Put a Buck in Muppet’s Bucket
Would you be willing to donate $1 to save a cat’s life?
Most of you are probably aware of last year’s horrific cat hoarding situation in Pahrump, Nevada (at the edge of Death Valley), in which over 800 cats were kept in nightmarish conditions at FLOCK, which posed as an animal sanctuary but was in fact little more than an institutionalized hoarding situation. Best Friends Animal Society successfully took legal action to have the cats seized and turned over to them (and is ensuring that those involved are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law). Sadly, hundreds of cats perished from starvation and neglect, but hundreds more were saved and have found furever homes. One of the early whistleblowers — who eventually adopted Muppet — describes what happened:
There were just a few of us at the beginning and we had no clue that FLOCK was not asking for any help. We were not FLOCK, we were the ones that had been trying to shut down Flock for some time. When it became obvious that no help was coming, I
called Best Friends. The new owners of FLOCK told Best Friends that they didn’t need their help, that the cats were fine!!! After 4 weeks of pure exhaustion, my heart completely ripped out from seeing so much horrifying suffering, two of us called Best Friends again sobbing for them to please come and help. They sent out 4 people (that’s when Troy snapped that photo of Cover Girl) to investigate. Flock naturally ran them off within a week, but they got to see the horrible condition that cats were in. They hooked up with animal control and two weeks later the cats and the property were seized and handed over to Best Friends. I stayed another two weeks until they had enough volunteers show up. Muppet and two others I had already smuggled off of the property in mid June. Denise had smuggled 36 critical cats out of there. I did have Best Friends document that I adopted her from them. So if anything were to happen to me, I know that Muppet will go to them and be in excellent hands.”
Muppet was one of the “lucky” ones (the photo below right was taken shortly after she was rescued). Muppet was emaciated and almost bald from malnutrition, mange and ringworm when she was smuggled out. Her mom tells Muppet’s story:
I rescued Muppet from a huge cat sanctuary [FLOCK] where the cats had been left to starve.
Several hundred did not make it and many more were critical when we arrived to try and help. Muppet and Beannie Baby were among the most critical too and the heartbreaking day when Beannie Baby died from kidney failure I scooped up Muppet and brought her home. I didn’t want to let her out of my sight. She weighed only 4 pounds, she was emaciated and dehydrated. She could barely walk and she looked like a puppet on strings when she tried. It’s been over 3 months now, and Muppet weighs in at 6 pounds. Still needs to gain a couple more pounds. Her kidneys are thankfully hanging in there, but she’s still having some problems with her ears. For the first month after we brought her home, she slept by the food and water bowls. She didn’t want her food and water to ever get ‘lost’ again. She’s learned to trust again that the food and water will always be there, so now she likes to sleep on a bed or by a window. Her personality is starting to come out and she is such a sweet little character. We love her so much.
Muppet nows weighs over seven pounds and is in otherwise good health, but she needs a surgical procedure to correct the problem in her ears. If it is not corrected and the pain meds are no longer effective, the excruciating pain that results will make it necessary to euthanize her. Muppet’s family has made many financial sacrifices this last year to ensure she gets medical treatment, but the $5000 price tag for her surgery is beyond their means.
That’s the cue for Catsters to come to Muppet’s rescue.
A Catster Group — Muppet’s Bucket — has been organized to support fund-raising efforts for Muppet’s surgery. (This fund-raiser is Catster-approved.) Catsters Winnie and Chester have agreed to MATCH ALL DONATIONS up to $1000 for donations made before Wednesday 11/26, and Catster Ele’ will match donations made before Wednesday up to $500. Another Catster set up a Paypal account and will cover all Paypal charges so that 100% of your donation goes to help Muppet. Here’s how you can donate:
Donations made by Check or Money Order
Make payable to A.C.C. of Pahrump
Mail to:
Attn: Tina/Muppet’s Fund
A.C.C. of Pahrump
6981 N. Hwy 160
Pahrump NV 89060Credit Card donations
Please call Tina at 775-751-2224PayPal Donations (you can make credit card and electronic check donations via Paypal)
The vet’s office is not able to use PayPal. Allie will accept PayPal donations on behalf of Muppet. To donate by PayPal please use:
allie AT murraycat DOT comPlease put “Muppet” in the comments.
It would be a shame if, after everything Muppet has gone through, she had to be euthanized. She is otherwise in good health, and only the ear problem stands between her and happily ever after. Every single donation helps — whether it’s $1 or $1000. If everyone who reads this blog donated $1, the surgery could be paid for!
- See Muppet’s Catster Profile
- Join Muppet’s Bucket– the fundraising group for Muppet on Catster
UPDATE!!!! As of Sunday night (11/23), almost half the money has been raised. Catsters will be holding an online auction to raise additional money. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AUCTION ITEMS. Catsters will be donating some amazing cat-themed hand-crafted items.
[PHOTO CREDIT (top photo): BestFriends.org]
This is just wonderful!! Catster is not just a website it’s a community of caring, selfless individuals! I’d already donated but was so pleased to see this blog and hope Lll’ Muppet’s bucket is soon overflowing.
Muppet is one of our first and dearest friends! i can’t thank Catster enough for helping with this. i have just been amazed by the love of the Catster Community for those in need! What a priviledge to be a part of this! Please ‘fill up’ lil’ Muppet’s Bucket!
Thanks Skeezix for posting this!
We have some additional ideas on fund raising including an Auction – if anyone would like to donate something to that – please join Muppet’s Group.
We’ll be donating of course a Morgan’s Bed, also a signed DVD and Book from the Dog Whisperer!
Mom and I know how hard it is to raise this kind of money – she did it for me for my cataract surgery with the backing of Save A Sato my rescue group.
We can make this miracle happen for Muppet too!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Mommy just got back from mailing her donation. We are soooooo happy this is seen on the front page of Catster!
This is not the first time Mommy has been amazed by the generosity of the Catster community (think Aldo, Tess, and Noelle) and I am sure it won’t be the last! We are so proud to be part of it!
Muppet has been through so much already, so it is absolutely wonderful that so many are pitching in to help.
I just want to add my thank you to Catster HQ for supporting our effort to help Muppet! Come on over the the Muppet’s Bucket group for more information about what’s going on!
Muppet’s tale is an extraordinary one and she deserves a chance at a long and pain-free life. Catster has so many incredibly wonderful and cat-loving people. Our meowmy is proud to be a member of this website!
Thank you, Skeezix, for getting this story out to your blog reading public. You are a true MUPPETHEAD and as we are finding out, MUPPETHEADS can really get things done. Thanks to Catster HQ for approving this important fundraising effort. Come on, Catsters, let’s fill Muppet’s Bucket up to the very top.
Purrs from Oliver & family, proud to be MUPPETHEADS
This is wonderful! We are so proud to be part of the Catster community. The people here are amazing.
Muppet is gorgeous & we are so happy that she will have a chance to live a pain free life in a home where she is loved.
Our purrs go out to the other kitties that were there with her.
My daughter and I know what its like to have a sick animal… so we are going to see what we can send tohelp. I have also added this page to stumble, hopefully many of my fellow stumblers will help as well. Best wishes
Hey there, I am a LVT in las vegas and was ashamed when I had heard how bad FLOCK had gotten since I had volunteered for them as a kid, but never at the sanctuary. Has all the money been raised?? I can try to petition around the veterinary community, or at least the hospital I work at if I it is still needed??
I hope our little bit can help Muppet. this story is so heartbreaking, I had to keep from crying as i read this at my desk! Many purrs to you Muppet!! I hoe your surgery is a success, as I know you’ll get enough money from all the wonderful kitties and families on Catster!
Thanks to MODERNCAT, I found out that your family needed extra help! I’ve put into the pot…and, have also spread the word via email to 64 friends/family…I hopr they do their part!!
I have faith that people will show the true meaning of Thanksgiving and help out! Please keep us MODERNCAT subscribers posted on your wee ones status…from the fundraising to the actual procedure…and, finally…the recovery process!! I’d love to pass the word over to those who helped to donate.
God Bless!!
It might be confusing to some to read that the PayPal payment needs to be made to: allie AT murraycat DOT com
You might want to make sure that you mention that people need to replace the AT and DOT w/ the actual symbols…when placing the payment.
Just a heads up!
The folks here at Classical Music Broadcast just rescued an alley stray, now named Oscar, so we understand! A wee giftie is on the way through PayPal!
I really wish there was some way we could find the other babies rescued from this hell-hole and help them. Muppet is so lucky in having found the Mom she did (or the other way around MOL!). Can we find the other Moms/Dads and help any of them? We somehow missed the story of the 800 cats being hoarded and are so appalled and so wanting to help more of them.
Muppet, Skeezix and Catster are truely the Cat’s Meow! You guys are fantasticats and make me PURRoud to be a Catster!
Ciao & Meow,
GUIDO The Italian Kitty
I’ve just put something into Muppet’s pot. A little over a week ago my own cat had to put to sleep after he had been ill for over a year. So I know what a harrowing experience it is to see an animal suffer or fight for its life. I hope that enough money will be raised and that Muppet will be well soon.
Lots of kitty-love from Germany,
Sandra
Update: we have done it and raised the $5000 Muppie needs and the surgery will be 12/3. HOWEVER, if you would still like to give, please do. Mup will have follow up care costs, and also if there is any left we will be making sure it goes to other FLOCK harmed cats that the same vet is still helping. Please give if you can.
Love Winnie and Chester
Hi, is there still any need for items for this auction?
i just read the article and was wondering if there were any updates available. i would appreciate it if someone would do a follow-up with this, and i am sure there may be others who only recently read the story about FLOCK.
thanks in advance.
=^.^=