Neighbors of the Lyon Park mother and son whose house was destroyed by fire last week are collecting money for the family’s needs and for their cat’s medical bills.

Three people –  Liz Tefera, her son, and a tenant who was renting a room in the home — were displaced after fire consumed the home on Wednesday, May 15. Tefera and her son, a 7th grade student, are now staying in a local hotel, having “lost everything” in the fire. The blaze also injured Baby, one of Tefera’s two cats, according to neighbor Donna Seabold and her husband, John.

“Two cats were trapped in the house during the fire,” Seabold said. “One cat was found immediately after the fire was extinguished, and suffered only minor injuries. The second cat, named Baby, was not found until the following day in the flooded basement of the boarded up house. Baby has suffered minor burns, respiratory issues, and carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Baby was brought to VCA SouthPaws animal hospital in Fairfax, where she received three days of oxygen treatment. The treatment has improved Baby’s condition to the point where this afternoon she was able to be transferred to the Nova Cat Clinic in Virginia Square, according to Seabold.

Though we’re told that Tefera’s house was insured, neighbors are collecting money to help pay for the family’s expenses, including some $2,000 in medical bills for Baby.

Those interested in helping the family with Baby’s medical bills or with their other expenses can email babyfiremedicalfund@gmail.com for more information. PayPal donations can also be sent to the address.

Meet Espen, a talkative Arlington rescue cat named after her owner’s favorite hobby.

Here’s what Espen’s owner had to say about her.

You can probably guess that I’m a huge sports fan. To answer the obvious question: Yes, the name “Espen” does derive from ESPN. She is a very colorful, friendly, and talkative feline resident of Arlington. As you can see from the pictures, Espen has a shiny coat of brown and black fur that she often effectively uses for camouflage, as well as bright green eyes that peer into the soul. She is nearly five years old, having been adopted from the local Last Chance Animal Rescue (LCAR).

In many ways, Espen is more of a dog than a cat. She likes to greet people at the door, often with saucy language and a brush of her fur. When there are guests, she likes to announce herself, momentarily retreat, and then wait for the perfect moment to unexpectedly hop onto someone’s lap. Espen also talks. A lot. Perhaps she gets that from her BFF, a mini-Yorkie that lives in the same building.

During the day, Espen can be found either perched on a pillow or laying out in the sunlight next to a window. All in all, Espen knows she has it very good in Arlington.

The Arlington Pet of the Week is sponsored by Dogma Bakery, which has locations at The Village at Shirlington (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive) and the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2445 N. Harrison Street).

Want your pet to be considered to be the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email steph@arlnow.com with a 2-3 paragraph bio and 3-4 photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a $25 Dogma gift card.

Because of the possibility the vulnerable animals may contract an illness, AWLA cannot keep kittens under the age of eight weeks in its shelter. Young kittens also cannot regulate their own body heat, eat on their own or go to the bathroom on their own. They must be fed every three to four hours and kept warm. AWLA does not have overnight staff, so it is seeking volunteers who can care for the animals around the clock until they are old enough to be adopted.

AWLA Foster Care Coordinator Sara Emery explained that cats can only go into heat a few times each year and only during warm weather, so March usually brings a spike in births. Kittens typically continue being born and brought to the shelter through November, depending on the weather. Twelve kittens have arrived at the shelter in the last week alone and Emery expects around 60 more throughout the summer.

Anyone can fill out an application to foster a kitten. AWLA staff will then interview candidates and examine the home environment to find a good animal-human fit. There is no cost to the person fostering a kitten; all supplies (including litter boxes and toys) are provided and will be replenished as necessary. The average time commitment is about three to four weeks, but will not be longer than eight weeks.

Those who provide foster care will have the opportunity to adopt the kitten at the end of its stay, or suggest someone who may be able to provide a permanent home.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the kitten foster program should contact Sara Emery at 703-931-9241, extension 245, or by emailing semery@awla.org.

This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Kochi, an 8-year-old rescue kitty who lives in Aurora Hills.

Kochi is a survivor. She overcame a near-death experience last Christmas, says her owner, Martha.

Last Christmas, Kochi nearly died because her vet recommended an an over the counter drug to relieve a skin condition. It was not specified that the medicine should not contain aspirin or ibuprofen, which as it turns out, is toxic to both cats and dogs.

After an IV and blood transfusion from another good-hearted donor kitty, Kochi is fully recovered. She knows most pet owners are familiar with toxics like Poinsettia, chocolate and antifreeze, but wants to warn other pets that if anyone tries to give you aspirin or ibuprofen, spit it out quickly and go get a big drink of water!

The Arlington Pet of the Week is sponsored by Dogma Bakery, which has locations at The Village at Shirlington (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive) and the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2445 N. Harrison Street).

Want your pet to be considered to be the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email steph@arlnow.com. Each week’s winner receives either a $25 Dogma gift card or a prize from another pet-related business.

Our Arlington Pet of the Week this week is Jasmine, a 7-year-old cat who’s awaiting adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

More information about Jasmine can be found here. From the AWLA’s write-up:

Jasmine is quite a sweetheart! She was brought to us due to her owners allergies, and she wasn’t happy about it one bit! The shelter is a stressful environment for most cats, and especially for Jasmine. She is very frightened of the other cats and all the commotion really stresses her out. Jasmine is cautious of new people and doesn’t trust them right away, though once you’ve earned her trust she’ll be your best friend. She loves head rubs and chin scratches and will show her appreciation with a good purr!

Once Jasmine is used to you she will sweetly meow for your attention and greet you with a brush against you legs. Jasmine also likes to play with all kinds of toys and, according to her previous owner, she will even play a game of fetch with you! Jasmine also loves laser pointers and, baffled by that pesky red dot, could chase them for hours. It takes Jasmine some time to adjust to new environments and she would benefit from a slow introduction to her new home. Because Jasmine is wary of the other animals at the shelter, she would prefer to be your only pet. Sudden movements and loud noises are scary for her, so she would do best in a home with older children who are familiar with cats. Come visit this sweet, smart, and spunky gal and give her a chance to to settle in your heart, and perhaps your home too.

The Arlington Pet of the Week is sponsored by Dogma Bakery, which has locations at The Village at Shirlington (2772 S. Arlington Mill Drive) and the Lee Harrison Shopping Center (2445 N. Harrison Street).

Dogma selects one shelter pet per month to be featured as the Pet of the Week.

“Beginning on the day we first opened, Dogma Dog Bakery encouraged people to consider adopting or fostering dogs and cats,” said owner Sheila Raebel. “Every month, we will work with our local shelters, and rescue groups to feature a pet in need. Sometimes, some adoptable pets are just overlooked for no special reason, and they need a little more exposure to find the right home.”

Want your pet to be considered to be the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email steph@arlnow.com. Each week’s winner receives a $25 Dogma gift card.

Photos used with permission.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the AWLA offices (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive), the organization will be offering $30 microchipping and $10 rabies shots.

AWLA recommends microchips for dogs and cats to help with identification should they ever become lost.

“Each year thousands of lost and abandoned animals are taken in by shelters and humane societies across the country. Some of these animals never make it home because they can’t be identified,” the AWLA notes. ”Microchipping offers pet owners the only truly permanent method of identifying your pet and linking the animal back to you, the owner.”

Six other rabies and microchip clinics are planned through the end of 2012.

File photo

“Kitten season,” as it’s called, begins in the spring. The League is specifically looking for foster parents who can help care for orphaned kittens until they’re old enough to be adopted.

From the AWLA:

Each spring and summer our shelter receives orphaned kittens that are too young to survive on their own. They require round- the-clock feeding and nurturing for several weeks before they are old enough to be adopted. Once the kittens are ready for adoption, the foster parent returns them to the shelter for adoption into permanent homes. The League desperately needs foster parents with very flexible schedules who can care for these unweaned animals.

We are holding an Foster Volunteer Recruitment meeting on Monday, March 5^th from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr. Arlington, VA 22206.  At our informational meeting, experienced foster volunteers will give personal accounts of the time and commitment required. They will also share pictures and heartwarming stories of their experiences and what motivates them to foster our most vulnerable shelter animals.

Volunteer foster parents must be able to take the foster animals into their homes and provide a clean safe environment for them, as well as a lot of love and patience. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will provide foster parents with the training they need to properly care for their kittens.  The League also provides food, supplies, and veterinary care for foster animals.

The first step to become a foster parent is to complete our online volunteer application here at www.awla.org/volunteer.shtml, attend a volunteer orientation/training, and complete a home visit with the foster coordinator.

In recognition of World Spay Day, AWLA will be offering low-cost spays and neuters on four days: Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Participants must bring proof that their annual household income is $40,000 or less. The service will cost $25 for male cats and $50 for female cats and all dogs.

“Spaying cats and dogs eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer, while neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer,” AWLA noted in a press release. “Spaying and neutering reduces the potential for territorial marking, especially in your home, makes pets less likely to run away, and helps to reduce aggressive behavior, especially in dogs.”

“We do have limited space for this event, so if you qualify and would like to register your pet, please send an e-mail to Kimberly Harman at kharman@awla.org or call her at (703) 931-9241 x246,” the AWLA added.

World Spay Day, promoted by the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, is Feb. 28.

A recent case handled by the AWLA’s animal control unit is cited as a case in point. From AWLA:

12-10-11 — 2800 block N. 25th St.

A woman came into the shelter with a young gray cat she found near her home. The kitten, adopted from the League in June, had a microchip and the owner was located and called. There had been no lost report filed. The woman who came for the cat said she lost it over a week before and that it gets out because her other cat is indoor/outdoor. The League advises the public to keep their cats as indoor only due to the many dangers in an urban area.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington cleaned him up at their Shirlington shelter following the incident. He’s an orange tabby estimated to be about three months old, and has been neutered and vaccinated.

Axel has been hanging out in a foster home with some other kittens, but is now ready to find a permanent residence. Anyone interested in adopting Axel, or any other kitten, can check out the AWLA website for adoption procedures.