RIKKI’S REFUGE
HAIRBALLS AND HAPPY TAILS
The newsletter of thanks from grateful animals to their beloved rescuers brought to you by Vincent D. Cat
To Feed Vincent and Duke Christmas Dinner
Click on their Penny
Click on their Penny
We are the happy animals of Rikki’s Refuge who so thank you for giving us the gift of our lives. We represent all the animals, the world over, whose lives have been saved by kind and loving people just like you. Thank you for being an animal rescuer.
Hi Everybody!!!
We’re all gathered here together, all 1259 of us critters of 22 species, cats and dogs and pigs and goats and sheep and ....
We’re here to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a WONDERFUL FABULOUS NEW YEAR to you all !!!!
You kept Rikki’s Refuge and all the animals alive and happy during 2010! Thank you for being there for us all year when we needed you. Thank you for feeding us and for loving us and for caring enough to see that our needs to survive are met!!!
We truly appreciate you and love you!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS
to all of you who voted every day in the Shelter Challenge!!! Once again, YOU made Rikki’s Refuge NUMBER ONE in Virginia !!!!!
You are so awesome to think of us every day and cast your vote !!! Your dillangence wins $1,000 as a Christmas Gift for the animals!! Yippee !!! Lots of nums for us !!!!
I know you’re super busy now getting ready for the holidays so I’m going to keep this Hairballs short!! Very short!!!
On the Twenty-third Day of Christmas,
look what came to Rikki’s,
twenty three goats a butting,
twenty two sheep in need of sheering,
twenty one chickens a cackling,
twenty puppies a pooping,
nineteen rebellious roosters,
eighteen litter challenged kitties,
seventeen emus escaping,
sixteen dangerous ducklings,
fifteen peaceful pigeons,
fourteen peacocks plotting,
thirteen humans helping,
twelve temperamental turkeys
eleven pouting pussies,
ten crotchety creaking canines,
nine grumpy geese,
eight kicking kittens,
seven guinea fowl freeloading,
six lizards a lazing,
five guinea pigs a gnawing,
four elderly equines,
three burly bossy bovines,
two rabbits a mating,
and a chukar in a cherry tree.
At Rikki’s Refuge we always do things in a big way!!! We celebrate 28 Days of Christmas - find out what comes next - and see all the full color pictures here
We have a special Christmas Fundraiser !!!
These tough economic times are especially tough on the animals. Winter makes it even tougher. We’re doing our best to care for all 1259 furry and feathered friends at Rikki’s and we need YOUR help to do it!
Double Your Donations - Christmas for the Animals
In the Spirit of Christmas and for the Love of the Animals
Between now and the end of the year
Double Your Donations
and
Get a Great Tax Deduction !!!
Double Your Donations
and
Get a Great Tax Deduction !!!
A wonderful donor has pledged up to $15,000 in matching funds to meet your generous Christmas Donations.
For every dollar you donate - this special donor will match your donation - up to a total of $15,000 !!!!
You donate $1 and the animals get $2, you donate $5 and the animals get $10, you donate $25 and the animals get $50, you donate $100 and the animals get $200, you donate $250 and the animals get $500, you donate $500 and the animals get $1,000, you donate $1,000 and the animals get $2,000 !!!!!
These funds are specifically designated to be used for basic day to day care of the animals, food and housing. With 1,259 animals sharing the funds seeing where it will be spent is not a challenge.
Please help us meet this challenge
For every dollar you donate - this special donor will match your donation - up to a total of $15,000 !!!!
You donate $1 and the animals get $2, you donate $5 and the animals get $10, you donate $25 and the animals get $50, you donate $100 and the animals get $200, you donate $250 and the animals get $500, you donate $500 and the animals get $1,000, you donate $1,000 and the animals get $2,000 !!!!!
These funds are specifically designated to be used for basic day to day care of the animals, food and housing. With 1,259 animals sharing the funds seeing where it will be spent is not a challenge.
Please help us meet this challenge
and help us help the animals !!!!
To Date We’ve Raised $5,505 of the needed $15,000 - We’ve only got a week left to fulfill this goal - please add a buck or even twenty five if you can afford it this holiday season. Reaching our goal - will pay to care for the animals for a full month!! Please be a part of this special caring !!!
THANK YOU !!!
For us $15,000 is such a huge donation. We care for 1,259 animals every day. We make it on barely a dollar a day per animal. Even still, when you get out that calculator and do the math it gets to be a pretty big number. Gosh, I got an ad from another rescue today, they take care of far fewer animals in a year than we do and they were campaigning for $200,000 before the end of the year. Geee - such a huge number. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the biggest and the bestest and the oldest in the country - they’re doing a double your donation for TWO MILLION. Oh my gosh, just think of what $2,000,000 would do here!!! Wikipedia is campaigning for $16 MILLION and they've already raised $12 Million - GOSH !!!! How many lives I could save!!! So I beg of you - if you love Rikki's Refuge as much as I do - help us out today !!!
Christmas Day Tour at Noon
Last tour of 2010. Join Jan Chetnik, our professional tour guide, for a trip around the refuge meeting all the happy critters of Rikki’s Refuge. The tour is all outdoors so dress for the weather and before heading out that day call 540-854-0870 x3 to confirm that it’s on. Bad weather shuts down our road very quickly and for your safety we have to cancel if it’s been too wet or there’s any ice.
There is only one tour so please be prompt. Gates open at 11:30 am and the tour begins at noon and runs approximately 2 hours. Our comfort facilities are porta potties (thank you Larry for supporting Larry’s Lou again during 2010, you’ve made a lot of us very comfortable with almost indoor plumbing), litterboxes and the bushes!!!
Admission is a case of canned cat food per person - Special for Christmas. Please feel free to be more generous!!!
CALL BEFORE COMING
540-854-0870 x3
to check the weather and hear if we’ve had to cancel
the weatherman is threatening us!
New Years Pristine Nature Hike
First event of 2011 - the traditional New Year’s Hike. Over the river and thru the woods, and we’re not kidding. You might find some trails or you might blaze them. Follow Fred’s bright orange vest - and please wear bright orange or red yourself, no hunting on our property but poachers have been known to trespass - and he’ll get you back to the complex sooner or later!!! The November hike took a few twists and turns and ambled thru the brambles - but they did arrive alive and uneaten by bears!!!!
Nature hike takes off at noon sharp. Don’t be late cuz you can’t catch up. Gates open at 11:30 am on the first.
It’s outdoors so dress for the weather and before heading out that day call 540-854-0870 x3 to confirm that it’s on. Bad weather shuts down our road very quickly and for your safety we have to cancel if it’s been too wet or there’s any ice.
Admission is a case of canned cat food per person!
Its treacherously icy out here
The snow is packed down from tromping and driving and is melting on the top and freezing over. If you’re visiting please be very cautious. Huge patch of ice on the outside of the gate. Inside pretty much melted off totally. But real slip sliding trying to open and shut the gate - especially if there’s wind and you’re running back and forth to catch the gate. Mom fell on her bum the other day doing that!! Where’s the video camera when I need it!!!
Driveway is pretty much packed snow, so SLOW SLOW SLOW you’re ok unless you have to hit the brakes and then you’re in big trouble. No way you’re gonna safely pass anybody. Unless one of you has good 4wd and lots of traction, one of you’ll be stuck in the ditch till spring for sure!!!
Parking area and many paths are solid ice. We’re slip sliding and pushing each other all about!!
Extra caution if you could be easily hurt from falling - this is not the time to visit. Watch for nuzzling goats as falling on horns ......
We will not be able to offer 4wd tourability on Christmas for those unable to walk. It’s not safe for us to be driving around the animals and near their homes. Don’t want to slip and crash into somebody’s house!
Before coming out for the Christmas Day Tour or any events you have made arrangements for - please check in on 540-854-0870 x3 for details of the ice! We want you to be safe!
What we need this week
If you’re coming out to visit and wondering what we need. Our supply of meat baby food is finally depleted. Remember the whole truck load mom got months ago? We need more now for the sick and the old guys who can’t eat anything else.
Paper towels - the hoomans just keep throwing them in the trash, and laundry detergent, just goes down the drain -- after good use of course !!!!
And as always canned and dry cat food and canned and cry dog food and produce!
And Lena just put in an order for bleach. We use a LOT to keep everything sanitized for our protection!!!!
How to keep up with Rikki’s Refuge
Every week or so ....
Hairballs e-newsletter, subscribe Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org
General Information
www.RikkisRefuge.org check the calendar - rss feed available too
Every Day
Good Morning Good News e-newsletter, subscribe Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org
Minute by Minute Important News
Vincent’s Blog, http://rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com, just scroll down and click on FOLLOW on the right side and you’ll know EVERYTHING almost as soon as we do!
PICK AND CHOOSE YOUR NEWS
I know you’re busy, so instead of filling in all the stories here, I’ll let you pick and chose the ones you want to read! Here’s what’s been going on since my last Hairball .....
Rescue Road Trip - saving the ferals Ellen loved
Rikki's Wins Virginia in the Shelter Challenge Contest
Ivory the Sheep is Improving
Vacuum Cleaner Saves New Born Pup
Shelter Animal Stamps - tell me if you want any, I can still get them!!
Beautiful Sunrise Photos
Photos & Video or the Eclipse
Baby Elliot is so glad Anya is home safe
Vincent’s new INBOX
Atlanta's Panda Cub
Rikki's first four prohibitions
Ivory the Sheep is brought into the hospital
Baby Elliot and Osirus move into the Manger
Utah and Marella suspect in Un-Authorized Credit Card Usage
Batman and Sam Iam working Friday night
Nanny pleads: don't make me go shopping
Why Email was Invented
Saving Goats
Real Life Tom and Jerry
True Story of Rudolph, a very moving story
Giving animals a Christmas - Katarina Galvin in the Free Lance Star
Starr Sudds Up
Good Volunteer Day
Cat Nap Art!
Anya is Safe
Two brave Volunteers
Poacher Patrol
Wrapping Christmas Presents
Just $1 a Day
You have choices!!!
Because of YOU
Vincent SAVES LIVES
Adam and Eve's Pets
Meet Baby Margaret
Lena bunks in during bad weather - can you find her in the crowd!
Everybody wants to come to Rikki’s
Would you like to vacation at Rikki’s?
Look at all my Pressies!
Feral Cat Colony Apartment
Are YOU keeping warm?
Where are you and what's your weather? - Look where Vincent’s friends are - all over the world!
Vincent Saved the Day !!!!
Chicken City in the News
Big Thank You
Siamese Cat Rescue Thank You
We Like to Share too, carriers and crates available for other rescue organizations
PHOTO CONTEST CALENDAR IS READY AT CAFE PRESS!!!
Paul and Billy gave mom a really nice Christmas Present
OH OH OH DID I TELL YOU THE REALLY GOOD NEWS? The hooman suspect who stole from Rikki's on October first has been charged, trial pending
A Word from Pup N Iron
Rikki's Angel Trees are all over town!!! Pick an ornament with an animal and their story,
Progressive Automotive & Tire offer special discount to Rikki's Donors
Pet Friendly Housing
Duke meets Santa
Quote from Debbie
Lots of Good News
Lovely log Home for Rent near Rikki's
Big Apple Sweepstakes
Double Your Christmas Donations
Need your testimonies for CFC and CVC
Santa Photos with Pets
Over the River ....
Double Your Donations - Christmas for the Animals
Uh Oh who’s getting nothing for Christmas?
Progressive Automotive and Tire is offering YOU a great Christmas Gift and Gifting Rikki’s at the same time !!!
Noah the Dove
Why Vincent is so Successful, Interview with Lou Gato
DO YOU WANT TO HIDE YOUR CAT'S LITTERBOX?
Vote for Rikki's in the Big Apple Sweepstakes
Deborah Ailman's Positive Thought Counseling, special offer for Rikki's people
Rene Luther featured at Sherri's Shoppe; LOOK!!!!
This is our very own Ron!!!
Rikki's first Christmas Parade, lots of photos and videos
Wonderful Turtle News from Ken
Volunteer Accomplishments
Do you Really want to understand what your cat is saying? Tune in here
On the First Day of Christmas, look what came to Rikki’s,
Our own Bob Wallace in the news
And in case you missed the last Hairballs
VINCENT WENT SHOPPING
AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED !!!
Vincent's 25 Days of Giving
with Love at Christmas
On the Twenty-Third Day of Christmas
Rikki’s hospital patients received
lovely hanging, easy cleaning, dinner bowls
twenty-three bowls for all the yummie,
twenty-two labor saving can openers,
twenty one warm and fuzzy uni-species balaclavas,
twenty warm and toasty feet,
nineteen dogs a walking,
eighteen extra eyes on the lookout,
seventeen ears a listening,
sixteen healthy hoomans a caring,
fifteen seniors breathing easily,
fourteen feral kitties happily helped to the speuter clinic,
thirteen terabytes of memory,
twelve glorious gift cards,
eleven wondrous packets of warmth,
ten hooman helpers illuminated to see,
nine domed doggy igloos,
eight cozy kitty condos,
seven guinea pig garages,
six months of warm and wonderful heat,
five gentle, soothing, healing musical CDs,
four lights to help us see all the creatures at night,
three nummy cans food for each of the doggies,
two snuggy pads to keep us comfee,
and one VINCENT eating FANCY FEAST ....
Follow Vincent’s shopping spree thru Christmas Day
Interested in buying items from Amazon for yourself or for gifts for all your friends and family? Use this link to make your shopping shop for Rikki’s - it doesn’t cost you a thing - Amazon will make a donation to Rikki’s when you enter their site thru this link!!! http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=wwwrikkisrefu-20&camp=212361&creative=392013&linkCode=wsw&
Rikki's Reflections is in mailboxes now
If you haven’t received your printed copy of our newsletter Reflections, or if you’d like to see all the lovely pages and pictures in bright peacock color - here it is !!!
I’m putting YOU on my NICE LIST !!!
I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE,
VINCENT
The Fine Print
Rikki's Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 367-acre, no-kill, all species, peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations from kind and loving individuals just like you! We help farm animals, domestic animals, and wildlife. Over 1200 individuals of 22 different species now reside at Rikki's Refuge. Please continue to help us help the animals. To learn more about Rikki's Refuge go to http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/, http://www.rikkisrefuge.blogspot.com/, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge .
We survive on donations from kind and loving people, just like you. We live on a shoestring and make it on less than one dollar per day, per animal. So if you can spare a couple of bucks to buy a few meals, please go to http://www.paypal.com/ and use our email address of mail@rikkisrefuge.org . We do accept checks, money orders, cash and stuff, too! Thanks for your support. Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960
Your donations directly support the Critters of Rikki’s Refuge. Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation. Federal Tax-ID 54-1911042. We hold membership in all Combined Federal Campaigns in Virginia #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377, iGive, Benevolink, paypal.com (mail@rikkisrefuge.org), your donations provide direct support. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.
