ADOPTION EVENTS:

A YEAR IN REVIEW AND A LOOK AHEAD

SUCCESS STORY: LADA

Clark is a beautiful and playful 2-year-old male who needs a cat-savvy adopter. He enjoys backflipping for string toys and chasing laser pointers. He is one of the smartest, most curious cats ever and loves being carried around and shown new things. He won’t squirm a bit, he just enjoys soaking in all the stimulation. He actually looks disappointed that he can’t read the titles of the books on the shelves. We believe someone played a little rough with Clark as a kitten as he enjoys pouncing and nibbling on arms and hands and during “Advanced Play”, but a cat savvy adopter will be able to read his expressive face, and know when it is time to redirect his play aggression to a suitable toy. Clark is a big ball of sweetness and will be a lifelong pal for someone who keeps him busy and earns his trust. To meet Clark, email: info@givemesheltersf.org

Hey Lana, We have had Lada for almost a year now, and she is firmly entrenched in our family. She is an extremely smart, interactive, and hilarious cat. We think she hit the jackpot by coming to live with us. She is not a good jumper, so we have been able to give her full run of the roof deck and back deck. She always comes when she is called, and we have no worries of her escaping. She did not know what treats were when we first got her, but after giving her many choices, we discovered that she loves dry fish and shrimp treats the most. She will stand on her hind legs for them. We also had to give her a variety of choices for scratching. But after watching her scratching on the carpet the most, we got her a carpet cat tree. She now only scratches that, and has not touched another piece of furniture or carpet. Well it makes me sad that her family of four years gave her up, we think she is much happier and stable in our home. This is clearly an example of "it was all about them, but not about her. "She is a perfectly good cat, not to mention beautiful and funny and smart.Thank you again for all the work you do!-Alisha & Sharon A.

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAYPETCO (SLOAT BLVD)PETCO (16th STREET)

PETSMART (DALY CITY)

Another busy year has flown by for Give Me Shelter. Thanks to a great team effort we moved to the new property and Lana and the cats have settled into the country life just fine. From their large enclosure, the cats watch the (all rescued) duck, goose and chicken’s antics for entertainment. Mr. Rooster insists on flying into the cat area every day and was once observed actually playing with one of the kitties..Amazing!

We installed a mist system on the back deck to keep the cats cool in the summer and there are plenty of shade trees as well as air conditioning in the cat house. We added two cat doors in the main house to allow everyone access to the outside enclosure anytime. The recent freezing temperatures prompted us to bring in patio heaters for the kitties who prefer not to go into the heated cat house. There are also plans to equip the back deck with an awning/cover to protect kitty bedding and food dishes on rainy days. Lots of things to do as the seasons change.

It was also an outstanding year for adoptions, especially considering so many of the cats have had treatable or manageable medical conditions. While San Francisco will always be our main focus, we still cannot turn our back on animals in need in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. The kill rate in some of these shelters is among the highest in the state. Very few pets are spayed/neutered and a lot of work remains to be done with the still burgeoning feral cat population. We are fortunate to have aligned ourselves with several veterinarians offering a discount structure on medical services and are working with low cost spay/neuter clinics.

In 2014 we would like to finish the jungle gym style build out of the inside of the cat house and our biggest project, based on funding, is to install an additional cat house for the “senior citizen

kitties” and expand the enclosure fence around it.

All this takes funding, of course. Thank you so much for your generosity in the past and we hope you will continue to support our lifesaving mission. We could not do this without the tremendous commitment shown by all of you; volunteers, donors, adopters, fosters and veterinarians. To make a donation, please visit our website at www.givemesheltersf.org or click the link below.

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” Sigmund Freud

“Just watching my cats can make me happy.” - Paula Cole

These beautiful felines are often passed over for cats with more striking colors and patterns. Statistically speaking, they are the friendliest yet least adopted type of cat.

Email info@givemesheltersf.org about our black cats available for

adoption

of Americans are superstitious about black cats

say color is important when adopting a new cat

Many organizations do not allow adoptions of black cats during the month of October for fear of animal cruelty

According to Scottish lore, a black cat at home leads to great wealth

In an effort to boost black cat adoptions, shelters are starting to put on “Adopt a Mini-Panther” campaigns

BLACK CATS REALLY DO HAVE BAD LUCK

CITY COLLEGE OF SF DANCES FOR ANIMAL RESCUE

Chelsea Eng, founder and head of the Argentine Tango Program at CCSF, explains: “Shortly after Japan was struck by the 2011 tsunami and earthquake, I saw news footage of a dog roaming the abandoned streets of a disaster-torn area. It broke my heart. I then learned online of Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support. I wanted to contribute more money than I could individually spare out of my own pocket, so I felt compelled to hold a fundraiser. I teamed up with my CCSF colleague Marguerite Fishman and Dance Department Co-Chair David Blood to add animal advocacy flyers and donation boxes to the free end-of-semester social dance parties we host for our students. The first year we raised funds for Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support. Upon my meeting Lana Basjel and being much inspired by her organization, in 2012 and 2013 we chose to Go Local and raise funds for Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue SF.”

CCSF Dance faculty and students alike hope their new tradition, which has collectively brought in over $1100 from free dance parties, will spur others to 1) devise their own manageable, fun-loving fundraisers for animal rescue, and 2) get out and dance!

5 REASONS WHY ADOPTING TWO CATS IS BETTER THAN ADOPTING ONE1. YOU’RE SAVING TWO LIVES INSTEAD OF ONE 70% of cats in shelters end up being euthanized. Saving one life is great, but saving two is even better!

It’s a common misconception that cats are

Cats can only chase their own

Sometimes with cats,

Twice the purring, snuggling, and all-around entertainment!

solitary animals. Cats are solitary hunters in the wild, but even those feral cats are very social and form large colonies. Most cats thoroughly enjoy the company and stimulation of fellow feline.

tail for so long and even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a playful cat. Two kitties will wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to enjoy watching them.

negative attention is better than no attention. Often times kitty “mischief” is a result of a lack of stimulation. Get your feline a buddy to help keep each other out of trouble!

2. CATS GET LONELY (BUT DON’T ALWAYS SHOW IT)

3. TWO CATS WILL HELP EACH OTHER BURN OFF EXCESS ENERGY

4. REDUCE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS DUE TO BOREDOM AND ISOLATION

5. DOUBLE THE FUN

Partner dance students at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), California’s largest community college, hold an Annual Fundraiser for Animal Rescue in conjunction with their end-of-semester social dance parties.

GIVE AND RECEIVE THIS HOLIDAY: ADOPT AN OLDER CATAlthough kittens are adorable, we think adult kitties are just as cute. However, it is much harder to find homes for these “older” cats who still have lots of life and love left in them. Won’t you consider adopting a sweet adult kitty this holiday?

HOLIDAY PLANTS THAT MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR CATFestive plants are a great way to decorate for the holidays, but pet owners beware, many of these common plants are poisonous to pets.

The sap of Poinsettias is considered to be mildly toxic/irritating, and will probably cause nausea or vomiting, but not death. It is better to err on the side of caution, though, and keep pets away.

Poinsettia Plant

Mistletoe and Holly are considered to be moderately to severely toxic, and you should call your veterinarian or poison control center immediately if your cat comes in contact with this plant.

Hello Lana,

We just wanted to thank you for taking care of Mr Cheeks before he became a member of our family. In honor of the first cat Richard ever lived with, Mr Cheeks' name is now Zach. Zach is such a wonderful cat! He is so sweet! He has already made friends with the other black cat in the house. The alpha cat still needs a little time but based on allowed proximity we should be one big happy family before too long. Whenever you're having a difficult day, please remember that you really are making an important difference in the lives of the cats -- as well as the people lucky enough to adopt one of your feline charges!

Thanks again! ---Vincent and Richard

Mistletoe and Holly

Popular gift items at this time of year, pet owners should be aware that these plants are very toxic for cats, and can cause cardiac arrhythmias, kidney failure, convulsions, and death.

Lillies and Daffodils

Christmas trees are considered to be mildly toxic. The fir tree oils can irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing drooling or vomiting. The tree needles are not easily digested either. Luckily, pets do not tend to consume large amounts of tree material so the concern is low.

Christmas Tree (Fir Trees)

SUCCESS STORY: ZACH (FORMERLY MR. CHEEKS)

Hi, my name is Sonar, although my closest friends call me “Mr. Big”. I am a twenty-two pound, eight-year old boy with all black, very soft fur. A long time ago, someone had my front paws declawed and I really miss my claws. I also love food but my doctor says I should be placed on a vet-supervised diet so I can lose some weight and have more energy to play. I love to be combed and I like to sleep at the foot of the bed with you. Sometimes I will hug your leg to get you to notice me and when you do pet me, I have a big purr to go with my big physique. I still have a lot of life and love in me, please bring me home and I’ll be happy to love you with my whole big heart. To meet Sonar please email info@givemesheltersf.org

SONAR AKA“MR. BIG”

“People who love cats have some of the biggest hearts around.” ~ Susan Easterly

I AM A FOREVER CATI am not an...

”until you get bored cat.””until you find a boy or girlfriend cat.””until I get old cat.””until you have to move cat.””until you get have a baby cat.””until you get a dog cat.”

If you cannot promise forever, I am not your cat

Zach making himself very comfortable

Gorgeous George has been with me now for about three days. He is still a bit skittish with the new noises in the flat, and is very shy when it comes to other people right now but he is settling in very well. George is quite the cuddler who climbs into my lap and just likes to be held, but he LOVES to have his belly rubbed! Any chance he gets he’ll roll onto his back and expect an extended belly rub and a thorough brushing from chin to tail! I want to thank Michele and Give Me Shelter for the opportunity to adopt Gorgeous George he is just what I needed after the recent death of my cat Cosmo a month ago.

Sincerely,Russell T.

GORGEOUS GEORGE GETS A HOME A VICTORY FOR BONNIE MAYDear Lana,

I want to let you know that I am adjusting nicely to my new home. Last night I stayed out of sight most of the time and explored the area I was in, but today I am ready to organize things to my liking! For instance my brother, Sharky, is used to being top dog ( I mean cat!). Well I think that will change. We are doing well

and staying out of paws reach. My mother thinks I am feeling comfortable since I have been laying on the floor with my stomach exposed, which she thinks indicates some degree of trust and comfort. This while brother Sharky is about 6 feet away. Food is so so but there is tuna as a treat. I think I may lose some weight going up and down those stairs. My mother says I waddle!!! Please thank the very nice and kind volunteer who did the adoption for me. I really think staying here was better than the shelter. Especially thanks for carrying me in my carrier to the car. My mother had no idea until she carried me about 1/2 block from car to house how HEAVY I am. My mother's nieces are happy about me and wrote that I was beautiful. We are sending a picture of me. Sorry but could not get Sparky to be in it.

Your loving feline,

Bonnie May (my mother added the May)

& Maryellen D.

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” - Albert Schweitzer

P.O. Box 411013San Francisco, CA 94141

Give Me Shelter wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of our wonderful volunteers, adopters, contributors, fosters, and veterinarians. All of your hard work and dedication to making a difference in animals’

lives really does mean everything to us. You are loved and appreciated and we wish you the best in 2014!

THANK

YOU