by Charlotte Bass-Lilly
NEW ORLEANS, LA: It was discovered today in the Carrollton Riverbend area of uptown New Orleans that a new union is forming in what is traditionally a non-union, right-to-work state.
A small piece of torn paper, sprinkled with kitty litter, revealed a portion of a flyer distributed by Delton DeGris. Delton, a large gray feline of laid-back repute, is just one of many shelter cats looking for a new home through Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). The flyer revealed potential trouble breaking out at an adoption event this Saturday, usually a peaceful occurrence where humans and homeless pets become family. Deltons cryptic scratchy marks read, “This union represents hundreds of cats clawing out of a never-ending canine shadow to get some doggone attention and adoption equality. This stops now!”
DeGris, armed with a determined cattitude to bring rights to his fellow felines, plans to make his grassroots proposal to create an official union for felines on Saturday, July 26, at Canine Culture, 8110 Hampson Street, New Orleans from 11am to 3pm. The group, calling themselves Local Feline Union 504 (other area codes may be included as they expand their coalition), is expecting strong support by the humans at the adoption event. Dogs, as well as puppies, cats and kittens will be up for adoption. “Our Unions cute kitten members can be counted on to distract attention from those canine pups,” stated Delton, not at all worried about the competition. “After all they dont bark at a doorbell in the middle of your favorite TV show,” he commented, as he wiped his catnip-laden whiskers.
Special Adoption Fees
As a conciliatory measure to Local Feline 504 members, ARNO has agreed to reduce the usual adoption fee of $150 to $25 for adult cats and $50 for kittens (with two-for-one kittens to keep the union strong at a new home). Dogs will share in the arbitrated fees with adult dogs at $75, and puppies at $100. The dogs refuse the two-for-one arbitration and will strictly reject such feline fancy.
ARNO states that adoption fees include spay/neuter, age appropriate rabies and other inoculations, plus cats combo tested for FIV and FeL, and adult dogs test heartworm negative.
Local Feline 504 strongly supports pre-screening remain in place for appropriate adoptions, so the requirements of an approved application remain in place before a pet is released to a new home. ARNO organizers state that application pre-approval is highly recommended, and an application is available by contacting [email protected]. ARNO advises the public that this is a limited opportunity, so be ready to take advantage of this adoption special. Special adoption rates will be in effect through July 31, 2008.
Saturday, July 26, 2008 Canine Culture, 8110 Hampson, New Orleans 504.373.5141
Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) is a volunteer grassroots 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rescue and aid of abandoned and homeless animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as responding to immediate medical needs, including neglect, abuse and deprivation of loving care. ARNO promotes the foster, adoption and reunion of pets with caretakers, as well as spay/neuter of all companion animals.
ARNO No-kill Shelter at 271 Plauche St., New Orleans, LA 70123 (Elmwood section of Jefferson)
Open to Public 3pm 7pm seven days/week 504.571.1900 voice mail