P.O. Box 24068, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124
440-449-3496
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Caroline's Kids, cat care facility in the news!
Felines feel healing power of Reiki as seen in the News Herald article written by Jean Bonchak on 12/17/2009. Edward, a long-haired Himalayan mix cat, contentedly rested on his side, stretching out to receive the gentle touches of Reiki practitioner Denise Harding at Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary. "May you be safe ... happy ... healthy... and may you be at ease," Harding quietly and calmly told her furry, buff-colored patient. Reiki is an ancient natural healing technique involving the placement of hands onto the body to channel energy. Its purpose is to reduce stress and provide relaxation. The 1-year-old abandoned stray, who was found in the Madison area and brought to the sanctuary in Concord Township, suffers from a leukemia virus. Harding, who lives in Mentor, owns five cats and provides foster care for others. She has volunteered her services at the refuge since it opened more than two years ago. In addition to feeding, watering, scooping and cleaning, her skills as a Reiki practitioner are being used on resident animals in distress. She became interested in the technique through Reiki Rays of Hope Caregivers Inc. in Mentor and through training, or "attunement," reached the status of a level two practitioner. Cheryl Kanetsky, a teacher at the facility, said that more people are beginning to dabble in Reiki for pets, and that one of her training sessions included a veterinarian who was considering using it in her practice. Considering Harding's affinity for felines, the transition from people to pets came easily. "I'm just a conduit," Harding said. "I ground myself and the universal life force energy is able to flow through me to wherever it's needed. It's all about the greater good. Whatever we think might be the best thing to happen may not happen." Because of her background in Western medicine, she maintained that at one time she may have viewed the theory differently. "I would have previously been a skeptic except that I personally have received benefits and I see the animals benefiting," she said. At one session, a cat whose owner thought that the feline wouldn't leave his carrier because of a nervous personality stepped out of his safe enclosure, purred and "couldn't get enough of me," Harding said. Another time, a formerly hesitant cat directly approached her and placed his injured paw in her hand. "Animals are much more perceptive because they don't have any preconceived notions or skepticisms that are sometimes found in humans," Harding said. Sessions are conducted in "The Healing Cove," a transformed closet in a building on the sanctuary's grounds. She painted the interior a cool, sage green, draped sheer fabric over the ceiling to soften hard edges and placed a pillow covered in soft fleece on the floor. The Buddhist phrase, "May all beings be free from suffering and the cause of suffering" is scripted on the wall. "It really resembles a massage room sized for a cat rather than a human," she said. After several minutes of tender stroking and encouraging words, Edward's session concluded with a final cleansing and blessing to fling off negative energy. "I just feel like Edward gets it," Harding said. "He wants it and loves it." In addition to practicing Reiki for cats living at the sanctuary, Harding will offer 20-minute sessions for other cats once a month beginning Jan. 10. A donation of $20 to Caroline's Kids is required. Reiki offered for cats as seen in the News Herald article on 12/15/2009. Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Concord Township is offering a new program to pet guardians who want to provide another level of care for their felines. Reiki for pets is a form of spiritual healing that helps harmonize the mind, body and soul of your pet, according to a news release from the shelter. it can be used as a form of relaxation as well as a tool for releasing negative emotions and limitations. Reiki is not a religion. It can treat ailments, reduce stress, relieve pain and it can help with abuse or neglected animals. Reiki does not take the place of traditional medicine but can help in conjunction with veterinary care, according to the release. Caroline’s Kids incorporates Reiki into the sanctuary by way of soothing music, and Reiki is done for each feline for various reasons. Denise Harding, Reiki practitioner for the sanctuary, will be offering sessions for anyone interested from 2 to 4 p.m. beginning in January and also by appointment only. Each session lasts 20 minutes, is for cats only, and a $20 donation to the shelter is required. Sessions will follow once a month. Cat sanctuary gets turkey dinner delivery From WKYC Channel 3's Newscast broadcasted 11/27/2009. CONCORD TOWNSHIP -- In Lake County, 250 abandoned cats have a place they call home. Every room of the house is filled with cats. The sanctuary is called "Caroline's Kids." Ever since it opened two years ago, founder Judie Brown has been overwhelmed with the ever-increasing need to provide shelter, food and medical help for rescued cats. Thanksgiving morning, Joe Zaborowski, one of 20 unpaid volunteers, began visiting every room with a huge pan of freshly cooked turkey. The team of volunteers made sure each cat got a plate. Within seconds, the volunteers were surrounded by hungry cats, all eager to get a slice of the aromatic bird. Joe said that this is a labor of love for everybody at the sanctuary. Looking at the cats nuzzling his ankles for affection, Zaborowski said, "These are living breathing creatures. They have to be fed and they have to taken care of." Joe added, "People abandon them. The cats don't ask for this." Founder Judie Brown scratched the head of one of the older cats and said, "It's about helping others. Whether they have two legs or four, it is about making others happy." Brown added, "And no one should be hungry today. Just because they're cats, they shouldn't be hungry either." The staff at Caroline's Kids promises that every cat accepted into the sanctuary will have food, shelter and medical care for life. As you might imagine, with 250 residents, the cat sanctuary could really use donations during the holidays. Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue Wish List scoopable litter; canned or dry cat food; bleach; paper towels; window perches; cat trees and condos; cat beds; tall kitchen trash bags; Gift cards to PetSmart, Pet Supplies Plus, Home Depot and Lowe's For more information, call (440) 449-3496. Donations can be sent to: Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 24068, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 Musical sensation "Blackmore's Night" invited Caroline's Kids to the House of Blues Caroline's Kids was the only no kill shelter INVITED to join in this October 14, 2009 event by the group who are animal activists. We collected donations for the cat sanctuary at the door. Friends of felines invited to birthday bash as seen in the News Herald article written by Jean Bonchak 06/18/2009. The ringtone sounding from Ellen Distler's cell phone is that of a cat meowing. No surprise there. Distler is the manager of Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Concord Township, which will celebrate its second birthday on Saturday. A home for more than 200 abused, sick, neglected and abandoned cats, the facility is situated on 2 acres of rolling, pastoral land. The property also encompasses a wooden deck for easy viewing of a serene stream and colorful, manicured gardens. Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary began in 2007 when founder Judie Brown of Mayfield Heights stumbled upon the property. The lucky find ended the animal lover's lengthy search for a suitable dwelling for felines in dire circumstances. "This is their home first. We are visitors to their home," she said. "For that reason everything is done with the cats in mind," Brown said. The birthday bash is set to take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the shelter, 7394 Morley Road, at the intersection of Morley and Hoose roads. As part of the celebration the public will have a chance to peek at newly decorated and themed rooms. "Before we had rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4. I was trying to make it more personalized and fun," Distler said. Once inside, visitors are first greeted by dozens of adoptable cats prancing in a park-like setting adorned with nature-inspired wall murals, trees and benches. Other areas include an "Oldies But Goodies" room lined with 45 rpm records and names such as Scratch Domino, Jerry Flea Lewis and Cat Boone inscribed on the walls. The 1950s-themed habitat is designed for cats ages 10 and older. There's also the "Alley Cat" room, complete with fence and trash cans, which provides lodging for feral cats. "Under the Big Top" caters to those afflicted with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (similar to HIV in humans). Some of the animals requiring medical attention are treated in a bright, yellow clinic, the only room that has cages. Large windows throughout the house allow for gazing at feathered friends dining from bird feeders, as well as squirrels, geese, and assorted critters crossing through the grounds. Distler said none of the renovation funds were taken from money dedicated for cat care. Rather, donations of time, skills and gift cards specifically designated for the design project were used. "Its been amazing how many people have helped out," she said. "I'm so proud of what everyone has done." Those who attend the birthday bash are welcome to stroll through the property to visit the Rainbow Bridge and Garden of Angels, the statue of "Lucky Boy," who keeps a protective eye on the area and its inhabitants, and the Walk of Love constructed from engraved bricks purchased by shelter donors. Birthday gifts requested by the girl cats are canned food, scoopable litter and gift cards to Pet Supplies Plus and Petsmart. Boy cats are asking for Lowe's and Home Depot gift cards to be used for ongoing work throughout the sanctuary. The sanctuary is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Founder, Judie Brown being nominated for Cat Hero of the Year as seen in the News Herald article written by Jenny May on 9/26/2008. To the more than 200 rescued felines housed at Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue in Concord Township, founder Judie Brown is viewed as nothing short of a hero. With a little help from the community, Brown, who operates the sanctuary for abandoned, sick and abused cats, could receive that recognition nationally. Brown has been selected as one of 10 finalists in the Animal Planet “Cat Hero of the Year” contest. Between 12:01 a.m. Monday, September 29 and 11:59 p.m. October 13, 2008, people can help propel Brown and the nonprofit organization to first place by voting for her online at www.animalplanet.com. Only one vote per e-mail address will be accepted. The first-place winner of the contest will receive a $5,000 donation to his or her organization. “This really is quite an honor,” said Brown, who with her husband, Tom, founded Caroline's Kids eight years ago. “It’s very humbling to have someone think enough of us to even participate in the finals.” Brown was nominated for the contest in March by shelter volunteer Kris Lennon. In her nomination letter, Lennon explained how Brown and Caroline's Kids staff rescued a cat named Phoenix, who had been left for dead on the side of a road, nearly frozen to death with garbage stuck to his fur. After shelter staff nursed the cat back to health, Lennon adopted him. The incident is just one of many heartwarming endings that have come out of Caroline's Kids, Lennon said. Officials from Animal Planet said a total of 8,292 people from across the U.S. were nominated for the “Cat Hero of the Year” contest and another online Animal Planet contest called “Hero of the Year.” The two contests are separate and voters can vote for Brown only in the “Cat Hero of the Year” category. A panel of judges determined the finalists for each contest based on level of commitment and time devoted to their cause; level of accomplishment and impact of actions; and inspirational value, sincerity and credibility, said Laura Sullivan, vice president of marketing for Animal Planet Media. “Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year contest recognizes the unsung heroes of the animal community,” Sullivan said. “Every day our finalists give selflessly of themselves for the welfare of animals, and Animal Planet is honored to recognize the extraordinary efforts of these animal advocates.” Brown, a Mayfield Heights resident, said the contest prize of a $5,000 donation is much needed for Caroline's Kids. Food, litter, medicine, maintenance and utilities for the sanctuary total $15,000 a month. In addition, the building is in need of a new roof. If she wins, Brown will need to show Animal Planet, via photos or video, how the shelter used the prize. She said those who vote for her will be showing support for the shelter cats, volunteers and staff. “There are many, many people behind the scenes that have made it possible for us to get this far,” Brown said. “Caroline's Kids would not be here without people like my husband, Tom, and the dedicated volunteers and staff that work behind the scenes.” MH woman is finalist for "Cat Hero of the Year" as seen in the Sun Messenger article written by Susan Ketchum on 10/02/2008. Judie Brown needs your vote, but not for a political office. The founder and executive director of Caroline's Kids Pet Rescue is one of 10 finalists for this year's Cat Hero of the Year award from Animal Planet. The Mayfield Heights resident was one of 8,292 nominees for the Discovery Channel show's two annual awards. Several volunteers from the shelter submitted her name for nomination. The letter from volunteer Chris Lennon is posted on the Animal Planet website. Brown is the only one from Ohio, and the only one she knows who has ever made the finals from Northeast Ohio. "There's a lot of competition out there," she said. "I've read other letters, and they are very impressive." Brown and her husband, Tom, began Caroline's Kids in 2000 to create a safe, no-kill space for old, feral, or injured cats. The name comes from a special needs cat that the couple fell in love with at another shelter. "There was nothing around here that would give a cat like Caroline a chance, because she is unadoptable," she said. After operating out of rented space for seven years, they were able to purchase a 2,000 square foot house on two acres in Concord Township, with the help of donors, a benefactor, and the cash from their own retirement accounts. The cats moved in last Oct. 13. "We had outgrown our other place, so we needed to do this," she said. "Tom and I feel lucky to be doing what we love to do. The cats are our life." Now there are 220-230 cats living on the property. Most of the animals come to the shelter with broken bones or needing other medical care. The site has a clinic and can handle everything but surgery. "They are coming to us after having been thrown out of car windows or found in dumpsters, or other very bad circumstances. This year we took in a mother and four kittens from a Mayfield Heights house fire," she said. "And we have a boat load of kittens this year." The cats are cared for by volunteers who feed and scoop and clean and do laundry, or weed and maintain the property. Brown still maintains the Caroline's Kids office in Mayfield Heights, but the couple spends Fridays and some Sundays at the shelter. It costs $15,000 a month to keep the shelter running, including food and kitty litter. So, if Brown wins, the $5,000 first prize will be welcome. "If I win, we will have six months to produce a video or photograph album to show how the money was used. The sanctuary needs a partial new roof, and the medical expenses are enormous. I beg a lot," she said. To vote go to the animalplanet.com and type in Cat Hero of the Year. Animal Planet will announce the winner at 10 p.m. Dec. 4.
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ADDITIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE: As seen on WKYC Channel 3's Newscast by Mike O'Mara: "Rescued cats have special home for the holidays" broadcasted 11/23/07. Click here to read story News Herald, August 2006: "These pet projects are not cheap" Click here to read story News Herald, June 2006: "Where will they go when you're gone?" Click here to read story Cat Fancy, March 2002: "Serving Animals Caroline Inspires Pet Rescue" by Susan Easterly. Click here to read story |
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