Lets Chat About Cats - Episode 24 Featuring Meagan Licari and Figaro The Survivor Kitten

12/17/21 • 38 min

Figaro was found outside in January of 2019 with severe facial trauma. He was brought to the vet for care and surgery to try and save his life.
Puppy Kitty NY City was the organisation who took on the care of Figaro and whilst he was recovering in the clinic Meagan was visiting him and was going to be the one fostering him until he found a home.
Around the same time another cat (to be later named Corona) came in with similar facial injuries but just not as severe as Figaro's. Both kittens were to be fostered by Meagan and her husband however after sometime they both realised they did not wish to part with them and so they became members of their family and found their golden basket.
Figaro has gone from strength to strength in his recover and Meagan explains a little bit more about his surgeries and how they have helped him and his current beauty regime that keeps him not only healthy but looking glamorous and beautiful.
Figgy has gone through so much in his short life but does not let anything stop him, he is always somewhere playing, having fun, being naughty or demanding love. Even during our chat Figaro was almost in front of the screen the whole time being centre of attention, being cuddled, pampered and finally playing. He is such a sweet and funny guy you cannot help but love him for his sweetness.
Meagan wrote a book called "The Story Of A Kitten Who Beat The Odds" and is written to encourage children who may be going through hospital visits the same as Figaro did whilst he was recovering and to show them that it does not have to be scary at all. They too can be brave like Figgy. If you visit the Instagram of Figaro you can click on the linktree and purchase this or Meagan would be happy to send copies to children who may be going through some difficult time.
The Puppy Kitty NY City is a fantastic organisation who previously ran without a physical shelter and from home but recently have new premises in Queens NY and can now take in more animals and save lives. Meaghan fills me in on that and also the super initiative called the Barn Cat Initiative which raises awareness of feral cats who cannot go back to the streets and places them in new secure homes in Barns or Sanctuary's where they can live a great life in the way they feel most comfortable, for we know ferals enjoy being free and aren't exactly lap cats but still deserve to live and be happy too.
Please check their website at Puppy Kitty NYC and also check out their Instagram page @puppykittynycity and you can find out more and follow Figaro too on Instagram @figaroandhisfriends
Thanks for listening
Fiona x

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Previous Episode

Lets Chat About Cats - Episode 23 Featuring Heroic Fire Cat Rescuer - Shannon Jay (Part 2)

Well what can you say about Shannon Jay.... he is everything a hero should be and a little bit more!!!!
Shannon Jay is an ex law enforcement officer who has now retired and when the need arises he will drive hours to enter the burn zones of Fire affected areas to rescue and locate cats who are missing, injured and often hours away from death. Shannon has cumulatively spent over three thousand hours in the burns zones of the Tubbs Fire, Paradise Fire as well as the most recent Dixie Fire. Shannon enters these areas when the air is so toxic and dangerous yet is filled only with determination to do what he is there to do.. save lives, to rescue and find as many cats as he can.
Shannon has skills that would rival anyone. There is probably next to nothing that he doesn't know about rescuing and finding lost cats and especially those cats affected by the awful camp fires. His skills have enabled him to save cats from the brink of death, find them in time and reunite them with their families who have been heartbroken and sick with worry. Shannon even rescued a cat 222 days after a fire. His reputation goes before him and his success rate is one which is prolific and he is generally just an outstanding human being.
Shannon shares during our chat the do's and do not's of working in these conditions, the behaviours of cats who are as you know some of the most skilled animals on the planet. He explains how to track them, their patterns and information which brings his story to life. For someone listening ,who like me, would probably never have a reason to be in a burn zone to fully understand what it is like then you will hear Shannon describes everything so visually that you feel part of his journey, as if you are there beside him.
Shannon has a gift with words and doesn't hold back in educating others, he wants to help, he wants others to do what he does but in the best way possible and is passionate about his work in this field ,which by the way, comes from his heart and his whole being.
Shannon has a gift, it goes without saying, but one thing that came across is his humility, his humbleness and his outright respect for the animals he does so much to rescue. You can tell from his every word that he cares deeply for these amazing beings, he is broken when he knows he could not or did not save them in time and yet finds something deep inside him which keeps him going doing what he does best.
Shannon's respect for cats is evident to anyone listening or to anyone who has the privilege of spending any amount of time in his company. I witnessed it even if it was only virtually and in so many ways he was quite awe inspiring. I felt respect and trust for a man I have never met. The only way to describe it is to know that if anyone was to be out there searching for my lost cat then I would want it to be Shannon, I know I could trust him to do everything in his power to find them. Any cat saved by Shannon was and is a lucky one. The man is gifted.
Besides saving cats from Fires and devastating burn zones Shannon also works with people around the world helping them to find lost cats, even so far as helping someone in the UK all the way from America. As I already said ... gifted!
One thing I failed to mention to Shannon during the interview but which I noted and that was his thanks for his partner Heather. He recognised her part in his role during these fires and how its not only about him but about Heather too. That itself was beautiful to hear and I am sorry Shannon I did not mention it to you when we spoke, but I did hear you and know how much you truly appreciate the support you receive from Heather.
Shannon is one star of the Fire Cats Movie
Thanks for listening!
Fiona x

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Lets Chat About Cats - Episode 25 Christmas Miracle Special Featuring Kris Kaiser and Snapple AKA Tuxonwheels

Kris Kaiser is the foster mom of sweet little Snapple the star cat of our Christmas Miracle episode!!
Snapple's story is one which is heart-warming and perfect for not only the festive season but all year round. Snapple is a beautiful young tuxedo cat who was spared from euthanasia because his foster mom simply gave him a chance to live.
Being born with suspected Cerebellar Hypoplasia, it was later discovered after recognising that Snapple's legs were not functioning normally and it was discovered that his condition was worse that CH and he had brain and cervical spinal cord disease. Many cats with this condition cannot even pee or poop alone and euthanasia was suggested by the vet as a humane way to end Snapple's life because it was felt he had no quality of life.
Snapple was about to show everyone just how wrong they were when his foster mom took him home to live his last few days being loved and cared for and he showed her he could play and was interested in life and all of the wonderful things in it, if only he could have this once chance and so his wish came true and Kris did everything to ensure he was given every chance to improve and become stronger.
Snapple grew stronger and stronger and with the addition of his new cart he spends some of his day zooming around like the happy carefree little boy he deserves to be. This is how he gained his Instagram name @Tuxonwheels. Snapple enjoys everyday and is an inspiration to many of his followers and some humans who may be wheelchair bound have written to Kris to share how they feel about Snapple and how he inspires them to never give up and find the good in every day!
Kris is an experienced foster mom with a passion for Tuxedos and she has 3 gorgeous Tuxedo's CH cats of her own! Rosie, Daisy and Calvin who each have a gorgeous personality of their own and make her smile everyday! They are full of fun and mischief and make a wonderful trio.
Besides fostering Snapple, Kris also fosters Natalie a sweet little white kitten who is blind and also has CH. She is currently searching for a forever home for them, their new home does not have to be together but it has to be a special one where they have the care, love and attention they deserve.
Check our Snapple's story which was featured on Cole and Marmalade Snapple the Disabled 'Tux on Wheels' Rolls into Daily Adventures (coleandmarmalade.com) and please follow him on Instagram @tuxonwheels and also his foster family @tippytuxies where you can see what he and they get up to every day!
Hope you enjoy listening and thanks for the support this year! I will be back in 2022 with more wonderful guests who want to share their stories with you! Your friendship and support is humbling and being able to speak to so many inspiring people is just incredible and if these chats can help a few cats along the way then fantastic!
Merry Christmas
Fiona X

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