, here’s the lowdown:  Peanut was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 for a case review and additional pre-op testing.  The final bloodwork came back on Thursday, March 10 and she proceeded to the O.R.  We were devastated to learn that Peanut had not one (repairable) liver shunt, but a liver full of shunts, the rarest form of an already rare condition in cats.  This meant that no repair was possible – her condition will have to be managed through diet and medication.  A biopsy of the liver showed abnormalities on the microvascular level as well.  The good news is that Peanut came through the surgery with no ill-effects and was discharged back to foster mom Hedi on Saturday, March 12.  Because we could not pronounce her cured, we were not able to put Peanut up for adoption as planned; Hedi has agreed to provide the lifetime special care that Peanut will need, though CATS Northeast will continue to finance her care.  Hedi reports that already Peanut is more energetic and playful than ever before due to her new regimen.  March 28, Hedi reported that Peanut is up to 4.5 pounds, a 20% gain in just three weeks!  She has two new beds in which to lounge and share snuggles with other housemates, courtesy of the kind people who sent donations on her behalf.  We would like to thank our supporters who sent notes as well; we treasured your personal messages and pictures.  Please stay in touch! 

A few days after surgery: we couldn't believe she could look so comfortable!

Peanut played Mommy to a recent overnight guest whose real mom we were trying to locate.

MORE PEANUT UPDATES, (most recent first)

Sunday, 1/1/2006, Peanut continues to do well, and has recently been seen "draping" over many of her roommates (one at a time) as if to claim ownership over the warm body she has chosen for the current nap.

Thursday, 9/29, her highest weight has been 6.22 pounds, a 56% gain since her story was published.  Another setback a few months ago sent her back to the hospital for a few days of intensive care.  Stronger now, she recovered more quickly than from the hospitalization in April, and is spunky and energetic, taking her meds like a trouper and happily eating her special diet (usually!).  Foster mom Hedi reports that she occasionally gets into a brief food miff, but Hedi is strict about Peanut's prescribed regimen and eventually talks sense into her special charge.

Tuesday, 6/7, up to 5.8 pounds, happy and active...

Saturday, 5/20, the gain continues:  5.6 pounds.  Peanut recently welcomed a temporary guest from a farm in Bozrah (pictured above, right).  The little one fascinated her, and she and roommate Nicky made baby right at home until it was time to rejoin mama kitty.  Look how much she's filled out!

Tuesday, 4/26, TIME TO PARTY!  Peanut hits 5 pounds!!

Sunday, 4/24, Peanut weighs in at 4.83 pounds, inching up there toward the five pound mark!  Just a little sneezing still.

On Saturday, 4/2, Peanut was readmitted to the hospital due to weight loss (nearly a third of her body weight!) and vomiting.  She was down to 3.1 pounds, and her bloodwork showed nothing unusual other than an elevated white blood cell count.  She's on an IV to maintain appropriate hydration, and antibiotics for whatever infection she may be battling.  She actually seemed happy to see the vet again and rolled around playfully on the examining table.