Randolph, IA, May 8, 2008: Feline Friendz, Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & Rescue and other key participating volunteer agencies have withdrawn their volunteers and support from the Randolph Cat Rescue project, thereby effectively ceasing all established TNR, activity in Randolph, Iowa.

Citing numerous examples of how City Officials chose to disregard their own Resolution signed March 20^th regarding free roaming feral and stray cats in Randolph, rescue coalition members also alluded to specific malicious and vindictive actions perpetrated by Randolph City Officials against resident pet owners and members of the Randolph Cat Rescue Coalition.

“Regardless of what was signed by members of the Randolph City Council, I don’t believe that the Mayor had any intention of keeping the agreement,”

says Joseph Pundzak, President of RVAS.

“From the very beginning, it was obvious to me and others that all he wanted was for us to get rid of every outdoor cat in town, including pets; and when we refused, he threatened that he would once again allow the poisoning of outdoor cats.”

To date, the rescue coalition has captured seventeen, (17), stray and feral cats and collected fourteen, (14) owned pets. Of the total number of thirty-one, (31), two, (2), were ill and were euthanized, fifteen, (15), stray and feral cats were relocated outside of Randolph’s City limits and twelve, (12) of the owned pets were returned to their respective owners. Two, (2), of the owned pets were subsequently surrendered to a rescue organization. In addition, approximately fifty, (50) resident dogs and cats were vetted by the Freemont Vet Clinic at no charge to the owners, courtesy of the Randolph Rescue Coalition.

It was the return of pets to their respective owners that prompted the Mayor to launch into a tirade demanding that all outside cats be removed from Randolph and that unless coalition volunteers re-collected and removed all the returned pets, further TNR activities would be banned in Randolph. View the rest of this entry…

Hearts United reports that the surgeries are done. At this time the cats are resting comfortably and will be returned to Randolph tomorrow for release or relocation depending on where they were captured. Some of the cats are being relocated to a local hog farm.



While this weeks trapping was a huge success and many cats got the vet work they needed, there are many more cats still needing our help. We will be going back into Randolph next week for another 30 cats, while simultaneously continuing our TNR efforts of 50 cats per week here in Omaha. This is a huge effort and I want to thank everyone who has supported us through volunteers, donations, fostering, coordinating surgeries, answering phone calls, doing adoptions, it takes a lot of people behind the scenes to make this happen and I appreciate you all very much!!

Update on Clairese - 4/3/08 sometime in the wee hours of the morning, Clairese gave birth to 7 kittens. Mom and babies are resting, pictures will come soon.

Feline Friendz volunteers (Sherry Haftings, Elizabeth Ham, Larry Shackman, Laura Stastny and Linda Cooper) Best Friends volunteers (Deb & Mike Shanahan) and Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary volunteer (Joe Pundzak) along with Mayor Trively were all on site to coordinate the setting of traps at various locations around the town. Our friends from Fox 42 news were also there updating the story.

View the rest of this entry…

First off a BIG Thank You to everyone who has donated!!
This would not be possible without your support.

Clairese

Meet Clairese. She is a pregnant cat that was initially turned in under the bounty in Randolph, Iowa.

8 Photos

Meet Clairese. She is a pregnant cat that was initially turned in under the bounty in Randolph, Iowa. Shortly after the bounty was remitted she was turned over to Feline Friendz where we will enter her into foster care. You can’t tell from these pictures but she is hugely pregnant. She has been checked out by one of our vets and other than fleas she is in good health. Clairese is being fostered by Expert Foster Mom Elizabeth Ham of Feline Friendz, seen above in the picture with her. Clairese has her own room in Elizabeth’s house and is enjoying all the love and attention while she awaits the arrival of her babies. We will update you again once the babies are born or as new developments occur.

Yesterday the Mayor and City Council of Randolph, Iowa signed the official agreement to work with the rescue groups and enact a humane solution for the cats of their town!!

Feline Friendz was back in Randolph, Iowa today unloading supplies in anticipation of the start of the Spay and Neuter program as well as a Trap Neuter and Release program. These supplies were donated to the volunteers of Randloph by Feline Friendz and they included 4 insulated cat shelters (removable roofs so straw could be put in them in the winter), 2 feeding stations (to protect food from rain/snow), 20 cat carriers (to transport tame/stray cats to vets), and 12 humane cat traps. Additional supplies will be sent to the residents of Randolph soon.

Next week will be the start of the spay and neuter program for the tame cats. This is a large project and additional donations are needed. When you donate please remember all donations are tax deductible.

Feline Friendz is currently working with other rescue groups including Best Friends Animal Society , Hearts United for Animals , The Animal Protection and Education Charity and Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue to implement a TNR program for the stray and feral cats of Randolph, Iowa as well as a spay/neuter program for the companion animals of the Randolph, Iowa residents.

Please help us assist the Randolph, Iowa cats and all the countless others in need of help. You can make donations via paypal in the menu to the right -OR- You can go to our donate page for information on mailing your donation.

In The News

KPTM Fox 42 - Mar 10, 2008
KPTM Fox 42 - Mar 13, 2008
KPTM Fox 42 - Mar 14, 2008
Omaha World Herald - Mar 12, 2008
Omaha World Herald - Mar 14, 2008
Omaha World Herald - Mar 14, 2008
Omaha World Herald - Mar 22, 2008