Here’s a feel-good story for you: It’s about a woman who helped save and trap two of the luckiest feral kittens in Worcester!
The woman’s name is Melissa and the two (twin?)sister kittens are named Daisy and Delilah. They are completely black and precious!
Daisy and Delilah!
They were born outside, in the elements, and now live the life of kitty royalty. Melissa had owned a cat years ago, but for a very long time, after it died, she never got another one until she saw these kittens, homeless and helpless, in her backyard.
She got in touch with me. We set live traps in her yard. There were originally four kitties: one must have been taken in by someone else, and one of the others had died right before Melissa was going to take her in. Melissa was devastated but determined to save the two remaining kittens.
Like all feral kittens – kittens born to feral cats and are unused to human contact – these babies were afraid of humans and being inside Melussa’s home at first. But Melissa showed them love, fed and cared for them. They came around!
Now they are HOME! They have complete run of Melissa’s house, every cat toy, cat comfort, the best of food and cat parents who couldn’t be happier with their cuties.
Not only did Melissa and her husband take in these two kittens, they helped me to trap and transport eight other cats in the neighborhood to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated and then to be re-released in the neighborhood, where they could be as healthy as possible and not reproduce, ending the cylce of that feral colony.
Feral cats usually live two or three years in outdoors, alone, exposed to whatever is out there: cars, poison, lack of food, sub zero temps – and die horrific deaths! When the cats came back after being “fixed” by the vet, Melissa hated the thought that they would be put out right away, so she made plans to keep them in her basement for a few days. That turned into a complete night-
mare. The cats (wild) were so freaked out they started jumping and breaking things. She said she could hear glass crashing down there! She and her husband went down to clean up the glass because they were afraid the cats would cut themselves and decided to let them run back outdoors through the bulk head door. They thought they had all run out until Melissa went downstairs a few days later and realized there was at least one or two cats still down there.
They let the bulk head open again, and finally the remaining cats made their way out. Melissa and husband Dan made a very lovely feral cat house for the cats – shelter, warmth – but the cats
have not used it yet, according to a neighbor who feeds them and allows they to hang out on their porch.
Hopefully, this colony of cats will figure it out and start to use it – especially now that the weather has turned bitter.
Melissa has already taken her two kittens to a wellness visit and has plans to have them spayed this month.
Daisy and Delilah hit the jackpot when they were welcomed into Melissa and Dan’s home and life!
Sometimes it does take a village to make good things happen! This couple and their neighbors cared enough to have the stray/wild cats in their neighborhood fixed so they will stop breeding. They set up housing for them and are committed to keeping the cats fed and watered.
Thanks to the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) – they first got the phone call about the cats and then handed the kitty project over to Spay Worcester. Spay Worcester then asked for a volunteer to spearhead the round up.
Cece and Jett – fast becoming … distant aquaintances. … Three weeks ago one of Cece’s aunts was allowed to wander off into the woods, as folks were moving out of the apartment, under the gun so to speak. She is now, if not dead, one of the millions of homeless cats in America. Like them, she is relying on neighbors for water, food and shelter. pic:R.T.
We repost this excellent Deb Young piece on caring for homeless cats in wintertime, just in case you want to do the beautiful thing and help stray and homeless felines in your neck of the inner-city woods! Also: Check out Deb’s terrific help-circus-animals FB page on this website. You’ll learn so much about nature and wild animals! – R.T.
By Deb Young
Street cats, alley cats, wild cats, feral cats, homeless cats … there are a lot of different names we give to these free ranging felines. Most of the time, they take care of themselves, scavenging and hunting for their meals while also depending on the kindnesses of cat lovers, but things can get worse when the weather turns frigid.
In any neighborhood that supports a healthy (i.e, neutered and released) feral cat population, rodent populations are kept in check, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and poisons, and protecting the residents of these neighborhoods from the diseases and damage rodents can cause to life and property. Cats are a practical and “green” solution to this universal problem. In addition, a family and neighborhood commitment to caring for a controlled feral cat population teaches our children that we respect life and appreciate the work these cats do for us.
This is why many animal supporters encourage community participation in maintaining their local feral cat population. If you count yourself amongst these supporters, there are ways you can help your local cats to get through the winter with a minimum of hardship. If you can get your neighbors involved, so much the better.
Cats don’t need a lot of space, just a space that is large enough for them to stand and move about and stay safe from the harshest outdoor elements. When the weather is at its coldest, the cats will be relying on each other for warmth, and will create their own tight spaces within their shelter. With that in mind, you can use whatever space and materials available to you to create a small haven.
Homemade shelters can be crafted out of nearly anything: from a sturdy cardboard box (think of the heavy cardboard used for packing television sets) to an anchored plastic garbage can to a few pieces of scrap wood that have been arranged as a buffer against the wind and snow and rain. The shelter should be large enough to accommodate several cats comfortably, but not too wide or tall. In fact, the smaller the size, the better the space will be equipped to retain the cats’ body heat.
Finally, be sure to locate the shelter in a safe, concealed spot where the cats feel securely hidden from predators and can watch their surroundings.
The cats will require extra calories and fat during the cold weather months in order to maintain their energy requirements. Canned cat foods are also a great source of high calorie nutrition, but because of their higher liquid content they may freeze during the coldest temperatures.
Feeding the cats at the same time each day will allow them to expect and rely on a schedule. If they do not know whether they will be eating or not, they will venture out into the cold to look for food, defeating the whole purpose for the care project. Having a dedicated “feeder,” or a small group of scheduled “feeders” who take turns, can make the process much smoother. Also important to the cats’ survival is fresh, clean water. Of course, snow is an excellent source for water, but don’t forget to check the water bowl regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen during the night.
Feeding and water stations should be protected from the cold and placed as near to the sleeping shelter as possible so that the cats do not have to be exposed to harsh conditions when they need to eat or drink.
While the cats may not be able to thank you in ways you can understand, you will know that they have repaid your kindness with the absence of rodents, and you will know that it is all worth it.
Cece!
From PETA.ORG:
Hearty Vegetable Soup
Nothing can cure the winter cold quite like a big bowl of piping-hot vegetable soup. So the next time you’re looking for a dish that will keep you feeling warm, full, and satisfied, whip up a batch of this hearty soup.
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium white onion, diced
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
32 oz. vegetable broth
28 oz. canned diced tomatoes, with juice
14 oz. canned white beans, drained and rinsed
2 small zucchini, sliced
2 small yellow crookneck squash, sliced
3 cups chopped kale
4 small purple potatoes, cut into cubes
2 small yellow potatoes, cut into cubes
2 small red potatoes, cut into cubes
6 cups water
In a large pot, sauté the garlic, onion, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper in the oil for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
Add the broth, tomatoes with juice, beans, zucchini, squash, kale, and potatoes. Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat. Add the water in batches, stirring occasionally.
Simmer for about an hour, or until you can easily pierce a potato with a fork.
Serve immediately. Store the remainder in the refrigerator or freezer.
Makes 10 to 12 servings
****
Mexican Noodle Soup
By Ashley Palmer
This noodle soup was inspired by our growing PETA Latino community! The popular Mexican dish, referred to as “sopa de fideo,” is versatile and can be altered to your liking. Want a thicker base, spicier flavor, or splash of lemon juice? No problem!
4–6 large tomatoes, cut into large cubes
1 medium white onion, cut into large cubes
1 clove garlic
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 16 oz.-pkg. cut fideo or 1 16 oz.-pkg. angel hair pasta, broken into 1-inch pieces
32 oz. vegetable broth
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 Tbsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. cumin
Chili flakes, chopped serrano chilies, or diced jalapeños, to taste (optional)
Cilantro, soy sour cream, and sliced avocado, for garnish (optional)
In a blender, purée the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and oil. Transfer to a large pot and cook over medium heat.
Add the noodles, broth, salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin. For a spicier soup, add the chili flakes, serrano chilies, or jalapeños. Cook for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, then simmer until the noodles are tender.
Garnish with optional toppings, as desired.
Makes 10 to 12 servings
Coconut Curry Soup
The list of ingredients might seem a little long, but don’t be scared. You can leave out an ingredient or two, and the soup will still be delicious. The only required items on the list below are the coconut milk, a little salt, and some curry powder, if you ask me. The rest is up to you.
To make a more filling meal, try serving the soup over noodles — udon, soba and even budget-friendly ramen work very well.
And to spice up the dish, add a few drops of Sriracha to the broth after ladling it out.
Enjoy!
1 cup broccoli florets
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 carrot, julienned
3 white button mushrooms, sliced
1 12-oz. can coconut milk
1 cup vegetable broth
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. Madras curry powder
Perfect tofu (optional)
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
•Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Add the broccoli and cook for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
•In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, add the olive oil then the onions. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, or until just soft. Add the garlic, carrot, mushrooms, and cooked broccoli and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
•Add the coconut milk and broth to the pan and stir well. Add the lime juice, salt, and curry powder, then let simmer for about 5 minutes, being careful not to let the soup boil.
•Remove from heat and serve the soup with perfect tofu and chopped cilantro.
Makes 4 servings
And a tune for you! This year posted during November! – R.T.
Rosalie’s mom loved cats! When she died Rose “inherited” April (pictured above), a homeless kitty Mrs. Tirella had made her precious own – for a decade+! pic:R.T.
A heartbreaking fate awaits homeless cats, as I learned firsthand
By Colleen O’Brien
I met Big Show nearly five years ago, when I moved into my new house. At the time, he was one of three feral cats who were fed and given outdoor shelter by a kind neighbor. He was a beautiful boy, with long, fluffy orange hair and big golden eyes.
One day, one of the cats, whose name I never knew, appeared injured, so I took her to the vet. She couldn’t walk and had a number of injuries to her hindquarters, and the vet recommended euthanasia to end her suffering. That left Big Show and Smokey, a black cat who was Big Show’s best friend.
Each summer, we’d see Big Show and Smokey looking for shade to keep cool. We put up a big umbrella on our porch for them to lie under. In the winter, I put straw in the houses and shelters that my neighbor had set up for them so they had something to burrow down into to fend off the cold. Still, these shelters couldn’t keep them as warm as a home would have. Every time a winter storm came through, I worried that they would freeze to death. During sweltering summers and bitterly cold winters, life must have been miserable for them.
My family and I started feeding them regularly, putting out food when we got home from work. Initially, they took only food that was placed at the end of our yard. But after more than four years of this routine, Big Show became a bit more comfortable around us and began timidly making his way onto our back porch for food. Once Smokey saw that his friend was safe, he joined him.
Eventually, Big Show began watching for the kitchen light to come on, signaling that I was home. Then he’d venture onto our back porch and call out until I fed him. As always, Smokey would join him once he was sure there was no danger.
One night, during one of our feedings, Big Show finally let me pet him. From neck to tail, there was not a spot on this poor cat that wasn’t covered with matted knots. They were so tight against his skin that I knew it must be uncomfortable, even painful, for him to move. I tried to pet mostly his face and head and to avoid touching the knots and hurting him. He loved it. I think this was the first time in his life that he’d been touched. After that night, he began visiting not only for food but also for affection. I decided to give him just a couple more days to learn to trust me, then I would take him to the vet and have the knots removed.
But I never got the chance.
Not long after that, Big Show was lying on our porch late one night. He didn’t get up to greet me, which I thought was odd, but I ignored the voice in my head telling me that something was wrong. Smokey, as always, was nearby, watching. I petted Big Show for a while and then went inside. That was the last time I saw him.
The next day, I thought about his behavior the night before, and I just knew something was wrong. I called my neighbors, but no one had seen him. My fiancé and I went out looking for him but to no avail. When we saw Smokey lying all alone in a neighbor’s yard, my heart sank.
I believe Big Show came to my house the night that he was dying. Then he went somewhere and died alone.
I can’t forgive myself for not taking him to the vet that night. I failed him. And whoever dumped him on the street and left him to fend for himself—they failed him, too. I hope I made his life a little better while I knew him. And I’ll try to do the same for Smokey, who is alone now, and for any other cats who show up homeless in my neighborhood because their “owners” refuse to spay or neuter their animals or don’t recognize or care how dangerous and miserable it is for cats who are forced to live outdoors.
The Catmobile, which offers low cost spay/neuter for cats only, is coming to The Worcester Animal Rescue League October 21.
It is operated by the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society and staffed by a licensed veterinarian and two veterinary technicians.
The package consists of spay/neuter, rabies vaccinations, exam, nail trim, and treatment for fleas and ear mites. Microchipping is available for $20. Individually packaged take-home flea treatment is available for $15 per dose.
The spay package costs $120 and the neuter package costs $80.00. Qualified feral cats cost $35.
All feral cats will be ear-tipped. The deals are available to anyone.
Reservations are required and can be made online at www.catmobile.org or by calling 978-465-1940.
Trap, neuter, return and monitor programs for feral cats: Doing it right
There are millions of feral cats in the United States. Feral cat
population control is a difficult and emotional issue and has been a
topic of heated debate for many years. PETA has in the past trapped,
neutered, returned, and monitored feral cats (and still does, in
favorable situations) but not without hesitation and serious
concerns. Our experiences include countless incidents in which cats
suffered and died horrible deaths because they were forced to fend
for themselves outdoors, whether managed or not, and have led us
to question whether these programs are truly in the cat’s best
interests.
Homeless cats do not die of old age. Highly contagious diseases are
common, as are infected puncture wounds, broken bones, urinary tract
infections, brain damage, internal injuries, attacks by other animals
or cruel humans, automobile accidents, and terrible living conditions
like freezing or stifling temperatures, scrounging for food, and
being considered a “nuisance,” through no fault of their own.
Moreover, free-roaming cats also terrorize and kill countless birds
and other wildlife who are not equipped to deal with such predators.
Having witnessed firsthand the gruesome things that can happen to
feral cats and to the animals they prey on, PETA cannot in good
conscience oppose euthanasia as a humane alternative to dealing with
cat overpopulation.
Each situation is different, but it is never acceptable – no matter
how noble the intentions – to feed cats without providing them with
medical care, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering. Doing so would
serve only to endanger the cats and perpetuate the overpopulation
crisis and its tragic consequences: the needless deaths of millions
of animals every year.
If you’ve determined that you have the time and resources to manage
a feral cat colony, and the cats are in a safe place, i.e., they are
isolated from roads, people, and other animals and located in an area
where they do not have access to wildlife and where the weather is
temperate, please be sure to follow the following minimum guidelines.
Guidelines for Managing a Feral Cat Colony
The responsibilities of a feral cat colony caretaker include ensuring
that all cats in the colony are humanely captured, sterilized,
vaccinated against rabies, provided with a sanitary feeding station
with fresh water and food, given access to shelter, treated for
illnesses and injuries, and accepted by neighbors and landlords. A
properly managed feral cat colony is healthy and stable, i.e., no new
kittens are born.
Health
Find a veterinarian with whom you can establish a good rapport and
who can be somewhat flexible – feral cats don’t always keep their
appointments! Consider the costs of what will be needed for each new
cat: spaying/neutering, ear-tipping, a full exam, ear-cleaning, a
three-year rabies vaccination, deworming, and long-lasting flea
control. Estimate your budget depending on the number of cats in the
colony. Be sure that you can cover these expenses, in addition to
unexpected costs for taking care of injuries or illnesses.
If you notice a cat whose behavior or eating habits has changed, who
has dull eyes, a dull coat, or discharge from his or her nose or
eyes, or who is lethargic – all possible indicators of bad health –
retrap the cat and take him or her to your vet. It may help to work
out a plan in advance with your vet to provide you with antibiotics
for minor health problems.
Stay organized! Maintain veterinary records on each cat. This is
where ear-tipping becomes vital: While the cat is anesthetized for
sterilization, the vet should remove a quarter inch off the top of
the cat’s left ear. This will help you identify the cats who have
been sterilized and vaccinated against rabies. Microchipping is also
a safe and effective way of tracking the cat back to you in the event
that he or she is lost.
Food and Water
Find a dry sheltered spot to feed the cats, or build them a covered
feeding station (this can simply be a canopy made out of a large
domed trashcan lid held up by four wooden posts). Locate the feeding
station away from sleeping and eliminating areas. Feed roughly 5.5
oz. of canned cat food and 2 oz. of dry food per cat each day. If the
food is gone in 15 minutes, you might need to increase rations. If
there’s food remaining after an hour, put out less. To keep bugs at
bay, grease the outside of food bowls with cooking oil. Remove
uneaten food and clean the feeding station every day to prevent
attracting other wildlife or irritating human neighbors. If it’s not
possible to attend to the feeding station every day, buy automatic
feeders.
Clean water should be available at all times and kept a short
distance away from the feeding station. Cats sometimes refuse to
drink if it is too close to their food. In cold weather, place water
bowls in the sun to keep them from freezing.
Shelter
If the colony isn’t already occupying an abandoned building, shack,
or other structure, they will need a sheltered place where they can
escape the elements. Build them a simple shelter or put an ad in the
paper for used doghouses, which can be easily modified by making the
entryway cat-size and adding insulation. Shelters must be waterproof,
windproof (in colder climates), and elevated off the ground. Use
straw or hardwood shavings for bedding (softwood shavings are toxic),
do not use blankets or carpeting, which retain moisture. Change the
bedding twice each year, and spray or dust the shelter surface with a
non-toxic flea control product
Be a Good Neighbor
Inform local residents about your activities. Attend town meetings,
write to your local paper, and/or go door to door. Make yourself
available and accessible if questions, problems, illnesses, or
injuries arise. Discourage cats from using neighbors’ gardens and
sandboxes by making your own giant litterbox with sand in a simple
covered, wooden frame. Place the sandbox away from busy areas, the
cats’ feeding station, and sleeping spots. Clean the sandbox daily. Resources: Alley Cat Rescue (ACR) 301-699-3946 Spay USA 1-800-248-SPAY Tomahawk Live Trap Co. 1-800-272-8727
For more informataion on feral cats, visit peta.org.
The news that free-roaming cats are responsible for killing up to 3.7 billion birds and 20.7 billion mammals every year—a death toll that makes cats a greater threat to wildlife than nearly any other human-linked cause — is enough to make any cat lover cringe.
You might think that the solution lies in simply keeping Mittens inside, and that is certainly an important step toward protecting not only wildlife but also cats. But a new Smithsonian study indicates that “owned” cats account for the deaths of only about 29 percent of the birds and 11 percent of the mammals killed by cats. The rest are killed by the estimated 80 million stray and feral cats eking out an existence in our nation’s alleys and barns.
Eighty million — let that number sink in for a moment. That’s nearly 6 million more than the estimated 74.1 million cats living in homes — and that’s not even counting the unwanted cats turned over to animal shelters every year, who also number in the millions.
How did we end up with so many homeless cats? A female cat can come into heat at as young as 4 months and can have as many as three litters of six kittens every year. In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce a staggering 370,000 cats.
We have a bizarre double standard when it comes to cats and dogs. Someone who would never dream of letting a dog roam the neighborhood thinks nothing of allowing a cat—altered or otherwise—to do so. Similarly, people often move away and, rather than taking their unwanted cat to an animal shelter, simply leave her sitting on the doorstep. “It’s OK,” they assure themselves. “She’ll catch mice.”
Even animal shelters have a double standard. Some backwater shelters make no accommodations for cats at all. One shelter in rural North Carolina was simply turning cats loose in the nearby woods until PETA built a structure to house the cats.
Some “no-kill” shelters refuse to accept cats because they are harder to place than dogs. In Easton, Pa., the homeless cat population exploded after the local shelter became “no-kill” and was perpetually too full to accept strays. One shelter in Ohio has the following message posted on its Petfinder.com page: “Due to the overpopulation of cats currently at our shelter, we are not taking any cats or kittens at this time.”
A shelter in California enacted a new policy last year to refuse to accept “healthy” feral cats and even justifies this by saying that such cats “help control the rodent population,” although it makes no mention of the billions of songbirds that feral cats also “control.” Can you imagine a reputable shelter having a similar policy for stray dogs?
Those who promote feral-cat trap-neuter-return programs have a similar double standard. If we wouldn’t encourage people to abandon their own cats in a parking lot or at the end of a country road, how can we say that this approach is acceptable for any cat? Feral cats do not die of old age. They are attacked by other animals, are hit by cars or succumb to exposure, starvation, parasite infestations or deadly infectious diseases. PETA receives calls every single day about free-roaming cats who are shot, drowned, poisoned, beaten, set on fire or subjected to other horrors.
If we want to get serious about protecting wildlife—and cats—we need to change the way that we view cats. We need to start thinking of them as our best friends, our beloved companions, our lifelong responsibility. Like dogs, they should be licensed, included in “leash laws” (i.e., required to be kept indoors unless accompanied) and, most importantly, spayed or neutered. This is the only way we will ever start to put a dent in the staggering homeless cat problem—and allow America’s wildlife to breathe a sigh of relief.
Street cats, alley cats, wild cats, feral cats, homeless cats … there are a lot of different names we give to these free ranging felines. Most of the time, they take care of themselves, scavenging and hunting for their meals while also depending on the kindnesses of cat lovers, but things can get worse when the weather turns frigid.
In any neighborhood that supports a healthy (i.e, neutered and released) feral cat population, rodent populations are kept in check, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and poisons, and protecting the residents of these neighborhoods from the diseases and damage rodents can cause to life and property. Cats are a practical and “green” solution to this universal problem. In addition, a family and neighborhood commitment to caring for a controlled feral cat population teaches our children that we respect life and appreciate the work these cats do for us.
This is why many animal supporters encourage community participation in maintaining their local feral cat population. If you count yourself amongst these supporters, there are ways you can help your local cats to get through the winter with a minimum of hardship. If you can get your neighbors involved, so much the better.
Cats don’t need a lot of space, just a space that is large enough for them to stand and move about and stay safe from the harshest outdoor elements. When the weather is at its coldest, the cats will be relying on each other for warmth, and will create their own tight spaces within their shelter. With that in mind, you can use whatever space and materials available to you to create a small haven.
Homemade shelters can be crafted out of nearly anything: from a sturdy cardboard box (think of the heavy cardboard used for packing television sets) to an anchored plastic garbage can to a few pieces of scrap wood that have been arranged as a buffer against the wind and snow and rain. The shelter should be large enough to accommodate several cats comfortably, but not too wide or tall. In fact, the smaller the size, the better the space will be equipped to retain the cats’ body heat.
Finally, be sure to locate the shelter in a safe, concealed spot where the cats feel securely hidden from predators and can watch their surroundings.
The cats will require extra calories and fat during the cold weather months in order to maintain their energy requirements.Canned cat foods are also a great source of high calorie nutrition, but because of their higher liquid content they may freeze during the coldest temperatures.
Feeding the cats at the same time each day will allow them to expect and rely on a schedule. If they do not know whether they will be eating or not, they will venture out into the cold to look for food, defeating the whole purpose for the care project. Having a dedicated “feeder,” or a small group of scheduled “feeders” who take turns, can make the process much smoother. Also important to the cats’ survival is fresh, clean water. Of course, snow is an excellent source for water, but don’t forget to check the water bowl regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen during the night.
Feeding and water stations should be protected from the cold and placed as near to the sleeping shelter as possible so that the cats do not have to be exposed to harsh conditions when they need to eat or drink.
While the cats may not be able to thank you in ways you can understand, you will know that they have repaid your kindness with the absence of rodents, and you will know that it is all worth it.
Every morning, just before the alarm goes off, my cat Romeo jumps into bed with me and kisses my face until I get up. When I sit down to read a book, my old lady cat, Chloe, snuggles up on my lap, purring contentedly. My other cat, Mochi, doesn’t let me go to sleep at night until we’ve played a rousing game of “catch the Cat Charmer.”
If you’re looking for a companion who can double as an alarm clock, lap warmer and exercise buddy, then this June, “Adopt a Shelter Cat” Month, would be the perfect time to adopt a cat. Better yet, adopt two.
Personally, I think that every month should be “Adopt a Shelter Animal” Month. But it’s no coincidence that “Adopt a Shelter Cat” Month coincides with “kitten season,” the dreaded time of year when unwanted kittens and mama cats pour into animal shelters.
With 6 to 8 million animals entering U.S. shelters every year, most are constantly filled to capacity. Open-admission shelters—those that never turn animals away—have no choice but to euthanize many healthy, friendly cats (and dogs) in order to accommodate the flood of baby animals born during the spring and summer months.
Sadly, this tragic situation is not likely to change any time soon. For years, animal shelters and rescue groups have encouraged, urged and begged animal guardians to spay or neuter in order to help stop the animal homelessness crisis at its source. They have tried heartbreaking appeals to help people realize that buying animals from backyard breeders or pet stores means stealing desperately needed homes from animals in shelters—who will likely pay with their lives.
Until people do these two simple things—sterilize their animal companions and adopt animals rather than buying them—shelters will be forced to euthanize millions of animals every single year because there just aren’t enough homes for them all.
I can think of no good reason not to adopt. Pre-loved cats know the ropes. They are almost always litterbox-trained, pros at sharpening their claws on a scratching post instead of on your curtains and familiar with the “do’s” and “don’ts” of living with humans.
Shelters screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviors, and most have trained adoption counselors available to help you find the right fit for your family. Animals in shelters and rescue groups are examined by a veterinarian when they arrive, and for a nominal fee—hundreds less than what breeders typically charge—they leave spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
People who have their hearts set on a specific breed of cat can still rescue an animal in need of a loving home. Having a pedigree doesn’t protect animals from being tossed out like an old TV set when they’re no longer wanted. Both of my male cats are Siamese, and both were dumped on the streets when their previous owners got tired of them.
I can’t imagine ever tiring of my cats’ company. Each is unique—Mochi is moody and headstrong, while Romeo is a real sweetheart and Chloe is an opinionated old lady—but they are all loving, affectionate companions. If you’re ready to commit, please open your heart and home to a cat waiting in a shelter. You’ll save a life—and make a friend for life.
Meet and have your photo taken with Santa, take a Wagon Ride, sing carols with District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller and State Rep. John Fresolo, and enjoy yummy refreshments!
*********************** KWANZAA CELEBRATION
If you have a chance, please stop by the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester at 65 Tainter St. this Friday December 2, from 5 pm – 6:30 pm. The Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will be co-sponsoring a KWANZAA CELEBRATION of FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND CULTURE!
There will be refreshments.
************************
Some animal rights issues our elected officials should think about supporting
By Deb Young
Bringing Humane Education into our schools
There was the incident on Canterbury Street where it is believed children with pellet guns shot / killed 3 kittens and 1 adult cat.
What can come out of this tragedy?
Well, Private Citizens for Pets in Peril has started to get the word out on teaching children respect for animals.
It would be helpful if the Worcester Public Schools had a program regarding animal abuse and the impact it has on our society. Kids learn from the adults in their lives and unless someone sets a good example for the children and teaches them to have empathy, and that it is not acceptable to abuse animals, they will continue to think it is the normal way of life.
This idea was presented to the School Committee it made it to the Standing Committee. Can we get this done?
There is also a organization called Spay Worcester. The goal of the Spay Worcester task force is to work to reduce the population of free roaming cats in the city through spay / neuter and public education. The focus is providing basic medical care (spay neuter & rabies vaccinations) for free roaming & un-owned cats through responsible trap neuter return. SW will also seek to increase the resources available for low income spay /neuter for pet cats by working with other organizations. They believe that all cat populations must be addressed in order to see a decrease in Worcester’s free roaming cat population.
When people are given an opportunity, education and the means to do what is right. People will step up.
If we take on the responsibly of a pet, we care for this pet and it stays in their home, It breaks the cycle of disposable pets.
Neighborhood cats are community cats..they are here because of owned cats not being S/N and allowed to be free-roaming.
When kids ask SW what are they doing, SW always explains what they are doing and goals. These neighborhood kids become SW eyes and ears on the street. They are starting to recognize the impact of unaltered pets is having in their neighborhood. Their perception is changing, these community cats that have been hiding in plain sight is becoming visible to them, they are starting to see the suffering and pain these cats endure everyday… The kids become more confident and united in a common goal of helping these cats. The kids see that, helping these cats have a real impact in their neighborhood, their street and even their own back yard. Spay Worcester is supported by the mayor of Worcester, the Worcester City Council, and this support needs to continue!
While, “The circus is coming to town” might conjure up images of old fashioned family fun, behind the bright lights and the curtains, something sinister lurks—Horrific animal abuse.
Ringling Bros and other exotic animal circuses are appalling in the treatment of they’re animals that include Asian elephants and tigers.
Just as the circus is an old-fashioned entertainment business, so are the “training” methods they utilize to get the animals to perform!
Circus-goers need to be educated about what really goes on backstage, because if they knew, most would no longer go and animal circuses will become a cruel thing of the past…
Enlighten them and vote to ban exotic animal circuses in Worcester.
Right now Worcester requires Pit bulls to be leashed and muzzled, or placed in a secure temporary enclosure, when taken off the owner’s premises. It also will require consent of a landlord to keep a pit bull on the premises; placement of a warning sign informing the public that a pit bull is on the premises; and notification of animal control officers or the police by owners whenever their pit bull injures or threatens any person or animal.
This in not an effective way to control dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs, for many reasons, Including:
1) This type of situation does not impact dogs of other breeds who may be dangerous.
2) Such an approach unfairly brands all dogs of a particular breed, regardless of their behavioral history, as dangerous.
3) When communities concentrate their public protection efforts on specific breeds, they only address the dogs, rather than on dealing with the true cause of these threats to public safety: pet owner irresponsibility.
Punish the Deed not the Breed!
Between 25% and 40% of battered women ( in US) are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets should they leave.
Many pet-owning women entering shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims. Research also suggests that children who witness domestic violence are more likely to become abusers of animals.
Pets are sources of comfort & emotional support , Why can’t we work together with local rescues / shelters to provide temporary placement / foster for individuals in this position?
It is wonderful to see the City begin to address issues of animal overpopulation and abuse, and would be even more wonderful if the City Council became even more involved.
Many of these topics already have the support of the community, but the community needs the support of those who can be the “Voice of the Voiceless” and let us be heard!
The Spay Worcester Task Force is a coalition of Worcester citizens, Tufts Veterinary School and the Massachusetts Animal Coalition. The purpose of Spay Worcester is to humanly reduce the population of free roaming cats in a specific area of area of Worcester through a Spay/Neuter program and through public education. Due to a grant from Petsmart Charities and the tireless work of many volunteers this program is done at no cost to the people of Worcester.
When we first approached Barbara Haller about the possibility of starting a program in the Main South area she listened carefully, asked questions and then said “What can I do to help?” She pointed out that this type of program is beneficial not only to the cats but to their human families and caregivers.
She saw the value of the program in helping people with limited resources having their cats spayed, neutered and given rabies vaccines. This prevents the arrival of unwanted kittens and male cat fighting and marking, all behaviors that can result in people abandoning their pets. By assisting families with Spays & Neuters children learn that vetting is part of responsible pet ownership and breaking the cycle of disposable pets.
Main South is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the city with a large population of economically challenged residents. It also has significant areas of vacant land and abandoned buildings that can become a shelter for these abandoned cats.
Once Barbara saw our commitment and the value of this program she became a staunch advocate for Spay Worcester. She introduced us to Mayor O’Brien (who became another great supporter). She introduced us to the people at the Main South CDC as well as Clark University, University Park Campus School, Worcester Public schools and several neighborhood groups.
Barbara introduced us to a great number of neighborhood residents and to people who were already feeding abandoned neighborhood cats. It is these people who are our major allies in helping these homeless cats. They identify the colonies and assist in trapping the cats and in watching the cats after they are returned. They also let us know when new cats arrive in the colony.
We are well on our way to our 2 year goal of Spaying and Neutering 1000 cats and a large amount of our success we owe to Councilor Baarbra Haller and her commitment to all that make up a community (including the fury four legged ones).
