Come find a feline friend at Buddy's Cat-pacity! event
Shelters across the nation will participate in a program called "Clear the Shelters" Saturday, Aug. 17, wherein adoption fees are usually waived or at a minimum. Buddy is not participating in this event for several reasons.
First, we decided to get a jump-start on the event and combine our "Christmas in July" with a similar feline event called "Cat-pacity!" The reality is The Buddy Foundation is always at Cat-pacity! This is due, in part, because we welcome animals that other charities don't.
We began on a shoestring, with the policy to help every animal we possibly could. Now that we have a building, that policy has not changed. In fact, we can even do more.
Second, we don't want to devalue any of our animals by offering them for free. We value all animal life, and we want our adopters to share our policy and practices. Sunday, Aug. 11, will be the last day of our Cat-pacity! event. Adult felines ages 1-7 years can be adopted for $75; ages 8 and older are $50.
Third, we do not need to offer animals for free because we have other programs, like our permanent foster program for felines that need special, loving care. You provide the care and we provide prescription food and medicine. We also provide the skills you will need to care for the special needs animal. If you want to contribute financially for your foster animal's care, great, but it is not necessary.
Lastly, those of you who have adopted from Buddy, or have brought us animals you have rescued, already know that there are animals that we make exceptions for based on their story and the condition they are in when they are brought to us.
Buddy tries to fashion the right fit for every animal we assist.
Both of today's featured felines are examples of the lengths Buddy will go through to save an animal in peril.
Feature Felines
Olaf is a mostly white, neutered male with a few scant black patches on his head. His markings are so faint they look like a kitten. He is shy, but each day he seems less shy. Olaf would qualify as a Cat-pacity! feline, as he is on the cusp of adulthood.
Olaf came to The Buddy Foundation the day before the coldest day and evening of the winter. His rescuer was frantic and crying when she said, "I have called every shelter and have been told no by everyone, you are my last hope. This small, white kitten was frozen on my front porch and I took him in."
The caller's concern was that something was wrong because he was barely moving.
Buddy took Olaf straight to the animal hospital where he was diagnosed with severe frost bite on his toes. For a while, we did not know if his toes could be saved. Medicine had to be applied twice daily. This is why we believe him to be shy.
Every time he was handled he needed oral medicine and medicine applied to his feet. He has gone months without medicine and now he associates his caregivers with food and socialization.
Grayson shares a room with Olaf, as they are about the same age and survived an almost winter tragedy. Grayson is a handsome, medium, blue coated boy.
Grayson was found freezing in a window well on one of the coldest days of the winter. He now is a healthy, playful guy. He would also participate in Cat-pacity! this Sunday.
Fundraising Dog Wash
Buddy's annual dog wash will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, at Dirty Dog Grooming Spa, 1826 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Prices vary by size, but are a bargain, ranging from $15-$25.
Every event you attend helps us provide the best care for the animals we currently have and for those we will care for in the future.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. Its mission is to provide immediate safety and care to stray and abandoned animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.