We would like to extend a grateful "Thank You!" to Cary Animal Services.  Through their Cary Them Home initiative they have graciously provided us with free microchips.  We will be offering this service at our clinics until supplies run out.  

Avian Influenza Infecting Cats

The H5N1 avian flu virus is becoming more prevalent, and cats are particularly susceptible to

the infection, often resulting in death. Cats are at risk of being infected from eating a raw diet or

coming into contact with wild birds or domestic poultry or the people who care for them.

Signs of infection begin with lethargy, inappetence and fever, and quickly progresses to severe

depression, discharge from eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and sometimes tremors,

difficulty walking or seizures. IF YOU NOTE THESE SIGNS:

● CALL BEFORE TAKING YOUR CAT TO THE VET to limit spreads of the virus to healthy cats

● Limit contact with immunocompromised people in the household

● Isolate the infected cat from other cats in the household

To prevent exposure:

● DO NOT FEED RAW DIETS; if you must, cook them thoroughly first.

● Limit exposure to outdoor birds or domestic poultry

● Disinfect yourself after filling bird feeders or coming in contact with domestic poultry

For more information, please refer to:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/

avian-influenza-h5n1-cats

In Memoriam of Ms. Sarah F. Hawes

It is with the sincerest gratitude that we accept an estate gift from Ms. Sarah Hawes.  Pictured above is Ms. Hawes with her beloved Midas.

  Sarah Frances Hawes was a lifelong resident of Texas.  An English major in college, Sarah used her language expertise as a school teacher before becoming a technical editor for the research lab at Texaco in Port Arthur for nearly two decades.  She returned to the educational sector as an academic advisor at the Lamar Campus of Texas State University.  Outside of work, Sarah was an avid flower gardener, a reader of literature, and an expert in the needle arts of quilting, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and embroidery including bead and crewel work. 

  In terms of volunteerism, Sarah’s primary focus was felines, adoring every aspect of the species – graceful movement, wide-ranging intelligence, and beautiful eyes.  So in tune with the feline species was she that many people joked Sarah had been a cat in a previous life.  She spent countless hours and significant funds trapping cats for release after spaying/neutering, finding homes for cats with the requisite demeanor for placement, and as the advisor to the university campus animal rescue organization.  There also were a dozen very lucky felines over the years who became Sarah’s feline companions at her home.

  Sarah died unexpectedly in February 2022.  The primary beneficiary of her will was to feline organizations selected by the estate executor.  Operation Catnip was chosen as a recipient due to its intense mission focus on reducing the population of community cats with a highly efficient use of the organization’s financial resources.  

  Sarah’s primary character strengths were kindness, a love of learning, a balanced perspective, and zest.  She is very missed, but her spirit lives on in every cat saved due to her great generosity to felines in her estate.

(Biography prepared by the estate of Sarah F. Hawes)