Marnie, I'm late responding to your post, but I wanted to tell you what a wonderful thing you are doing.
I also own a private shelter/santuary. In 2004 I bought a large 2,000 sq ft. building in town and made it into a home like setting, with furniture, climbing posts, window ledges, and large cat condos. There are no cages as I can't stand to see cats caged up, so ours have many rooms for the cats to run around in, and they really good have a good life. I wish they all had individual homes, but I know they'd be dead by now if I hadn't taken them in as they were all abandoned when I rescued them. It has cost me a small fortune to buy this building and heat it, plus the money for vet bills, food and litter is several hundred dollars a month, but it's what I want to do with a small inheritance my parents left me. I have no help other than my son-in-law, my daughter, and a paid cleaning lady. We live in a very small town, and our humane society only has 8 active people who are into dogs, not cats. Lorrie On 02-26, Marnie Miszewski wrote: > The last time I posted, I was in the start up phase of my > sanctuary, Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary. We will be in business 1 > year in July and we are already working on our expansion. We > currently have 1500SF indoor facility (soon to add another 1500SF) > and have limited to approx 100 cats. I don't believe in cages and > keep the cats in large rooms with perches, furniture even water > fountains. My inspiration was my FELV+ cat Tom. There weren't any > places for positive kitties. I do adopt out my kitties to make > room for new ones, but keep it home-like for the long term > friends. My vet sees every cat before they enter the facility and > oversees their care. She's on my board of directors and is only a > call or text away if I need her. Many of my volunteers have vet > tech experience (including myself). Animal Services of Lee County > has inspected us and have asked us to be a model for the other > shelters/sanctuaries in the area. They also transfer their > positive kitties to me when I have room for them. I love each of > these furry friends and know all their names. Their well being is > my life's mission and I wouldn't have it any other way. We are > open to the public every evening and the kitties look forward to > entertaining their guests. As for "outdoor kitty time" we have a > screened enclosure they take turns using. Our dream is to have > acreage for them but all things in time. I can't speak for other > sanctuaries, but I welcome everyone to come see our facility. I > like to think I'm doing Tom proud. > Marnie Miszewski > Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary > www.helpingpawsanimalsanctuary.com > Saint James City, FL _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
