Storefront Cat and Kitten Sanctuary to Close

No-Kill Cat Shelter in Eagle Rock (Los Angeles) Must Close

(PRWEB) April 24, 2005 -- With four years' worth of cat and kitten rescues and placements to its credit, Angel Puss of Eagle Rock will close at the end of business, Sunday, May 1st. The privately run, no-kill shelter has provided a safe haven for almost one thousand stray and needy cats, and found good homes for most. However, a few dozen cats still must be placed, and time is short.

Angel Puss of Eagle Rock is the product of local resident Shirley Deissenberger's lifelong devotion to felines. With the help of her husband Keith ("He hasn't any choice!" laughs Shirley) and a few devoted volunteers, the cats are fed, watered, combed and cuddled, and the litter pans cleaned, everyday. Doors open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to seven.

Just a few doors west of Trader Joe's, Angel Puss of Eagle Rock features a pet-supply and animal-theme gift shop in front. A mesh partition separates the store from the cats' temporary residence, where prospective adopters enter to meet and pet the cats. Some cats freely roam the floor or perch in tree-like hideaways, while others rest on bedding in rows of neatly arranged cat condos.

Adoption fees, which include spaying or neutering and vaccinations, range from $60-85, and $125 for Siamese or other exotic breeds. "Angel Puss depends on donations, merchandise sales and adoptions. The rest comes out of our pocket," says Shirley. Twice-weekly visits to the veterinary hospital top $1000 a month, even with a discount. Rising costs for space and quality food pushed the decision to close.

Angel Puss of Eagle Rock culminates decades of Shirley's compassion for animals. "I started at Wildlife Waystation back in the '70s, before they even had electricity." She went on to volunteer doing weekend cat adoptions while employed at Lucky's, where she met Keith in 1982. Shirley says "When Keith and I retired, we immediately took on Angel Puss, seven days a week. We're home less now than when we worked!"

Over the years, Keith and Shirley have taken in cats with broken bones, bottle babies and oldsters. They've arrived mornings at Angel Puss to find boxes of day-old kittens.

One cat currently on the adoption floor was brought in by an LA County Sheriff, who rescued her from Nickerson Gardens where she'd been beaten. Pregnant and with a broken pelvis, there was no choice but to deliver the litter by Caesarian section. Now healed and starting to trust people, she awaits a special person to take her home.

Shirley bends to pick up a Calico. "You have to work at not letting sadness grab you. Sometimes there are happy surprises, and we hang onto them." She says the Calico came in acting "like an abused child," and for a couple of years shrank from human touch. "Suddenly one day, she had a change of heart and let me pet her," continues Shirley. "Since then, she's as loving to people as it gets."

Driving the happiness point home, Shirley shines a laser toy on the floor. "Best kitty toy on the planet!" The place comes alive as cats chase the point of light around the room.

She says every cat adoption is special, but some stick in Shirley's memory. There's the big orange who came in as a kitten and adopted out as an adult. When his owners moved from LA to Palm Beach, they paid Shirley's way to fly to Florida with the cat on her lap. Adopters who now live in Alaska, Pennsylvania and other far-flung places still stay in touch.

Within the entire history of cats and kittens coming through Angel Puss, only one ever got out. Fortunately, she realized her mistake quickly and returned from her brief adventure.

And the cat's name? "Martha Stewart."

Angel Puss of Eagle Rock is committed to the humane and ethical treatment of stray and abandoned cats and kittens. It is a no-kill shelter funded by donations, product sales from its store and adoptions of homeless pets. Angel Puss of Eagle Rock is not affiliated with Angel Puss, Canoga Park, in any way.

Angel Puss of Eagle Rock
1578 Colorado Boulevard, #6
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
Tuesday-Sunday, noon-7pm
(626) 442-4477
angelpusseaglerock.org

Contact: Shirley
(626) 442-4477

# # #