Trying our best...

For any animal rescue, this is a crappy time of year. “Kill shelters” are full to the brim with unwanted animals and the euthanasia days become more frequent because there are just too many coming in, and not enough room to keep them all. We are one of several organizations who rescue animals from Hamilton Animal Control, and we’re all trying our hardest to get as many as we can out of there. But it’s never enough. Even with multiple groups working so hard, there are still so many we can’t help…and that sucks.

There is much debate about why Hamilton Animal Control has such a high euthanasia rate. But the more important question is; how can we prevent animals from ending up there in the first place? Why do so many people get an animal and not have it fixed? Why aren’t animals considered a member of the family and kept for the life of the pet? Why are animals so easily discarded when the novelty wears off? And why aren’t preparations made with family or friends for an animal when their owner is hospitalized or passes away? Different circumstances bring animals into shelters. But what can we do to reduce the numbers…especially at this time of year?

Spaying and neutering your pet is such an important part of responsible pet ownership, but the message obviously isn’t getting through. Take a walk through Hamilton Animal Control today and you’ll see first hand proof. Cages full of un-neutered male cats, litters of kittens, mom cats with newborns, mom cats with older litters, single kittens, pregnant cats. It’s overwhelming, frustrating and sad. We do know that part of the problem comes down to money. The costs associated with taking your animal to the vet can be quite high. There are other options, but for Hamiltonians, they’re not the most convenient options…

*There isn’t a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Hamilton that is open to the general public, but there is one run by the Hamilton SPCA that is for low-income households. You have to be under a certain annual income level, and fill out an application to qualify. This process can be a deterrent in itself.

* Ontario SPCA has three low-cost spay/neuter clinics that are open to everyone. The deterrent there is the distance from Hamilton. The recently opened St. Catharines clinic is the closest. Barrie and Newmarket are the other two. There is a waiting list, but the very low cost at these clinics definitely makes it worth the drive and the wait.

* Toronto Animal Services offers low-cost spay/neuter, but it is only available to residents of Toronto.

* Toronto Humane Society offers a spay/neuter clinic. Nothing on their website indicates that they don’t accommodate out-of-town pets. Pretty good option if there isn’t a long waiting list.

Hamilton desperately needs a low-cost clinic that is open to everyone, and that is easily accessible by car and public transit. But for now, if you know someone who has an animal that needs to be fixed, please send them to one of the clinics listed above.

Hamilton Animal Control was so full this past week that they turned away owned cats and stray cats. They sent a message to the rescues they work with to let them know more cats than usual would be euthanized because they were so full. Rescues worked hard to get lots of cats out. It will certainly help reduce the number who will die this week, but how will we do the same next week when they are full again?
Below are the cats we were able to rescue this week, and we’re working on more.
Want to help us save lives? Please apply to become a foster home. Or…adopt one of the animals we currently have in our care. It makes room for another life we can save when that foster home opens up. If you can’t help in those ways, please donate. We can only rescue animals because of the kindness of our supporters.

Ashley, Mulberry, Gwendolyn and Guinness are the lucky ones. Our hearts are broken for the ones left behind…

We're still here!

We rescued Tulip, her mom and her six siblings. They're now looking for their forever homes.

The Ladybirds have been working hard and are still rescuing animals (even though we haven't updated this blog in quite a while...sorry about that!)

Since our last post we've been granted our charitable status (yay!) and we're up to 80 rescued animals since our humble beginning. Please check out our official website and our Facebook page where you can find all the latest goings on.

Big thanks from the Ladybird ladies, and from all the animals whose lives you have saved because of your love and support!

We're on Petfinder.com!

SWEET SUMMER UPDATE

We have lots of news since our last update!

NEW ADOPTION NEWS

Slinky

Slinky has finally been adopted since coming into our care in December of last year. And to make his adoption even more special, he was reunited with his ‘sister’ Hermoine! Hermoine’s adopters decided they could add another kitty to the fold, and who better than Slinky! We wish them both a long happy life in their new home…

Lucy

All of Melissa’s foster kittens were adopted, as you know. But their mom Lucyremained without a home…until last week when Melissa’s parents decided to adopt her! How awesome is that?! She is such a sweet girl, they just couldn’t resist. Lucy will be living in the lap of luxury and will be spoiled silly for the rest of her days. And of course, Melissa gets visitation rights. Yay Lucy!

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NEW FOSTERS

Ava

We rescued a lovely girl named Ava. She’s being spayed this week at theOSPCA Spay Neuter clinic, and will be ready for a new home soon after. Her foster family reports that she has constant ‘happy feet’ and never stops purring. Ava is a fantastic cuddler. She loves people and other cats. She will make a great addition to any home looking for an extra affectionate kitty.

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FOSTER ANIMAL UPDATE

'mean mom'

We were lucky enough to find a home for our ‘mean mom’ after her kittens were old enough to be on their own.  If you remember, this was the stray cat that we took in the day after we rescued her four newborn kittens from a high-kill shelter. She wasn’t much of a people cat, and the foster home did an amazing job of looking after her while she raised her kittens…despite her less than personable demeanour. Big thanks toTouch ‘n’ Go Equestrian Farm for giving ‘mean mom’ a forever home.

Olive

Turns out that our girl Olive has some mobility issues. She was diagnosed withBilateral Luxating Patellas, which basically means her knee caps will randomly dislocate. She’s having surgery this week to correct the problem. It’s not an inexpensive surgery by any means, so if you were thinking of donating to the LAS, now is the time! We always hope the animals in our care won’t ever need major surgeries like this one, but like people, animals develop health problems throughout their lives and have to have them treated. We have a wonderful vet who is going to do Olive’s surgery at a discounted rate, but we still need help with the cost. Any amount will do. And please know that when you do donate, your money goes directly towards the animals in our care.

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2011 LOCKE STREET FESTIVAL

Locke Street Festival

If you’re in the Hamilton area, please come visit our booth at the Locke Street Festival on Saturday, September 10th! Melissa, Janine and Lisa will all be in attendance that day and we’ll have some wonderful items for sale and auction with all proceeds going to the animals in our care. Several local artists have donated pieces to our cause and we are so thankful for that! Just to name a few… you will find Ali Bartlett, Blackbird Studios, Tor Lukasik-Foss, Striped Aardvark, Judy Birthelmer, Julie Fader,Misha Fotos, The Paper Place, Lindsay Zier-Vogel, Sara Carvalho Jewellery, Albirg Creations, Jarrod Hogeterp and many more! Please come by, say hello, buy some art and help some animals!

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We still have several animals waiting for their forever home. Please check out our Adoption page to find your new furry friend.

Until next time!

Why we do what we do...

Remember our little guinea pig Oscar?

He was neglected by his owners, then dumped at the Hamilton Animal Services shelter back in March. He had almost no use of his back legs, severe skin issues and he was underweight. The Ladybird Animal Sanctuary took Oscar from the shelter, got him some vet care, and placed him in a foster home.

Well…look at Oscar now!

The foster home did an amazing job! He’s been given proper nutrition since his rescue from the shelter and he has regained the full use of his back legs. His skin issues are long gone thanks to some vet care, and Oscar is now a happy, chubby, snuggly pig!

We couldn’t have done this without you! Thank you to Oscar’s wonderful foster home. Thank you to the vet who treated his skin problems. Thank you to the amazing people out there who have donated to the LAS. You helped us pay for Oscar’s food, supplies and vet care.

This is exactly why we started the LAS. To help animals just like Oscar who would otherwise be euthanized, when all they need and deserve is someone to give them a second chance for a good life.

Rosie and Pixie

Rosie and Pixie

Status: Adoptable (Must be adopted as a pair)
Age: Rosie is approximately 12 weeks old and Pixie is approximately 8 weeks old
Arrival Date: June 12, 2011
Species: Cats
Gender: Both female (to be spayed at the appropriate age)
Likes: Each other! Toys, purring, sleeping, playing, exploring.
Dislikes: None as of yet
Notes: Rescued from Hamilton Animal Control, currently in foster care. Rosie and Pixie were found together as strays. These two are the best of friends! Even though they are several weeks apart in age, they do everything together and depend on each other. For that reason, they must be adopted as a pair. They are very laid back pair, and seem to be comfortable in any situation they find themselves in. Rosie and Pixie are constantly purring! These two would be a great addition to any home. They are simply the sweetest kittens!

RIP Whiskers

Our hearts are broken to tell you that sweet little kitten Whiskers has passed away. She was thriving and doing well, but passed away unexpectedly a few days ago of unknown causes. Our vet has since done a medical check on the rest of the family, but is at a loss as to why whiskers died. In her short life, Whiskers touched many hearts, and caused many smiles, and for that we’re thankful to have met her.

We’ll miss you Whiskers.