13-year-old George is a former "porch" cat. When his caregivers moved to a retirement community, we added him to our barn colony where he continued to live outdoors. This winter we moved the cats indoors to make them easier to care for. George is still no touchable, but he has adjusted well and can frequently be found snuggling on this warm snuggly blanket.

Snip-N-Chip Update
With our feral cat sterilization program running smoothly, last year we launched a second program targeting another large group of unsterilized cats: those whose guardians earn less than $40,000 annually. 2004 was our first full year and we sterilized 84 pet cats. Our goal this year is to sterilize 200 pet cats -- and we already have 57 done.

Although most shelters sterilize cats and kittens before adopting them out, they only account for about 15% of the total cat adoptions -- the rest being transferred person-to-person. Often the people adopting this way can afford the routine care of a cat but not the front-end costs of getting them sterilized and vaccinated. Through our program, we pay the full cost of sterilization and charge a nominal co-pay for rabies and distemper vaccines and ID microchips. If you know of anyone in greater Washtenaw County that has an unsterilized pet cat or kitten, that may qualify, ask them to contact us for assistance.

With the cooperation of most of the greater Washtenaw County veterinary clinics, who accept our vouchers and frequently discount their prices for us, we can conveniently send our clients to clinics close to their homes. Without this veterinary participation, our spay/neuter programs would not be possible.

Our Special Thanks
DONORS: Linda Atkins & Thomas Kenney, Mildred Atkins, Stuart Bagley, Leila & Donald Bauer, Margaret & William Brudon In Honor of George, Joseph Burman, Jane & Robert Cooch, Jody Davis, Barton Todd Dixon, Alice Dobson, Sherry Hansen & Lee Rome, Rachel Brett Harley, John Hritz, Kathryn Horste, Lowene Hughes, Larry & Vicky Jones, Ed & Jo Kowalski, Carol McKendry, Peggy Motsch, JoAnne & Frank Nehrer, Evan Pratt, Pat & Lloyd Randall, Dean Rockwell, Peggy Rogers, Rita Rozell, Terri Sarris, Raymond & Mary Silverman, Jennifer Striker, John St John, Rebecca Super, Megan Turf, Klaaas & Helena Volger, Judy VonBoncel, West Hawk Industries, Alan & Marie Weintraub, Valerie Wenger, Tom & Sue Wisely.
VOLUNTEERS: Barb Almli, Cheryl Blackwell, Julia Bommarito, Stephanie Boys, Mary Beth Budd, Mary Cady, Denise Cain, Alison Calandra, Isabelle Clough, Jennifer Desiderio, Holly Diener, Barb Faust, Anne Fischer, Al & Karen Gallup, Debbie Garrett, Rachel Granneman, Jeannine Hayden, Sivana Heller, Kris Helton, Layla Hourani, Joan Hutchinson, Melissa Hurteau, Emma Kennedy, Vicki Landau, Cynthia Lempert, Betsy & Jack Mall, Emily Martin, Monica Milla, Angela Morris, Jeanette Mumford, Pat Naffin, Steve Nelson, Anne Perry, Alicia Pratt, Sue Ransom, Maggie Sadoff, Terri Sarris, Bill & Nancy Schultz, Liz Smith, Candis Stern, Jan Wahl, Julie K Ward, Eric Westmaas, Debbie Wilde, Barb & Larry Wolfe, Christine Wren.
STAFF: Ashley Allemang, Marie Beaudoin, Kris Dudley, Deb Granneman, Cynthia Jones.
Want to volunteer?  Call or e-mail for details

Dear Friends,
When the stories were first published about Wisconsin's "shoot the cats" petition, I discounted them as the rantings of a fringe group -- confident the matter would go away and confused by why it was being given so much press coverage. No one was more surprised than I by the 51 to 20 vote in favor of declaring an open season on cats. Those of us that love and care for them could not imagine anyone actually picking up a rifle and shooting one. Governor Doyle's reaction was interesting. He said "I don't think Wisconsin should become known as a state where we shoot cats... What it does is sort of hold us up as a state that everybody is kind of laughing at right now." His glib response demonstrated a lack of caring or a lack of knowledge in this serious animal welfare issue that affects communities nationwide. He had the ideal opportunity to reinforce that the shooting of cats is inhumane and archaic -- not to mention ineffective and unnecessary. For whatever reason he chose not to do so. In my humble opinion, Governor Doyle -- Wisconsin may be laughed at -- but over their lack of understanding -- a lack that reaches all the way up to the Governor's office. But the issue -- the killing of cats -- is certainly not a laughing matter.
Kitty Zimmer