Neuter/Spay Clinic

Saturday, March 6th, 1999 A.S./A.P. held its second bi-monthly low cost neuter/spay clinic. Boy, was this event ever a hit. Twenty-two cats were either neutered or spayed in one day.

Remember the math from the last newsletter? This is bound to make a difference and it won't take long at all. We were able to present this neuter/spay clinic to the public at a rate of $15.00 for a neuter and $25.00 for a spay. Thanks to Dr. Esta Parrish, who does the operations for us. The 5 June clinic is already booked between kittens that have been adopted from us and people who were unable to get appointments at the last clinic.

The clinics will be held at the cattery in Sparta and hopefully a few people will tell their friends about the adoptable cats when they see them.

Wish List

We are still working on getting a computer (three have been donated so far, none of which was actually functional). We need a hard drive right now, 486 or above.

Special Homes For Needy Kitties

Recently we have accepted two older cats into our program. Unfortunately, the Siamese (actually, we found out he was a Snowshoe) continued to decline and finally died. We did the very best we could for him, but he just didn't want to live. If people tell you animals have no emotions, tell them this story. That cat died of a broken heart.

The second cat is a fourteen year old male, cream tabby. Boo Boo is still with us and has decided to come out and live with everyone else. Now you are probably thinking this is a good thing, and I suppose it is. However, now that he is feeling better he is in competition with the young males in the house. Since he can't hope to win with them, he beats up on the girls all the time (heavy sigh!).

The females all either found a good home or have continued to make an adjustment to living with other cats. We still have two cats that would like to live alone, one female and one male.

Upcoming Programs/Events

According to our by-laws, annual dues are to be paid by July 1st of each year. The dues for 1999 remain the same, $10.00 for yearly membership, $150.00 for lifetime membership. Check your label. If it has a 98 on it, you have a yearly membership. If it has a LT, that signifies a lifetime membership and no payment is necessary. If there is nothing, you are an interested person (we hope) and if you want to join, please use the membership form attached to this and future newsletters.

The annual meeting will be held sometime in early July. As soon as we have picked a date and place we will let you all know.

We are planning to assist at the La Crosse dog show again this year. We will need trained people for the first weekend in August, both days, for outside ring stewards and also this year for pooper picker-uppers.

Ring stewards will be trained before the show, pooper picker-uppers will get on-the-job training. You can volunteer for both days, for one day or for a morning or afternoon. We have had several volunteers, but we will need as many as 20 people, so don't be shy about telling us you can help.

Rescuers Needed

Several of the people who have been helping to transport or with actual rescues of animals are no longer able to help because of physical or schedule problems. We still need several volunteers who would be available either during day or evening hours so that we can create a telephone roster to be used during emergencies. If you can help at all, please call 269-3525 and leave your name and when you would be able to help. We don't have a lot of emergencies, but of course it's important to be able to respond quickly when the time comes. This has always been an important part of the service we provide the county. New helpers will be sent out with experienced people, so don't be afraid to volunteer. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of A.S./A.P. Thanks to the people who have said they will try to help. We will try not to overwhelm you (at least at first).

Memorial Donation

A monetary donation was received from Byron and Jennifer for their dog Phoebe who graced their household until the age of 13 3/4 human years. Phoebe is and will continue to be missed terribly. Perhaps the poem "The Rainbow Bridge" (which is attached to this newsletter) will be of some comfort.

Humane Mouse Catching

Believe it or not one of our newest members, Mary, states that she has a cat that is a humane mouse catcher. It seems that when "May" catches a mouse she just sits or lays on it and calls Mary over to pick it up and put it out-of-doors unharmed.

I don't vouch for the believability of some of these stories, folks, I just relate them to you as they are related to me. Surely, though, no one could make this kind of stuff up! (Georgette)

Yard Sale

A.S./A.P. will once again be having a fund raising yard sale. The sale is scheduled to be on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, 1999, 9 a.m. thru 5 p.m. Any donated goods will be appreciated as long as they are in working condition.

AAL was to match $400 in funds, but they will be reimbursing us for $200 in expenses this year instead. We are already registered for $400 in matching funds for a fund raiser next year.

Full House

Joanne (who is running the cat shelter these days) says that the shelter (and her house) is full! No more room at the inn. The veterinarian bills and feed bills are growing again and are beginning to build up. If any of you wish to make room in your wallets, feel free to donate funds and how about your time and effort (sheltering cats is a lot of work). Call Joanne if you have time or money available.