Thunder is a young Siamese Tabby cat...

Thunder is a young Siamese Tabby cat that is lost. Night-shift

security officers found the animal in a parking lot crying after last

week’s thunder and lightening storm. Another animal was found on 38th

Street at about the same time, so we are calling him “Lightening.”

DiAnna Pfaff-Martin, the founder of Community Animal Network,

received Thunder’s rescue call about 11:30 p.m. and served to rescue

him on that stormy night. When an animal is lost it should be

everybody’s business to help participate in finding the original

owner. When a stray cat is missing and gives birth to kittens that

are not touched by humans, the generation grows up as part of the

local wildlife and ends up afraid of humans. Microchip implants can

be life-saving to a stray cat. Animal shelters and many rescue groups

nationwide can scan for the tiny chip that is implanted under the

skin, and the information can be retrieved, enabling the pets’ owner

to be notified. These life-saving devices are something everyone

should consider, even if your pet does not go outdoors. Thanks to the

Newport Beach Pralle Family Foundation, Community Animal Network

purchased a universal microchip scanner that searches rescued animals

for implants.

The Web site www.animalnetwork.org has a “free” missing pet

directory and offers tips on how to find your missing pet. Also, a

valuable resource for the Orange County animals is the (714) 978-PETS

hotline offered by Animal Assistance League. The group has an office

at the Orange County Animal Shelter and can help identify if your

lost pet is there. However, experts agree you need to go to the

shelter and look for your animal, as color and breed descriptions are

often misunderstood on the phone.

Be aware that Costa Mesa’s stray animals go to the Humane Society

in Huntington Beach, 21632 Newland St. Huntington Beach, (714)

536-8480. Newport Beach strays go to the Newport Beach Animal Shelter

that is inside the Dover Shores Pet Care Center, 2075 Newport Blvd.

(at Victoria Street) in Costa Mesa, (949) 722-8301.

* The Community Animal Network is a community-supported animal

organization linking people and pets through community action. See

other animals available for adoption at www.animalnetwork.org, or

stop by Russo’s pet store at Fashion Island between noon and 4 p.m.

on weekends. Information: (949) 759-3646, or write to the Community

Animal Network at P.O. Box 8662, Newport Beach, CA 92658.