Re: Rude Ranch -ideas for getting HELP

2007-02-07 Thread Kelley Saveika

I was out at the Volunteer Fair at the University of Texas campus today (I
had to take the day off to go).

I got a lot of interestbut not sure how much will pan out...we will see.


On 2/7/07, TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


excellent suggestions.

more and more high-schools are requiring community service before
graduation, and far more kids would like to help animals than
people--a sentiment i can certainly identify with! there's a lot of
things that retirees can do, as well, with skills gained from years of
working the real world.

with teenagers, many sanctuaries/shelters have a 16-years age minimum
age limit for volunteers; others will say 18 in a minimum for
insurance purposes. i've spoken with insurance professionals, tho, who
say that liability insurance really doesn't apply to volunteers but
only to VISITORS--that volunteers are assumed to have taken on any
risks by the act of volunteering

you can find lots of materials on freecycle lists, too, if you don't
mind wading through lots of posts for things that aren't applicable.
posting what you WANT, however, can work well.

there are at LEAST two yahoogroups that exist solely for
shelters/sanctuaries/rescue to post things that they need/have extras
of to share with others.

any university with a vet school or a vet-tech program is a source of
volunteers; in fact, universities are a good source in general, as a
lot of students really miss their own pets and would love to help out,
even if "only" doing socializing, which is a major need for places
with a lot of kitties.

i was astonished to find out, when i moved to the sanctuary, that i
was the first volunteer they'd ever had who knew how to medicate cats!

i did up a flyer once, asking for "cooks, cleaners and
cuddlers"--people to come in for an hour a day opening the 52 cans of
wet food, scooping it into bowls and adding the lysine, and delivering
it to the rooms; helping with cleaning (the never-ending cleaning--
every little bit helps, and frees the directors of the facilities for
things like vet visits, maintenance, etc), and the all-important
sitting on the floor and just being a cat toy.

so many people think that "helping out" means taking in another
cat. it can mean joining a group of people putting labels on the
newsletter, taking photos of the adoptable cats and putting them on
the petfinder site, writing thank-you notes for donations received;
answering emails or phone calls; offering to pick up donations and
delivering them to the shelter/rescue; transporting critters to the
vet, on a leg of their trip to their forever home. it can be going out
every two weeks and taking a spin on the riding lawn mower; it can be
having another group they're with having 50/50 raffles where half the
proceeds go to the rescue; it can be someone lending their fundraising
skills  and helping organize an event; it can be staffing an adoption
event for a few hours; it can be sellling baked goods on a weekend.

if we remind people of all the ways they can help, without adding a
new fur-source to their homes, again, we help us all.

MC



On 2/7/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Well, three of my volunteers have now moved out of state (have since
gone
> off to college), and the other two now have their hands full with their
two
> new children, one of which is a Down's Synd. baby...where are you?
>
> I found the kids willing to help that time at one of the high schools in
the
> area.  They have to do community service to graduate in Maryland.  Not
all
> of the kids want to work at church, or are comfortable helping at a soup
> kitchen, and there are quite a lot of young adults who love animals and
are
> very into activism, but are limited as to how much they can do first
hand
> because they still live with mom & dad.  BUT, if you contact the local
high
> schools & churches in your areas, you'd be surprised by how many people
are
> willing to help.  AND if you have any affiliations with actual rescues,
very
> often the local lumber yards & little ma & pa hardware stores in the
area
> will be willing to donate either regular merchandise, or slightly
damaged
> items that can be still be useful...just not "pretty".  You can also get
> ALOT of stuff on the CRAIGS LIST website.  People list items there they
want
> to get rid of, but don't want to throw awaymost are give-a-ways,
some
> are up for trade.
>
> It never hurts to ask youth church groups, schools, shops that sell
animal
> supplies..even vet offices, boarding & grooming businesses.  But if you
> approach the schools and church groups, do it correctly, start at the
HEAD
> of the school, explain in writing what you are looking to do and WHY,
try to
> find some educational value in it for those who would help.
>
> If you are in need of  blankets or throws for your rescues...contact an
> assisted living care facility.  Offer to maybe give a talk to the
residents
> about felv+, show pictures of your cats, or if they h

Re: Rude Ranch -ideas for getting HELP

2007-02-07 Thread TenHouseCats

excellent suggestions.

more and more high-schools are requiring community service before
graduation, and far more kids would like to help animals than
people--a sentiment i can certainly identify with! there's a lot of
things that retirees can do, as well, with skills gained from years of
working the real world.

with teenagers, many sanctuaries/shelters have a 16-years age minimum
age limit for volunteers; others will say 18 in a minimum for
insurance purposes. i've spoken with insurance professionals, tho, who
say that liability insurance really doesn't apply to volunteers but
only to VISITORS--that volunteers are assumed to have taken on any
risks by the act of volunteering

you can find lots of materials on freecycle lists, too, if you don't
mind wading through lots of posts for things that aren't applicable.
posting what you WANT, however, can work well.

there are at LEAST two yahoogroups that exist solely for
shelters/sanctuaries/rescue to post things that they need/have extras
of to share with others.

any university with a vet school or a vet-tech program is a source of
volunteers; in fact, universities are a good source in general, as a
lot of students really miss their own pets and would love to help out,
even if "only" doing socializing, which is a major need for places
with a lot of kitties.

i was astonished to find out, when i moved to the sanctuary, that i
was the first volunteer they'd ever had who knew how to medicate cats!

i did up a flyer once, asking for "cooks, cleaners and
cuddlers"--people to come in for an hour a day opening the 52 cans of
wet food, scooping it into bowls and adding the lysine, and delivering
it to the rooms; helping with cleaning (the never-ending cleaning--
every little bit helps, and frees the directors of the facilities for
things like vet visits, maintenance, etc), and the all-important
sitting on the floor and just being a cat toy.

so many people think that "helping out" means taking in another
cat. it can mean joining a group of people putting labels on the
newsletter, taking photos of the adoptable cats and putting them on
the petfinder site, writing thank-you notes for donations received;
answering emails or phone calls; offering to pick up donations and
delivering them to the shelter/rescue; transporting critters to the
vet, on a leg of their trip to their forever home. it can be going out
every two weeks and taking a spin on the riding lawn mower; it can be
having another group they're with having 50/50 raffles where half the
proceeds go to the rescue; it can be someone lending their fundraising
skills  and helping organize an event; it can be staffing an adoption
event for a few hours; it can be sellling baked goods on a weekend.

if we remind people of all the ways they can help, without adding a
new fur-source to their homes, again, we help us all.

MC



On 2/7/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Well, three of my volunteers have now moved out of state (have since gone
off to college), and the other two now have their hands full with their two
new children, one of which is a Down's Synd. baby...where are you?

I found the kids willing to help that time at one of the high schools in the
area.  They have to do community service to graduate in Maryland.  Not all
of the kids want to work at church, or are comfortable helping at a soup
kitchen, and there are quite a lot of young adults who love animals and are
very into activism, but are limited as to how much they can do first hand
because they still live with mom & dad.  BUT, if you contact the local high
schools & churches in your areas, you'd be surprised by how many people are
willing to help.  AND if you have any affiliations with actual rescues, very
often the local lumber yards & little ma & pa hardware stores in the area
will be willing to donate either regular merchandise, or slightly damaged
items that can be still be useful...just not "pretty".  You can also get
ALOT of stuff on the CRAIGS LIST website.  People list items there they want
to get rid of, but don't want to throw awaymost are give-a-ways, some
are up for trade.

It never hurts to ask youth church groups, schools, shops that sell animal
supplies..even vet offices, boarding & grooming businesses.  But if you
approach the schools and church groups, do it correctly, start at the HEAD
of the school, explain in writing what you are looking to do and WHY, try to
find some educational value in it for those who would help.

If you are in need of  blankets or throws for your rescues...contact an
assisted living care facility.  Offer to maybe give a talk to the residents
about felv+, show pictures of your cats, or if they have the temperment and
are up on shots, to bring them in to visit.  Talk with them about what you
do, what you need...if you supplie the raw materials, and can find a
resident or two there who love cats and can say knitt or sew...perhaps you
can sit with them and make blankets or throws that

Re: Rude Ranch -ideas for getting HELP

2007-02-07 Thread tamara stickler
Well, three of my volunteers have now moved out of state (have since gone off 
to college), and the other two now have their hands full with their two new 
children, one of which is a Down's Synd. baby...where are you?
   
  I found the kids willing to help that time at one of the high schools in the 
area.  They have to do community service to graduate in Maryland.  Not all of 
the kids want to work at church, or are comfortable helping at a soup kitchen, 
and there are quite a lot of young adults who love animals and are very into 
activism, but are limited as to how much they can do first hand because they 
still live with mom & dad.  BUT, if you contact the local high schools & 
churches in your areas, you'd be surprised by how many people are willing to 
help.  AND if you have any affiliations with actual rescues, very often the 
local lumber yards & little ma & pa hardware stores in the area will be willing 
to donate either regular merchandise, or slightly damaged items that can be 
still be useful...just not "pretty".  You can also get ALOT of stuff on the 
CRAIGS LIST website.  People list items there they want to get rid of, but 
don't want to throw awaymost are give-a-ways, some are up for
 trade.
   
  It never hurts to ask youth church groups, schools, shops that sell animal 
supplies..even vet offices, boarding & grooming businesses.  But if you 
approach the schools and church groups, do it correctly, start at the HEAD of 
the school, explain in writing what you are looking to do and WHY, try to find 
some educational value in it for those who would help.
   
  If you are in need of  blankets or throws for your rescues...contact an 
assisted living care facility.  Offer to maybe give a talk to the residents 
about felv+, show pictures of your cats, or if they have the temperment and are 
up on shots, to bring them in to visit.  Talk with them about what you do, what 
you need...if you supplie the raw materials, and can find a resident or two 
there who love cats and can say knitt or sew...perhaps you can sit with them 
and make blankets or throws that you need.  ALWAYS remember tho to bring 
pictures back to your helpers of your critter using the items they made or 
donated.
   
  In that instance where I offered to help the woman who had offered to take 
Simms, I did so because I would have been making the living space more livable 
for an animal that had been in my care (and that I WANTED desparately to keep, 
but couldn't for space reasons (VERY small aptcondo Nazi's already all over 
me b/c I had too many...three of which were already special needs 
critters...etc...), I was willing to put the supplies I couldn't get donated on 
my charge card.  As it is, I used that money to drive the cat across 4 states 
to a better home.
   
  T

Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  No kidding!  That was exactly what was going through my mind when reading 
Tamara's offer of help.  I'm always wishing help like that would fall out of 
the sky and into my lap!

Susan Hoffman wrote:   Ummm, would you and your volunteers like to come give me 
a hand at MY place?  I'll accept!

tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:   
  I agree.  That's what scared me about the woman who originally agreed to take 
Simms.  After seeing her place, I called her back and told her I had five 
volunteers lined up who had agreed to come help her finish insulating the 
garage where she kept the felv+ cats, build new cat trees and levels for them 
and her healthy foster cats and even help her husband build the larger shed he 
told me he wanted to build for the healthy foster cats that she had.  I told 
her all her hubby had to do was get us a list of the materials he needed, give 
us a weekend or two when it would be good for them, and we'd be there.


 
-
Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread Nina
No kidding!  That was exactly what was going through my mind when 
reading Tamara's offer of help.  I'm always wishing help like that would 
fall out of the sky and into my lap!


Susan Hoffman wrote:
Ummm, would you and your volunteers like to come give me a hand at MY 
place?  I'll accept!


*/tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>/* wrote:


I agree.  That's what scared me about the woman who originally
agreed to take Simms.  After seeing her place, I called her back
and told her I had five volunteers lined up who had agreed to come
help her finish insulating the garage where she kept the felv+
cats, build new cat trees and levels for them and her healthy
foster cats and even help her husband build the larger shed he
told me he wanted to build for the healthy foster cats that she
had.  I told her all her hubby had to do was get us a list of the
materials he needed, give us a weekend or two when it would be
good for them, and we'd be there.



Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread Susan Hoffman
 nothing. we didn't want to cause trouble, we didn't want to make
> >false accusations about a place that had once been a really good
> >place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.
> >
> >there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
> >to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
> >wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
> >sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
> >people.
> >
> >MC
> >
> >On 2/5/07, Kelly L wrote:
> >>
> >> At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
> >>best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
> >>duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
> >>dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
> >>their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
> >>grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
> >>many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
> >>on others,
> >> We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
> >>suited to the group.
> >>
> >> Kelly
> >> www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Hey, I understand. I can understand where both the person who had
> >>volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from. RR has a
> >>business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
> >>only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
> >>pay for the cats care...I get that. And I understand this woman who agreed
> >>to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
> >>animals...I understand and respect that. As for the conditions on her farm
> >>and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
> >>believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
> >>under my care.
> >>
> >> While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
> >>IS working with all these other rescue organizations. All these places,
> >>people, who start with the best of intentions do good work. The level of
> >>"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.
> >>
> >> IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
> >>seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
> >>reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
> >>placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
> >>up in a place as nice as their's. I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
> >>personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
> >>with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
> >>joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
> >>recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
> >>the truth.
> >>
> >> But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
> >>so can saying a place is wonderful 
> >>
> >> My only intention with my original post was to caution. I know I have
> >>dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
> >>supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
> >>learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
> >>referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
> >>TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
> >>to it and not feel any guilt. Whereas IF all the facts were researched,
> >>perhaps a better place/person could be found if just given a little more
> >>time and research.
> >>
> >> I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to
> >>help...even when they've lost their way. EDUCATION to those trying to place
> >>felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether education on the
> >>disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or place where one might
> >>leave an animal who is trusting you to care for them.
> >>
> >> I never said RR was bad, or

Re: Rude Ranch-Chris--Tamara o/t

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
HEHEE...& hey, LOVE that qote of your's...I Just took notice of it: Spay & 
Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference


TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  heck, everyone ELSE lies to 
children.

On 2/6/07, tamara stickler wrote:
> Ah yes...I suppose it would...with the exception of the fact that it didn't
> end well for ol' Frick...but I suppose I COULD change
> thathehe..hmm...should I begin that career by lying to children...HA!
>
> I'll think about it. Thanks! ;-)
>
>
> "MacKenzie, Kerry N." wrote:
>

-- 
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



 
-
8:00? 8:25? 8:40?  Find a flick in no time
 with theYahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut.

Re: Rude Ranch-Chris--Tamara o/t

2007-02-06 Thread TenHouseCats

heck, everyone ELSE lies to children.

On 2/6/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Ah yes...I suppose it would...with the exception of the fact that it didn't
end well for ol' Frick...but I suppose I COULD change
thathehe..hmm...should I begin that career by lying to children...HA!

I'll think about it.  Thanks! ;-)


"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread TenHouseCats

i never thought the description was about rude ranch, but i DO think
the discussion itself has been VERY valuable.

MC

On 2/6/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Again, Leah,

The description I relayed was not at Rude Ranch, but at the farm of a
rescuer that claimed to be helping RR with fostering overflow cats...and
yes, Bob Rude was the name of the person who I had contacted regarding
placing Simms there before the other woman (mentioned above) volunteered to
give him a forever home.  It is HER place I described.  I never visited RR.

T


"Wolf, Leah R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I have been reading the many messages concerning Rude Ranch with
considerable interest since I seem to have opened up discussion about RR.
Admittedly I have had only one experience and that was my recent adoption of
one of their felv+ cats. It may well be that there were problems in the
past. I have a feeling that some of the less-than-positive experiences go
back several years ago, to the time before Bob and Kathy Rude moved to the
very large house they now run as a shelter/sanctuary. The descriptions
provided in a number of the e-mails do not match what I saw during my visit
on December 22, 2006.

The pictures posted on their web page, http://www.ruderanch.org, are an
accurate depiction of what I saw.


Leah
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
TenHouseCats
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:51 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

unfortunately, from what you saw, and what her husband said, she most
probably did NOT accept any help. and, sadly, it probably will come to the
point where she'll be on the news one day... this is when the now-trendy
concept of intervention comes in at least the husband recognizes there's
a problem too many times there IS that martyr complex, and the piece of
the classic hoarder/collector syndrome where the people really believe that
only they are able to truly care for the critters in the correct way.

i don't know what the answer is; at what point our responsibility as
rescuers and guardians of the animals kicks in, and others' rights to
privacy ends.

MC



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892





 
The fish are biting.
 Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.





--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



RE: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread Wolf, Leah R.
Thank you, Tamara, for the clarification.  There has been such a lively
discussion that it was becoming fuzzy to me what comments were being made
about Rude Ranch Animal Rescue and which ones were about other shelters and
individuals.
 
 
Leah 
  _  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 11:44 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Rude Ranch


Again, Leah,
 
The description I relayed was not at Rude Ranch, but at the farm of a
rescuer that claimed to be helping RR with fostering overflow cats...and
yes, Bob Rude was the name of the person who I had contacted regarding
placing Simms there before the other woman (mentioned above) volunteered to
give him a forever home.  It is HER place I described.  I never visited RR.
 
T

"Wolf, Leah R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I have been reading the many messages concerning Rude Ranch with
considerable interest since I seem to have opened up discussion about RR.
Admittedly I have had only one experience and that was my recent adoption of
one of their felv+ cats. It may well be that there were problems in the
past. I have a feeling that some of the less-than-positive experiences go
back several years ago, to the time before Bob and Kathy Rude moved to the
very large house they now run as a shelter/sanctuary. The descriptions
provided in a number of the e-mails do not match what I saw during my visit
on December 22, 2006.

The pictures posted on their web page, http://www.ruderanch.org, are an
accurate depiction of what I saw.


Leah
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of TenHouseCats
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:51 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

unfortunately, from what you saw, and what her husband said, she most
probably did NOT accept any help. and, sadly, it probably will come to the
point where she'll be on the news one day... this is when the now-trendy
concept of intervention comes in at least the husband recognizes there's
a problem too many times there IS that martyr complex, and the piece of
the classic hoarder/collector syndrome where the people really believe that
only they are able to truly care for the critters in the correct way.

i don't know what the answer is; at what point our responsibility as
rescuers and guardians of the animals kicks in, and others' rights to
privacy ends.

MC



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892






  _  

The fish are biting.
Get
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49679/*http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/spon
soredsearch_v2.php?o=US2140&cmp=Yahoo&ctv=Q107Tagline&s=Y&s2=EM&b=50> more
visitors on your site using Yahoo!
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Marketing.


RE: Rude Ranch-Chris--Tamara o/t

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
Ah yes...I suppose it would...with the exception of the fact that it didn't end 
well for ol' Frick...but I suppose I COULD change thathehe..hmm...should I 
begin that career by lying to children...HA!  
   
  I'll think about it.  Thanks! ;-)

"MacKenzie, Kerry N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hey Tamara
  I'm just dipping in here...haven't read anything else today yetbut I love 
the story of how you looked after your little goldfish for 3 years--just read 
it out to my co-worker--Tamara, weren't you the listmember who had some 
children's book ideas up her sleevemy co-worker reckons (as I do) that "the 
goldfish who couldn't swim" would make a great book! 
  
  -Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:12 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Rude Ranch-Chris


  Thanks Chris! 
   
  I do think about Big Boy alot, and thought perhaps you had chosen to keep 
him.  Romeo is a good name for him!  
   
  Sorry about having to keep him separated from your girl.  Once again we are 
treading the same path, as my most recent rescue does not get along with my 
female, Coebeio.  Coey absolutely hates him and growls at him until he, having 
had enough goes after her.  Since he's only about 1 or so, and oh, 3-4 lbs 
heaver than Coey (a senior), I too have to keep Tully locked behind three 
stacked babygates covering the doorway between my studio and the rest of the 
apt.  I was hoping that this would help the felines to get used to one 
anotherits been about 5 months now...and no go.  To make it worse...Tully 
is prone to urine infections & crystals and has asthmaooo here's yet 
ANOTHER foster animal that will be with me forever. 
   
  HAI really think I must be doing something wrong!  I have friends who 
feed their cats and dogs crap (supermarket & Walmart brand food)let them 
come and go outside without supervisionHere I'm trying to feed my animals 
human-grade quality foods like Merrik and EVO...and each one of them has been a 
special needs critter...heart conditions, asthma, skin cancer, cancer, brain 
tumors, cat herpes, ibd, seizers, pancreitis attackshell...I even had a 
diabetic guinea pig, a few one-eyed goldfish, AND a pearl scale goldfish-that 
couldn't swim-lived three years...had to be scooped up off the bottom of 
the tank to be fed each day, wiggled his way along the bottom, but couldn't 
float to save his life!  
   
  Anyway..sorry for ranting...I'm glad you and Romeo are doing so well!  Thanks 
again for the support!  Take care & God Bless.
  T

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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Haven’t chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another perspective.  
Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our cats—she for
 Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to compare notes & I 
remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte at this, I so 
appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this group gave me.  I 
remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole process was.  I sort 
of had to take stranger’s word that they were going to take care of BB as well 
as I would have!  In these ‘travels’ looking for a new home for BB, I ran 
across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was the ‘collector’ for FELV+ 
cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He never let anybody come to his 
home & simply picked up the cats in various parking lots.  When I talked to 
him, he made it clear that he had plenty of cats but would never let anyone 
even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now he may have been wonderful, but who 
knows??  But everyone raved about what a nice guy he was—how could responsible 
rescue/shelter workers recommend him so highly if they had
 never been there???
   
  As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also 
overloaded—going to fosters sounds great bu

RE: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
Again, Leah,
   
  The description I relayed was not at Rude Ranch, but at the farm of a rescuer 
that claimed to be helping RR with fostering overflow cats...and yes, Bob Rude 
was the name of the person who I had contacted regarding placing Simms there 
before the other woman (mentioned above) volunteered to give him a forever 
home.  It is HER place I described.  I never visited RR.
   
  T

"Wolf, Leah R." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  I have been reading the many messages concerning Rude Ranch with
considerable interest since I seem to have opened up discussion about RR.
Admittedly I have had only one experience and that was my recent adoption of
one of their felv+ cats. It may well be that there were problems in the
past. I have a feeling that some of the less-than-positive experiences go
back several years ago, to the time before Bob and Kathy Rude moved to the
very large house they now run as a shelter/sanctuary. The descriptions
provided in a number of the e-mails do not match what I saw during my visit
on December 22, 2006.

The pictures posted on their web page, http://www.ruderanch.org, are an
accurate depiction of what I saw.


Leah
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of TenHouseCats
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:51 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

unfortunately, from what you saw, and what her husband said, she most
probably did NOT accept any help. and, sadly, it probably will come to the
point where she'll be on the news one day... this is when the now-trendy
concept of intervention comes in at least the husband recognizes there's
a problem too many times there IS that martyr complex, and the piece of
the classic hoarder/collector syndrome where the people really believe that
only they are able to truly care for the critters in the correct way.

i don't know what the answer is; at what point our responsibility as
rescuers and guardians of the animals kicks in, and others' rights to
privacy ends.

MC



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892




 
-
The fish are biting.
 Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.

RE: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread Wolf, Leah R.
I have been reading the many messages concerning Rude Ranch with
considerable interest since I seem to have opened up discussion about RR.
Admittedly I have had only one experience and that was my recent adoption of
one of their felv+ cats.  It may well be that there were problems in the
past.  I have a feeling that some of the less-than-positive experiences go
back several years ago, to the time before Bob and Kathy Rude moved to the
very large house they now run as a shelter/sanctuary.  The descriptions
provided in a number of the e-mails do not match what I saw during my visit
on December 22, 2006.

The pictures posted on their web page, http://www.ruderanch.org, are an
accurate depiction of what I saw.


Leah
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of TenHouseCats
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:51 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

unfortunately, from what you saw, and what her husband said, she most
probably did NOT accept any help. and, sadly, it probably will come to the
point where she'll be on the news one day... this is when the now-trendy
concept of intervention comes in at least the husband recognizes there's
a problem too many times there IS that martyr complex, and the piece of
the classic hoarder/collector syndrome where the people really believe that
only they are able to truly care for the critters in the correct way.

i don't know what the answer is; at what point our responsibility as
rescuers and guardians of the animals kicks in, and others' rights to
privacy ends.

MC



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892




Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread TenHouseCats

unfortunately, from what you saw, and what her husband said, she most
probably did NOT accept any help. and, sadly, it probably will come to
the point where she'll be on the news one day... this is when the
now-trendy concept of intervention comes in at least the husband
recognizes there's a problem too many times there IS that martyr
complex, and the piece of the classic hoarder/collector syndrome where
the people really believe that only they are able to truly care for
the critters in the correct way.

i don't know what the answer is; at what point our responsibility as
rescuers and guardians of the animals kicks in, and others' rights to
privacy ends.

MC



--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



RE: Rude Ranch-Chris

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
I wish I knew too!  Maybe someday, SOMEONE will figure it out...

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Well time went on and he just 
sort of made himself comfortable—and you know how that goes!
   
  Well the tussles between Romeo and Tucson make me really wish I could talk 
‘cat’ language!  The thing is that he is NEVER the aggressor.  The only time 
they start fighting is when she corners him.  Having been out on the street for 
so long, he’s better at it and she always gets the short end but that doesn’t 
stop her!  Never ever had that experience with cats before so it’s a real 
stumper!  He’s getting a little braver about coming into a room when she’s 
there but is she spots him, she usually lets him walk a couple of feet and then 
goes charging.  What’s really weird is that at meal time, he comes trotting out 
and will stand there and meow with the rest of them as I open the food and 
nobody goes after anybody else.  Or if a stranger comes in the apartment, they 
all go scurrying under one of the beds and will stay nose to nose for hours 
without so much as a hiss!  Go figure.
   
   
Chris
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

  -Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:12 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Rude Ranch-Chris
   
Thanks Chris! 

 

I do think about Big Boy alot, and thought perhaps you had chosen to keep 
him.  Romeo is a good name for him!  

 

Sorry about having to keep him separated from your girl.  Once again we are 
treading the same path, as my most recent rescue does not get along with my 
female, Coebeio.  Coey absolutely hates him and growls at him until he, having 
had enough goes after her.  Since he's only about 1 or so, and oh, 3-4 lbs 
heaver than Coey (a senior), I too have to keep Tully locked behind three 
stacked babygates covering the doorway between my studio and the rest of the 
apt.  I was hoping that this would help the felines to get used to one 
anotherits been about 5 months now...and no go.  To make it worse...Tully 
is prone to urine infections & crystals and has asthmaooo here's yet 
ANOTHER foster animal that will be with me forever. 

 

HAI really think I must be doing something wrong!  I have friends who 
feed their cats and dogs crap (supermarket & Walmart brand food)let them 
come and go outside without supervisionHere I'm trying to feed my animals 
human-grade quality foods like Merrik and EVO...and each one of them has been a 
special needs critter...heart conditions, asthma, skin cancer, cancer, brain 
tumors, cat herpes, ibd, seizers, pancreitis attackshell...I even had a 
diabetic guinea pig, a few one-eyed goldfish, AND a pearl scale goldfish-that 
couldn't swim-lived three years...had to be scooped up off the bottom of 
the tank to be fed each day, wiggled his way along the bottom, but couldn't 
float to save his life!  

 

Anyway..sorry for ranting...I'm glad you and Romeo are doing so well!  
Thanks again for the support!  Take care & God Bless.

T

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

  Haven’t chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another 
perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our 
cats—she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to compare 
notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte at this, I 
so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this group gave me. 
 I remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole process was.  I 
sort of had to take stranger’s word that they were going to take care of BB as 
well as I would have!  In these ‘travels’ looking for a new home for BB, I ran 
across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was the ‘collector’ for FELV+ 
cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He never let anybody come to his 
home & simply picked up the cats in various parking lots.  When I talked to 
him, he made it clear that he had plenty of cats but would never let anyone 
even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now he may have been
 wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a nice guy he 
was—how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him so highly if 
they had never been there???

 

As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also 
overloaded—going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to monitor 
those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my Katrina work, has 
shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look at their 
foster--many don’t even have a home visit to begin with—much less a visit after 
they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT situations—but it 
only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for everybody.  Tamara’s heads up 
to me way

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
;place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.
> >
> >there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
> >to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
> >wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
> >sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
> >people.
> >
> >MC
> >
> >On 2/5/07, Kelly L wrote:
> >>
> >> At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
> >>best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
> >>duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
> >>dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
> >>their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
> >>grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
> >>many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
> >>on others,
> >> We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
> >>suited to the group.
> >>
> >> Kelly
> >> www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>Hey, I understand. I can understand where both the person who had
> >>volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from. RR has a
> >>business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
> >>only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
> >>pay for the cats care...I get that. And I understand this woman who agreed
> >>to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
> >>animals...I understand and respect that. As for the conditions on her farm
> >>and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
> >>believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
> >>under my care.
> >>
> >> While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
> >>IS working with all these other rescue organizations. All these places,
> >>people, who start with the best of intentions do good work. The level of
> >>"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.
> >>
> >> IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
> >>seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
> >>reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
> >>placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
> >>up in a place as nice as their's. I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
> >>personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
> >>with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
> >>joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
> >>recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
> >>the truth.
> >>
> >> But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
> >>so can saying a place is wonderful 
> >>
> >> My only intention with my original post was to caution. I know I have
> >>dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
> >>supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
> >>learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
> >>referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
> >>TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
> >>to it and not feel any guilt. Whereas IF all the facts were researched,
> >>perhaps a better place/person could be found if just given a little more
> >>time and research.
> >>
> >> I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to
> >>help...even when they've lost their way. EDUCATION to those trying to place
> >>felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether education on the
> >>disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or place where one might
> >>leave an animal who is trusting you to care for them.
> >>
> >> I never said RR was bad, or absolutely did shift animals onto an overloaded
> >>foster home, I just relayed what little information I personaly heard from
> >>some

RE: Rude Ranch-Chris

2007-02-06 Thread Chris
Well time went on and he just sort of made himself comfortable-and you know
how that goes!

 

Well the tussles between Romeo and Tucson make me really wish I could talk
'cat' language!  The thing is that he is NEVER the aggressor.  The only time
they start fighting is when she corners him.  Having been out on the street
for so long, he's better at it and she always gets the short end but that
doesn't stop her!  Never ever had that experience with cats before so it's a
real stumper!  He's getting a little braver about coming into a room when
she's there but is she spots him, she usually lets him walk a couple of feet
and then goes charging.  What's really weird is that at meal time, he comes
trotting out and will stand there and meow with the rest of them as I open
the food and nobody goes after anybody else.  Or if a stranger comes in the
apartment, they all go scurrying under one of the beds and will stay nose to
nose for hours without so much as a hiss!  Go figure.

 

 

Chris

 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED]

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:12 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Rude Ranch-Chris

 

Thanks Chris! 

 

I do think about Big Boy alot, and thought perhaps you had chosen to keep
him.  Romeo is a good name for him!  

 

Sorry about having to keep him separated from your girl.  Once again we are
treading the same path, as my most recent rescue does not get along with my
female, Coebeio.  Coey absolutely hates him and growls at him until he,
having had enough goes after her.  Since he's only about 1 or so, and oh,
3-4 lbs heaver than Coey (a senior), I too have to keep Tully locked behind
three stacked babygates covering the doorway between my studio and the rest
of the apt.  I was hoping that this would help the felines to get used to
one anotherits been about 5 months now...and no go.  To make it
worse...Tully is prone to urine infections & crystals and has
asthmaooo here's yet ANOTHER foster animal that will be with me
forever. 

 

HAI really think I must be doing something wrong!  I have friends who
feed their cats and dogs crap (supermarket & Walmart brand food)let them
come and go outside without supervisionHere I'm trying to feed my
animals human-grade quality foods like Merrik and EVO...and each one of them
has been a special needs critter...heart conditions, asthma, skin cancer,
cancer, brain tumors, cat herpes, ibd, seizers, pancreitis
attackshell...I even had a diabetic guinea pig, a few one-eyed goldfish,
AND a pearl scale goldfish-that couldn't swim-lived three years...had to
be scooped up off the bottom of the tank to be fed each day, wiggled his way
along the bottom, but couldn't float to save his life!  

 

Anyway..sorry for ranting...I'm glad you and Romeo are doing so well!
Thanks again for the support!  Take care & God Bless.

T

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Haven't chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another
perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our
cats-she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to
compare notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte
at this, I so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this
group gave me.  I remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole
process was.  I sort of had to take stranger's word that they were going to
take care of BB as well as I would have!  In these 'travels' looking for a
new home for BB, I ran across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was
the 'collector' for FELV+ cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He
never let anybody come to his home & simply picked up the cats in various
parking lots.  When I talked to him, he made it clear that he had plenty of
cats but would never let anyone even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now
he may have been wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a
nice guy he was-how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him
so highly if they had never been there???

 

As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also
overloaded-going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to
monitor those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my Katrina
work, has shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look at
their foster--many don't even have a home visit to begin with-much less a
visit after they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT
situations-but it only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for everybody.
Tamara's heads up to me way back then saved me a long trip down to Maryland,
and more importandly saved me from making what could have been a bad
placement for

RE: Rude Ranch-Chris--Tamara o/t

2007-02-06 Thread MacKenzie, Kerry N.
Hey Tamara
I'm just dipping in here...haven't read anything else today yetbut I
love the story of how you looked after your little goldfish for 3
years--just read it out to my co-worker--Tamara, weren't you the
listmember who had some children's book ideas up her sleevemy
co-worker reckons (as I do) that "the goldfish who couldn't swim" would
make a great book! 
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara
stickler
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:12 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: RE: Rude Ranch-Chris


Thanks Chris! 
 
I do think about Big Boy alot, and thought perhaps you had chosen to
keep him.  Romeo is a good name for him!  
 
Sorry about having to keep him separated from your girl.  Once again we
are treading the same path, as my most recent rescue does not get along
with my female, Coebeio.  Coey absolutely hates him and growls at him
until he, having had enough goes after her.  Since he's only about 1 or
so, and oh, 3-4 lbs heaver than Coey (a senior), I too have to keep
Tully locked behind three stacked babygates covering the doorway between
my studio and the rest of the apt.  I was hoping that this would help
the felines to get used to one anotherits been about 5 months
now...and no go.  To make it worse...Tully is prone to urine infections
& crystals and has asthmaooo here's yet ANOTHER foster animal
that will be with me forever. 
 
HAI really think I must be doing something wrong!  I have friends
who feed their cats and dogs crap (supermarket & Walmart brand
food)let them come and go outside without supervisionHere I'm
trying to feed my animals human-grade quality foods like Merrik and
EVO...and each one of them has been a special needs critter...heart
conditions, asthma, skin cancer, cancer, brain tumors, cat herpes, ibd,
seizers, pancreitis attackshell...I even had a diabetic guinea pig,
a few one-eyed goldfish, AND a pearl scale goldfish-that couldn't
swim-lived three years...had to be scooped up off the bottom of the
tank to be fed each day, wiggled his way along the bottom, but couldn't
float to save his life!  
 
Anyway..sorry for ranting...I'm glad you and Romeo are doing so well!
Thanks again for the support!  Take care & God Bless.
T

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Haven't chimed in too often lately but just want to offer
another perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one
of our cats-she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each
other to compare notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a
total neophyte at this, I so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and
other members of this group gave me.  I remember that what struck me was
how frightening the whole process was.  I sort of had to take stranger's
word that they were going to take care of BB as well as I would have!
In these 'travels' looking for a new home for BB, I ran across some
pretty scary people.  One local guy was the 'collector' for FELV+ cats
that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He never let anybody come to his
home & simply picked up the cats in various parking lots.  When I talked
to him, he made it clear that he had plenty of cats but would never let
anyone even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now he may have been
wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a nice guy he
was-how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him so highly
if they had never been there???
 
As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are
also overloaded-going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work
to monitor those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my
Katrina work, has shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever
take a look at their foster--many don't even have a home visit to begin
with-much less a visit after they receive animals.  I know that most
fosters are GREAT situations-but it only takes one poor/marginal one to
ruin it for everybody.  Tamara's heads up to me way back then saved me a
long trip down to Maryland, and more importandly saved me from making
what could have been a bad placement for him...  
 
Over the last few years, I've looked to this group for so
much-and found that everybody could be open & honest here.  We need to
give each other some clues when something doesn't seem quite right...
So Tamara, thank you from me and from BB  (who by the way is now Romeo
and sprawled out on my bed-so much for rehoming!)
 
Chris
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara
stickler
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:52 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject

RE: Rude Ranch-Chris

2007-02-06 Thread tamara stickler
Thanks Chris! 
   
  I do think about Big Boy alot, and thought perhaps you had chosen to keep 
him.  Romeo is a good name for him!  
   
  Sorry about having to keep him separated from your girl.  Once again we are 
treading the same path, as my most recent rescue does not get along with my 
female, Coebeio.  Coey absolutely hates him and growls at him until he, having 
had enough goes after her.  Since he's only about 1 or so, and oh, 3-4 lbs 
heaver than Coey (a senior), I too have to keep Tully locked behind three 
stacked babygates covering the doorway between my studio and the rest of the 
apt.  I was hoping that this would help the felines to get used to one 
anotherits been about 5 months now...and no go.  To make it worse...Tully 
is prone to urine infections & crystals and has asthmaooo here's yet 
ANOTHER foster animal that will be with me forever. 
   
  HAI really think I must be doing something wrong!  I have friends who 
feed their cats and dogs crap (supermarket & Walmart brand food)let them 
come and go outside without supervisionHere I'm trying to feed my animals 
human-grade quality foods like Merrik and EVO...and each one of them has been a 
special needs critter...heart conditions, asthma, skin cancer, cancer, brain 
tumors, cat herpes, ibd, seizers, pancreitis attackshell...I even had a 
diabetic guinea pig, a few one-eyed goldfish, AND a pearl scale goldfish-that 
couldn't swim-lived three years...had to be scooped up off the bottom of 
the tank to be fed each day, wiggled his way along the bottom, but couldn't 
float to save his life!  
   
  Anyway..sorry for ranting...I'm glad you and Romeo are doing so well!  Thanks 
again for the support!  Take care & God Bless.
  T

Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Haven’t chimed in too often lately but just want to offer 
another perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our 
cats—she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to compare 
notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte at this, I 
so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this group gave me. 
 I remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole process was.  I 
sort of had to take stranger’s word that they were going to take care of BB as 
well as I would have!  In these ‘travels’ looking for a new home for BB, I ran 
across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was the ‘collector’ for FELV+ 
cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He never let anybody come to his 
home & simply picked up the cats in various parking lots.  When I talked to 
him, he made it clear that he had plenty of cats but would never let anyone 
even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now he may
 have been wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a nice guy 
he was—how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him so highly if 
they had never been there???
   
  As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also 
overloaded—going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to monitor 
those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my Katrina work, has 
shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look at their 
foster--many don’t even have a home visit to begin with—much less a visit after 
they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT situations—but it 
only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for everybody.  Tamara’s heads up 
to me way back then saved me a long trip down to Maryland, and more importandly 
saved me from making what could have been a bad placement for him…  
   
  Over the last few years, I’ve looked to this group for so much—and found that 
everybody could be open & honest here.  We need to give each other some clues 
when something doesn’t seem quite right…  So Tamara, thank you from me and from 
BB  (who by the way is now Romeo and sprawled out on my bed—so much for 
rehoming!)
   
Chris
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

  -Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:52 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch
   
Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had 
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a business 
to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can only 
continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help pay for 
the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed to help me, 
doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of animals...I 
understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm and the charges 
under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I believe I would 
want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge un

RE: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Chris
That's why I can't do rescue!  I can't give them up!  He's turned into the
biggest mush of all!  Lives for those head buts!!  My ONLY problem with him
is that my Tucson, (my other FELV+) has a thing about him and goes after him
any chance she gets.  He's a real wimpy sort of guy so he would stay hiding
someplace if I didn't separate them at some point--not my ideal, believe me!
They've really gotten into it a few times--she's a lot bigger than him &
when she pins him down, he bites her.  Caused a couple of trips to the
vet---you'd think she'd learn just to leave him alone but she just won't
quit.  Wish I could talk cat language to know what it is that throws her so
much...

Chris
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of TenHouseCats
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 6:17 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

yeah, but some of us, who weren't even on this list then, still asked
about Big Boy for years after you DIDN'T place him with us! hee
hee.

On 2/5/07, Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Haven't chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another
> perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our
> cats-she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to
> compare notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte
> at this, I so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of
this
> group gave me.  I remember that what struck me was how frightening the
whole
> process was.  I sort of had to take stranger's word that they were going
to
> take care of BB as well as I would have!  In these 'travels' looking for a
> new home for BB, I ran across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was
> the 'collector' for FELV+ cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He
> never let anybody come to his home & simply picked up the cats in various
> parking lots.  When I talked to him, he made it clear that he had plenty
of
> cats but would never let anyone even come to inspect, much less visit.
Now
> he may have been wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what
a
> nice guy he was-how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him
> so highly if they had never been there???
>
>
>
> As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also
> overloaded-going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to
> monitor those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my
Katrina
> work, has shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look
at
> their foster--many don't even have a home visit to begin with-much less a
> visit after they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT
> situations-but it only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for
everybody.
>  Tamara's heads up to me way back then saved me a long trip down to
> Maryland, and more importandly saved me from making what could have been a
> bad placement for him.
>
>
>
> Over the last few years, I've looked to this group for so much-and found
> that everybody could be open & honest here.  We need to give each other
some
> clues when something doesn't seem quite right.  So Tamara, thank you from
me
> and from BB  (who by the way is now Romeo and sprawled out on my bed-so
much
> for rehoming!)
>
>
>
>
> Chris
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> -Original Message-
>  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
> tamara stickler
>  Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:52 PM
>  To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
>  Subject: Re: Rude Ranch
>
>
>
>
> Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
> volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
> business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they
can
> only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to
help
> pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who
agreed
> to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
> animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her
farm
> and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as
I
> believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the
charge
> under my care.
>
>
>
>
>
> While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because
she
> IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
> people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
> "good" is relative to each individual's p

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

yeah, but some of us, who weren't even on this list then, still asked
about Big Boy for years after you DIDN'T place him with us! hee
hee.

On 2/5/07, Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:





Haven't chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another
perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our
cats—she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to
compare notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte
at this, I so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this
group gave me.  I remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole
process was.  I sort of had to take stranger's word that they were going to
take care of BB as well as I would have!  In these 'travels' looking for a
new home for BB, I ran across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was
the 'collector' for FELV+ cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He
never let anybody come to his home & simply picked up the cats in various
parking lots.  When I talked to him, he made it clear that he had plenty of
cats but would never let anyone even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now
he may have been wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a
nice guy he was—how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him
so highly if they had never been there???



As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also
overloaded—going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to
monitor those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my Katrina
work, has shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look at
their foster--many don't even have a home visit to begin with—much less a
visit after they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT
situations—but it only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for everybody.
 Tamara's heads up to me way back then saved me a long trip down to
Maryland, and more importandly saved me from making what could have been a
bad placement for him…



Over the last few years, I've looked to this group for so much—and found
that everybody could be open & honest here.  We need to give each other some
clues when something doesn't seem quite right…  So Tamara, thank you from me
and from BB  (who by the way is now Romeo and sprawled out on my bed—so much
for rehoming!)




Chris

[EMAIL PROTECTED]


-Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
tamara stickler
 Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:52 PM
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 Subject: Re: Rude Ranch




Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
under my care.





While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.





IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
up in a place as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
the truth.





But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
so can saying a place is wonderful 





My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
to it and not feel any guilt.  Whereas I

RE: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Chris
Haven't chimed in too often lately but just want to offer another
perspective.  Tamara & I were both looking for someplace for one of our
cats-she for Simms, me for Big Boy.  We touched base with each other to
compare notes & I remember when this all happened.  Being a total neophyte
at this, I so appreciated some of the tips Tamara and other members of this
group gave me.  I remember that what struck me was how frightening the whole
process was.  I sort of had to take stranger's word that they were going to
take care of BB as well as I would have!  In these 'travels' looking for a
new home for BB, I ran across some pretty scary people.  One local guy was
the 'collector' for FELV+ cats that showed up in any rescue/shelter.  He
never let anybody come to his home & simply picked up the cats in various
parking lots.  When I talked to him, he made it clear that he had plenty of
cats but would never let anyone even come to inspect, much less visit.  Now
he may have been wonderful, but who knows??  But everyone raved about what a
nice guy he was-how could responsible rescue/shelter workers recommend him
so highly if they had never been there???

 

As far as Rude Ranch, like everyone else, I suspect they are also
overloaded-going to fosters sounds great but it takes a lot of work to
monitor those fosters.  Sadly, my experience with BB search & w. my Katrina
work, has shown that very few agencies/shelters/rescues ever take a look at
their foster--many don't even have a home visit to begin with-much less a
visit after they receive animals.  I know that most fosters are GREAT
situations-but it only takes one poor/marginal one to ruin it for everybody.
Tamara's heads up to me way back then saved me a long trip down to Maryland,
and more importandly saved me from making what could have been a bad
placement for him.  

 

Over the last few years, I've looked to this group for so much-and found
that everybody could be open & honest here.  We need to give each other some
clues when something doesn't seem quite right.  So Tamara, thank you from me
and from BB  (who by the way is now Romeo and sprawled out on my bed-so much
for rehoming!)

 

Chris

 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED]

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:52 PM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch

 

Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
under my care. 

 

While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.  

 

IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
up in a place as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
the truth.  

 

But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
so can saying a place is wonderful 

 

My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
to it and not feel any guilt.  Whereas IF all the facts were researched,
perhaps a better place/person could be found if just given a little more
time and research.

 

I had/have no intention to villify people w

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

well said.

what's really sad is that, with the in-fighting that goes on, people
are sometimes afraid to ask for help when they need it. or if they DO
ask for it, it's either used against them, or they don't receive it.

it IS hard to learn to know your own limits, to say 'no,' especially
when we do know what the alternative is, especially for the FIVs and
FeLVs. but if we burnt out, and don't care of ourselves, we ultimately
end up not being able to take care of ANY of them

so if we see good people getting in over their heads, or in temporary
trouble (sickness, having surgery, loss of volunteers or fosters), we
really need to help them out--in the end, it benefits everyone.  it's
when people refuse to acknowledge or accept help that bells need to go
off. i'm not talking about folks who just don't want to burden others,
but those who flat-out refuse any assistance, insisting they can do it
themselves when clearly they cannot...

the only way this works is if we work together.

MC

On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

At 01:20 PM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


Maybe just letting people know to really check out ANY place where
you cat ends up...and make appointments to do follow ups, I
personally do home checks when I adopt out any kitty or dog, and I do
follow ups, One of my kitties. Little came back to me this week, I
kept in very close touch with the adopters and it just wasn't working
out so I went and got him,I thanked the very nice people for
recognizing that it was not the best situationand making sure
LITTLE cane home and of course refunded them the adoption feeand
offered to let them come visit Little any time,
All of this is time consuming but necessary.
We have a local rescue I would not leave an animal atShe is
overburdened and cannot say no,,I try to help her, and she does the
very best she can, Would I turn her in or alert others.. I would
never turn her in as the animals are fat and vetted and warm in the
winter, It is not ideal, but beats the hell out of the
alternativeThey are not caged and they are loved and she does
work her butt off getting them adopted, Not to my standards, but then
realizing there is a chance they get out and get hit by a car, Yup
that could happen, or they could have been held in a shelter and then killed,
We do our best, I see so much animosity amongst rescue groups it
makes me sad sometimes,l
Kelly


>here i go being terminally libra again--ON THE OTHER paw.
>
>this is a pretty closed list, with people particularly attuned to the
>needs of special-needs cats, so not as public as some.
>
>many, many of us in rescue had heard things about angel wings, and we
>did nothing. we didn't want to cause trouble, we didn't want to make
>false accusations about a place that had once been a really good
>place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.
>
>there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
>to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
>wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
>sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
>people.
>
>MC
>
>On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>  At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:
>>
>>
>>  We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
>>best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
>>duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
>>dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
>>their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
>>grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
>>many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
>>on others,
>>  We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
>>suited to the group.
>>
>>  Kelly
>>  www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com
>>
>>
>>
>>Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
>>volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
>>business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
>>only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
>>pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
>>to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
>>animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
>>and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
>>believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
>>under my care.
>>
>>  While

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Kelly L

At 01:20 PM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


Maybe just letting people know to really check out ANY place where 
you cat ends up...and make appointments to do follow ups, I 
personally do home checks when I adopt out any kitty or dog, and I do 
follow ups, One of my kitties. Little came back to me this week, I 
kept in very close touch with the adopters and it just wasn't working 
out so I went and got him,I thanked the very nice people for 
recognizing that it was not the best situationand making sure 
LITTLE cane home and of course refunded them the adoption feeand 
offered to let them come visit Little any time,

All of this is time consuming but necessary.
We have a local rescue I would not leave an animal atShe is 
overburdened and cannot say no,,I try to help her, and she does the 
very best she can, Would I turn her in or alert others.. I would 
never turn her in as the animals are fat and vetted and warm in the 
winter, It is not ideal, but beats the hell out of the 
alternativeThey are not caged and they are loved and she does 
work her butt off getting them adopted, Not to my standards, but then 
realizing there is a chance they get out and get hit by a car, Yup 
that could happen, or they could have been held in a shelter and then killed,
We do our best, I see so much animosity amongst rescue groups it 
makes me sad sometimes,l

Kelly



here i go being terminally libra again--ON THE OTHER paw.

this is a pretty closed list, with people particularly attuned to the
needs of special-needs cats, so not as public as some.

many, many of us in rescue had heard things about angel wings, and we
did nothing. we didn't want to cause trouble, we didn't want to make
false accusations about a place that had once been a really good
place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.

there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
people.

MC

On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


 We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
on others,
 We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
suited to the group.

 Kelly
 www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com



Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
under my care.

 While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.

 IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
up in a place as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
the truth.

 But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
so can saying a place is wonderful 

 My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...N

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Kelly L

At 01:20 PM 2/5/2007, you wrote:

We do walk a thin line thoughsounds more like Gemini to me though,,lol



here i go being terminally libra again--ON THE OTHER paw.

this is a pretty closed list, with people particularly attuned to the
needs of special-needs cats, so not as public as some.

many, many of us in rescue had heard things about angel wings, and we
did nothing. we didn't want to cause trouble, we didn't want to make
false accusations about a place that had once been a really good
place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.

there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
people.

MC

On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


 We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
on others,
 We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
suited to the group.

 Kelly
 www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com



Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
under my care.

 While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.

 IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
up in a place as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
the truth.

 But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
so can saying a place is wonderful 

 My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
to it and not feel any guilt.  Whereas IF all the facts were researched,
perhaps a better place/person could be found if just given a little more
time and research.

 I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to
help...even when they've lost their way.  EDUCATION to those trying to place
felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether education on the
disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or place where one might
leave an animal who is trusting you to care for them.

 I never said RR was bad, or absolutely did shift animals onto an overloaded
foster home, I just relayed what little information I personaly heard from
someone who claimed to have a good, working relationship with RR.  So that
if anyone had seen them on Animal Planet they wouldn't automatically assume
them to be the "be-all-end-all" (which they may actually be-who knows) just
because they were on tv.  Speaking as a rescuer myself, who is more than
willing to help others ...I prefer to do so when they've exhausted all other
avenues...and NOT be their first call...

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

i didn't think it was a personal attack, either, actually. i thought
it was a well-worded reminder to all of us

On 2/5/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Thanks Nina,

I thought that perhaps the issue I initiated was begining to escalate and
just wanted to dead-end any path that might lead to hard feelings.  It has
never been, nor will it ever be my intention to cause distress or negative
emotions to bubble over on the list.

Thanks for understanding.
T


Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Tamara,
I certainly appreciate your taking the time to post to the list about
your personal experience with RR. Your language and tact was in no way
interpreted, (certainly not by me) as a definitive slam on them
personally. You were very clear about your involvement. It started a
lively discussion that I think anyone considering placing an animal will
benefit from. Most of the people on this list, if not all, take our
responsibility to the animals we rescue very seriously. A little
reminder to take a thorough look under the rug is a good thing.
Nina

tamara stickler wrote:
> Hey, I understand. I can understand where both the person who had
> volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from. RR has a
> business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and
> they can only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them
> continue to help pay for the cats care...I get that. And I understand
> this woman who agreed to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her
> heart b/c of her love of animals...I understand and respect that. As
> for the conditions on her farm and the charges under her care, since
> they were not up to MY standards, as I believe I would want to live,
> so I found another alternative for the charge under my care.





 
Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels
in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.





--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

here i go being terminally libra again--ON THE OTHER paw.

this is a pretty closed list, with people particularly attuned to the
needs of special-needs cats, so not as public as some.

many, many of us in rescue had heard things about angel wings, and we
did nothing. we didn't want to cause trouble, we didn't want to make
false accusations about a place that had once been a really good
place; we ignored a LOT of warning signs.

there needs to be a middle ground between doing nothing, and rushing
to judgment. i'm not sure what it is, but i don't want another angel
wings. if you're in rescue, you CONSTANTLY hear of rescues and
sanctuaries that turn out to be bad, and that fooled a lot of
people.

MC

On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


 We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do our
best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have misgivings, it is our
duty to protect the animals, We all have different standards. My cats have
dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it is comfortable for the ferals to have
their seclusion, Someone else might not like it, They are litter boxes and
grass I need to cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to
many good rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards
on others,
 We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not it is
suited to the group.

 Kelly
 www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com



Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can
only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them continue to help
pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed
to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of
animals...I understand and respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm
and the charges under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I
believe I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge
under my care.

 While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places,
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.

 IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone
reading about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat
placed with them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind
up in a place as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no
personal knowledge of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience
with someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed
joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations I had spoken to
recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me
the truth.

 But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm,
so can saying a place is wonderful 

 My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT
referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems
TOO wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal
to it and not feel any guilt.  Whereas IF all the facts were researched,
perhaps a better place/person could be found if just given a little more
time and research.

 I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to
help...even when they've lost their way.  EDUCATION to those trying to place
felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether education on the
disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or place where one might
leave an animal who is trusting you to care for them.

 I never said RR was bad, or absolutely did shift animals onto an overloaded
foster home, I just relayed what little information I personaly heard from
someone who claimed to have a good, working relationship with RR.  So that
if anyone had seen them on Animal Planet they wouldn't automatically assume
them to be the "be-all-end-all" (which they may actually be-who knows) just
because they were on tv.  Speaking as a rescuer myself, who is more than
willing to help others ...I prefer to do so when they've exhausted all other
avenues...and NOT be their first call...being too good at what you do, can
get you in WAY over your head.

 T




 TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread tamara stickler
Thanks Nina,
   
  I thought that perhaps the issue I initiated was begining to escalate and 
just wanted to dead-end any path that might lead to hard feelings.  It has 
never been, nor will it ever be my intention to cause distress or negative 
emotions to bubble over on the list.
   
  Thanks for understanding.
  T

Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Tamara,
I certainly appreciate your taking the time to post to the list about 
your personal experience with RR. Your language and tact was in no way 
interpreted, (certainly not by me) as a definitive slam on them 
personally. You were very clear about your involvement. It started a 
lively discussion that I think anyone considering placing an animal will 
benefit from. Most of the people on this list, if not all, take our 
responsibility to the animals we rescue very seriously. A little 
reminder to take a thorough look under the rug is a good thing.
Nina

tamara stickler wrote:
> Hey, I understand. I can understand where both the person who had 
> volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from. RR has a 
> business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and 
> they can only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them 
> continue to help pay for the cats care...I get that. And I understand 
> this woman who agreed to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her 
> heart b/c of her love of animals...I understand and respect that. As 
> for the conditions on her farm and the charges under her care, since 
> they were not up to MY standards, as I believe I would want to live, 
> so I found another alternative for the charge under my care.




 
-
Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels 
in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Kelly L

At 11:51 AM 2/5/2007, you wrote:


We can and should only relay facts as we personally know them, and do 
our best to do it privately if at all possible, If we have 
misgivings, it is our duty to protect the animals, We all have 
different standards. My cats have dirt to play in and bushes,,,and it 
is comfortable for the ferals to have their seclusion, Someone else 
might not like it, They are litter boxes and grass I need to 
cleanThe cats love it,,,Regardless, I have just seen to many good 
rescues hurt my well meaning people imposing their own standards on others,
We can email each other off list . and I do it frequently if I do not 
it is suited to the group.

Kelly
www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com


Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had 
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a 
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and 
they can only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them 
continue to help pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I 
understand this woman who agreed to help me, doing so out of the 
goodness of her heart b/c of her love of animals...I understand and 
respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm and the charges 
under her care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I believe 
I would want to live, so I found another alternative for the charge 
under my care.


While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't 
because she IS working with all these other rescue 
organizations.  All these places, people, who start with the best of 
intentions do good work.  The level of "good" is relative to each 
individual's personal reality.


IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which 
she seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help 
someone reading about RR to understand that there may be a 
POSSIBILITY that a cat placed with them, might not stay with them, 
and if sent away, might not wind up in a place as nice as 
their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no personal knowledge 
of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience with 
someone who claimed to...and because she knew them by name and 
seemed joyed to help them & because several other rescue operations 
I had spoken to recommended her to me, I had no reason to believe 
that she wasn't telling me the truth.


But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can 
cause harm, so can saying a place is wonderful 


My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I 
have dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I 
personally supported financially for years...then eventually 
volunteered there only to learn awful things about the running of 
the organizations (again...NOT referring to Rude Ranch, I've never 
been THERE)but...If a place seems TOO wonderful, its often too 
easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal to it and not feel 
any guilt.  Whereas IF all the facts were researched, perhaps a 
better place/person could be found if just given a little more time 
and research.


I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to 
help...even when they've lost their way.  EDUCATION to those trying 
to place felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether 
education on the disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or 
place where one might leave an animal who is trusting you to care for them.


I never said RR was bad, or absolutely did shift animals onto an 
overloaded foster home, I just relayed what little information I 
personaly heard from someone who claimed to have a good, working 
relationship with RR.  So that if anyone had seen them on Animal 
Planet they wouldn't automatically assume them to be the 
"be-all-end-all" (which they may actually be-who knows) just because 
they were on tv.  Speaking as a rescuer myself, who is more than 
willing to help others ...I prefer to do so when they've exhausted 
all other avenues...and NOT be their first call...being too good at 
what you do, can get you in WAY over your head.


T




TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
exactly. it only takes one person with their own agenda to cause
irreparable harm.

we were once contacted by someone who wanted us to take her two FeLVs,
from quite a distance away. as FeLVs don't do really well on long
transports, we tried to work with her on more local options. every
place she went to, she found major fault with, yet every time we tried
to set up transport arrangements with her, she has one excuse after
another about why it wouldn't/couldn't work. i had many long emails
and phone calls with her, and finally, she just stopped responding.

about two months later, she started posting hissterical messages about
these same two cats on the lists. again, i wrote and reminded her that
we were willing 

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Nina

Tamara,
I certainly appreciate your taking the time to post to the list about 
your personal experience with RR.  Your language and tact was in no way 
interpreted, (certainly not by me) as a definitive slam on them 
personally.  You were very clear about your involvement.  It started a 
lively discussion that I think anyone considering placing an animal will 
benefit from.  Most of the people on this list, if not all, take our 
responsibility to the animals we rescue very seriously.  A little 
reminder to take a thorough look under the rug is a good thing.

Nina

tamara stickler wrote:
Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had 
volunteered to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a 
business to protect for the sake of the animals under its care, and 
they can only continue if the people who entrust the animals to them 
continue to help pay for the cats care...I get that.  And I understand 
this woman who agreed to help me, doing so out of the goodness of her 
heart b/c of her love of animals...I understand and respect that.  As 
for the conditions on her farm and the charges under her care, since 
they were not up to MY standards, as I believe I would want to live, 
so I found another alternative for the charge under my care.





Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread tamara stickler
Hey, I understand.  I can understand where both the person who had volunteered 
to take Simms and Rude Ranch, are coming from.  RR has a business to protect 
for the sake of the animals under its care, and they can only continue if the 
people who entrust the animals to them continue to help pay for the cats 
care...I get that.  And I understand this woman who agreed to help me, doing so 
out of the goodness of her heart b/c of her love of animals...I understand and 
respect that.  As for the conditions on her farm and the charges under her 
care, since they were not up to MY standards, as I believe I would want to 
live, so I found another alternative for the charge under my care. 
   
  While I believe that perhaps I should have alerted AC, I didn't because she 
IS working with all these other rescue organizations.  All these places, 
people, who start with the best of intentions do good work.  The level of 
"good" is relative to each individual's personal reality.  
   
  IF what she had said was true about RR shifting cats onto her, which she 
seemed very proud of- to be able to help...I felt it MIGHT help someone reading 
about RR to understand that there may be a POSSIBILITY that a cat placed with 
them, might not stay with them, and if sent away, might not wind up in a place 
as nice as their's.  I admitted in my e-mail that I had no personal knowledge 
of the workings of Rude Ranch, only relayed my experience with someone who 
claimed to...and because she knew them by name and seemed joyed to help them & 
because several other rescue operations I had spoken to recommended her to me, 
I had no reason to believe that she wasn't telling me the truth.  
   
  But as saying even the least little thing bad about a place can cause harm, 
so can saying a place is wonderful 
   
  My only intention with my original post was to caution.  I know I have 
dropped animals at "WONDERFUL" shelters in the past, places I personally 
supported financially for years...then eventually volunteered there only to 
learn awful things about the running of the organizations (again...NOT 
referring to Rude Ranch, I've never been THERE)but...If a place seems TOO 
wonderful, its often too easy to reliquish the care of a beloved animal to it 
and not feel any guilt.  Whereas IF all the facts were researched, perhaps a 
better place/person could be found if just given a little more time and 
research.
   
  I had/have no intention to villify people who care and are trying to 
help...even when they've lost their way.  EDUCATION to those trying to place 
felv+ cats is the best security for the animals, whether education on the 
disease itself, or on HOW to investigate anyone or place where one might leave 
an animal who is trusting you to care for them.
   
  I never said RR was bad, or absolutely did shift animals onto an overloaded 
foster home, I just relayed what little information I personaly heard from 
someone who claimed to have a good, working relationship with RR.  So that if 
anyone had seen them on Animal Planet they wouldn't automatically assume them 
to be the "be-all-end-all" (which they may actually be-who knows) just because 
they were on tv.  Speaking as a rescuer myself, who is more than willing to 
help others ...I prefer to do so when they've exhausted all other avenues...and 
NOT be their first call...being too good at what you do, can get you in WAY 
over your head.
   
  T
   
   
  

TenHouseCats <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  exactly. it only takes one person with their own agenda to cause
irreparable harm.

we were once contacted by someone who wanted us to take her two FeLVs,
from quite a distance away. as FeLVs don't do really well on long
transports, we tried to work with her on more local options. every
place she went to, she found major fault with, yet every time we tried
to set up transport arrangements with her, she has one excuse after
another about why it wouldn't/couldn't work. i had many long emails
and phone calls with her, and finally, she just stopped responding.

about two months later, she started posting hissterical messages about
these same two cats on the lists. again, i wrote and reminded her that
we were willing to take them--on the lists, she wrote really nasty
letters about how i'd never responded to her before, and that if it
had been up to me, those cats would have been dead by now, then she
went on about how she wasn't going to send them to a place where the
cats lived in cages in tiny rooms all their lives--which was not at
all the case where we were--i'd sent her many photos of our
facilities. when i reminded her, off list, of our phone calls and
emails, she went back on the lists, saying that i was harassing her
and that she was going to tell everyone to have nothing to do with our
sanctuary and that if she ever heard from me again she'd report 

Re: Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

exactly. it only takes one person with their own agenda to cause
irreparable harm.

we were once contacted by someone who wanted us to take her two FeLVs,
from quite a distance away. as FeLVs don't do really well on long
transports, we tried to work with her on more local options. every
place she went to, she found major fault with, yet every time we tried
to set up transport arrangements with her, she has one excuse after
another about why it wouldn't/couldn't work. i had many long emails
and phone calls with her, and finally, she just stopped responding.

about two months later, she started posting hissterical messages about
these same two cats on the lists. again, i wrote and reminded her that
we were willing to take them--on the lists, she wrote really nasty
letters about how i'd never responded to her before, and that if it
had been up to me, those cats would have been dead by now, then she
went on about how she wasn't going to send them to a place where the
cats lived in cages in tiny rooms all their lives--which was not at
all the case where we were--i'd sent her many photos of our
facilities. when i reminded her, off list, of our phone calls and
emails, she went back on the lists, saying that i was harassing her
and that she was going to tell everyone to have nothing to do with our
sanctuary and that if she ever heard from me again she'd report me for
stalking i reported HER to all the lists she was posting on,
actually.and considered sending her the bill for the long-distance
phone calls i'd made to her

some people will never be satisfied, and sadly, some people really do
exist solely to make trouble for others.

MC

On 2/5/07, Kelly L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I do not know personally of the place but be careful when saying
something negative like that on line, You could really hurt someone
trying to help.
I have a small sanctuary and would never allow anyone in here with
out an appointment, There are many many crazy people out there
unfamiliar with what it takes to manage multitudes of cats...All it
takes is for one cat to vomit in a corner and another boy baby to
spray someones shoes.. Yup it happens. I know of two wonderful caring
rescuers ( not hoarders) who lost al their cats when an novice cat
person decided it was messy etcthey called the authorities and as
a result I imagine many cats lost their loving home and perhaps their  lives,
for a person getting rid of cats for any reason, why do they expect
others to be able to do what they themselves are willing to do,,I
have both FIV and FELV
I do recommend that any time a cat is placed a home check is in
order,,that is common sense.
Kelly
www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com






--
Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors!
Maybe That'll Make The Difference

MaryChristine

AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892



Rude Ranch

2007-02-05 Thread Kelly L
I do not know personally of the place but be careful when saying 
something negative like that on line, You could really hurt someone 
trying to help.
I have a small sanctuary and would never allow anyone in here with 
out an appointment, There are many many crazy people out there 
unfamiliar with what it takes to manage multitudes of cats...All it 
takes is for one cat to vomit in a corner and another boy baby to 
spray someones shoes.. Yup it happens. I know of two wonderful caring 
rescuers ( not hoarders) who lost al their cats when an novice cat 
person decided it was messy etcthey called the authorities and as 
a result I imagine many cats lost their loving home and perhaps their  lives,
for a person getting rid of cats for any reason, why do they expect 
others to be able to do what they themselves are willing to do,,I 
have both FIV and FELV
I do recommend that any time a cat is placed a home check is in 
order,,that is common sense.

Kelly
www.kellyscats.zoomshare.com




Re: Rude Ranch -WARNING

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

the other thing i have to say, tho i think that tamara's comments
weren't about rude ranch's conditions but about the other person's
home, is that whomever said that cats are clean and neat has never
lived with a large number of them

our facilities at the sanctuary were extensive, and designed from the
ground up with the state department of ag to be hygienic (ie, easily
washable!), etc. in MI, you cannot have anything that isn't
bleachable--no comfy furniture, no carpeting, etc., so that wasn't
even an option. we had floors that were moisture-sealed, walls that
were covered with washable vinyl panelling, little-tykes castles and
forts and playgrounds for them to sleep in and on and around, kid's
pools full of blankies, more litter boxes than you could count.
and no sooner had we completely cleaned the rooms than SOMEONE had
thrown up, or had a hairball, or missed the litter box, or dumped over
a food bowl, or sneezed all over the walls or the clean windows

the more cats a group takes on, and the more medically compromised
they are, the more likely it is that you are NOT going to find a place
that will always pass a white-glove test. sometimes runs to the vet or
medicating 40 cats takes precedence over cleaning the boxes,
especially if there's a blizzard and your volunteers didn't show up.
if you have a sanctuary for FeLVs, where cats regularly die, it's
sometimes hard to find regular volunteers--it's hard to keep having
your friends die on you, as we well know. sometimes you have to judge
a sanctuary by the condition of the CATS and how happy they seem, not
on how the housekeeping compares to your own, smaller-cat household.
if the cats are contented and look well-fed and in as good a physical
condition as they can be, given their diagnosis, well

some sanctuaries ARE just warehouses, and one could ask if the cats
are better off there than the alternative. we didn't take in
housecats, because housecats didn't adjust well to living without the
amenities to which they'd become accustomed. to the strays and ferals
who'd had to live outdoors and fend for themselves, it was
wonderful--food, a roof over their heads, people to cuddle with them
when they wanted it, food, medical care when they needed it, food
was it perfect? no. would i have done some things differently? of
course. but it was DEFINITELY a better choice for these cats than
euthanasia.



On 2/5/07, Wolf, Leah R. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:



It is my understanding that Bob and Kathy were living in and had as a
shelter a few years ago a much smaller place than the very large house they
have now.  I had no problem making an appointment at our mutual convenience
when I went to adopt a cat this past December.  It looked very clean and the
very many cats I saw looked well-cared for and content.  The various
climbers seemed well-contructed, just like you would see in a catalog.
There is no question that Rude Ranch is a shelter and not a home and I
believe that Bob and Kathy work hard to place the cats that come to them.

My two cents.


Leah 
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
tamara stickler
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 10:30 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch -WARNING



Yes, Rude Ranch does LOOK like a great place...BUT:

I attempted to place a cat at Rude Ranch a few years back, committing to the
monthly support fee needed to surrender.  My first choice for the felv +
stray I had rescued was an actual home, not an institution, so when a woman
called and offered to give this cat a HOME, I jumped at the chance without
visiting her place first (she came highly recommended by various rescues..),
so I turned the spot that they had "made room for" down to place with this
individual instead.

When I got to her place, she, while very well intentioned, was an animal
horder.  She agreed to take fosters in from various organizations, (Grey
Hound Rescue...Rude Ranch...etc..), where she cared for them on her farm,
with her husband, "without any monetary support" from these rescues that
depended on her (so she said).

The garage where she was housing her felv+ cats (she had she had said at the
time 5-by the time I got mine there, there were 10) was an absolutely
FILTHY...dirt and hair everywhere...exposed insulation & beamwork, food
bowls that looked as if they hadn't been washed in months...urine soaked
everything..the smell was beyond deplorableand it was the dead of
WINTER.  The "great levels" the cats had to climb on were rusty metal
shelving.  The floor was covered in plywood and while there were 3 space
heaters in the garage, and it did have garage door windows...but it was
aweful.  As I told her I had turned down Rude Ranch even tho they had "just
made a space for (Simms)" she interrupted..."Oh, that must be w

RE: Rude Ranch -WARNING

2007-02-05 Thread Wolf, Leah R.
It is my understanding that Bob and Kathy were living in and had as a
shelter a few years ago a much smaller place than the very large house they
have now.  I had no problem making an appointment at our mutual convenience
when I went to adopt a cat this past December.  It looked very clean and the
very many cats I saw looked well-cared for and content.  The various
climbers seemed well-contructed, just like you would see in a catalog.
There is no question that Rude Ranch is a shelter and not a home and I
believe that Bob and Kathy work hard to place the cats that come to them.
 
My two cents.
 
 
Leah 
  _  

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tamara stickler
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 10:30 AM
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Subject: Re: Rude Ranch -WARNING


Yes, Rude Ranch does LOOK like a great place...BUT: 
 
I attempted to place a cat at Rude Ranch a few years back, committing to the
monthly support fee needed to surrender.  My first choice for the felv +
stray I had rescued was an actual home, not an institution, so when a woman
called and offered to give this cat a HOME, I jumped at the chance without
visiting her place first (she came highly recommended by various rescues..),
so I turned the spot that they had "made room for" down to place with this
individual instead.  
 
When I got to her place, she, while very well intentioned, was an animal
horder.  She agreed to take fosters in from various organizations, (Grey
Hound Rescue...Rude Ranch...etc..), where she cared for them on her farm,
with her husband, "without any monetary support" from these rescues that
depended on her (so she said).  
 
The garage where she was housing her felv+ cats (she had she had said at the
time 5-by the time I got mine there, there were 10) was an absolutely
FILTHY...dirt and hair everywhere...exposed insulation & beamwork, food
bowls that looked as if they hadn't been washed in months...urine soaked
everything..the smell was beyond deplorableand it was the dead of
WINTER.  The "great levels" the cats had to climb on were rusty metal
shelving.  The floor was covered in plywood and while there were 3 space
heaters in the garage, and it did have garage door windows...but it was
aweful.  As I told her I had turned down Rude Ranch even tho they had "just
made a space for (Simms)" she interrupted..."Oh, that must be why I got this
one from them the other day (pointing to a white persuain laying on a ratty
blanket on one of the rusty shelves)."  
 
I had asked her if she received financial help for the cats they dumped on
her, she didn't...and was a bit ticked to learn that they charge monthly for
care"I wonder if they are still charging for the ones they've brought
me...or perhaps that's why I have them now, their people stopped paying???"
 
I don't have intimate knowledge of the workings or Rude Ranch...but,,,the
fact that if you are coming to visit they insist that you phone and schedule
your visit a week before-hand (what they told me when I was considering
using them for Simms) makes me wonder if they have to FIND the cat you
surrendered before you come back to visit )  
 
I've had TOO many bad run-ins with WONDERFUL organizations to believe
everything I see on tv or read in the paper. I'm sure they are all trying
their best, but
 
Rude Ranch may be wonderful...but I have to honestly wonder.
 
fyi:  I eventually placed Simms with another person in a REAL home
environment.. .  And don't get me wrong about her...she was/is trying her
best...but dear God..you've GOT to know when to say when...Neither her or
her husband could tell me how many cats and dogs they had housed on the
property..."prop. just over a hundred".  I have to wonder at rescue
organizations that over-burdened themselves, are over-burdening other
volunteersto make themselves look good?
 
T

Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Leah,
Thank you for the link to Rude Ranch. What a great place. Quite the 
inspiration.
Nina

Wolf, Leah R. wrote:
> Phaewryn,
>
> The web address is http://www.ruderanch.org. Bob and Kathy Rude run 
> quite a place. Some of their cats wouldn't last a second at a 
> publicly-funded shelter due to medical diagnoses such as felv+ or 
> congenital or other disabilities. Bob and Kathy live at the "home" 
> with all of their furry children.
>
>
> Leah
> - Original Message - From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" 
> To: 
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 9:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)
>
>
>> does rude animal ranch have a website?
>>
>> Phaewryn
>>
>> http://ucat.us
>> Adopt a New England FIV+ cat:
>> http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html
>> Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library):
>> http://ucat

Re: Rude Ranch -WARNING

2007-02-05 Thread TenHouseCats

on the other paw.

as someone who lived/worked at a sanctuary, let me explain something
about the reasons places ask for notice before people are allowed to
visit.

a real sanctuary will NEVER turn anyone with a legitimate reason to
reason to visit down. HOWEVER, in most cases, this is also their home.
it is also the CATS' home--it's not a shelter where the aimals are
accustomed to constant visitors. depending on how many peple actually
live on-site, if they work outside the home in addition to taking care
of the animals, etc., being available for visitors at any time is just
not reasonable. there are vet trips to make, scheduled tasks to carry
out, ALWAYS emergencies--and the people need times for themselves, as
well. so while having to make an appointment to see a surrendered cat
COULD be a sign of a problem, it could also be very good time
management and evidence of a group that's taking care of their own
needs--something that often doesn't happen, and that DOES result in
becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.

in this situation, it's really hard to know if this woman really had
gotten cats from rude ranch or was just saying she had

it adds another question, tho, to our list of things to ask any
sanctuary: do you ever release your cats to other rescues/sanctuaries?
if you charge a monthly maintenance fee (which most places do NOT;
their assumption is that they are taking on the forever care of the
cats who come through their doors) and the original owners stop paying
that fee, what happens to the cat? if you're paying a monthly
maintenance fee, do you get monthly or at least quarterly photos and
updates on the cat? i know that some places do not do that; that once
you surrender the cat, you give up all parental rights--i guess i can
see both sides of that, but would prefer it to be on a case-to-case
basis, because sometimes a cat is surrendered to a sanctuary for
reasons beyond their control, and they really do care tremendously for
the cat and it's not just a dumping situation.

you really CANNOT believe what you see on the net--some really
notoriously bad places have incredible websites, and some incredible
places either have no websites at all, or just don't take the time
away from the animals to put into slick presentations

perhaps a task force to create a list of questions to ask/things to
look for, and people who are willing to go visit the
sanctuaries/rescues in their own geographical areas. a great source of
information, too, are local veterinarians and rescue groups--people in
the area will often know far more about the actual goings on than
outsiders. BUT one report is never enough, as it is far too easy for
one group to trash another, and unfortunately, that happens constantly
in rescue--instead of remembering that we're supposedly in this for
the animals, too often it becomes about the egos of the people
involved. when you're around long enough, you learn whom to listen to
and whom to disregard--but it's almost impossible to know that coming
into a situation from outside.

MC, the typically unbiased
On 2/5/07, tamara stickler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

Yes, Rude Ranch does LOOK like a great place...BUT:

I attempted to place a cat at Rude Ranch a few years back, committing to the
monthly support fee needed to surrender.  My first choice for the felv +
stray I had rescued was an actual home, not an institution, so when a woman
called and offered to give this cat a HOME, I jumped at the chance without
visiting her place first (she came highly recommended by various rescues..),
so I turned the spot that they had "made room for" down to place with this
individual instead.

When I got to her place, she, while very well intentioned, was an animal
horder.  She agreed to take fosters in from various organizations, (Grey
Hound Rescue...Rude Ranch...etc..), where she cared for them on her farm,
with her husband, "without any monetary support" from these rescues that
depended on her (so she said).

The garage where she was housing her felv+ cats (she had she had said at the
time 5-by the time I got mine there, there were 10) was an absolutely
FILTHY...dirt and hair everywhere...exposed insulation & beamwork, food
bowls that looked as if they hadn't been washed in months...urine soaked
everything..the smell was beyond deplorableand it was the dead of
WINTER.  The "great levels" the cats had to climb on were rusty metal
shelving.  The floor was covered in plywood and while there were 3 space
heaters in the garage, and it did have garage door windows...but it was
aweful.  As I told her I had turned down Rude Ranch even tho they had "just
made a space for (Simms)" she interrupted..."Oh, that must be why I got this
one from them the other day (pointing to a white persuain laying on a ratty
blanket on one of the rusty shelves)."

I had asked her if she received fina

Re: Rude Ranch -WARNING

2007-02-05 Thread tamara stickler
Yes, Rude Ranch does LOOK like a great place...BUT: 
   
  I attempted to place a cat at Rude Ranch a few years back, committing to the 
monthly support fee needed to surrender.  My first choice for the felv + stray 
I had rescued was an actual home, not an institution, so when a woman called 
and offered to give this cat a HOME, I jumped at the chance without visiting 
her place first (she came highly recommended by various rescues..), so I turned 
the spot that they had "made room for" down to place with this individual 
instead.  
   
  When I got to her place, she, while very well intentioned, was an animal 
horder.  She agreed to take fosters in from various organizations, (Grey Hound 
Rescue...Rude Ranch...etc..), where she cared for them on her farm, with her 
husband, "without any monetary support" from these rescues that depended on her 
(so she said).  
   
  The garage where she was housing her felv+ cats (she had she had said at the 
time 5-by the time I got mine there, there were 10) was an absolutely 
FILTHY...dirt and hair everywhere...exposed insulation & beamwork, food bowls 
that looked as if they hadn't been washed in months...urine soaked 
everything..the smell was beyond deplorableand it was the dead of WINTER.  
The "great levels" the cats had to climb on were rusty metal shelving.  The 
floor was covered in plywood and while there were 3 space heaters in the 
garage, and it did have garage door windows...but it was aweful.  As I told her 
I had turned down Rude Ranch even tho they had "just made a space for (Simms)" 
she interrupted..."Oh, that must be why I got this one from them the other day 
(pointing to a white persuain laying on a ratty blanket on one of the rusty 
shelves)."  
   
  I had asked her if she received financial help for the cats they dumped on 
her, she didn't...and was a bit ticked to learn that they charge monthly for 
care"I wonder if they are still charging for the ones they've brought 
me...or perhaps that's why I have them now, their people stopped paying???"
   
  I don't have intimate knowledge of the workings or Rude Ranch...but,,,the 
fact that if you are coming to visit they insist that you phone and schedule 
your visit a week before-hand (what they told me when I was considering using 
them for Simms) makes me wonder if they have to FIND the cat you surrendered 
before you come back to visit )  
   
  I've had TOO many bad run-ins with WONDERFUL organizations to believe 
everything I see on tv or read in the paper. I'm sure they are all trying their 
best, but
   
  Rude Ranch may be wonderful...but I have to honestly wonder.
   
  fyi:  I eventually placed Simms with another person in a REAL home 
environment.. .  And don't get me wrong about her...she was/is trying her 
best...but dear God..you've GOT to know when to say when...Neither her or her 
husband could tell me how many cats and dogs they had housed on the 
property..."prop. just over a hundred".  I have to wonder at rescue 
organizations that over-burdened themselves, are over-burdening other 
volunteersto make themselves look good?
   
  T

Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Leah,
Thank you for the link to Rude Ranch. What a great place. Quite the 
inspiration.
Nina

Wolf, Leah R. wrote:
> Phaewryn,
>
> The web address is http://www.ruderanch.org. Bob and Kathy Rude run 
> quite a place. Some of their cats wouldn't last a second at a 
> publicly-funded shelter due to medical diagnoses such as felv+ or 
> congenital or other disabilities. Bob and Kathy live at the "home" 
> with all of their furry children.
>
>
> Leah
> - Original Message - From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" 
> To: 
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 9:22 PM
> Subject: Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)
>
>
>> does rude animal ranch have a website?
>>
>> Phaewryn
>>
>> http://ucat.us
>> Adopt a New England FIV+ cat:
>> http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html
>> Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library):
>> http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
>> Declawing Creates SUFFERING, Please don't declaw!
>> http://www.pawproject.com/kona.html 
>
>
>
>




 
-
Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)

2007-02-03 Thread Nina

Leah,
Thank you for the link to Rude Ranch.  What a great place.  Quite the 
inspiration.

Nina

Wolf, Leah R. wrote:

Phaewryn,

The web address is http://www.ruderanch.org.  Bob and Kathy Rude run 
quite a place.  Some of their cats wouldn't last a second at a 
publicly-funded shelter due to medical diagnoses such as felv+ or 
congenital or other disabilities.  Bob and Kathy live at the "home" 
with all of their furry children.



Leah
- Original Message - From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)



does rude animal ranch have a website?

Phaewryn

http://ucat.us
Adopt a New England FIV+ cat:
http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html
Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library):
http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
Declawing Creates SUFFERING, Please don't declaw!
http://www.pawproject.com/kona.html 










Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)

2007-02-03 Thread Wolf, Leah R.

Phaewryn,

The web address is http://www.ruderanch.org.  Bob and Kathy Rude run quite a 
place.  Some of their cats wouldn't last a second at a publicly-funded 
shelter due to medical diagnoses such as felv+ or congenital or other 
disabilities.  Bob and Kathy live at the "home" with all of their furry 
children.



Leah
- Original Message - 
From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

To: 
Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)



does rude animal ranch have a website?

Phaewryn

http://ucat.us
Adopt a New England FIV+ cat:
http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html
Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library):
http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
Declawing Creates SUFFERING, Please don't declaw!
http://www.pawproject.com/kona.html 





Re: Bandit is NEGATIVE--Animal Planet (rude ranch)

2007-02-02 Thread [EMAIL PROTECTED]
does rude animal ranch have a website?

Phaewryn

http://ucat.us 
Adopt a New England FIV+ cat:
http://ucat.us/FIVadopt.html 
Special Needs Cat Links (and feline info library):
http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html
Declawing Creates SUFFERING, Please don't declaw!
http://www.pawproject.com/kona.html