Dates:
- July, 2001: CASR was founded as a non-profit Siamese rescue organization
- August, 2003: CASR expanded to take over the Mid-West Center, including Kansas and Colorado
Affiliation:
CASR is affiliated with Siamese Rescue Central, which includes also the Virginia Center and the Texas Center. Each Center is an individual 501(c)(3) corporation with its own Board, policies and procedures. All are working toward the common goals of the rescue of "throw-away" Siamese cats, and the rehoming of each of them to permanent, caring, nurturing homes. Education of the public is another big focus of these Siamese Rescue Centers.
Fund Raising:
Each Center is self-supporting, with individual fundraising efforts to help support the needs of the rescued Meezers. The average cost of veterinary work alone is not covered by the adoption fee of $100 to $125, and food, litter, scratching posts, crates, and other "creature comforts" must be paid for somehow. CASR has several fund-raising means, including
Finally, the entire profits of Kari Winter's new book, "Princess Fiona: My Purrsonal Story" will go toward CASR's wonderful rescue operations. Kari and Stephanie Montagne, who took the beautiful photos in this book, are both volunteers for CASR and have donated their time and their incredible talents toward helping the Center.
The Adoption Process:
Not everyone who applies will be entrusted with one of these precious cats. Applicants are carefully screened and firm adoption policies are set. Those lucky individuals who pass the screening and the initial interview may find themselves on a waiting list for an available cat. (No one wants to see these cats end up on the street again.) Siamese are intensely affectionate and deserve homes where they will get the attention they rightfully deserve.
Summary:
Since California is such a large state, it was decided to have two Directors, for Northern and Southern California, to better support the individual volunteers. The aim of these selfless individuals is to locate, rescue, and foster unwanted, abandoned, and/or abused Siamese cats until carefully selected permanent homes can be found for them. Like all "throwaway cats," these Siamese did not ask for their plight. Because of the death of owners, ignorance or outright uncaring, previously "owned" cats find themselves homeless. Others are born to Siamese queens who were abandoned after their owners failed to spay them.
The volunteers leave no stone unturned to find these homeless "Meezers," seeking them out in shelters, on the streets, and by word of mouth. Unlike some other rescue organizations, CASR rescues are each housed in a foster home, and learn to give up their "wildness" for a family life.
If you live in California or the Midwest, love Meezers, whether "Appleheads" or "Wedgies," and find your life needing a spiritual boost, I can think of no more rewarding avocation than helping out with CASR. Why not volunteer today, while it's on your mind?
