FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: Today we are pleased to present to you a guest post by a dear friend of mine (we have known each other since High School) who is like the rest of us, insanely in love with cats! She is deeply involved with helping ferals. This is a post she wrote, about some friends of hers in Ohio who are dedicated (as MANY of you are) to helping ferals.
Sara's Tale
For some, winning the lottery or landing that dream job is
the pinnacle of success. But for a select group of furry friends, it’s making
the acquaintance of Stephen & Sara Schneider, the canine/feline benefactors
of Canyon Lakes.
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| This sweetie is available for adoption!! |
Although Steve & Sara are involved in challenging
careers, their mutual love of animals always holds a special place in their
hearts and home. For Sara, this started with her first rescue, a handsome cool cat
named Champ. They shared 12 wonderful years together. Losing Champ was very
difficult, although it made Sara & Steve realize how important animals are
in their lives. Fortunately, Canyon Lakes provided the perfect opportunity to indulge
in this interest. Apparently, their yard is a way station for kitties, and word
soon spread that this oasis had vacancies! In the short time they’ve lived
here, they’ve helped out at over a half dozen feline residents! In addition to two
heated outdoor cat homes, food water, and medical care await these lucky
visitors. Sara also has a Havahart trap at the ready for her work with the TNR
program. More about that later.
Representing the canine brigade are Pearl and Dash, 2
gorgeous Portuguese Water Dogs. Pearl can proudly boast of parentage invited
to Westminster, and she’ll gladly show you the wall of fame displaying her
varied accomplishments! While she’s a certified therapy dog, she also has the
unique ability to detect cancer through her amazing sense of smell. Sara hopes
to do further research on this.
Dash lucked into his forever home with the Schneiders through a
special rescue club for his breed. While there are lengthy waiting lists for
adoption, Dash’s dire circumstances required a special heroine to come along,
and obviously Sara fit the bill! Dash was given a warm welcome by all, and
hasn’t looked back since.
While Clevelanders may be familiar with Geauga Humane Society,
the TNR program may not be as well known. “Trap, Neuter & Release” provides
an effective approach to reduce our burgeoning feral cat population. Steve
& Sara have many success stories, “Jon Snow”, “Amy” & “Montego” to name
a few. Some of their charges made the transition indoors, some just stop by for
an occasional visit. There are currently 4 lodgers, but that number could
change anytime! As amazing as their efforts are, the Schneiders have even
bigger plans down the road. Someday they hope to start a foundation named after
their beloved kitty “Champ”.
In the meantime, Sara has a few helpful tips for any neighbors
wishing to help. If you see a kitty wandering by, look for the universal sign
of an already neutered feral, the “tipped”, or slightly cut left ear. If this
isn’t evident, try not to scare her/him off by chasing or reaching out too
aggressively. Leaving food out (but not at night) can lure the animal in and
set up a future possibility for TNR intervention. Also as adorable as tiny
kittens are, try to resist the temptation to whisk them away, chances are mom
and fellow litter mates are in need of rescuing as well!
