Is KittyKind STILL looking for Foster Homes?!

Why not just buy a warehouse? Other people are already warehousing many KittyKind cats. The ASPCA, CACC, Humane Society, Bide A Wee and other organizations know when to say "we just don't have any room right now". That is the responsible and reasonable thing to do vs. getting people to foster so many sick cats at one time that they include a variety of transferable health problems.

This is when KittyKind says, "we can't take him back right now - he's still sick".
This is how KK turns people into hoarders. See http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeyfg4f/kittycatfosterpitfalls.

Then a Marketing Plan has to be devised for how to get adoption events going for the Older cats, the Special Needs cats, the Shy, Feral . . .

Another Marketing Plan to make people want to participate in bottle feeding Kittens. Any education going with that package? How to hold the kitten and why, what kittens that young need to survive, what to expect of kittens that will not survive? What to know about distemper (KK calls it Fading Kitten Syndrome) - the emotional downside of medically unrecoverable kittens and cats.

Is there a numbers race going on for the adoption group with the most cats waiting to be adopted for the longest period of time?

Oh, going back to the warehousing issue: How many are warehoused that are totally not adoptable because you know they have FIP; FELK; FIV or some other condition that KK doesn't have a Marketing Plan for.

Stay Awake People - Don't get emotionally blackmailed into becoming a KK warehouse of poorly tended KK cats just so KK can get an intake fee and later an adoption fee while you actually do the rescue work and end up keeping cats you never planned to adopt.

KittyKind Acknowledges yet Lacks Understanding of Diabeties in Cat

I've had plenty of hands on experience with diabetic cats and I've got to tell you, it's not as simple as giving the cat a shot. Before adopting a diabetic cat read the website posted below it is comprehensive and written by people who know what they're talking about. It is important to know what to expect in the long run with a diabetic cat. It is important to know that the road will be rough. If after knowing what to really expect you feel you can and want to do this type of adoption then full steam ahead and God bless you!

Will the diabetes go away? KittyKind makes it sound as if most of the time it does. The following insert was taken from a very informative website : http://www.petdiabetics.org/contents.htm :

(Note: If the hyperlink doesn't take you there, copy it and get to it from your browser. This website is worth finding.) "This is a complicated question that depends on a lot of factors. Secondary diabetes means that the diabetes is the result of a primary condition. Primary conditions that may result in diabetes include acute pancreatitis, acromegaly, or a tumor of the pancreas. Secondary diabetes can also be the result of a side effect of drugs such as steroids. If the diabetes is secondary, it might go away after the primary condition is under control. If the diabetes is the primary disease and it is the result of obesity, the diabetes will most likely improve a great deal, or completely resolve once the pet's weight is under control. If the diabetes is the primary disease and obesity is not a factor, most likely the diabetes will not go away. But it can be successfully managed. Some cats experience transient diabetes.

What does "Honeymoon" and Transient Diabetes" mean? Transient diabetes is not a new concept for all our cats out there in diabetes land. It is the proper term for most people to use when their pet intermittently requires no insulin. Most cats who are termed "on a honeymoon" are actually a transient diabetic. Insulin needs will wax and wane in about 20% of diabetic cats. One theory about transient diabetes in cats is that the diabetes is subclinical (you don't see physical signs) until the pancreas is stressed by inflammation, a systemic illness, or an insulin-antagonistic drug (insulin secretion becomes reversibly suppressed). Hyperglycemia itself can also impair insulin secretion. This effect of glucose toxicity is reversible by correcting the hyperglycemic state. So with insulin given to correct the high glucose state and then also the correction of the condition or drug which caused the increased glucose in the first place, the diabetes resolves and the pet does not need insulin. Future requirements for insulin depends on the function of the beta cells and the presence of any other conditions or drugs that may again cause hyperglycemia. Honeymoon is actually a different concept altogether and often gets misused. It is just a popular -- just like all facial tissues get called kleenex. Honeymoon is an event which can occur in both cats and dogs, as opposed to transient diabetes which rarely occurs in dogs. It is called "honeymoon" because it occurs at the *beginning* of the diabetes diagnosis, usually within the first weeks to months after diagnosis. With honeymoons, there is a temporary reduction in insulin requirement but rarely a permanent or semi-permanent discontinuation of insulin. This probably has more to do with fluctuations in beta cell function than anything else. In a Type I diabetic, the beta cells usually die off and hence the end of the honeymoon."

The site itself explains much more about diabetic care and experiences likely to occur to a diabetic cat. From my experience: you need to have a bottle of Karo syrup readily available in case the cat goes into seizures. Monitoring on a monthly basis by a vet is very important: A fructosamine test is taken to see how "management" is going. Urine samples must be test in the morning and a blood glucose monitor is needed just like for people. The cat may need a special diet and its food and water intake monitored. Some cats respond well and some have an ongoing battle with insulin correction. If your cat has a hypoglycemic seizure and despite Karo syrup seems to be stiff and dead take it to the vet - this is something that might happen and the cat needs to be stabilized by the vet.

Again from the website:

"However, symptomatic hypoglycemic events require more intense treatment. It is important to get the glucose up quickly. Something quickly absorbed should be used such as corn syrup (Karo syrup) which is applied to the gums and oral mucosa (inside lining of the mouth). This should always be followed with regular food as the action of the syrup is often not long lasting and the hypoglycemia will recur. Therefore, close monitoring of the pet is required even when everything seems OK. The vet should be alerted of this and depending on the severity of the symptoms and your ability to monitor blood glucoses, the pet may need to be seen in the vet clinic for closer monitoring. If the hypoglycemic event is severe, hospitalization and treatment with IV glucose maybe required. Hypoglycemic events severe enough to cause serious symptoms such as extreme lethargy or seizure should be cause for admission in most cases---for blood glucose monitoring and the ability to administer IV glucose due to the very high likelihood of recurrent hypoglycemic events after initial treatment. Severe hypoglycemia can result in brain damage or death."

These are the FACTS about diabetic cats.

Princess Tiffany Machado - Victim of Wrongful Death at Hands of Vet

Beloved Companion Shetland Sheepdog, Princess Tiffany Machado. Died of a wrongful death on March 23, 2008(Easter Sunday). Other people are encouraged to come forward if they have had a similar experience with said vet.

A Victim of a fatal allergic reaction to Hydromorphone drug injection, administered by a veterinarian without owners knowledge or consent. This tragedy took place at an Animal Hospital in Yonkers. For story details call 646-577-5600 owner needs your help machadotif@aol.com

I was so heartbroken when I saw her post on Craigslist that I felt the need to get the word out about vet malpractice. I found the following article and hope it helps others too. It is too long to post here but keyword in Dogpile.com is: TOASTY's VETERINARY MALPRACTICE GUIDE. An Informative Guide. Please contact Marcia too, she is in a lot of pain over Princess Tiffany.

Seniors Adopting Senior Cats: KittyKind No Stranger to Breach of Contract

There is a General Business Law that protects Seniors from intentional misrepresentation - I'll post it on my website: http//mysite.verizon.net/vzeyfg4f/kittycatfosterpitfalls

If KittyKind promises medical care and follow up after adopting Senior or Special Needs cats from them BE SURE TO GET IT ALL ON PAPER AND SIGNED TOO.

I fostered a cat that needed meds etc. actually received an email promising me vet care for the cat and 3 mos later the vet received a letter saying they would no longer pay for his vet care. The cat has one kidney and a compromised bladder.

Seniors are on fixed incomes and Senior animals have special needs that must be addressed too. Old animals need care of Teeth and Blood testing on a regular (annual) basis. The blood test is a CBC and can cost $65, dental work can be much more expensive. Kidneys are usually starting to fail at this time. KittyKind has an income of 1/4 of a million dollars or more and can accommodate these issues.

Who is Liable if a Cat Misrepresented as Shy is Feral and Attacks You

This information is a Community Service. If you need the article, and trust me, you do, print out a copy and email copies to your friends, ask them to email their friends. If you adopt a cat listed as Shy and it is actually Feral, you may be in a dangerous situation if you are not a rescuer yourself. Both cats require a different approach. Anyone who traps knows that a Feral cat may attack you if you insist on "being a friend" and don't protect yourself. A feral will do you the favor or hissing at you, hiding and trying to keep you at a distance but when it runs out of patience that cat will attack your legs, face, arms and bite right through your clothing. For more information on Ferals visit a site that discusses trapping and you'll get an idea of what they can do when pushed to their limit. A shy cat may initially hide but will eventually accept the comfort of being indoors and of your company. The whole process of becoming a member of your family will be totally different. It is important that people adopting what they expect to be a companion animal be aware of current health problems that will prevent them from enjoying their newly adopted pet until it is properly examined by a vet, medicated and long term health problems are discovered.

Is This a Healthy Animal A Few Tips

KittyKind will say it's just a cold, but if you are looking at a cat or kitten and it's **sneezing,** it's time to check the nose. Is there mucous on the nose? This cat/kitten has an upper respiratory infection. A vet will recommend an antibiotic depending on what type of bacteria is causing the infection. KittyKind will insist on giving antibiotics without a vet exam for practically everything - that is not the way to "treat" a cat.

Look at the **gums** too. If they are pale it means the cat is not getting enough oxygen or is anemic. If the gums are blue - this cat needs a vet ASAP because it is really low on oxygen and may have heart or other complications.

Look at the **ears**. Are they dirty? Does the cat shake its head alot? See if the swabbed ear comes up with gritty, black stuff that looks like coffee grinds. That is ear mites. It is treated for 2 weeks with one product and for 30 days with mineral oil.

Does the cat have **diahhrea**? It is not always due to change in diet. Diahhrea can be caused by parasites and must be diagnosed by a veterinarian. Diahhrea that smells extremely awful can be attributed to Coccidia a parasite that can kill a kitten within days. Another extremely awful smelling diahhrea is caused by Giardia. The cat loses weight and has projectile diahhrea everytime it eats. Cats with Diahhrea usually are also somewhat **dehydrated** because of the fluids they keep losing with the diahhrea. The vet may want to give the cat subcutaneous fluids. KittyKind recommends raw meat diets or tells you to give the cat rice. While you're doing this the cat is just getting worse.

Look at the **eyes** and see if they are clear without mucous. Look at the **teeth** to see what condition they're in. A cat with dirty teeth that are not cleaned by a vet can develope mouth infections that cannot be cured but need regular care for the rest of its life.

Be sure the cat has been checked for **fleas**. VERY important, and finally be sure to receive paperwork showing dates of deworming and vaccination. Be sure to get all medical files on your newly adopted pet. Be aware that some of the above conditions can be easily treated by a vet. However, if you adopt a cat and think it is healthy the vet visit never happens and the cat only suffers in silence until it's health becomes seriously compromised.

KittyKind also doesn't seem to know what Ringworm is when adopting out cats. If you are adopting a cat and it has lots of round, rough looking bald spots around the ears, eyes, neck and paws. Stop a minute. This could be due to a liver/kidney problem or it could be Ringworm. Ringworm can be treated. It is actually a fungus that attacks the cats hair and can spread over a good portion of the cats body. It is contagious to other cats and people can get it too. While at KittyKind I saw many cats adopted out with this condition and many people who came in after catching it from the cats. It can be treated with Athlete's Food Cream or a lotion called Fungisan. I recently used an ointment of goldenseal and myrrh and the results were FAST. A vet can give the cat a pill and a skin ointment to help get rid of the problem. Ringworm is itchy and looks like hives on a person. Always wash your hands after handling a kitten or cat with RingWorm.

***Always*** Get Medical Records to take home with you of newly adopted animals. Some adopters expect you to take the animal to the vet after adopting what you expect to be a healthy animal

KittyKind Affidavit

In an Affidavit of September 28, 2007, Hilary Harris, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

This affidavit submitted pursuant to the Court’s Order of August 2007

1. I was not employed by, nor did I sit on the board of BeingKind, Inc.

FACT: In 1999 The Board of Directors included not only Marlene Kess and Barbara Polonka but Hilary Harris as well.

2. In August 2000, KittyKind was incorporated. Its then Board of Directors Marlene Kess, PresidentHilary Harris, TreasurerBarbara Polonka, Secretary

FACT: When KittyKind was incorporated Hilary Harris was the TreasurerHow can she claim that as the Treasurer of this Organization she had no knowledge of its financial activities?

3. Current Board of Directors of KittyKind:

H. Harris, President – Title?

Cathy Christel, Secretary – Now President?

Kathleen Goward, Treasurer – No longer Treasurer

Emily Abrahamson

Teresa Kubiak – Now Treasurer

Miriam Hibel

Lynelle Cardone – No longer on the Board?

FACT: This Board has also changed since 2007 See KittyKind Newsletter and their 990s

4. KittyKind has never received a loan in the amount of $20,000 from Plaintiff.

FACT: Initially KittyKind, insisted that the $20,000 was a loan from Plaintiff to Marlene Kess.

5. KittyKind has no medical records for Princess Pumpkin, Tiger, Simone, Annie, Monsie before Plaintiff fostered them

6. KittyKind has no intake forms for Princess Pumpkin, Tiger, Simone, Annie, Monsie before Plaintiff fostered them

FACT: These are the only cats that KittyKind has acknowledged as KittyKind fosters yet there is absolutely NO paperwork on them?! Just as there is no paperwork for the 94 other cats I fostered from 2000 - 2007

7. The only person who has received a donation write off letter from KittyKind is Plaintiff.

FACT: I have copies of other write off letters in the amounts of $10,994.74 for 2001 and $27,423.16 for 1999. There are yet more write off letters that are out of sight and so out of reports.

8. The only person (foster home), other than Plaintiff, to receive any reimbursement for expenses in caring for KittyKind cats, since 1999 is Elfie Berkovitch

FACT: Again, there are others receiving money for housecleaning and food and litter not only on the Board but “inner Circle” people who wish to remain anonymous. Some of these people are at the Petco store on the weekends.

9. Jane Hoffman is not employed by KittyKind, nor does she provide volunteer services for KittyKind

FACT: Jane Hoffman President of the Mayor’s Alliance for NY Animals, volunteers (or has on at least 2 occasions that I personally know of) sat in on KittyKind meetings as a facilitator. She advises KittyKind on issues such as what information to share with other members (see mediation notes) and was on her way to one of the hearings on behalf of KittyKind. Because she was stuck in traffic she did not arrive in time to participate in the hearing.