Friday, February 24, 2012

A Friday Ramble

Wow!  Since yesterday's post, I've been receiving a TON of email from enlightened adopters and "cat-people" who have been having situations with their cat like I described yesterday.  I'm so glad I shared that and maybe it'll help you resolve some issues you've had with your pets.   

We were supposed to be snowed in today.  Stupid Environment Canada - we had some rain and I had MAJOR plans to stay in my jammies today and finish our rescue's Charity tax return.  I keep looking at it, sighing, opening Quickbooks, sighing again and putting it all back.  I can do the return - I've done a charities' return before but it's brutal and I'm not looking forward to it. 

Speaking of charities' returns, I was looking on Craigslist in the Pets section yesterday and was shocked to see that The Organization for the Rescue of Animals (ORA)  has had their Charities Licence revoked.  They've been such a huge public advocate regarding the high-kill shelter.  How on earth can they ask for donations with a charity number and not be able to provide tax receipts?  I guess only the animals suffer.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.  I do know that I worked like hell to get my charity status and you'd better be sure that I'm going to do whatever I can to keep it.  It was just too hard to get the damn thing.

On a happy note...in October, I wrote a dedication to a couple of special rescuers and an even more special Mom cat and her 8 kittens.  If you missed it, I encourage you to read about it Here.  I'm THRILLED to announce that the Mom "Jolie" was adopted last night!  It was an amazing ending to her very sad story.  This little cat battled ringworm, a roden ulcer and paralyzing URI.  Her new parents are thrilled to pieces with her as we've already had an email:

"Dear Beth & Kim (Note from Beth:  Kim was Jolie's foster Mom

Just wanted to reach out and send you both a great big thanks to you both for such an excellent experience adopting Jolie. The dealings with both of you was beyond great and a pleasure to do so. It would also be my pleasure to recommend Forever Home Cat Rescue to anyone interested in adopting a cat. As for Jolie, she has spent her first night here and sure is a happy little camper J She seems to already be settling in well and enjoying all the new adventuresome places in her/our home. She is eating and drinking well, playing with toys and having a ball. I have taken the day as a work from home day to keep an eye on her and make sure her first day goes well and she’s not alone."


OMG!  He stayed home from work today to be with her!  I love this couple :)

She's going to have a beautiful life.  I wish they could all be so fortunate. 

I've declared this to be a quiet weekend, but that's usually when it's going to be busy.  I think I'm ready for "busy".  (Did I just say that?)

Happy Friday all! 

10 comments:

hmacross said...

So happy for Jolie. These are the kinds of stories that bring tears to my eyes. Cats that had no hope or chance for a 'normal' life, until someone rescues them! Thank you for saving her and her kittens.

hmacross said...

Beth - an FYI on Charitable Status:

A Registered Charity can have its status revoked for failing to file an income tax return. I always check on the CRA's status of a charity before I donate.
Very good information here http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html
I think the public should always check on charities before donating!

House of the Discarded said...

hmacross: Thank you for the information! I guess revoked, is revoked! I think it's disgusting that a rescue would solicite for donations, provide a charitable number, but have NO way of giving a tax receipt. It sounds very fraudulent to me.

Anonymous said...

Beth do you do your charity return by hand?

House of the Discarded said...

Anonymous: I do, but use Quickbooks for my recordkeeping, financial statements, etc.

Andrea said...

Beth -- I would love to read some of the emails from other people who had their spayed cat turn out to be only semi-spayed. Did anyone have a link for more info on this ? I have a notorious female sprayer who was spayed as a kitten. I have tried everything reasonable (multiple urinalysis showed she did not have a UTI)from amytriptilene to Prozac to Feliway to a pet communicator. Her spraying waxes and wanes (ie cyclical ?). This negative behavior has cost her two homes so far, and I am at my wits end and have attempted to re-home her and have also seriously considered euthanizing her -- which I strongly hesitate to consider. Please post more info -- it could save a cat's life or prevent a cat being abandoned at a shelter due to this negative behavior !

House of the Discarded said...

Andrea: Feel free to email me and I'll be happy to tell you what I know!

-B

Anonymous said...

I just saw the ad on Craig's list and it mentions that they had their status revoked Oct 13, 2010, yet they are still asking for donations etc..

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/pet/2867395847.html

Caroline said...

Yay for Jolie and thanks to the new adopter, Beth and Foster Mom Kim! PS Love the Bling collar!

Anonymous said...

We're so happy to see her go to a good home! She's a very special girl.

Dean
(Jolie's foster Dad)