Cute Crusade: Two Cats Rescued from Death Row Thanks to a Reader!

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Oh, do I have a story for you today! Remember how last week I said I wanted to save all the cats? Well, I meant it and we're off to a good start this week!

A couple days ago I posted about a sweet cat named Marlin who (thank goodness!) got rescued just in the nick of time. His story moved me to tears (and a bunch of you all, I hear - sorry about that!) and made realize how much I want to do more to help save more cats.

On that post, I featured a picture of a tabby named Chalse. Chalse came into Animal Control here in Broward County with his four litter mates... but he was the only one left and his time was running out.

A couple days later, I shared a video on Facebook of him in his cage there, purring away, begging for loving and making biscuits like the happiest cat in the world -- oblivious to the fact that he was in a place where he could get sick any day and his time would be up. That video led to a miracle...

Marsha H., a friend of Cute commented on that thread. She had fallen in love with him and been calling animal control all day but wasn't getting through. She asked if I knew anyone who could help her get to him. She wanted to adopt him! Only thing was, she is in St. Louis, MO -- 1,200 miles away!



"Do you know anyone near there who could help me? It's hard to do long distance, but I know it can be done," she wrote. "Praying for Chalse - he has my heart."

Of course, I said! So I put her in touch with the woman who took the video and pictures of Chalse (she runs Good Karma Pet Rescue) and many phone calls, emails and texts later, Chalse is rescued and SAFE! A miracle! Now all we needed to do is figure out transport.

BUT WAIT, IT GETS BETTER!

On Wednesday, I shared a picture of Wendy, a gorgeous girl kitty at Clayton County Animal Control in Jonesboro, Georgia, who's time was going to be up Friday morning. She had outlived all her babies in the shelter and now it was her turn to be on the list... and they heartstick. Horrible. The original poster described her as a "velcro kitty", a sweet lapcat who just wanted to love. Plus, she has a heart-shaped nose like Pimp!

Wendy. This loving face had to be saved!

After I got back from watching fireworks Wednesday night, I turned on my computer to find this comment from Marsha: "Dorian - any chance I could get both of them? I just don't know what to do now. I wanted a lap cat lover, but Chalse stole my heart too? Oh for gosh sakes - I've got to stay off FB!!"

And I totally melted. These cats may have stolen her heart, but she stole mine! What an amazing person.

My response? First I wanted to make sure she didn't feel pressured to take every cat I post... but then it was a big yes! Of course we can figure it out! If she'll save them, I will find a way to get them to her even if I have to drive them there myself!

And so Thursday was spent back and forth on the phone with the fabulous Winging Cat Rescue in Georgia and more texts and messages with Marsha. Since Chalse was going to have to travel north, he might as well go through Georgia and pick up Wendy along the way... then they could ride together, right?

And now Wendy is SAFE, too!

Now that the cats are safe, this is where I hope you all can come in. Marsha has done the hardest part, opening her home to them. Now we need to get them vetted and funded and transported to her in St. Louis!

She will pay their adoption fees, but I told her no one would expect her to pay for everything. She is already doing so much to take them in! So I decided to open up a Chipin to cover some of the cost to help save these two beautiful kitties.

It kind of added up pretty fast, but it's all a small price to pay considering we're saving two lives, right? If you can spare a few dollars, you can donate at this link or using the widget on the right. Please, only if you can.

Here is how I figure the costs will break down. If there is any extra, I will use it for the next kitty we rescue. There WILL be more!

CHALSE:
Rescue fee/neuter/vetting 50
Health certificate 25
Boarding (14 days x $8/day) 112
Transport to GA 50
WENDY:
Spay/vetting/health certificate 100
Boarding (14 days x $5/day) 75
Transport with Chalse to STL 150

TOTAL 2 KITTIES TO FOREVER HOME = $562

I am setting the Chipin at $500 because my transport numbers are truly just estimates and $100-$150 will be covered by Marsha as adoption fees, I believe. I'm waiting to hear back from a couple transport people, but I hope this covers it. It's 10 hours to Jonesboro from Fort Lauderdale and nine hours from Georgia (Atlanta-ish area) to St. Louis. I'm assuming I'll drive part of the Florida part (for free, of course).

The money from this Chipin will go to me and I will divvy it up to each group and pay their costs, since there are so many people and steps involved. Georgia law says animals need to be quarantine for 10-14 days before traveling across state lines, so that's why so many boarding days. It may end up needing to be a few more if they are waiting on rides.

If I find out we have enough or it's less, I'll close the Chipin as soon as I hear. A bargain to save two lives!

Here's one more thing we might need...

Does anyone know anyone in Atlanta or Nashville who might be willing to help drive these kitties for a few hours? This is the route I think they'll take. I can get Chalse to Georgia (where Wendy is), but we need to figure out the Georgia to St. Louis route. I'm thinking Atlanta to Nashville to St. Louis?

You can click to biggify.

Please leave a comment with contact info or email me at dorian (at) yourdailycute.com if you think you can help! We are thinking this will likely be sometime around July 20th.

I've said this so many times, but you all are a truly amazing bunch. I have met the most wonderful people through this blog. I am reminded over and over again. Just look at the miracles we can make happen!

THANK YOU, MARSHA H. for saving these babies!