3 Days Left!!

Just 3 days left to help save adoptable kittens from euthanasia at local high-kill shelter!!

Vote both online: http://vote4cats.com/ and by phone: text 106873 to 73774.

Come on people, let's do this for the kitties!!!

A Community Partnership

In my ongoing efforts to build the Campus Cats program at UM I've been talking to the wise Sandy from Barry University about their very successful Pals for Paws program. The Barry University feral cat program not only has a strong student base, but they also have a successful adoption program to find homes for their adoptable colony cats. So much to learn and so little time!!!

That being said, Sandy has organized a group of core individuals from the major South Florida Universities to form a partnership that will allow us to share information and help each other as we all try to clean up the cat colonies on campus. We are looking to go after a few grants, which hopefully will aid us in getting all the cats sterilized, vaccinated and eventually adopted (if possible). We're also looking to create a heavy educational component to the campus cat programs, including lectures, classes and student based volunteer groups. We only just had our first "meeting of the minds" last Friday, but I'm happy to report it was very helpful and encouraging! I've since reached out to our biology department to find some way to partner (the educational component...), and have been corresponding with other universities that have successful campus cat programs. I will also be working with the new Pre-Vet Society president, who fingers crossed will be more receptive than the last.

It's good to feel like we're finally getting somewhere with this (beyond just myself and a few people with encouraging words)!!!

The Cat Network in the News!!

Communities try to control cat population
By Kirsti Marohn and Amy Bowen, USA TODAY

Veterinarian Meghann Kruck began offering low-cost spaying and neutering of pets in May at a mobile clinic in Golden Valley, Minn. She said she's already getting nearly 100 inquiries a day and quickly filling up appointments.

One of three such clinics in Minnesota's Twin Cities area, the Kindest Cut charges $40 for neutering and $50 for spaying cats of low-income owners. The clinic is sponsored by MnPAW, a group of animal-welfare organizations in Minnesota.

"I'm hoping it'll promote responsible pet ownership," Kruck said. "Overall, we really want it to eliminate pet overpopulation."

A growing number of animal advocates and local communities are stepping up efforts to curb the overpopulation of cats by offering low-cost or free spaying and neutering.

Stephen Zawistowski, science adviser for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says a number of factors are contributing to the booming cat population, including a rise in pet ownership that often leads to cats being abandoned, more suburban yards that provide ideal habitat for feral cats and fewer stray dogs that chased or killed cats in the past.

An unspayed female can give birth to up to four litters with six to eight kittens each a year, according to Kim Saunders, vice president of shelter outreach and public relations for the pet adoption website Petfinder.com.

In May, Petfinder posted 143,923 cats ready for adoption throughout the United States and Canada. That number will continue to climb as summer progresses and more litters are born, said Saunders of Union, N.J.

"It is one the biggest issues shelters are facing," she said. "The cat problem is nowhere near under control."

Experts say sterilization is essential to curbing the exploding cat population, and many contend it can also help alleviate behavioral and medical issues among felines.

For many people, "cost is absolutely one of the main obstacles," said Aimee Christian, vice president of spay-neuter operations for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Some programs provide vouchers that can be redeemed at a local veterinarian for spay or neuter surgery to reduce or even eliminate that cost. Some organizations also operate mobile clinics that travel to low-income or rural areas where people aren't able to transport their cat to the vet.

In Los Angeles, the Coalition for Pets & Public Safety's mobile clinic sterilizes about 5,000 dogs and cats annually. The organization recently purchased a second unit, said the coalition's Pamela Wilkinson.

"The need is extensive, and L.A. is large," she said. The units travel to low-income neighborhoods, shopping centers, senior centers and homeless shelters and spay and neuter pets and feral cats, Wilkinson said.

Veterinarians say unaltered cats are more likely to roam and act aggressively, spray urine and suffer from health issues such as reproductive cancer.

Elsewhere:

•In May, the ASPCA opened a low-cost spay and neuter clinic primarily for cats in Queens, N.Y. ASPCA also has mobile clinics that offer free or low-cost services in poor areas where people might not have access to veterinary services, Christian said.

"Very often their trip to the mobile unit is their pet's first trip to the clinic at all," she said.

•The Capital Area Humane Society in Franklin County, Ohio, operates a program called AdvoCAT that provides vouchers for a free sterilization at a local vet. Last year, 358 vouchers were redeemed, said Tom Barry, executive director. The organization is seeking funding to expand the program.

•The Cat Network of South Florida operates a mobile clinic called Miami Meow Mobile, which sterilizes about 2,500 cats every year, said Jill Steinberg, secretary of the group's board of directors. Its goal is to sterilize all of the estimated 3,000 cats on Miami Beach within three or four years, Steinberg said.

The organization also provides low-cost sterilizations for the estimated 500,000 free-roaming cats in Miami-Dade County, she says.

Some wildlife advocates oppose programs that trap, sterilize and return feral cats because they don't believe the cats should be released to cause problems for birds and other wildlife.

"It can make the problem even worse," said Robert Johns, spokesman for the non-profit American Bird Conservancy. He says the programs fail to capture and sterilize all the cats in a colony, so the colonies expand and become dumping grounds for unwanted pets.

The conservancy estimates that each year, outdoor cats kill 500 million birds and are responsible for the extinctions of 33 bird species.

Christian said trap-and-release programs are the most humane way to reduce the cat population over time. People wouldn't volunteer to trap cats if they thought the animals were going to be killed, she said.

we need more votes!!!

It's such a simple thing to do to help so many animals in need!!!

There are three ways to vote-
1. Sign in using your Facebook account
2. Sign in using your email
3. Text 106873 to 71774

http://www.refresheverything.com/savekittens

Any Pepsi drinkers out there can also help by emailing the Pepsi Refresh power vote codes to: pepsi@thecatnetwork.org

Vote daily to help us help the cute kittens!!!

Weekend Cat-ventures

Madeline and James being extra cute:

Cat Party:

Do a Good Deed Every Day

The Cat Network is in the running for one of the $25,000 prizes through the Pepsi Refresh Grant Program. You can help save adoptable shelter kittens from euthanasia by voting daily!

You can vote online at http://vote4cats.com and by texting 106873 to 73774. You can also use Pepsi Power Votes by entering codes found on specially marked bottles and boxes of cans... each code is worth up to 100 votes and can help save the lives of hundreds of kittens in South Florida!! If you're unable to use your power votes, you can email them to pepsi@thecatnetwork.org where they will be put to good use.

The $25k prize money will be used to pull adoptable kittens from shelters around South Florida, and transport them to rescue groups in the Maryland, DC area. The North East region has a fantastic adoption rate, since their animal population does not reproduce year round like they do in Florida. This year alone The Cat Network has transported close to 200 kittens to the Maryland rescue, with a 100% adoption rate!!! Each trip costs on average $1,000 (thanks to the donation of a cargo van and volunteers will to make the long trip), so this prize money will save over 1,000 cats from an untimely death. Just a simple click of the mouse will save so many fluffy little lives!!!!

Remember to vote daily, and help rescue shelter kittens from a heartbreaking future!!!

June is Adoption Month!

June is Adopt-a-Cat month, so when you're out looking for your new pet, remember these simple motto's:

"Adopt, Don't Shop" & "Recycle: Adopt A Shelter Pet"


To view the wonderful animals up for adoption in South Florida, please visit:

www.thecatnetwork.org

www.petfinder.com

All of my lovely ladies are up on both sites!!! :)

Happy Rescue Stories

Yesterday one of the women who helps feed the campus cats introduced me to a friend of hers who was having a "catmergency". She had found a little 5 week old kitten near campus that had been rejected by the mother and the other feral cats, and was pretty beaten up and hungry. She was willing to adopt the kitten, but the problem was catching the little critter.

So after work we set out to catch the baby. Turns out he was absolutely willing to go home with her, and hopped right into the pet carrier as soon as the can of food was placed inside (I didn't even have time to open the trunk and get the traps out before this little one gave himself over to us).
He was in rough shape, some cuts on his face and a whole lot of dirt, but no visible signs of sickness. He got a bath that night, which helped a lot, and some medicine to help with worms and other stomach issues. He's been eating really well, and has been purring up a storm in his new loving home!! Of course he's got furry playmates (that he will eventually meet after testing), and two older kids to play with, so who wouldn't be happy??!!! Later this week he'll go to the vet for testing, and then he'll probably go with me later this month for sterilization and vaccinations.

It's always great to have a success story like this!! It makes all the rescue and TNR work absolutely worth it!!!! And she was so happy to have the little guy that she made a donation towards the care of the other cats on campus!

Kitties really know how to relax...

Lemur and James took relaxing to a new level this weekend, and made me really wish I could relax just like them!!

Who wouldn't want these brilliant kitties to love them forever???!!!!

Guinness World Records

It's official, I'm submitting the application to break the world record for loudest cat. The record is currently set at 67.7 decibels, but after taking a reading of Madelines purr the other night I'm confident we can break that. She hit the 70 decibel mark pretty easily, and wasn't even at her loudest.
The whole process will apparently take a few months, so my new summer project is getting this one in the books!!



Wish us luck!!!...



UPDATE
Sunday, June 5th, 2011

Guinness has accepted the application and is currently putting together the rules packet with all the information on the current record holder. Once we receive the package telling us exactly how we need to document Madeline, we'll make our little video and send it right back to them for judging.
Getting closer...!!!

Hurricane Season is Here

Hurricane season officially starts today, and as such everyone should make sure they are well prepared to care for their animals should a hurricane make it's way towards them. I've been stock piling supplies myself, and thought I'd share with everyone what you should be thinking about in addition to the regular people preparations.

Personally, I probably go a little overboard in my prep work, but I also have a small army to think about. I have a few extra bags of cat litter, some fresh pans, a months supply of food, treats and new toys to distract them during a storm. I've also stocked up on pet meds: antibiotics, calming treats and sprays, ointment for scratches or other minor injuries, and eye wash. I also have two cases of water specifically for the cats, and enough pet carriers if I need to move or confine them. I'm also getting every cat a new tag and collar with updated emergency information, and will start getting them microchipped as soon as I go on summer hours this Friday.

I've also been preparing for the feral cats, although that is much harder since they obviously aren't tame. Essentially I've got enough food, water and medicines for them as well. I'm debating whether I should try and trap them and bring them inside, but I worry that may stress them out too much... something I want to talk to the Humane Society about to get their opinion.


In the mean time, here is a pet preparation guide from FEMA:

Before the Disaster: Have a Safe Place to Take Your Pets

Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning.

• Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research. Many communities are developing pet-friendly shelter plans, check to see if your local emergency shelter plan includes pets.
• Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.
• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations. Go to www.petswelcome.com to search online for pet friendly hotels and motels.
• Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
• Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.

Prepare a portable disaster supply kit for your pet

Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily.

• Proper identification, including immunization records, and current photos
• Ample supply of food and water
• A carrier or cage, pet beds and toys
• Medications, medical records and a first aid kit
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.

Know What to Do As a Disaster Approaches

• Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
• Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
• Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice.
• Bring all pets into the house so that you won't have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
• Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened up-to-date identification. Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet's ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen.

You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a pet-sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don't leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

Check out these Web sites for further information on disaster preparations for your pet:

• Florida State Emergency Response Team: www.floridadisaster.org;
• Humane Society of the U.S.: www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/;
• Information on Pet-friendly hotels: www.petswelcome.com