Well, it appears that I haven't blogged since back in December . . . it's been two months since I've sat down in front of the computer and given everyone an update on shelter activities. Time sure flies when you're running a cat shelter! But I'm here now and I've got lots to tell!!

Okay, first, let me tell you all about our afternoon with Smiley and KJ from WZPL!! A couple of weeks ago, Smiley lost a bet with KJ and they all ended up here at the shelter. KJ made Smiley and Weedman help out around here. They were supposed to do everything from helping to carry in litter and food from Sue's van to scooping litter pans, which they did. Except when it came to scooping, Smiley and Weedman did it in their underwear!!! OH NO!!!!! They also duct taped catnip to themselves . . . everything was going along so well until they started to take off their clothes. Now I've got several senior lady kitties who insist on waking up at 5 in the morning so they can listen to Smiley, and I've got a few kittens who are going to need therapy. Really, it was a fun afternoon! Thanks, guys!

Going back to Christmas time, we had a wonderful Open House event a couple of weeks before Christmas. Lots of food, lots of fun, and a TON of folks who came to visit with us all. Thank yous go out to Sue Hildebrandt, Dzana, Tammy, Marietta, Barb, and many others who help clean and set up for this annual party. And to everyone who came by, thank you so much for spending a little time here with the kitties. We always love to have company and you're always welcome here!

January was an exciting month around here. We had several adoptions from our foster homes as well as from the shelter. I'd like to specifically mention Helen, now named Chloe! This little kitten came to us when she was found near a corn field. She had eye problems, an upper respiratory infection, and a big wound on her right side. It took a couple of months to get this calico cutie in good health, but she finally got well, got spayed, and she's now in a home of her very own with her new mom Cathy and her new brother Willie. Congrats, Helen/Chloe!!!! And congrats to Vargus for finding his forever home, too, and for everyone one else who has found their families!

Big news from Barb, too! In January, Barb was chosen as the Artist of the Month at the Luxor Restaurant in Fountain Square! And she did so well and everyone loved her stuff so much that she's the Artist of the Month for February, too!!!! Isn't that cool? Barb has many pieces of her Gypsy Cat jewelry on display at the Luxor, so check it out for lunch or dinner. We're also working on putting together a fundraiser there in March or April, so stay tuned . . . Oh, and congrats to another Cats Haven Barb . . . Barb Dunn for being picked for a GREAT new job!!! Woo hoo!!!! Now that you're working, don't be a stranger over here! We still expect to see you every now and then!!!

We've got a lot of fun stuff coming up, like we're gonna be at the Cat Show at the Fairgrounds in March, and we're once again putting together the Kitties for Ti**ies team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K walk in April. (That team name always makes me blush . . .). You can join the team by clicking here and registering. I'll get to work on the Calendar page this weekend and get all those dates and things posted. Oh, and David Molloy will be doing Valentine's Adoptions at Speck's in Brownsberg this Sunday, February 14th. We'll be there from 1 til 4, so stop by and say hi to David and all the kitties he'll have available for adoption. 

Cats Haven is proud to announce that we are part of the new Indianapolis Animal Welfare Alliance (IAWA) that was formed last year and made official in January. We join Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, the Humane Society of Indianapolis, IndyFeral, FIDO, Indy Pit Crew, Southside Animal Shelter, and Spay Neuter Services Indiana in an effort to complete a ten-year plan to reduce the number of homeless and unwanted animals in the Indianapolis area through spay/neuter, adoption, and other collaborative programs. Our friend The Other Sue is the board secretary and also heads up the Placement committee. All IAWA committees are currently looking for volunteers, so if you're interested in Placement, Prevention, Safety, Outreach, or Fundraising, let us know and we'll direct you to the committee chairperson. OR if you'd like to join IAWA just to show your support, that'd be great!! Membership is free . . . just let us know and we'll get a membership application over to you. It's a very exciting time right now for animals in Indianapolis, and we'd love for you to be a part of all the good things that are going on. Click here to read more about the Alliance in a recent Nuvo article!

Oh, gosh, guys . . . I think that might be it for now. I promise to not let two months go by again without blogging!! Happy Valentine's day to everyone, and yes I'll be getting something nice for Lady Gwen this year. I was thinking about a new chipmonk panini maker, but Barb said she'd probably rather have some nice fresh catnip of her very own.  Women . . . sheeesh . . .   -  Bandit the puddytat