Rescue Stories
A Neverending Mission to Provide Help to Animals in Need
Claire's Critters has taken in a wide variety of animals over the years. Here are a few stories of various animals that have been saved at Claire's Critters.
Please note that some stories contain images and descriptions of injuries and may be slightly graphic.
The Kittens
Five kittens showed up to Claire's Critters as well as mama cat June Bug. Miss June lived in the mountains with her kittens for 3 weeks, nursing them and protecting her from predators. One night, over the course of 12 hours, Miss June brought each kitten to the back door of the property. All of them were brought in instantly and the kittens needed medical treatment. Several of them had ticks and general respiratory illness. After a good examination, all kittens got medication and a clean bill of health. Tiger and Cleo were rehomed to a loving new home and Miss June, Sasha, Monster, and Smokey are now permanent residents of Claire's Critters.
This was the first day they showed up at my door. They were very scared and hissed a lot.
Both were adopted to the same loving home.
All siblings like to snuggle now and then.
This was the first day they showed up at my door. They were very scared and hissed a lot.
Dot the House Chicken
Dot is an Americauna mixed breed chicken who used to be housed with her sisters, Frieda and Evita. However, she got picked on to the point on injury and she did not get along with any other animals. Claire brought her in and while she did not like it at first, Dot quickly got used to being spoiled with two salads a day and constant love. Dot lived outside again until the heat almost caused her to collapse one day so she became a permanent house chicken. She wears a diaper and goes outside daily to get fresh air.
Dot hangs around and finds cozy places around the house to sleep.
Dot getting treated for bumblefoot. This was before the procedure to remove the infection.
Dot's favorite food is cat food. Wet or dry, she can't get enough of it!
Dot hangs around and finds cozy places around the house to sleep.
Lovey the Mourning Dove
A dove was found embedded in the grille of a truck after a long trip. He was brought to Claire's critters while still in shock. His left wing is damaged beyond recovery and he will never be able to fly more than a few feet. He has his own comfy cage indoors where he listens to relaxing music and gets salad morning and night. Claire's Critters is looking for more doves to allow Lovey to have some friends. Lovey is still young and has a lot of growing to do but hopefully he will find a mate soon!
She is quiet and very shy.
Lovey has a swing she sits on sometimes and watches the view outside.
She is quiet and very shy.
Midna the Kingsnake
Midna is a California kingsnake who is around 15 years old. She was at a failing pet store and kept in a hot glass box with nothing but a piece of astroturf. She bit the salesperson but she did not bite Claire. Claire took her home and gave her a 100 gallon tank to live in. Worried about her heating and lighting requirements, Claire downgraded to a 40 gallon where she lives comfortably. Midna has gotten lost several times and occasionally likes to chomp on things she shouldn't. She eats pre-killed mice and is generally friendly enough to hold.
Here she was as a full grown adult.
She is very soft and enjoys warm hands.
She has decorations, a large water dish, heating, light, and everything else she needs.
Here she was as a full grown adult.
June Bug the grey, longhaired cat
June Bug is an abandoned housecat that lived feral for about 3 months. Claire befriended her with Fancy Feast and she came by for food every day. One day she because pregnant by a roaming feral and carried her kittens to full term. She raised all 5 kittens in the mountains, protecting them from predators and nursing them for 3 weeks. Miss June could sense something was wrong and she brought all five kittens to Claire's back door. Claire adopted them all instantly but shortly afterward, Miss June fell seriously ill. She required hospitalization and treatment after coming close to death. Official diagnoses is she was exhausted and her body was collapsing due to the stress of the pregnancy. At her lowest weight, she was 5.9 pounds. However, things are looking better now and she is happy and healthy again. She enjoys spending time with her kittens as a loving mama and still enjoys eating Fancy Feast.
All of her kittens are beautiful as well.
Miss June at the final stages of her pregnancy.
Miss June and her kittens have some play time.
All of her kittens are beautiful as well.
Anja the German Shepherd
Anja (pronounced An-yah) was an abandoned stray found running in the streets of Phoenix. It was determined through her behavior that she likely came from an abusive household and initially had difficulty trusting humans. When she was first adopted, she was weak and weighing 45 pounds as a fully grown Shepherd. She was fed a protein-packed diet complete with real stew meat and pork bones for calcium. She was trained as a service dog and is currently retired from her duties. She resides at Claire's Critters as the guardian of the household and keeps the property safe from coyotes and the occasional delivery driver. All new people at the property have to pass the "sniff test" from Anja before being allowed inside the house. What a good girl!
Anja loves tasty human food, whether it's sweet or savory!
Anja was 45 pounds when she was adopted as a fully grown Shepherd.
Anja sleeping after a hard day of chasing off coyotes and the occasional delivery driver.
Anja loves tasty human food, whether it's sweet or savory!
Sunny the Rock Pigeon
Sunny is the newest addition to the Claire's Critters home! Sunny was found with her foot stuck in a wire fence roll and was too young to fly. She was brought in since she was dehydrated and malnourished. She was raised with love and plenty of tasty, nutritious food which allowed her to develop her wings and fly high. She was released into the wild where she has been seen with her new boyfriend flirting around the property. With some luck, Sunny might become a mom!
Buttercup the Miniature Schnauzer (NEW!)
Buttercup is a 6 month old miniature Schnauzer puppy with a heart of gold and a charming personality. She was abandoned in the desert and was wandering the side of the road, malnourished, dirty, and sick. Claire believe she was abandoned due to diarrhea issues due to her malnourishment. Buttercup followed Claire home and ended up in her yard that night, scared and hungry. Normally, Claire's Critters just takes in small critters, but Buttercup ended up being a special exception.
She has become close with Anja the German Shephard and even enjoys play wrestling with some of the cats. She is on a homemade diet and her health is fully restored and she has no more intestinal issues. She is a highly intelligent breed that learns quickly. Welcome Buttercup!
Relaxing on Anja's bed in the living room.
Buttercup when she was found in the yard. She was very skinny and skittish at first.
Buttercup in her beautiful princess dress. She is dressed the way she deserves to be treated!
Relaxing on Anja's bed in the living room.
