4 Small Things That Make a BIG Difference!

Many people ask, “how can I help out at Zoe’s? I’m very busy and I just can’t fit in fostering or adopting at this time.”  These people, like a lot of animal-lovers, want to make a difference without committing themselves as a “full-time” volunteer. Well there’s good news! Helping Zoe’s relies on an incredible amount of help from all different people, in various amounts and ways. If you would like to know some of those ways, read on…

1. Share our posts

Sharing Zoe’s posts helps more people on Facebook find out about what we do, which in turn encourages them to spread the word! Invite your friends to participate in our fundraisers, attend our events or even come help volunteer at a particular event. Sometimes we post articles about behavioral problems, interviews with specialists, etc. and those can be very informative to others. Plus, if you share an animal bio, there’s a good chance that someone on your friends list is the perfect match for that one furry rescue.

2. Fund-raise

Fundraising is a temporary commitment, with a long-term benefit. Without fundraising, our animals would not be able to have everything they need. Fundraising can come in a ton of different forms. Have a special skill? You could always donate some of your commission! Collect bottles, make crafts or baked goods, hold a garage sale, or host a party… you’d be surprised how easy it is to organize something, because most people are excited to get involved when it comes to animals. Be as creative as you’d like!  You can also donate old toys, blankets, beds, and other supplies.

3. Volunteer for an Event

We completely understand if people can’t commit to volunteering on a regular basis, but hey, have nothing to do on a Saturday? Come out and help dig some compost while getting some sunshine! (May 9th, hint-hint); volunteer to take some bottles in, or attend an Adoption event just for support.  By the way, buying chocolate or baked goods to fulfill your sweet tooth while helping Zoe’s at the same time DOES count as volunteering!

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One of our younger Volunteers

4. Socialize

And here’s most people’s favorite one… Socializing! Most of us know that animals are social creatures, and in order to be good family members they will need to be socialized, especially as babies. So feel free to contact one of the Zoe’s team members to see if you can head over for a cuddle sesh with the puppies, and while you’re there, an extra pair of hands is always truly appreciated. Or go check on one of the fosters that is waiting for adoption in the public, they could always use some reassurance and love, and a simple check-in is part of why we’re an accountable and responsible rescue in the first place.

The good thing about the Zoe’s Family is that we are just that – a family! Meaning if you’re a like-minded person, we will take you under our wing without demanding a huge commitment. We are always looking for people to help with the website and the online store, and driving animals to appointments, puppy-sitting, home checks etc., and we are pretty good at coordinating the jobs respectfully amongst one another. So don’t be shy… Zoe’s would not be possible without the caring hands of animal-lovers, just like you!

By Julie Kraus

Why I Rescue: First-time Parents!

By: Tawnya Summers, Certified Crazy Cat Lady, BA (Hon.)

kitten2I’ve always been a cat lover. From an early age my parents knew I was meant to have felines in every aspect of my life. I got my first cat at age 6 from the Edmonton Humane Society (then SPCA); she was one of two teeny black 6 week old kittens. I think I told my parents I wanted to take one of the senior cats, because they needed a home the most, but my parents told me we were here for a kitten who would grow with me. There were no options for kittens at the time; the two black ones were the only kittens there. Colour never mattered to me, what I wanted was to take the smaller, more lethargic kitten who was full of ear mites. I remember telling my parents that her sister would be adopted in no time, but as a sick kitten, she stood less of a chance.

I had Chodna for 11 years. When I was growing up, it was still common to have indoor-outdoor cats. The “nature’s instincts” way of thinking was the dominant way at the time – cats belonged outside, and when you no longer wanted an animal, you dumped it on an acreage because “nature’s instincts” would kick in (we would never have done that). We know better now, as Chodna was attacked by (most likely) a dog and gravely injured when she was 7. She went missing for 3 days, and finally came to my frantic calling with her insides nearly hanging out. The amazing vets at South Emergency Hospital were able to save her life, but she wasn’t the same. She was terrified of dogs, and I refused to let her outside without my direct supervision. Amazingly, she lived another 4 years and finally was euthanized due to a mass in her chest. I loved her until the very minute she left, and I still think of her often.

Things felt pretty empty at home without cats; my brother’s cat has passed a few years before due to diabetes. It’s true that animals do make a house a home. The 6 months without animals caused a lot of tension, fighting, and bitterness. When my mom brought a puppy home, our spirits were lifted, and things were normal again. But something was still missing in my life.

Without going into great detail, I chose to leave home at 19 and “rescue” two cats that were living in a half-bath in the basement of a friend’s house. I would go over and play with them sometimes, but I knew that even though they were fed and warm, there was so much more potential for life that these cats deserved. It took no time for Kitty to warm up to her new life, but Ananda took about 3 years to come out of her shell. She was jealous of my connection to her ex-owner, and ignored me every chance she got. Now, we are best friends. After 3 years, she finally let out a little “loo?” noise, indicative of her curiosity. Her nickname is Loo-loo. It was her first word to me, and it signifies the bond we share, constant curiosity of what the other is thinking or doing.

When I decided to volunteer with Zoe’s, it was because I wanted to be able to save more lives. I knew my girls were kitten6not new-cat-friendly, and in a shared two-bedroom apartment with a sibling who was not really an “animal person”, it wasn’t possible to foster. I did whatever I could, and secretly hoped one day I would be given the opportunity to bring someone new home.

A few opportunities fell through; a girl I had fallen for was diagnosed with a grade 3 heart murmur. As a single woman, I knew I could not afford the care she needed. When another rescue ran into a 30 homeless cat situation, I thought that was the chance to bring someone home and integrate her into our lives. Again, things didn’t work out, but I patiently waited.

When my co-volunteer, Jessica, told me she was purchasing a house with a basement suite, I knew I had to be there! As we were both volunteers, living together brought a new potential to increase our activity within Zoe’s. My kitty partner-in-crime, Tracy, had recently brought home two litters of 6 week old kittens for temporarily foster, and had secretly kept one oddball kitten aside for me. The opportunity to save another life had thrown itself at me, and I was now tasked with integrating a hyper, feisty, wound-up little oddball were-kitten in with my senior cats. It has been a challenge, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

kitten1Jessica and I had talked at length about fostering; it was something we both wanted to do for quite some time, but hadn’t been sure how the single lifestyle with adopted cats would accommodate. We both love cats, and think about street cats and homeless cats all the time! This was something we wanted to provide – an option for placement for a cat in need. Having two of us increased our visibility and time with a foster, and we converted the half-bedroom in the basement suite into a quarantine room for emergency, temporary, or short-term foster intake. With our adopted cats and decreased time at home, we won’t be able to allow free-roam or long-term foster, at least, not for now, but we can still provide a safe, warm, place for someone in need.

That time has come! Jessica and I received our first fosters a few months ago, 3 scared, knotted kittens on their way to the NWT. They stayed with us overnight as we cleaned their fur, petted them, and gave them a place to bunk for the night before their new journey to a forever home. Now, we have been blessed with the opportunity to help a mama cat raise 8 newborn kittens! As experienced and researched cat owners, we had no qualms about our capabilities to raise babies. We have 24/7 support of the Zoe’s team, and a passion for cats that helps us get through the sleepless nights.

Jessica and I tag-team an every 2-3 hour check-up on Mama Alessia and her babies, and keep each other updated kitten5with text messages, pictures, and a notebook where we record weights, feedings, who didn’t eat today, when we changed towels and blankets, and how much pets Mama wanted! We are like new parents, fretting over poop, mews, making sure each baby gets a chance to nurse, and recording every little gain or loss in grams. We coo over their little toes, worship their little cries, and update the entire Zoe’s family when someone opens an eye. It has been the most heart-warming experience getting to learn Mama’s body language, watching the smallest kittens win a fight for a teat, and holding a baby when she cries. I sit with my little Dibella and Arkay, as they are beginning to overcome their blindness, and watch them stare at absolutely nothing and wobble slightly. It’s weird, but I love it.

They are leaving us tomorrow, going to a new foster home where they can be allowed to free-roam as they begin to walk, where Mama will get the attention she deserves as her babies become more independent, and where they will be introduced to dogs, allowing for more versatility in adoption. Both Jessica and I are crushed, trying not to think about how they will grow up without us, but we know it is for the best. We exist as a short-term intake location, to get cats off the streets and into care, and it’s simply just what we are able to provide. The Zoe’s family is an amazing network, and we don’t doubt that they will continue to update us as the babies grow, walk, eat solid food, and leave for their forever homes. We both strongly anticipate Mama’s adoption, especially, as she is the absolute sweetest girl, who has inevitably captured our hearts!

kitten3We will foster again, even though it is hard to say goodbye, there are more lives in need. Our paths have led us to this place, to this time, to each other, and to Zoe’s, and we won’t take that for granted. I applaud those who can commit to long-term, and perhaps the day will come where my cats and my kitten will be comfortable with foster siblings.

Until then, we help where we can.

We help where we are needed.

It is why we rescue.

Ahh…Ahhh…MEW!!!! – 10 Ways to Beat Cat Allergies

By: Tawnya Summers, Cat Owner with Allergies, BA (Hon.)

10 ways to beatFor those of us who love our cats more than anything in the world, allergies can be an incredibly painful thing to go through. I don’t just mean physically; realizing that you are allergic to your cat is emotionally and mentally painful as well! Our animals are part of our family, they are our furry children, and we want to do whatever we can (often against our doctor’s wishes) to keep them with us!

If you suspect you may be allergic to your cat, the first thing to do is of course, talk to your doctor. We would NEVER recommend putting your health last – if your allergies are so severe that simply being at home with your cat causes your lungs to fill with fluid, it may be time to take the unfortunate road to re-homing.

If you’re like me, and your allergies range from mild to uncomfortably moderate, here are some things you can do to make life easier for you, while keeping your babies around:

  •  What’s in an Allergy? Do your research first – are you actually allergic to the cat? Sometimes, especially if you allow your cat outdoors (don’t!), your cat may be carrying things in its fur that are causing your allergic reaction. Dust mites, pollen, grass, or oils can get trapped in your cat’s fur. The contents from the litter can linger on her feet and legs. It might be worth doing little bit of scouting and making some changes within the home, before you consider that she’s fully to blame.
  • Medicate. Antihistamines are available over the counter for you to enjoy! You can also get them by prescription (I have an equivalent to Reactine).Be sure to read the labels and talk to a health professional if you have any questions. Common antihistamines you can buy over the counter are Benadryl, Claritin, Reactine, or Allegra. Newer over-the-counter antihistamines like Allerga have less side effects, whereas older tablets like Benadryl can cause drowsiness. Other forms of anti-allergen medications you can buy are nasal sprays, eye drops, and allergy injections or immunotherapy.
  • Be Prepared. I have an inhaler prescribed by my doctor and carry it, as well as my antihistamines, with me at all times. If I am simply sitting at home with my cats, I won’t exhibit any symptoms of my allergies. After a heavy brushing session, I may need to use my inhaler to open my inflamed airways and take a Reactine to clear up my watery, itchy eyes. You can prepare for things like brushing ahead of time – take your cat to the groomers, or have your brother come over to do it!
  • Know your Triggers. The common belief is that people are only allergic to DANDER. But what is dander? Cat dander is made up of skin cells, saliva, proteins from the body, dandruff, and even oils from the skin. If my cat’s skin touches my skin, it may become red and irritated. When she licks me, I sometimes develop an itchy bump, similar to a mosquito bite. I am more allergic to short-haired cats, where the dandruff and skin cells are easily accessible to my skin. Knowledge as simple as that helps me prevent symptoms; I could adopt only long-haired cats, and wash my hands immediately after petting my cat.
  • Cleanliness is next to Catliness. Good hand hygiene will save your sanity! Always be cognizant of where your hands are. If you’ve been playing with kitty or petting her, don’t touch your face. Head straight to the sink and wash your hands! Keep your bedding clean by washing weekly. Change your pillow cases frequently if kitty sleeps with you. Keep her litter away from common areas, and keep the litter room clean. Litter often carries dust or other allergens. You can even try corn, wheat, or newspaper based litter.
  • HEPA Filters. The cleaner your air, the easier it’ll be for you to breathe. I have an air purifier next to my bed, because I shamefully allow my cats to sleep in my room. Small and powerful filters aren’t expensive, and can be placed in the living room, bedroom, or the cat room! 
  • Quality Furniture. Don’t choose upholstered sofas! Upholstery traps dander and fur, as well as dust and other allergens. Leather furniture isn’t always first choice, as cats may leave claw marks, but cat hair glides right off and onto the floor. Kitchen chairs should not have padding to prevent your kitty from hanging out there. You can also invest in some pretty cool allergen-reducing furniture. I have a friend who has an anti-spill, anti-scratch, anti-fur couch. I wish I could remember the name of it for you, but you’ll find it! To keep cat hair limited to one place, you could even have a designated armchair just for her! If it’s the only comfy place around, you can be sure she’ll choose it. 
  • Floors and Furnishings. There are a few more things you can do to reduce allergens and cat hair, and make your life more comfortable around the house. Get rid of the carpets! If this isn’t an option, vacuum weekly with a specialty vacuum made for spall-particles or pet hair. Shampoo your carpet frequently. Cover your vents with cheese cloth or similar to prevent the fur from blowing all over the house. Get rid of the horizontal blinds, where cat hair can settle. Clean your curtains and shades frequently. Choose furniture that is easy to clean, and dust often. You can even skip the carpeted cat trees by installing a series of shelves for your cats to climb on (see: Catification).
  • Keep Kitty Healthy! As I mentioned above, dander is a mix of everything from cat fur to cat oils. The better your cat eats, the better her skin and fur will be. It’s sort of like how more Vitamin E can make your hair healthier. Healthier cats are less likely to shed dander, and you can use a range of products, such as peanut oil, to keep dandruff at bay. The better she’s eating, the better she will feel – and it will show! Brush her regularly (or have someone else do it) with an undercoat catching comb to keep fur from flying. I don’t personally recommend shaving your cat, though some allergy suffers will swear by it. Because my triggers are skin flakes and saliva, I found shaving my long haired cat exposed me to more allergens than if I had left her long.
  • Cat-Free Territory. You should always have a room that can stay relatively cat-free. When I lived with my brother, it amazed me how much better I could breathe when I opened his door to grab something. It might be your office, spare bedroom, heck, it might even be your bathroom! This room should be afforded the same amount of care as the rest of your house – no upholstered furniture, carpet, cleanliness… allergies often come in groups. If you’re allergic to cats, chances are you’re allergic to dust mites or other allergens in the home. Many doctors will recommend you keep YOUR bedroom cat-free. I strongly suggest this, though I don’t follow it. If you are getting a new cat, start right from the beginning at making your room the place you can sleep best – without cat dander and without cats waking you up at night!  

Buying a Home? Make Your Mortgage Count for Zoe’s

FINAL-2-682x1024I’m Jason, a mortgage broker by day, husband and father by morning, afternoon, evening, and night. And in my spare time, I foster cats that need some love—it’s something that my little family does together.

As a mortgage broker, I help people (mainly first- and second-time homeowners) realize their dream of homeownership. I understand that buying a home is not just a transaction or everyday purchase and that there can be some measure of stress involved. That stress is often not just from the mortgage approval, but also can carry out into personal lives and goes with clients to work. Understanding how this stress and anxiety carries through all aspects of your life, I focus on minimizing that stress through open and honest communication along with empathy and understanding for what you are going through. I too experienced the same emotions when applying for my own mortgage. And, since starting to foster stray cats brought in by Zoe’s Animal Rescue, I have been reflecting even further on the importance of having a home.

After losing both our cat (of 16 years) and dog (of 13 years) within the span of a few months, we noticed a certain imageemptiness in our home: something was missing.  While we were not feeling ready to replace our pets, we decided that fostering would be a great option. Fostering has allowed us to ease back into having pets, provided our three little girls with a companion and many teaching opportunities (like how to positively contribute to the world outside of our front door), and, most importantly, has shown us how many animals need our help and just how rewarding it can be to see them off to their adoptive homes. The love that these animals bring after going through trauma in their life is amazing. They don’t hold grudges. They just move on and appreciate life (and my spot on the couch). That lesson has carried a lot of weight for me–not only are we helping these rescue animals, but also they are helping us.

get a mortgage (3)Seeing firsthand how much goes into rescuing these stray, lost, surrendered and sometimes suffering cats and dogs (in term of time, money, and heart) has been shocking. The effort that volunteers put in is huge, and my way of contributing to the cause is to donate a portion of my commissions earned from anyone that completes a mortgage through me and mentions that they found me through Zoe’s. All you have to do is say you found me through Zoe’s, complete a mortgage through me and then I will donate 10% of my commissions from that mortgage back to Zoe’s.

Thinking about purchasing a home? Let’s chat and work together while we are at it to make a difference for animals in need in our community.

You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 780-463-4713. You can also message me on Twitter or reach me through my website.

 

 

Mandy's Happily Ever After

Once upon a time there was a beautiful older kitty named Mandy who lived with her very elderly owner. Mandy was heartbroken when her elderly owner had to move into a senior’s home without her, but she was quickly fostered by a caring family at Zoe’s until her perfect home was found.

Mandy’s perfect home was found by a nice lady who had been without a “fuzzy buddy” for 4 years, and knew it was difficult for an older animal, especially a 16-year old, to find a place for them to live out the rest of their life in peaceful relaxation. Her new owner had volunteered at ferret rescues as well as the Calgary Humane Society and had seen this first hand, and since she already had a few senior dogs and cats, she decided Mandy belonged with her.

When they met, Mandy was instantly affectionate and loving. “She really didn’t take long to check me out and be friendly. She was well adjusted,” says her happy new owner. “There hasn’t been much of an ‘opening up’. First night, she walked in, plunked herself down in the middle of the floor and made herself at home.”

Mandy’s new owner also says that the senior kitty is a huge talker. As soon as she arrives home, she’ll often trundle up to the door and begin to meow for some “skritches”. As well, if more than a day has gone by, Mandy is more than happy to let her know that she would like her to stay right where she is. The happy kitty has a flowing water dish and an automatic litter box as well as some new siblings to bond with.

Well experienced with older kitties, Mandy’s new owner says that having a senior animal is truly rewarding. They aren’t as rambunctious as a kitten but will still be playful, unlikely to tear up things like curtains and toilet paper, and they’ll usually sleep through the night rather than wake you. However, as with all kitties, it truly depends on the unique character of each. “What you will get always depends on each cats personality. Young or old, they all like to sleep, no doubt about that, but the senior cats seem to get and give a quiet love that you can’t help smiling about.”

Mandy

By Julie Kraus

Gold Canyon Candles – April Only!

A Zoe’s volunteer, who is also a Gold Canyon Candles independent consultant, is giving 100% of her April commission to our rescue!

Be prepared for Mother’s Day, or just a lovely scented gift for someone out of nowhere – and know that you’re supporting a good cause.

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Check out Crystal’s Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Canyon-Candles-Crystal-S-Independant-Consultant/381552705253808

Beaumont Pet Planet Adoption Event – Saturday 4th April

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An adoption event will be taking place at the Beaumont Pet Planet between 12 and 2.30pm on Saturday 4th April.  Be sure to get along and support the event if you can.

Beaumont Pet Planet
110-6110 50 Street
Beaumont
T4X 1T8

Featured Volunteer – Polly-Anna

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Polly-Anna is the kind of foster that every little rescue like Zoe’s needs: experienced, dedicated, and ready to take on the tough cases that many have deemed hopeless. Polly-Anna specializes in rehabilitating cats and dogs with serious behavioural issues. She began rescuing in her early twenties, when her truck-driving husband would bring home strays he found dumped on the road. She would take them in, shine them up, and rehome them, all out of her own pocket. “And here I am, 25 years later, still loving the pure joy of working with animals, and the amazing transformations these animals go through.”

Although Polly-Anna has spent most of her rescue years working solo, when she became aware of all the rescues in Edmonton, she thought that one of them just might be a perfect fit. “I thought, I can foster, do what I love doing, and not worry about the expenses that come with it.” Looking at the variety of rescues, she discovered that each was a little different. Why Zoe’s? “Their beliefs were compatible with my own … and as the year has gone by, I feel really good about my choice.”

When asked what her most challenging rescue experience was, one particular case came to mind. “I get so many people who tell me a dog is aggressive, and most of the time, it’s a case of misunderstanding or lack of training.” Only one rescue, in 25 years, was unable to adjust to life with humans. “I beat myself up when I have to make a logical decision on an animal,” she confesses. But sometimes the logical decision is the right one for the animal’s own health. “I worked on her for the six month period I give aggressive dogs. I sought outside help, I made many efforts with her. But I ended up euthanizing her to give her peace.”

This is the kind of story that would-be fosters fear: the unfixable animal that makes you feel like a failure. Yes, there are downs to rescue. But Polly-Anna would say that the ups far outweigh them. To her, rescuing is a comforting – and even healing – process. “I’ve always had my own dogs who pulled me through some pretty rough times in my life. Now I help rescues pull through their rough times, and help them to become balanced and happy again.” Watching animals let go of their pasts reminds her to keep her own in perspective. “I have to live by it,” she says simply.

To those who still aren’t convinced of the immense benefits of fostering, Polly-Anna has this reminder: “you have the choice to find what works best for your needs. If you don’t have a whole a lot of time, your option could be senior cats or dogs. If you have lots of time, then puppies. If you have the abilities, care for those with medical needs. And with Zoe’s, you have a full team to support you, and no one is left alone. We’re all volunteers doing the best we can do.”

Andersons Happily Ever After

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“Saving one animal will not change the world, but surely, the world will change for that one animal.”
– Anonymous

It’s hard to believe that Anderson, pictured here on the right with his new forever sibling, was once a sufferer of Parvovirus – a life threatening disease that most commonly affects puppies who aren’t vaccinated. When Anderson was a part of Zoe’s, Zoe’s was hit with a $5000 bill to treat him, as the disease often requires an intensive stay at the hospital to support the puppies immune system as it fights it off. By the time Anderson was released from the hospital, he had undergone a blood transfusion.

Hearing this, two little girls set about with a rather ingenious business – drawing their adorable versions of your pet on a card, for only 10 dollars. Not only did they help contribute to Andersons care, but the little ladies, Jade, 8 & Asha 7, want to keep fundraising for other sufferers of Parvo. The two were featured across various Canadian newspapers, and were shown on a CTV Alberta primetime segment, which will be re-aired soon and can be viewed here:

http://alberta.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=538862

If you want your own portrait, send a $10 e-mail money transfer to [email protected] along with your pet’s photos, pet’s name and your mailing address. Jade & Asha will include up to 3 pets in one picture. Once completed, they will mail the artwork to your home. You can also follow along on their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/petportraitsforparvo

Remember that a simple vaccination can save a puppy from the distress of this disease. But of course, on a lighter note, check out Anderson, who is now known as Apollo, and his happy little face. Imagine being given a new lease on life, and a new family all at once! When Zoe’s volunteers went to do a little visit, they said he seems to be in blissful happiness in his new forever home.

By Julie Kraus

Compost Fundraiser: We've Got Dirt!

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UPDATE: 250 bags will be available for first come, first serve pick up on May 9th. Cash only. Come early before we sell out!

Zoe’s Animal Rescue will be hosting our 3rd Annual Organic Composted Soil Sale on May 9, 2015 at the North Glenora Community League (13535 – 109A Ave)

1 bag is $10, 3 bags $25, 5 bags $40 and 100% of the proceeds go to Zoe’s! 1 bag is approximately 40lbs of organic soil. Our volunteers tell us that the soil has worked wonders in their gardens in the past couple of years!

Proceeds of the sale go towards helping Zoe’s Animal Rescue with hospital fees, rehabilitation, spaying/neutering, food, and more.

To get your hands on some compost:

And if you’d like to help out even more, we are also looking for 15-20 volunteers!

Last year we made almost $4,000 and we would love to beat that number this year! Please share and tell your friends, family and coworkers!