Giving Tuesday 2024

 

Magic was found with bandage and bloody paw

In Miami, the homeless cat crisis is a heartbreaking reality that many of us in the community have witnessed firsthand. On this National Giving Tuesday, we're calling on you to join us in making a difference.  

Just recently, we rescued a little black kitten we named Magic. He is dehydrated and has an injured paw, and it was a homeless person who first found him and tried to help by putting on a makeshift gauze bandage. Thanks to his kindness and alerting us, we were able to step in and rescue Magic, but he still needs X-rays and further care. An estimate of the bill from Dec 2, 2024 is below.

This November, we took in a white cat who was found alone after his owner passed away. Tragically, he suddenly fell ill, and we rushed him to the vet. No doubt the sudden loss of his guardian, being in a strange new environment is stressful for Bobo.  His diagnostics are at least another $900.  The bills just keep avalanching.

Bobo is in shock at the vet clinic
surrounded by strangers.
His owner passed away.

Every month, we also support low-income residents and senior citizens who selflessly feed community cats. Many of these individuals have no family and are all alone, but they find joy in spending time with and caring for these cats. We help by covering the cost of cat food, ensuring these kind souls have enough money to feed themselves too.

 

These are recent events apart from our daily care of the Riverfront community cats. We lead by example. Education is vital and that we do for free, guiding other residents on how to care for  rescued cats and kittens. It takes a village. But rescue work takes exorbitant time and monies. Veterinary costs have skyrocketed. It really takes a village.

Your donation can help us continue these vital services, providing food, medical care, and shelter for Miami's homeless cats. Please consider making a donation, no amount is too small. Or even a small monthly donation. Remember, our workers are all volunteers. All monies goes to cat care. 

Please DONATE TODAY

&

Thank you for caring!

Riverfront Cats is part of Pawsitively Humane, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

We Lost a Legend--Romeo

 

Romeo 2013

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of the sweetest cat at the Riverfront colony who got along with all the other cats.  

Romeo just relaxing-Nov 2013

Romeo had developed dental disease (a sign when the tongue starts to stick out) and the infection coupled with his FIV caused him to lose weight, discolor his coat and slowly deteriorate. Thanks to a kind resident, she offered to provide hospice care for his remaining weeks. He was estimated to be about 13 to 14 years old. Not bad for an outdoor cat with FIV. (Feline AIDS).

Romeo resting in his tee pee bed

Romeo was loved by everyone who met him. Especially the security guards of the neighboring condos who interacted with him daily. He was a cool cat, laid back and loved to rub on your legs.  He often would meow just to say hello, wanting affection, not food. He was a true gentlecat. 

Romeo we fed you and cared you for the past 12 years. Your meows and tender looks and affectionate ways are missed by everyone who met you.  You were such a joy and taught us so much about the essence of community cats. Now you are over the rainbow bridge with your great love Aurora, and the other Riverfront cats who have passed on Lion King, Cosette, Fanny, Sinbad, Mama, Gabriel, Sabrina, Muki, Scotty, Missy, Master & Zeke. We know you are together running freely, having a grand time. As you should.

You were the heart of the Riverfront community. The Riverfront will never be the same. 

Tiny Tigger Fights for His Life

Hello pet supporters,

Here is our latest rescue--Tiny Tigger. Our volunteer Sabrina was feeding the mama cat and other community cats in rough neighborhood (Overtown). Unfortunately she was told by reps of the building she can not enter private property to feed.  No time to explain the gravity of situation, she took in the mama cat and all her seven kittens.

Mama cat and six kittens

The smallest, Tigger, next day was crashing and turned ice cold. Sabrina rushed him to local vet (VCA) and was told it looks grim but were able to give him glucose (levels were very low) and revive him. Sabrina took Tigger home and monitored him the entire night and day, keeping him warm, bottle feeding her every 2 hours but unfortunately he started to crash again. This time Sabrina rushed him to MVS the 24 hour pet hospital.  The vet instructed that Tigger is delicate and needs to stay overnight a few nights.

The current bill is $650 and expected to increase to double that amount.
We need your prayers, support and donations.  Please remember no amount is too small!

Thank you for your kindness in supporting our efforts.

Tiny Tigger is six weeks old

Is It Better to Bring In or Leave Colony Cats Outdoors During a Hurricane?

Callie lets us near her to feed, but never touch her.

Miami has just survived the wrath of Hurricane Irma that reached us two days ago.

Needless to say it was stressful from the preparations, to holding our breath as Irma struck land,  unleashing her fury as she skirted Miami, and her agonizing slow withdrawal.

In the end we are grateful that our families, pets and the Miami Riverfront cats all survived unscathed!

As we finish cleanup efforts and slowly return to normalcy, upon reflecting on recent events many questions were asked of volunteers and small rescue groups that care for homeless cats.

"Why didn't you trap the cats, cage them and evacuate?"

Every situation is different depending on the type of cat (feral or friendly), and the resources of the volunteer/caretaker in terms of  reliability of shelter, space, funds and supplies and distance to non hurricane state.

Regarding feral cats, per Alley Cat Allies:

 ...for truly feral cats, their best chance of survival is using their own instincts and abilities to respond to changing circumstances. Like wildlife, feral cats will instinctively seek higher ground during floods.

With regard to friendly cats, it depends on the friendliness of the cat and its known comfort level with indoor environment. This is key.  Colony feeders may have friendly relations with some cats where they can pet them and pick them up. However, this does not necessarily mean that a friendly cat will remain friendly indoors.  Cats dislike change in environment. Some outdoor cats may experience high stress levels indoors not only from new surroundings but from being caged for days. This may be more stressful for the cat than a hurricane.  

At Riverfront Cats, one beautiful all black male cat is named Romeo. He is a Romeo. He seeks attention and affection from caretakers before eating.  He enjoys petting and tolerates being picked up. However, Romeo also suffers from seizures when in a carrier.  We learned this on two occasions. First when he was trapped for TNR. But also years later when placed in a carrier and taken to vet when he showed signs of illness. While exiting the vet office, he had seizures and was rushed back inside to the vet. Thankfully he has not become ill again. With the news of Hurricane Irma, we knew he had to remain outdoors. Days in a carrier would more likely kill him than the hurricane. We trusted his instincts to survive. He also knows to meow for help or attention as he once appeared lost or stuck in his part-time refuge--the storm drainage on our condo lot. Thankfully it is shallow that he was able to jump out on his own.

Romeo an affectionate colony cat

In a category 4 or 5 hurricane, it is likely that an average house will lose a roof, parts of the home or entire home. The roof is usually the first to go. That is why they are called "catastrophic" storms. One has to expect the worst to prepare for it. In this case, bringing in colony cats and caging them for days is not wise.  There is also guaranteed loss of electricity. Unless there is a concrete shelter with no to minimal windows and a generator for emergency power source, and solid roof, as difficult as it may sound, it may be best to leave the cat outdoor.

Evacuating Can Sometimes Be More Dangerous
As native Floridian having lived through various storms and hurricanes, and learning from other hurricane related events around the country, sometimes evacuation poses more danger.

In Miami we were fortunate that the hurricane shifted, taking Miami outside the cone, and we were only impacted by outer bands. Still powerful with gusts of winds as high as 90mph but nowhere near the strength of a Category 3 or 4 at 130mph. The Riverfront Cats have weathered many tropical storms. So when Irma moved, we were very confident the Riverfront Cats were going to survive. 

"Do you know where an outdoor cat seeks shelter during a regular storm?"

Most of us do not.  We know they have their hiding places during a major storm.  Therefore one has to think like a cat, not human and trust their instincts.

These decisions are a struggle for caretakers.  There are many factors to consider and weigh.  Colony cat caretakers should never be judged.  Outsiders can offer funds or resources or other options. But never judge.

To learn more about protecting a cat colony before and after a storm, visit Alley Cat Allies, "Disaster-Proofing a Community Cat Colony".

We Are Here to Help
We are here to help you assess your situation and whether to evacuate with pets. Contact us at riverfrontcats@yahoo.com. We offer recommendations only. The decision is ultimately yours. Be safe.

Cosette is Missing--Why Do Community or Feral Cats Disappear?

Cosette licking her lips after dinner

Another one of our beloved Riverfront Cats is missing. The second one in two months. Cosette.

Presumed dead, we are heartbroken at the disappearance of another cat.  Two weeks later, Sinbad also went missing.  "What is suddenly happening?!" our team asked.

First, it is natural to become attached to cats in a colony that you regularly feed and manage.  These are live creatures, much like our own pets, that we care for on a daily basis. Even though we can not pet some or pick them up, they know and trust us as feeders.We love and nurture them. The bond is real.

Cosette eating her dinner

 FOUR GENERAL REASONS OUTDOOR CATS DISAPPEAR

The disappearance of feral or community cats may occur when:
1. They are sick and naturally leave the nest. (Another blog post on this subject coming soon)
2. They are injured and unable to return home.
3. They are killed by speeding automobile, or stray dog or other predator, or by ingesting some food or material that is poisonous/harmful.
4. They are taken by friendly regular or trapped by someone.


Living in the heart of downtown Miami, any number of scenarios could have occurred.
My mind listing a 100 reasons  in 100 seconds.

- snatched by homeless person
- runover by speeding car
- eat chicken bones
- ingest poison
- swallow small pieces of glass from shattered car windows that get embedded in their paws
- fight with raccoons
- slip and fall into drainage
- trapped somewhere
- did a reported stray dog attack her

Cosette cleaning her paws after dinner

Mama cat was first cat to disappear. She showed no signs of illness, or lethargy or any odd behavior. Mama was friendly and she trusted regular feeders and allowed them to pet her. Perhaps a homeless person fed her in the middle of night (they camped out underneath the S. Miami Avenue bridge near where she resided), and took her? It is possible.  She also rested in the water drainage.  Perhaps with the unseasonably heavy rains this winter, she slipped in trying to jump from her shelf  in the drainage and fell to the bottom of drainage where it is too high for her to jump back up. Mama was also a little hefty.

NEVER FEED CATS COOKED CHICKEN BONES

Did she possibly have internal injuries from chicken bones? A local resident was leaving them chicken bones. Nooo!  One day I happen to be squatting in the corner of Station Two, cleaning the cat water bowls when this resident appeared to leave them more bones. Timing was perfect to educate this kind-hearted person that leaving chicken bones can kill cats. Raw chicken bones are safe for cats and dogs. But cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats. They are brittle and splinter and can cause choking or internal organ damage.

Kitten eating chicken bones
(Not a Riverfront Cat; published with permission)

Cosette was feral. Only recently was I able to touch her without her hissing. The first time in almost seven years! I started to cry tears of joy as I always do when I gain the trust of a feral cat after passing years. So it is not possible that she was taken by a homeless person.  One volunteer did say that Cosette did not eat much the night before she disappeared.  This tells us she could have been ill.

There was another intact male cat, Muki, that we could never trap. He showed signs of injuries, dried blood, deep scratches, and weight loss. He was clearly sick and dying.  Did Muki pass his illness in fighting with the other cats?

Muki waiting to be served dinner

Employees who park in the empty gravel lot of Station One, leave Styrofoam cartons of discarded people food. Did the cats eat some food that could have been harmful?

Raccoons have appeared in the neighborhood. Did the raccoons get into a fight with Cosette or Sinbad who were more feisty?  Not likely but possible. Or worse, both Cosette and Sinbad crossed SW 3rd Street in the past. Although lately they stayed on the lot of feeding station, safely hidden in the bushes, did they seek refuge elsewhere with heavy rains? Or did they resume crossing 3rd street with increasing traffic, perhaps fascinated by the growing number of chickens in the area? Yes, community chickens were multiplying! In downtown Miami. A subject for another blog post.

Raccoons are breeding and have learned where to find cat food on a nightly basis

I scoured their area, crawling on my hands and knees in bushes to see if they were possibly injured and unable to move. Nothing. I walked around the neighborhood calling them, knowing they would not appear due to fear but I had hope they heard my voice and would muster the strength to return later in the evening.

A TRUE STORY OF CAT THAT DISAPPEARED BUT RETURNED INJURED

This is exactly what happened with Leroy. A friendly black cat.  He was missing for four days. Then one night, while feeding the other cats, we walked around the feeding area, and sure enough the volunteer found Leroy nestled in the grass, with two swollen and bloody paws. He was unable to move. He fought his way back to home base for food.  We scooped him up and rushed him to the vet next day. Fortunately one leg was saved, but the other leg was amputated.  The friendly cat that he is, Leroy adjusted to indoor life and was adopted by Sabrina, a long-time volunteer. He lives the good life with his siblings and sleeps with Sabrina every night. A silver-lining to a painful incident.

Leroy, a three-legged kitty, now loves his indoor home--no gravel, no fleas, no rain, no extreme weather

The list of possible reasons for the cats disappearing is endless.  These cats are also approaching seven  years of age, the average age limit for community colony cats exposed to various dangers and elements.

We still pray for a miracle that the cats will reappear. While rare, it is known to happen even after several months have passed. We love these cats and want to ensure they are not quietly suffering, dying somewhere.

Speaking of miracles, Sinbad did reappear after three weeks.  He looks well, maybe a little thinner. But sadly he's now missing for three days again.  If only we could put tracking devices on them. Now that would certainly provide the world of cat science with great insight as to their habits and patterns and behavior.

Sinbad licking his lips after dinner
(Oct 2015)

We welcome your stories and experiences with disappearing colony cats.

Callie- Wordless Wednesday

This is Callie, an original Riverfront Cat.  We can not pet her but she trusts volunteers to bring food and water nightly. Callie never roams and is always nearby. Hence she has never missed a meal or wanders too far to get caught in the rain. Callie seeks shelter on first floor office balconies.

She is Pensive.Graceful.Gentle.

Welcome to the jungle of the Miami Riverfront.

Leroy, after leg surgery

"That camera looks more scary than my shaved hip with stitches"

We have an update on Leroy! As  we shared on April 29, the good news is that the front leg was healing and could be saved. The bad news, the fever returned and the hind leg was deteriorating. Apart from this setback, Leroy's overall health was very good.  So we agreed to amputate the back leg and start making plans to find him a permanent home indoors where he could live a long, safe and happy life as a tripod.

At the vet: "This can't be good."

"It's not as bad as it looks. I can still move around. Now I hop!"

Thankfully, the surgery went well, no complications. Leroy is now recovering in the home of a volunteer. He sleeps with Sabrina every night on her bed. A sweet black furry angel.  In the day time he nestles in a pet bed and hops a few steps away to the litter box.   Losing a leg and adapting to the indoors will take some time. In the meantime Leroy is getting much needed rest, daily pain medications, and lots of TLC. Thank you Sabrina!

Naturally as a nonprofit that depends on donations, we have to share that the vet bill was $1,938.39. Please click here to review the entire bill. This is in addition to the $600 originally spent to try and save his legs. Was this the right decision? YES! To know this cat, everyone loves him. He wanted to live, and we know he has much love to give. If both legs could not be saved, then the outcome may have been different.

Now we are moving forward. If you can help with any amount,whether it's $1000, $100, $60, $40 or even $10, it is greatly appreciated! Just click on the link at top right. You can easily donate with credit, debit or bank funds. We also accepts checks. Riverfront Cats is part of Pawsitively Humane,Inc. a 501c3 organization.  

Make check payable to:
Pawsitively Humane, Inc. 
90 SW 3rd Street #3905
Miami, FL
33130

This is the second amputation of a cat in six months.  The vet bills avalanche before we have a chance to recover from the last emergency.  Our volunteers receive zero compensation. The funding goes primarily to the care of the cats. We are grateful for any amount!


Soon we will begin the work of finding him a loving home. Preferably with an individual or family that spends more time at home than outside the home until Leroy is comfortable in his new environment and the routine. Leroy has demonstrated that he gets along with other cats and well behaved dogs. Leroy often rubbed against Christine's dog, Ma Cherie, and gave nose kisses.

Cats are amazing, but Black cats are even more special!

Thank you for reading.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Thank you for caring.

Katy Purry

Katy Purry is everything you want her to be--she's affectionate, she's playful, she's an entertainer (and does the Halloween moonwalk dance), and she follows you around like love-sick puppy. Katy is a classic tabby with black, brown, white and tan stripes with dots and it's suspected she may have Bengal mix in her.

Katy is an 8 month old kitten which means she's a teenager. But not your rebel teenager. She's mature beyond her years. Most impressive are her nurturing instincts. Katy is in a foster home with three tiny kittens. When it's time for foster mother to bottle feed the kittens, Katy instantly jumps onto the bed or sofa and will cradle the kitten to give the kitten warmth.



Katy mothers foster kitten Manolin

 We recommend adopting Katy with a kitten. Experts say it's better to adopt cats in two for a number of reasons.

When adopting Katy you'll also receive a lovely adoption starter gift pack: a soft cream colored pet bed, and matching Martha Stewart food and water bowls, feeding mat, and fur brush.

Katy is blood tested, spayed, vaccinated and micro-chipped.  If you would like to meet Katy, please contact her  foster mother Christina at cdm1580@bellsouth.net.

Katy is located in Miami, Florida.