Los Alamos Friends Of The Shelter Assists In Rescue Mission For 15 Adoptable Cats

Los Alamos FOS assisted in the rescue of Julius and 14 other cats. Courtesy/FOS

Los Alamos FOS assisted in the rescue of Esme and 14 other cats. Courtesy/FOS

Los Alamos FOS assisted in the rescue of Angel and 14 other cats. Courtesy/FOS

Los Alamos FOS assisted in the rescue of Edgar and 14 other cats. Courtesy/FOS

 

By LIZ MILLER
Friends of the Shelter

Many Los Alamos residents have heard of Friends of the Shelter (FOS), the local non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of homeless animals in Los Alamos County and north central New Mexico. What many people might not be aware of is that FOS regularly gets requests for help outside of the county, and the FOS board tries to ensure that as many of these requests can be fulfilled as possible. One such request came to FOS in January. This article is a brief overview of the rescue operation that took place, and just one example of how your money is used when you donate to FOS!

On January 20, 2016, FOS received a request from Donna Leshne of Dew Paws Rescue. Donna, who came to New Mexico as the Laboratory sign language interpreter, now a retiree, manages Dew Paws Rescue as a small Northern New Mexico charitable organization. They are a “second chance” rescue, helping local cats and dogs in need. Donna’s email stated that Stray Hearts Animal Shelter in Taos was willing to open their doors to young adult cats that were in danger of euthanasia in the Grants, Roswell, and Alamogordo animal shelters. The chance to transfer cats residing in high-kill shelters to this adoption venue was a great opportunity, but Donna needed help! With an email to FOS, a plan was put in place to save 15 adoptable cats.

First, each cat needed to be transferred to Santa Fe to receive medical care. Transport support from rescue friends in Grants, Roswell, and Alamogordo helped move cats to Santa Fe. Once they arrived in Santa Fe, they were scheduled for spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLeuk) testing. This is where FOS stepped in – by working with the Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic of Santa Fe, FOS provided the funds for low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations.

Local volunteers then transported the cats to Stray Hearts Animal Shelter, where they could settle in and wait for their forever home, with no fear of euthanasia. A few pictures of the rescued cats are included. Donna Leshne of Dew Paws Rescue stated “This was truly a cooperative effort that came together seamlessly with everyone enthusiastic and cooperating for the good of the animals!”

  • This rescue mission would not have been possible without the help of a large network of volunteers and rescues, and thanks go to the following people and groups:
  • Forever Homes Rescue (covering the Roswell and Alamogordo rescues) and the Grants Animal Shelter for releasing the cats to this program.
  • The Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic in Santa Fe for helping schedule and triage the cats before and during surgeries.
  • Feline and Friends of Santa Fe, who offered to find special placement for two rescued cats that will have special health needs all their life.
  • Friends of the Shelter, for providing the funding for the spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations so that Stray Hearts Animal Shelter could accept to the cats into their facility.

Transfer missions such as these would not be possible without volunteers and the generous donations given by animal lovers in this town and state. Donation information is included below if you’d like to help these non-profits recoup expenses from this transfer mission so that they can continue to help other animals in need. Many small, local rescues often work together to help each other with adoptions and placement of cats and dogs.

 

Suzie at Peace, Mind Rescue in Cerrillos, NM (Dew Paws cat leadership/liaison)
PO Box 61
Cerrillos, NM 87010

You can also donate via Paypal to Suzie@peaceofmindrescueofnm.org – put “Taos Cats” in the information line and your donation be apportioned to this work and to help other cats coming in the future!

 

Forever Homes Rescue, foreverhomesar@aol.com
Information can be found at www.foreverhomerescue.com
 
Donna Leshne,Dew Paws Rescue

Find our dogs and cats for adoption on petfinder.com

 

Friends of the Shelter
PO Box 455
Los Alamos, NM 87544
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