This Month At Smiley's

Samantha Stock
Apr 28
5 min read

April 2025

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." -George Eliot

March Intakes:

Beauty is smiling her brightest smile to win a place in your heart and your home.

Beauty- a gorgeous senior girl who is looking for a home to enrich with her enthusiasm, love, and loyalty. She loves kids and would be a wonderful family dog!

Niko - an old friend who has returned to us due to no fault of his own; Niko’s sparkling personality helps him make friends with all he meets!

Adoptable Dogs: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/us/mn/56540/?distance=Anywhere&shelter_id%5B0%5D=MN507

Adoptable Cats: https://www.petfinder.com/search/cats-for-adoption/us/mn/56540/?distance=Anywhere&shelter_id%5B0%5D=MN507

*We have two cats whose adoption fees have already been paid! Check out Pursilla and Jim today!

March Adoptions: March was a great month for our pets! So many of them went to new, loving homes:

Bee, Coral, and Reba are some lucky dogs who were adopted in March.

Reba: This lovely lady found her forever home this month and is settling into her new digs. Congratulations, Reba!

Maedella, Mango, Marv: Our Pyr/Shepherds had so much charm and love to give that they quickly found their new families!

Hermes: Our beautiful, chatty friend was adopted into a home where he can talk to everyone about everything and will be loved and appreciated for his good counsel.

Rhonda: This stunning tortie girl had traveled a rough road in her past, but she was adopted into a home where she will be adored for the rest of her days.

Ginger: Our sweet buff/orange friend Ginger went to live with another Smiley’s Rescue alum, Kit Kat (formerly known as Robin Sprinkles). The new siblings are doing great!

Mummy: Now known as Sheba, this gray girl won the hearts of her foster parents and now reigns like true royalty!

Bee and Coral: These sweet shaggy pups didn’t need long to turn their puppy dog eyes on some folks who melted at the sight of them.

Azule: Our resident tripod cat, Azule, found a home in which she can reign supreme and receive all the love and adoration she so deserves!

Kenny: The fellow with the sleek black coat has made his way home; congratulations to Kenny and his wonderful new family!

News:

Dog Intake Policy Change: After much thoughtful consideration, the Board of Directors accepted a proposal to intake senior dogs only. Cats of all ages will still be brought into Rescue, but dogs considered for intake will be of older age. The decision to focus solely on senior dogs ensures that some of the most overlooked and vulnerable animals receive the specialized care, comfort, and dignity they deserve in their final years. "My face may be white, but my heart is pure gold. There is no shame in growing old."

Events Season: Events season is ramping up! In the last few weeks, Smiley’s Rescues has been present at the Scheels Home and Hardware event, Petsmart Adoption event, and the Cat Show in Fargo. Thank you to the volunteers who helped with transport, setup, and spent time at the events!

TNR Update: We are working on a TNR project in Fertile for 14 cats, and have another one planned elsewhere in the state for 12 cats. TNR projects continue to be of extreme importance to controlling the feral cat population.

Upcoming Events:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Fargo: May 15, 2025 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - 2 volunteers needed, transportation needed. Cat only event. This is an URGENT NEED, as Sid cannot be there.

Polk County Fair: The Fair will be July 9-13. More details to come!

Community Partners:

Thank you to our community partners, Kieffer Kennel and Morning Glory Coffee and Gifts:

Kieffer Kennel https://www.kiefferkennels.com/ has supported our cause by fostering our sweet Niko! Please consider boarding with Kieffer Kennels; they take care of dogs as well as cats! Just 15 minutes from Fargo, they are nestled in a quiet country setting so your pet can relax and play far from the noisy highways or cities.

Morning Glory Coffee and Gifts http://www.morningglorymn.com/ has been generous enough to donate $1 from each pawprint cookie sold to Smiley’s Rescues. This shop has been an invaluable partner in supporting our mission to care for animals. Stop in for coffee and thank Jamie for her support!

Pet Spotlight:

An 8 year old black lab/pit mix, this sweet girl is on the lookout for her forever home! She has not always had an easy time in life, but is ready to embrace a new chapter with people who will love her and enjoy her golden years with her. She is up for anything from walks to car rides to being lazy in front of a movie. She would do best in a home with adults or big kids, not small children, small dogs, or any other small animals.

Education: Bottle Kittens

Caring for orphaned or abandoned kittens can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to know how and when to bottle feed them properly to give them the best start in life. Bottle feeding is appropriate when a kitten is less than four weeks old and has been separated from its mother or when the mother is unable to nurse. Newborn kittens cannot eat solid food or drink water on their own, so they rely on special kitten formula, which can be purchased at pet stores, veterinary clinics, or online. Never feed a kitten cow’s milk, as it can cause digestive upset. When feeding, use a kitten-specific bottle with a small nipple, or for very tiny or weak kittens, a syringe or eye dropper works best to control the flow and avoid choking. Feed the kitten slowly while it is on its stomach, not on its back, to mimic natural nursing. A kitten is usually full when it stops sucking, becomes relaxed, and may fall asleep shortly after feeding. Overfeeding can be harmful, so small, regular meals are best. Around four weeks of age, kittens can begin the transition to softened cat food. Start by offering a gruel made from kitten formula mixed with wet kitten food and gradually reduce the formula over time. By eight weeks, most kittens are ready to eat solid kitten food on their own. Proper bottle feeding and weaning are crucial steps in helping a kitten grow strong, healthy, and ready for its forever home.

Feeding a kitten on its stomach mimics the natural position it would take when nursing from its mother.

Pet Fact of the Month:

Using a gram or baby scale is a helpful way to find out if your bottle-fed kitten is getting enough nutrition and growing properly. This article from Dr. Michael Kearley, DVM, is a helpful quick-start guide to bottle-feeding: https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/bottle-feeding-a-kitten

Most Urgent Need:

If you can, please donate funds. We recently got our Liability Insurance bill for $3277.63. Every little bit helps and we appreciate every penny!