National Feral Cat Day 2013

Today is a very important day for us - it is National Feral Cat Day!  As most of you know, all but one of us (Yoko) are former feral cats.  If you have not read about our story - check out the interview on Mousebreath listed in the sidebar to the right.

Big Guy, Nick and Ivy living outside.

So much has changed over the years, thanks to Alley Cat Allies.  When Mom began working to get us all trapped, neutered and released, 14 years ago, very few local humane shelters would do anything to help ferals.  Their first reaction was to euthanise.  Mom ran smack into a wall with her local shelter.  They told her we did not have a worthwhile life, living outside without human contact and we would best be put to sleep!  That made Mom mad!

Lily's group

She found Alley Cat Allies online.  They were instrumental in helping her figure out the best way to trap us humanely.  Mom also found a kind veterinarian in our area who was willing to work with her for a nominal fee to get us all spayed and neutered. Years later, the Director of  that local shelter came by our house and was surprised to see us all living happily and healthily in the shelter Mom and Pop built for us, playing, having a great time. At least she had a more open view about feral cats than she did before.

Our present day cat shelter

Alley Cat Allies plays a tremendous role in educating the public about feral cats and dispelling myths.  They advocate vigilantly to end the killing of feral cats and get legally involved in cases where cats have been harmed to change laws to protect ferals.

Lily's kittens all grown up - Woody and Tabitha

Alley Cat Allies promotes humane care for ferals with programs like Campus Cats, Every Kitty - Every City and the Feral Friend Network.

They provide educational tools and brochures to guide feral cat caretakers.  You can get information on how to TNR, colony care, veterinary care and even how to socialize feral cats and kittens.  People used to think feral cats could not be tamed, but hey, look at all of us!  If you want to read about another feral cat that was rescued, saved from death in a shelter and tamed - check out Panther's story!

All cats deserve a chance at a happy healthy life, even ferals.  Help out when you can - get involved, spay and neuter and maybe someday all pets will have homes!  We can dream can't we?

National Grouch Day - Oct. 15

Mom has been out of commission with a bad tooth so we are reposting this  from a couple of years back.

Tabitha here with my grouchy face on.  It seems that today Tuesday  October 15 is National Grouch Day. A day for the public to celebrate grouchiness and the things that make you grouchy! Here goes -
I don't like...

-having to wait until the older cats get served stinky goodness first - I am the biggest so I should eat first.

-being told to go away when I just want lovin'. A girl has needs.

-Pop sitting in my chair. I should get my chair when I want my chair. Find your own chair Pop!

-Woody sitting next to some other ladycat. He is MINE!

-being told to stop playing in the water bowl. It's fun! I don't care if everything gets wet.

I think I have covered it all. Go ahead be grouchy today. That is what today is for! What gripes have you got?

On a more serious note...Wednesday Oct 16 is National Feral Cat Day. We are all rescued ferals at our place and we know how hard life can be. Stop back by tomorrow for our special post. In the meantime, do something kind for the ferals in your community.

Formerly Feral Friday

 

This is not about us but a great story about a rescued feral cat!   Back in April, Brian from Brian's Home blog posted about a lovely black cat who had nearly been euthanized not once but twice in a South Carolina shelter.   If you don't recall this post - go here to read about him.

Well long story short, Mom's friend Donna in North Carolina adopted him and it has taken all these long months but he is now letting her pet him and love him up.

He had his own room for the longest time but her other cats could come in if she was there too. Donna made him some hidy places so he would feel safe but that she could reach under and pet him.  At first he only would let her pet him thru the blanket but eventually she could put her hand under the blanket and pet him directly.  Donna knows it takes lots of time, effort, patience and love to win over some cats.

Panther had been adopted out but was living outside again on his own with a group of feral cats when he was found.  He had a microchip and the lady who had originally rescued him was called.  She no longer worked with feral groups but tried hard to find the best home for him. One thing led to another and Brian's peep was involved.

Panther looking out at Spunky!

We are just sooo happy to know that Panther is loved, appreciated and has a forever home indoor only with his Mom Donna and other kitty brothers and sisters.Give a shout out to Brian and all the other bloggers who work tirelessly to help find homes for abandoned dogs and cats!

Happy Gotcha Day to Mamacita and Rosa

Rosa on left and me on right

Mamacita here today Friday Sept 27, to host our 8th Gotcha Day Party!  I am most likely 9 years old and Rosa is 8 this year. We are two happy kitties - Rosa is my daughter and we are the best of friends.  On our special day we would like to remember our dear Manny, Rosa's brother, who passed in 2007 of a urinary blockage and we miss him every day.

I am on the far right, then Rosa and our beloved Manny.

Rosa and Manny after being spayed/neitered

Rosa napping with Georgie

Me and Rosa helping Mom with laundry!

Enjoy some pics of us in our younger years. Make sure you sample the goodies - cake, tuna appetizers and niptinis! We do appreciate your friendship and we are so very happy you came by today to help us celebrate!

Meow Like a Pirate Day - 9/19

Avast matey!  Tis Meow Like a Pirate Day and I be Dread Pirate Ivy!  Like t’ famous Dread Pirate Roberts, I have a keen head for how t’ make a profit! I be a bit unpredictable but a pirate’s life be full o’uncertainies anyway.

Never heard of the famous Pirate Roberts ye say?  Arr – he be a pirate o’near-methical reputation. T’ Dread Pirate Roberts be feared across t’ seven seas for his ruthlessness and cutlasfightin’ prowess and he be well know for takin’ no prisoners.

Me ship is Neptune’s Doubloon and she be the fastest of all the seas. She be full o’me pillaging profits – gold, jewels and lots of rum.  I be known t' share t' goodies with me crew if they pass me test. Ye have t' prove ayeself.

We set sail at sunset on Friday so be at t' dock. If ye don’t pass muster it be t' t' plank t' walk for ye!

I be off now.  I be meetin' up with the likes of Cap't Jack Sparrow for a round of rum....and then some! Arrrgh!