Update!

**jennielynn1970** · 01-04-2008, 11:43 AM

I just emailed Julie and asked for a bio of Ally to give the people at Best Friends of her history from when she got her.... hopefully that will give them some insight and get her some help.

**Kirsten** · 01-04-2008, 11:47 AM

I just emailed Julie

Good idea!!! Hope she can help....

Good luck with Best Friends!

Kirsten

**Catty1** · 01-04-2008, 01:04 PM

I also went through some of Julie's posts and copied/pasted some note and sent them to Jenn.

Of interest: Ally joined the family when she was 4 weeks old. She would 'squeak-talk' and other stuff.

The 'issues' started when they brought Connor home. In one case, Ally glared hatefully at Connor - then turned around and bit Julie!

Connor would fight back if Ally picked on him - Ally once got an abcess that needed AB's.

There is ONE person Ally never bit - WARREN.

Hopefully this will give BF something to work with - I don't think they are saying no, they just need more info to ensure there is a therapy they can use with Ally.

A minor thought - I wonder if it was worse for Ally because a) she 'lost' her mommy, being adopted at 4 weeks, and b) she could not communicate with Connor as he is deaf. Psychotically frustrated because 'no one understands'?

PT Prayers for all involved.

**emily_the_spoiled** · 01-04-2008, 01:16 PM

I think that adding to the mix is that they both wanted to be "top cat" in the household. Connor is trying the same thing here but I have dealt with it differently than Julie did.

**Catty1** · 01-04-2008, 01:31 PM

Just curious, ETS - what is the difference in how you are treating Connor regarding this? I have a hunch, but want to hear your take first.

**emily_the_spoiled** · 01-04-2008, 01:45 PM

I tried to integrate him into the house but he kept picking on one of the other cats (Charlie). I could not let that continue, so I put Connor in a spare room by himself for most of the day. Then when I get home from work I put Charlie in another room by himself and let Connor out for a couple of hours while I am there to supervise things. When I go to bed, Connor goes back into the spare room and Charlie comes out.

The spare room is a decent size and he has a window over looking the bird feeder in my front yard. He has a double bed to sleep on and toys to entertain himself.

I didn't know what else to do with him beyond re-homing him. (I even had Nancy do a reading on him)

**Catty1** · 01-04-2008, 02:03 PM

Okay, I see - I think Ally has/had a separate room at Jenn's - maybe just one other cat who didn't bother Ally and vice versa.

Julie - seems to me their apartment didn't have any spare room. I might be recalled wrong.

I was thinking along the lines of someone taking charge - which you did, in a way - and showing the Alpha kitty who really is the alpha...kind of like one does with dogs, I think.

Wonder how to get that through Ally's skull? Tough love or just plain love?

**Cinder & Smoke** · 01-04-2008, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by jenn_librarian

I just emailed Julie and asked for a bio of Ally to give the people at Best Friends
of her history from when she got her ....
hopefully that will give them some insight and get her some help.

From an article describing Best Friend's "Dog Town" ...

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Admissions Policy

Clearly, Best Friends cannot bring every homeless pet to this sanctuary. That's why, through the Best Friends Network, we offer numerous solutions to people who have a pet at home or have just rescued one, and feel they cannot, for whatever reason, care for him or her themselves. The best place for these pets is in a good home. And the best chance for a good home is usually right there in their own neighborhood.

Our admissions team usually only accepts animals from other shelters and rescue groups - and that's after all other options have been exhausted. So if you're looking for help with a pet who is already part of your family, or you've rescued a homeless pet in need, it's best not to assume that they can or should come to the sanctuary.

Instead, please check out http://network.bestfriends.org for resources regarding your community and your situation. You'll find communities for each state in the United States and many parts of Canada, as well as for just about every kind of animal welfare issue.

You can also post a lost/found poster or adoption request on the Network.

You can also find lots of helpful tips, articles and resources at: www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets

When you've done that, you can also contact our Animal Help office at [email protected] or at 435-644-2001 Ext. 4800. Our team here may be able to supplement the lines you're pursuing on the Best Friends Network. They receive approximately 500 calls for help each week, so they check new inquiries every day and set priorities based on the urgency of each situation. An Animal Help specialist will respond to you as quickly as possible based on the urgency of your request.

Thank you for being part of the solution.
------------------------------------------------------
Above taken from the BF Admissions Policy Statement at:
http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/admissionspolicy.cfm

/s/ Phred

**jennielynn1970** · 01-04-2008, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Cinder & Smoke

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Admissions Policy

Clearly, Best Friends cannot bring every homeless pet to this sanctuary. That's why, through the Best Friends Network, we offer numerous solutions to people who have a pet at home or have just rescued one, and feel they cannot, for whatever reason, care for him or her themselves. The best place for these pets is in a good home. And the best chance for a good home is usually right there in their own neighborhood.

[b]Our admissions team usually only accepts animals from other shelters and rescue groups - and that's after all other options have been exhausted.

Most other options are gone. Other shelters in the area have turned her down, and the only other option is to put her in a kill shelter.

This ISN'T Ally's neighborhood. That would be Bahrain. And bacck there she'd be put to sleep very quickly.

She has to have suffered emotional trauma at some point. Normal cats donot behave the way he does.

**Catty1** · 01-04-2008, 11:53 PM

Ally's aggressiveness is a major factor - and perhaps Jenn could place Ally with BF through the rescue she is with.

That's why I posted about Lois in #73.

The initial answer that Jenn got from BF was a few more questions, not a refusal. So we'll see how that goes - especially if Ally can be sponsored (she had some funds left from her travel donations).

**Lizzie** · 01-05-2008, 12:42 PM

I'm holding my breath that B.F. can do something to help Ally (and Jenn). They have to see that this is a really serious situation for cat and humans. She'd create quite a good story for them, especially coming from Bahrain, and sanctuaries have to think that way. However, I believe there is only one Cinders suite at the sanctuary. It was created for a very elderly cat (Cinders) who was 23 when she died last year, about a year after they created the suite for her. It's a pity Lois had to take it over before they heard about Ally, although I think Lois has been rather a liability for many years having shredded scores of visitors and volunteers.

**Catty1** · 01-05-2008, 02:16 PM

I wonder how much it would take to build an "Ally" suite?

**jennielynn1970** · 01-05-2008, 03:57 PM

Still waiting to hear something from BF. Sigh....

I just emailed Tamara from BF again... I'm really hoping to hear something from her. I just feel like I'm fighting with the shelters for Ally all by myself...

I emailed Julie to get more info on Ally, but gee, no surprise, she hasn't responded. I mean, it's not like she's responsible for her own cat or anything... I'm just disgusted and frustrated with this whole situation.

**pitc9** · 01-07-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Catty1

I wonder how much it would take to build an "Ally" suite?

Ohhh... good point!

It could be partly funded by Ally's friends at Pet Talk!! A long shot sure... yet well worth a try. Materials could be donated. (wood... nails... etc)