Homeless Animal Lifeline

In Memory of Lady Grey

2008-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Those who visited our adoption days at Bridgewater PetSmart will remember Lady Grey, the beautiful grey cat with the crinkled ear. She unfortunately passed away at her foster home earlier this week. Although she never had the chance to be adopted, she didn't know -- she always felt safe and loved in her foster home with her foster parents Charlie and Delores. She will be greatly missed by everyone who met her.

4th Of July Animal Safety Tips

2008-07-02T04:53:00.001-07:00

Tips from In Defense Of Animals.

The Fourth of July can be one of the most dangerous and frightening holidays for animals. Loud explosions are terrifying to animals who don't understand them.

With proper planning and some common sense, your companion animals can remain safe and secure on Independence Day. Here are some tips:

* First and foremost, leave your companion animals at home when you go to see fireworks! Resist the urge to take them to fireworks displays.

* Before you leave home for the fireworks, make sure your animals are indoors in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've removed any items that your companion animal could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed or swallowed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him/her company.

* Make sure your animals are wearing identification tags (and it's even better if they're also microchipped!) so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.

* Do not leave an animal in your car. With only hot air to breathe, your animal friend can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air or cooling, but they do provide an opportunity for your animal to be kidnapped.

* If you know that your animal becomes seriously distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

* Never leave your animals outside unattended, even in a fenced yard, and especially not on a chain. With explosions occuring, animals who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. (There are lots of other reasons to never leave your dog chained! Contact us if you want more information about the negative effects of chaining dogs.)

* If you find somebody else's companion animals running at-large, either take them to the address on the tag, if you feel comfortable doing so, or bring them to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their human families.

And our friends at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offer the following additional tips, which are appropriate year-round but especially so on Independence Day:

* Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where animals can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison animals. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

* Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your animal that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

* Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of animals' reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing - or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

* Keep animals on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can cause severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

* Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in animals.

* Never use fireworks around animals! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious animals, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Manalapan Under The Stars

2008-06-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) hosted a Public Outreach table at the "Manalapan Under The Stars" event on June 14th. Luckily, the storms held off until the last 20 minutes of the day!

We met a lot of great people and distributed information about spay/neuter, adoption, and going vegetarian. The vegetarian information was very popular and we were happy to see the interest!

Special thanks to volunteers Michelle, Catherine, Janine, MaryAnn and Chet for helping with the day, as well as our event neighbors Maria and Tom who kept us dry when the storm hit!

Some animal-friendly vendors we met at the event included:

picforever.com - Lockets and charms jewelry. Preserve your favorite animal memories with a necklace, bracelet, or keychain!

ecoquestintl.com - Yvette of Healthy Living Technologies offers high-quality air purifiers, ideal for multi-animal households.

TMJewelryShows@aol.com - T & M Jewelry. Pretty necklaces, bracelets, and pins with proceeds helping cat rescue efforts. They also host in-home parties.

4th Grade Student Teaches Adults A Lesson In Compassion

2008-06-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

The following was sent in by Miguel's proud Mom!

"This is a true story regarding an animal rescue by my son, Miguel. He is 10 years old, Filipino, and in the 4th Grade. We went to Calaguas Island for our vacation. While there, we witnessed a fisherman capture an almost 3 kls tortoise in his fishing pen. He wanted to sell the tortoise and someone offered to buy him for P100.00. I just looked around and said that it is prohibited to kill turtles, but did not do much to persuade them to stop. My son asked me to give him P120.00. I asked him what will you do with the money. He said, "I will buy it from that man and I will return it to the sea." I was so amazed with my son that without hesitation I gave him the money. He said that the turtle must be sad because maybe it had a family. I was so touched by his gesture and I told myself that I have to do something for my son. I want to let the whole world know how proud me and his daddy are!"

Merlin Update

2008-06-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Below is the newest photo of Merlin, who is home, happy, and healthy!

If you remember, Merlin is the cat who needed PU surgery for a blockage. The blockage was so severe that he would have died without the surgery. His human mom, Ingrid, had just adopted him from a rescue a week before he became ill and was unable to pay the very large veterinary bill to save Merlin's life. Homeless Animal Lifeline made arrangements with one of our vets to have the surgery performed and, with help from your donations, Merlin had his surgery and had a good post-operative check-up. He's back to normal and enjoying life!

Thanks to everyone who helped with Merlin's vet bills. His mom, Ingrid, is very grateful, and I'm sure Merlin would say thanks if he could!

HAL Happenings - June Newsletter

2008-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

~*~*~*~*~Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) Happenings~*~*~*~*~

Homeless Animal Lifeline
A NJ Nonprofit Corporation
Internet: www.halrescue.org
Email: RescueHAL@aol.com

June 3, 2008

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HAL'S 3RD ANNUAL MULTI-HOUSEHOLD YARD SALE

Despite the rain, HAL supporters braved the weather and donated $345.00 of their earnings. This generous donation will be used to help HAL offset the costs of running our programs. Thank you to the volunteers and special thanks to Carol for organizing and hosting the event!

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JOIN HAL AT OUR JUNE PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENTS!

Our Public Outreach events help to educate the public about a variety of important animal issues, such as spay/neuter, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for feral cats, protecting wildlife, and more.

Please visit HAL's Public Outreach website The Animal Spirit at www.theanimalspirit.com.

If you would like to host a Public Outreach table for HAL or learn more about our Humane Education program, please contact RescueHAL@aol.com for more information.

Yard Sale and Public Outreach Table
June 21st - 9AM - 2PM
Rain Date: June 22, 2008
341 Amwell Rd. (Next to Racquetball Club)
Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Manalapan Under The Stars - Public Outreach Table
June 14, 2008, 4PM - 10PM
Rain Date: June 21, 2008
Manalapan Recreation Center
Route 522 at Taylors Mills Road

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FEATURED CAT

We are featuring Valentine once again! For some reason, this absolutely wonderful cat keeps getting passed over at adoption day.

Valentine, a male Persian mix, was found wandering the streets of Somerset County. A Good Samaritan took him in, but could not keep him. HAL came to the rescue and took Valentine in. He was groomed and is ready to move into YOUR home! Valentine is one of the mellowest cats you will ever meet. He lounges in his bed at adoption days at PetSmart. He's so relaxed that most customers are shocked when they realize that he's a real cat! However, if you give him a little catnip he turns into a party animal! Valentine is estimated to be about 4 years old.

You can view Valentine's photo on his Petfinder page.

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VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU!

**Responsible foster parents in the Somerset County and Monmouth County areas are desperately needed! Contact RescueHAL@aol.com for more information on becoming a foster parent and joining the HAL family.

**Safe Placement Program: In December, 2007, we read about a horrifying case in Aberdeen, NJ concerning Anthony Appolonia who was charged with animal cruelty. He convinced at least 22 cat owners that he would provide a safe environment for their pets after responding to their "free to good home" advertisements. Once he adopted the cats, he tortured and/or killed them.

HAL is recruiting volunteers to contact people who place "Free To Good Home" ads and warn them of the dangers, as well as help people find safe homes for animals.

Our goals are:

1 - to have a volunteer for every Internet list in NJ that allows "Free to Good Home" ads. These volunteers would contact people who place ads and not only warn them of the dangers of "Free To Good Home" ads, but offer to work with them to ensure that the animal is placed into a safe, loving home.

2 - sending a Letter To The Editor and/or place classified ads in NJ newspapers that warns about the dangers of "Free To Good Home" ads.

This volunteer effort costs you nothing and could be done from the comfort of your own home!

We also have a free information pack that is ready to use. The info pack includes a "Finding A Safe Home" tip sheet, a "Free To Good Home Ad" warning sheet, news article, and sample letter, as well as a sample adoption contract.

Interested in helping or want more details? Let us know at RescueHAL@aol.com.

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JUSTGIVE.ORG

HAL is now registered with JustGive. You can visit our donation page.

JustGive makes it very easy and safe to donate to HAL. You can designate your donation for a specific purpose or dedicate your donation in someone's name or as a memorial.

HAL is an all-volunteer, 100% donation-supported organization; we depend on donations to keep our work going. We understand that everyone is struggling to make ends meet. While donations to HAL have declined, our costs to run our programs have skyrocketed, especially our adoption program, which has been hit the hardest. Your continued support is always appreciated, but we are even more grateful during these very difficult financial times. A donation of as little as $5.00 can help us buy food for an animal in need.

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WELCOME, NICOLE!

HAL would like to welcome our newest volunteer, Nicole.

Nicole learned about HAL when she adopted Miss AmeriCat (formally Madeline) during our adoption day event at Bridgewater PetSmart. She has now become a foster mom for two kittens, Chicago and Wrigley, and we are very happy to have her as part of the group!

You can view Chicago and Wrigley's
Petfinder page.

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VEGAN RECIPE

Avocado Tomato Salad - Great for Summer!

4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 c soy mozzarella cheese (can be found in any health food store or in the "natural" or "green" section of most grocery stores)
½ cucumber, seeded (optional) and diced
1 large ripe tomato, diced
¼ c red onion, diced
1 avocado, diced
several T excellent olive oil
dash of salt

Toss the cheese with the vegetables, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

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ADOPTION DAYS

Visit us at the Bridgewater PetSmart every Saturday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM to meet our beautiful kittens and cats who are up for adoption!

Special Adoption Event: June 21 at Freehold Petco, 4345 US Route 9. 12PM - 4PM. Thanks to Maria for volunteering. Maria is foster mom to many kittens and cats who are in need of permanent, loving homes. Please visit them at their very first Petco appearance!

During "kitten season," adult cats are often overlooked. HAL has many adult cats (1 year old and up) who would love to become a member of your family. Please give them a chance! Remember, kittens grow into cats very quickly!

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"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."

"Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity."

Photo Contest Results

2008-05-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Homeless Animal Lifeline held a photo contest and the winner's were announced today. The theme was cats. If you need a smile, check out the pictures!

http://www.halrescue.org/photo.html

Merlin Needs Your Help!

2008-05-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

Updated: May 28, 2008

Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) was contacted regarding a young cat named Merlin who had a severe, life-threatening blockage of his bladder. Merlin was treated at Animerge from May 3rd - May 5th; he needed a catheter and medication to clear the blockage. On May 6th, Merlin was transported to Hopewell Veterinary Hospital where he underwent a costly surgery known as Perineal Urethrostomy (PU). As of May 28th, Merlin is recuperating at home and doing well!

The total bill for Merlin's stay at Animerge was $1,033.91. The PU surgery and hospital stay at Hopewell was $499.00. Merlin will also require follow-up visits with his veterinarian.

HAL has assisted Merlin’s mom, Ingrid, with this veterinary bill. If you would like to help HAL with this large expense, donations can be made payable to Homeless Animal Lifeline and earmarked "Merlin." HAL is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of veterinary receipts can be provided upon request.

How To Make A Donation:

PayPal: Visit www.halrescue.org and click on the "Donate" button.

Postal Service - Send your donation to:

Homeless Animal Lifeline
PO Box 237
Manalapan, NJ 07726

Please remember to earmark your donation "Merlin."

Thank you in advance for any help that you can give toward this bill! Merlin is worth it!

Photos of Merlin at Animerge:

Merlin at Hopewell day after PU surgery:

Spay A Cat For Mother's Day!

2008-04-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) has a waiting list of NJ residents who need financial assistance with having their cats spayed or spaying feral/stray cats in their neighborhood. Because of lack of funds, we unfortunately cannot help everyone who contacts us.

This Mother's Day, please consider sponsoring a spay. For $50.00, HAL can spay and vaccinate one female cat.

If you sponsor a spay in honor of someone, we will send them a personalized letter letting them know that a donation has been made in their name. This is a great gift for Mother's Day -- it's a gift that will truly make a difference!

Donations can be made via PayPal at our website or
check/money order via postal service to:

Homeless Animal Lifeline
PO Box 237
Manalapan, NJ 07726

HAL is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

If you are sponsoring a spay in honor of someone, please be sure to include their name and address with your donation.

For more information, contact RescueHAL@aol.com.

Thank you!

"Adopt" T-Shirt To Benefit Homeless Animal Lifeline!

2008-04-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

Royalties from the sale of this shirt will benefit Homeless Animal Lifeline's (HAL) foster cats.

ADOPT by Catherine
Get this custom shirt at Zazzle

UPDATE: Lost Cat, Hillside, NJ

2008-04-20T19:51:00.001-07:00

Mr. Browns is home and safe!

Cat Photo Contest To Benefit Homeless Animal Lifeline

2008-04-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Caution: A Real Easter Danger for Cats

2008-03-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

The biggest Easter danger to cats is toxicity from Easter Lily ingestion. They are toxic and dangerous. They cause kidney failure in cats and can be deadly. So PLEASE! Either don't bring Easter lilies (which is the best thing to do) or keep them out of the reach of your cat.

Remember, cats can be both curious and sneaky. It only takes them a minute to jump up on the counter and take a nibble. And that nibble could be fatal.

So be safe, keep the lilies away from your cat.

Also please be careful of other Easter dangers such as the grass that goes in the Easter baskets. Some cats will eat it leading to a gastrointestinal obstruction that could require surgery.

Have a safe and happy Easter!

Lost Cat - Hillside, NJ

2008-03-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

A male cat, Mr. Browns, was brought to the PFA clinic at 401 Hillside Ave. After being neutered and while being returned to the car, Mr. Browns escaped out of the carrying case and was last seen in the lot behind PFA running under the parked trucks.

Mr. Browns is an adult orange male cat, with a white patch under his chin and white "boots" on his feet. He's a friendly cat, but very scared and disoriented. He's also hard of hearing, which makes being outdoors very dangerous for him. His human mom and feline sister are absolutely heartbroken, very nervous, and want him back home.

If you spot Mr. Browns, please contact Annmarie at 201-704-8502 or the PFA clinic at 973-282-0890.

Getting A Rabbit For Easter?

2008-03-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

Advocate Alert Update: Cape May Moving Stray Cats Off The Beach

2008-03-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200803050410/NEWS03/803050311

March 5, 2008

Cape May moving stray cats off the beach

1,000-foot buffer to keep birds safe

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Having learned a lesson about the birds and the beach, Cape May acted Tuesday to protect both by keeping cats away from them.

After nearly a year of conflict that pitted cat lovers in this Victorian seaside resort against bird lovers in one of North America's prime bird-watching spots, the City Council approved a plan to move feral cat colonies 1,000 feet away from the beach.

The move was necessary to protect endangered shore birds like the piping plover and the least tern, both of which nest in the sandy ruts on Cape May's popular beach.

Because the birds are considered to be endangered, federal environmental officials threatened to withhold Cape May's federal beach replenishment money if the city refused to protect the birds.

"It's important to protect our beaches," said Councilwoman Linda Steenrod. "At the same time, it's important to protect life. That means all life. I think we have a good compromise."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had wanted feral cat colonies banned within one mile of the beach — something that would have eliminated all wild cats in Cape May. The compromise calls for a 1,000-foot buffer zone from known bird nesting grounds, while letting the city continue its trap, neuter and release program.

That program has cut Cape May's wild cat population from 450 to about 100 over the past decade.

Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies, a national cat advocacy group based in Maryland, said Cape May's cat control program is a worldwide model.

"To hold beach replenishment money over the heads of a city that has done everything right is simply misguided," she said.

About 40 cat-lovers picketed outside city hall before Tuesday's vote, chanting, "Feral cats won't go away. Revise the plan and let them stay."

Melissa Holroyd, who has trapped 53 wild cats since November and paid to have them neutered, said the compromise is a good one.

Deputy Mayor Neils Favre said the compromise leaves the door open for either the city or federal or state wildlife officials to revisit the plan if it needs to be changed.

$4.00 Off Purina Coupon

2008-03-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

If you go to www.giveabowl.com and click on "Download A Great Savings Coupon From Purina," you can get a $4.00 off coupon for the Purina food that best suits your cat or dog. There is a very short survey to fill out. After you fill out the survey, click "Download Coupon" and it will bring you to a page that reads "Find Organizations In Your Area."

If you would like, you can help support Homeless Animal Lifeline's (HAL) Animal Care Assistance Program by typing "07726" into the Zip Code box and then clicking "Search." You can then choose "Select" for Homeless Animal Lifeline and we will receive $1 in food points for every coupon redeemed. Each quarter, the total points accumulated by our organization will be calculated and we will be sent Purina brand pet food coupons valued at the amount of food points we've earned.

We will use these coupons to purchase food for our Animal Care Assistance Program in which HAL assists the community by providing food, supplies, and/or medical care for companion animals during times of need in an effort to decrease the amount of animals abandoned or relinquished to shelters.

Note: When you print your coupon, you will be asked to download a very small file so that the bar code prints properly. This file is from Windows and is safe. The file is called "Coupon Printer for Windows."

Thanks!

Volunteers Needed For "Safe Placement" Program

2008-02-24T19:37:00.000-08:00

In December, 2007, we read about a horrifying case in Aberdeen, NJ concerning Anthony Appolonia who was charged with animal cruelty. He convinced at least 22 cat owners that he would provide a safe environment for their pets after responding to their "free to good home" advertisements. Once he adopted the cats, he allegedly tortured and/or killed them.

Homeless Animal Lifeline is recruiting volunteers to contact people who place "Free To Good Home" ads and warn them of the dangers, as well as work within our "Safe Placement" program, which helps people find safe homes for animals.

Some of our goals are:

1 - to have a volunteer for every Internet list in NJ that allows "Free to Good Home" ads. These volunteers would contact people who place ads and not only warn them of the dangers of "Free To Good Home" ads, but offer to work with them to ensure that the animal is placed into a safe, loving home.

2 - sending a Letter To The Editor and/or place classified ads in NJ newspapers that warns about the dangers of "Free To Good Home" ads.

This volunteer effort costs you nothing and could be done from the comfort of your own home!

We also have a free information pack that is ready to use. The info pack includes a "Finding A Safe Home" tip sheet, a "Free To Good Home Ad" warning sheet, news article, and sample letter, as well as a sample adoption contract.

Interested in helping or want more details? Let us know!

Advocate Alert: The Cats of Cape May are Still In Danger!

2008-02-20T22:15:00.000-08:00

The following is a letter from the President of Alley Cat Allies, Becky Robinson.

COPIED MESSAGE

Last night’s city council meeting proved that the citizens of Cape May and this country care deeply about the lives of stray and feral cats. More than 100 dismayed residents packed the auditorium to discuss a plan that would virtually eliminate the city’s groundbreaking and highly successful twelve-year old Trap-Neuter-Return initiative.

The city is in a terrible predicament. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are essentially holding an unrelated program hostage until the city council approves a flawed, ineffective beach-management plan that would lead to the trapping and ultimate killing of the local stray and feral cats.

The fact is, for most cats, impoundment is a death sentence! 72% of cats entering shelters nationwide are killed. And statistics are even worse for feral cats – like those in Cape May. Virtually 100% of feral cats that enter shelters are killed.

I’m proud to say that I opened the public comment period by questioning what would happen after the city eliminated the proven and effective Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Fortunately, the city council chose to delay a vote on the beach-management plan and try to find a solution that would genuinely protect the endangered shorebirds while respecting the community’s twelve-year old efforts to manage feral cats with Trap-Neuter-Return.

It is clear that the city council and residents of Cape May want to do the right thing to maintain the city’s place at the forefront of progressive and innovative communities.

Alley Cat Allies is committed to continuing to protect the cats of Cape May – and cats across the country. With your support, we will continue to fight for the cats of Cape May and make sure the world knows that feral and stray cats deserve humane care.

For the Cats,
Becky Robinson
President

Coming Up! 3rd Annual Multi-Household Yard Sale May 18th / 9AM-3PM

2008-02-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

Mark Your Calendars!

3rd Annual Multi-Household Yard Sale
to benefit Homeless Animal Lifeline!

Sunday, May 18th
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

1326 Watchung Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060

Find great deals on…
Clothing, household items, antiques and collectibles, books, furniture, and more!

Many thanks to Carol and Michael for organizing and hosting this event!

Advocate Alert: Take a Stand To Protect The Cats of Cape May!

2008-02-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

From Alley Cat Allies

Tell Cape May, NJ to resist the US Fish and Wildlife Service pressure to
kill cats:

Click here for sample letter

HAL Happenings!

2008-02-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

~*~*~*~*~Homeless Animal Lifeline (HAL) Happenings~*~*~*~*~

Homeless Animal Lifeline
A NJ Nonprofit Corporation
Internet: www.halrescue.org
Email: RescueHAL@aol.com

February 12, 2008

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HAVE A HEART FOR RESCUED ANIMALS!

In honor of Valentine's Day, add your name to a RED HEART for a $1 donation. Buy a heart to honor someone you love whether they have two legs or four!

www.halrescue.org/valentine.html

Happy Valentine's Day from Homeless Animal Lifeline!

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DONATIONS: Monetary donations are always needed to help fund our programs and help the cats within our foster system. Donations can be made safely through PayPal by visiting our website: www.halrescue.org or contact us at RescueHAL@aol.com for a postal address. HAL has no paid employees; we are a 100% volunteer organization.

Where have your donations gone recently?

- HAL has been helping with an urgent situation regarding a crowded home where cats were suffering from various ailments and one required emergency surgery. Since mid-January, twenty cats have been helped. This effort has cost HAL over a couple of thousand dollars, with other charges paid for out of pocket by HAL volunteers.

- HAL recently completed a rescue effort in Manalapan, NJ for homeless feral and stray cats who were under attack by residents. Fourteen cats total were rescued; they were spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Feral cats were relocated to private, confined property where they can live in peace and be cared for by a permanent caretaker. Seven cats were tame and placed up for adoption. Three cats are still waiting for homes; contact us at RescueHAL@aol.com for more information on Cara (tortie), Ellie (orange), and Carmen (Tortie Siamese)!

- Valentine, a long-haired 4 year old female cat, was brought to our adoption day by PetSmart customers who could no longer keep her because of "allergies." Valentine was so badly matted that she needed an emergency grooming! Lyn from People For Animals was kind enough to remove the severe mats causing skin irritation, and Valentine's foster mom Ilene brought her for a professional grooming. Valentine was vaccinated, tested for FIV/FeLV (she's negative), and is now up for adoption! Her photos will soon be available on Petfinder.

- HAL purchased Friends of Animals spay/neuter certificates to help with cat overpopulation.

- Your donations helped us supply food to dedicated volunteers who care for feral cat colonies in New Jersey.

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VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED YOU!

The following volunteer positions are available:

-Foster Parent
-Public Outreach
-Fundraising

Contact RescueHAL@aol.com if you can assist with one (or more!) of the above volunteer positions!

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FEATURED CAT

Cara and Ellie are 11 month old sisters who are extremely bonded. They are searching for a permanent home where they can remain together. Trapped by Animal Control because people complained about these homeless girls, they were brought to a shelter and then brought to a HAL foster home. They have been moved around a lot in the past few months and are quite shy, but very sweet. Ellie (orange short-haired) is a bit braver than her sister Cara (tortie short-haired); Ellie can often be found grooming and cuddling her sister. They are very calm and gentle and would do best in a calm household with a patient person who will give them the love and care they deserve. Both girls are spayed, up to date on vaccines, FIV/FeLV negative, and microchipped. You can visit their Petfinder page and see their photos here:

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9961199

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UPDATE ON HAL'S RESCUE PROGRAM:

HAL's foster homes are currently filled and we are unable to accept animals from the public at this time. If you are interested in fostering, please fill out our Foster Application, which can be found at:
http://hal.digital-mind.net/hal_foster_application.php.

However, while we have stopped intake, the calls to place animals have not. In light of that, we have expanded our Humane Education and Public Outreach program. Our website includes a Companion Animal Education section, which addresses issues such as finding a safe home for your companion animal, the dangers of "free to good home" ads, living with allergies, and more.

We also offer free information packets on a variety of issues, as well as host public outreach tables and write letters on behalf of abused and homeless animals.

Although we are a limited rescue operation, we are an active advocacy group. We still answer email and phone inquiries and are happy to offer advice based on our own experiences.

We have set up an emergency fund program, Animal Care Assistance, that assists the community by providing food, supplies, and/or medical care for companion animals during times of need in an effort to decrease the amount of animals abandoned or relinquished to shelters.

Donations made to HAL, in addition to going to the care of our current fosters and permanent animals (those whom for various reasons will never be adopted), are going to the aforementioned programs, as well as educational materials.

We hope that our programs will have a positive impact on the animal community!

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VEGAN RECIPE

General Tao's Tofu

Ingredients:

1 box of firm tofu
egg substitute for 1 egg
3/4 cup cornstarch
vegetable oil for frying
3 chopped green onions
1 Tablespoon minced ginger
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
2/3 cup vegetable stock
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
4 Tablespoons sugar
red pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon sherry (optional)
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
steamed broccoli

Directions:

Drain, dry and cut tofu into 1 inch chunks. You can freeze tofu the night before to get a more chicken-like consistency, but it isn't necessary. Mix the egg replacer as specified on the box and add an additional 3 tablespoons water. Dip tofu in egg replacer/water mixture and coat completely. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cornstarch over tofu and coat completely. Watch out that the cornstarch doesn't clump up at the bottom of the bowl.

Heat oil in pan and fry tofu pieces until golden. Drain oil.

Heat 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil in pan on medium heat. Add green onions, ginger and garlic, cook for about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn garlic. Add vegetable stock, soy sauce, sugar, red pepper and vinegar. Mix 2 Tablespoons water with 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and pour into mixture stirring well. Add fried tofu and coat evenly.

Serve immediately with steamed broccoli over your choice of rice.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30-40 Minutes

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ADOPTION DAYS: Don't forget to visit us at the Bridgewater PetSmart every Saturday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM!

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NETWORKING WORKS!

Do you live in the New Jersey area and want to help animals? Join the NJCare Email Network for information on animals needing homes, volunteer opportunities, and animal news!

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NEWSLETTER: Want to join our newsletter mailing list? Visit:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeless_animal_lifeline/.

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"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."

Today!! February 9 - Valentine's Day Adoption Event

2008-02-08T23:45:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Adoption Event!

When: February 9, 2008 between 11 AM and 4:00 PM
Where: Bridgewater PetSmart, 145 Promenade Blvd.

Find the love of your life at our Valentine's Day Adoption Event. Enjoy some sweet treats as you visit with our many cats available for adoption. Be sure to ask about our extra special promotion for adopting a Pair of Sweethearts!

Have A Heart For A Rescued Animal!

2008-02-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, add your name to a RED HEART for a $1 donation. Buy a heart to honor someone you love whether they have two legs or four!

www.halrescue.org/valentine.html

Happy Valentine's Day from Homeless Animal Lifeline!