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National Feral Cat Day!

September Edition

Thanks to the support of loyal donors like you, we've been very busy this month protecting cats around the country. Here are just a few of our current projects and successes:

Leading the National Celebration for Cats

The ninth annual National Feral Cat Day (NFCD) is fast approaching. Please mark your calendars–October 16th is your opportunity to help protect and improve the lives of cats around the country! We know how much you care about cats. Now you can celebrate NFCD by reaching out to others with the message that feral cats are healthy and happy outdoors and that Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) improves cats' lives. Get involved and show your support for stray and feral cats by distributing educational materials or hosting local events like workshops or special neuter clinic days. And keep an eye out for your own copy of the NFCD poster, which should be arriving in your mailbox any day.

Visit www.alleycat.org/NFCD to learn more about how you can take part in the celebration »
Haven’t received a copy of the poster? Download one now »

Educating the Veterinary Community

This month, Alley Cat Allies launched our new online resource center for the veterinary community. Veterinarians play an essential role in the movement to protect and improve the lives of stray and feral cats. They provide direct care and neuter services in TNR programs, and serve as resources for the public. In fact, people often turn to their own veterinarians first when they find stray or feral cats or kittens in their area. And yet, before this month, there were very few resources available to this community about stray and feral cats and their care. That’s where Alley Cat Allies comes in. Our new online Veterinary Resource Center is filled with scholarly articles, fact sheets, and multimedia tools designed to give caring veterinarians the information they need to care for and advise people about feral cats. Want to help? Share the center with your own veterinary office and help them learn the best tips and tools to protect and improve the lives of feral cats today.

Tour the new comprehensive feral cat resource center for veterinarians »

Providing Back-to-School Resources

It’s back to school time, which means that students, teachers, and staff will return to the campuses where they work and learn each year. But most cats don’t live life according to human schedules, and that’s why you’ll find them living on university and college campuses year round. In response to campus needs across the country, years ago Alley Cat Allies developed our Cats on Campus program to help caregivers living on or near educational institutions put their compassion into action. And just in time for the return of school days, Alley Cat Allies is proud to announce the newly designed Cats on Campus brochure. Based on the hands-on, real-world experience of other campuses that have gone before, the brochure can help campus caregivers form, promote, and build support for TNR programs that protect and improve the lives of cats—humanely and effectively.

Order your Cats on Campus brochures today »

Targeting Locations in our Every Kitty - Every City Campaign

Last month, Alley Cat Allies partnered with the Petco in Toms River, New Jersey, to host an Adoption and Outreach Event as part of our Every Kitty - Every City program in Atlantic City. The goal was to adopt out the socialized cats from our Atlantic City Boardwalk Program and educate visitors about feral cat care and humane trapping techniques. In total, Alley Cat Allies staff and volunteers brought 16 adoptable cats and kittens to the fair. The event lasted five hours, with a steady flow of traffic from Petco customers and people interested in learning about the Boardwalk Program. We also had many visitors show interest in adopting cats and kittens and fill out applications on the spot! Special thanks to Petco, Toms River for generously allowing us to hold the fair at their store and to use their indoor room so that potential adopters could meet cats one-on-one. The staff at Petco were friendly and gracious, and we could not have done the event without them.

There are still kitties available for adoption in Atlantic City, and our other Every Kitty-Every City locations »
Learn more about the Atlantic City Boardwalk Every Kitty-Every City program »

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A GREAT VICTORY FOR COMPANION ANIMALS!

Banfield Bans Unnecessary Cosmetic Surgeries on Dogs!

Great news for dogs: Banfield, the nation's largest network of animal hospitals, with more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians nationwide, has just announced that it will no longer dock dogs' tails, crop their ears, or remove their vocal cords--a cruel procedure known as devocalization, or de-barking! (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-07-30-dog-tails_N.htm)

As mentioned in the USA Today article, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has fought laws seeking to ban tail docking and ear cropping because it feels that purebred dogs should conform to certain breed standards. But performing medically unnecessary procedures on dogs only perpetuates the notion that they are fashion accessories.

Dogs usually have their ears cropped when they are just eight to 12-weeks old. At this stage in their development, the trauma of the procedure can have a strong psychological impact on the maturing pup. The process of taping and re-taping a pup’s ears to force them to stand erect after they have been cropped can be agonizing for the dog.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has pointed out that, “ear cropping and tail docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection.” Because the procedures are so cruel and dangerous, they have been banned in many European countries.

Many veterinarians also condemn de-barking because it is superfluous, causes dogs a great deal of post-operative pain, and strips them of their natural means to communicate. Yet some people resort to this cruel, invasive procedure as a "solution" to problem barking—even though there are humane and effective alternatives, including simple positive training methods. (Of course, some experimenters also de-bark dogs used in laboratory tests, so that they won't be "disturbed" by the dogs' desperate cries for help and attention.)

Thankfully, some people who were thinking about subjecting their animals to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures will likely think twice now that Banfield has come out against them—setting an example for other animal hospitals to follow. As Dr. Karen Faunt, Banfield's vice president for medical quality advancement, says, "It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether."

With any luck, declawing (http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/how-to-be-your-cats-best-friend/) will be the next cruel and unnecessary procedure to be banned.

From an article by Senior PETA Writer Heather Moore

For the Love of Cats! Have fun - do good!

Did you know you can enter your pets picture in the "Tails of Bakersfield" and help the Cat People at the same time. It is $10.00 for each entry, you pet's picture will be in the Bakersfield Californian and the fee is donated to the charity of your choice. The Cat People are one of those choices.

So what are you waiting for..... get your pet's picture in the paper and help the Cat People at the same time.

If you enter the Calendar contest it's $15.00, and your pet has a chance of becoming a Bakersfield Calendar Cat (or Dog) and the entrance fee goes to charity as well. So get out your camera and snap away, then pick your favorite picture and WIN THE CONTEST!

Have fun - do good!

Help out the cats of Bakersfield!

For the Love of Cats - DO GOOD - HAVE FUN!

With kids home from school and everyone busy with summer activities our volunteer rate has dropped drastically. Summer is kitten season and the need for foster pet parents is critical. Adoptions are way down and our system is overloaded and overflowing. All of our kittens are current on shot, have had vet checks and been spayed or neutered (if old enough) and treated for fleas.

Please wont you volunteer to be a foster pet parent? If you are not able to foster a kitty right now please go to our website at www.thecatpeople.org and help support our rescue efforts. The Cat People are a volunteer organization so 100% of your donation goes to support our rescues, fund our spay and neuter programs and help special cats in need AND your contribution is tax deductible.

DO GOOD - HAVE FUN!

Wow, Catgirl"s favorite cat picture is going to be........

Catgirl's favorite cat picture is going to be in the Bakersfield Californian and yours can be too........ Please support The Cat People in the Tails of Bakersfield fundraiser! For $10 (you can choose to donate more) you can enter your pet’s picture and a brief description to be featured on the Bakersfield Californian. When you submit your $10, you can donate the proceeds to a organization of your choice–among those choices is The Cat People. This is your chance to give your pet a chance to shine in the public eye. (And help out your favorite organization!) Click here to get started! And hurry! The last day to submit photos is August 31st at 12 o’clock noon.

Catgirl can't stop purrring.........

This weekend, Friday 7/10 and Saturday 7/11 is the Cat People's Sizzling Summer Sidewalk Sale from 10AM to 3PM at "Pawsitively Cat" 602 - 18th Street, Bakersfield. Come check out one-of-a-kind gift items for your favorite feline, browse the shop for special sales, join us for light refreshments and meet other cat lovers.

The Cat People are all volunteers, so 100% of all proceed will go to our rescue efforts, spay and neuter programs, and help special cats in need. We gratefully accept all donations of cat food, kitty litter and other cat related items. Our kittens in foster care appreciate new/used toys as well.

Look, Catgirl has a new face!

The beautiful Maine Coon cross that has been my profile picture finally found a for-ever home and we are going to throw a party. Today at Petco 3 of the kittens got adopted, I am so happy I cant stop purrrring. It's been a grrrreat day, sweltering heat and all!

Look what catgirl found!

Catgirl found a great new kitty toy at for all her feline friends at http://www.petco.com/Shop/AlternateImages.aspx?FamilyID=106311&sku= and while you are shopping for a new toy, come see the kittens the Cat People have for adoption at Petco on Saturday from 10AM to 3PM. .....and maybe .....just maybe......open your heart and get your favorite feline a new playmate.

Why did someone throw us away?

We are two cool chicks, found taped in a box at a cement plant. We just love to party and drink from the faucet and would make your life complete by giving you unconditional love. If you would like to see us, please call The Cat People at 327-4705 and we will arrange a meeting. We are spayed and up to date on shots.

Green Cat: How to compost your cat's litter

How to Compost Your Cat's Litter
Only four basic steps are needed to turn your cat's waste into a clean, odorless fertilizer that can enhance the nutrient-content, water-absorption, and structural integrity of your soil.

1. Build, or Buy, a Compost Bin.
Compost bins that are pre-purchased can be used for disposing of cat waste, even if they were designed for food waste. The only critical difference is that cat waste must be left to compost for at least eighteen months before it is safe to use on edible crops. For flowers and trees it is usable after 6 month.
If you want to build your own compost bin, it is simple enough to do: layering several planks of wood, one on top of the other, to build an open-lidded box is all that's really necessary. If you have purchased a compost bin, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have created one yourself, you can start encouraging the growth a healthy colony of compost-enhancing bacteria by adding a two-inch layer of topsoil, dry leaves, and/or sawdust to the bottom of your homemade bin.

2. Choose a Cat Litter.
Clay-based, sand-based, and crystalline litters are not compatible with use in compost, since they can damage the structure of your soil and cause synthetic toxins to leak into your garden. The best choices for compostable cat litters are those made from natural, living sources. A good option for an earth-friendly and compostable cat-litter is commercial litter made from pine or cedar. Wheat-based natural litters are also a compost-friendly, they are an odorless, clean, and renewable option that is usually readily accepted by most cats and sufficiently absorbent, even for multi-cat households.
Another ecologically conscious option is litter made from recycled newspaper. You may find that you'd prefer to try all of these options to see what works best for you and your cat. Whatever you choose, these litters are all fully compatible with your choice to compost your cat's litter, and can all help to enhance your soil.

3. Begin Composting.
The first time you compost your cat's waste, it may seem unusual, but stick with it. After adding the first layer of sawdust, soil or leaves, simply dump your cat's waste directly into your bin. Cover it with a one-inch layer of sawdust, soil, or leaves, and leave it alone. When the time comes to empty your entire litter box, simply do the same, and add another layer of your composting material. To speed the composting process, it's a good idea to aerate the litter every few weeks. Earthworms purchased at a farm-and-garden supply store, or via the Internet can help to digest your cat's manure and aerate it, speeding the compost process even further.
If you notice an odor coming from your compost bin, add an additional layer of your compost material--sawdust is best. Frequent aeration can prevent this problem from ever occurring.

4. Use Your Compost.
After six months, if you continue aerating your bin, you can remove the top layer and use a shovel to check the status of your compost. Most likely, the manure will no longer be identifiable as cat litter, and will have an earthy smell and loamy texture. At this point, the compost can be used on ornamental plants and fruit trees.
Composted cat litter tends to be cleaner and less prone to parasites than typical garden soil. It can be used as mulch for trees or mixed with weak soil to give it a loamy texture and high nutrient content and it can be spread in flowerbeds.

Adapted from an article by Juniper Russo Tarascio

For the Love of Cats - The Green Cat!

Going green is more than just driving less, buying local and recycling. There are often huge health benefits when changing to environmentally friendly products. Since our pets live in the same environment they are also affected by decisions we make about cleaning products for the home and body, and the quality of water and food we provide. So as you become a green pet owner, consider the positive effects this will have on the health and longevity of your pet’s life! Many of the ways to be a green pet owner are the same ways you treat your health and body. Pick an area to change each month and before you know it, Fluffy will be just as green as you!

1. Food – Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk will reduce trips to the store and cuts down on gas consumption. But some commercial pet foods may not be the healthiest options for your favorite feline. Buying organic pet food is an option, but can be cost prohibitive.

Solution: Make your own pet food. There is the raw food diet for domestic animals that many vets advocate. But many pets are not ready for such a radical change. So slow and low cooked pet food is a viable solution. Just be sure to provide all the nutrients your pet needs. While ratios of protein, vegetable, and carbohydrate in homemade pet food recipes vary, generally 40% proteins, 30% vegetables, and 30% carbohydrates is the best. Once you have found the right balance and consulted with your vet that your pet is receiving adequate nutrientsthe nutrients, you can make up the food once a week and store it in the freezer. Not only is it more cost effective in the long run, pets often show astonishing improvements in health and vitality even after a short time on home-cooked food.

2. Pet waste – Use biodegradable kitty litter. Flushing it down the toilet may be an option, but then we are only contributing to the use of water to get rid of waste. Tossing it in a landfill in a plastic bag means it stays in the bag until the bag decomposes and that can be years. BioBags are made from corn and are compostable, so you can feel good about using them and even toss it in your pet waste composter.

For your favorite feline replace the clay litter (which is bad for cats’ health and doesn’t compost or breakdown) with kitty litter made out of recycled newspaper or corn. Feline Pine has a scent of fresh pine and lasts a long time. You can scoop the solid waste out and just scatter the wet litter around in the pan until you need to change it. These products are available in your local pet or health food store and online.

Solution: Make a pet waste composter. By composting the waste right in your yard, you are eliminating it from going to a landfill or getting into a waste water treatment plant. Plus if done correctly, you can use the humus created from the compost to fertilize your ornament plants and bushes.

Research from the Internet.

The 10 Kitty Commandments!

And the Cat said. . .

1. Thou shalt not jump onto the keyboard when thy human is on the computer.

2. Thou shalt not unroll all of the toilet paper off the roll.

3. Thou shalt not project hairballs from the top of the refrigerator.

4. Thou shalt not sit in front of the television as if thou art invisible.

5. Thou shalt not jump onto thy sleeping human’s bladder at 3 a.m.

6. Thou shalt not reset thy human’s alarm clock by walking on it.

7. Thou shalt not trip thy humans, even if they are walking too slowly.

8. Thou shalt not push open the bathroom door when there are guests in thy house.

9. Thou shalt not jump on the toilet seat just as thy human is sitting down.

10. Thou shalt attempt to show remorse when being scolded.

Found on the Internet

For the Love of Cats!

The Cat People of Bakersfield in their own quiet way have taken on the huge responsibility of monitoring, controlling and feeding homeless cats in designated areas. In this current economic crisis with people abandoning their pets, this need is greater than ever. As one can well imagine, donations and cat adoptions are down but rescue costs keep skyrocketing.

The Cat People have several fundraisers. The next one is on Saturday June 6th between 12 noon and 11PM. Panda Express at Mt Vernon and 178 will donate 20% of your purchase to the Cat People if you bring in the flier available at http://thecatpeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/panda-express-1-640x414.jpg or at Pawsitively Cats at 602 18th Street.

If you are not able to to join us at Panda Express there are many other ways to help. The Cat People cookbook will be coming out just in time for Christmas. All animal lovers are welcome to submit their favorite recipes to psames@hotmail.com . What a cool way to surprise your friends!

Check out the website at www.thecatpeople.org for volunteer opportunities, to donate catfood and other much needed supplies, and to make a donation via paypal. With so many cats and kittens being adandoned your help is desperately needed to provide care for so many innocent animals that are literally thrown away by their former owners.

The kittens in the pictures were found by a volunteer in a local park, taped up in a box, only a few hours old. No one knows what happened to the mothercat. Weeks of painstakingly bottlefeeding and nuturing paid off; they are healthy, happy and now ready for their forever home. These kittens and other adoptable cats can be seen Saturdays at Petco on Rosedale between 10AM and 3PM.