I’m Vincent D. Cat and here to make you happy! You are HEROES! You work hard every day and you deserve to smile every day! Those of you working to save us animals hear so very many very sad things. And there’s lots of very glad things too and that’s what we talk about here! All pawsitive all the time! I want my friends to be happy and smile and know there’s a lot of good - including YOU - in this world!! Be kind and pass it on! Please send me your Good New and Fun Stuff to share, personal or global. Let’s keep it fun and interactive!! After all, if we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane! Vincent@RikkisRefuge.orgVOTE TODAY
http://bit.ly/VoteVincent Rikkis Refuge, Orange, VA, USA
The Animal Rescue Site - Shelter Challenge
YOU voted Rikki’s Refuge #1 in Virginia in 2010
Let’s do it again for 2011
quick, simple, free
Your daily vote can win $1,000 - $5,000 for Rikki’s Refuge’s Animals!
Team Vincent GO
go for the touchdown
YOU can do it Vincent HEROES
VOTE
we’re only 1.7% from 6th place
MOVE US UP
VOTE VOTE VOTE
spread the word
you know SOMEONE not yet voting!!!
TOGETHER we can WIN this race!
Bissell MVP Contest
YEAHHHH
YOU are real HEROES
YOU put Rockie Shirt Monster in 4th place
with 989 votes!
Running for Rikki’s Refuge
since she’s in the top 5
Rockie’ll go on to the finals and could win $10,000
for Rikki’s Refuge!!
Our third week runner is Jimmy Jet!
Vote daily thru Tuesday February 2nd for Jimmy Jet
I’m not sure who Jimmy is running for,
he may have his own rescue group,
will let you know when I find out,
in any case,
he’s my FRIEND and we’re backing him this week
Jimmy Jet was a stray kitten and lost his eyesight at 7 weeks old. Now in his furever home, he’s super happy and loves to go to schools and events and teach people that being specially abled is super cool !
Yahhhh Jimmy!
quick, simple, free
Your daily vote could win up to $10,000 for Rikki’s Refuge
My Favorite Quote, Today
Courage
boy don’t we need that lots of the time!!!
Gees, this Good Morning was about ready to send out when the snow got heavy and we all had to go outside to work. It looks just about like that around here. Right now there are two happy souls here at Rikki's! Beauty and KiKi.
Faced with what is right, to leave it undone shows a lack of courage.
----Confucius
----Confucius
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
---Serenity Prayer (I like the one mom had hanging up, something about the wisdom to hide the bodies!!!)
---Serenity Prayer (I like the one mom had hanging up, something about the wisdom to hide the bodies!!!)
I do not ask to walk smooth paths nor bear an easy load. I pray for strength and fortitude to climb the rock strewn road. Give me such courage and I can scale the hardest peaks alone, And transform every stumbling block into a stepping stone.
--- Gale Brook Burket
--- Gale Brook Burket
And of course, my favorite
Way down deep, we're all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.
---Jim Davis
---Jim Davis
Refuge News
SUNDAY January 30, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, help waterfowl rescue personal capture an injured goose who’s eluding them on a semi-frozen pond. People who can follow instruction and who are willing to patiently work to help this goose are needed. Contact Ken klicklit@valleyhealthlink.com if you can meet up in Winchester, VA and help.
Marella trained mom very well. When she wants to walk across the desk, instead of trampling across the keyboard, she walks up to the edge of the computer, looks at mom and waits for mom to shut the lid of the laptop so she can slowly walk across to the other side of the desk. She’ll then sit there for a few minutes, decide the desk is greener on the other side, turn around and repeat the act.
Update on Pegasus. Kitty who was sick and injured that the speuter clinic sent to Rikki’s. He’s doing fantastic!!!! Eating like a true oinker. Looking good. Gaining weight. On a massive worming program and what’s coming out would qualify in Parasitology 101 for sure. He thanks you for helping to save his life. He’s still hissing but mom can pat him when he eats and he doesn’t slap away a bowl if you set it down near him. Still scared, but you can’t blame him.
Update on Anya: Elderly doggy who was abandoned by owners and all matted and shaved down. She’s staying close to home (and being watched very carefully) since her long trek in the woods. Doing great. She’s a really loving sweet dog. If you’re home all day and would like a gentle collie gal leaning against you, she’s the one!! Her fur is starting to grow in, about an inch long now. Thank you for saving Anya.
Update on Patches: Kitty hit by car in October. He’s regained a little sight but not fully. The sight began to come back long after there was any hope it would. So we’re still hoping for more!!! Every uneasy with hoomans, but loves his kitty companions. So very happy to be learning his way about the 9th Life Center and curling up with 3 or 4 friends to sleep. Thank you for saving Patches.
Click here to be a Rikki’s Partner, Saving Lives
Donna writes in: Deloris and I trapped 16 cats on Saturday for Operation Catnip on Sunday. We have been so busy. We are working on a colony of 75 cats. It is never ending - always so many cats/kittens that need to be spayed/neutered.
Thank you Donna and Deloris for doing your part to make the planet a better place!!!
IN SEARCH OF A NEW HOME
Just got a call on a 15 year old cat who’s owner has been placed in a nursing home. No other info at this time. 9th Life is full and we cannot add anyone at this time. Any chance you’d like a kitty for a few years??? Let me know. Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org
Suster Mary is trying to help place a small beagle mix, Patty -- she is about a year old, very high energy although not enough toy drive to work in search and rescue; she can climb a 10' chain link fence and walk along the top rail (and has done so!) -- desperately needs a "job," training, and a home. She gets along well with other dogs and with people (don't know about cats). She is currently in Chesapeake City, MD.
If you have any ideas, or know of anyone who works with agility dogs, please will you let me know. I will get a photo -- Patty is about 18-20 lbs, mostly brown.
Thanks, Sister Mary sistermw@bwave.com
Owner moving - 2 dogs.
Turbo is an 8 year old neutered Minuature Pinscher. He is Black with Brown markings and a White Blaze on his chest. He is house and crate trained. When Turbo gets excited he starts to bounce and zoom around the room. He enjoys going for walks and having his ears rubbed. His absolute favorite thing is to snuggle under a blanket! He is well trained and is not underfoot all the time. He gets along with kids. He is up to date on all of his shots and receives a monthly dose of Frontline. Turbo gets along with other dogs males & females, as well as cats. Along with Turbo comes: Crate, Leash, Harness, Bowl, Sweater, Coat
Callisto is named after a moon of Jupiter. She is a 10 year old spayed Pure Bred Siberian Husky. She is Grey and White with Baby Blue eyes. She is house and crate trained. When Callisto gets excited she talks as only a Husky can! She absolutely loves going for walks and having her ears and belly rubbed. She will sit there and let you pet her for hours but will also go lay down when told to. She is well trained and is not underfoot all the time. She will get along with kids as well. She likes to find a spot and watch over everything that is going on. She is up to date on all of her shots and receives a monthly dose of Frontline. Along with Callisto comes: Crate, Leash, Harness, Bed, Bowl, Dog Food Container
I am moving due to my job being eliminated and I am no longer able to keep my pets.
If interested, please contact Brandon Ward at (814) 450-8276 or phipsi151@hotmail.com.
Live from Vincent Video
Meet David Skinner - working on Rabbit Rotunda II Roof
THE OASIS SANCTUARY
The Oasis Sanctuary in Arizona is 1.7% ahead of us in the Shelter Challenge.
Do you know why?
It’s simple.
Because more of their supporters are voting daily than our supporters are.
Did you know that YOUR DAILY VOTE could change that?
Some of you have said, “does my vote REALLY count?”
Yes, YOU really count. So VOTE !!!!
Oasis Sanctuary is another wonderful animal place. Parrots are their primary species. And they are true experts. Sybil who founded and who runs the Oasis is a great lady. Over the years, she and mom have talked and exchanged ideas.
Look at this! Saturday May 7, 2011, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Discover The Oasis 2011 is a full day of fun, food, silent auction, speakers and tours of the facility. Tickets are $75 per person for the full day. (Ticket sales limited to the first 100 registrants)
What are we doing wrong? Tickets to our Open Houses cost less than $1. Just the price of a can or two of cat or dog food. WHY?
Rikki’s is called an all species Sanctuary because our Sanctuary doors are open to YOU too. Feeling down, depressed, sad about a loss of a loved one of any species? Come for a visit! You can’t stay unhappy when you look into the loving happy eyes of our 1259 residents of 22 species. All who have found home and haven at Rikki’s Refuge.
The most common things we hear on tours.
THE ANIMALS ARE SO HAPPY.
LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT SPECIES PLAYING TOGETHER.
IT’S TRULY LIKE EDEN.
And it’s true. Our goal from day one has been happiness. Life long happiness. As a Sanctuary for animals rejected by society for one problem or another, be it mental or physical, we want nothing more than to give them happiness, acceptance and love for the rest of their natural lives.
And we do a pretty dog gone good job of it!! Just come out on the next tour - Sundays at noon - and see the happy animals for yourself!
Animal happiness is our number one goal. Do you know what our number two goal is? Teaching hoomans to be happy and to respect animals and to help us make animals the world over happy. We think this is very very important. Every child we teach animal responsibility to will become a caring adult, passing on the message. That’s all it takes to make the world a wonderful happy place. Show the kids how. Show them how it makes them happy too. Seriously, that’s it!!
And that’s why we have so many programs for education and that’s why they are virtually free. In the summer Teen Care Camp runs for 10 weeks, where our future leaders are trained in the art of caring. And you know what it costs? Just the carpooled trip to the refuge! This gives kids from every walk of life a chance to learn and experience 10 weeks of unconditional love.
You’ll be reading more and more about our programs for hoomans as we share the huge report mom and Kathy put together for the CFC.
HUMAN HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAMS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIKKI’S REFUGE
Today we bring Section 3 to you.
Melanie, you’re a star!
The Cats of Cod
Cod is a whimisical town where the animals of facebook who’ve taken on hooman personas live. Wayne Morris is your artist and architect of Cod. And now ..... your long awaited trip .... we take you to Cod ..... I hope you enjoy your journey! ..... go back to January 17th if you missed the beginning of the story.
Duke: So these VOTES HELP Feed US? Can I Vote for A Bone?
Vincent: No Duke, Humans can Vote ONLY! By Visiting Rikki's Refuge They can Find OUT HOW! AND IT IS FREE!!!!!
Black Cat: Hello Gents, Welcome To Cod! Got any FISH
Vincent: Who in the World is this CAT?
Black Cat: Let me show ya around! That’s the Bank of COD!
stay tuned to meet the other kitties of COD .......
Fun and Inspiring
Tails of Trivia
A skunk can spray its stinky scent more than 10 feet.
The glands that hold the spray can produce enough to hold 5-6 full powered sprays.
After a discharge it takes up to 10 days to replenish their supply.
Spotted skunks do handstands before they spray.
Skunks eat mostly insects, many of which are pests to humans. They are therefore very beneficial to have around.
Chicago is derived from a Fox Indian term for 'place of the skunk' indicating that these animals were once abundant there
On this Day in
January 20, 1645 - the lowest recorded temp in US -70 in MT
January 25, 1915 - the first transcontinental phone call from Alexander Graham Bell in NY to Thomas Watson in San Francisco
January 26, 1875 - the electric drill for dentist patented
January 21, was National Hugging Day - here’s a great big cat hug to make up for me missing that!!!
January 21, is also Squirrel Appreciation Day - love them little guys!
January 22, was Answer Your Cat's Questions Day - Hmmm do they ask anything but, where’s dinner?
Today January 26, is Fun at Work Day - oh believe me, we’re having loads of fun in the sleet and snow!!!
Great Purrchases / Donations
WOW what a Valentine’s Gift !!!
I am selling a very expensive movie prop necklace I own to finance my bid to compete in June on my journey to become the next Mrs. United States. I am donating 10% of the value via eBay's MissionFish to Rikki's Refuge to help the shelter.
If you are a Titanic fan and interested, please visit my eBay auction for the authentic J. Peterman 1998 "Heart Of The Ocean" necklace from the movie. A limited number of this Fox-authorized replica of Roses' necklace were released in 1998 and these will become rarer as the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic takes place next year in 2012. Definitely a unique conversation piece for any woman to own and WHAT AN AMAZING VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT THIS WOULD BE!
Click here to see the ebay listing
Please note 10% of the final auction proceeds will be automatically donated via eBay to benefit Rikki's Refuge of Orange, VA, a no kill rescue shelter. Listing can be found under item #230577185644, seller Thequeenscourt or under description J. Peterman Heart of the Ocean Titanic Necklace. Thanks!
Autumn-Skye Port, Ms. East Coast USA
Get your Tupperware NOW
Great selection and just about the last chance to have it benefit Rikki’s Refuge - this promotion will be closing soon,
so click for your rescue friendly Tupperware today!!
SPEUTER CLINIC - FERAL CATS - CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
These are the folks who saved Pegasus, show your thanks by supporting their next clinic!
The next VFA Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic will be on Saturday, February 5th. There are still many slots available for feral or stray cats from Charlottesville or Albemarle County. We know there are plenty out there, so please spread the word! Anyone wanting to bring cats from these areas to the clinic should call 434-979-1200 to make a reservation.
Although we are generally well-staffed with volunteers for the 5th, we still need help in a few places, and we're hoping you'll be available to join us. Volunteers are needed for:
**Admissions Transporters 7:30AM to approx. 9 AM. ( Carrying traps with cats from the CASPCA front entrance to the garage waiting area)
** Anesthesia Transporter 7:30 AM until early afternoon.(Carrying traps with cats from the garage waiting area to the anesthesia hall a few feet away)
** Recovery Transporter 9:30 AM to mid- afternoon. (Picking up traps from the cleaning area and carrying recovered cats in the traps to the garage)
**Trap Cleaning 9 AM to early afternoon. (Even if you only have a couple hours to help, that would be appreciated too!)
**Afternoon Recovery 12:30 PM to mid- afternoon
**Clinic Set up Friday the 4th from 4 PM to approx. 6 PM.
**Clinic Clean up on the 5th from 3 PM to approx. 5 PM.
**Laundry: Pick up a bag or two from 3PM to approx. 5 PM.
If you can volunteer for any of these or have questions, please let Dian know as soon as possible. Please help us keep the good work going! Thanks! Dian dian1021@hotmail.com
Upcoming Events
SATURDAYS DONATION DROP OFF, noon - 2 pm, got something to drop off quick? The gates will be unlocked. No tour at this time, just drop off. Donation Drop Off will be available every Saturday from noon - 2 pm in 2011
SUNDAYS TOUR THE REFUGE - NOON, mini tour, take a walk around and see the animal neighborhoods. Every week on Sunday you can join a mini tour where you can walk around from animal neighborhood to neighborhood, from Piggy Paradise to Horsey Haven and see the animals. One tour only, starts at noon. Please be prompt.
Once a month, we’ll have an EXTENDED TOUR where you can visit the animals in their neighborhoods and have the chance to interact and give them treats. These tours also start promptly at noon, and there’s only one tour for the day, so please be prompt. 1/30, 2/27, 3/27, 4/17, 5/22, 6/12, 7/4 Monday, 9/4 Monday, 10/31, 11/12 Saturday, 12/25
LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH VOLUNTEER TRAIN SELF SERVICE 8 am - 1 pm, Learn to earn your Self Service Volunteer Badge. 1/29, 2/26, 3/26, 4/30, 5/28, 6/25, 7/30, 8/27, 9/24, 10/29, 11/26, 12/31
SATURDAY January 29, GETTING READY FOR GROUNDHOGS - spend time sprucing things up for the bunnies and guines pigs
SUNDAY January 30, CHICKEN CITY FEATHER FLUFFING - keep the bedding extra warm for our feathered friends, bring bird seed, cracked corn and berries
Love,
Vincent
PS You tell me what you want! Email me at Vincent@RikkisRefuge.org with instructions to change your subscription: additions, deletions or modifications! Subscriptions: Vincent’s VIPs - up to the second alerts about issues at Rikki’s Refuge for those who care and want to be intimately involved. Scheduled as needed. Good Morning Good News - a little something to get you going in the mornings, for those of you who want to keep smiling with us! Scheduled daily. Hairballs - so you know what’s coming up at Rikki’s! Scheduled weekly.
Rikki's Refuge, supported solely by private donations, houses over 1200 animals of 22 species. On line at http://bit.ly/Give-a-gift-to-Rikkis Checks, money orders, cash, items at Rikki's Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA 22960
Rikki's Refuge is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Virginia Corporation, tax-id 54-1911042. Combined Federal Campaigns #77674, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #3163, PetsMart Charities #1377. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.
Learn more www.RikkisRefuge.org and help spread the good word, tell everyone you know about Rikki’s Refuge
