Author: Webmaster

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 12pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 12pm

We consider ourselves so fortunate to be part of such a compassionate community. As of 12 PM, you, our supporters, have raised $32,000. We are so grateful for this support and believe that we have a role to play, to support our community, in the journey to end companion animal homelessness that extends beyond rescuing and placing animals for adoption.

Public Spay/Neuter Voucher Program

We strongly believe that spay/neuter is the way to end companion animal homelessness. Since 2011, we have offered free public spay/neuter vouchers, redeemable at several regional non-profit clinics, to low-income families in need of support to do the right thing for their pets.

Western Washington has a lower euthanasia rate than many other areas, so grant funds for spay/neuter, when available, are usually distributed elsewhere. But, based on the number of requests we receive daily, there is a still a serious need.

This was exacerbated by the pandemic, during which clinics were not allowed to perform elective surgeries so that the surgical equipment could be spared for human hospitals. A tremendous backlog resulted.

Basil (formerly Lenny)

I was looking to adopt a cat because I have a pet sitting job where I go watch other people’s animals at their houses… And I felt that a cat would be a good fit. When I looked at the website, I saw the cat that was badly burnt, and his physical wound had healed, but wanted to provide a safe place where he can emotionally heal.

When I had called MEOW, they had informed me that the foster family had just adopted him the day before. So I inquired further, and I asked who had been there the longest or who is a senior. They instructed me to look at the website and told me about Lenny.

Right away I felt a connection. I knew that I could provide him a safe environment where he could feel safe and loved. I went to a meet and greet, and he greeted me at the door of his suite. I sat down and didn’t leave there until the adoption papers were filled out.

Somebody asked me if I wanted to see other cats because it was kind of like dating… I replied that there was no need that I had found my one.

The first 24 hours he stayed in the bedroom, and then 12 hours after that he stayed under my bed, I slowly opened the door to allow him to explore the rest of the apartment, his apartment. Very quickly he acclimated to his surroundings, including giving me lots of snuggles and permissions with a soft paw touch for head pets. 

His appetite is amazing, and aside from a couple of hiccups, he knows that I am his person and that this is his home. I am so grateful to MEOW for facilitating this match made in heaven.

Tamara

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 10pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 10pm

As GiveBIG day 1 winds down, we wanted to update you one more time and share our good news and heartfelt thanks. Throughout the day we received donations and kind words of support and encouragement. As of 10 PM we have raised $28,300!

Fostering, nurturing and nursing is a primary activity at MEOW. Thanks to your support, we can continue to give that support to the animals.

Fostering
Mama Luna, Valentino, Cupid & Amora

Sometimes, when we are asked to help someone who can no longer take care of their animals, all that is needed is a soft place to land. Thanks to our shelter staff and volunteers who provide care, feeding and human interaction to the shelter residents, and our fosters who provide care for those not ready for adoption, we are able to provide that gift.

That was the case when early in February a family reached out and asked us to accept their cats because they were moving and would not be able to keep them. They brought in a pregnant cat, three 10-week old kittens, and an 8-month old teenage kitten.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 5pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 5pm

As this amazing day turns into what we hope is a great evening, we are honored and awed at the generosity of you, our supporters. As of 5 pm we have raised just over $11,000 and, we have a match challenge! If we can raise an additional $4,500 by midnight, we have a group of generous volunteers and donors who will match that, which will put us just over half way to our overall BIG GiveBIG goal of $40,000! Funds raised today helps ensure that we will continue to be there for life for the animals that come to MEOW in need.

Supporting Our Ninth Life Program
Lady Basil

A thin tortie had been hanging around and caught the attention of a kind woman, who made every attempt to find her owner in the neighborhood.  With the help of a rescue partner, the cat was discovered to have a microchip, but the information had not been kept up to date. She was truly homeless.

It’s impossible to know how long this 11-year old senior sweetheart might have been on the streets, on her own, trying to survive. Her teeth were in terrible condition. Her coat was coarse and patchy. Her lab results revealed hyperthyroidism, with numbers literally off the charts, above a recordable measurement. This extreme condition was causing hypertension as well as a heart condition called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 8am

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 8am

The youngest ones who come to us are often the weakest and most fragile, requiring round-the-clock monitoring and care. Thankfully, this care usually results in healthy kittens ready to take on the world.

It was a BIG day of giving yesterday, and it continues today! As of 8 AM, 101 generous donors have raised $30,100 toward our overall goal of $40,000, which will allow us to continue to provide this type of care and allow cats like Teddy and Sadie to flourish.

Bottle Babies
Teddy and Sadie

Born in late January, Teddy and Sadie were an early signal that kitten season would soon be here in earnest. Their mom was one of many cats living in an apartment in Chehalis. A local rescuer offered assistance to get the situation under control. Could we help?

The 4-week-old babies were small and weak, with a heavy load of fleas and dirty ears, but they tested negative for the common intestinal parasites. Close veterinary supervision and experienced foster care was definitely needed.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 7pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 7pm

As we head into the evening hours, we couldn’t be more thrilled with our results so far. As of 7 PM our supporters have stepped up once again and raised $37,500. These funds will allow us to be ready to support some amazing community members who are often on their own in the world of rescue.

Supporting Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR)
Yanni, Ryker & Borgen

MEOW has close relationships with several amazing, compassionate and dedicated souls who spend their days and often nights, as well as their own money, doing Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR).

Sometimes instead of being returned, the cats and kittens need to be removed, rehomed, and they are in desperate need of a soft place to land. We are here for the next step in their rescue, offering the medical and behavioral attention they will need to become ready for better lives.

This was the case for Ryker, Borgen and Yanni. Trapped at a house suspected of being involved in illegal drug activity, they were absolutely emaciated.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 4pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 4pm

As of 4 PM, we have raised $34,500. This compassion will allow us to take action for not only the cats, but the dogs as well. At MEOW, we’re not just about the cats. We have a small but mighty dog division as well.

If you haven’t donated and would like to donate to support the dogs, when you enter your donation, select “Canine Division”. Your gift will allow us to continue to partner with other rescue organizations, helping when and where we can.

Partnering with other organizations
Jiggy

At 12 years old, Jiggy was living with his owner at a care facility until he became unwelcome there due to repeated complaints from residents and staff. Jiggy was constantly ravenous, barking to demand food and water, needing to relieve himself frequently.

Because his owner had no other options for personal care, Jiggy wound up at Everett Animal Shelter. When the vet there ran blood and urine labs on him, it became obvious what was causing his behavior. Jiggy is diabetic. His future at the shelter became very high risk. They reached out to Kelly, who runs MEOW’s Canine Division.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 10pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 8, 10pm

GiveBIG 2024 is winding down and the results have been amazing! We have surpassed our BIG goal and raised $41,100 thanks to 159 supporters who took action on their compassion. We’re hoping there are still a few folks out there who haven’t donated and are planning to, before the end of the day.

Together, we can take action and provide the necessary care and time for cats like Saba and Suki to move from being on their own and frightened to being safe and loved.

Providing medical and emotional support
Saba and Suki

Saba and sister Suki will celebrate their first birthday on MEOW’s auction day, June 22. Last November, at just four months old, the house where they were being fed was demolished and their lives were turned upside down.

Not only were they very distressed, they were sick with calicivirus, a very contagious and often painful illness. To make matters worse, a week later, Saba tested positive for ringworm as well.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 8pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 8pm

Exciting News! As of 8 PM we have met our match challenge and raised $26,700 (including the match), which is more than half way to our two-day goal of $40,000!

Working together, we can provide soft places to land and second chances for cats like Sniezka.

Mercy Fund Beneficiaries
Sniezka

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than eight million people have become internally displaced, leaving their homes but remaining in their country, and another six million have had to flee to other countries. Countless displaced people were unable to take their pets.

Animal shelters in Ukraine are overflowing and pop-up shelters are doing their best to help. The beautiful city of Kherson, captured by Russia and reclaimed by Ukraine several months later, continues to experience shelling almost daily.

Among the residents being forced to seek safety was the family of a 12-year-old cat named Sniezka, which translates to Snowflake or Snowdrop (the flower). We have no information about her life prior to last summer when she was released into the care of a pop-up shelter in Lviv, but we can imagine the sorrow her people must have felt when saying their goodbyes. Sniezka has clearly been loved.

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 12pm

GiveBIG 2024 Update – May 7, 12pm

As of 12 PM, our amazing supporters have raised $6,350 for the animals of MEOW. Your compassion and generosity will allow us to take action for the animals, including those special seniors who deserve our very best efforts.

Welcoming Senior Cats
Antionette

At 11 years old, Antionette is a spunky senior. She was rescued from the streets by a Good Samaritan, but she didn’t get along with the other pets in the house. Additionally, as a result of an escape attempt, she had been attacked by an animal and her injuries required hip surgery.

Her owner, after seeing her through her surgery, sadly realized that this household wasn’t the best for Antoinette. She needed a happier place to land.