Out-of-the-Box Thinking on Outdoor Cats A Guest Blog By: Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States

Cat advocates, wildlife conservationists, legislators, and public health representatives have long struggled with the issue of managing outdoor cats. And it’s no small matter, since there could be as many as 40 million community (feral and stray) cats now living in the United States, of which just two percent are sterilized and vaccinated.

As perhaps the only group in the debate with dozens of staff devoted to protecting companion animals and also to protecting wildlife, The HSUS believes in humane control where cats are trapped humanely, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned (TNR) to the communities in which they were found. For decades, we’ve been encouraging people to keep their cats safe indoors. We work with local and state lawmakers across the country to implement policies supporting TNR, and just last year, we helped more than 46 localities pass policies to eliminate barriers for community cat programs, including North Chicago, Ill., Pinellas County, Fla., Aiken, S.C., Pima County, Ariz., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

Photo Courtesy of the HSUS

In Rockville, Md., near our headquarters, local lawmakers are now considering changes to their animal care ordinance, to make clear that TNR programs are allowed and encouraged. Several state legislatures, including Arizona, Montana, New York, and Virginia, are also currently considering bills that would clarify the legality of community cat management practices. Now, The HSUS has put together a practical guide, Managing Community Cats; A Guide for Municipal Leaders, to help lawmakers with all of the information they need to implement effective cat policy, and to provide cat advocates with a tool they can use to approach policy makers.

As the guide reminds us, cats are already present in most communities, in droves, and reproducing more each day. The question now is between having unmanaged populations of cats, or managed ones. Lethal management is no longer an option being discussed because it’s an approach that has been tried for decades and has failed. Animal service agencies and organizations do not have the resources necessary, or the philosophical bent, to effectively remove tens of millions of cats.

We also know that most people care about cats and want to see them treated humanely. Polls show that the majority of citizens support non-lethal programs for cat population control, and a significant portion of the public, approximately 10 to 12 percent, already feed community cats and can be motivated to help support non-lethal programs. These caretakers constitute a large and indispensable volunteer labor force working to reduce the numbers of cats outdoors, and they would never participate in a round-up-and-kill approach.

At The HSUS we advocate for all animals and we share the deep concern for the impact of outdoor cats on wildlife. But it is important to remember that neither cats nor wild animals are well served by a polarized, divisive, and expensive “cats vs. wildlife” controversy. Instead of further division, we advocate for collaboration and discussion on our shared common goal of fewer unowned, outdoor cats. Innovative programs are popping up across the country, like the Catio Tour in Portland, Ore., a joint program of the Portland Audubon Society, and the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon. Increased spaying and neutering and heightened public awareness of the need to keep owned cats indoors are also making a great difference.

Finally, we focus on best practices and new research to make the practice of TNR as effective as possible. By connecting organizations, sharing information, networking and providing access to thought leaders in the field through our Rethinking the Cat Symposia series and other trainings, we’re helping to improve these practices on the ground and in neighborhoods across the country.

For everyone concerned about cats, as well as the animal care and control agencies, shelters, rescues, and TNR organizations that have a major stake in effective cat policy, we encourage you to get involved and speak up for non-lethal and effective programs. Get our Managing Community Cats; A Guide for Municipal Leaders, and use it to motivate change in your community and help reduce the number of unowned, outdoor cats.

Keeping Out Old Man Winter, Written By: Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager for The Humane Society of the United States

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY:This is a guest post by Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager for The Humane Society of the United States. We thank Nancy as always for her superb contributions to our blog!

Winter is the perfect time to accustom your pet to being an indoor-only cat. An indoor lifestyle is safer for cats and also protects wildlife from injury or death caused by outdoor cats.

However, some outdoor cats don’t want to come indoors because they’re feral – too afraid of people to be handled or adopted into homes. Strays, friendly outdoor cats with no known owners, also live outdoors if no one adopts them. Feral and stray cats are known collectively as community cats, and they deserve our concern and care.

Photo Courtesy of  Neighborhood Cats

Many people feed community cats, but it’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) that will really be effective and reduce their numbers, nuisance behavior complaints, and public health concerns. With TNR, community cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, identified as sterilized with an ear tip (1/4 of the tip of the ear, usually the left, is surgically removed), and if healthy, returned to the area where they were found. Ideally, a caretaker provides community cats with shelter, food and water, monitors them for injury or illness, and traps any new cats who appear.

A caretaker’s role is especially critical during winter when even the most resourceful community cats need a helping hand. A properly-sized shelter is essential because one that’s too big makes it harder for the cat’s body heat to warm the interior. If you’re caring for several cats, provide shelters that accommodate three to five cats who will stay warm by huddling together. You can build a simple or a more elaborate shelter or buy a pre-made shelter. If you choose to build your own, scrap weather-proofed lumber may be available at low or no cost from a home supply store.

Photo Courtesy of
Christopher Humby
of Scaredy Cat Rescue

Make the door of the shelter just big enough for the cat to fit through and face the opening in a way to prevent wind, rain, and snow from entering. Place the shelter where it’s hidden from public view but allows you access, and elevate the shelter slightly off the cold ground. If possible, also try to place the shelter in a sunny spot against a warm building or near bushes that keep their leaves all year to provide additional protection from nature’s elements. For extra security, camouflage the shelter with branches and leaves.

Since hay may irritate kitty noses and cause allergic reactions, stuff the shelter with a thick layer of straw into which cats can burrow and stay warm. You can also stuff pillowcases with shredded newspaper or packing peanuts. On especially cold nights, provide microwaveable discs, which hold heat for 12 hours. Don’t use folded newspaper, towels, or blankets because they absorb body heat.

If it’s really cold and you can’t regularly check the shelter, avoid straw and stuffed pillowcases and line the shelter’s inner walls, floor, and ceiling with Mylar. It won’t draw heat from a cat resting on it, but will reflect back the cat’s body heat. If you have access to electricity, you can buy an outdoor heated cat shelter or heated bed to place in the shelter. Avoid salt or chemicals to remove snow or melt ice around the shelter or feeding station. These products may irritate paws or be toxic if licked.

Food and water bowls can be placed in a hidden feeding station made of a large plastic container situated on its side. So that cats don’t have to go far to access their food and water, place the container near the shelter, which will help them conserve energy and warmth.

Cats may be chilled by eating frozen food and keeping canned food from freezing in the winter may be challenging. One option is to warm canned food at home and then place it in insulated bags for transport. You can also place canned food inside a well-insulated shelter far from the doorway, which may allow the cat’s body heat to defrost it if it freezes. To avoid this potential problem all together, you may decide to feed dry food only.

Despite their thicker fur and toasty shelter, cats use more energy keeping warm when it’s cold, so feeding them a higher calorie food may be helpful. However, don’t feed so much food that there are leftovers that attract other animals, including wildlife. 

Photo Courtesy of
Christopher Humby
of Scaredy Cat Rescue

A thick plastic container that is deep and wide will keep water from freezing longer than a thin plastic or ceramic container. You can also mix sugar or salt into the water, which will lower its freezing point. Salt will lower the freezing point a bit better than sugar. Start with a half to one level teaspoon of either in one quart of water and adjust the amount as needed. Don’t place water in the shelter because the cats will get chilled if it spills and avoid metal bowls since their tongues can stick to the metal. You can also remove a tire from its metal rim, stuff it with rocks, and place a water-filled plastic container in the center space. The black tire will absorb heat from the sun and warm the rocks enough to keep the water from freezing. A solar-heated water bowl is an even simpler option that can prevent or delay freezing.

Even their thick winter undercoat won’t protect cats from frostbite if they’re exposed to severe cold for a prolonged period of time. Frostbite, the loss of blood circulation, can affect a cat’s ear tips, nose, tail, toes, and any body part where the hair is thin. If the early signs of frostbite – pale, gray, or bluish areas – aren’t treated as soon as they appear, the skin in those areas may ultimately die. You may see swelling, blisters, and black or dead skin as circulation returns and the skin thaws. If you can touch the cat, the area may be cold, brittle, and painful. Frostbite is not to be taken lightly so seek veterinary care right away.

Community cats live in many places in the United States, Canada, and around the world where winter climates challenge their survival. Thanks to TNR resources in those places and dedicated caretakers, community cats have full tummies and warm shelters when old man winter comes calling.

A Gratitude Attitude

FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY:This is a guest post by Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager for The Humane Society of the United States. We thank Nancy as always for her superb contributions to our blog!

What comes to mind when you think about Thanksgiving – food, football, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Black Friday? I think of Samantha, a cat I’ve cared for since 2010. She’s usually waiting when I arrive with food and fresh water. In the four years I have  cared for Samantha, she’s never come closer than about ten feet. That’s because Samantha is a feral cat who is too afraid of people to be handled or adopted into a home. When I first learned about Samantha, she was living on scraps in a busy parking lot. Although many lost cats find their way home on their own, I concluded after several days that Samantha didn’t have a home and needed a helping hand.

"Samantha"
Photo Courtesy of Nancy Peterson

In order not to draw attention to either of us, I started to feed her every day in a discrete location. I also provided fresh water and a shelter to protect her from the weather. One morning, after about two weeks, instead of bringing food, I brought a trap. I knew she would have to be hungry to overcome her fear of going in, so I put some yummy treats in the far end of the trap and set it. I then went to my car and waited. It wasn’t long before I heard the trap door shut. I quickly approached and covered the trap with a sheet to help calm Samantha.

Photo Courtesy of
Kathy Milani

I was glad I caught her in the morning so I could bring her directly to a veterinary clinic where she was spayed, vaccinated against rabies and distemper, dewormed, treated for fleas, and ear tipped. If I had trapped her in the evening when the clinic was closed, I would have had to keep her in a safe, warm place, such as my bathroom or garage until the clinic opened the next morning.

Photo Courtesy of  Erin Parker

Samantha was alert when I picked her up from the clinic at the end of the day, but I kept her overnight in her covered trap in my garage to be sure she had no problems after her surgery, like bleeding. When I returned Samantha to her outdoor home the next morning, she dashed out of her trap and disappeared. She appeared after a few days and we resumed our feeding routine. Like hundreds of thousands of dedicated individuals, I am a feral cat caretaker who practices Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).

As a cat owner, I am thankful for veterinarians, organizations, and agencies that provide low-cost spay/neuter services for pets. As a feral cat caretaker, I am thankful for veterinarians, organizations, and agencies that help community (feral and stray) cats, municipal leaders who support TNR in their communities, and other community cat caretakers.

If you’re feeding a community cat who only approaches you when he or she is extremely hungry, will only eat once you have moved away or he or she is still unapproachable and cannot be touched after several days of feeding, the cat is probably feral. If the cat is friendly and approaches you for attention, meows, or eats the food you put down right away, the cat is probably not feral by temperament, but rather a stray cat. Stray cats have usually had contact with people. Some may be able to be reunited with their family. Others with no known owner may be able to be adopted into homes. There are an estimated 30 to 40 million community cats in the United States and approximately two percent of them are spayed or neutered. Related females and their offspring usually live together in a group called a colony, and they share a common food source – a trash can, a dumpster behind a restaurant, or trash. Sometimes cats are solitary, such as Samantha.

Many caring people who see hungry cats begin to feed them. Unfortunately, some people who feed cats don’t realize there will soon be too many mouths to feed unless the cats are spayed or neutered. Access to TNR helps prevent the birth and death of unwanted kittens and reduces the number of community cats.

Photo Courtesy of
Krista Rakovan

If you or someone you know is feeding community cats, thank you. The next step is to find an organization that helps community cats and get them sterilized, vaccinated, and ear tipped as soon as possible. This will help prevent diseases that are transmitted from mother to kittens and between fighting and mating, resulting in healthier cats.. In addition, nuisance behaviors like yowling, fighting, and spraying stinky urine will be decreased or eliminated, making you and the cats better neighbors. This will also please officials and property owners because they’ll have fewer nuisance complaints to deal with. There are also humane deterrents that can be used to discourage cats from entering places they’re not wanted and since there will be fewer cats, there will be less predation on wildlife. Feeding strategies are also a way to avoid attracting wildlife and keep birds safe at feeders.

If you see an outdoor cat, look to see if the tip of one ear has been surgically removed or notched – this means that cat has been sterilized and vaccinated. If not, look for a local TNR group, organization, or agency that provides sterilization, vaccination, and ear tipping by using our online map of community cat service providers. If you have cats at home, you can help reduce the number of outdoor cats by spaying or neutering your own cats before they can reproduce at four months of age. If cost is an issue, look for a low-cost spay/neuter provider.

Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate all the good things in our lives. To caretakers, Thanksgiving means a reduction in the number of community cats. To animal shelters and rescue groups, it means decreased intake and euthanasia of cats. To fortunate cats, it means a full tummy and a place to rest. Thank you for helping animals, especially community cats, and Happy Thanksgiving from Samantha and me!

Protect your pet Cat, they should NOT be outdoors unsupervised

If I upset a number of people with this post. I don't care. I am much more upset than any of you will be after reading this post, which I hope to keep short.

 Frankly, I am sick to my stomach and heartbroken.

While visiting blogs, I was reading one  where one of their cats has been missing for approx 2 or 3 days.

They stated that it seems their cat had been seen by someone in the neighborhood, and that the cat was BEING ATTACKED BY A COYOTE. They went on to say that said neighbor "broke up the attack", and that the "cat didn't appear to be THAT hurt."

They are hoping the cat is off somewhere "licking it's wounds" and that it will return home.

The AWFUL Truth?

The poor cat is probably DEAD.

The coyote more than likely returned to complete what it had set out to accomplish to begin with, or, the poor cat died a most horrific and painful death.

I am NOT against cats being outside while  SUPERVISED.

I understand many people have living situations and a litany of reasons,   why they allow their cats to be outside without supervision, (acreage, "non-busy streets", "safe areas", etc.) but MOST PEOPLE DO NOT RESIDE IN THESE AREAS.

I AM TIRED OF READING ABOUT CATS BEING ATTACKED BY COYOTES.

I AM TIRED OF READING ABOUT CATS BEING KILLED BY CARS.

My heart is breaking at the thought of what probably happened to this poor cat.
I nearly became physically ill and almost broke down crying when I read that post.
I gasped audibly.
I pray with all of my heart that the cat wasn't horribly hurt and that it DOES return home.

It is highly unlikely.

I am aware of allowing your cat to be outdoors unsupervised being a  personal decision, my intent is NOT to pass judgement, but to prevent the senseless deaths of too many cats that have passed due to outdoor dangers,   I am BEGGING AND PLEADING if you OWN A CAT....if you aren't outside WITH THAT CAT....PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IT INSIDE.

FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY:

Protecting your pet cat

Coyotes aren't the only threat cats face when they go outside—there are far greater dangers. When you allow your cat to roam freely outdoors, even for short periods of time, you expose her to perils such as cars, dogs, diseases, coyotes, poisons, and cruel people. If you want your cat to be safe, keep her indoors.

Some people let their cats outside because they mistakenly believe it's cruel to keep cats indoors. The truth is that cats who are protected from the dangers outside live longer, happier lives. (You'll be helping your neighboring wildlife stay safer and happier as well.) We've got guidelines to help you keep your indoor cat happy.

I had a friend who lost her cat after it was killed by a coyote, way before I ever began blogging, and witnessing her pain in person was one of the most gut-wrenching scenes that I have experienced.

Our pets COUNT ON US TO PROTECT THEM, PLEASE PLEASE, if you ARE NOT OUTSIDE WITH YOUR CAT(s), PLEASE BRING THEM INSIDE!!!!!

Victims of Sandy...YOU KNOW You want to help, but how?

Hi every kitty, it's  Cody and I'm here to tell you how!  I just popped in because I know many of you are sad, as I am,  about the devastation that the monstrous storm Sandy caused to the East Coast and I know that there are TONS of you out there who want to help!

 The New York and  New Jersey area has a special place in Mom's heart because her parents were from Brooklyn, and Mom was born on Long Island. Mom still has cousins that live in New York and many blogging friends in the area.

My Mom and I donated to the Humane Society, the Red Cross and  to the
 Jewish Federation Sandy Relief Fund in N.J. and YOU can help too!

There are organizations EVERYWHERE with lists of where and how you can help. Before you donate be sure you are donating to a reputable organization!

One place to find a list is:

PETFINDER

Also from PetFinder:
Shelters In Need And How You Can Help click here
Daily Updates click here



And...I just heard this morning on THE TODAY SHOW that there is going to be a huge benefit concert FRIDAY NIGHT AT 8PM ET ON NBC....It is called
  "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" It will feature New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, as well as artists such as,  Sting, Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel and many others! It will be hosted by Today's Matt Lauer,  Brian Williams and Jimmy Fallon will make appearances as well.

How ironic or prophetic that Bruce Springsteen recorded this song over 30 years ago?

Money collected from the benefit will be donated to the

  American Red Cross relief efforts

To find out how you can watch the concert, click here

ALSO: Have YOU joined the Blogger Disaster Response Network? From BlogPaws: "The Blogger Disaster Response Network is the first of its kind. Members of this voluntary organization will be the first to be notified of a global disaster response effort through World Vets, and given all the information they need to help spread the word about how people can help."

Please don't think that something like this only happens to someone else. Sadly, it can happen to any of us. Every $1 helps!

Love, Cody

Book Revew: "Cat and Crow: An amazing friendship" By Lisa Fleming, Illustrations by Anne Marie Dominik-Harris. ENTER TO WIN A COPY!

One of my favorite parts of blogging, (if not THE most favorite part), is the books that are sent to me to review either directly from the publisher, the authors themselves, or those that were sent to me via recommendations from dear friends.

 I am delighted to share with you:

Cat and Crow An Amazing Friendship  (published by Collage Books Inc.), was written by Lisa Fleming. One of my dear cat blogging friends, (Layla Morgan Wilde of the Pettie nominated Cat Wisdom 101 and her other inspirational blog, The Boomer Muse), referred Lisa to me knowing that I would be greatly touched by this inspirational gem, and that I would enjoy featuring it. She couldn't have been more correct.

This black cat was the FIRST
cat to give a "4-paw" review!
We couldn't agree more!
Photo courtesy of Lisa Fleming

Cat and Crow is based on the true story of a cat, (Cassie), and a crow, (Moses), who, in spite of  their obvious differences, became the best of friends.

When compiling a list of "must read" Children's books, be SURE that this one is on your list!

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Fleming's Facebook Page
To Visit, Please Click Here

The story originates at the home of Ann and Wally Collito who witnessed this phenomenon take place and watched in joy and wonder as  they first noticed the crow (Moses), feeding a worm to the black and white kitten (Cassie). It is believed that the crow saved the kitten's life and decided to designate itself as the kitten's mother, playmate, guardian angel and best buddy.

Every day for four years the Collito's watched the amazing display of friendship with complete awe.

Look carefully!
If you look at the door you will see
Moses' head peeking in
looking for Cassie!!
He would tap at with his beak every morning
until the Collito's would let Cassie out!
Photo Courtesy of Lisa Fleming

How could two animals who were not in the least connected genetically, and who were supposed to be mortal enemies,  become the best of friends?

Moses and Cassie "hug"
Photo Courtesy of Lisa Fleming

When Lisa Fleming first saw the cat and crow friendship on  YouTube she knew she had to share this inspirational and awe-inspiring story with the world.

From Lisa: "I knew in my heart that I wanted to share this true story with the world. When I contacted the Collitos, they welcomed me into their home and encouraged me to write the story of these two incredible animals. I have since formed a special connection with this family and their beloved cat, Cassie."

Lisa Fleming, Wally Collito and "Cassie"
The book is also dedicated in remembrance of
Ann Collito
Photo compliments of Lisa's Facebook page
to visit click here

Lisa wrote this enlightening  Children's book (which is charmingly illustrated by Anne Marie Dominik-Harris),  in an attempt to "help educate future generations on being part of the solution for helping feral and stray cats."







If a crow can adopt, care for, love and protect a feral kitten, without "seeing" physical and genetic differences, why can't some of us do the same for feral kittens as well as for each other?

I couldn't help but be reminded of the Paul McCartney song "Ebony and Ivory" when reading this book.  How ironic that Moses the crow is black and Cassie the cat is black and white? Something to think about.



In addition to the heartwarming story as written by Lisa,  the back of the Cat and Crow has an update about Moses and Cassie, charming photographs from the Collito's, various newspaper clippings, a section called  Feathers (Fun Facts About Crows) with information provided by Bernd Heinrich, Ph.D (professor emeritus in the biology department at the University of Vermont), and a section entitled Fur (Fun Facts about cats) with information provided by Nancy Peterson, Cat Programs Manager for the Humane Society of the United States.

The story of the Cat and Crow is a story of complete trust, acceptance, loyalty, protection, devotion, having the capability of being able to love and nuture  another completely,  in spite of  obvious  differences.

Wally Collito believes that if it hadn't been for the loving care of Moses, Cassie, who was a feral kitten (before she was taken in by the Collito's) would have died.  Lisa informed me that Cassie just turned 13 this past June!!! 

Wally Collito also states in the video on YouTube:

 "One important lesson is that two strangers need to get along with each other."
If they do, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

To that I offer a resounding Amen.

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Fleming's Facebook Page
To visit, click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Fleming, a former newspaper columnist and freelance writer, is passionate about animals and wildlife. She is dedicated to helping those in need, by creating ideas that inspire charitable endeavors in her Southwest Florida community. She does many elementary school visits, helping to educate future generations about feral and stray cats.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Anne Marie Dominik-Harris, a University of the Arts graduate and Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarship recipient, is a high school art teacher in Southern New Jersey, who also enjoys a freelance career in illustration.


ISBN 978-0-938728-23-8
www.collagebooks.com

GIVE-AWAY OPEN TO EVERYONE!
One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Cat and Crow An Amazing Friendship!

 TO ENTER:
Leave a comment telling me why you would like to win this book. (Be sure I have a way to reach you should you be the winner)

BONUS ENTRY: "like" Cat And Crow on Facebook by clicking here and let me know in a separate comment that you did so.


CONTEST DEADLINE: MONDAY JULY 30, 2012 AT 11PM EASTERN. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2012.


GOOD LUCK!!