SOCKS-NO, NOT THE ONE THAT LIVED IN THE WH

The other day, a library patron approached me in Uncle Jon's Coffee Shop and asked if the "lost kitten" flyer on the bulletin board referred to one of mine. I immediately went to see what it said. A Good Samaritan had apparently rescued a small cat from a tree on Green Street and was hoping to find its owner. I was reminded of a posting from Best Friends Animal Society about what to do in just such a situation. First of all, they say, look for a tag or microchip. Obviously, most dogs have collars and tags, which makes it fairly easy to contact an owner (unless the collar is lost), but cats do not. If it's a weekday, most veterinarians can scan for a chip which many cat/dog owners now have imbedded for just such an emergency. Calling the local Animal Control Center (in Marion the police dispatcher may handle this) and describing the animal can be very effective as many owners call there first and leave information. Leaving your name at a shelter or all local veterinarians also helps since owners might check in there, also. Yet another approach is to contact local newspapers which usually give free ad space, so you could post an ad as "found". If, for the present, you must surrender the animal to a shelter, you can claim" last rights". This gives you adoption privileges if the animal is not claimed within a given time period and would be put down. (You will want to keep in contact with them, however, because sometimes the animal is euthanized in spite of your original interest. ) Sadly, this happened to my daughter. Yup, the duck saver---nothing escapes her...........All of this is a lead-in to my story about SOCKSIE. She's about one year old, black with white booties -pretty and petite. Currently, she's in foster care at my house, waiting for a Forever Home. Having just outgrown the baby stage herself, she was left at a shelter, pregnant at six months old. (This is what happens when owners do not have their pets spayed or neutered between 4 and 6 months of age, unfortunately.) She was apparently not developed enough to produce healthy kittens, and sadly all 5 died. I think little S. probably was really not aware really of what happened to her, and once she felt more like herself, just got on with the somewhat boring life of a shelter cat. No one stepped forward to adopt her, however, so she now is learning to trust people as caregivers who provide warmth, food and safety, but also teach her how to play, too. She, like much younger kittens, is learning that balls and catnip mice and the red laser light pen are just for fun. It's OK just to be happy--that's her only job right now. Mine is to find her a wonderful family who will make up for a very grim beginning and allow her to grow into her own funny little self, which is emerging more and more each day.......She is listed on www. petfinder.com as "Mamma Mia" at Cause for Paws-Mattapoisett.