Dogs of the Week: Ricky and Luna

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Ricky and Luna are a bonded pair of cuteness!  If you are looking for sweet, little, bonded, velcro dogs, Ricky and Luna are your perfect match! Once they are comfortable with you and feel safe they love to be in your lap, give kisses, or just watch tv and nap with you.   They are around 1.5 years old and take a little while to warm up to new situations but once they do they are cuddly and very sweet. They are good with dogs but new people may take some time to warm up and cats or small children are not a good fit.   Ricky and Luna need a secure fence over 4 feet. Both are neutered, love to run, play with toys, and we are working on not barking and biting the Roomba as it travels across the floor. You really need to meet these two to appreciate how special and adorable they are and to see their fabulous treat dance!

The adoption fee for this pair is $400 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, microchips with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you need some cuteness in your life and would like to meet this pair, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Romeo

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Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo…I’m right here, waiting for my purrfect family! Romeo is a handsome neutered male, around 2 years old.  He is great with dogs and has been friendly with every person he has met.  Romeo does require prescription urinary care food as he is prone to struvite crystals without this diet.  Romeo could live with other cats, but he could not share food.

If you are ready for a Romeo in your life and would like to meet this one, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Dog of the Week: Knox

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Knox is a purebred chocolate lab and he is ALL chocolate lab.  If you are looking for a high-energy dog to go running, biking, or hiking with and has that intensity and playfulness labs are known for, Knox is your dog!   Knox is 8 months old and has mastered chasing balls and toys, but the retriever part of him has not been fully activated yet. He takes treats gently and likes to snuggle in the morning.   Knox is a very smart boy, he has some basic obedience and would do best with another medium to large size dog that will play with him. He likes toys and is crate trained.   We haven’t tested him around cats or kids, but he can be a bit too playful at times and is prone to chasing small dogs. He should be fine with older kids (8+ years old). Knox is getting neutered soon and is looking for an active home that will help him channel his energy and maybe give him some ice cream afterward.

The adoption fee for Knox is $300 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If this big galoot strikes your fancy and you’d like to meet him, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Volunteer of the Month: Liz Schmitz

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Liz is very committed to helping out the cats of Last Hope. Here is her story:

Liz’s LHAR Adopted Nellie

“I became an LHAR volunteer and foster in the fall of 2021.  I had trapped a gorgeous boy in my yard and asked LHAR to take him in for adoption.  The answer was they could, but only if I fostered him because the fosters were full.  I was more than willing to do this.

Fostering for George soon led to other foster kitties entering my home.  I have loved each and every one of them as my own, as all of our fosters do.  It is so rewarding to know you are saving these babies from true hardships.  There have been so many who have come through my door, mainly kittens, but a few cats as well.   I have learned how to bottle-feed young kittens and give them flea baths.  I have learned about testing and microchipping.  I have been an advocate for Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) in my neighborhood.  Through fostering, I know the true power of the TNR program and the good it does for the community cats.

I enjoy the comradery I share with my fellow fosters in the area.  These ladies are a wealth of knowledge and I certainly draw on it.  I have made true friends for life and a sisterly bond like no other.  We share each other’s adoptions, victories, and losses; personal or cat related.   Life’s losses are eased knowing your foster sisters are by your side.

My story would not be complete without mentioning Ben.  This beautiful panther was returned to LHAR from his adopter.  I volunteered to take him.  He acclimated to my home and routine quickly.  He was a lap fixture.  He

Ben

loved to give head butts as they would be returned with pets and kisses.  He’d let you know when he wanted to be picked up for hugs.  In December, you could tell he’d dropped weight and a vet visit was needed.  Through multiple visits and undetermined results, he was taken to the Adoption Center to get more care and a possible diagnosis.  Things continued to go downhill for Benny.  He was taken to Blue Pearl for exploratory surgery and was back trying to recuperate, but again took a backward turn.

Ben

It was determined his little body couldn’t take much more and he needed to rest.  He will forever be remembered and loved. His ashes will have a permanent place under my butterfly bushes.  I am forever grateful for the love and support from the Adoption Center in Cedar Rapids.  They loved him when I couldn’t be there.

Aside from my love of my personal cats and foster kitties, I enjoy my flower gardens and watching the fish in my little koi pond.  I enjoy my daily workout routine, something I never dreamed I would ever say.  I grew up on a farm where I learned my love of animals, domestic and wild.”

Both Last Hope and the kitties are lucky to have Liz!

Cat of the Week: Manny

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Manny is a young, almost senior cat, at around 8.5 years old.  He came to Last Hope with the help of some wonderful people that recognized that he needed a little extra care and was truly a wonderful cat deserving of a permanent home! Manny was found to be diabetic upon joining rescue, this has been well managed with a prescription food diet (both dry and wet) and twice daily insulin injections.  Manny is a very agreeable cat, although he certainly isn’t a fan of being on a “diet” and will try to sneak snacks throughout the day! Manny is wonderfully affectionate with every person that he meets, he’s a volunteer favorite for giving you a hug and he definitely enjoys the company of his people.  Manny prefers to be the only pet in the home; he does not get along with other cats and seems perturbed by dogs in his space. We don’t want to add any stress to his life with the diabetes concerns, so believe it best that he be the center of your world and receive all the pets and loves! Manny would be fine with children, as long as everyone is careful to monitor his sneaky snacking habits!

Manny’s adoption fee is $85 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, and a microchip with free lifetime registration.

If you’d like to meet this people-lover, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Dog of the Week: Rhea

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Hi, my name is Rhea but my foster mom also calls me “Ray” and “Ray Ray.” I am about a year and a half old and have the typical young dog energy. I love to play… I play well by myself but also love a good game of fetch or tug of war with my people. I get along with other dogs and try to play with the dogs in my foster home but they’re kind of lazy. My foster mom took me to doggy daycare and I did great there… I had so much fun! Sometimes I get the zoomies and race around the house or yard which always makes my foster mom laugh! Once I’ve burned off some energy, I like to hang out with my people, snuggling and getting belly rubs! I am house-trained though, as with any dog, I may have an accident or two as I adjust to a new environment. I’m also kennel trained… I might occasionally whine just a little if I’m in the kennel and know my people are there but I settle down pretty quickly. I might also whimper or bark when I get excited or want something but I’m otherwise a pretty quiet dog. I know “sit,” “shake,” and some other commands and am pretty easily redirected if I’m ever doing something my people don’t like. Because of my energy and history of jumping 4 ft fences, I’d do best in a home with a 6 ft fence or people committed to taking me on regular walks on a leash and monitoring me in the yard. I’m about one and a half years old.

Rhea’s adoption fee is $250 and includes spay surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you’d like to meet this sweetie, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Buddy

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Who’s your buddy, who’s your pal…it’s Buddy the cat! The young gentleman is going to make a perfect companion for someone who is seeking a quiet and affectionate cat.  Buddy has a reserved demeanor and a unique “crunchy” little meow.  He can be a little slow to warm up to new people and surroundings, but once he does he will seek affection and give head bumps.  Buddy will most enjoy a house that is on the quieter side, so older kids and very easygoing animals in your home would be okay with him. Buddy is about a year and a half old.

Buddy’s adoption fee is $85 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, and a microchip with free lifetime registration.

If you need a Buddy in your life and would like to meet this one, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Happy Tail: Holly

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Brittney and Phil researched the area before moving to Cedar Rapids seven years ago and found Last Hope during that research. They already had a rescue dog, Molly, so they somewhat knew what the process was like. “We appreciate that Last Hope is serious about finding the best home for their pets, rather than just finding any home that will take them. This adds some time to the process, but it’s worth it for the pets. By the time we finally got to bring Holly home, we were very excited to have her.”

When asked about the adjustment period we were asked, “What adjustment period?!” Holly settled right into her new home and immediately knew which bed was hers and what toys she preferred. She and Molly got along great from the first meeting.

Holly is smart, weird, playful, and energetic, yet can calm herself down when necessary. She has the typical “talking” habit that most huskies have, especially when she wants to go outside and play in the snow. She loves meeting new people and dogs and in fact accompanies Brittney into the office at least one day a week and loves getting pets from the students and co-workers. Holly is a fast learner and easy to train. She’s very chill and just goes along with whatever is happening as long as she’s with her people.

Holly loves running, either with Phil or at the dog park. She tries to initiate play with the dogs at the dog park and makes sure that she and Molly have a play session every morning while their people make coffee. Oddly, she also loves laying on toys and sitting on tables to look out windows!

It sounds like Holly has a very full and exciting life and we are thankful that Brittney and Phil love and care for her so well.

Dog of the Week: Luna

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Looking for a fun-loving, TV-watching buddy? Look no further than Luna! This 6-year-old good girl is the life of the party. Not only does she love snuggling with her foster mom on the couch, but she’s also an avid hunter and sunbather in the backyard. Luna is a smart cookie too – she’s house-trained, knows basic commands, and even knows how to ask for treats by pressing a button!   When someone comes home, Luna turns into a playful ball of energy, prancing around with her favorite stuffy toy. She may be a little overeager with new visitors, but she just wants to show her love.  She loves to go for walks. Luna gets along great with her 12 and 17-year-old foster brothers and loves pets and scratches from everyone. If you’re looking for a sweet, playful companion, Luna is the dog for you!

Luna’s adoption fee is $250 and includes spay surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you’d like to meet this great girl, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Tabitha

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Tabitha is a very talkative, friendly little lady. She came to Last Hope pregnant and with an eye injury. Luckily, her eye wasn’t too bad and she was stable enough to wait out the pregnancy and we scheduled her surgery for when she started to wean. Now she’s getting used to life with one eye and while she may be a little clumsy, she really doesn’t seem to mind. She is about two years old. We believe she is a British shorthair.

Tabitha’s adoption fee is $85 and includes spay surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, and a microchip with free lifetime registration.

If you’d like to meet this young lady, please complete an adoption application HERE.