Louisiana cat flies cross-country for a second chance Fox Island shelter cares for stray cats with leukemia. INGRID STEGEMOELLER of the Gateway reporting
Tiger Lou spent three weeks at a makeshift animal shelter in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina separated him from his family. Infected with feline leukemia, the orange cat would have been euthanized if not for Renton resident Secrette Miller and Fox Island resident Emily Decker.
Since feline leukemia is transmitted from cat to cat - not humans or other animals - cats with the disease must live indoors and stay away from non-infected cats to avoid spreading the disease, according to Decker. Cats who come to shelters or vets and are infected with leukemia are routinely euthanized because it is too difficult to find them homes.
Miller works with a feral cat spay and neuter program in Seattle and decided to go to Louisiana to help with animal rescue efforts. She joined up with a group from Pasado's Safe Haven animal shelter, based in Sultan, Wash. During Miller's 12 days with the group in Louisiana, she helped rescue lost dogs and cats, performed triage, and worked to find the animals' families, or homes at shelters across the country, Miller said.
When Miller came across Tiger Lou, or Old Gentilley as he was called at the shelter, she knew he wouldn't have much of a chance to live because of his leukemia. "I sent an email to people in the animal rescue network in Seattle and they found Emily (Decker)," Miller said. Decker recently founded Second Chance Cat Rescue on Fox Island, a home for cats infected with leukemia who are otherwise healthy and symptom free.
Miller and Decker worked out the details and Tiger Lou flew from Louisiana to Seattle, where Decker met him at the airport. Now he has a temporary home on Fox Island until a family adopts him.
"I was elated about finding him a home," Miller said. "I knew it would be hard and that his chances were slim. But he's such a sweet little thing."
Decker re-named the cat Tiger Lou because he responded to being called Tiger and he came from Louisiana. The other seven cats currently living at Second Chance Cat Rescue would also have been euthanized because of their infection with feline leukemia.
Decker said she decided to start the rescue program after a tip from a friend regarding several stray cats living in an area near the Tacoma Mall. After rescuing several cats, testing both positive and negative for leukemia, Decker said she couldn't stand the thought of putting cats to sleep because of leukemia.
"Just because a cat is leukemia-positive doesn't mean they don't have a full life ahead of them and that they can't make good pets," Decker said. Decker's mother, Sue Supplee, has helped with the shelter, and added that people need to know the truth about feline leukemia.
"Education is important because not all (infected) cats will get sick," Supplee said. Decker added that, "There's a misconception that cats with leukemia will die soon, but 30 percent become immune to it and an even larger number will live a long time."
Now, Decker and Supplee, are working to find homes for the cats. "We need to work on adoptions," Supplee said. "We need families who will keep them indoors and don't have other cats or have other cats with leukemia. "I hope people will consider adopting special needs cats. It's riskier, but it's fulfilling."
As part of her rescue efforts, Decker traps stray cats, gets them examined at a veterinary office and has them spayed or neutered if they aren't already.
The first cat Decker rescued, Midnight, tested negative for leukemia and had nine kittens. The kittens are living with a veterinary technician until they are old enough for adoption, Decker said. Supplee also has three leukemia-negative cats living at her home until they are adopted.
"My goal is to shelter just cats with leukemia, but I won't turn down other cats," Decker said. "If we have a bathroom-full, I'm glad we have an extra bathroom."
Decker, a Fox Island native, said she's always wanted to open a shelter but it hasn't been possible until now. "I make the time," said Decker, who is mom to a son and a daughter, both under the age of two. "It happened soon after the hurricane - I wanted to help, so I thought this was my opportunity to make a difference." Decker's credit card has been active since opening the rescue, and despite support from friends, she is hoping to receive donations. Leukemia tests cost $40 each, she said.
"We are trying to do raffles, car washes, anything to raise money," Decker said. Volunteers spending time with the cats would help out too. "They like to have company," Decker said. "The goal is to socialize the younger ones" to help them become better pets. As she gets Second Chance up and running, Decker and Supplee have already started looking to the future.
"Down the line we are looking to hook up the cats with leukemia or cancer patients," Supplee said, noting the potential for a special bond.
Eight of Decker's 39 rescues now spend their days in the newly-built Second Chance shelter. They have furniture, music, beds and scratching posts. A fenced-in outdoor area allows the cats a chance for fresh air. The cats - who would have been euthanized - are getting a second chance at finding a family.
Story courtesy Peninsula Gateway, Fox Island, WA
Used with permission, as reported by Ingrid Stegemoeller.
To reach her please call 253-851-9921 x261 or e-mail her at intern@gateline.com |
