Subject: A Purr-Fect Ending

Hello:
About two months ago, I sent out a plea for help when 70 (yes, final count 70) cats and kittens were abandoned without food, water or medical care in a fallacious "animal rescue organization" called Sunnybrooke Farms Animal Rescue by a deceptive owner, Rebecca Fernald in Zephyrhills, Florida.

These were not feral cats. They came from trusting owners who gave them up for one reason or another for a hefty fee after being promised they would live "happily ever after" on a "farm". Continuous donations were required to insure their food, medical needs and S/N, if necessary. Of course, the monies never made their intentions. They had many needs that were not met. Six died after drinking anti-freeze put out in bowls by a neighbor who was tired of chasing the cats from her dumpster. Three kittens were too sick to make it at the onstart of the rescue.

When the media reported the crime of animal abuse several calls came in from victimized owners. Three came in to "pick out" their animals. And among those calls were victims that experienced this same scenario two years ago in another part of Pasco county. This repetative crime holds a frightening thought that this person will begin again somewhere else in Florida. She is still somewhere in the area and Lord knows abandoned or unwanted animals are easy prey.

My primary reason for this e-mail is to report the final outcome and to sincerely thank each and everyone of you for your support, your encouraging e-mails and all of your expert suggestions. We have indeed finally gathered every cat and this could not have been done without the following organizations who "stepped up to the plate"; brought in their expertise, their unconditional devotion to animal rescue and their unselfish time, efforts and dollars to nurse these cats back to health, provide a stable environment and/or a new home with the care and love they deserve:

CANDYSCATS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA drove 2 hours on a weekend to assist with trapping.

ST. FRANCIS ANIMAL RESCUE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA the first on the scene gathered all the kittens; defleaed and wormed them on the spot. They scheduled vet checks for them and because everyone had ringworm they knew it would take bathing and medicating these kittens on a daily basis before any adoption could be considered. For a novice like me, I thought the "Angels" flew in that day. They took 18 kittens that day and I brought 6 more into the Vet for them the next day. God Bless each and every volunteer in their organization.

And finally, MAURY FROM 10TH LIFE SANCTUARY IN CLEWISTON, FLORIDA ( a 4 hr. drive one way) who made at least 4 trips with traps, cages and an unyielding objective to save every last cat. I was in awe of his feline expertise and his "special" traps for the last six stubborn cats who managed to evade every other trapping tactic. If it weren't for his unselfish dedication to save every animal and his encouragement with this vast undertaking, I don't know if I could have prevailed in this rescue. There is a special place in Heaven for this man.

I know most of you are involved with the tremendous efforts to save the animals from the recent hurricane disaster and God Bless you for all you do. But I did think it was important to thank everyone and to give special recognition to the organizations that helped in this rescue. There are dozens of "unsung heroes" out there every day and my life is richer having met some of them. And it's these "unsung heroes" that are methodically making a difference toward the ultimate goal of protecting all of God's creatures. And I ask that God Bless you all.