ASAP Animal Shelter Assistance Program

With just over a week left in 2020, we've met our $15,000 donation goal! We are SO grateful!! Your support is immeasurable, and thanks to you, we'll continue to be there for cats and kittens who need our help in 2021 and beyond! The generosity we have received throughout this yearfrom monetary donations, foster families stepping in, volunteers at the shelter and in the communityhas made such a positive impact on the cats and kittens in our care. As we reflect on what ha...s been a unique year, we can't help but look for the positive and all of the happy endings we were able to give so many cats that came to ASAP in need of shelter and care. We saved their lives thanks to your support. THANK YOU and Happy Holidays from all of us at ASAP!

*Happy Tails Update, From Foster to Family Member* Jennifer was only planning on taking in sweet, floofy Kuma as a foster over the holidays... But, after only 5 days of fostering, she realized Kuma was meant to be hers! ... "I would LOVE to adopt Kuma! He has won my heart over with how sweet, intelligent, affectionate, and fluffy he is. I will be brushing him and/or vacuuming every day (haha). How exciting! His name means bear in Japanese which is very fitting given his fluffy coat and big paws. Even though he is independent and likes his naps, he is very affectionate and brings much joy and love into the home. With his curious, intelligent, and friendly personality, I couldn’t bear to not adopt him! We are so grateful to Jennifer for signing up to foster and then choosing to adopt this furry bundle of love. There is still time for you to take one (or two!) of our cats home over the holidays. Please fill out this form if you are interested: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLScCIhn6Mxsx7G_HK_/viewform

*2021?! Are you there?!* With just a couple weeks left in 2020 (woo hoo!), you can still make a donation to ASAP go twice as far to help homeless cats and kittens, like silly Juan Diego here! ASAP’s generous Board of Directors has pledged to match all donations through the end of the year up to $15,000 and we've reached $9,500!! ... Through December 31st, every donation made will be matched up to the $15,000 total, so your dollar will still be doubled until we reach that goal! We know this has been a hard year for everyone, and we appreciate every dollar donated, every "like", every share. Your support allows us to continue saving little lives, and we wouldn't be able to do it without you. THANK MEW from the bottom of our feline and human hearts! Donations can be made online at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx

*A Happy Tails Update you don't want to miss!* If you haven't yet subscribed to our newsletter, Cat Nips, have we got a heartwarming story for you!! Buckle up, because this one is pretty amazing! Not long ago, Santa Barbara residents, Sean and Karina, called ASAP for help with a very friendly stray cat in their neighborhood. The sweet black cat would hang around their home crying for attention and wanting to come inside. They fell in love with their friendly outdoor companio...n, but just knew she had to belong to someone, so they brought her to ASAP to find out. Every cat that arrives at ASAP is scanned for a microchip, and when our Wellness Technicians scanned this "stray", and called the number registered to her chip, nothing short of magic ensued! Through her tears, Elizabeth shared that her cat Spaz had been missing for 18 MONTHS! The family was desperate to have their cat back, but there was one small complication: they lived in Missouri. Elizabeth and her husband were musicians, and Spaz traveled with them when they went on the road. During a stop in Santa Barbara, Spaz had managed to escape. They searched tirelessly, but despite their best efforts, couldn't find their sweet girl. When COVID-19 hit they moved back with Elizabeth's mother, way out in Missouri, and Elizabeth said it was like losing Spaz all over again...but ASAP and Spaz had other ideas! We were determined to get Spaz back to her people and through the generosity of one volunteer who donated airline miles and another volunteer who was willing to make the trip with Spaz, a joyful reunion was made possible!! "It was really overwhelming. Simply amazing. Spaz put her lil forehead against mine like she used to do, right away. She has already claimed her spots all over the house, just like her old queenie self. I'm so in love with her all over again. It's like she was never gone. Just so incredible. My heart is so incredibly full. My hubby can't stop cuddling her. Everything is just too perfect. It's like a dream." - Elizabeth, Spaz's Mom ...we're not crying, you're crying. Congratulations, Spaz and Elizabeth, and the HAPPIEST of Tails to you!

*Happy Meowlloween Season AND National Black Cat Day!* Throughout the year, black cats have the most difficult time finding forever homes and WE just don't get it -- who wouldn't want a fancy, sleek house panther to love?! You may have heard the myth that black cats are in more danger from malicious folks during Meowlloween season, but research has shown that's just not the case! ... And no need to fear -- ASAP maintains adoption screening protocols all year that help match cats to a home best suited for their needs. We are confident our adoption counselors do their absolute best to find safe, loving homes for all of our cats and kittens! However, traditional Halloween activities such as strangers wandering the neighborhood at night, parties, costumes, and Halloween items like candy or scary decorations can all be dangerous for cats, so let's all be mindful and work together to keep our best furry friends safe! Willow here is just one of many precious black kitties waiting at ASAP for a forever home! Willow was found with her siblings roaming around a construction site, but despite her rough beginnings, she's a sweet purr machine who loves humans and other pets. Willow might be a little shy at first, but once she warms up to you, this black beauty is all love. Learn more about Willow, and submit an adoption application, on our website at asapcats.org!

*Carriers Needed for Holiday Homes!* As we push to get even more cats out of the shelter and into foster homes, we find ourselves, once again, with a shortage of cat carriers to transport them there! It's a great problem to have since it means more cats are going home, but we need your help! If you have an extra cat carrier, please consider donating it! Even though our shelter remains closed to the public, carriers can be dropped off anytime! ... As always, THANK MEW, and stay safe out there!

*Help us make ASAP Cats history by finding Jack & Jill a home!!* Last week we shared that we have our very first FeLV+ cat available for adoption -- Jill, along with her brother Jack, are still looking for that special home! Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) used to be an automatic death sentence for shelter cats and kittens, but recent research and advancements have proven that FeLV+ cats can still have a great quality of life! ... Jack & Jill are now in their second foster home, and have won the hearts of yet another foster family, but their time there is limited! Will you help make sure their next home is a FOREVER home?! "Jack and Jill have settled in very well. They are so sweet with each other and with me. They are curious and playful as kittens are, but they are actually more gentle and take more naps than I expected, and they sleep quietly with me each night. They love watching whatever is happening outside through windows or sliding doors. They definitely must stay together, and I've found it easier to have the two than with any of the single cats I have fostered. It looks like Monday the 26th will be the last day that I can foster them. Hopefully someone will adopt before then." Learn more about FeLV, and submit an application for these precious siblings on our website at asapcats.org! #adoptusplease #fortheloveofcats

*Adoption Event and Yard Sale: THIS Saturday!" Don't let Dakota's shocked face fool you - IT'S TRUE! We're having our first in person event in many, many months! Join us THIS Saturday, October 24th, 10am - 3pm for a kitten adoption event and yard sale!... We are looking for forever homes for our precious kittens and cats of all ages, and not only will you find yourself surrounded by cats and kittens, but also by amazing items for your home! Don't miss a fantastic collection, including many items from a Santa Ynez estate, generously donated by the heirs of a woman who loved animals and traveled the world. This socially distanced, outdoor event, will be held outside in the ASAP and Santa Barbara County Animal Services parking lot at 5473 Overpass Road, Santa Barbara 93111. *To help us facilitate a smooth event, and allow social distancing and safe protocols as much as possible, please consider filling out our adoption application in advance if you plan to attend and adopt: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSdEmwfbK1Zo1CbmKO/viewform See you Saturday!

*It's National Vet Tech Appreciation Week!* We just couldn't let this week pass by without giving a shout out and a huge THANK MEW to our amazing ASAP Wellness Team! Our Wellness Team works hard to make sure every cat that comes through our doors gets the best possible care and the best chance at a long and healthy life! THANK MEW from the bottom of our human and feline hearts! ... ...but THERE'S MORE! ASAP is looking to add a Veterinary Assistant to the team!! If you're interested in saving little lives everyday alongside these fabulous folks, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]!

*Happy Tails Update!* We love nothing more during Halloween season than to see a gorgeous black cat happy and loved in their forever home! Here's what Ingrid's family says about her: "Ingrid is doing great! She’s been eating, drinking, using the box, and plays with everything in sight! She let me trim her nails, too. She’s so fun and funny to play with. She is getting along well with our older cat - who has been very patient and tolerant. She seems to have adjusted really we...ll. She takes long naps (likes to sleep in the climbing tree by the window) after playing hard and sleeps well through the night. She loves to play fetch - I throw a little toy mouse and she scampers off after it and brings it back over and over. She’s quite the acrobat, too - lots of summersaults, jumps, rolls, etc. She is such a joy. She likes to snuggle and will purr loudly. One photo I thought was funny: She was playing with the pink & white mouse and we had the TV on. She then stopped (funny sitting position) and starting watching TV! So cute with her little back feet sticking up!" Congratulations, Ingrid, and Happy Tails to you! #HappyTailsUpdate #adoptionsuccess

FeLV doesn't have to be a death sentence! Let's give Jill a fighting chance! For many years a positive test result for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) was an automatic death sentence for shelter cats and kittens. But in recent years much research has been done, and we have learned that it is a much more nuanced disease than initially thought. FeLV+ cats can often live a good quality of life for a number of years, even while carrying the virus. ASAP Cats is now joining other p...rogressive shelters around the country and adopting out these special cats to special people who are willing to open their hearts. Read below to meet Jill, our first FELV+ cat available for adoption! Jack and Jill were found as a pair and we can't bear to separate their close bond. They adore human attention and will make you feel loved. They are also very playful and never bored on their own. Jill is FeLV+ and her brother is not. Jack continues to test negative while Jill remains asymptomatic. With these factors in mind, we are looking for a home to keep them together! Their foster provides this insight into their lovely personalities. Jill: I am a sweet kitten who loves to snuggle. I especially love to be picked up and held like a baby! Every morning I retrieve the sponge from the sink to my hiding spotmy humans always take my sponge. I like rolling around on the bed so that you can admire my chubby belly! Jack: I am a purr machine addicted to head scratches. I can hold a good conversation with meowing. I love chasing my worm toys and playing football with my sister. I also love following my humans around and being a part of the action! I’m a pretty good typist and have been known to post things on YouTube with my paws. You can learn more about FeLV, and submit an application to adopt Jack and Jill on our website at asapcats.org! #adoptusplease #fortheloveofcats #specialneedscats

*Happy Tails Update!* In the shelter, Frances was a bit of a troublemaker! She was loud, got into absolutely everything, and even chewed through the earbuds of our fearless Operations Supervisor while she was on a Zoom meeting! Despite her high energy antics, it took Frances no time at all to settle in as best friends with her new feline brother, and her adopter tells us that the "kids sing to her about how much they love her. She is definitely home." ... Congratulations Frances, and Happy Tails to you!! #HappyTailsUpdate #adoptionsuccess

While we're sad we can't gather with all of our furry, and not so furry, friends this year at the annual C.A.R.E.4Paws Wags n' Whiskers Festival, we're excited to share in the virtual version of this great community event! Check out https://www.care4paws.org/wagsnwhiskers to view adoptable pets from local organizations -- including ASAP Cats, of course -- and participate this week only in the Best in Show Contest! Share photos and videos of your pets on Facebook and Instagram now through Oct. 11th, and be sure to tag @care4paws and #wagsnwhiskers2020!

*Happy Tails Update!* Riley and Jonesy's adopters sent a short and sweet update, and how could we resist sharing this adorable photo of them!? "Riley and Jonesy, now Pretzel and Pliney, are just over 5 months old and already so long and lean. We love them so much! Thank you, ASAP!" ... Congratulations Pretzel and Pliney, and happy tails to you! #happytailsupdate #adoptionsuccess

*Meet Charlie and Alex!* Charlie and Alex are a dreamy pair of 13 year old boys who came to ASAP when their family began experiencing housing insecurity. These handsome guys are affectionate and laid back and really want a new family call their own. ... Charlie will need some help maintaining his gorgeous coat so be willing to brush, and Alex has some medical considerations as well, so we are looking for an adopter who can meet the special needs of these sweet cats. Charlie and Alex are so deserving of love and a safe, happy forever home, but their age, special considerations, and the fact that they're a package deal is going to make finding them a family extra challenging. #adoptusplease #fortheloveofcats

*AUDREY NEEDS YOUR HELP!* During this current pandemic, many of us can relate to wanting to keep our distance for safety. Sometimes cats feel the same way, and despite the best efforts of behavior training, there are a few, like Audrey here, that simply prefer a life with less human contact. These cats are just as deserving of care and safety, and our Working Cats team works tirelessly to match them with appropriate outdoor homes, but in the meantime, we want to be sure they... have humane, temporary housing while they wait for their permanent placements as fantastic feline employees! Building a special outdoor feral cat enclosure will provide a secure, safe, and roomy environment for our less-than personable cats. This special project will cost between $10,000-$14,000, and we can't do it without YOU! Two very generous donors in the ASAP family have already pledged to match any donations up to $5,000, so we're already half way to our goal! Please consider a donation today. Click the link below to make a secure donation online. With your help, we can continue to help provide shelter and care for every homeless cat in Santa Barbara County! https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx

*Happy Tails Update!* "Kiko (formally Lavender) has already been adopted into everyone's hearts. She is very sweet & loves to snuggle. Because we have so many people at home she is usually in someone's arms sleeping or playing with, well, just about everything. We went and made an initial Petco run & after buying various expensive toys (like a bunch of first timers, hahaha) have been amused to watch her play with every piece of cardboard in the house, LOL! She's become muc...h more bold with bouncing all over which has been hilarious- there's been a lot of cheerful laughter about just what she's gotten into. We are totally in love." Congratulations, Kiko, and Happy Tails to you! #adoptionsuccess #happytails See more