Five Winter Weather Tips to Help Community Cats

Happy 2021 to all our readers! This time last year as I was brainstorming content ideas, I decided I wanted to focus more on community cats. I developed the idea to start a Community Cat Awareness series, but unfortunately, COVID-19 put the big kibosh on my plans. I refused to be deterred, though. 

Throughout the pandemic I attended numerous webinars, took copious notes, made connections, and learned so many exciting things that I cannot wait to share. I plan on writing posts full of great information on how to enhance the lives of community cats including colony care, TNR, TNR ordinances, and more. I am also hoping to interview some people immersed in the world of community cats. 

So, after that long intro, welcome to the first post in our Community Cat Awareness series; Winter Weather Tips to Help Community Cats.

Catnip Nation, Award Winning Documentary, Now Available on DVD

In May of 2017, I introduced Catnip Nation to my readers. As I waited (not so) patiently for the film, Director and Producer Tina Traster contributed thought-provoking and heartfelt articles for my blog. (The Catnip Nation series won a Certificate of Excellence in the Cat Writers' Association Communications Contest last year.) When the time finally came to see the film I was SO excited, and it did not disappoint. Catnip Nation is now an award-winning film, and it is also available on DVD. 

Catnip Nation Wins Best Documentary!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you've most likely read the posts about the documentary film Catnip Nation. I met Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the film, at Cat Camp NYC in 2017. I had a very enjoyable conversation with Tina which led to her contributing not only updates about the film but educational, thought-provoking articles about feral cat communities as well.

Catnip Nation's August Report - Settlement Reached Over Jones Beach Ferals

In June I brought you the seventh installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation.  This month Tina brings us news about the settlement that was reached between New York State and the American Bird Conversancy over the feral cat colonies at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Tina first told us about the plight of the colony in this post from last year. 

I was hoping for better news for the Jones Beach ferals. In the eight years that I've been on social media (four of them blogging), I've never been publicly judgmental, attempting to keep Lola and Lexy's world a positive one. But I wonder how an agency can state worry over the existence and safety of one species with total disregard for the possible demise of another. All living beings are equally important in my book. But it doesn't seem that the American Bird Conservancy shares my view.

This is why TNR ordinances are necessary in every town of this country. Feral cats need to be protected. TNR ordinances work! You can read about a success story here. I thank Tina and her peers for working tirelessly on this issue and bringing important information to light. 

Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Tell us about them in the comments below. 
Dawn

Catnip Nation's June Report - What's Happening With the Cats at Google?

In March I brought you the sixth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tackles a New York Times article that is emotional for cat rescuers, advocates and lovers. Google's employee run group GCat Rescue, which does wonderful things for feral cats, has been getting pushback from an environmental group. The link to the story is here. Read Tina's response below and tell us your thoughts in the comments. This may strike up differing opinions amongst our readers, but if a colony of cats could be in danger we need to let the world know. 

Catnip Nation's March Report - What Happened to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats?

In January I brought you the fifth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina brings us the exciting news that Catnip Nation will be at the Catsbury Park Cat Convention in just a few weeks! Tina and the Catnip Nation folks will be discussing the dismantling the TNR program for the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats and the uncertain fate 60 cats faced. In their presentation they will discuss how things worked out for the  cats, and the universal issue of protecting colony cats and their caretakers. I can't wait to see the Catnip Nation crew again and attend their session, which I'll definitely be reporting back on. Are you going to the Catsbury Park Cat Convention? Let me know in the comments below. 

Catnip Nation Has A New Trailer! And Other News

Hello, and Happy Monday! I've got some exciting news to tell you all! If you're a regular reader of our blog you know that Catnip Nation has been giving updates on their project right here on our blog. If you're not familiar with Catnip Nation, I'll tell you a little about it. Catnip Nation, a full-length documentary that looks deep into the soul of a handful of unsung and unseen heroes who feed and care for feral cats. Catnip Nation is not only a collection of stories, but the people behind it are working hard to make TNR legal everywhere. 

Today I'm excited to bring you their new trailer! 

Catnip Nation's January Report - Fighting For TNR Ordinances In Rockland County, NY

In October I brought you the fourth installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina discusses the importance of TNR ordinances to address the feral cat issue. I could not agree more! This summer I toured Alley Cat Allies' Atlantic City Boardwalk Cat Project, which is proof that TNR works!  One of my goals for my blog this year is to write more about TNR to educate the public on this very important topic.Tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you, Tina, for being a voice for feral cats, not only in Rockland County (my home town), but everywhere. It makes me proud and elated that the Village of Haverstraw, where I grew up, passed Rockland County’s first feral cat ordinance to support Trap Neuter Return (TNR). My niece went to high school with the mayor, Michael Kohut, and I went to school with his brother. (The Village of Haverstraw is small... everyone knows everyone else!) My dream is for this type of ordinance to be passed nationwide. Let's all help Tina and Catnip Nation spread the word by sharing this post. Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

4 Tips To Help Keep Community Cats Safe In Cold Weather

Hello, everyone.  This is Lexy checking in with another important PSA. 

It’s winter time and not only are we in a deep freeze here in the North East, as I write this we are in the midst of a blizzard. Lola and I are very lucky to have a home where we can be safe and warm inside. But not all cats are blessed like we are.  This time of year we always worry about community cats, so I thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips for their winter safety. 

Atlantic City Boardwalk Cats Project is a Model Program for TNR #GlobalCatDay

This past July I was disappointed that I couldn’t attend the Best Friends Animal Society national conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  I had found out about it too late and I just wasn’t able to swing it. But when Alley Cat Allies announced they were holding tours of their famed Boardwalk Cat Project in conjunction with the conference I was a happy cat lady! Early on a Sunday morning my boyfriend and I took the 2 ½ hour road trip to Atlantic City to meet the Boardwalk Cats. (Lucky for me he’s a cat man, so it didn’t take much convincing for him to join me.) Since today is Global Cat Day, I thought it was the perfect time to share my experience with you. 

Catnip Nation's August Report: A Long Island Feral Colony is in Danger

In June I brought you the second installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a feral colony at a town dump that is in jeopardy. I'm hoping all parties involved can come to terms for the sake of the cats. How nice would it be for all cats to live safe and happy lives? I hope this feral colony is safe and is being taken care of.

Dawn

Catnip Nation's June Report: The Plight of a Jones Beach Feral Colony

Last month I brought you the first installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a lawsuit that could have a devastating long term effect on feral cat colonies. Thankfully, Alley Cat Allies is involved in the case and hopefully it will have a positive outcome. It saddens me that this is happening so close to my home. Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below and let's get this conversation started. I'm also asking you to please share this post on social media to bring attention to what's happening on Jones Beach. 

There are still a few days left to help out Catnip Nation on their Seed and Spark campaign. Let's help them spread the word about the importance of advocating for feral cats. And don't forget to come back in July to read Tina's next update. 
Dawn

Cats Versus The Birds on Jones Beach

Hello all, from the Catnip Nation team. You may remember reading about our documentary project a month ago on this blog. We’re planning on keeping you updated on a monthly basis on our project, and to give you an inside peek into the stories we are following.

Catnip Nation is a documentary that tells the stories of a handful of unsung and unseen heroes who care for ferals, and the adversity they come up against.  Ultimately, we will use the film to advocate for laws for TNR, and to stimulate a national conversation so people who do this incredible work can come out from the shadows.

Catnip Nation - A Documentary About Feral Cats and the People Who Take Care of Them

Cat Camp NYC, which took place this past March in Manhattan, turned out to be a very educational experience for me.  I was able to speak to people from all walks of the cat community, learning about their missions, values, and work. One of the people I had the pleasure of meeting was Tina Traster, the Producer and Director of the documentary film, Catnip Nation. 

When I was looking at the promotional materials for the film, I noticed they are located in Rockland County, NY where I was born and raised. This piqued my interest and made me very happy because many people don’t even know that Rockland County is on the map! I was so pleased to hear that a spotlight is being shone on the wonderful people whose tireless efforts improve the lives of homeless cats in my hometown. 

The film’s trailer brings me to tears. 

Four Summer Safety Tips for Feral Cats

Hello everyone.  This is Lexy checking in with another important PSA. 

We had a heatwave here in New York last week, and Mother was concerned about our well-being during the day when she went to work.  Whenever it's over 90 degrees or very humid, she leaves the air conditioner in the bedroom on a timer.  She also leaves an extra water bowl out in addition to our fountain.  The blinds are not open all the way to avoid the blaring sun from warming up the apartment too much.  Lola and I are lucky, lucky cats because we live indoors and have a good pet parent to take care of us.  But what about the ferals that live outside and have no family? We all worry about them, so I thought it would be a good idea to give you four tips for their summer safety. 

World Spay Day 2016

Hello everyone! Did you know that today is World Spay Day? 

Launched in 1955, World Spay Day is an annual campaign that encourages people to save animals' lives by spaying and neutering their pets and ferals.   Spaying and neutering saves lives by keeping animals out of shelters – shelters that are often overcrowded and don’t have resources to provide care or find home for all of them.  You know what that means…euthanasia.  According to World Spay Day.org, an estimated 2.4 million animals are put down in shelters each year.  That’s one animal every 13 seconds – cats and dogs who are healthy, treatable, sweet, and would make great companions.    

There are many benefits to having your pet spayed/neutered.  Spaying your female pet early in life can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer. Neutering your male pet can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer. Having ferals spayed/neutered through TNR can reduce the number of cats in your local colonies. Life on the streets for a cat can be rough for a cat, and when a feral finds their way into a shelter, if often does not end favorably. 

photo courtesy Doodlecats