End Of Year Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Because of your ongoing support, 2008 has been a productive year for Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL). We have made wonderful progress in each of our programs and have steadily grown by adding new, energetic volunteers. In addition, the beginning of the year saw a change in the HAL Board of Directors with former Vice-President Michelle assuming the office of President, and our long-standing volunteer Catherine taking over the Vice-President/Treasurer position. MaryAnn remains our Secretary.

HAL has not only spayed/neutered cats within its own Foster & Adoption program, but has worked extensively with the community and helped to spay/neuter animals belonging to lower-income families. HAL has become a dependable source of assistance -- both financial and emotional -- for pet parents who visit the Bridgewater PetSmart on Saturdays.

HAL has funded medical care for animals who otherwise would have gone untreated. Thanks to your generosity, Merlin, a cat who needed Perineal Urethrostomy Surgery was able to receive life-saving surgery and is now living happily ever after with his human mom Ingrid.

Our Feral Cat program has helped colonies and their caretakers throughout New Jersey by providing assistance with spay/neuter, medical care, food, and supplies for feral cats. HAL honored National Feral Cat Day in October by hosting an informational table at Bridgewater PetSmart.

HAL has welcomed new volunteers to our Foster Home program as well as our Adoption Day events. Sue Heineman and Edina Pelinkovic have provided temporary homes to cats who would otherwise have nowhere to go; Sue even bottle-fed orphaned kittens! Dawn and Kent Van Wagenen lend a helping hand at Bridgewater PetSmart and help our foster cats find the perfect homes. During her temporary stay in New Jersey, Nan Ryan fostered and volunteered at adoption days and eventually adopted her foster cat Megan! Melissa Mancuso, a former adopter of three HAL cats, assisted with fundraising and helped with our website.

Special thanks go to emergency foster volunteers who, at the beginning of the year, stepped in to help at a moment’s notice: Janine, Sue, Elaine, Norm, Ilene, Gerry, Edina and Matt, Lori and Scott.

Our much-needed Fundraising program has been expanded to include a Vehicle Donation Program. By calling 800-320-0476, you can donate your car, truck, trailer, recreational vehicle, boat, etc., for FREE -- no towing charges or Motor Vehicles paperwork! Plus, you qualify for your lawful IRS tax deduction. In May and October, Carol and Michael held their annual multi-household yard sale to benefit HAL; as always, it was a great success! Nikki Pasquino also held a yard sale that raised funds for HAL’s bottle babies.

We look forward to another successful year in 2009. With your continued support, HAL will keep its commitment to saving the lives of animals in New Jersey. We are always in need of new foster homes, experienced Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) volunteers, supplies such as wet/dry food and litter, and monetary donations to help keep our programs going.

HAL wishes you and your family a very Happy, Healthy Holiday and Peaceful New Year.

Holiday Gifts That Give Back!

This holiday season, send a gift that means an automatic donation to Homeless Animal Lifeline!

When you shop at any of over 700 participating online stores through iGive, a portion of each purchase comes back to us in the form of a donation check.

It's free for you, free for us, and you pay the same (or less!) than you would by going directly to the store. And to all you smart shoppers: don't miss iGive's treasure-trove of coupons, sales, and free shipping.

See for yourself at: www.iGive.com/halnj.

In Memory Of Scarlett

Scarlett, hero cat in 1996, dies
BY DENISE FLAIM
October 24, 2008

Brooklyn, a borough that generates celebrities with the regularity of horn blares, lost another of its own last week.

Scarlett, the cat who became world famous for saving her 4-week-old kittens from a burning Brooklyn garage in 1996, died on Oct. 11.

A dozen years ago, touched by media reports of how the blister-faced mother cat anxiously touched each of her five rescued babies' noses before collapsing into unconsciousness, more than 7,000 would-be adopters contacted North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, where a firefighter had taken the young calico cat. Her determined effort to save her kittens from the flames - one died soon after from a virus - extracted a price: Scarlett's eyelids were deformed, her ear tips were burned off and the fur on her seared face never grew back.

As a result of the injuries that distorted her feline visage and revealed her skin, "she had a human face," remembers Karen Wellen of Brooklyn, who adopted Scarlett after writing an impassioned letter to the Animal League describing the recent death of her own cat, and her desire for her next one to have special needs, as she herself was recovering from severe injuries from an auto accident.

Now, in the wake of Scarlett's passing, "I can't stop crying," she says, adding that the cat was believed to be at least 13 years old. "It was such a shock."

Linda Treglia, a staff veterinarian at the Animal League who had been treating Scarlett for the past two years, said she had "multiple health problems," including a heart murmur, severe dental disease and lymphoma. "These are common diseases that geriatric cats get, but what killed her in the end was kidney failure."

Scarlett is remembered on the Animal League's Web site, nsal.org, on a page called The Scarlett Room. The organization also gives an animal-heroism award in her name.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/news/ny-lscat245895484oct24,0,3158256.story

Please help HAL win America's Favorite Animal Shelter on care2.com!

Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) was registered for care2.com "America's Favorite Animal Shelter/Rescue" contest. Please take a few seconds to cast your vote for HAL and help us get more exposure and, maybe, win $10,000 for the animals!


http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/75885

Please vote and pass on to EVERYONE you know :-)

Thank you!!

HAL's Candlelight Vigil - Honoring NJ Feral Cats & Their Caretakers

National Feral Cat Day is October 16th, 2008. Please join Homeless Animal Lifeline's (HAL) Candlelight Vigil by lighting a virtual candle honoring New Jersey's feral cats and their caretakers. The donations collected through this vigil will go directly toward buying food and supplies for NJ feral cats.

To light a candle or view the vigil, please visit
www.halrescue.org/vigil.html.

Also, HAL will be hosting a feral cat/TNR public information table at Bridgewater PetSmart on October 18, 2008 between 11 AM and 3 PM. For more information, please contact RescueHAL@aol.com.

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From Feral Cat Network - HAL's Feral Cat Public Outreach Program

www.theanimalspirit.com/feralcatnetwork.html

Homeless cats who are afraid of humans and cannot be easily approached or handled are referred to as "feral." Feral cats have generally had little or no human contact, causing them to develop a natural fear of humans. Not all homeless cats are feral; some may be strays who are lost or have been recently abandoned by humans.

The only difference between a housecat and a feral is that the latter has a strong fear of humans. They exist due to the public's failure to spay/neuter and its reluctance to make a lifetime commitment to cats in their care. Killing the victims of such negligence should not be a consideration. For decades, the public has been apathetic regarding the plight of homeless animals. It is time to take responsibility for the tragedy we have created.

Traditional, agency-run attempts to trap and kill cats have historically resulted in greater numbers -- and greater suffering for that reason alone -- of feral cats, than have well-planned systems to trap, neuter, and return cats. TNR, in conjunction with public education and low-cost spay/neuter clinics, stabilizes numbers and facilitates the eventual elimination of colonies of homeless cats.

Our goal is to end the homeless cat crisis. Feral cat caregivers have been directly responsible for the prevention of hundreds of thousands of cats. We
are actively working to address the root of the problem.

Due to the overpopulation crisis, there simply aren't enough sanctuaries or available homes to house the tens of millions of feral cats estimated to be
living in the United States alone. The only humane and effective way to control the feral cat population and give the cats a chance at healthier lives is through TNR and managed colonies where food, water, shelter, and medical care are consistently provided.

The public can choose to rely on unethical, ineffective trap and kill attempts, or we can work toward our goal by implementing an organized, proven-effective, cost-efficient method of population control.

We have made our choice. We hope you will join us.

Watch Us Grow!

These five kittens have had a rough start. Unfortunately, their Mom was killed by a car, leaving the babies hungry and alone. A Good Samaritan heard their cries, scooped them up, and brought them to HAL. Volunteers bottle-fed the kittens and they will eventually be up for adoption. Watch our site for updated pictures of the babies!
We are in need of donations to help with the care of this litter. Monetary donations or PetSmart gift cards would be greatly appreciated!
1 WEEK


2 WEEKS


3 WEEKS


4 WEEKS


5 WEEKS
Unfortunately, the all black male named Turtle passed away at 5 weeks of age. He was the smallest of the litter, but that didn't stop him from playing and enjoying life. He is very missed.

6 WEEKS


7 WEEKS


8 WEEKS


9 WEEKS

HAL Happenings - September, 2008

~*~*~*~*~Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) Happenings~*~*~*~*~

Homeless Animal Lifeline
A NJ Nonprofit Corporation
Internet: www.halrescue.org
Email: RescueHAL@aol.com

September 9, 2008


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August was a very busy month for Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL)! We have new arrivals, exciting upcoming fundraisers, and new volunteers.

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WATCH US GROW!

HAL took in five bottle babies (kittens too young to eat on their own) who had a very rough start. Unfortunately, their Mom was killed by a car, leaving the babies hungry and alone. A Good Samaritan heard their cries, scooped them up, and brought them to HAL. Volunteers are bottle-feeding the kittens and they will eventually be put up for adoption. You can see a current photo on our web site at www.halrescue.org and keep us bookmarked so you can watch the babies grow!

We are in need of donations to help with the care of this litter. Monetary donations, PetSmart gift cards, and/or KMR liquid would be greatly appreciated! Please earmark your donations "Bottle Babies."


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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Here is a listing of our scheduled upcoming events. Please confirm with HAL as dates and times are subject to change.

Flea Market Fundraiser - Elk's Lodge
September 13, 2008, 9AM - 3PM (rain date: September 14, 2008)
545 Bound Brook Road (Rt 28)
Middlesex, NJ


Fall Yard Sale Fundraiser
October 19, 2008, 9AM- 3PM
1326 Watchung Avenue
Plainfield, NJ


Santa Claws Holiday Photos - PetSmart of Bridgewater
December 13 - 14, 11AM - 4PM
145 Promenade Blvd.
Bridgewater, NJ


And, as always, our Adoption Days at Bridgewater of PetSmart are held every Saturday from 11AM - 4PM.


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FEATURED CAT

Update: Our last featured cat, Valentine, was finally adopted and is living happily, ever after in Connecticut!

This month, we are featuring a pair of cuties named Sonny and Houston. Though they do not have to be adopted together, preference will be given to applications requesting both boys!

Sonny is as friendly and sweet as he is handsome. He loves to be petted and scratched under his chin and is very playful. His favorite game is chasing the elusive laser pointer light. And woe to the unsuspecting fly that gets inside, as he is quick and agile. Sonny likes other cats and kittens and seems unafraid of dogs. He is the perfect cat looking for a perfect forever home! You can view his photos on his Petfinder page.

Houston is a very sweet gentle boy. He has a slight neurological condition that leaves him a bit uncoordinated and with an unusual gait. He cannot run as fast or jump as high as most cats but is still quite playful. This condition does not affect his health or life expectancy. He has been thoroughly checked by a veterinarian and, despite his thin and rather scruffy appearance, he is in perfect health. Houston is a super friendly and affectionate cat. Since his condition leaves him slightly handicapped, he does require a home with people would be aware and respectful of his limitations. You can view his photos on
his Petfinder page.

Both boys are about 1 year old, neutered, up to date on vaccines, and have tested negative for FIV and FeLV. They did live in a home together, but were returned to HAL because their human mom was expecting a baby. Sonny and Houston hope to find a home with someone who is better at multi-tasking!


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WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS!

HAL is happy to welcome new volunteers.

Sue joins HAL as a foster mom. She is an experienced kitten/cat foster mom as well as the proud parent of dogs Amber and Bo, and cats Gilligan, Holly, and Button.

Dawn and Kent will be volunteering at our Bridgewater PetSmart adoption days. They are also volunteers with Greyhound Friends of New Jersey and Franklin Township Animal Shelter, as well as proud parents of two retired racing greyhounds, a senior collie, a senior toy poodle, 4 cats with varying special needs, and a rabbit.

HAL would also like to thank Stef who is acting as an emergency foster home for us and is the proud mom of rescued cats!

Welcome aboard!


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IN-HOME PET CARE

In-home pet sitting has become increasingly popular as more and more people are hesitant to stress out their fur kids with boarding. HAL is pleased to recommend two pet sitting services to help care for your pets while you are away.

Whiskers To Go, LLC, serving Monmouth County & Surrounding Areas.
www.whiskerstogo.com

No Worries Pet Services, LLC, serving Central New Jersey.
www.noworrypets.com

Both services are owned and operated by HAL volunteers, who are also certified pet sitters, as well as Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR certified.

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IN MEMORY

- Those who visited our adoption days at Bridgewater PetSmart will remember Lady Grey, the beautiful grey cat with the crinkled ear. She unfortunately passed away at her foster home in July. Although she never had the chance to be adopted, she didn't know -- she always felt safe and loved in her foster home with her foster parents Charlie and Delores. She will be greatly missed by everyone who met her.

- HAL was alerted of a sick, homeless cat in the Bridgewater Area. We named her Penelope and she was seen at Belle Mead Animal Hospital on August 19, 2008. The veterinarian believed that Penelope, who was estimated to be about 15 years old, was in advanced stage cancer. She weighed only 3 lbs. The vet recommended euthanasia and, after speaking with her and discussing what she had found during examination, HAL agreed with the very hard decision to have Penelope euthanized. She was an extremely sweet short-haired black cat and she made a lasting impression on the rescue volunteers who met her only once. She purred as soon as you would pet her and gave kisses to everyone.


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VEGAN RECIPE

{Thanks to Peggy for sharing this one from "Vegetarian Times!"}

Orange Lacquered Tofu

Serves 4 - 30 minutes or fewer

Serve with baked sweet potatoes and steamed collard greens or cut the tofu into cubes and toss them with Asian noodles.

1/4 cup low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
2 Tbs. orange juice
2 tsp. maple syrup
2 tsp. dark sesame oil
1 14-oz. pkg. extra-firm tofu, drained well and cut crosswise into 8 1/2-inch-thick slices


Combine tamari, orange juice, syrup and sesame oil in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Season to taste with pinch of freshly ground black pepper (or cayenne, for a little more bite).
Spray large cast-iron or nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add tofu, and cook, without disturbing, about 7 minutes, until crisp and golden. Turn over, and cook about 5 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

Pour in tamari mixture, and shake pan back and forth to coat tofu. Reduce heat to medium; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until sauce is syrupy and tofu is glazed (sauce will get sticky if cooked longer). Serve hot or at room temperature.


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PLEASE DONATE

As you know, HAL is a 501c3 non-profit all-volunteer organization. As you may not know, our donations have dropped considerably over the past few months. This is not a situation unique to HAL; unfortunately, many small non-profits are being hit very hard by the current economy -- people are donating less, and they are also adopting less because of their own financial hardships. Some rescues have been forced to close down their adoption programs completely until they can catch up with veterinary bills.

HAL is a very pro-active, hands-on organization -- we are sometimes the only rescue to respond to a concerned person's call for help on behalf of a homeless animal. While HAL also has an active Humane Education program, we want to be able to continue helping individual animals with medical care or spay/neuter.

Please consider making a donation to HAL so that we can continue our important hands-on work that makes life-changing, and sometimes life-saving, differences to the lives of individual animals.

You can donate securely online with PayPal or JustGive by visiting our website at
http://www.halrescue.org.

If you prefer to mail a donation, our mailing address is:
Homeless Animal Lifeline
PO Box 237
Manalapan, NJ 07726

Thank you in advance!

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"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."

"I have always held firmly to the thought that each one of us can do a little to bring some portion of misery to an end." ~Albert Schweitzer