Greetings, Pepita friends!

Our gentle girl has been enjoying solarium time in the warm winter temperatures.  It certainly feels as though spring has arrived!   Today she and Steven were out there by themselves.  When I walked into the solarium she looked soooo sleepy, as you can see in the picture.  But she brightened up and woke up pretty quickly and completely, especially when I went out and back in with a handful of treats!  However, she didn’t want to sit in my lap, but I did not take offense, as she enjoyed lots of petting from me instead.

Pepita spent the first part of the month on antibiotics for a very bad urinary tract infection (UTI). She is now cleared up, off the extra medication, and feeling really great. The hair loss on her lower back is still there, though on my visit this morning I could see how it is growing back nicely.  It is one of those unexplained mysteries we often have with kitties, but luckily it does not appear to bother her.

It is eerily quiet at Tabby’s Place, as the sanctuary has implemented its own coronavirus plan, taking precautions to protect all the staff, volunteers and visitors during this unsettled time.  The sanctuary has reached the level where it has closed its doors to the public and is only using a very small skeleton crew of staff and volunteers to care for the cats and to clean their rooms each day.

The cleaning protocols have changed, critical supplies are stockpiled, and the small group of volunteers must keep distance  (from each other, but we can still very much interact with the cats!) and monitor themselves for symptoms, including fever.  The cats seem oblivious to it all.  It is so wonderful that they can still be cared for in the best possible way during this humankind crisis.  Your wonderful support of Pepita, even during times like this, are what makes us all so grateful for you as Pepita’s sponsors.

The Aged to Purrfection program, in which Pepita participates to visit her friends in senior homes, has been suspended, for obvious reasons.  I’m sure she will miss her outings but I explained to her why we need to keep her senior friends (and our volunteers who take her there) very safe right now.  Pepita is doing her part to keep her face and coat exceptionally clean, as you can see in the picture.  She is wondering what all the fuss is about toilet paper.

Please know that we wish for you safe passage and minimal anxiety through this strange time and that all the furry babies, especially Pepita, are sending their love and purrs to you this month.  Thank you again for being a steadying force in Pepita’s life.

Your correspondent,
Sheila

Postscript: In light of the arrival of COVID-19 in New Jersey, Tabby’s Place is currently closed to the public except by appointment. Please click here for our official COVID-19 response.