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.
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| 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!
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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?
