30 Dec 2021

Can Indoor Cats Go Outside Safely?

by | posted in: Education | 0

We believe cats should be indoor cats. Not indoor-outdoor, not outdoor. Indoor only. Cats can jump over fences and squeeze through small spaces. It only takes a moment for a cat to get spooked by something and run off. In our area, coyotes are being seen during the day, not to mention other predators as well as cars. Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives.

That said, there are ways cats can enjoy some fresh air and the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors in safe ways. We’ll share a few favorite ways here.

Catios: A “catio” is a patio for your cat! These are screened-in enclosures that allow your cat to be on a patio, deck, balcony, etc. while remaining safe from falls, predators, and other mishaps. A search online for “DIY catio” or “catio kits” will turn up all kinds of options. Catioworld.com and Catiospaces.com are two great places to learn more.

Harness and Leash: Cats can be trained to wear a harness and use a leash! When selecting a harness, be sure it fits securely so that your cat cannot wriggle out of it. This site posts reviews of several models of harnesses to choose from. Once your cat is used to wearing a harness you can add a leash and start venturing outside. Don’t be surprised if it takes some time for your kitty to feel comfortable, and don’t expect him or her to do more than sniff around at first. We’ve heard of some families using a harness and long lead so that they can bring their cats outside while they enjoy coffee in the morning.

Backpacks: There are special packs made just for pets so that you can take your cat on a walk or hike! Some feature a “bubble” for your cat to have a window on the world. Most feature some mesh for airflow. Search online for “backpacks for cats” to see the many options available.

27 Dec 2021

2021 Wrap-Up

by | posted in: Adoptions, Fundraising, General Updates, Spay and Neuter, Volunteers | 0

2021 has been a very good year for Cassie’s Cats! We have brought in cats from unhappy and/or unsafe situations. We have had adoptions. We have recruited a team of volunteers. And we have had many, many visitors. Here are some numbers to help illustrate our year:

Adoptions: 26! We’re so happy for the 26 cats and kittens we’ve helped find their furever homes. You can see them on our Success Stories page. We have 17 more cats and kittens currently in our care.

Volunteers: We have had 20 people volunteer at the lounge, helping to socialize kitties, talk with guests, feed and clean, transport cats, and more. We have a great team of caring people helping our cats and kittens stay safe, happy, and healthy.

Partners: We have worked with 6 shelters and rescues: Ventura County Animal Services, Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, Los Angeles Animal Services, Apple Valley Animal Services, Foundling Kitten Society, and Stray Paws Animal Haven. In addition, we have worked with private parties and other rescuers, including Shannon’s Fosters and Moore Veterinary Care. Six of the kittens we’ve brought in came straight off the streets.

Spay/Neuter: We took in 7 kittens who were not spayed/altered and made sure that they had surgery to prevent future litters.

Pairs: We have adopted out 3 pairs of kittens: Oreo and Smudge, Willow and Angel, and Andy and Alex.

Visits: From September 1 to December 22, we had 314 visits to the lounge. During those 3 months, the most popular time was 2 pm (61 visits) and the most popular day was Saturday (126 visits).

The Cats: Our oldest resident is Sadie (13 years, 8 months). Our longest-time residents are Michael and Missy (220 days as of 12/27/21).

Donations: We have had countless donations of food, litter, treats, toys, and other in-kind donations. Because of that generosity, along with the financial donations we have received, we are proud to be ending the year in the black, financially. Our goal has always been to have a cushion in the bank to help us weather lean times, and continued generosity means we can take on cats and kittens who might need more medical attention.

We are looking forward to 2022! If you would like to donate to us or get involved, please check out our Donate page and our Volunteer Application.

6 Dec 2021

December/January Holiday Hours

by | posted in: General Updates | 0

While we will have modified hours and some closures around Christmas and New Year’s, we will have appointments available for visits and adoption visits.

We will be closed on the following dates:

Friday, 12/24
Saturday, 12/25
Sunday, 12/26
Friday 12/31
Saturday, 1/1

We will be open by reservation ONLY on the following dates:

Wednesday, 12/22
Thursday, 12/23
Wednesday, 12/29
Thursday, 12/30

30 Nov 2021

Late November Updates

by | posted in: Adoptions, Fundraising, General Updates | 0

December 2nd will mark our 6-month anniversary. We will be celebrating 22 adoptions: Mittens, Bettie, Archie, Denzel, Duke, Oreo and Smudge (together), Petey, Phoebe, Charlotte, Kaylee, Topaz, Willow and Angel (together), Bagel, Dallas, Alex and Andy (together), Chewy, Vader, Buffy, and Yoda! We are so happy that all of these kitties will have long and happy lives in their new homes.

We will also be celebrating the 12 cats in the lounge: Michael, Missy, Sadie, Jacob, Snickers, Twix, Rachel, Cheyenne, Hershal, Cindy, Coral, and Adam. Michael and Missy continue to be our long-time residents, having come to the lounge on May 21st. Sadie and Jacob are our oldest cats at 13 and 11 years old, respectively. We would LOVE to see some more adoptions before the end of the year, especially for some of our adult cats. Our two bonded pairs even have support on their adoption fees from one of our donors for the right homes.

People ask where the cats come from. So far we have partnered with Ventura County Animal Services, Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, Los Angeles Animal Services, Apple Valley Animal Services, Foundling Kitten Society, Stray Paws Animal Haven, and Shannon’s Fosters. 

Our lobby shop continues to be a helpful source of fundraising for us, and we have enjoyed adding items especially for the holidays. Come take a look at what we have to offer when you’re in the area. You might find a great gift for a teacher, your hairstylist, or even yourself! We also have a few things listed in our online shop.

In-kind donations of food, litter, supplements and other lounge necessities come in regularly and we appreciate it! We have wishlists at Amazon and Chewy for supporters to shop from. And of course, we always appreciate financial donations. The support from the community is incredibly valuable in helping us help these kitties!

Visiting the Lounge

When visiting we encourage reservations so that you are sure you can visit when you want to. We are limiting lounge visitors to 4 at a time. Walk-ins are welcome, however. We are open Wednesday-Sunday and our website is kept up to date with any special holiday hours or closures.

Fundraising Update

We are, and will always be fundraising! Donations to Cassie’s Cats are tax-deductible. We need our mission to be shared with others in Ventura and the surrounding communities as well as further out, to anyone who shares our values and wants to see cats and kittens finding their fur-ever homes!

*Use the blue DONATE button at the bottom of any page on our website or visit our DONATE page
*Mail a check to 1744 E Main St, Ventura CA 93001
*Send us a donation through Venmo (@cassies-cats)
*Shop our wishlists at Chewy and Amazon to send us in-kind donations

Thank you for your continued support! www.cassiescatsandkittens.org  

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