Cat Shelter Felix, Serbia

My lovely wanderer

2012-01-27T16:38:00.002-05:00

Frca was such a cutie when she was a kitten, everybody liked her but no one wanted to adopt her. She appeared in front of my garage one day, tiny, talkative, lively and beautiful. Although she was safe inside, with her best friends Negro and Tigi, she couldn’t stay in one place but instead she used to wander around the neighborhood.

Life on the street was always dangerous, especially for a trustful kitty. A couple of months later, Frca went out and came back with a terrible eye injury. Her eye and lacerated eyelids were bleeding heavily and she was in pain, as those kind of injuries are extremely painful. She couldn’t even close that eye, it remained wide open so I rushed her to the vet immediately. Obviously, somebody tried to pull her eye out. Three surgeries were performed until she regained normal vision, even though that eye remained slightly bigger than the other one and the scar can still be seen.

When she was about a year old, she went missing for six weeks and worried me sick. She was nowhere to be found, nevertheless I didn’t give up hope and kept looking for her. Eventually, Frca appeared while I was trying to trap another injured kitten, I guess she recognized me from a far away. Skinny and dirty, she ran towards me yowling loudly and got into my bike basket. I took her into my apartment and she stayed there until we all moved to the shelter. No more roaming!

Moving to the shelter was a blessing for Frca, she seems content and loves this place as if she were born here. She has enough space to do what she needs to do and can enjoy solitude whenever she wants. Whereas she tolerates other cats, she is quite independent and likes to be on her own, she is a loner by nature. And she is safe, finally. Her trust in people will never be betrayed again.

He was the one

2012-01-20T20:38:00.011-05:00

A few years ago I was informed that there was an uncatchable kitten with injured back legs not far from my home. I was horrified when I saw him for the first time. He was shivering under the car, tiny and scared, with his hind legs cut off just below the knee. I tried to catch him but he was shy, distrustful, and totally unapproachable. Despite his injuries, he was fast as lightning. Deeply moved by his misfortune, I knew he’d change my life forever.

For about two weeks I was trying to catch him, without success. Eventually, he somehow fell into the basement and entered a humane trap I left there. As soon as I picked him up he went limp and I could see that his horrible injuries were old. His hind legs were severed below the knee joint, and the vet discovered he also had a prolapsed rectum. It’s quite unbelievable how he managed to survive all alone on the street in that condition - it can be explained only by his enormous desire to live. He was a genuine fighter.

When I found him, Milance was about three months old. His first surgery was a rectal prolapse repair. A month later, the skin was sutured over the end of the bone of each leg, forming stumps. Being a kitten, Milance was growing fairly quickly and the bone of his left leg kept protruding through the skin every now and then. He underwent several surgeries but that problem couldn’t be solved permanently.

Milance has lived with me for year and a half, but I don’t know for sure if he was aware of his disability. He was a cheerful, joyous, playful kitty, with vivid curious eyes, who fully participated in usual cat activities. My apartment was completely adapted to a cat with special needs. He had his easy-chair on the terrace, his scratching post, could climb onto my bed… And he had many friends. He got along very well with other cats, they were playing and sleeping together, always snuggly and cuddly. Sometimes, while he watched them running around, I thought I saw a shadow of sadness crossing his beautiful eyes but it lasted only for a moment – or maybe it was just my imagination.

If none of those terrible things had happened to him, Milance would have grown into a huge, magnificent tomcat. That was the most serious problem. He was getting bigger and heavier every day and his stumps couldn’t bear his weight, so the wounds started to open. One day I noticed that his left stump was swollen, but he didn’t allow me to touch it. The next night, his loud purring woke me up – he was cuddling with me till morning as if he was saying goodbye. I knew I held him for the last time.

I took him to the vet and it turned out that his thigh bone was broken longitudinally and he was diagnosed with sepsis. Nothing could have been done except to put him down. And I remember just standing there looking at him with tears running down my face as the sorrow and overwhelming grief filled the room. His life had come to an end too soon and way too abruptly, but I was sure he went to a better place and would be looking over me for many years to come.

Milance didn’t live long enough to see my shelter but I feel his presence everywhere. I miss him terribly but I am grateful to have had him be a part of my life. During his short time on this Earth he touched the hearts of so many and his story became a painfully true story of courage, hope and faith. He will never be forgotten.

If I close my eyes, I can still see him…

Felix kitties need your help

2012-01-13T18:46:00.003-05:00

The weather is changeable this winter and it affects all of my kitties, especially the oldest and the youngest. Almost all new kitties that arrived this year and are not fully adapted to the life in the shelter are already under treatment, they have a fever and eye discharge and most of them are sneezing.

It’s rather warm now, at least for this time of the year, but we had bad snow a couple of weeks ago, as you may see on the photos. I fear for my chronically ill kitties, they’re always in crisis during the winter. Although a contagious respiratory infection is not a serious health threat for most cats, for the elderly or those who have a chronic health problem it can result in serious complications.

My kitties are in continuous need of your support. Vet bills are mounting, and lots of medicines have to be bought for treatment at home. Right now, six of my cats are being given injections and the vet is coming every day. It’s extremely hard to defray costs of maintaining or restoring health of dozens of senior cats, 15 chronic patients and five delicate kittens under the age of six months. Again, I’m forced to ask for your help as we depend on your generosity.

My kitties and I thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts!

Marsred's blue eyes sparkle again

2012-01-11T17:57:00.006-05:00

My blue-eyed beauty, Marsred, was found in front of some pharmacy a couple of years ago. She was thin, pregnant and desperately hungry, approaching everybody she saw in the hope of getting some food. I picked her up and took her with me. She found a refuge in my garage.

Marsred was lovable and trustful from the beginning, she simply loved people. She must’ve been shooed away a billion times while she lived on the street but somehow she continued to believe that every person she met was well intentioned. That’s exactly why she was deemed perfectly adoptable. Last year, after we all moved to the shelter, I gave her up for adoption. It was a regrettable decision. A big mistake.

Everything sounded nice but I had my doubts. Ten days later I found out that my fear was justified. A person who took Marsred and three other cats of mine didn’t plan to keep them as pets but to sell them! Marsred was supposed to be sold as a Turkish Van cat.

It took all the strength and persistence I had to get them back, one by one. Marsred was the third one to arrive. When I saw her, I could’ve cried of anger and helplessness. She was horribly thin and terrified of everything, completely distrustful and endlessly unhappy. When I touched her, she literally froze up. She turned into someone I didn’t recognize and I can only imagine what she’s been through.

Her long and slow recovery began as soon as she arrived back home. She put on a lot of weight since and is learning to trust people again. Her confidence was destroyed and now she is building it back. Marsred might never be as trustful as she used to be, but she starts resembling her old self. I haven’t heard her purr for months, but I think she licked my fingers the last time I touched her…

Another great loss

2012-01-06T10:11:00.004-05:00

It’s with deepest regret and profound sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of my dearly beloved Laza. Just a few weeks after his 16th birthday, he died peacefully by my side this morning, after blessing me with happiness for so many wonderful years.

His sister Ruza died in October and after that he began to deteriorate rapidly. They were closely bound to each other and I guess he couldn’t cope with life without her. He was hardly eating anything recently, as if he decided it was time for him to leave.

But still it hurts. We’ve not only shared so many moments together – playful, tender, difficult and joyous – he loved me deeply and when the times were hard he was always here to comfort me. The sorrow of losing him I have to face alone.

I’ll miss him always and love him forever.

May he rest in peace.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T17:50:00.001-05:00

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He was always special

2011-12-30T14:44:00.011-05:00

More than 10 years ago, Tabadzija and his brothers were born not far from the building I lived in. They were growing up together under the watchful eye of their mother and turned into cute little fellows. One day, unexpectedly, Tabadzija suddenly disappeared. I looked for him everywhere but he was nowhere to be found, as if the earth had swallowed him up. The other three kittens were adopted.

A few months later, while I was riding my bike in a completely different part of town, I heard a familiar “meow” and there he was, standing in someone’s yard. He was not a kitten anymore, he was bigger and heavier, but he was as sweet and handsome as I remembered him. When I called his name, he ran towards me and jumped into my bike basket. The owner of that house told me the kitty appeared some time ago, they were feeding him and liked him a lot. I didn’t know whether to take him or not, I gently put him on the ground and tried to leave but then he began to run after me trying to jump into my bike basket. Finally, we went home together.

The next few years he was living in my garage, fighting with all the other cats and that’s how he got his name - Tabadzija means The Batterer. He was going out whenever he wanted and then he vanished again. I haven’t seen him for almost a year, until I ran into him by accident and discovered that he was living near restaurant. When he saw me, he followed me home but continued to return there. For quite some time he kept coming and leaving. But something strange was going on – whenever any of my cats died or was killed, he arrived as if he knew it. I think he witnessed every burial in all those years…

Couple of months before we all moved to the shelter, Tabadzija came to my garage and stayed there. He didn’t want to go out at all, it might sound silly but it seemed he somehow knew we were supposed to leave and didn’t want to be left behind. And here he is now, living life to it’s fullest.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T19:02:00.002-05:00

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Cat on the roof

2011-12-21T23:42:00.004-05:00

A couple of years ago I saw a flyer in my neighborhood about a tomcat that appeared on the roof of an adjacent building. Nobody knows how he got there, I guess that he was thrown out of the roof door and left on the roof. He was terribly thin, distrustful and scared to death. Later on, I named him Juhu-hu.

I wanted to get him down instantly, but he was unapproachable. For almost ten days I have been feeding him up there. Ultimately, I managed to catch him and put him in the carrier. He was neutered nearly immediately and placed into my garage. Even when the door of his cage was open, he had no intention of going out.

A few months later we moved to the shelter and all of my cats, Juhu-hu included, discovered a beautiful new life of freedom. He was finally able to experience the joy of playing with no fear and the peace of sleeping with no worries. He became a big, powerful, bright, magnificent tomcat. Lately, he even lets me pet him…

Bring joy to Felix kitties

2011-12-15T18:20:00.015-05:00

Felix cats need your help! There are several ways to support almost 100 kitties from a private, no-kill, cage-free cat shelter in Serbia. Make a difference today!

If you care about Felix kitties, please consider donating as much as you can. The situation is difficult right now. Gas bills are mounting although the real cold weather hasn’t even begun. Last year, I took a loan to pay for the heating system and when it was finished I thought that my kitties’ health problems were over. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a solid fuel storage and the fuel itself was nowhere to be bought. I couldn’t keep the fire going all night, more than 30 cats were sick and the most delicate ones didn’t survive. It was necessary to install gas heating system which is much more efficient but it is not paid off yet.

Every cat lover knows cats are heat – seekers. Most of my kitties barely go outside these days, they all prefer to sit on radiators. Their rooms are comfortable and cozy and seeing them enjoying their time makes my heart sing. And I hope you can recognize this feeling, because I cannot cover all expenses without help of caring, benevolent people like you.

Winter is very harsh here, with lots of strong, icy cold and bitter winds. The outside night temperature was -13° C already and I fear that the worst is yet to come. I remember that last year’s lowest temperature reached 27° degrees below zero. Considering that I have almost 15 chronically ill kitties, and 25 older than 15 years, it’s essential to keep them warm. Please, help my kitties make it through the cold months. We can’t let them down now, can we?

My kitties and I have always been grateful for your unselfish support and are now, more than ever. Every donation counts!

If you’d rather virtually adopt one (or more) of Felix kitties, you can find their photos in my album Cats for virtual adoption (there's a link in the sidebar). All Felix cats need nutritious food and quality medical care. For 30 $ per month you can sponsor a kitty you choose (each cat can have multiple sponsors) and I’ll send you all the informations about and photos of “your” kitty on a regular basis. When you sponsor a cat, your donations are used to help all cats in my care.

You can make a difference!

Zlatan is gone

2011-12-08T17:04:00.003-05:00

It’s with deep regret that I announce the sudden and totally unexpected passing of my beautiful Zlatan. He was corpulent, playful and apparently healthy until last night when I found him just laying on one of the shelves that have been placed in all cats’ rooms. When I picked him up he was completely listless, he seemed unable to move, he was breathing but just let his head and legs go limp. He died silently in his carrier this morning, on our way to the vet.

Zlatan hasn’t had a happy life. He has already been on the verge of death twice but managed to survive. Three years ago he was horribly injured and it took him more than a month to heal but he did, eventually. A few months later he got trapped somewhere and I couldn’t find him for weeks. He finally appeared dehydrated and emaciated, nothing but skin and bones. Both times I did everything that could be done, took him to the vet innumerable times and nursed him back to health. This time, I couldn’t do anything at all.

Undoubtedly, the biggest sorrow of his life was the passing of his sweetheart Pukilence who died suddenly last year and I think he never got over the loss. They were inseparable and so close to each other that he couldn’t overcome losing her. He spent months grieving over her death and although he seemed to have recovered he was never the same. I guess he simply couldn’t bear to live without her.

May he run free now with Pukilence, his eternal love. Rest in peace, golden boy.

The price of a life

2011-12-03T17:55:00.003-05:00

I came upon Cinco last year, while I was wandering through the market. One of pet food sellers was also selling three tiny kitties which were confined in a bird cage, 5 euros each. Shocked and appalled, I couldn’t believe my eyes! All kitties were sick and thin, desperate and totally helpless.

I knew I had to find a box somewhere before taking those kitties as I didn’t have a cat carrier with me. By the time I got back, two of the kittens had already been sold and Cinco was the only one left. Terrified and distrustful, that fragile emaciated calico kitty was the same age as my Archi. Needless to say I took her with me.
Cinco was horribly thin and full of worms and fleas, she also had an eye infection and persistent diarrhea. Her tail was broken in three places. She was under treatment for months.

Archi and Cinco were inseparable from the start, playing, licking each other and sleeping together. Both of them were rather delicate and they needed special care, but they grew up into beautiful cats.

When I let them outside at the beginning of June they were thrilled and happy, a little bit confused but happy nonetheless. They adjusted to their new way of life rather quickly. Cinco is big and well rounded now, she has striking good looks and the personality to match. She isn’t friendly with strangers but she is cuddly with me, as long as I don’t show what she considers to be a lack of respect. Every time I try to give her any kind of medicine I know she’ll hold me in contempt for ages…

Such a change of heart

2011-11-27T16:07:00.004-05:00

Kasper was the last cat I took from Etela’s burnt shelter near Backa Topola. When I went to the site of the fire for the first time he was up there somewhere on the remains of the roof, unapproachable and uncatchable. My second try to trap him was also in vain. It was not until the third time that I finally caught him. He was struggling like a wild beast, scratching and biting, he almost broke out of his carrier, he was growling and hissing at me – it was very dramatic.

I took him to the vet immediately to have him castrated in the hope that he would calm down and brought him to my shelter. He spent the night in his carrier. You cannot imagine my surprise when I heard him purring the next morning! As soon as he got out of his carrier he began to rub his head against my hand, to snuggle and cuddle with me, as though as he knew that he was finally safe. It was such an incredible change!

So Kasper’s new life has begun. He’s affectionate toward everyone he meets and gets along perfectly with all other cats, showing no aggression. He still follows me through the shelter and cuddles all the time, cute as candy. His favorite sleeping spot is in a treetop.

With winter at our doorstep

2011-11-22T11:24:00.006-05:00

Winter is approaching fast, it is getting colder and colder every day and this chilly, wet weather affects almost all of my kitties so they are getting sick more often. Especially sensitive are the oldest cats, the chronic patients, and the new kitties that arrived this year and are not yet fully adapted to the life in the shelter. A virus is making rounds, causing fever, sneezing and discharge from the eyes. Older cats are not eating well and are lethargic – I honestly hope they will survive this winter. The fact that some of them are over 15 years old makes me even more preoccupied. Gomboc, one of my chronically ill kitties with FUS is in crisis again, like last year when he barely made it through the cold months. Many recently arrived kitties are already under treatment. With every new day new problems appear and it’s hard and exhausting for me but I won’t let my kitties down. Every kind of help is greatly appreciated and more than welcome.

Last winter was harsh, the shelter was snowed in and heating did not work. This year the heat is on, but the number of cats is much greater and it will not be easy - there is a lot of work and a lot of worry again. I must admit I’m getting tired, but for the sake of my kitties I have to carry on fighting...

Four lucky kitties

2011-11-18T14:01:00.007-05:00

Tortoiseshell cats, just like calico cats, are believed to be bearers of good luck. Many cultures have torties in high regard. To me my torties are beautiful creatures that make me smile and bring me joy, affection and love.

Muppet Show was the first of my lucky charms. I picked her up from the street when she was just a tiny kitten, shy, fearful and distrustful. She lived in my garage for months and seemed to relax somewhat. After the spay surgery she didn’t feel well and her recovery was long and difficult. Her stomach remained swollen for quite some time and the vet told me she may have some congenital disorder that can’t be treated. Notwithstanding, she hasn’t shown any signs of illness for years now, she behaves like any other cat and I hope she’ll stay that way.

I found Maja and Masha last winter, or to be honest they found me – both of them approached me on the street in a lapse of several days and literally begged me to take them, running after me, meowing and yowling… I don’t think that they knew each other, they just lived in the same neighborhood. On the grounds that I have never been able to turn my back on a cat in desperate situation (it was freezing outside) I took both of them home. And here they are, sweet and lovable from the very beginning.

Mara is one of Etela’s cats and she was the last one to arrive. She recovered rather quickly from everything she had to endure in Etela’s burnt shelter. She was lucky, and now she is happy too. Undoubtedly, all of my torties are.

From sadness to happiness

2011-11-11T15:07:00.006-05:00

Speki is one of the cats rescued from a shelter near Backa Topola that burnt to the ground. Before I went there and took 18 kitties to my shelter (and one more a week later) three of Etela’s cats had already been picked up and sent to some wild “shelter” near Belgrade. Speki was among them.

They have all been brought to me in June, after spending three months in that place. Although he doesn’t look so skinny in pictures Speki was emaciated, bony and terrifyingly thin, full of worms and fleas, he even had mange and some fungal disease. While he was there, he had been castrated at the Center for stray animals but the wound got infected so he had to have a surgery again. When he arrived here, a week of medical treatment was necessary before any intervention. It was really heartbreaking watching him looking so miserable.

It took quite a long time for him to recover but he did, eventually. He still has blurred vision in his right eye (probably due to an old injury) and swollen lymph nodes as well. Thorough examination will be needed to discover the nature of his problems. During the past few months he gained a lot of weight and now seems to enjoy life at my shelter. After all he has been through, Speki became a happy kitty, nice looking, amicable and lovable.

Two silver kitties

2011-11-04T20:33:00.004-05:00

Mastika and Silvestra are two beautiful kitties, very much alike, each one of them with a sad life story.

Mastika was found with the most terrible mastitis, after losing her kittens which had presumably been killed. She wasn’t more than a year old. After two weeks of treatment, she was spayed and found a refuge in my garage. She didn’t want to come out for six months, scared to death of unknown people and street life. Luckily, we all moved to the shelter and she can finally enjoy the sun and a nice, playful and comfortable life, completely free of fear.

Silvestra is one of Etela’s cats. More than eight months ago a huge dog/cat shelter in Vojvodina was destroyed by fire and the owner Etela died in the fire, together with many of her cats. All the surviving animals remained alone on the site of the fire for weeks. I went there with my associates three weeks after the fire and picked up 18 of Etela’s cats which were hidden on the remains of the roof, trying to avoid dogs. Frightened and confused, Silvestra was emaciated, nothing but skin and bones, but she recovered much quicker than expected. She’s calm and relaxed now, lovable as well as cuddly.

My lonely beauty

2011-10-30T21:03:00.008-05:00

Marka was found on the street when she was a kitten, more than 16 years ago. A neighbor brought her to me knowing that my own kitty had been stolen from my car and Marka resembled him a lot.

From the very beginning, she was quiet, shy and reserved and she didn’t get along well with other cats. All of them were hissing at her constantly and attacking her frequently and she was always withdrawing, so I had to stand up in her defense innumerable times. In these incidents, the situation could only be calmed at best and it was an uneasy truce, so she literally spent all her life alone.

She never made any friends, but she didn’t seem to care. The glint of peace and kindness still shines in her beautiful eyes…

The best face ever

2011-10-22T18:42:00.004-05:00

Back then when Kmeca, my special kitty, was just a few hours old, someone threw her into manhole, together with her two sisters. I took them out, soaking wet and dried them with the towel, but I couldn’t find the mother cat so I kept wandering around the neighborhood for hours looking for her. She finally appeared and took her kittens away one by one. I haven’t seen any of them for about six weeks.

One evening, all four of them came out of nowhere – mother cat followed by her kitties, all of them with their tail raised up high. They ended up in my apartment. Kmeca’s sisters were quickly adopted but she didn’t want to separate from me. She was adopted and returned twice. Each time she behaved badly, she was unbearable – meowing and crying from her hiding place. The second time I had to go and pick her up in the middle of the night ‘cause she wouldn’t stop screaming and nobody in the neighborhood could sleep. Needless to say that she was super cute when we returned home.

Kmeca is now eight years old, quite a character and very charming. She likes to sleep in weird places, buckets and baskets are her favorite sleeping spots nowadays. Her unique face and distinctive voice are easily remembered, but there’s so much more in her than she lets us see. Such an unusual kitty!

Injured kitties

2011-10-15T16:43:00.003-05:00

Where there’re many cats, problems arise every day…

Decana had a huge hematoma on her left ear, that was operated on a few weeks ago. When the stitches were removed, it turned out that caro luxurians (proud flash) had formed, and further therapies were necessary so as to prevent possible complications. Given that Negro’s ear remained bent in half after the similar surgery, I wondered what that would look like in Decana’s case. Luckily, her ear stands upright, nevertheless the healing process is prolonged …I hope that everything ends well, it doesn’t look bad so far.

Little Esca, the protector of her injured sister, is also in trouble. Behind her right shoulder blade, an old wound was discovered, with surrounding area of necrotic tissue. Everything that had to be surgically removed was removed and now half of her fragile body is bandaged up. She’s being given the injections every other day but she endures it stoically, she runs around and plays with her friends as if she were completely healthy. That kitty is a real hero! If “fortune favors the brave”, she should be OK too.

It’s getting colder every day, all the kitties are going out only when it’s sunny (on rare days of nice weather), and I fear that real problems are only just beginning…

Finally enjoying life

2011-10-11T16:52:00.015-05:00

My new cat family is like it has been here forever. Mother cat already displays all her beauty, as well as her people friendly nature and sweet, lovable demeanor.She's constantly following me through the shelter, asking to be petted and gets along well with other cats.

Her son Jaki is getting bigger and bolder every day. He's extremely curious and keeps investigating everything and anything. I'd say he's growing into quite a leader, although there's fairly keen competition for the leadership role around here.

His little sister, Ani, is still rather shy, quiet and reserved, notwithstanding she is beginning to approach me and I believe that she too will become nice, amicable kitty when she relaxes a little bit more. After all they've been through, they're doing great.

Last tribute to Ruza

2011-10-09T15:48:00.003-05:00

It's with deepest sorrow that I inform you that my sweet Ruza passed away this morning. She was 16 years old and died peacefully in my arms. Her brother Laza and her dear friend Kmeca were by her side until the end. She spent her whole life with me and I have so many memories that it hurts to even think of life without her. I truly, desperately wish she were here. I'll keep her in my heart forever and I'm sure we'll meet again some day. May she rest in peace.

My cats and me

2011-10-06T19:27:00.004-05:00

Here are some photos of my cats, all of them ex-strays, that are now living in my shelter. Felinologic association Felix was founded in Novi Sad, by my associates and me, a couple of years ago. The foundation of shelter took place last year, all the work is not done yet but my cats are finally safe. This shelter depends on donations entirely and now when the winter is approaching I begin to wonder how we’ll manage until spring. There are almost 100 cats in my shelter and I love them equally, though some of them are old, sick or unapproachable still. I hope that all of you enjoy their photos. If you want me to send you any information or more photos of each of my cats, please contact me at felix.shelter@gmail.com. You can also take a look at my FB group Milance Cat Rescue Shelter Felix http://www.facebook.com/groups/53670514151/. Thanks for supporting my cats all those years. I’ll keep you informed! Yours sincerely, Danica

Gingi, my beautiful boy

2011-10-02T18:24:00.004-05:00

It’s hard to believe that even Gingarello was thin and dirty and scared and not very attractive once, but I remember him as a little kitty crying with fear, hidden in a car engine. I found him on my way back from the vet, with four other cats on my bike, one more in my backpack and almost 10 nearby. Every time I succeeded to persuade him to get out and tried to catch him, all those cats eager to get to know him approached so he hid again. And again. And again. Finally, after an hour and a half, Gingi was in my arms, all covered with grease and dirt, horribly thin and scared still…He grew up and became one of the most beautiful tomcats in my shelter, completely aware of his wonderful look. He doesn’t pay any attention to the rest of the world, and approaches me only when he’s in the mood. Born to be a star!

Laza and Ruza - seniors

2011-09-29T21:46:00.003-05:00

Laza and Ruza are brother and sister, found together on the street in Novi Sad in the middle of the winter 16 years ago. Two little black creatures, painfully thin and scared, were stumbling through the snow in a desperate attempt to flee the cold. I picked them up and took them home, but a few days later both of them got panleukopenia and managed to survive, somehow.

Nowadays, both of them are still with me. We'been through so much together - left the town, moved to the country and adapted to country life. They're old now and need special care, but their sweet faces remain the same...

Archi - the youngest to arrive

2011-09-29T20:21:00.007-05:00

Luckily, Archi doesn't know what the life on the street looks like, due to the fact that he was placed in my care at the shelter not much after he'd been born. From such a tiny kitty with the strong will to live, a little fighter who used to empty his milk bottle in a heartbeat, he grew up to be a very handsome fellow. He was closely bound to me for a long time, he literally couldn't stand to be apart, but now he becomes more independent every day. He's got a lot of new friends, and two sweethearts so far (a real seducer)! Presently, he spends his time in the yard playing, chasing other cats and resting.

Poli & Esca, sisters

2011-09-18T12:32:00.018-05:00

These two kitties arrived to the shelter a few weeks ago, after being found on the street. One of them (named Poli) was hit by the car and therefore couldn't walk, although she could hold onto her hind legs a little bit - presumably she was in pain every time she tried to get up. She's much better now, although she can't walk properly yet. She might have some undiscovered problem with her hips. The other one (Eska) was apparently healthy when she arrived, yet scared and confused. She had probably seen what happened to Poli and was desperately trying to protect her. When they were found, Esca was covering Poli with her body. They're both safe now, though Esca has an eye infection and is under therapy. At least, none of them fears for the other one any more. Esca's name derives from escudo, Spanish word for shield.

New cats in the shelter

2011-09-18T10:03:00.008-05:00

New cat and her kitties arrived to the shelter. Archi and Cinco were the first to check on those new little pals, while the rest of the cats became acquainted with their mother. Rather scared at the beginning, this new family is getting better every day.All of them were thin but know they're gaining weight, mother cat is already spayed and recovering. Ginger male resembles Archi, I hope they'll become friends.

We had procedures, so we are cranky

2011-07-27T09:56:00.006-05:00

Kitties enjoying summer, eyeing each other for silly reasons...

2011-07-27T09:38:00.013-05:00

Random kitties doing kitty stuff

2011-06-28T13:59:00.007-05:00

Curiosity here does not kill cats

2011-06-28T13:58:00.003-05:00

I am totally untouchable here

2011-06-28T13:57:00.003-05:00

Summer has come, and all looks little easier

2011-06-28T13:50:00.006-05:00

Although in reality, it really is not for Danica. ...still, new cats are sick, and serious care has been taken about them. here some pictures of the rescued white one who went through some surgeries.

Snowflake ... New injured kitty

2011-05-28T17:53:00.003-05:00

Arci and his brother

2011-05-17T04:21:00.001-05:00

2011-05-17T04:14:00.001-05:00

2011-04-28T01:48:00.010-05:00

2011-04-24T08:55:00.011-05:00

So, dearest friends and donors,

By now all of you probably know what had happened not very far from Danica's shelter, where a horrible fire stroke a cat/dog shelter, and the owner together with many cats, died.

Danica eventually ended up with 18 new cats. Some of those are not neutered/spayed, and some are sick with all kinds of problems, and all of them are very scared and confused, as one might imagine.

Danica is taking them to the vet all the time, and the vet has been trying to asses different health problems, which are serious or infectious, and which are not. They have no names, and Danica calls them either Female or Male. She has had waaay too much on her back, and got sick from all this horror herself. She also got an infection in her eyes from the new cats, believe it or not, and she is taking the same eye drops as the kitties! It would be funny if it were not so sad, my God.

Many of your were really responsive to this tragedy, and extra efforts Danica must put into taking care of all these new cats. One can only try to imagine how incredibly hard it must be. Sp, please, please, try to donate as much as you can! Plenty of work has to be done (fixing the shelter itself, so it can function better and give new space to these new cats), so the bills are never ever ending.

Again, you all have been gracious and recognized this extra need, and Danica and the cats will never , ever forget that. We all appreciate it beyond description! Thank you all so, so much, and God bless you!

2011-04-16T16:48:00.008-05:00

Cats from B.Topola

2011-04-16T16:40:00.011-05:00

2011-03-30T14:43:00.001-05:00

Actually, I just realized that I am never able to put a proper link, so that you can click on it. Mu husband will do that properly tonight for us, and in the meantime, the picture album of the burnt shelter is called ETELIN SALAS. SO, maybe you can see some pictures that way.

Dear friends and donors!!!

2011-03-30T14:34:00.004-05:00

Something happen not far from Danica's shelter. There was a shelter of kitties which burnt to the ground , together with a woman called Etela and about 50 cats. Unspeakable horror. There is a link for the pictures that Danica and some other friends of theirs made when they went there to see what they can do. I am warning you: some pictures are very graphic and disturbing, and, beyond anything else, saddest thing ever. here is the thing, though: Danica took already 5 surviving cats, and tomorrow is going for more. She has no choice, and they are working over there on a campaign, so to say, to spread the word so that surviving animals are taken into new homes.

The dogs are also at this point attacking cats, cause they are semi wild, and hungry.

Please help in any way you can. Danica will probably by tomorrow evening end up with 10 new hungry kitty mouths, if not more.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=205253336170400&id=100000572065633&aid=58805#!/photo.php?fbid=205253629503704&set=a.205253336170400.58805.100000572065633&theater

Totally unrelated to this winter

2011-03-08T14:06:00.002-05:00

It is so hard to go potty in this snow

2011-03-08T14:05:00.002-05:00

Together we are warmer

2011-03-08T14:03:00.004-05:00

We must somehow huddle together to be little warmer. Thank you so much, our precious donors and friends, for all the help you have given!

This year's snow and cold do not give up

2011-03-08T14:00:00.005-05:00

2011-02-08T15:42:00.001-05:00

This picture of cuteness is just to comfort us all

Hard to believe...

2011-02-08T15:37:00.007-05:00

...How many kitties sick, some of them pretty serious. It is all this harsh, harsh, and long winter's fault, plus the construction in the shelter, going on forever... Dear God!

A BIG Thank you

2011-02-01T14:54:00.008-05:00

... to our friends, Casey, Angela, Katherine, Ervin, Valerio... and all the others who are sending and planing on sending this months donations.Thank you from the bottom of Danica's kitties hearts.

Urgent help needed

2011-01-27T10:45:00.016-05:00

Dear donors, and friends

The electricity and the heating system in Danica's shelter are almost done, the owner of the house paid for electricity and the heating system is made on Danica's loan. That is, of course, great news, however it was preceded / followed by this: 10 kitties very sick, 7 of them peeing blood (bad, bad colds); Danica at the verge of collapsing from helping the workers, taking care of the kitties, not sleeping more then 2 hours a night. and all this at about - 15 Celsius for days, and days...!!!The reason she can not sleep is that , until the heating system is up and running, she must be up in the night several times for, the fire goes out! Also, most of the kitties were very afraid of the workers, and of the noise, so many of them opted to spend days outside (inside of the shelter was , basically , a construction site). In a couple of words: extremely hard!

Please, if you can spare some extra money, no matter how much, it would be extra helpful! The bills are coming and if she can at least have no worries about being in debt with the workers, and be able to buy enough food for the kitties, the how dire situation would at least seem less dire! The vet bills will have to be paid soon too.

Again, thank you all very , very much for everything you have been doing to help. It is impossible for Danica to express her gratitude. God bless you all, and Danica with her cats.

Random kitties, including baby Archie with his asthma pump

2011-01-13T13:42:00.006-05:00

Two good , old kitties died

2011-01-13T13:29:00.007-05:00

Danica , through her tears, told me that Smrda and Zule died, within days of each other...Smrda was kind of sickly cat,but good, old Zule Danica had had for a long time, and called him My sweet, old granpa...

Another kitty named Zvrkica, got scared the other day by some visitors, and - disappeared! Danica is very , very sad.

All in all, this has been pretty harsh and hard winter for DAna and the kitties. Thank you all for your generous donations, your words of comfort and support, and do not forget them.

2011-01-07T09:25:00.004-05:00

2010-12-31T05:36:00.002-05:00

Dear sweet kitties, still very, very cold, and lots of snow. Danica still fighting with the home improvement workers, and sometimes I really do not understand how she puts up with all of it. She struggles hard for her kitties.

2010-12-29T12:44:00.007-05:00

2010-12-24T08:11:00.000-05:00

2010-12-21T10:36:00.010-05:00

Dear friends and donors,

Danica and the kitties are freezing! People who were supposed to finish a lot of things regarding heating ,stove putting, and electricity, simply did not do it yet! It is extremely hard for a lonely woman to deal with workers over there, and they simply keep on procrastinating forever, after, of course, taking advances!

Danica says she is dreaming about the spring.

Also, many kitties get colds, and if you do not help them immediately, it gets worse... Archie is having some kind of seizures, and Danica is very worried about him. He is seeing vet for that this week.

Obviously , every dollar helps, so, please,please, keep on giving for this incredible cause.

Thank you all.

2010-12-18T03:25:00.006-05:00

2010-12-13T13:00:00.012-05:00

Dear friends and donors,

I wrote for all of you on shelter's Facebook page Felix Mace. I am also posting the latest photos of the cats who are under different kind of the vet treatment currently, some with some serious issues, and some not so bad, thank God:

Dearest friends/donors of Novi Sad Cats

Here is some news from little shelter: Unfortunately, the heating in the shelter has not been finished. Like everywhere dealing with things like home improvement, for some reason it takes for ever , and workers do not keep their promises, do not show up, and so on... :-( Danica and the cats are very cold, in short.

Danica made an outside isolation of the walls, put new doors with smaller doors for the kitties, the electricity is now fixed, and she is semi-prepared for the snow which is coming these days.Actually when I talked to Danica yesterday, there was already some snow on the ground. She have some changes in number of kitties in the shelter, as you know Cekos and Smrki were adopted about a month ago, but the new two kitties came around the same time. One of them is Archi´ sister, and she already has a person who will adopt her, another baby is Cinco, the little white one, which Danica bought in a market from a man who kept her in a small rodent cage with no food and water...

Grandma Icuka left quietly, in a way she lived with Danica for 15 years. The worst news is that her big boss of the shelter, her sweetheart, her personal favourite Dodjos, lost his battle with a terrible disease. Veterinarians tried everything possible to save him from uremia, septicaemia, and kidney failure, but he simply gave up. He wanted to live, but his previous owners didn´t pay attention to his illness and his kidneys were totally necrotic.

Some dear friends from Belgrade made an event to collect help for Danica's shelter. Thanks to good organizing skills she got food, medicines, blankets, pillows, toys for cats...Thank you all again, and also a huge Thank You to all donors from the U.S. , and all over the world, that never forgot about Danica, and keep on giving donations in money , food, blankies and similar! Thank you , dear friends.

The rest of the cats are doing well, except Marka, who has gingivitis, and must go under surgical intervention on her teeth. Okac and Repic are still waiting for some extra money to go to the operation of their eyes, but Danica is hoping that she will be able to pay the operation in next month. Until next time, her kitties are sending you all lost of warm , furry hugs and wet nosed kisses!

DODJOS
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=39027&id=100000572065633
SISTERKA I FAJVICA
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?id=100000572065633&aid=42599
Felix-Felinolosko drustvo

Babies

2010-12-01T13:50:00.006-05:00

These cutie pies are up for adoption.

Danica is dreading the snow, because, not everything is done in the house and the shelter heating wise.

New kittens in the bathroom

2010-11-18T09:56:00.000-05:00

What is this posture about?

2010-11-18T09:55:00.000-05:00

I look so good in green

2010-11-18T09:54:00.002-05:00

Mingling kitten...

2010-11-18T09:53:00.001-05:00

...looking to establish his place in the shelter

Just to remind you of Archie's cuteness

2010-11-11T11:03:00.002-05:00

And in the meantime...

2010-11-11T10:58:00.009-05:00

... guess what: new kittens! One of them is Archie's sister (little yellow-whitish one ), and the other one is from a local market?!

Danica bought her , of course, to save her. I am sure she had some not so nice words for the person selling those kitties, too...

Fall news from the shelter

2010-11-11T10:50:00.011-05:00

There is a lot of news from Danica's little shelter: firstly, the new electricity system is being put in the house and the shelter (the owner of the house is paying for it) and it is SOOOOO complicated, and SOOOOO slow! We all have to deal with workers doing stuff in our homes, and it is not easy! They keep on promising they will come on a certain day, and show up 4 days later, and so on, and so on... But, when you have over 60 kitties to take care of in the cold mornings and even colder nights, and you yourself are without proper heating ... Need I say more?

I am posting pictures of the works being done, and some, actually, really beautiful photos of the chilly Vojvodina's fall days, shelter in the morning mist, and cold kitties in one of their spaces, which will , let's all pray,be properly heated soon, before the first snow falls...

This is how cute he is

2010-10-20T13:09:00.003-05:00

This is how big Archie is

2010-10-20T13:07:00.001-05:00

Archie

2010-10-14T18:08:00.001-05:00

People, how cute is this?

Baby is growing

2010-10-10T07:42:00.015-05:00

Most of you know by know that Danica has a new baby : a yellow, stripy, kittie cat boy. He was spending first weeks , after being rescued from a street, in Danica's room, where she would feed him every few hours, and keep him warm.

He is little bigger now, but , still, as you can see, can fit into Danica's sleeve (and be comfortable there)

His name is Arci, and he is little sick currently, and on antibiotics, but Danica thinks it is just the fall, changing of the temperatures, more rain, getting colder.

Enjoy the pictures of this little angel, and wish him luck.

Fall is here

2010-10-10T07:28:00.013-05:00

The shelter had some absolutely needed repairs and window replacement, because, for those who do not know, Novi Sad / Subotica have very, very severe winter, not so much the snow every year, but the wind which is hard to describe: freezing, getting into your bones and every part of your house, so if your windows are not tight, there is no furnace that can help you. The new chimney was built, in order to avoid every risk of fire, God forbid!

This , of course, cost a lot of money, definitely money that can not be covered from the regular donations for the food and medicine. Also, the cat houses still do not have proper heating in them, and these are really high end projects, so every dollar our friends donate is highly appreciated, and will be spent on the things so necessary for this coming winter to keep the kitties warm.

Again, thank you all to keep coming back to this blog, and Milance Face book page, to check on the cats, Danica and her little shelter.

As you see on the photos, Danica's old cat, Icuka, is really on her last legs. She is old, but also very sick, and Danica is trying to make sure she is not suffering, at least.

Some get just old, and die easily, some get old and very sick, like people. Not fair.

Auction is on!

2010-09-17T10:40:00.015-05:00

Please, look at the beautiful, gorgeous paintings by our donor artist, Melissa Jansen-Young Woycechowsky, bid on it, and help Danica's kitties at her cat shelter.

Here is the link for the auction on Facebook.

And here are the paintings:

The lot is complete! If you would like to participate in the Auction, place your bid in the comment under the photo of the painting of your choice. Good luck and thank you!

If you prefer not to participate in the auction, but would still like to help financially, money can be wired to them through PayPal , at the right on this blog.

Happy bidding!

New cats

2010-09-14T14:17:00.010-05:00

Danica had to accept 17 cats temporarily, from a tiny shelter which is in danger (bullied, mostly, and the cats threatened to be killed).

For now, they are there, and Danica asks for your help!

Please, visit...

2010-09-14T14:10:00.003-05:00

...Felix Mace page on Facebook, where there is an auction going on , proceeds from which all would go to the shelter , and Danica's kitties.
I am also posting an extra silly picture of Gingarello, announcing the auction!

Negolina

2010-09-02T13:31:00.008-05:00

Danica says that this little devil, the new one I found when I was visiting, is a real trouble! She is the smallest, and can go through he wires, and everywhere. She upsets the older kitties, provokes them, runs around in circles, and has to be pulled down by Danica all the time from the roof and ceiling wires! And all that, being incredibly cute, of course.

2010-08-31T18:01:00.002-05:00

Today we represent to you an artist who paints beautiful pictures of kitties. So, if you b uy one of them, the money gets donated to Novi Sad / Milance cat shelter!!! What a wonderful donation, what a beautiful way to help!

I am posting the text of the artist, explaining how it goes:

Hi! I am an artist who paints a lot of pictures of cats and I want to donate one to you. It is an 8x10 watercolor and ink painting, it will cost 25.00 which includes shipping, it will come packaged in protective packaging, a clear display envelope with cardboard backing. This is an Original Paining, not a print! I will send it to them when they send the money to your paypal account and you let me know the address to send it to.

Visit to the shelter

2010-08-22T07:30:00.024-05:00

It was amazing, incredible! Felix shelter looks bigger and much nicer then on the photos.The cats are simply unbelievable, they are so different, so beautiful, and at the same time you have over 50 gorgeous, interesting, elegant creatures, of whom every and each has its own personality, way of doing cute antics, way of meowing, way of playing and interacting with each other...

What shocked me is how one person can take care of all the cats?! It seems impossible, but she does take excellent care of them. She feeds them, grooms them, takes them to the vet when needed, she cleans the shelter every day - ungodly task, believe me!, and, last but not the least - she loves them more then anything. Danica is amazing and we can only admire.

One day, while I was there , with my son Sammy, one kitty needed to see the vet, and we all went. While I was waiting outside the vet clinic for Danica and the kitty to come out, a tiny kitten, beautiful kitten, approached me. Needles to say - it ended up in the shelter. I felt guilty in a way of burdening Danica with another cat, kitten to boot, but, we could not leave it.My son gave her a name - Negolina - since he bought earlier that day a book by Montenegrin poet and ruler Negos.

You will recognize Negolina on the pictures, she is the littlest one, an d sometimes I hold her, and sometimes she sits by Sammy's pillow.

Danica says she has become a big mischief and trouble, plus, allegedly, a young male cat named Juhu - Hu can not stop staring at her, and following her everywhere.

Our dear donors and friends, here is another proof that every dollar of your precious and highly appreciated donations , goes to the best cause ever! Thank you!

It is....

2010-07-16T13:31:00.013-05:00

...nap time!!!

Is there ever time when it is not a nap time?

Solitary portraits

2010-07-05T16:47:00.013-05:00

...and of course, the tub again

2010-07-05T16:44:00.004-05:00

Taking turns for the stone tub

White ones ...

2010-07-05T16:41:00.003-05:00

... must beware of the Sun

Enjoying warm summer afternoon

2010-07-05T16:38:00.005-05:00

...Note the one in the old fashioned, stone tub, and the couple in the infamous gutters...

Sweet little faces

2010-07-05T16:36:00.003-05:00

News

2010-06-17T12:50:00.006-05:00

I do not talk to Danica so often right now, because, in the new shelter they do not have phone and Internet connection yet. Photos I am posting I received through someone else who is helping Danica.

Also, cat called Crnac suddenly died. he was not that old, or sick, so Danica was very upset, but...Nothing could be done.

Last, but not the least: you can see that the floor in the room in which Danica is supposed to live, is getting replaced, which is great news! That had to be done before fall.

We have received several donations in the past days, and we thank every and each of you very, very much!

Zule

2010-06-04T15:48:00.006-05:00

This nice older gentleman is Zule, one of the oldest kitties in the shelter, and very much loved by Danica. Danica calls him Grandpa. He is also very sick, and, we suspect, little senile.

Danica said she literally brought him back from the dead several times in his life. Now he is enjoying the life in the countryside, but he is so tied and dependent of Danica ( and probably little senile, as I said), that he is the only one which Danica must take back with her when she goes to town to do different errands.

Enjoying life...

2010-06-04T15:36:00.007-05:00

and being pampered, and looking with soulful, loving eyes at our Danica

Dreamy kitty garden

2010-06-01T16:26:00.009-05:00

...please, note one of the black ones against fantastic fuchsia, and also how Danica melts meat for their meals, in a pot, in the sun (behind one of the tabbies)...

One more issue pending

2010-05-24T12:38:00.005-05:00

...and after fixing that one, Danica is hoping to be OK, more or less. Namely, the room in which she sleeps, has no proper floor, basically. It has all rotten away, and the room is extremely damp and unhealthy to be in. Naturally, the rooms in which the cats are are done properly and are dry and nice, but then it was discovered that Danica has no place to sleep, if she does not fix that little room.
She must fix it , doing the proper flooring, in the next month or so. She is hoping this is the last big problems to be solved, (big, meaning needed some serious money to be fixed). Whoever can help, she would be extremely grateful. The regular monthly donations can not be used for that, they must be used for food and vet bills.

Another nice day at the shelter

2010-05-24T12:35:00.007-05:00

Hey, who is that?!

2010-05-24T12:32:00.007-05:00

Danica almost had a heart attack when she saw a cat outside of the shelter, , trying to get in. First, she thought it was one her kitties, escaped, but then realized: it was a local tom trying to get in!!!

Laza & Ruza

2010-05-24T12:29:00.003-05:00

Two of Danica's old kitties, Laza and Ruza, decided to investigate some old furniture in the new shelter

Grass...

2010-05-17T08:52:00.000-05:00

...high enough for hide-and-seek...

Yard nicely divided...

2010-05-17T08:51:00.000-05:00

...but, why? We would like to be all together and play (read:fight)

Kitties

2010-05-17T08:49:00.004-05:00

Random Danica's beauties:

Night outings

2010-05-17T08:47:00.006-05:00

Now, when there is safety all around (mostly), night outings, games, chases, and climbs are A Must...

Gutters

2010-05-17T08:43:00.004-05:00

There is an unbelievable fight to be the only one in the gutters - perfect position, you can oversee the whole yard, and spot any suspicious activity, and you can sun yourself all day long...

Look at me

2010-05-07T09:25:00.002-05:00

Note a natural litter box in the background

Boy, we are enjoying ourselves....

2010-05-07T09:12:00.011-05:00

They are safe, no cars, no cruel children, and people, sunny, warm, super cozy...

Other words are not needed.Danica has poured her soul in this little shelter, and God bless her, her donors, and her sweet, sweet kitties...