Dear Animal Advocates,
This is Christine Michaels, the person who sounded the alarm about the Loews Hotel cats in January. I want to provide an update. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY for ways you can help!
The trapping began exactly two weeks ago and it's not going smoothly. Cats coming in with horrific injuries, more than what many of us are accustomed to when trapping cats. Shadow had a significant gash on her forehead. WE are documenting everything on Facebook if you want to LIKE the page and follow. www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats. Myself and another person tried to file a complaint of inhumane trapping and starvation with OCAS (Orange County Animal Services) but Loews is also learning about their own mistakes on our Facebook page and correcting their mistakes right before OCAS pays them a visit.
Patty is correct when she emailed on Dear Tabby that Loews has security patrolling the grounds so no one can sneak onto property to feed the cats.
Sadly the cats are traumatized. Many are not eating. Rabbit has to be fed with syringe. It's so sad. Again you can follow all of this on Facebook.
The cats are being bailed out of animal services by a wonderful organization CARE Feline TNR. The volunteers are coming out in tears to see so much blood on cats and soaked in urine. They've never encountered this in all their years in trapping. OCAS says it's "typical injuries of trapping" per my conversation with OCAS rep. Really?!
On a slightly positive note:
First, it seems almost every cat blogger, writer in US has written about this issue and we are gaining momentum. However, as expected, other than the USA Today online article in January and a brief mention in Orlando Sentinel, general media has not picked up the story. You and I know why--general public does not understand or appreciate that outdoor cats are cats too, whether feral or stray. Reporters have contacted me indicating interest but their producers have said no. Hence why it is now my mission to get more involved in EDUCATION.
If you have a blog or website and would like to spread the news, here is a PRESS RELEASE with overall background.
I've been in close contact with Alley Cat Allies and Best Friend Animal Society. These are amazing organizations. Tears just well up when I think of all these wonderful cat owners, educators, rescuers, strangers all coming together for a common good. Many of you and especially Cindy Hewitt wrote eloquent impactful letters to Loews. It's simply amazing.
Other ways people can help.
There are two petitions circulating. Many of you received the one by Alley Cat Allies. They have received over 20,000 signature and counting. You can still sign it. Here is the link:
http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=1166 (once you fill out information, the site directs you to a donation page. You do not have to donate unless you want to but please know your petition went through. However, please know any donations ACA received went to purchasing crates and supplies for the recovery and care of the Loews cats.
Best Friend Animal Society (BFAS) wrote an excellent blog post yesterday with a link to a petition which will be sent to FL dept of Health that is part of the problem.
Loews quotes an outdated policy by Fl Dept of Health. Here is the Link to the petiiton http://www.capwiz.com/bestfriends/issues/alert/?alertid=61178286&type=CU
Finally, any DONATIONS for the recovery, care of the Loews Cats can be made to CARE Feline TNR. http://carefelinetnr.org/
You'll notice their donation button.CARE is doing incredible work in bailing out the cats from the animal shelter and doing their best to help the cats recover.
You can read the various write -ups by cat and animal bloggers on the Facebook page.
We encourage people to continue writing, calling the hotel, etc.
While we may lose this battle, I PRAY this may be the incident that starts to get noticed outside our choir of rescuers and educate the masses. Only then will we overturn the ignorance and discrimination surrounding outdoor community cats. Education is key!
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. Sign a petition, LIKE the Facebook. Every contribution makes a difference!
Christine Michaels
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