Please Nominate Us for a Nose-to-Nose Award!

 

It's that time of year. The Nose-to-Nose Award nomination rounds. Last year was the second year Riverfront Cats was nominated and our first win!  Given the company we shared, we did not expect it at all. This truly uplifted our team that our hard work, sweat, and tears did not go unnoticed. It also gives us important recognition and added weight as experts in our field so we are taken more seriously when confronted with challenges and people who do not understand the nature of cats--local residents or city/county leaders and lawmakers. (You can read more about our win by clicking here).

The nomination round is open and we depend on you, our loyal followers, to share our efforts in hopes to win another award in raising awareness about the nature and plight of homeless cats.

DEADLINE IS MONDAY, APRIL 12

CLICK LINK AT BOTTOM OF POST

The following are two categories we recommend. Feel free to nominate us for other categories!

BEST CAUSE BLOG 

 Link: www.riverfrontcats.com 

 

 We feel strongly about this category. Few blogs are dedicated to stray and feral cats--their nature, habits, ways to approach them, communicate with them, nurture, trap and capture them...We are constantly learning and sharing.  We teach A to Z. For example, we teach about TNRM-Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage:  How to use a box trap vs. a drop trap; where to take cats for low cost or free spay/neuter; how to socialize a cat, how to read body language; how to build cat shelters, etc.. We have been contacted by local media for input on evolving county issues and potential laws that would impact homeless pets and the local animal shelter. Christine Michaels, founder and President, has spoken before county commissioners with appeals to increase county budget for spay/neuter and other programs to reduce the number of homeless animals especially cats. For a tiny nonprofit organization, Riverfront Cats covers a large gamut from rolling up our sleeves and working in the gut-wrenching trenches of the feral, stray and injured cat world to teaching others how to do the same, to working with county and city leaders. 

Contact Name for Creator of the Work being entered: Christine Michaels
Contact Email for the Creator of the Work being entered: Riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
BlogPaws Community Profile Page of nominee: http://community.blogpaws.com/profile/ChristineMichaels

BEST WRITTEN BLOG POST

POST: To Rescue a Cat, You Have to be Smart and Creative Like a Cat
Link: http://bit.ly/CreativeCatRescueSolutions

Yes we love those rescue stories of black and feral cats that were saved, healed and adopted. The lows and crescendo highs uplift our hearts and bring tears of joy. This year we shared more educational posts about the hands on work it takes to rescue and capture difficult-to-trap cats. This is reality. From kittens inside buildings about to be demolished to this stray cat (pictured above) that was feral but could not move his hind legs. But never be discouraged. There is always a solution! A little creative thinking and we were able to rescue the cat hours before Animal Control would have arrived. We made a difference for an unknown, stray/un-neutered cat that was suffering.

Contact Name for Creator of the Work being entered: Christine Michaels
Contact Email for the Creator of the Work being entered: Riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
BlogPaws Community Profile Page of nominee: http://community.blogpaws.com/profile/ChristineMichaels


POST: A Cat with No Name (Pawsitively Humane)
 Link: http://bit.ly/CatWithNoName

Christine wrote this post on our umbrella website Pawsitively Humane as a continuation to the story of rescuing a feral cat that could not move his hind legs after a car struck him. This posed new challenges. The first post (see above) presented the scenario and practical, creative solution for capturing the cat using items laying around the home.  This story shared the poignant, emotional story of giving meaning, and a name to cat no one knew before that day. Stray cats are cats too. Christine chose to write this story on the PHI (Pawsitively Humane, Inc.) website for strategic reasons:  to educate all pet lovers.  Sharing this story outside the cat-centric blog of Riverfront Cats helps us fulfill our mission of educating the larger pet-loving world about cats.

Contact Name for Creator of the Work being entered: Christine Michaels
Contact Email for the Creator of the Work being entered: info@pawsitivelyhumane.org
BlogPaws Community Profile Page of nominee: http://community.blogpaws.com/profile/ChristineMichaels


POST: Another Battle Lost for Homeless Pets in Miami Dade County
Link: http://bit.ly/HomelessPetsLoseAgain

Christine Michaels speaks before County Commissioners
All sessions are televised live for county residents

Addressing the epidemic of homeless pets and animals in Miami Dade County is daunting.  Animal advocates and pet lovers have united and started to add pressure to city and county leaders to work together alongside residents and nonprofit animal welfare organizations to come up with solutions. This is no easy task and a process that will take years for laws and solutions to evolve. Founder and President, Christine Michaels, spoke before the Miami Dade County Commissioners during a session to vote for additional funding for the local Animal Services. Christine spoke with conviction and eloquence in presenting the case for needed funding. Her presentation and demeanor also helped to overturn misconceptions of "crazy cat people".  While in the end the commissioners voted against the funding, Christine planted the seed. She will continue to meet with County Commissioners individually. With patience and determination she is confident the day will come where animal advocates and ultimately homeless pets will win.


Contact Name for Creator of the Work being entered: Christine Michaels
Contact Email for the Creator of the Work being entered: info@pawsitivelyhumane.org
BlogPaws Community Profile Page of nominee: http://community.blogpaws.com/profile/ChristineMichaels


OTHER INFO YOU WILL NEED :
Facebook Account: www.facebook.com/RiverfrontCats
Twitter Account: www.twitter.com/Riverfrontcats

LINK TO NOMINATION FORM

Be sure to scroll to bottom of the screen for the nomination form.

http://blogpaws.com/events/2016-conference/2016-nose-to-nose-awards/

Thank you Riverfront Cats and Pawsitively Humane followers and animal advocates for taking a few minutes to help us fulfill our mission!

Riverfront Cats Receives its First Award!!

by Christine Michaels

In the world of homeless pets and pet rescue and welfare, bad news often outweighs the positive.   But Saturday night was one of those rare moments, a surprise.  Life is full of surprises.

This past week I attended the BlogPaws conference in Nashville, Tennessee, a social media conference for pet bloggers. Saturday night was the final evening and award ceremony. While I've sat through scores of award banquets, this one was different. For 20 plus years of my adult life, I've listened and watched as friends, colleagues, and strangers are announced the winners for an achievement in their work, or school or sport and  take the stage and accept their award. Some times I'll shed a tear or two of joy, even for complete strangers, moved by their story. This night was different that sent shock waves. My name and Riverfront Cats was announced as the winner of an award. 

Harrison Forbes ( Pet Talk host) & Christine Michaels

Best Use of Social Media by a Nonprofit Organization

Facebook Auction for Rogér, the Miami Le Chat Noir

My body was shaking as I stood at the podium. I have no fear of public speaking as I do it every week quite comfortably and for many years.  I was in shock to be named the winner.  Given the company I shared in this category, I did not expect to win. When you least expect it, life is full of surprises. And one pleasant surprise can uplift years of painstaking work  My blog is directly related to a cause.

Christine in shock during acceptance speech

The award was specific to a Facebook auction (the use of social media) we held for a black cat that suffered a slashed throat and dislocated jaw.  This cat looks exactly like the famous French poster, Le Chat Noir. So we gave him an American name with a French accent, Rogér. The vet bill was avalanching, approaching $4,000.  At the time, I was speaking to a friend and fellow cat blogger, Tamar from I Have Cat, and we brainstormed on fundraising ideas.  Thus the idea was born for a fun auction before Christmas time with cute and unique cat products.  While it was a lot of work, it was fun observing the heated but friendly competition as cat lovers outbid each other for an cat-auction item all for a good cause.

Poster on left, Rogér on right

This is what BlogPaws is about--connecting pet bloggers, pet guardians, pet experts (speakers, trainers, veterinarians) from across the country, to improve the welfare of all pets by sharing knowledge, studies and stories.  The body of knowledge surrounding health and behavior of pets is still evolving. Teamwork makes a difference!

While this award is not the Nobel Peace prize, in my world, I bring peace to a world of homeless cats and to a community to learn to understand and appreciate that these harmless creatures want to live in harmony with people and nature. As a hands-on volunteer and pet blogger, I am proud of the work I have undertaken for the past six years to make a difference for the welfare of feral and abandoned cats. The physical labor and the mental work in raising awareness, educating residents and communities and caring for the stray cats is no walk in the park. It's often painstaking and heartbreaking but we forge ahead. I AM an optimist. This is no small award. This is a major milestone.
 

Christine on red carpet after receiving award

This award gives me closure to every community cat that has suffered an injury or died.
This award gives me continued motivation and strength to do battle and enlighten closed minds.
This award gives me hope that we can reverse the rate of homeless cats and pets.

Congratulations to my fellow nominees and the winners.  I'm honored to be in your company!

THANK YOU

Thank you to those who took the time to nominate me. Thank you BlogPaws for the recognition!
Thank you Sabrina Vega and Mollie Smith for your generosity of time and spirit in feeding and caring for the Riverfront Cats. Thank you Deb Barnes for your friendship, role model as a gifted writer, and for serving on our board of directors. Special thanks to Tamar Arslanian for your friendship, endless creativity, and genuine heart-- you are always giving, willing to help those in dire need.  This auction would not have happened without you! Thank you MOM for instilling  in me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. You are the perfect example! And to the biggest hero of all, Thank you Karen Payne, for your tireless devotion and sacrifice in caring for Rogér during this recuperation until we find him a permanent home!!!

Stay tuned for a writeup regarding the adventures of the entire BlogPaws experience in Nashville, TN! 

Be sure to follow our umbrella nonprofit organization, PAWSITIVELY HUMANE, Inc.
www.pawsitivelyhumane.org
www.facebook.com/PawsitivelyHumane
www.twitter.com/SaveOurPaws
 

Please Nominate Riverfront Cats for a Nose-to-Nose Award!

Well it's that time of year for nominations for the BlogPaws 2015 Nose-to-Nose Awards in pet blogging and social media. While trophies are nice, the real benefit goes to the cats. Last year 600 pounds of cat food was donated to the shelters of the winner's choice.  Naturally if we win, our rescue cats would benefit!

The great aspect about these awards is that it is NOT based on a popularity contest for the final voting.  A distinguished panel of professional pet educators, writers, and social media experts serve as judges. However, we do need your help to get nominated! We may be small with shallow pockets but we are mighty and strong (just like cats) and passionate! And we have YOU AS SUPPORTERS! 

Deadline is Saturday, January 31
Click link at bottom of this post 

There are several categories, and here are some suggestions.

BEST CAUSE BLOG
Working in the trenches and blogging about stray, community and black cats is the toughest job ever. But it is a labor of love and we wouldn't change a thing! And we ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. 
Please nominate Riverfront Cats for Best Cause Blog.
http://www.riverfrontcats.com

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Rogér, a black cat was injured with his throat slashed.  This is not surprising to black cat lovers. He was an older, street cat with no human contact;  He was the subject of repeated target hits in a rough neighborhood. Until one day, a guardian angel trapped him and YOU came through with your moral and financial support.  A spirited online auction was held during the Christmas holidays to help Rogér.  And his progress is nothing less than remarkable.  His acceptance of human touch is short of miraculous. 
Auction for Rogér, the Miami Le Chat Noir 
http://bit.ly/AuctionforRoger

BEST BLOG POST
While working with these cats can be very stressful and we face more obstacles than triumphs, learning the personalities of rescued cats as they are socialized is the fun part. This story of Johnny Walker, and the fact that he inhaled (yes you read that right--Johnny Walker inhaled marijuana!), brings much needed humor and motivates volunteers to keep going. Feel free to nominate any Blog Post for this award. 
Johnny Walker's Scandalous Reveal!
http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2014/05/johnny-walker-cheats-on-cat-weight-loss.html


BEST PET PHOTO
Stray cats, community cats, and black cats, that's our specialty--the most difficult cat cases. We elevate them and educate the public about their essence, behavior, beauty and overturn myths. These photos say it all and more.

Wordless Wednesday- Romeo a Natural Leader (photos of community cats, the Riverfront Cats)
 http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2013/09/wordless-wednesday-romeo-natural-leader.html

Wordless Wednesday--Callie
 http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2014/04/callie-wordless-wednesday.html

Geisha's Birthday (a rescue tuxedo Riverfront Cat)
http://on.fb.me/1cuGRtN

Sobe, a Supermodel is born (rescue Calico kitten from South Beach)
http://on.fb.me/1Bz3b3P

Other information you may need: 

Name of Creator: Christine Michaels

Email: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/RiverfrontCats

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Riverfrontcats



CLICK HERE FOR THE NOMINATION FORM.

Thank you for your generous time and support. Without it, we could not help these cats.  

Nose-to-Nose Awards--Nomination Time

It's that time of year for the nominations of the Nose-to-Nose Best Blog and Social Media awards for pet bloggers sponsored by BlogPaws.  We love these awards because all we need is your nomination.  

NO signing up.
NO voting everyday.
NO begging from us (except this one time!)

Simple-simple-simple!!!

After FIVE years in existence we hope our hard work and dedication pays off so volunteers garner recognition and therefore Riverfront Cats as an organization can pursue bigger goals in helping to reverse the trend of homeless cats!

Therefore this is our first time asking for your help to nominate Riverfront Cats for some categories.

There are 12 categories total but here BELOW are some that are most fitting based on our efforts.
CLICK HERE to begin nominating Riverfront Cats. THANK YOU!!!


BEST CAUSE BLOG
Riverfront Cats has now meowed around for five years. As you know we educate, we rescue, we share and we never stop uplifting feral and black cats--the least understood cat issues.

     Information you'll need:
     Blog's homepage link: www.riverfrontcats.com
     Contact name for blog owner: Christine Michaels on behalf of Riverfront Cats (a nonprofit organization)
     Contact email for blog owner: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats
 

BEST BLOG POST
The blog post about the passing away of a feral cat Lion King. It shows that all cats are equal and deserve the same humane treatment. Readers commented, emailed and sent Facebook messages they cried a river.
   
     Information you'll need:
     Blog writer's homepage:  www.riverfrontcats.com
     Direct link to blogpost: http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2013/05/lion-king-and-circle-of-love.html
     Contact name for blog writer: Christine Michaels
     Contact email for blog writer: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats

BEST BLOG PHOTO
Photos are a critical part of our blog and education efforts to elevate black and feral cats; to gain attention of any reader and demonstrate that cats are just as adorable, gorgeous, and intelligent as dogs; and to increase chances of adoption.

Whether indoor, or outdoor, stray or feral, rescued or abandoned, all cats are beautiful. The photos of the cats below are all rescues. Feel free to NOMINATE  ONE photo or all. But each one much must be nominated separately. ALL THE CATS featured are BLACK cats except for Geisha who is a tuxedo.

     Information you'll need:
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/1cuGRtN (Geisha)
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/MJRiU4 (Ninji)
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/1g5avue (Ninji 2 closeup)
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/1bL5AtV (Ninji 3- on chair)
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/MamdZD (Johnny Walker)
     Direct link to photo: http://on.fb.me/1had7dt (Romeo, a Riverfront colony cat)

     Contact name for blog owner: Christine Michaels
     Contact email for blog owner: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats

BEST DESIGN
Miami has beautiful cityscape and waterviews and people.  Stray black cats are just as striking and gorgeous. We uplift black and feral cats through our design.

     Information you'll need:
     The blog link you are nominating:  www.riverfrontcats.com
     Contact name for owner: Christine Michaels on behalf of Riverfront Cats
     Contact email for owner: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats


BEST BLOG VIDEO
Sure it's a low budget video and Christine, our founder, was willing to go beyond and embarrass herself to show that cat women are sexy/confident on the inside, by donning a cat suit and walking in the middle of the streets of Miami and striking sexy poses. The message is clear! Cat women come from all backgrounds and professions. We are compassionate not crazy.
 
     Information you'll need:
     Link to video: http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2013/10/bringing-sexy-back.html
     Contact name for video owner: Christine Michaels
     Contact email for video owner: riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats


BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Riverfront Cats has consistently shared information regarding cat health, cats for adoption, networked with outside organizations to find homes for rescued or abandoned cats and for fundraising.  Rather than solicit funds from readers/fans regularly, Riverfront Cats has used social media to promote purchases of everyday items that benefit homeless cats, ie. purchases on Amazon, Black Cat calendar, Bottles of Wine to accumulate much needed funding.

     Information you'll need:
     501(c)3 website:www.riverfrontcats.com
     Share a link to content: www.riverfrontcats.com
     Facebook page of nominee: www.facebook.com/riverfrontcats     
     Twitter page of nominee: www.twitter.com/riverfrontcats
     Pinterest page: www.pinterest.com/riverfrontcats
     Contact name for 501c(3): Christine Michaels
     Contact email for 501c(3): riverfrontcats@yahoo.com
    

Thank you for your time to help us expand our reach, our voice and help homeless, feral and black cats!