One of the most frequently asked questions we recieve is "How can I help?". In this section We have listed some simple ways that every one can help out. From free and easy to pricy and complicated. It's here!

Tip 1:

With the chearp of birds and blooming flowers comes this most loved season of spring but, for those who rescue cats it’s a dreaded time. It’s the beginning of kitten season. Shelters become overwhelmed with cats and people like me prepare for long days and nights of work trying to give these little fur balls and their moms a chance at adoption. There are ways to help combat kitten season, none being more important than having your own cat spayed or neutered. And dog owners don’t feel left out. It’s just as important to have your dog fixed and to not contribute to the year long puppy season.

First let’s talk numbers.  Did you know that 2 cats can have 2 litters a year? If each litter has 4 kittens, in 1 year we’ve now got 10 cats. Then those 2 litters of 4 have 2 litters as well as their mom and dad, and then those litters have 2 litters of 4, ect. ect. Is your head spinning yet? In a very short time we have 1000 cats in 1 single neighborhood!  Those are some pretty staggering numbers don’t you think? And it all could be controlled if we would just do the obvious.

Now let’s talk reality. Despite what some orgs are claiming, those of us that actually work hands on and see the life of a street cat know they are NOT happy on the street! These animals are miserable and suffer constantly. A street cat is only happier on the street because that’s all it knows and it can easily avoid human contact out of fear.

I have worked with nearly 60 cats, all feral or abandoned, and most of them would claw my eyes out if I got to close, that is until I gained or should I say earned their trust. Once I establish that trust they usually ended up sleeping on my lap on the sofa and not wanting to go back outside, bringing proof to my theory of happy cats are inside cats. Of course there are those that are to feral to domesticate, but with a lot of patience I can still get them to trust me enough to allow me to be the one they hide behind when they fear another human. Unfortunately, these kinds of cats are destined for a life of fear and pain on the street or to be euthanized. I know we all cringe at the sight of that word, but that’s all the more reason to not let it happen and to take the steps to prevent it.

Cats on the street as well as all wildlife suffer from a variety of cruelty. From being hit by cars to starving and dehydrating. From being ripped to shreds as bait in dog fighting rings to human abuse by guns, knives, fist and feet and being sold to laboratories. From being looked at, not as a pet, but as a disgusting nuisance to enduring all the extremes the weather can dish out while living and hiding under cars porches and bushes. These animals are put through a hell that in most cases is thought up by the sickest parts of the human mind. Not a good life. Not a happy animal!

A cat showed up at my door one night meowing for us to come out, all he wanted was to be loved even though he had been abused. He had a broken leg and a tail that had been broken in 3 spots. We tried our hardest to get this massive cat in the carrier so that we could take him to the emergency vet, but he kept over powering us and running away. He then disappeared. My heart breaks thinking of him and what probably happened to such an easy target.

So many things can happen to pets on the street but you can help.

   Spay and neuter cannot be said enough. Most people don’t realize that a huge contributing factor to the homeless cat situation is cats with a home that roam without being fixed.

   Don’t let your cat out. Despite what we’ve all been lead to believe, cats are not little lions and tigers that need to sew there wild oats. They are just as happy kept inside. They only cry to get out for 2 reasons, 1: if they’ve been let out and 2: if they are in heat or know another cat is in heat. When your animal roams it is subjected to the same horrors as a street cat, but your friendly little house cat is a much easier target for those who want to hurt or use your animal. Also, a roaming cat is confronted by the ferals and other wildlife. Fluffy will not win that fight so don’t even think about it! And we must not forget the disease factor. So, it’s safer, much safer, for your animal inside!

   Report any and all abuse to animals that live on the street. These animals have just as much right to live cruelty free as a animal with a home.

   Get involved with the trap neuter and release program. All areas are different so please call your local humane society for details.

   Or you could go my route, but I warn you it’s not for the faint of heart or those with no patience. If you would like more details on domesticating ferals and strays please contact me and I’ll teach everything I know.  

If you need low cost or free spay or neuter services the best place to try is your local humane society or google “low cost spay and neuter in (Your city here) area”. If you still find nothing, I’m very willing to help you find one. To end, as a rescuer, I beg you, please fix your pets! Don’t make me and others out there have more to work with. And please keep your pets inside. I promise they’ll be happier.

Tip 2

A wonderful idea was brought to my attention a couple of days ago. My mom was reading the newsletter from her favorite org, Last Chance for Animals, and came across an article talking about imprisoned animal rights activists. It was about writing to them in prison. Until that moment I hadn't realized how many people are willing to do whatever it takes for the cause, even if that means doing time. These people have families they are away from now, for years because they stepped up and stopped abuse of animals. They shouldn't be in jail and called criminals! They should be awarded medals and called heros! But unfortunately, we lived in a world with no compassion and are governed by a goverment with no heart. Laws are most definitely for the criminal and its more evident everyday as we see children, animals, senior citizens and innocent adults tortured for someones sick thrill, and the law simply gives them a slap on the wrist. I will never understand why a man who straves, beats and even rapes an animal gets maybe a year, but the man who stands up and stops it any way he can, gets 10.

We need to admire these incredible people who are now living lonely lives and losing their spirit behind bars. And we should let them know how much they mean to us. A letter could literally be a lifeline for them. I know the feeling they felt as they commited their so called "crimes", just to a lesser extent. I am guilty of animal theft and if caught I probably would be in the next cell. On 3 seperate occasions I have stolen 1 dog and 2 cats from neglectful owners. And the sad thing is, they didn't even notice they were gone.

The first was a beagle named Willow. Her owner let her run the streets and several times she was alomst hit by a car. After a couple of days of this I decided it was enough and picked her up, put her in my car, and took her to the shelter. She was finally safe and I knew I wasn't going to see her splattered on the road.

The second was a cat named Sasha. She was always coming to my door and wanting in. Despite my severe allergies, I always opened the door. She would jump up on my lap and have breakfast with me and at night, we had dinner together. I would've sworn she belonged to someone, but if she did why was she always here with me. I decided to follow her home and watched her walk up to a door. I got my brave face on and knocked. I asked the man if she was his and he said she belonged to his next door neighbor, but they never let her in and had stopped feeding her. He told me that for the longest time she had been sleeping under his deck and in the winter she laid curled up by his dryer vent to stay warm. I had a choice to make and I picked the cat. I took her to the shelter and a couple weeks later I saw her on the evening news promoting adoption day. I couldn't have been happier with my choice.

The next cat was a big fluff ball of black fur. He was declawed, but was made be an outside cat. Days went by with no care for this cat so again, off to the shelter. (which our shelter is a wonderful place, I'll talk shelter myths in a future post). A week later I saw him on the website for their adoptable animals and before I could blink, he was adopted. And I promise you, if another animal comes into my life that needs to be stolen, I'll do it! 

I knew I could've gotten caught but, I didn't care. My top priority was the well being of these animals. If I were behind bars for a crime of compassion, I know I would love to hear from others that supported me. So, a great way to help animals, is to help those who help them! Writing a simple letter of gratitude will mean the world to these men and women. For information on how to contact them go to www.greenisthenewred.com 

I have to place a disclaimer here so that i won't get in trouble. Please do not go out and steal peoples pets. Call your local humane society or police department to report any wrong doing. And don't forget to follow your heart!

Another way to help is a simple one, donate to your shelter or rescues wish list. They need things like newspaper, towels, blankets, toys, food ect ect. Simply call or email and ask for a list. Exoctic rescues have a list too, so don't forget about them!

Tip 3

The Simple List

Report all abuse.

Visit one click sites.

Boycott companies that test on animals or use them in their products.

Pass out free pamphlets (windshields, bulletin boards, ect)

Add banners and stories of animal abuse to your sites.

Read labels on all products before purchasing.

Make animals a top priority over fashion and vanity.

Help disabled humans in your community by walking there dogs and helping with other pet tasks

Volunteer at a shelter or foster a homeless animal.

Help with a shelter or rescue wish list.

Hang bird feeders but don't discriminate against the squirrels!

Teach children how to be animal lovers!

Go green!

Contact your local HS to see guidelines for helping strays and then follow through!

Get involved with the trap neuter release program.

Donate any amount you can to org's and always sign their petitions!

.. .. If you have ideas on how to help, please send them to me and I'll add them to the list!