Guest Post with Cat Scout Maggie

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Hi everyone ! We are lucky to have Cat Scout Maggie here today.

32-Maggie-Cougar-Nov-2015  Greetings, all!

Today I’d like to share with you some information our mom brought back from the recent  Taking Action for the Animals conference in Arlington VA, hosted by the Humane Society of the U.S.  This biennial conference brings peeps from around the world to discuss the latest tools and techniques for making our world a more humane place.  Two trends this year that were bigger than last time around: more people are embracing the Vegan lifestyle; more wildlife sanctuaries from around the world are getting financial support and publicity.

My interest was in the Alley Cat Allies information!  As you know, they are a very proactive group which advocates on behalf of community cats; informs public policy and institutions so that our feline brothers and sisters have a better chance to live out their lives, and corrects many misconceptions about spay, neuter, community cats and the peeps who care for them.  If you are involved with a rescue group, or are trying to start a community cat sheltered area, Alley Cat Allies has a wonderful website filled with tips, resources and peeps you can connect with. They are there to encourage and help you!

Feral Friends Network has nearly 1600 representatives throughout the country to help with your community cat issues. It’s like having a purrsonal friend in your neighborhood or town! http://www.alleycat.org/FeralFriend

Kitten care is a huge effort.  ACA is working with local shelters and rescue organizations to start kitten care programs which use the “Wait Until 8” slogan.  Kittens found or turned in to shelters can be fostered and provided with formula, bottles and information kits.  Once they reach their 8th week, they are ready to to back to the shelter, be spayed or neutered  and adopted out.  Without this type of program, many kittens are euthanized because shelters simply don’t have the room or the resources to care for the huge numbers that show up every Spring.

ACA also intervenes on behalf of chained cats by providing or working with others to install a Purrfect Fence which protects the cats in an airy and safe enclosure that enables them to move freely and yet not escape.  These fences would be great in your backyard, too!

Another effort of Alley Cat Allies is working with local and state governments to adopt Trap/Neuter/Return policies.  These ordinances include protections for community cats and their caregivers, and also prevents ear-tipped cats from being admitted to shelters.

Ear tipping identifies cats as having been spayed or neutered, and should alert shelters that these cats probably belong to a community and do not need to be held in a shelter where they might likely be euthanized if not quickly adopted.

ACA also advocates on behalf of cats in other countries.  Recently the government of Australia announced it would cull and kill 2 million cats by the year 2020, in order to save endangered wildlife. They plan to use poison and other inhumane methods.  You can sign a pledge calling for Australia to address the real threat to its wildlife – the destruction of their habitats.  Visit alleycat.org/Australia to sign the pledge!

.National Feral Cat Day

Alley Cat Allies is holding its 16th annual National Feral Cat Day (2)National Feral Cay Day on October 16 of this year.  If you would like to pawticipate, visit NationalFeralCatDay.org  You can sponsor an educational program or community effort right where you live!  Please get involved and help save our fellow felines!!

 

 

 

On a last note, many of us know a kitty that may have gone missing and has not yet returned to its home.  If your cats go outdoors, please have them micro-chipped!  This could save their life.  Collars and I.D. tags can often come off or be removed by others, and then your cat loses his identify.  Microchipping enables cats to be easily identified by vet offices, shelters and even some police departments so that their owners can be contacted and their kitties can be returned to their loving homes!

Happy July 4th, everyone!  Remember, we cats don’t like loud and startling noises. Some cats will leave their homes and yards in order to avoid the deafening sound of firecrackers and fireworks.  Keep us inside and safe while you celebrate!

Thank you for this informative post Maggie. And don’t forget, today is the last day to enter Phoebe’s 4th of July Giveaway. DSCF1673 (2)

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50 comments

  2. There has been a movement in the US to kill feral cats, supposedly to save wild birds. Ted Williams, of the National Audubon Society, wrote about poisoning cats with Tylenol.

    Thank you for sharing this important post. Well done.

    1. I agree, but I think collars with id are important too in case some place doesn’t scan for the chips.

  9. manee thanx two ewe maggie for takin de time ta put two gether thiz post & sharin it heer with uz all….we lurned sum stuff two day !! awesum 🙂 & high paws two ACA ♥♥♥♥

  22. That was a terrific post, Scout Maggie. We all learned a lot and so did our Mom. Thank you so much. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo p.s. Sending lots of POTP and purrs and prayers for Sammy.

  23. Fankss fur thee guest post Maggie gurl….
    An mee sweet buttercup yur lookin so-o purrty oday!
    ***paw kissesss*** yur Beau, Siddhartha Henry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  24. A Poe-em fur Buttercup Phoebe

    There are buttercups inn thee field,
    Their beeutee doess yield….
    Peeple come frum far an wide
    to stand by thee buttercupss’ side.

    Mee has mee own buttercup sweet,
    Frum the tip of her nose to thee tipss of her feet.
    There iss not other flower for mee,
    Phoebe buttercup yur thee onlee one mee can see.

    Mee luv fur you will blossom an grow,
    like a flower mee can plant an sow…..

    Phoebe buttercup always mine…
    Beautifull gurl; so sweet an fine.

    ****paw kissesss**** yur Poe-etick Purrince, Siddhartha Henry
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    1. WOW! That is wonderful, I wish I could write like you do my sweet purrince. XO I will show it off tomorrow.

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