UPDATE: Hello! :) Twitter fundraising has proven successful! The best way seems to have been determining the most immediate need and its costs, and raising money for that specific need. I have left the monthly expenses outlined below, and will update this section of Pledgie to mirror what the current tweets are about. :)

PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE USING PAYPAL! =^..^=

Current financial need: 12-26-09 7 I am raising up money to meet the goal for the end of this year. The money is for spaying/neutering and immunizing all the cats, as well as cleaning supplies, transportation to and from vets, and start-packages to go with them when they are adopted. Michelle’s Cats is also in the process of applying for 501c3 tax status, and some money may be used for those fees. There’s still a whole week left, we can do it! =^..^=

FREE GIFTS for donors! I am making oil and acrylic paintings in the same style as the four green-kitty paintings on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/lyontamer. Donations of different amounts get different size paintings.

THESE PAINTINGS WILL BE DISCONTINUED ON JANUARY 1, SO GET YOURS NOW! =^..^=

$20 is the minimum donation to qualify for a painting.
$20-$39: 5×7″
$40-$59: 8×10″
$60-$79: 11×17″
$80-$99: 16×20″
$100-$200: 24×36″
Over $200: contact me.

All paintings are oil or acrylics on gessoed bristol paper unless otherwise noted in their descriptions. Finished paintings and descriptions will be posted on the blog, and donors can choose which they want. Shipping is free. Donations can be combined to get a larger painting or divided to get several smaller ones. Paintings larger than 24×36″ available for local pick-up only.

You can also help by purchasing original artworks at my Etsy shop!
http://lyontamer.etsy.com

I also have art prints for sale on RedBubble!
http://www.redbubble.com/people/michellelyon/art

YOUTUBE VIDEO CHANEL: www.youtube.com/michellescats

Michelle’s Cats blog: http://michellescats.blogspot.com
(Visit the blog to see adoptable kittens!)

Follow me on Twitter! @lyontamer73

Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the time to visit this campaign. :)

Bakersfield is one of the worst in the nation in foreclosure and unemployment rates. Pets have become disposable as a result. State and local budget crises have led to cessation of free spay programs, and with no money to spay pets themselves, and no money for the drop fees that shelters require, pets are left unaltered and reproducing, and often abandoned upon unemployment or foreclosure. It is worst in impoverished “ghetto” areas. In an effort to curb the out-of-control cat breeding in one such neighborhood, several residents have begun bringing strays indoors so that they at least can’t get pregnant and make the problem worse.

Many of the cats and kittens are adoptable. We need help financially until adopters are found. Money is used for buying cat food, kitty litter, immunizations, medications, and parasite control. The estimated costs, with the most important listed first, are:

$46 per week ($184/month) for kitty litter (scooping/clumping)
$25 per week ($100/month)for cat food (usually Cat Chow, Special Kitty or Meow Mix)
$130 per month for flea/tick control (Revolution or Frontline)
$30 per month for tapeworm control (D-Worm praziquantel)
$40 per cat for vaccinations (5-in-1 and rabies)
$130 per cat (regular vet price) for spay/neuter.
$40 per cat for identification. (collar, ID tag, microchip)
$15 per week ($60/month)for kitten formula and bottles (KMR)
$20 per week for accessories (towels, bedding, toys, carriers, scratch posts, grooming, hidy-boxes, etc.)

These numbers do vary slightly depending on any low-cost spay programs that come available, donations of the goods themselves, sales at local stores, etc.

PROJECT FUZZY MICE: This is a trap-neuter-release project for a feral colony in the area. The costs listed above are the same for these cats. Please include a message with your donation if you want your money to go directly to the ferals.

Michelle is a CSU Bakersfield Psychology student with research interests in the psychopathology of animal hoarders. The money is used by her to purchase the supplies listed, either for use with her own rescued cats, or to distribute as needed to neighbors who find a cat or kitten and need help caring for it. Michelle also provides behavioral training, petsitting, rehoming, and other assistance for free. The cats are located in Oildale, a suburb of Bakersfield, Ca.

NOTE: Donations are not tax deductible.