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! Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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:

Tweet This

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

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

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