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Cats PlusCaring Couple Rescue Felines And MoreBy Lynn Harris |
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When you arrive at the Smith's well-fenced and heavily-wooded home east of Oklahoma City, you're greeted by cats-lots of cats. There's Simba, Timba, Nick, Tony, Miracle…about 50 of them. Ben, a 12-year-old Rottweiler, who protects them all, also greets you. If you pass muster with him, you're allowed in to visit. Actually, Ben is a very well trained and obedient dog. All he demanded of me was a belly rub. Jo-Ann and husband Steve provide a refuge for rescued cats. And that's not all. Currently, there's a goose with a broken wing, a raccoon, a couple of goats, another dog and a horse recovering from a broken leg and malnutrition. Occasionally, they even rescue kids, like Chase (pictured at right with "Tony"). What a great place for a kid in need of love and attention. A veterinary technician, Jo-Ann is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and a groomer, specializing in cats. All great skills for rescuing animals. When asked how she got started rescuing, she said, "I've always loved animals. But, I guess my first rescue was when I was eight. My cat got out of the house, and I spent an entire rainy night searching for it. I found the cat, but ended up with pneumonia." The first of many sacrifices for animals. Most of the cats Jo-Ann takes in are turned in to the vet clinic where she works. The vet has a contract with Nicoma Park to house strays or owner turn-ins and to euthanize those not re-claimed after the three-day holding period. But, since this vet abhors euthanizing healthy, well-adjusted animals, they make every effort to find new homes for them. After testing for disease, being vaccinated and spayed or neutered (if they're old enough), many of the cats, and sometimes dogs and horses, end up at Jo-Ann's. If she can't find a home for them or if they have on-going health problems, they remain with her for their lifetimes. She has two three-legged cats, one that lost an eye and another that's blind in one eye. During baby season in the spring, Jo-Ann may have two to three litters of un-weaned kittens at a time. Add in a litter of baby skunks or opossums, and you can imagine her schedule. Many times, she carries as many as three crates with her wherever she goes, with babies needing to be fed every two hours. Jo-Ann also takes in some of the overflow from wildlife rehabilitator Rondi Large at Wildcare–especially youngsters that have become too tame while being cared for. Jo-Ann says, "I seem to have a touch or knack for turning them back wild." And when that happens, they're returned to the wild. For the most part, the Smiths support their rescue with their own combined incomes. They go through 80 pounds of cat food and four large bags of cat litter each week. The vet bill runs between $600 to $2000 a month. They have been helped some by Thunderkats, Inc. (a T.I.C.A. cat club), specifically Pat Harbert. And Dr. Paulette Lee, of Town and Country Animal Hospital, does give her a discount on veterinary services. But even with this help, the cost is staggering. Jo-Ann said she needs to replace some of the siding on her house, and the den needs remodeling–but that will have to wait, as the cats need a new shelter, and the dog kennels need repair. More sacrifices. Jo-Ann concluded our visit with this appeal, "The kittens are pretty easy to place in homes, but what we really need are homes for the adult cats. We take good care of them–they're well fed and get all the medical attention they need, but it's not the same as living in a home." If you'd like to adopt a cat, or if you'd like to help the Smiths in caring for all these animals, call Jo-Ann at 405-356-2287. They can use donations of Cat Chow®, Tidy Cat®, feline vaccines, Revolution® or Advantage®. Back to Features |
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