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Saturday, January 16, 2010

FACTS ABOUT HOMELESS CATS

This posting is to summarize commonly asked questions about homeless cats to better understand the issue and how to coexist with them in any community. This post also addresses the cats at the Riverfront community specifically. We welcome your additional questions. Please send them to: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

Q: Where do homeless cats come from?
A: The cats all originate from a cat owner who did not spay/neuter their pet cat. Also, these past two years, cat owners who can not afford or want to keep their cats are dumping them into the streets. Cats multiply quickly and one unsterilized cat can lead to 5,000 cats in seven generations thus creating a growing homeless cat population. That is why it is critical for cat owners to spay/neuter their cats. Also it is illegal to drop off a cat in another neighborhood, city, park, etc.

Q: Can homeless cats be "relocated"?
A: For the most part it is illegal under Florida law (and punishable up to $5,000 and jail time) to "relocate" a cat.  Relocating a cat is just a euphemism for dumping and abandoning. Cats are territorial and if you take an outdoor cat and place it in a different environment, the cat will instinctively run away in search of home. During this "escape" the cats, unfamiliar with the new surroundings, face dangers, injuries and starvation.

Q: Who is responsible for their care?
A: Ultimately it's the community's responsibility, not the city or county, not Animal Services or Humane Society (click here for more information on these services). If someone feeds a stray cat, it is imperative to have that cat spayed/neutered to prevent a cat population from exploding. There are many low cost clinics in South Florida for sterilization that cost about $25.00 vs. $250 at a veterinarian. For a listing, visit http://www.thecatnetwork.org/

Q: What is the best way to care for the stray cats?
A: At the Riverfront community, volunteers follow the philosophy of the Cat Network of South Florida and the Humane Society of the United States. First all adult cats are TNRd (Trapped-Neutered-Returned) and receive rabies shot. Second, when feeding them near a residential or business complex, it's best to portion control the feedings instead of leaving mountains of dry food that could attract ants, flies if it later rains. If there are any kittens, they are immediately captured no earlier than 6 weeks. Then the volunteers have them deflead, dewormed, taken for blood test, vaccinations, sterilization and placed in loving home, OFF THE STREETS.

This process ensures the cats are not roaming too far in search of food and placing them in danger, the cat population is controlled through process called TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), lessens the noises from mating and fighting, and no foul odor that is associated with urine from an unneutered male.

Q: Can the cats be taken to Animal Services run by the county?
A: If someone chooses to trap the cats, they can be taken to Animal Services. However, even healthy, stray cats ARE PUT TO SLEEP because they are not adoptable (their home is the Riverfront community). Only adoptable cats are kept alive for five days. If no one adopts the cats, they are automatically euthanized. Please visit their website for more information.

Taking the cats to Animal Services is not an option for the majority of Riverfront residents. As animal lovers they  do not believe it is necessary to euthanize an animal if the cat is healthy and happy here at the Riverfront. This is their home. THE CATS ARE LIKE BIRDS, an INHERIT PART OF THE COMMUNITY. The cats do not provoke or cause any danger or health risk. If anything, many residents are relieved there are no rats given the amount of trash immediately outside the property.

 If a dog owner is concerned their dog may go after the cat, it is the dog owner's responsibility to ensure they can control the dog.  The leash law in Florida is imporant for many reasons.

The cats at the Riverfront are not homeless. They are Riverfront Pets. We welcome your donations of food, funding for vet bills to continue caring for these innocent creatures.

CLICK HERE to view a VIDEO about homeless cats.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about your community.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Media/PR

Thank you for your interest in RiverfrontCats.com (a 501c3 nonprofit under the umbrella of Pawsitively Humane, Inc.)

The subject of cats is relatively unknown to non cat owners and the subjects of pet cats, stray cats, feral cats, black cats are a deep well.  Our goal is to educate the average person about the facts and therefore overturn misconceptions and reverse the rate of homeless cats in this country, starting in our backyard--Miami, FL

We welcome cat-related interviews, sponsorships, promotions, advertising, product and book reviews, and commercials. As of May 2014,  Riverfront Cats received 7,500 page views per month.
* 34% are non cat owners (someone who has found a stray cat or kitten)
* 33% first time cat owners
* 33% current cat owners

Facebook Fans = 9,000 +
Twitter Followers = 2,500+

Apart from web visits, we receive calls daily from people who have to find a home for their pet cat or someone who has found a stray cat or kitten and needs guidance from A to Z. 

Christine Michaels, founder of Riverfront Cats is a blogger, writer, feral cat caretaker and experienced speaker on live television and radio.  Whether she's dressed in a suit debating the solutions for humane treatment of feral cats or wearing her famous black cat costume, in four-inch heels, feeding outdoor cats and setting  cat traps, Christine is the modern cat woman and draws attention from cat owners and curious animal lovers alike.


 Her accomplishments include:
* Chairperson of the inaugural Black Cat gala for The Cat Network, 2009
* Inclusion in Book "Publicity to the Rescue" by Susan Daffron
* Contributing writer for Pet360
* Originator of Riverfront Cats blog and neighborhood TNRM effort
* Founder and President of nonprofit Pawsitively Humane, Inc  (www.pawsitivelyhumane.org) the umbrella nonprofit for Riverfront Cats.

Contact: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Medios de Comunicación/Relaciones Públicas

Gracias por su interés en RiverfrontCats.com

El tema de los gatos es relativamente desconocido para los no propietarios de gatos y el tema de los gatos domésticos, gatos callejeros, gatos salvajes, gatos negros aún es un tabú. Nuestro objetivo es educar a la persona promedio de los hechos y por lo tanto revocar malentendidos y reducir la tasa de gatos sin hogar en este país, a partir de nuestro patio trasero - Miami, FL

Damos la bienvenida a las entrevistas relacionadas a gatos, patrocinios, promociones, publicidad,  reseñas de libros y productos y anuncios. En marzo de 2013,  Riverfront
Cats recibió 4.723 visitas de  por mes.
* 34% no son propietarios de gatos (alguien que ha encontrado un gato callejero o gatito)
* 33% son propietarios de gatos por primera vez
* 33% son actualmente propietarios de gatos

Fanáticos en Facebook = 9,000 +
Seguidores de Twitter = 2,000

Además de visitas a la web, recibimos llamadas todos los días de personas que necesitan encontrar un hogar para su gato o alguien que ha encontrado un gato callejero o un gatito y necesita una guía de la A a la Z.

Christine Michaels, fundadora de Riverfront Cats es una escritora de bitácoras, escritora, experta en gatos callejeros, vocera experta en televisión y radio en vivo. Ya sea que ella esté vestida con un traje debatiendo las soluciones para el tratamiento humano de los gatos salvajes o disfrazada de gato negro, con tacones de diez centímetros, alimentando gatos al aire libre y el establecimiento de trampas gato, Christine es la mujer gato moderna y llama la atención de los dueños de gatos y curiosos amantes de animales por igual.

  Sus logros incluyen:
* Presidente de la gala inaugural Gato Negro para La Red de Gatos, 2009
* La inclusión en el libro "La publicidad al Rescate" por Susan Daffron
* Escritora Colaboradora de Pet360
* Creadora de la bitácora Riverfront Cats y esfuerzo ACSM (Atrapar, Castrar, Soltar, Manejar)
en su comunidad. 
* Fundadora y Presidente de la organización no lucrativa Pawsitively Humane, Inc (www.pawsitivelyhumane.org) la organización no lucrativa cobertora de Riverfront.Cats

Contacto: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com