Clint The Cat: A Story Of Hope

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 25th, 2006

Indiana-PAW


	Press Release

How A Handful Of People Made A Difference For One Cat, And Set An Example For All Of Us

Indiana (July 25th, 2006) - Sometimes, all that's required to make a lifesaving difference for homeless animals in our community is for a handful of people to step up to the plate and decide that, while they may not be able to save every animal, they are going to find a way to save this one. Such was the case with Clint - a cat whose plight caused Indiana animal lovers to band together and share resources to save his life. Clint's uplifting story serves as an important reminder that each of us has the power to make a difference for animals who have been cast off and forgotten.

Clint: Before Photo #1. Clint: Before Photo #2.

Clint: An Unexpected Second Shot At Life

Indiana-PAW, the State's fastest-growing all-volunteer animal education league, offers a variety of programs designed to compliment and support the vital work that animal shelters and rescue organizations are performing across Indiana. One such program is the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program, which assists local shelters in placing animals at risk for euthanasia into temporary homes with Indiana-PAW volunteers. This program "buys time" for animals who would otherwise have to be euthanized, allowing the animals time to regain their health and become better-socialized, and allowing shelters time to find space for the animal.

In January 2006, Indiana-PAW Founder & Executive Director Amy Van Ostrand received an urgent e-mail from Dana Salkoski, Rescue Coordinator at the New Castle/Henry County Animal Shelter, one of Indiana-PAW's partners. Salkoski told Van Ostrand that the shelter was searching for a foster home for a cat who'd been abandoned at the shelter and was in danger of immediate euthanasia. The cat's poor physical state (he'd been a severely neglected outdoor-only cat) was such that the shelter could not keep him on the adoption floor, when a flood of young, healthy cats and kittens were arriving at the teeny, already-overcrowded shelter every day. But the cat's personality was so special that shelter staff wanted to pull out all the stops to save him, and hoped Indiana-PAW might be able to help.

Van Ostrand jumped into action, and contacted Joe Laughlin, Indiana-PAW's Foster Program Director. The two agreed that, because time was of the essence, Laughlin would personally foster the cat. Then, less than 24 hours after receiving Salkoski's plea for help, Van Ostrand and Laughlin set out on a road trip to New Castle to pick up the cat. What they found shocked them. The cat - who had been a neglected outdoor cat - had scabbed frostbitten paws, ooze from infection running out of his mouth and nose, sores in his mouth, a tarry substance covering most of his body, and an apparent upper respiratory infection. Despite all of this, however, it was easy to see why the staff at the New Castle/Henry County Animal Shelter wanted to find a way to save this cat - he was sweet, purring, and loving, despite the agony he must have been in. Indiana-PAW was glad for the chance to help.

Laughlin, with input from Indiana-PAW colleagues, named the cat Clint (like the tough cowboy, Clint Eastwood). And, over the next three months, Laughlin not only gave Clint lots of attention and care, but also shuttled Clint to regular appointments at Companion Animal Hospital in Carmel, where Clint underwent an "extreme cat makeover," recovering 100% of his health, and evolving into a robust, handsome, happy cat. Through it all, Laughlin and Clint formed a bond, and Laughlin decided to permanently adopt Clint.

Cookout For Clint

This Summer, the New Castle/Henry County Animal Shelter held a "Homecoming Cookout" for Clint. Linda Bir-Conn, Executive Director of the shelter, held the blowout in her backyard in New Castle, which was adorned with decorations celebrating Clint, including a cake decorated in honor of the party. Party attendees including staff, board members, and volunteers from the New Castle/Henry County Animal Shelter, along with Indiana-PAW staffers Amy Van Ostrand, Joe Laughlin, and Megan Carroll. And, of course, the guest of honor, Clint, was there, happily walking around on his leash, receiving love and attention from the many people there to celebrate his life.

Joe Laughlin says, "When I agreed to foster Clint, I thought I'd be making a positive impact in his life. What I didn't know was how much of a positive impact he would make in mine." Indiana-PAW Founder & Executive Director Van Ostrand says, "The day of Clint's homecoming cookout, felt, to me, like the single most uplifting day since we launched Indiana-PAW. The feeling of joy was indescribable." Dana Salkoski of the New Castle/Henry County Animal Shelter echoes the sentiment, saying, "Stories like Clint's are what keep those of us who work at shelters going. We can't save them all, but it feels amazing to be able to save those that we can."

Please remember that the animal overpopulation problem in Indiana isn't one that will be fixed overnight, but it is one that will require that we all step forward to help make a difference - even if only for one animal.

Clint: After Photo #1. Clint At His "Homecoming Cookout." Holding Clint is Joe Laughlin, Indiana-PAW Foster Program Director and Clint's adoptive parent. Kneeling is Indiana-PAW Founder & Executive Director, Amy Van Ostrand. Second and third from the left are New Castle Henry County Animal Shelter Director Linda Bir-Conn and Rescue Coordinator Dana Salkoski. Also pictured are shelter volunteers and Indiana-PAW Volunteer Director Megan Carroll.

About Indiana-PAW

Indiana-PAW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit all-volunteer organization dedicated to Indiana animal welfare education. Its mission is to use education and advocacy to reduce the number of companion animals who are euthanized in Indiana, and to cultivate in the community a sense of respect for the needs of those animals with whom we share our world. For more information, visit www.indiana-paw.com.

Indiana Proactive Animal Welfare, Inc.

Media Contact: Amy Van Ostrand, Esq.

Founder & Executive Director

E-mail: amy@indiana-paw.com

Phone: 317-345-6773

Website: www.indiana-paw.com