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April 2, 2010
To our family at Fat Kitty City,
Stacey and I would like to show our deepest appreciation for your care of Amber and Delilah. We are especially grateful for the knowledge that Delilah was in loving arms and received good medical care when she became ill and passed away.
We have included a check for some of the care that you've already given to our girls, and intend to continue contributions to Fat Kitty City as our charity of choice.
Thank you again for everything!
Kirk & Stacey
Cindy,
For several days and several hours at a time I called listings from Petfinder and also animal care and regulation. I searched the internet for research and went through many referrals. From my research, I covered at least fifty organizations throughout Fresno, Solano, Santa Rosa, and Placerville. No matter what, these organizations were either full, limited in the service they provide, took ferals only in there county, did not take ferals at all or had one reason after another as to why they could not help me.
Cindy by the time I reached you, I was accepting the reality that no one could help me with this problem. I was feeling alone. Even though you could not take any more ferals in, you still did not turn me away like so many others. You worked with me to help place a home for the ferals. You kept calling every couple of weeks.
I can’t find any word that would do justice in the quality of care, time and service you provided and followed through. I am grateful for being so lucky to have experience first hand your compassion and dedication. I am very thankful for how effective and efficient your organization is and for the fact that you were able to get such successful results.
I sincerely appreciate your assistance in this matter and extended my friendship to you.
Truly,
Maria M. Favorito
Mountain Democrat, Letters to the editor - January 2, 2009:
Let's help these folks take care of the cats
I loved your story on the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund. I myself have visited this sanctuary and it is a wonderful haven for animals with no place to go.
I recently rescued a kitty (I named her Holly for the holidays) that was living in a storm drain in Town Center. I found Agee and worked out an arrangement with Ed and Cindy Minghelli, the owners, to take her, for which I am forever grateful.
With El Dorado County being outside the Sacramento border, we do not have all the many services in our county that are abundant over the hill, and I was thrilled to find such a reputable establishment right in my own back yard.
Upon visiting Holly several weeks after I placed her there, I discovered that the sanctuary is in great need of funds to continue to provide this wonderful safe haven for the needy animals in our community. We all wish we could find in our hearts what the Minghellis have found in theirs, and be able to give back to the community in such a charitable, compassionate, meaningful way.
The next best thing we can do is to consider donating to the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund and know that we have helped create a better life for many animals and have supported such a worthwhile cause in our community. Information on how to donate can be found online at fatkittycity.org.
Rebecca Bauer
El Dorado Hills
Cindy you are the only one who responded to my initial email looking for a Siamese kitten. I was rejected or ignored by all other shelters because I wouldn't lie and say that I would keep a cat indoors at all times. I sent at least 15 emails to shelters in northern CA. We were all heart broken after Emma passed at 18 and I was attempting to fill the hole in our lives and our home. You took the time to answer my email and talk to me and tell me about Minnow and for that I am eternally grateful. -Susanna
Dear Cindy,
We were having a sleepover last night and thought "Hey, why don't we make Cindy some signs to put in the doors of the kitten sheds?". So, we got on the computer, found some cute pictures (some from the AMWF website), and combined Megan's computer skills with Summer's knack for random (and awesome!) ideas, and created these signs! We hope you like them!
One, the "Tender Care" sign, is meant for the shed with the sick kittens, or the ones needing a little extra tender love and care. The other one, "Purrrfectly Cute", is for the other shed, filled with some of the cutest kittens we have ever seen!
We wanted to thank you for all the magnificent things you have done for us and for the animals that pass through your sanctuary. You manage to care for all the animals daily and constantly take in more animals, while still managing to get some dogs, cats and kittens adopted to loving homes. How do you ever find time for yourself?
Anyway, we are so thrilled we met you, and we wanted to give you a little something back for all your love and care, even though it isn't much. If you need any help with the animals at all, whether it is about adoptions, cleaning, feeding, etc, let us know. It is nice to know that there are still some kind, caring, and dedicated people like you on this Earth, caring for God's creatures.
Sincerely,
Summer and Megan!
Dear Cindy,
Thank you so much for letting us adopt the kittens! Without you having an animal shelter we wouldn't have gotten such beautiful kittens! Me and my family appreciate you and the work you do.
The Tabby/Maincoon cat's name is Jagger. She is quite crazy! The Siamese/Himalayan can is named Snowball. She is on the mellow side.
They are so adorable all my friends that saw them are crazy about them they always say "I'm going to take them home". It is so funny to see them play! But Jagger is sometimes rude to Snowball because when Snowball is in the litter box she comes up and attacks her!
I would love to come over to the shelter and help out! My best friend Madyson comes over to the shelter and helps. She adopted a kitten she now called Brianna. Anyway I just thank you a lot!
Sincerely,
Bianca
Dear Cindy
It makes me feel better to know there are people out there like yourself and your husband. It was a blessing for myself and "Big Kitty" or Aslan when we met you. I can't thank you enough for allowing me to bring him to your organization. I've included what I can for now, but hope to send more in the future. As I said before, call me for any help, I'd love to.
Sincerely,
Lori
Dear Cindy,
What a nice note. And, thank you for an update of your work. I'm so impressed with Agee, particularly the work you did with the feral colony that I stretched my checking account to do a little extra for the many organizations I support. I'm trying to visualize what a stretched checking account looks like.
Warmly,
Ronaele
Letter from Tammy:
Hi Cindy:
Everything here is going great! Right at the moment, I have Addie on my left in her cat lounger, and Leo on my right in his, both snoozing away. Addie wasn't quite willing to share her bed (not yet anyway), so I bought Leo one of his own.
You were right on the money with these two. After that ''WWE smackdown" event's things did change around here, for the better. My husband & I are really enjoying these two. I even witnessed Leo rubbing his face into Addie's face and she was perfectly fine with it. I think Leo's finally learning that he's safe around here. During the day, I have both cat beds on top of a dresser that is the exact height for them to look out the window. Leo loves his view of the world from there. He's keen on watching the ferals run around out back and finds the deer that walk by very interesting. We are feeling much better about the situation of course, so glad Addie finally got over her ''terrorist'' phase.
On a side note, I have to share something with you. When my husband & I started dating, I owned a cat who was very possessive of me - she'd actually attack his legs, slapping them as hard as she could when he showed up. That cat trained him quickly - he started looking for her as soon as he entered my apartment. It was hysterical to say the least. After we got married, he began referring to that cat as his ''stepcat.'' (He never had a cat growing up,) It's taken me 14 years, but he's learned a great deal about cats during that time. I distinctly remember teaching him - Lesson 1 ; ''Do not pet cat like it's a dog. He just couldn't understand why she got so mad at him...go figure...and it went on from there.
Now, fast forward to a few days ago --- when I mentioned to him I might have to take Leo back if Addie doesn't stop attacking him, this is what he said: ''You know, Tammy, I would hate for you to take back Leo, he's such a great cat! I mean he really is a nice cat. Let's see if it doesn't get better." I darn near fell off my couch. All I could muster was, ''Ok.'' Therefore, I do believe we have a winner in Leo, a real keeper!!!
We cannot thank you enough for all of your kindness and patience your have shown. You are so awesome. We admire your effort and dedication you put into taking care of our furry friends. I would like to write PetSmart on your sanctuary's behalf, but I'm not sure if I should address it to the Folsom store or to a corporate location - or perhaps both - and if I should put it to the attention of any specific person. Please advise.
I'll let you know when I get Leo to my local vet to get his microchip inserted. Also, thanks for your email on Leo's shots. I'll take it with me to the vet. I'm more than happy to talk with Leo's previous owner. If I remember right, you gave me her number in your email also. I'll pull that email up again.
With much gratitude, Bill & Tammy & Addie & Leo 8-);-)O.'-).'-D
Petsmart
Attn: Mr. Mohammed Khan, District Manager
Attn: Mr. Suresh Dedhia, District Service Manager
2705 E. Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Re: Petsmart Pet Adoption & Cindy Minghelli of The Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund
Dear Mr. Khan and Mr. Dedhia:
Approximately a month ago, I was in your Folsom store looking for a declawed cat as a companion to my cat, Addie. There was a woman in your adoption area who put me in touch with Cindy Minghelli of The Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, as there were no declawed cats in your store at that time. I wanted to write and tell you how pleased I am with having found this organization through your store.
I worked with Cindy by email, and a couple other people with the organization on the application process, prior to my visit to their sanctuary in El Dorado Hills. My emails were answered quickly and thoroughly. Upon my visit to their sanctuary, I was especially impressed with their set up for the animals. I found the place to be very clean, and the animals were extremely well cared for. It was obvious this organization was sincerely dedicated to their mission. I happily adopted a declawed cat by the name of Leo.
A few days after bringing Leo home, I emailed Cindy with serious concerns I was having with my first cat, Addie. Addie began attacking Leo from the minute he arrived and it wasn't getting any better. Cindy was so understanding, offering to take Leo back if needed, but also suggested a little more time may help. I decided to give it a little more time, and thankfully, the cats are now getting along wonderfully.
I cannot express my gratitude to your store for helping me find such a wonderful and caring place to adopt a pet from. Their concern is truly genuine, and I felt no negative judgment towards me if things did not work out as I had hoped. I am indeed impressed and would not hesitate to refer my friends and family to your store and The Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund in the future. Please feel free to post this letter in your Folsom adoption center if you feel it would help others who are considering adopting a pet from your store.
With kindest regards,
Tammy
Dear Cindy,
I hope this holiday season is bringing you as much joy and comfort as you are bringing into the lives of all the animal lives you are touching. Enjoy!
Love,
Kelly
Dear Agee Rescue,
I learned about you from Best Friends. I want to thank you for all that you do.
Enclosed is a small donation. I'll do more when I can.
Keep up the great work!
Good Luck!
Jacquie