16 October, 2018

Global Cat Day®


Global Cat Day®
"Whether you’re dining in Istanbul, relaxing on a beach in the Caribbean, working on a farm in Kansas or walking the avenues of Washington, D.C. there are cats who need your help.
Millions of community cats, or feral cats who live outdoors, are killed each year in animal shelters after people take them there.
They don’t realize these cats live and thrive outdoors. Owned, adoptable cats are at risk, too. When they end up at animal shelters, they are often killed because the shelter lacks the space, resources, and programs to care for them. For this and so many reasons, Alley Cat Allies is here to protect cats.
Alley Cat Allies is the only global advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and saving all cats.
We ensure communities, shelters and veterinarians have what they need to launch programs including spay and neuter clinics and Trap-Neuter-Return. We work with advocates, public officials, and people like you to create a world where cats are valued and protected.
There are so many ways to love and help cats.
You can advocate to help make sure the cats in your community are protected with humane policies, adopt or foster a cat from your local shelter, carry out TNR, and more!"
All of the above was taken from Alley Cat Allies website 

Eastside Cats' Story:

In 2008, the security team at my office told me that they'd witnessed a man and young son (!) releasing a cat into our parking lot.  I looked all over for the cat that day, but did not locate him.  The next day, however, I did find a tabby cat, who was hungry and very scared.  I fed the cat before work, on my lunch hour, and again before going home.  Through co-workers, I found folks who lived nearby who agreed to visit the cat on the weekends.  As time went on, I networked a group of like-minded animal-lovers who donated money, food, and time to help this cat, whom we named George.  

I had NO IDEA at the time what TNR was, what the difference between a stray or a feral cat was, or that there were organizations like Alley Cat Allies or local rescue groups who participated in TNR projects.  It took us the entire summer to catch George, simply because I had forgotten to latch the first humane trap that I'd rented, and George got OUT...and therefore was onto all of our tricks to catch him!  I used about five different types of humane traps, but all for naught.  In the end, we set up a dog kennel and slowly lured George inside with food.  That day in the autumn of 2008 was bittersweet; George was a part of my life, and I didn't want to let him go.  Yet we'd found a family that agreed to take in George, since we really didn't know if he was once a pet, or was a stray.  George lived with his family until his passing years later, and I will always be grateful for them.  We are still in touch!

Angel George
Because of George, I became involved in local animal rescue, and volunteered with several non-profit groups.  We soon discovered Hobo in our backyard, then Sweetie, and Angel Sammy and The PO'M came along afterward.  Attending a TNR class at All About Animals Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic and Rescue, I am now involved in spreading information about TNR, and encouraging all to SPAY AND NEUTER.

Global Cat Day®


22 comments:

  1. I had never heard George's story before. I am so thankful he had you watching over him, because you gave him the happy ending he deserved! I knew next to nothing about TNR until I was studying animal sciences in college. I wish more people knew about it and understood its importance. Thank you for spreading the word about TNR!

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  2. What a wonderful story about Angle George. Those of us that love animals are always willing to help. It's a wonderful thing.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

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  3. Very interesting. We may be helping our son foster a cat to adopt soon. Exciting and challenging as she's timid with the cat room group at the shelter but very good one on one

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  4. Thank you for all you did for George! Mom misses her ferals.

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  5. Thank you for all you do to help those sweeties and for caring for the precious ones there now. We love our ferals, they're family too.

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  6. Bless your kind heart full of kitty love.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  7. george; yur storee iz grate N we iz BUZZED happee it had a happee....ending ~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥☺☺

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  8. Thank you from the heart for your care of all these darlings that have been entrusted to you.

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  9. you are wonderful with all that you do for the kitties that you have helped!

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  10. Excellent post. I wish cats didn't have to deal with the cruelties of living outside, but I've long wondered if taking a cat (not feral - but a stray) to the shelter is actually the better solution. So many pets are killed in shelters. Ellie probably would've been if her former rescue hadn't kept up her microchip. I'm flat out disgusted by the attitudes of people around here to TNR. Come to think about it - TNR's a cause I can get behind to make a difference in my community.

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  11. Thank you so much for spreading the word about TNR! We wish communities all over the USA would embrace TNR so there will be less cats suffering on the streets.

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  12. What a great thing you did for George!

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  13. Awe, I loved reading about George. Isn't it amazing how one animal can change our lives. When I was in my twenties I rescued a stray cat and her 7 babies from an alley. They were semi-feral and local kids were being cruel to them. It took us a long time but we finally rescued all of them. I kept the mom, Daisy and all the kittens went to a shelter and were adopted out. I ended up volunteering at the shelter and getting involved with TNR as a result.

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  14. What a great story about George! Mom has been involved with Community cats for a long time. And people like you ROCK!
    Purrs
    Marv and Mom

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  15. Excellent post. The world needs more people like you in it.

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  16. George really left an awesome legacy with you! <3

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  17. What a good story, and a good introduction to a new way of life. There is always a first-cat, whether it's a first pet, or a first tnr or some other kind of first. Here's to George and all the other first-cats.

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  18. What a great story about George and I'm grateful for all you do for kitties!

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  19. So happy that you were able to help George and that you continue to help cats today!

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  20. Fank you fur helpin' George and all the kitties you do. We're cryin' and sendin' hugs and purrayers.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  21. Sometimes cats like George bring out the good in so many people. Thank you for helping him and all the work you now do in his memory. - Tom x

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Mee-row!
Thanks for your comments; we LURV them! Purrr....