Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gibson ("Gibby") Update!

Guess who we heard from?! Ok, the subject line of this post kind of gives it away ... Gibson's mom! She wrote in to Joa's Arc recently to let us know how well our Gibster is doing and we couldn't think of a better way to close the year off than by sharing it here for all the wonderful people who check in on the animals of Joa's Arc through our blog.

Gibson's mom wrote: Gibson is amazing. I can't even express it. He's the greatest cat ever. He's sweet, affectionate, quite the little cuddler, and totally hilarious. Just a total sweetheart, lovebug. He makes everyone laugh with his antics. When he's in the mood to play, he likes to crouch down behind things and then jump out at you. He's also the first cat I've ever know who'll actually play hide and seek with you! And he's got this cute little hop that he does when he's excited. It's adorable.

He's definitely special. We call him the little supervisor because sometimes he just likes to stare at you. Even if he's not in the same room, sometimes he'll just stare from the hall. Otherwise he likes to be in the same room with one of us at all times, just watching what we're doing. He sleeps in my bed and he even knows what it means when I say "time for bed Gibs". He'll follow me into my room and curl up on the right side, putting his head on the pillow that is very much his pillow now. He looooves cuddles and being nuzzled. He also loves kisses. He won't sit in your lap but he'll sit right next to you with his paw in your lap or wrapped around your arm.

Gibby also has this funny obsession with the bathroom. We don't know what it is. When you're in there, he likes to be in there too. If you don't let him in, or if anyone is in the bathroom, he will sit outside the door and wait for them to come out. Sometimes he likes to hang out in the bath tub, and I've also found him just hanging out in the sink. Strange, but funny and sweet. Like Gibson himself.

We went to the vet for a check up at the end of October and the vet said he was great. She was impressed with how sweet he was and the softness of his coat. He's about eleven pounds! A little chubby food hog, but we're working on that. I'm taking pictures of him all the time. I've attached some of my recent favorites.


One of those attached photos on her email is the photo featured in this blog post. Yay for Gibson and his awesome home!! Thanks so much for writing to us, Gibby's mom, and letting us know how well he's doing. You have no idea how much that made our holiday! Gibson certainly came a very long way from the extreme circumstances that brought him into Joa's Arc care and we are ecstatic to see that he is so loved (and still so silly).

Joa's Arc is wishing all sorts of happiness on you, readers, in the coming new year. Lets keep up the good work! Tweet This

Monday, December 27, 2010

Looking Ahead to 2011

Nennee stole hearts first when she was found abandoned on a shelf at a pet store. A brat in foster care and a mush out in public, it was hard to deny that there was any cat quite like our Nennee! Adorable Nennee was in foster care for awhile because she required surgery to correct eye lid deformities. When old enough, Joa's Arc provided that for her. Not long after Nennee was healed and adopted by her foster mom, a small kitten looking just like Nennee was found in a road also suffering from eye issues. Joa's Arc took this kitten in and named her Minnen (Mini Nennee). Recently, Minnen was spayed and had her one deformed eye removed. Minnen has recovered wonderfully and is now waiting for a home to call her own - maybe she'll have more luck in 2011.

This time of year finds Joa's Arc looking ahead to 2011 with two more kittens who would not have survived to see the holidays if it had not been for Joa's Arc. While at a local shelter, Joyce M was pulled aside and shown two kittens with obvious eyelid deformities. These kittens could not get the very obvious extensive medical attention they needed at this shelter. Phil and Lil are now safe in foster care with Joa's Arc and will be seeing an eye specialist when they are old enough.


These eye-deformities kittens are just a few of the countless special needs animals Joa's Arc has helped this year. Cup of Joe the Poodle had surgery to repair his broken leg and has since been adopted into a wonderful home in PA. Scooter the paraplegic kitten was taken off the streets and is safe in foster care now. Buster the severely shy Beagle is now living it up in his adopted home getting into all sorts of trouble. Valentine the cat found with a blow dart in her eye was rescued, recovered from the abuse she survived and has found a wonderful adopter to love her forever. Flea, the kitten poisoned with a Hartz flea product, made a complete recovery and is waiting for an adoptive home now.

We could not have done any of this without your help and support! Thank you for your continued support for the extra special animals and please enjoy your holiday! Tweet This

Friday, December 24, 2010

Happy Holidays

We hope this holiday season finds you well, warm and with loved ones!




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Friday, December 17, 2010

STAF Event

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 18th, starting at 2:30 PM you can get your pet's picture taken with Santa at Cross Keys Animal Hospital! One 5x7 photo is $10 or you can get four wallet-sized photos for $5. Proceeds go to Save The Animals Foundation (STAF). Walk ins are welcome or you can call ahead to set up your appointment at the reception desk, 856-740-3700.

STAF does great work ... and they are also the amazing organization that allows Joa's Arc to do the good work it does! If you're in the area (you want to make yourself in the area), we highly encourage you to go. Tweet This

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Joa's Arc In The Paper

Joa's Arc was mentioned in the newspaper recently! Check it out: Fortescue feral cat colony doing just fine, thank you

Did you miss it? It's okay because I did too at first. Page 3 has this quote:She was instrumental in getting together the following groups: Save the Animals Foundation, Animal Friends Association, the Animal Welfare Association, Joa's Arc and the Camden County Animal Clinic, to provide the funds and services to trap, neuter and release the cats.

In October, Joa's Arc's Jen W supplied (wo)man-power and supplies! She went out trapping when her friends, Joan & Steve, mentioned a need for help in Fortescue, NJ. Coincidentally, this was the weekend after Jen W caught something else in Fortescue - her giant fish! She brought along a few traps, carriers, soft pretzels (for the people) and her aunt, mom & good friend, Alyssa, to help as well ... It ended up being quite a successful day!

I believe we trapped about 15 cats that day, which is a big deal because some of the feeders stopped by and mentioned that they had fed them earlier not knowing we were coming. There were at least 3 different cars that stopped by of people that usually care for the cats, so the love and the compassion for the cats was very obvious.

We used sardines, canned food and lunch meat, I think, in all the traps we set back in the reeds and along the road. We caught young cats/"teen" aged kittens and big toms! One cat we caught towards the end of our day was a cat one feeder referred to as "King of the Hill" - he was a white Tom with gray spots and bigtestosterone cheeks. She had tried for 2 years to catch him!! We got him not long after she mentioned this too, oddly enough. The number of cats we caught, the kind people that showed up and especially getting that long-time "King" made the day a great one!

Joa's Arc tries to do as much as possible for as many animals as we are able to. To be able to help Steve & Joan Bullock of Save The Animals Foundation is our pleasure as we are proud to be supported by this amazing organization and all the good work they do! Tweet This

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Deck The Halls

This has been very popular on the internet and I thought I'd share it here to send you all well wishes this holiday season...

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

From all of us



From all of us at Joa’s Arc to all of you,
THANK YOU for your continued support.

Have a wonderful holiday!


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Monday, November 15, 2010

Minnen Medical Update

Joa’s Arc's Nennee's look-a-like, Minnen has been spayed, had her awful eye removed which was causing her so much discomfort and the eye socket was closed as well during surgery on Wednesday, November 10th. Minnen's surgery actually cost Joa’s Arc a lot more than we were expecting. In light of this, we are posting this link to donate to try to generate some funds for special cats like Nennee and Minnen.

The goal is set high because, $4,000, because, like I sad, we spent a lot more than we were expecting on Minnen's surgery and she's not the first kitty with eye issues that needs assistance. Teena is still waiting to see an eye doctor. Nennee was Joa’s Arc's first kitten to need corrective eye surgery. Valentine also needed her one eye socket closed after the cruelty that was done to her.

$4,000 seems like a lot, but that's 2 - 8 surgeries. 2 - 8 kittens you could help Joa’s Arc bring comfort to. 2 - 8 kittens we could save. Please consider donating even just a dollar to this special fund or consider donating in any of these ways too. Tweet This

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Prayer Of A Stray

Dear God please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain
And dear God I pray as I run in the rain

That someone will love me and give me a home
A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water and God that was hard!

So I chewed my leash God; and I ran away
To rummage in garbage; and live as a stray
But now God I'm tired; and hungry and cold
And I'm Oh so afraid; that I'll never grow old

They've chased me with sticks; hit me with stones
While I run the streets; just looking for bones
I'm not really bad God; please help if you can
For I have become just another; "victim of man!"

I'm wormy dear God; and I'm ridden with fleas
and all that I ever wanted; was an owner to please
If you find one for me God; I'll try to be good
I won't chew their shoes; and I'll do as I should

I'll love them; protect them; and try to obey
When they tell me to sit; to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it; too long on my own
Cause I'm getting so weak; and I'm Oh so alone

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry
Cause I'm so afraid God; that I'm gonna die
I've got so much love; and devotion to give
That I should be given; a new chance to live

So dear God please; oh please; answer my prayer
and send me to somebody; who will really care
That is dear God; if You're really there!

John Quealy
(from here) Tweet This

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Are you a fan?

Are you a fan of Joa's Arc? Or special needs animals? Or just adorable animals in general??

Please send your contact information (name, email address, home/business address) to jenw@joasarc.org - We're getting together contact information for newsletters/updates and want to make sure you're involved! :)

PS- Please share this post as well Tweet This

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Elvis :(

Elvis came to Joa’s Arc with severe neurological problems in May of this year from a wonderful rescuer named Susan from North Jersey. Joyce wrote “from the moment I saw him, I was in love - from that cute little nose with a dab of black, all the way down to that wiggling butt.” He was just 8 weeks old then and Joyce made the generous decision to love and care for Elvis as long as possible.

Elvis, named appropriately for his wiggly hips and butt (the area his neurological issues effected the most), didn't let his disabilities get in the way of loving life or people. Though he shook terribly and had a hard time getting around sometimes, Elvis still loved everything about life - whether it was playing with his foster siblings or snuggling up with anyone nearby. Because of these traits and that sweet little face, it was hard for anyone that met Elvis to not fall in love.

Elvis, like several animals that have come into Joa’s Arc’s care, are just temporary blessings though. Neurological disorders as severe as Elvis’s were are not only difficult for the people that have to care for them, but difficult on their precious little bodies. In July, Elvis started having seizures and although Joa’s Arc got him on to medication, it wasn’t helping. Initially, after Elvis would seize, Joyce would pick him up and he would head butt her and purr as if saying, “I’m alright! What are you so worked up about? Pet me!” Over the last month or so though, Elvis grew tired and his body just couldn't take the ruthlessness of the seizures anymore.

On Tuesday, September 26th, comforted and surrounded by friends, Elvis crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Homes for animals like Elvis are often very hard to find. These animals require supervision, patience, cleaning (picture a cat trying to groom its self while its head or rear end wiggle uncontrollably), sometimes medication, the knowledge that they might not live the full life of a “normal” pet and, for animals like this who find themselves in shelters, the reality that the right person may not come along. These are commitments that a lot of people and especially shelters cannot make. However, it is because of people like Joa’s Arc’s Joyce that animals like Elvis get to live the best and longest life possible in love and comfort until they no longer can anymore.

Thank you, Joyce, for loving Elvis and for making the difficult decision to let him go to peace.







Joyce wrote upon Elvis’s passing, “Please don't feel sad for Elvis. He had a short, but wonderful life ... feel sad for the ones like Elvis that aren't given the chance.”

Rest in peace, Elvis. You were loved!
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Saturday, September 25, 2010

A Special Spotlight



This beautiful girl is Nickel from Almost Home Animal Shelter. Nancy wrote to Joa’s Arc about this wonderful girl because Nickel is definitely a cat that fits in with the Joa’s Arc crowd.

Our beautiful Nickel is one of those inspiring animals who teach us that beauty comes from within. Despite the injury she sustained trying to save her own life, she is one of the friendliest and most loving cats you will ever meet.

I received a phone call late on a Sunday afternoon in February 2010. A family went out to their shed to get some shovels out for the snow storm that was coming. It was already bitter cold outside. When they opened the shed they found a cat laying flat on the floor, barely breathing and very emaciated. The family called Almost Home Animal Shelter and I went to pick up the cat.

I wasn't sure she would even survive the trip to the emergency hospital, so I brought her back to the shelter. I put her in a bed on a heating pad and gave her some warmed fluids. In just a few minutes she was meowing and attempting to lift her head to look at me. I made her a "smoothie" of good nutritious food and began putting tiny portions on her tongue. In another few minutes she was lifting her head and licking out of the bowl! By morning she was sitting up, walking around, demanding more food and wanting to be hugged.

It was quite obvious that this survivor had sustained some sort of injury to her top lip. The vet couldn't quite understand where her top front teeth had gone or how she had damaged the lip so severly. So, I went back to take a look at the shed Nickel had been found in... I could see the splintered wood around the window where Nickel chewed trying to get out of the shed. Apparently Nickel's lip injury and missing teeth were sustained from her trying to set herself free from the shed she found herself locked in.

Nickel is a very normal cat despite her slight deformity. She eats and drinks normally. She prefers soft canned food, but she also eats crunchies too. If Nickel had her way she would sit on someone's lap all day long and she loves hugs & kisses. Nickel has the most beautiful green eyes. Her pictures don't do them justice because she is a bit camera shy. You can fool her the first time but she doesn't like the flash. Although she is queen of the office here at Almost Home, we here would all love to see her in a forever home.


If you are interested in adopting this special girl, check out her Petfinder bio for contact information.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc. We have been posting every day with special needs animals in the care of Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:




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Friday, September 24, 2010

Deadly Hartz - Introducing Flea

Yesterday Joyce of Joa’s Arc got a call from a friend and fellow animal helper. A kitten had come into her shelter that they believed to be very neurologically impaired. However, after several calls to the person who surrendered the kitten, it was discovered that the kitten was a completely normal kitten until the evening before when the family treated the kitten with a Hartz flea product.

Within hours of being treated with the Hartz flea product, this normal, healthy kitten could no longer stand up on its own at all, it could not eat or see or maintain his body temperature which kept dropping dangerously low. After several baths and being given sub-q fluids at a local vet, Joa’s Arc was told "only time will tell". Joyce brought this poor baby home, gave him yet another bath, force fed him, kept him warm and did the only other thing she could think to do - she prayed.

This morning Joyce found a brand new kitten!! Now appropriately named Flea, he seems to be back to normal. Yay!! We really cannot say which helped the most, but Joa’s Arc and all who met this kitten are very thankful that the combination treatment did the trick. Sadly, that is not always the case with animals given Hartz products.

A perfectly healthy kitten needlessly suffered and after extraordinary medical measures, it was still unknown if he would recover, let alone survive. All because of a product that should absolutely be off the shelves! If you love your pets, do not use Hartz products - it can kill them!

Please check out these websites for more information:
- ConsumerAffairs.Com - Hartz
- Complaints Board - Hartz
- HartzVictims.Org
- Are You Poisoning Your Pet with Toxic Flea and Tick Products?

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc.

Please note, we are now desperate for donations! Flea was an unexpected emergency intake and though he recovered after extensive medical care, he will still require the usual medical care as well: basic vet care, appropriate vaccinations and he will need to be neutered in several weeks if he is recovered enough for that. Any and all donations help. Please consider donating today:




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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Muffy Update

At our meeting recently, Muffy joined us. While there was eating, talking and some number crunching on the humans' part, Muffy was busy running around with other foster kitties, Smithy's little Chihuahua man and, oh yea, a few rats too. While she was very tolerant for the most part, there were frustrating parts - like all the movement or just trying to play with a toy.

Muffy is a trooper though! She made it through the night, got plenty of pets and showed off her improvement in getting around.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:





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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Buster Has Been Adopted!

I don't think it is a secret anymore - Buster has been adopted!

This once shy, shell shocked dog was loving life in his foster home ... and they loved him so much, they could not imagine him leaving. Buster has been adopted by Joyce, her husband and their crew of critters - forever and fosters. Congrats to Buster for suckering them into keeping him and thank you Joyce & family for being so generous to the many animals that come into your lives like he did.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:




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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Teena For Tuesday

Teena came to Joa’s Arc from Camden County Animal Shelter because they were concerned about Teena. Like many of the animals in the care of Joa’s Arc, Teena has several medical issues that we have noticed while caring for her. Teena has mild Cerebellar Hypoplasia (aka "CH" like Muffy) causing her to have poor coordination in her hind end. She also has an eye condition due to the fact her upper eyelids are not fully formed. Other than that, Teena is a happy, playful loving kitten though. She loves to sit on shoulders and will head butt you for kisses.


Teena is now about 3 months old and Joa’s Arc has made arrangements for Teena to see an eye doctor soon to see if there is anything that can be done to improve her sight or at least give her some more comfort. For now, she's growing like a typical kitten and loving her life in foster care. She is a sweet little baby waiting for her special home to call her own.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:





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Monday, September 20, 2010

Minnen On Monday

It was about a year ago that someone left a can of food and a kitten on a shelf in Petsmart. That kitten quickly stole our hearts with her ridiculous antics and major purrrsonality. We weren't the only ones though - lots of people love Nennee. It is hard to imagine any cat quite like her, let alone coming across one ... and yet that cat has found us!

Meet Minnennee ("mini-nennee") – the similarity is just outstanding, right down to the coloring and eye issues.

This little girl was found on the side of the road by one super caring vet tech who knows about the good work Joa’s Arc does. She contacted Joa’s Arc and asked if we could help - Minnen was tiny, skinny and was obviously suffering from some sort of eye injury. As it turns out, one of her eyes is completely dead and will have to be removed. The other eye is very cloudy and she has very limited vision in it.

Her condition seems to have very little effect on her. She zips around her foster home with Joa’s Arc volunteer Smithy. Minnen also loves playing with other kitties and will beg like a dog for food – any kind of food! Sound familiar?

Like Nennee, Minnen has some maturing to do before we will consider surgery on her eyes. Now that Joa’s Arc has seen this a few times with kittens, it is always best with cats like this to make sure their eyes are given enough time to mature. Minnen will be spayed when her eyes are corrected and then she will be looking for a home that can handle her ... not because of her eyes, but her goofy personality!

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:




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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Spotlight On Weenie

The fall makes us think of lots of things - pumpkins, changing leaves, warm apple cider ... and Halloween. Meet Joa’s Arc Halloween (aka "Weenie")! Weenie is a beautiful calico girl in need of a new home due to her owners moving away and not thinking to take her. Maybe it was for the best though. Weenie had been living as an outside cat, but she is very affectionate cat who deserves a loving, safe inside home.

In updating Weenie with her vaccinations, Weenie's first foster mom found out that Weenie is FIV+. Weenie could live in a home with other FIV+ cats or, honestly, in just about any home! FIV is not as scary as it sounds.

Though you should do some research for yourself, here are some basic facts:

  • - The "F" in FIV stands for "feline," so humans and dogs can't catch it.
  • - The only way FIV is passed through spayed/neutered cats is from deep, deep bite wounds during fighting, which can be avoided with proper introductions like when any new cat comes into a home.
  • - the viral strains of FIV used in laboratories were very virulent, and much previously published information is based on this. However, FIV strains in cats living normal lives tend to be much more benign and may never cause disease. *keep this in m ind when doing research*
  • - T he FIV virus has a long incubation period, so a cat who tests FIV+ may live free of FIV-related disease for a lifetime.

Back to Weenie though – she is a gorgeous cat who gets along with other cats (she lived with two other cats before who were both FIV negative) and she is very affectionate with people too as her foster family can tell you. She is playful, talkative and an all around super cat! Please consider adopting her because she really deserves a super life.

It is "Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" this week! What a perfect week for the animals of Joa’s Arc.

Check back each day for a new post about some of the great animals that are in our care or have found wonderful new homes thanks to Joa’s Arc. Keep in mind Joa’s Arc is constantly getting requests about animals in need like these special furbabies on our site. Even a dollar will help! Please donate what you can to the animals of Joa’s Arc:




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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Update: Bucky aka Kreach

Bucky (aka "4 ears", "yoda", "cutie", "kreacher", etc) has been on the road a bit lately and, as you can see, has acquired quite a few nicknames.

"Kreach", Bucky's most common nickname at my house (for the cat from Harry Potter), frequently comes to work with me since everyone loves him. Throughout the day, people come behind the front desk to ogle at and kiss this cute little guy. Kreach, of course, takes it all in stride.

A little over a week ago, we headed to our trusted vet, Dr. John at Tri County Animal Hospital, to get a better idea what was going on with this little guy. Kreach made quite an impression on Dr. John who said he had resisted the urge to do any research before seeing Kreach because he "wanted to be surprised." From the appointment, we gathered that Kreach definitely has some neurological issues which are obvious by the fact he cannot blink his left eye at all. Instead, Kreach has adapted by using his third eye lid to lubricate his eye. We are not really sure at this time what can be causing this or what else could be affected. Moving on with the eye issues, Kreacher also has cataracts already which could remain the way they are now or get progressively worse as he gets older. He also has limited vision, but since he's a just a baby, he seems to be adapting to this disability. He uses his whiskers a lot to feel around and those big ears to make up for his partial vision loss. On a good note though, his blood work came back well, leaving his stunted growth as a mystery for now. At our vet visit, he was less than 2lbs when he should be well over 3lb by now with his age.

More recently though, Kreach and I also went to a meeting recently for Joa’s Arc, which was much more along the lines of a gathering of the strange, special and unique. Oddly enough, it was the mostly "normal" cats at Jen S's house that seemed to intimidate Kreacher into staying put in his carrier instead of coming out to play. Apparently he'll take people coddling and cooing at him over his own species any day. Tweet This

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Introducing Scooter

How can you resist that little face?! I found it impossible... even after I found out the little munchkin was a paraplegic kitten who drags his back legs around. Thankfully, so did Joa’s Arc volunteer Jen S and these two adorable kittens are now safe in foster care with Joa’s Arc. Meet Scooter and his littermate, Bump. Although Scooter's "normal" littermates had somewhere safe to go, we were told that Bump loved him and followed Scooter everywhere. Did we mention Bump doesn't have any tail either? It's a fact! She barely even has a "bump" of a tail on her rump.

Scooter and Bump were on the patio of a nice lady in Southern New Jersey. Although they were barely done nursing from their mom, we felt it best to get them into foster care due to the fact they were living outside and that their semi-feral mom cat had made several attempts at moving them to places where we could not reach them. We felt it best to get Scooter and Bump inside and safe, especially since Scooter is paraplegic - dragging his back legs around from the hips down. Here is a cute photo of Joa’s Arc volunteer Joyce M getting ready to help feed the babies their first night in foster care. Scooter is happy exploring. Bump is so impatient for food she seems to be considering just climbing into the cup of food.


The video is dark, but you can get an idea of how Scooter gets himself around. Although Scooter has an obvious disability, he doesn't know there is anything wrong with him. It is hard for us not to go weak in the knees for paraplegic kittens and just like Joa, whose spirit encouraged Joa's Arc's mission, quickly stole everyone's heart, Scooter seems to be doing the same already... and Bump too! The two are quite the adorable pair.

Stay tuned in here for more information and updates on Scooter & Bump. Feel free to donate towards their continual care too. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Tweet This

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Introducing Buster

Buster was tied to the fence along with two other dogs at Camden County Animal Shelter ("CCAS") about a month ago. One of Joa’s Arc's volunteers, Joyce M, was at the shelter when a shelter worker walked by with Buster. He was terrified! The poor boy was walking along the wall to avoid any human contact. Joa’s Arc's Joyce M was so upset seeing this type of behavior. Although CCAS was doing a great job with him, Buster was clearly petrified and the shelter is a very hard environment to teach a dog to trust after who knows what Buster had been through. Two days later after not sleeping, Joa’s Arc's Joyce M went and pulled Buster to take him into foster care. My the things you learn then!

You learn things like Buster loves other animals - dogs and cats! Foster care has shown that although it looked like Buster did not trust humans, that is not the case. Buster is a bit shy with new people, but within minutes he will be kissing your hand. He also loves to sleep in bed with his foster mom and always has to be touching her.

Buster was also thought to be 3 - 5 years old, but that doesn't seem to be the case either. His blossoming behavior and temperament point towards Buster being like more around just a year old, if that. He is full of energy, loves to chew like a teething pup who hasn't learned better ... and Buster so friggin cute. Ok, maybe that's not exactly relevant, but it's true! He is easily corrected when getting into trouble and hasn't been the type to repeat mistakes. He is crate trained, but only if you anchor the crate down because he seems to be a great escape artist - with tactics including guilt trips like crying pathetically until you feel bad.

Maybe Buster smelled a sweet soul in Joa’s Arc's Joyce M? He sure has opened up in foster care with her! Aside from being initially so shy, Buster has no real "special" needs and is available to be adopted. Buster just needs a good active home that is ready for a almost full-grown pup. Tweet This

Monday, August 30, 2010

R.I.P. - Nora

Over the past weekend, our good friend and a Joa’s Arc volunteer, Maria, lost her beloved dog, Nora.

Nora came to Joa’s Arc's volunteer, Jen S, several years ago with her hip completely out of the socket and a very large hernia. Poor Nora had lived like that for many years. Kind volunteers at a local shelter just could not bring themselves to put to sleep Nora and so Jen S fostered her while several wonderful groups and people raised to funds for two surgeries to help Nora feel and move better. First, Nora's hips were corrected and then she had her hernia repaired.

Jen S and her awesome daughter fostered Nora for two years (talk about dedeication!) before Maria came into Nora's life. For just about a year, Nora was Maria's loyal, loved friend who faithfully stood by her.

Nora succumbed to a heart condition on Saturday, August 28th, 2010. In respect to friends who did not know until just recently, we had not posted this blog post sooner.





Now you've got some real wings, Nora. We'll all miss you.
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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Introducing Muffy

Muffy, Muffy, Muffy ... She is one special girl!

Muffy came in to Joa’s Arc's care from a local shelter after being brought in by someone that did not know what was wrong with her. You see, Muffy has Cerebellar Hypoplasia, known also as "CH" (like Nero), which varies in severity and, in Muffy's case, causes her to bob and weave all over.

Muffy will need a very special home that will overlook her disability (as she does), but still keep her safe. "CH" is a condition affecting the cerebellum of the kitten's brain. The cerebellum is the portion of the brain that influences fine motor control. Kittens affected with CH will have poor coordination (jerky or wobbly movements when they walk or run). Some animals affected by it will have head tremors as well. This can happen to a greater or lesser extent in each animal differently. Many will fall over during movement. HOWEVER, life expectancy is not affected. The cause of CH may be a viral infection during gestation or in kittenhood. Distemper is the most common cause of intra-uterine infection. However, CH can occur in-utero or at a later date due to injury, poisoning or a virus.

The symptoms of CH generally do not worsen as the animal ages and most will learn to compensate to some degree. However, this will be a lifelong condition because there is no treatment for the condition. The animal can have a good quality of life if given protection from accidents - these cats will be clumsy and must be protected from stairs, for example. They absolutely MUST NOT be declawed as they need their nails to help them hang on when they slip or fall. Cushions should be placed under places from which the cat may fall (window sills, etc.). It is a good idea to use untippable food and water bowls and a litter box with high sides but a low entrance area. These cats also absolutely be kept indoors for their own safety. CH cats seem to be unaware that they are different in any way and therefore may attempt feats that could be dangerous for them, but they seem to lead very happy lives.

Do not be fooled though, Muffy's condition does not slow her down! Muffy is quite the athlete - she loves to tumble and tumble and tumble some more. As of today, Muffy is almost 15 weeks old. She came to Joa’s Arc eight weeks ago and her coordination and limb strength have really shown improvement and she is able to contol herself much better. She loves to play and cuddle and if she sees hair hanging, she loves it!! Muffy is so funny too. She makes everyone laugh once they realize that her special needs does not affect her ability to be happy and enjoy life. She is also up to date with vaccines, combo tested negative and will be spayed when appropriate. Tweet This

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Introducing Bucky

Meet Bucky!! Because of his little face and giant ears, people keep insisting I (Jen W of Joa’s Arc) name him "Yoda", but Bucky was the name I got him with and I like it more than "Yoda."

I first met this boy a couple weeks ago when he came into the Animal Welfare Association with his foster mom to be weighed and I just fell in love with his little face and squeaky meow (it's probably not a good idea for a "rescuer" to work for a shelter...). Within the last few days though, I've become Bucky's foster mom! His two "normal" siblings weighed enough to be spayed/neutered and put up for adoption, but this poor little guy was still too tiny. I more than happily offered to take him home with me.

Do you see anything a little off with this little kitten? No, not his tiny eyes. Keep looking! Real close! Ok, maybe I'm not being fair. It's a little hard to see the craziest thing about this kitten in that picture, so let me show you another and make it easier on you...

Four ears!

Yes, tiny little alien eyes (when he blinks, he doesn't really shut his eyes so much as he just folds his third eyelids over them), a little face, lots of fur and tiny little ear flaps behind his actual, normal ears!! Apparently, he's not the only one though. When first looking into this weird condition, I came across a fairly famous kitty who is named, surprisingly, Yoda! Upon further digging, I found this website which is really interesting and apparently Yoda is not the only kitty like my foster boy either: Feline Medical Curiosities: The Ears.

For now, Bucky's in foster care with Joa’s Arc because he seems to be a little slow developing. As I mentioned above, he had two siblings that seem to be completely normal and are an appropriate size for their age. Bucky on the other hand is still pretty tiny. Joa’s Arc is considering having a vet take a good look at Bucky and maybe take some blood work to see if he is maybe a bit abnormal on the inside as well.

Right now, like most kittens though, he likes exploring, wrestling and snuggling. He's a great little kitten! Tweet This

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Introducing Dash

Meet "Dash" (AKA "Mini Misty")!

Dash came to Joa’s Arc from a branch of the PSPCA. She was saved after being found on the streets of Philadelphia with a leg injury. It was thought that Dash had a broken leg and would require extensive cage rest, if not surgery. Further inspection showed that there were no fractures or breaks seen on x-rays.

After resting in foster care with Joa’s Arc to be on the safe side, Dash is now running, jumping and playing like any other 5 - 6 month old kitten. Dash is a beautiful dilute gray tortoiseshell cat with a silky coat who loves to wrap her paws around your neck and kiss, kiss, kiss! She likes to kiss your neck and kiss your face - Dash is just full of love. Also, Dash has been already been spayed, is up to date on vaccinations and she combo tested negative for FIV/Feline Leukemia.

Now all she needs is a family for her to kiss and love and call her own. Will it be yours? Tweet This