Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc.
c/o Cindy Minghelli
4354 Town Center Blvd., Suite 114-245
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone: (916) 939-3418
Fax: (916) 939-4120
Cell: (916) 768-6966
e-mail: cmsquirrel@sbcglobal.net
Website Comments/Concerns:
webmaster@tiggertales.net
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
A letter from Kristan:
Hi,
We have an angel amongst us here in EDH...
In my search for a kitten for Madyson for her birthday, I went to PetSmart and was given a card for the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, http://www.ageerescue.org/index.html, which is run by Cindy Minghelli (she also brings her kittens and cats to Petsmart for adoption). I called Cindy and she was able to help me adopt a beautiful calico kitten named Brianna.
Additionally, Preston has a class project due to perform a community service so we asked Cindy if he could help at her shelter. Pres and I went up last Thursday and our hearts were warmed by what we saw. Cindy has built an animal sanctuary on a portion of the 20 acres she and her husband live on off of Malcom Dixon Rd. The shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded and operated by Cindy and with the help of donations and volunteers. Cindy has a "pride" of cats and kittens, domestic and feral (she takes in dogs and other animals too). Cindy affectionately calls each by their given name, based on their personalities and their place in the kitty hierarchy in their haven. I was especially drawn, and vice versa, to Puppy - an affectionate, 18 lbs male cat!
My family and I are committed to helping Cindy out any way we can. I asked Cindy what else we could do. She asked me to spread the word about her shelter and to ask for donations: money, kitten/cat food, kitty litter, new or used beds, play structures, even old chairs, sofas, or desks she can put in the new structures that are near completion (all donations are tax deductible).
Also, next Saturday, May 10th, Green Valley Community Church in Placerville is holding a community swap meet. Cindy is asking for any gently used items to be sold at the swap meet with the proceeds going to the Agee Memorial Fund. If you have anything, clothing, furniture, etc., you would like to donate, please contact Chantal Truscelli at ctruscelli@sbcglobal.net, 530.626.0559 or 530.306.5093, Cindy or me and we will arrange to pick it up. I will also have some topiary for sale, donating the proceeds to the shelter. Here is a link to the church's website if you would like to come to the swap meet and need details/directions: http://www.gvcconline.com/.
If you can help out in any way, please contact Cindy at 916.939.3418 or by email at: cmsquirrel@sbcglobal.net. You can also contact me at 916.934.9306 or by email.
Thanks! Kristan
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