summer 2006
An Interview with Cat’s Cradle Founder, Pat Rossi
EvEryonE agrEEs that Cat’s Cradle’s growth has been amazing, but do you know who initially recognized the need and got the ball rolling? We interviewed the Founder, Pat rossi to find out. Cat’s Cradle Interviewer: Pat, tell me, how did all this begin? Pat: It really all started when I impulsively adopted a white kitten named Wednesday in the winter of 1996 … her owners were expecting her to live outside in bitterly cold weather! after that I began to see Wednesday in every cat, no matter how mangy or unloved. CC: How did you get others involved? Pat: I put an ad in the paper calling for a planning meeting at the Catholic Church. Jim short, owner of the Foreign Car service in Harrisonburg was the only one who showed up. Then I got a call from the local Tv station asking me to fill in for the sPCa, who had cancelled on short notice. I had about 30 minutes to prepare so I grabbed two small kittens and ran with it. Jennie Hoagland from Weyer’s Cave and Teresa Kappes saw the show and called me. I still have the clip on videotape. CC: I love the name, Cat’s Cradle. Where did that come from? Pat: I picked the name because it tested well with friends and neighbors. I was afraid it might suggest we were breeding cats, but it didn’t. CC: Tell me about the “early days”. Pat: originally, the phone number I advertised was my home phone in Dayton so my home essentially became a public facility. one morning there was a knock on the door and Jennie and I could see that it was two Dayton cops. We thought we were busted as we were harboring about 24 kittens in my basement! We opened the door and one officer said, “We were told that you have a lot of kittens in your basement … would it be oK if we went down and played with them?” But really, the Dayton and the Bridgewater cops were lovely. The latter even built a new pen in my basement. CC: Where were all the cats coming from? Pat: Everywhere! For instance, one day I came home and someone had left a box of cats, with a note of apology, in my living room … except the box was empty! We searched high and low. Then, about 11 p.m., cats and kittens started to emerge from my couch. They were inside the foldaway mattress, one gray momma and three kittens. CC: How do you feel about Cat’s Cradle now? Pat: It amazes me how far Cat’s Cradle has come. suzanne and all those who followed are the ones to credit.* In our first year, we neutered a total of just 69 cats – and it seemed like a huge undertaking. CC: Do you have any other thoughts to add? Pat: I never really understood how folks could lavish love and gifts on their own cats, yet in the next breath call the authorities on a “mangy stray”. But then, I work with disabled children and I see the very same thing – some folks love aLL children, and others, just their own. We don’t really reflect on this distinction in our culture. It would be a far better world if we did. CC: Amen, and thank you, Pat, … for everything! * Those most often mentioned as being involved in the very early days in addition to Teresas Kappes and Jennie Hoagland are: Suzanne Auckerman, Jessica Phillips, Susan Bennett, Wendy Reidler, and others. Of course many others joined in as time went on, a board of directors was formed, and the organization has never looked back. Pat worked at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton when she started Cat’s Cradle. In 2001 Pat moved in order to take a job at Radford University where she teaches graduate students in speech pathology and undergraduates American Sign Language
Cat’s Cradle Yard Sale
June 17, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
rain Date: June 24
2860 S. Main St., Harrisonburg (E&M Auto) now accepting your generous donations in good condition. We regret that we cannot accept clothing. Volunteers Welcome For information call (540) 438-5222
or e-mail josiek@verizon.net
Dear Friend of Cat’s Cradle
C aT ’ s Cr aDLE is going through such a rapid growth phase that we want to highlight some special milestones for you. In our effort to make a difference in the lives of cats in this valley, we made some bold decisions, and made amazing progress. one of the first decisions was in our adoption program. In 2003, we initiated testing for feline leukemia and FIv and altering cats/kittens prior to adoption. We did not realize we were one of first organizations in the valley to set that policy. another milestone was community outreach with spay/neuter assistance. By seeking low cost spay/neuter clinics in the surrounding areas we were able to provide over 4,000 sterilizations for the community within three years. The shenandoah valley spay neuter Clinic is a major milestone for the community. Cat’s Cradle was instrumental in getting the Clinic up and running and we maintain a close relationship. Clinic availability has made it possible for us to set aggressive spay/neuter goals. We have two new projects underway that will soon become milestones. one is to provide financial assistance for spay/neuter surgery for dogs. This is the first assistance available to dog owners for much of our service area. (see article below.) second, the shenandoah County Board of supervisors is realizing that spay/neuter is a more cost effective solution for tax-payers than spending money to house and dispose of animals. as we go to press, they have just budgeted $1500 for county Tnr. Cat’s Cradle will match these funds this year to help get it off the ground. We hope this will be a model for other counties. We want you to see where we have been and know where we are going. Please travel with us and make the valley a better place for animals! suzanne auckerman, President
Grant to Sterilize Dogs
aT ITs January mEETIng the Cat’s Cradle board of directors revised the organization’s mission statement to read: our mission is to decrease intake of cats and dogs to shenandoah valley shelters in order to end euthanasia of healthy adoptable pets. The Board recognized that many dogs as well as cats die in local shelters due to pet overpopulation. Because there are other groups in the area doing dog rescue and adoption, Cat’s Cradle will focus on the spay/neuter aspect. To get the program started, an anonymous foundation has awarded Cat’s Cradle with a $5,000 renewable grant to fund the sterilization of owned dogs. The shenandoah valley spay/neuter clinic provides low-cost services for both cats and dogs. now, if their low prices are still beyond the reach of some pet owners, Cat’s Cradle will be able to assist, with a sliding scale co-pay from the owner, both cats and dogs. If you or someone you know is unable to afford the Clinic’s low costs, please contact us at: (540) 438-5222. Dogs can be altered at 12 weeks of age, so if you have a puppy it’s not too early to call.
4500 4320 4000
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sterilizations in the Cat’s Cradle service area
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Measuring Progress
2005
an EnD To PET-ovErPoPuLaTIon will be reached one animal at a time, yet we must think in large numbers in order to stop unnecessary deaths in our shelters. as you can see in the accompanying graph, opening the shenandoah valley spay/neuter Clinic in 2005 had a huge impact on our progress. over 10,000 surgeries per year must be performed in our four-county service area in order to end pet overpopulation in the valley. This year the Clinic has added a second veterinarian, so as we continue our funding and outreach efforts, we are confident of meeting this goal.
Who We Are
WHaT unITEs a grouP oF PEoPLE to work toward a common goal? Cat’s Cradle’s Board of Directors recently put in writing a list of Beliefs and Principles they believe unite the members of this organization. The board also revised the mission statement to include dogs, and laid out six goals that will drive the work of Cat’s Cradle over the next few years.
Cat’s Cradle
2005-2006 Officers And Directors President/CEo – suzanne auckerman vice President – Cate mansfield Treasurer – Peggy Hardy rachael Bagnulo Kathryn Dobyns, Dvm Tracy Furr gail Kiracofe susan mansfield Lana mohler Staff Betsy Holmes – adoption Coordinator Teresa Kappes – spay/neuter Coordinator Josie Kinkade - Director of Development Newsletter Editor gail Kiracofe
Beliefs and Principles
all animals have the right to be humanely cared for and altered. Low-cost spay/neuter services should be available. no healthy, adoptable animals should be euthanized. There should be stronger animal friendly laws and enforcement.
Mission
To decrease intake of cats and dogs to shenandoah valley shelters in order to end euthanasia of healthy adoptable pets.
Goals
reduce pet overpopulation by providing low cost spay/neuter. Provide Tnr programs and give aid to managed cat colonies. Promote responsible pet guardianship. Provide adoption and fostering services for cats when necessary. Educate the community to the need for the services provided by Cat’s Cradle. Provide the critical resources to support the work of the organization.
Cat’s Cradle
P.O. Box 2152 Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Phone: (540) 438-5222 URL: www.CatsCradleVirginia.com
As adopted by the Board of Directors April 8, 2006
Josie Kinkade, Development Director
JosIE KInKaDE JoInED CaT’s CraDLE’s TEam as Development Director in august of last year. Josie heads up the effort to develop the financial base necessary to keep the organization moving forward. she writes grant proposals, helps plan fund raisers, and coordinates community relations activities to keep the Cat’s Cradle name in the public eye. she also wears the volunteer Coordinator hat. no stranger to animal welfare, Josie made a major career change when she left her practice as a family physician (yes, she’s an m. D.) to become more involved in this cause so close to her heart. In addition to founding spay/neuter all Pets in Louisa, where she lives, Josie has fostered more than 100 animals, mostly dogs, and has spent many hours cleaning cages, transporting animals, and assisting at spay/ neuter clinics. Josie says, “During that time volunteering, I realized that I could make the most impact in two ways: dreaming big, and then fund-raising to make that dream a reality. my personal ambition is to see that no more cats or dogs are killed in shelters for lack of space.” she shares this goal with President suzanne auckerman who notes that, “We have a huge overpopulation problem and need a huge solution. Josie is a critical part of that solution. Her efforts to build the needed funding base will allow us to succeed. she has the energy, enthusiasm and determination to make it happen. We are so pleased she joined us.” Josie adds, “I am thrilled to be working for Cat’s Cradle, a group showing leadership, cooperation, and vision. sometimes I have a hard time sleeping at night because our progress is so exciting, and I can almost taste success!”
Staff Profile
left: This one curls up to eat. right: Bottle Babies learn to eat from a bowl.
nana and Lucy, of course!
Kitties in the Cradle
(Editor’s note) We couldn’t pass up this opportunity to show and tell you the story of these remarkable babies and how they were found, nursed, bottle fed, fostered, fixed, and made ready for adoption. We know you will fall in love with them as much as all of us have.
Nana and Lucy
raCHEL HaLEy, a FosTEr mom for Cat’s Cradle, tells this story. “my roommate’s dog, nana, is wonderful with kittens. she cleans them and always helps to keep them company. she’s a lab-collie mix and probably the sweetest dog that I’ve ever encountered. Lucy, the kitten pictured here with nana, was my most recent foster. Her mother became ill and was unable to care for the kittens in her litter, so I took in two of the kittens when they were four and a half weeks old. I bottle fed and raised them. “Lucy went from being a scrawny little thing to a beautiful and playful little girl. she loves nana, and prefers napping with her over sleeping in someone’s lap. Lucy got adopted yesterday at Petsmart. nana and I will miss her, as we both loved her so.”
voLunTEEr Donna roussEau had just finished helping a client trap the last cat in their colony, when she heard a faint mewing coming from overhead. Looking into the barn loft, she found 5 tiny kittens. since five is too many for one human to feed, two of Cat’s Cradle foster volunteers stepped up. rachel Bagnulo took 3 of the babies to foster, while susan mansfield took two. unfortunately, one of susan’s had coccidian, a parasite dangerous to small kittens. only heroic efforts on the part of Corena Knicely, LvT, who works at the shenandoah valley spay/neuter Clinic, saved this little one’s life. Corena took the ill kitten home and nursed it through a long night. When it recovered, the kitten was returned to susan. all the kittens loved to snuggle with their foster moms. sometimes in order to get anything done susan would put on an apron with two big pockets and carry a kitten around in each pocket while she did household chores. as soon as they were ready, all the kitties visited the shenandoah valley spay/neuter Clinic to be “fixed”, and readied for adoption. much as they will be missed, everyone is pleased that the story of these five foundlings has a happy ending! and you wonder why we call ourselves “Cat’s Cradle”!
Happy new purchase!
left: surgery complete, this kitty is feeling good! top right: Corena with her special baby. bottom right: We're all set, and looking for a new, loving home
CaT’s CraDLE rECEnTLy PurCHasED a new vehicle for adoptions and spay/neuter transport. In addition to giving us a very reasonable payment plan on a new, fuel efficient saturn wagon, Joe Bowman Chevrolet has also generously agreed to become a sponsor of our Christmas fund-raiser for an additional $1,000 off the bottom line. shown in the picture are Betsy Holmes, Cat’s Cradle adoption Coordinator, and Tony Wright, saturn manager.
Pet Partners Giving Circle Established
PET ovErPoPuLaTIon In THE sHEnanDoaH vaLLEy won’t be solved overnight. our vision: every healthy adoptable cat or dog entering a shelter will find a loving home. We expect to see a significant drop in shelter euthanasia over the next five years, but the full vision requires a long-term approach. To help make this long-term vision a reality, Cat’s Cradle’s Board of Directors has established the Pet Partners giving Circle. Pet Partners are donors with the passion and commitment to make a long-term financial pledge to the general operating Fund. With their five-year commitment, these donors allow us to put our energy where it needs to be – on the animals. The Board has established three levels of giving for Pet Partners and we are proud to announce the very first donors in each category. Save A Neighborhood ($10,000 a year for 5 years.) a low-income neighborhood of owned cats or dogs can be sterilized, resulting in long-term population control.
Lynn Reams in Memory of William Walter Reams
Celebrating the Goal
CaLLy THE CaLICo CaT is a lucky girl. “I found her in my daughter’s play-house”, says michelle Krone, who took Cally in about a week ago. “I didn’t feed her for a couple of days because I thought she might be someone’s cat, but she looked thin. she was very loveable.” michelle called the shenandoah valley spay neuter Clinic right away, and Cally had her surgery on Tuesday. When she picked up Cally on Wednesday, michelle had a pleasant surprise. “Congratulations!” said Cate mansfield, Clinic Director, “Cally was our 10,000th surgery, and there will be no charge.” To commemorate reaching the goal of 10,000 surgeries, the shenandoah valley spay neuter Clinic and Cat’s Cradle have teamed up to get even more surgeries done. on June 30th, the two groups will collaborate on a Tom Cat neuter-athon. surgeries will be offered to the first 100 low-income tom-cat owners for $10 including a rabies vaccine, if needed. Want to volunteer, or need help with a tom cat? Call (540) 437-1980.
Save A Colony ($5,000 a year for 5 years.) a managed colony of feral cats can be sterilized, which will stop them from having to be rounded up by animal Control for euthanasia when numbers get out of hand.
Suzanne Auckerman
Save A Family ($1,000 a year for 5 years) a family of cats or dogs and the offspring that occurs too often can be sterilized. This stops the breeding cycle of those un-altered “free to good home” ads.
Ed Dingman and Josie Kinkade
Twinkle Toes Wins the Raffle
THE rEsIDEnTs oF Corson HousE, a group home in Timberville, heard about the no Foolin’ Pancake Breakfast and decided to help out by doing a raffle; selling tickets toward the prize of a “basket” of kitty treats. starting with a kitty litter box (the basket), clients Donna, Eric, Dorothy, Kathy, Deanne, Dan, and Eddie filled it with treats to tempt any persnickety cat. Lisa nelson, program coordinator for Corson House, helped them. on a whim, she put their greatly loved cat Twinkle Toes’ name in the drawing. meanwhile, over at Pickering Place, another group home in the community, clients Tammy, Flo, Frank, steve, Jimmy, renee, martha, mary, russell, Joanne, Lynne, Tom, ray, and roy were busy baking pies and making kitty toys to sell at the event. They were helped by staff members Jackie Jordan, Jessica Hottle, and director Julia Powell. all the residents were happy when their efforts resulted in a generous contribution to the Pancake Breakfast proceeds. They were even more pleased and excited when Twinkle Toes won the raffle! good Life Corporation is a community based organization in Timberville that provides group homes for 28 individuals with various disabilities. They generously purchased all the supplies for these efforts.
Pancakes Raise Dollars
IF you mIssED the “no Foolin’” pancake breakfast at applebees on april 1, you missed being waited on by these cute cats from the Phi Chi Theta business fraternity at Jmu. From left to right they are Elizabeth salamone, Emily Pederson, and Jen Williams. But first you’d have been greeted outside the restaurant by clown Bonnie semans and Kimber Beasley, also known as Tigger. and, besides having a wonderful breakfast, you would have been gifted by “made at your table” balloon artistry by shandal Tuggle. This successful event, which raised over $1400 for Cat’s Cradle, was chaired by mary Carr with help from Tracy Furr, Lana mohler, ann Hurley, Julia Powell and many others. Thanks to applebees, all who helped, and all who came out to support the event!
2005/06 Donors List
We wish to thank the generous people who have helped us achieve so many milestones. This following list includes annual gifts made in 2005, 2006, or both.
$1,000 and up
Suzanne Auckerman Rachel and Pete Bagnulo V. Ray Brewer Mary Carr Alisa Cook Darkwood Manor Productions Ed Dingman and Josie Kinkade Lucy Deyerly R ichmond Spay & Neuter Foundation - Kay Gross, DVM Susan Mansfield Lynn Reams Riverbank Longhorns Judi and Mike Salvino Lucy Weston
$500 – $999
Susan and David Acord Ayrshire Farm Classic Kitchens Cats A Purrin’ Victoria and Robert Cook Amy Derrick-Frost Tracy Furr and Patrick Kuzniewski Val Garcia Rob Gilmer and Susan Gier Peggy Liberman Cate (Laura) Mansfield Massanutten Realty Perry’s Appliance Wendy Reidler Sue and Russell Riggleman Carolyn Snow
$250 – $499
Barbara Becker T. Lynn Collins Harman Realty Harrisonburg Towing and Storage Daniel Hodes Mrs. Mary D. Long Mary Louise Long Middle River Veterinary Hospital Primrose House B&B Earl and Frances Quick Connie and James Richardson Rockingham Heritage Bank Donna Rousseau Lisa Vienna
$100 – $249
Susan Altieri Nicole Baker Vicky Baron
Laura and Mike Brennan Tiffany Brown Judith Budd Lori Burkhart Ilona Castro Martha Chew Sandra Kay Coffman Coldwell Banker Funkhouser Realtors Karen Delventhal Larry Diehl Dorothy Dowdy Carolyn Dull Beth and Bill Field Charles Funkhouser Gannett Foundation, Inc. Richele and Mark Hammer David Heckert Michelle and Johathan Hoganson Ann and Bob Hurley Virginia Joseph Janet Kilby Gail Kiracofe Jennifer Kirkland Jon Kline Mike and Susan Koch Adrienne Kohart Diane Kolb Elizabeth Koon Betty Kramer Laura Lange Mary Lear Natalie Leax Diane Lending Gary Lippins Jack McCaslin Janet McCoy Deborah McDysan Annette Meyer Genevieve Morelli Christina and Michael Moses Eileen and William Nelson Mabel Orndorff Matthew Patsky Jessie Paul Carolyn and Lewis Price Miriam Reno Mr. and Mrs. John M. Richardson Suzanne Rogerson Bill Rookard Richard Settle and William Pike Singers Glen Ruritan Club Gail Smith Monica Stanton Alan and Michele Strawderman Jake Tapper and Jennifer Brown
Rosemary Wagner Marguerite and Robert Wampler Jennifer and Terry Whitmore Wendy Whitten Cindy Williams Janet Winstead
Under $99
Philip and Winkie Aitcheson Jean Andrews Sandra Austin Donald and LaVonne Bailey Dorothy Bailey Linda Baker Leigh Bauserman Barbara Beam Kimberly Beasley Cynthia Becchi Janice Biggar Ann Bird Dr. April Bly-Monnen Andrea and Gene Boggs Alice Bowen Emily Branscome Mary Broaddus Vergie Brower Teresa and Richard Bueker Kelly and Brian Burkholder Sarah Butterfield Ellen Campbell Marcia Carpentier Patricia Chawkat Leigh Ann Clark Sandra Kay Coffman Patsy and Gary Comer Daniel Conrad Phoebe and Mike Conway Allan Corman Andrea Criscione Ann Dechert Donna Delisle Larry Diehl Betty Dixon Madelyn Dixon Laura Douglass Patsy and Franklin Dove David Driver Angela Dunavant Pat Duran Mary Elmore Melvin and Judy Falls Farmers and Merchant’s Bank Elkton Gerald and Harriet Faulkner Ditman and Joyce Flory Jenene Fontenot Gail and Terry Fowler Jennifer Frantz Mary Ann Fravel
D o n ’ t F o r g e t C a t ’s C r a d l e i n Yo u r W i l l
Mariann Frederick Ruth Gardner Betty A. Garnett Mary Glick Robert Goldberg Marilyn and Brent Golladay Margaret Goodyear Shirley Goodman Andrea and Todd Goren Judyann Gray Paula and William Greer Lana and Mel Griffin Richard Griggs Ellen Grove Stephen Guy Rob Neal and Erin Hatch James Heitz Bernice Hensley Gaye Hensley Catherine Hildreth Carolyn Hill Connie and Jim Hillyard Darlene Hilton Ann and Bill Hodge Louise and John Holsten Elizabeth Hoover Linda Hoover Anne Hutt Elizabeth Ihle Roberta Jackson Adrienne Jennings Elizabeth Kaestner Marilyn Katein Marlene Key Josie Kinkade Elizabeth Knicely Alice Lane Joy Lane Jeanette Leach Natalie Leax Patricia Leon-Duarte Janice Light Betty Link Gary Lippens
Gail Lohr Rick Loudon Patty and George Lovegrove Esther Lovell, and Family Maria Malerba David and Karin Mars Elizabeth and Peter Martens Darleen Martin Mary Martin Lillian Massie Francesca McCann Irene McCaslin Jack McCaslin, Jr. Barbara and Thomas Melby Loretta Miller Elsie Mitchell Karen Mitchell Betty Monger Aaron Moore Rachel Myers James Nelson Carla Newman Nancy Noblette Ruth Ann Noblette Jean OBrien Derek Parson Janie Peppel-Wojdula, and Family Mary Phillips Elaine and Leo Pinson Betty Pullin Patrick Punch Elizabeth and Jeremy Ralston Mary Reilly Barbra Reiss Mrs. Leafy Rexrode Susan Reynolds Corinne Richter Dorothea Riggleman Sue and Russell Riggleman E. Jane Ritchey Evelyn Rome Donna Rousseau Melanie Rowan Saturn of Harrisonburg
Tessy Schlemmer Kimberly Shifflett Robert and Sandra Silberg Mary Simmons Polly Simmons Carlee Sligh Juanita Slusher Patressa Smelser Christopher William Smith Carolyn Snow Joel and Jeanette Sorrells Trent and Melissa Spitzer Philip Stenger Hilda Strawderman Doris Summers Sunny Ridge Kennel Adelaide Suter Steve Tate Doris Taylor Dorothy and Walker Thompson Karen and Jeffrey Thompson Julie Thurnau Kathryn Vadl Valley Greeters Newcomers Virginia and Casch Edward Fleta Walton Holley Watts Randy Watts Susan Webster Veronica Whalen Marlene Wilbarger and Elizabeth Eakle Caroline Wilkins Kalela Williams Joe Wood Leah Woody Margaret and Frederick Zak
Donated Professional Services – Over $1,000
Ed Dingman Kathryn Dobyns, DVM Melanie Rowan Design Wendy Reidler
Kind Heart Remembers Cat’s Cradle
ETHEL Lam Was a sPECIaL LaDy. she just couldn’t see the cats coming around her yard go hungry. They weren’t tame, but that didn’t stop her from loving them. savvy, as well as softhearted, she knew what would happen if all she did was feed. she had the means to have the cats altered, but not the method. so she called Cat’s Cradle for assistance. Their Tnr volunteers trapped several cats for her, transported them for sterilization, and returned them. mrs. Lam’s house-keeper had several cats of her own, and also fed her “yard cats”. mrs. Lam generously donated the funds to have these cats altered and vaccinated as well. But it didn’t stop there. mrs. Lam wanted to benefit more than just the cats in her immediate vicinity. so she remembered Cat’s Cradle in her will. Her legacy allowed the organization to sterilize over 100 cats in 2005. “This gift will have far reaching consequences in the future. When we think of all the kittens that won’t have to be put down in shelters because of her, we are grateful to this special lady,” said Josie Kinkade, Cat’s Cradle Development Director.
nonprofit organization Postage PaID Permit no. 75 Harrisonburg, va
P.O. Box 2152 Harrisonburg VA 22801 Return Service Requested
www.catscradlevirginia.com