Under Applebee’s “Community Connections,” a community outreach program sponsored by Applebee’s® International, Inc., Furry Kids’ Refuge, a non-profit, no-kill, animal rescue organization from Lee’s Summit, Missouri is pleased to announce its Spring “Flapjack Fundraiser – Hippity Hoppity Flapjack Breakfast” on Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar: 205 Melody Lane, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Local businesses are donating gifts for raffles and drawings.  Guest of all ages will be able to participate in games and activities, share the camaraderie of other animal lovers, and enjoy a plentiful breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice (or other soft drinks), and coffee. 

Kim Accurso, President of Furry Kids’ Refuge states “This is our first fundraising event of 2008 and we are looking forward to another year of successful animal rescues and adoptions.  All of this is made possible with the help of a generous community of volunteers and donors.”

Tickets purchased in advance of the event will be offered at a special early bird rate of $5 each and will be available for online purchase at www.furrykidsrefuge.org, or through volunteers at Furry Kids’ Refuge adoption events, held each Saturday at Lee’s Summit Petco (1860 N.W. Chipman Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri).   Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the morning of the event for the regular price of $5 for seniors and children under 8, and $10 for general admission. 

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ONLINE!
Early bird rate of just $5 each!
Contact: email admin@furrykidsrefuge.org
Visit our website for more information.

FURRY KIDS REFUGE CARING FOR ANIMALS

Part of Furry Kids' mission is to care for special needs animals. Sometimes, we take in a dog or cat who we know is going to need a lot of work (like Boomer, for example) but sometimes we take in an animal who soon becomes ill. This can happen with animals who come from shelters or who are found as strays - it is a risk we run and we are always prepared to do whatever is needed. We must always help those who cannot help themselves.

Diseases are very contagious between animals, especially between those who have not been cared for properly and have not been vaccinated prior to coming in to our program. Stress can also play a major role in an animal's heath and for one who's world has been turned upside down by loosing their previous family, spending time in a shelter environment or being lost and left to fend for themselves, diseases can take over very easily. Even though the first thing Furry Kids does for each animal is to take them to the vet for a series of vaccines, testing and spay/neuter, they can still become ill.

One special dog we have in our program right now has become very ill. Her name is Georgia and she came from a local shelter. We don't know her history prior to that but we do know she was severly underweight and emaciated when we took her in. Either she had been severly neglected or was fending for herself for quite some time. She soon fell ill with severe diarrhea and vommiting. Her emaciated condition didn't help her prognosis. We immediately started her on fluids and antibiotics and took her to the vet the next day. A dog's normal body temperature is between 100 and 102 but Georgia's was 96 and her white cell count was almost non exsistent. She has now been in intensive care for 3 days receiving warm IV fluids and a series of medications to help her battle her illness.

After doing rescue for so long, we can almost tell just by the look in a dog or cat's eyes that they have the will to live and fight for life. Seeing that look in an animal's eye makes us know we must do whatever we can to help them. Georgia still has that look in her eyes saying, "I will pull through this, please help save me".

Georgia's vet bills have exceeded $500. We can't put a dollar limit on an animal's life and when you make a donation to Furry Kids, this type of thing is what those funds are spent on. In addition to all the initial veterinary care each animal receives with us, we spend funds on life-saving treatments like we are doing for Georgia. Georgia is just one of our animals we have spent a significant amount on just since the beginning of the year! If you'd like to make a donation for Georgia, you may do so via the Paypal button at the top of this page or by mailing a check. It is tax dedictible and please make sure to note your donation is for Georgia's veterinary expenses.

Please keep Georgia in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you informed of her plight and will give an update in our next newsletter. Let's hope we can include a picture of her in which you can no longer see her rib cage, and one in which she is smiling. And when Georgia is smiling again, we will start searching for a loving forever home for her.

You think you had a rough day?  Imagine having the center of your universe leave you all alone for the day, just sitting around the house in a fur coat, bored, nothing to do, no one to scratch those unreachable itchy spots, and lacking opposable thumbs and upright walking making it impossible to fix a sandwich, crack open a cold one, and kick back to watch a little Animal Planet.

Then…oh joy of joys…YOU’RE HOME!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!

Even your bad hair day, crabby face, and slumping shoulders won’t curb their enthusiasm. What better way to shed the stress of the day than with a round of tug of war, toss the squeaky toy, hide and seek, pounce on the catnip mouse, chase the ball, or my personal favorite…BELLY RUB!   Run, make noise, talk in silly voices, purr, bark, and howl.  Just you, your companion, and a whole lot of happy.

LET’S PLAY!  Our furry companions know that play makes them feel good.  They don’t think about it, analyze it, question it, worry about how it looks to the neighbors, spend $75 on special shoes for it, or check their pulse while they do it.  They just do it!

And with good reason.  Mammals who regularly conduct themselves in such unruly ways enjoy some very important, life-extending health benefits.  Laughter increases oxygen intake to improve organ function, tissue health, and immune function.   Activity (even play) increases metabolism and circulation. Also, all of this fun and frolic causes our brains to produce endorphins which enhance mood, reduce body aches and pains, promote creative thinking and problem solving, and increase our ability to handle daily challenges with fewer stress symptoms. 

So lighten up, have some fun, and PLAY!

Bernie is about 1 1/2 years young and full grown at 50 pounds. He likes other dogs and absolutely loves people. Bernie will stay obediently by your side while you walk, jog, work or just hang out. He just wants to be with people and please anyone who gives him a loving touch. Bernie was rescued from a kill shelter when his time ran out. This sweet fella has such a happy personality that he will win anyone and everyone over that meets him. Bernie has been with us for over 2 years now and has a new foster mom who is working with Bernie on obedience training! She is great with the dogs, teaching them all kinds of things. Would you be interested in giving Bernie a forever home? Just complete the application found on our website by clicking on "Adopt A Dog". Once we receive that, one of our volunteers will be in touch with you just as soon as possible!

Scamp is a beautiful little girl who would love to have a new human for Christmas! She is sweet and cuddly and loves people and affection. She also likes other cats and even those pesky dogs!

To learn more about Scamp, you can visit her Petfinder page or fill out an application online to meet Scamp in person! Her pictures don't do her justice so contact us today to meet her!

Call us or come by an adoption event and we would be happy to microchip your pet with a 24PetWatch™ microchip for just $20. 

Registration is free and easy and easy to update from the internet!

Friday, March 28th - Draws 4 Paws! - Details coming soon!

Saturday,Sunday, April 5&6 - 2nd Annual Spring Rummage Sale! - Details coming soon!

Saturdays from noon - 5pm at the Petco in Lee's Summit. Visit our website for up to date information!

Please visit our website and send us your story and pictures if you can and we’ll post them on our Happy Furry Kids Page!

Thank you to all who have sent their stories – it is so heartwarming to see our Furry Kids in their forever homes!

INTERESTED IN ADDING A FURRY KID TO YOUR FAMILY?

What if Furry Kids earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.Just go to goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Furry Kids Refuge as the charity you want to support.