The Harbor Association of Volunteers for Animals (HAVA) in Raymond has struggled with recent events that have left them with a surplus of stray cats. They were inundated with cats/kittens dumped at the Westport Jetty in July. Additonally they had to replace the roof at the shelter, where they maintain more than 50 cats alongside the 25 that were dumped at the jetty. HAVA is now starting an emergency fundraising campaign called "Fill the Hava Kitty" where one can donate money at hava-heart.org or by mailing a cash contribution to P.O. Box 243, Raymond, WA, 98577. HAVA has been a working member of the community for over twenty years, and last year alone helped more than 541 animals -- cats and dogs that needed medical care, new homes and even food. HAVA also has a part in spaying and neutering feral cats in the local neighborhoods.
Below is a tale submitted to HAVA about a rescue from their facility.
ON THE ROAD WITH MAYNARD AND DALE
There are many happy tales at HAVA. And, all of the homes we find are different; sometimes those we think are perfect don't work out. And sometimes those we worry about...well they surprise us.
Over the next several months we are going to share with you the story of Maynard and Dale. Maynard is a HAVA cat and Dale is his human. And they are currently on the road, heading for California...by bike. Dale and his best friend are planning on going south and then heading east on a coast-to-coast bike trip to bring attention to people who suffer from irritable bowl syndrome (IBS).
First some background; Maynard was a tabby kitten who came to HAVA when his mother, a stray living in Westport, gave birth and a good samaritan brought the kittens to us. When he was ready for adoption, Donna, our Shelter Manager, took him to the Petsense petstore in Aberdeen. As she was leaving, she saw a man looking through the window at Maynard. "That's my cat," he told her. He was definite. Donna asked him about his circumstances since she noticed he had a cart full of his possessions. He told her he was a veteran and that while he had the money to rent a place, he didn't like being constrained by walls. But he could provide for Maynard, and he promised that Maynard would be well cared for and loved.
Donna was worried. "What would happen to him if something were to happen to you?" Dale looked at her and said, "Do you ask everyone that or just somebody like me?" Donna told him it was a question she asked every adopter because many of the older cats we take in were former HAVA kittens adopted by someone who hadn't made plans for them. Dale was adamant. He wanted to adopt Maynard and he could pay the adoption fee. So Donna made a deal with him. If he agreed to have him microchipped with HAVA as a contact, Maynard was his.
Until Dale and Maynard set off on their current journey, Donna would see them quite often walking along the highway between Westport and Aberdeen, Maynard in a cat crate sitting atop Dale's cart. After a really wild storm last year, Donna was worried. She saw them at Petsense one day and asked Dale how Malcolm had done. He took out his cell and showed her a video inside their tent. The trees outside were bending with the wind. And Malcolm? He was sleeping soundly in their hammock. Donna says she's never seen a healthier and more beautiful cat. "His coat is amazing and he's happy. That's all that matters."
A month or so ago, Dale got himself a bike and bike cart. He's 60+ years old and says he's not in the best physical condition, so he spent the last several months training -- walking, walking, walking to get into shape for the trip. They set off on Sept. 6th and have gone around 120 miles. He and Maynard are hoping to be in Santa Cruz by March of next year.
We will be following them as they make their way south -- two guys who found each other and we think will change your mind on the definition of a "home."