Newsletter
of the Stanford Cat Network
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Spring 2001 Photon
Echo
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All photos
by Dolores Arnold © 2001 |
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Photon Echo is an elderly cat who has been living on campus for many years. She has been lovingly cared for by a series of graduate students in the chemistry and physics buildings where her territory lies. Photon does not see as well as she once did, and arthritis inhibits her movement. In April, a tragic event befell this friendly and loveable cat. While crossing a quiet street on campus, she was hit by a car. Luckily she was not injured mortally. Bleeding from scrapes, she ran to the nearest help she could find – 2 men walking nearby. Much to the horror of bystanders, one of these men kicked this poor cat who had just been hit by a car! One of the bystanders was a graduate student who was appalled by these events. She ran over, collected poor Photon, and rushed her to the vet where she received treatment. This graduate student brought Photon home after the cat was released from the vet, and cared for her there. Photon slept for several days, recuperating from her traumatic experience. After this time had passed, the student and the cat had become very attached to one another, and now Photon Echo is being adopted by her rescuer. Photon is enjoying a blissful retirement – gazing out windows and napping in sunbeams.
The Stanford
Cat Network website has just undergone a major transformation, as
you may have noticed! Among the changes are: • New
url "catnet.stanford.edu"
Silicon Valley Cats go Hi-Tech In Silicon Valley, it seems that everything we encounter is equipped with a microchip, from toasters to palm pilots. However, gadgetry craze is not the reason that the Stanford Cat Network is interested in microchips. Many pet caregivers are already aware of the increasingly popular method of permanently identifying pets with a tiny microchip. But the potential benefits of this system for the campus cats are perhaps even more dramatic.
With an implanted microchip, the cat is permanently identified when trapped and altered. The microchip identification number is read by a scanner which can be used through a cage or by a person able to approach the cat, enabling immediate identification of the individual. The microchip identification number can be used to keep accurate medical records and histories for the cats. It also allows the accurate tracking of cats who are adopted into homes. The Stanford Cat Network recently decided to begin using the microchip identification for campus cats. The first recipients of the chips, Bella Donna and Leo, are living happily in their campus territory. All tame cats who are adopted through the Network will also receive a microchip.Letters will be sent to all area veterinarians and shelters, advising them of the need to check all unidentified cats for microchips.
Stanford Cat Network Merchandise To show our appreciation for your financial assistance, we offer Stanford Cat Network merchandise to people who contribute a minimum donation. The Stanford Cat Network is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization. The majority of your donation is tax-deductible and goes towards the support of homeless cats on campus, and those awaiting adoption.
T-Shirts are offered for donations of $18 or more. They come in Cardinal Red, French Lavender, Gray, White, Forest Green, and Peacock Blue. Sizes are M, L, XL for all colors. Forest Green, Gray, and Cardinal Red are also available in XXL. Mugs are offered
for donations of $15 or more, and feature the colorful "Three
No Evils" Click here for photos and more information.
The Stanford Cat Network has been in existence since 1989, and the great success of the program is indicated by the relatively low number of new feline faces on campus. Many of the cats currently cared for by Network members have been living here since the early years of the program. Now, these original cats are over 10 years old, well into their senior years. Along with the wisdom of age come some problems, such as loss of teeth, hearing, and decline in agility. Big Boy and Mama Cat are two such senior citizens – a photo of the pair was featured in the January 5, 1994 issue of the Stanford Report, in a story about the Stanford Cat Network. These two cats have been eating daily meals in the center of campus for many years. Recently, an alert Network caregiver noticed that Mama Cat seemed not herself. She was taken to the vet, along with Big Boy. After testing, it turned out that Mama Cat had an infection and was prescribed antibiotics, while Big Boy happened to be in kidney failure. He had shown no signs of poor health on campus, but often these problems can remain hidden for some time. Big Boy's treatment includes daily administration of fluids, and he could not be released again on campus. The two cats are very attached to each other, so a home was sought for both. A veterinary student at Davis adopted both cats, and now they live happily at her home.
Meanwhile, at another feeding station, Mooch and Zsa Zsa were observed with signs of an upper respiratory infection – runny eyes and nose, and sneezing. Immediate attempts to trap the cats were unsuccessful, as these wily seniors were very suspicious. Even smelly sardines failed to lure them into the humane trap. Feeling unwell, the cats were off their food and it was feared they would decline rapidly in health. To help the cats battle their illness, antibiotics were dispensed by a veterinarian that works closely with the Network. The 250mg Amoxilillin capsules were opened and the powder mixed with canned cat food to produce a "medicated meatball". Tuna juice was poured over the mixture to mask the smell of medication. Each ball contained the daily dose for one cat, so the feeder could ensure a complete and accurate dosage. For 16 days, the cats received the antibiotics – although they showed improvement after only a few days, it is important to continue antibiotics for a longer period to prevent the development of resistant bacteria. Mooch and Zsa Zsa now appear to be back to their old selves! With the campus feline population aging, the Network caregivers will need to be especially vigilant about monitoring the cats' health. Life on campus can become difficult and dangerous for these elderly cats. Whenever possible,
these seniors need to be retired into adoptive homes, where they
can live out their lives in security in a loving environment. If
you can provide a retirement home for a senior campus cat, or if
you would like to contribute funds towards health care for elderly
cats, please contact the Network!
Happy Tails – Adoptions This Spring The year 2000 was a busy year for cat rescues, and by the end of the year the Network had many cats awaiting homes. This spring, the introduction of the online adoption gallery and internet listings helped find wonderful homes for these cats.
How You Can Help Homeless Cats In Your Neighborhood... You don't need to live or work at Stanford to help homeless cats. You can help the homeless cats in your neighborhood or at your workplace. They are homeless either because they were abandoned by their human caregiver, or they are the offspring of pets that were not spayed or neutered. They deserve a decent life, free of hunger, disease, and persecution. Start a trap, spay/neuter, and feeding program in your neighborhood. Don't wait for someone else to take action, do it yourself! For help on how to get started, check the ever-expanding Resources section of our website, or give us a call or email. For traps and help, contact your local Humane Society or call the Stanford Cat Network for advice. There are free and low-cost spay-neuter programs all across the USA – for listings call 1-800-248-SPAY or check our Resources. Promote awareness in your community by advocating spay and neutering of pets. If there is no "spay/neuter voucher" program in your area, lobby your city to start one! Preventing overpopulation is the way to avoid the problem of homeless pets. Foster a compassionate attitude towards animals in your neighborhood, speak up on issues of animal welfare in your local paper, town council meeting, or anywhere else. The animals need more people on their side! Through SCN... The Stanford Cat Network needs your help. You can become a Network Associate and help with;
• Feeding
campus cats once a week or daily Give us a call or email with your ideas!
The Stanford Cat Network has adorable cats are available for adoption. Visit our adoption gallery at to see color photos and read their stories. The adoption gallery is updated daily, so if you are searching for a feline companion, be sure to check it regularly for new faces! All cats have been vaccinated, spayed/neutered, FIV and FeLv tested, and have microchip identification. If you are interested in adopting one of these cats, you can complete the adoption questionnaire on the web site or contact us. Adoption Open House every Saturday 9am to noon at Stanford Pet Clinic 4111 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Celebrating our 12th Anniversary This Year! The Stanford Cat Network was founded in 1989, in response to concern for the health and welfare of the University's growing homeless cat population.The Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for the homeless cats who live on Stanford University property. It is comprised of Stanford staff, students, faculty and community volunteers. By agreement with the University, the Stanford Cat Network is responsible for the care of all free-roaming cats on campus. A registry of the Stanford cats and established feeding stations and schedules enable caregivers to monitor the health and well-being of the cats and identify hungry newcomers, before they are assimilated into the Campus population and reproduce. Unsocialized cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and released back into their Campus territory, where they are fed and monitored daily by Network volunteers. Every effort is made to find the owners of stray tame cats. Unclaimed tame strays and any kittens are boarded or fostered, until adoptive homes are found. No cats are euthanized, except as warranted by a veterinarian to relieve suffering. Studies have proven that trap-spay/neuter-vaccinate-release is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals themselves. |
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In
the past, most free-roaming cat management programs have relied
on visual identification and ear-notching to keep track of cats
who have been trapped and altered. Collars and tags are simply not
an option for free-roaming homeless cats, because of the low tolerance
these cats have for wearing such items. Tattoos are of little use
because the cats would have to be sedated to read the number, and
tattoo numbers often become difficult to read in time. 
