In the News... A
Scary Day at Witty Kitties
 A three month old kitten named Gino had a close call Friday, Feb. 15, when an electrical fire broke out in the mobile
veterinary clinic where he was staying. The mobile clinic, a van owned by Jenni Doll, DVM,
was parked in an outbuilding that also houses Witty Kitties. Jenni’s husband, Torben Platt, was working in the
shelter when he discovered thick, black smoke pouring out of the van windows. Torben was able to get to Gino in
time, and moved the scared little kitten to the safety of the shelter. The Jefferson-Monroe Volunteer
Fire Department responded to the call. There was significant fire and smoke damage to the interior of the van and it
is expected to be a total loss. The best news, however, is that none of the animals inside
the shelter were injured. The shelter itself also escaped any damage. Amazingly, Gino is now romping around the
shelter with no ill effects. He did, however, smell like smoke for a few days! “I
am just so happy that Torben remembered there was a kitten in the van!” Jenni said. “The most important
thing is that Gino was rescued in time.” MORE PHOTOS
Iowa City Press-Citizen Story
Jenni Doll, DVM, Interviewed
on "The Story" with Dick Gordon
Jenni Doll, Witty Kitties founder, was interviewed
by Dick Gordon as part of his series on Tough Jobs on American Public Media's radio program, The Story, on May 19, 2007.
Jenni described her professional journey from private vet to shelter vet in this 20 minute interview. The Story is produced
at North Carolina Public Radio and appears on WSUI, 910 am, weekdays at 7 pm.
Listen to Jenni's Interview
Dangerous Wild Animal Regulation
Governor Culver has signed
legislation making it illegal to privately own or breed dangerous wild animals in the state of Iowa. The bill takes
effect on July 1, 2007.
CR Gazette story
The Iowa legislature passed a bill regulating the private ownership of dangerous wild animals on April 18.
If Governor Culver signs the bill, it will take effect on July 1, 2007.
HSUS story
Four Witty Kitty Board members traveled to Des Moines on April 2, 2007, to support a bill that would regulate
the ownership of dangerous wild animals. Torben Platt and Chris Schoon appeared on KCRG news on April 4.
KCRG story and video
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Area A new, first-in-the-nation Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Area in Southeast Iowa was dedicated on May 1, 2007.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
held a meeting on March 27, 2007 to discuss first-in-the-nation amphibian and reptile conservation area in Southeast Iowa.
DNR news release |
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Past Activities... Fall 2007 Work Day We did
some sprucing up at the shelter in late October. It was one of those wonderful fall days, and lots of people showed
up to help, including some Coe College students. We put up gutters on the shelter, laid vinyl in one of the kitty rooms,
and cleaned up some stainless steel cages (which we'll use to store linens, not cats!!). The Coe kids worked cleaning
both the snake and iguana rooms. Great work, everyone, and many, many thanks!!
Fall 2007 Wine Tasting Fundraiser Our fall fundraiser -- a wine tasting party hosted by the Secret Cellar, in Shueyville -- was a really hot event
(both literally and figuratively)!! The warm weather was perfect for our reptile contingent, who definitely drew a crowd.
Tim Dermott, of Cedar Rapids, and Kathleen Schoon, of Solon, performed cat and wine themed tunes. We also had some witty
kitties in attendance, but they mostly napped in their havens. We're already planning next year's event!!
Photo Gallery
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