Sugar Bear Tabby with Bad Eye Saved from Streets, Needs a Home

Tabby stray cat with bad eye improving.
Such a sweet face!

Hello cat lovers,

Here is our latest rescue. His name is simply Tabby. Why? Well because he is part of outdoor colony that was fed nightly by resident volunteers in downtown Miami. They noticed his bad eye and took him in to vet for treatment.

Tabby's left eye looks murky

Tabby chillin' in pet carrier on way to vet.
This is no ordinary cat!

This sugar bear has a bad case of conjunctivitis and eye inflammation. The good news- with daily drops it is stabilized.  Therefore he can not return to the streets.

Vet examining bad eye

While many outdoor cats have difficulty adjusting to indoors or would experience great stress at visiting a vet, not this Tabby! Amazingly he is mellow through it all. Enjoying the clean soft blanket, the regular food, the soothing voices and lots of affection.  Oh does he love affection. The videos and photos are proof.

Tabby ready to take a nap waiting for the vet. Why not?

So we are on a mission to find him a home.  Tabby is middle aged about 5-6 years old.  Neutered. Fully vaccinated. He tested positive for FIV, and negative for FeLV.  Parasite-free. Tabby is also excellent with other dogs and cats.

Tabby sleeping soundly on bed of foster guardian.

FIV (Feline Aids) is not a death warrant.  Cats with FIV can live with other cats safely. He has some minor dental issues, but no long term health issues. He needs a proper indoor home to monitor his eye issues and keep him healthy.

Still purring after the vet. Amazing!

This is great pet for adoption. With middle age cats you already know their personality. He's mellow yellow. A "sugar bear" as evident in all the photos and videos. Welcomes sleeping with his guardian. Gets along with everyone and every pet.

A followup visit after one week.
Tabby's eye is looking a lot better.

To meet Tabby please call or text Sabrina at 1-786-554-0084. (Downtown Miami). Let her know you saw this posting on Riverfront Cats website.

If you are not able to adopt Tabby, but would like to help, please share this information with friends via email or social media or word of mouth. Or donations are welcome to cover the vet bill. He still has another follow-up visit, the third vet visit.

Feel free to make a donation of any amount. Our umbrella organization is Pawsitively Humane.

Vet Bill

Click on mobile version of this site to get the right column and click DONATE.


Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of homeless, voiceless cats and our community!

National Feral Cat Day- Share Your Story and Photos!

It's National Feral Cat Day!

We are grateful for this day to raise awareness of the ongoing plight of homeless cats.

Recent past years have witnessed improvements in educating the general public about feral cats:

1. Residents taking an interest in helping cats in their own neighborhood by feeding, trapping, fostering, donating, and sharing information on social media.
2. Launch of several Facebook pages for local communities to network, communicate and work as a team to help cats.
3. Municipalities starting TNR programs and offering low-cost or free spay/neuter.  

In showing neighbors what we do, they respond
"It's like a mini National Geographic! Look at that mini black panther ,"says one child.
Love it when that happens! Education working...

Miami may have a high rate of homeless cats, but we are also on the forefront of addressing solutions to reverse this trend.  It's an ongoing challenge. There are good days and bad days.

Christine confident that sudden disappearance of 4 cat is due to poisoning,
she talks one on one with security guard about Florida law and poisoning of animals.

   Through regular education, communication and involvement, we as a city and country continue to make strides.
 

Christine greets Tabitha with a pet

Tabitha does not wait until Christine finishes serving

Add caption

Incoming...

Romeo smells lunch

Romeo dives into his food bowl.

So be sure to share your stories and photos all across social media of any feral cats you care for outdoors or ones that you helped socialize that now live indoors and bring great joy to your family.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To Rescue a Cat, You Have to be Smart & Creative like a Cat

This injured feral cat with no mobility in hind legs could drag himself with upper body and legs
but here he is losing strength and would not take the bait in the box trap. Time for another solution.

Rescuing an injured cat can pose unique challenges never encountered before. With each rescue we learn new lessons and create or buy tools for the next rescue. To rescue a cat, you have to be smart like a cat and come up with creative spontaneous solutions!

Today I received a call from a friend that his brother found a cat lying in middle of the road unable to move his hind legs. This occurred late night. Then at sunrise the cat had dragged itself to nearby safety, the garden of my friend's apartment complex.  The cat was still alive, breathing, but his hind legs were immobile and twitching intermittently.

Injured feral cat dragged himself to safety during the night.

Fortunately I had purchased a new collapsible drop trap for difficult-to-trap cats.  This orange cat was definitely feral.  Immobile but fierce as his head spun around, fangs glaring, hissing wildly, and front claws ejecting like missiles.  Yes, the drop trap was needed when he showed no signs of taking the bait for the regular drop trap.

Interesting enough, Laurent and I were able to place the drop trap over the cat without a fight. That was easy! But the next part, normally the easy part, proved more difficult.

Normally with a stick we gently provoke the cat to go into the adjoining box trap to transport him. Herein was the problem.  He had no intention of moving.  Perhaps the stress of recent events exhausted him, his energy and will to fight were waning.  We tried to lift the trap and thought perhaps we could push him into box trap. The cat said NO! Fangs, claws, hissing were activated.

A drop trap was placed over this feral cat that could not move his hind legs

I turned to social media in hopes other rescue groups could offer suggestions.  But at 2pm on a weekday, most people were at work and activity was low on Facebook.  Then Laurent came up with a logical solution.  A pole with noose used to control rabid stray dogs might work here. A medical firefighter crew were arriving to help a distressed resident. We asked if they had this noose. They said no and suggested we call Animal Control. So I did but it would take two hours for them to arrive. Two hours is an eternity when an animal is in pain and suffering.  I turned to Laurent and suggested he must have items around his apartment to make one.  As Laurent went inside, I continued to provide updates and answer PMs and comments on Facebook. Word was circulating. But no one had solutions to our dilemma.  Sure enough Laurent returned with a pole, a computer cable, wire hanger, duct tape and pliers.  In less than ten minutes he created the noose.  But would it work?

Homemade contraption- resizeable noose

Old cleaning rod, computer cable, metal hangar and duct tape

Opening the slant end of the box trop, Laurent reached down the trap, into the drop trap and in one attempt gently wrapped the noose around the cat.  His claws clenching to the ground, he did not, could not fight back. Laurent gently tightened the noose enough to slowly drag the cat a few inches into the drop trap. IT WORKED! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Two heads are better than one sexy cat lady's head!

Cat holds onto cage with claws after being dragged into trap.

The cat readily ate the moist Friskies chicken and salmon with gravy. Poor kitty was hungry.

Poor cat was hungry. Notice he doesn't even use his front legs to position his mouth over the can.
His energy and strength are declining.

To learn more about what happened to the cat at the vet, read the continuation by clicking here.

So now my emergency cat lady rescue kit continues to grow.  My next purchase is a fishing net. As I walk around my neighborhood I am discovering other animals that need help. Including ducks. Yes in downtown Miami, the heart of the city, we have a jungle--chickens, hens, roosters, iguanas, raccoon, ducks...A fishing net is definitely useful for catching kittens, and now for birds and ducks. So one of these days I'll drive outside of the city to a sportmans store. I envision Tim the Toolman greeting me at the door.  Field trip!

If you ever get a call or see an injured animal, look around your home for these items so you are fully prepared to help the animal or pet to delay the suffering. The collapsible trap is great for all kinds of animals--cats, kittens, small dogs, birds, ducks, raccoons...

CAT RESCUE SUPPLIES

[Click here to see my video]
Tomahawk collapsible drop trap (purchased on Amazon) - $115
Tomahawk, double handle box trap
Pet carrier, medium size
Fishing net with handle
Wire cutters (for cutting fencing or barbed wire)
Duct tape
Gloves (I have rubber gloves for grip. Thick Playtex kitchen gloves)
Scissors
Pliers
Towels, old ones
Paper towels
Wet wipes
Moist and dry cat food
Paper bowls
Plastic bags (large ones to place under the trap in your car; small ones for trash)
Camera

Feel free to ask questions by leaving a comment below!

*** IMPORTANT ***

 PLEASE KNOW WE DO NOT PROVIDE REGULAR RESCUE SERVICE. 

At Pawsitively Humane/Riverfront Cats we manage and care for a colony of cats. This posting serves to provide education and guidance on how you can help your community. We do not have a facility, only a small group of volunteers to help manage the Riverfront Cats.

 If you need assistance with a stray, feral or injured cat, please search for local groups on Facebook. Many residents form online groups to help one another. Animal control will come out if there is injured or dead animal but most likely the animal will be put to sleep. If you and/or neighbors and concerned residents want to financially contribute to vet costs to determine if injuries are minor or fatal in the event the cat can live, then it's best to jump into action yourself and seek support from neighbors and local residents.

Good Luck!

Mama Cat Goes Missing

by Christine Michaels

Mama Cat in 2011

It's with a heavy heart to share that one of our beloved Riverfront Cats has gone missing now for a month. It can only mean something bad happened, normally. In the past we discovered the cats were injured (run over by vehicle or electrocuted at neighboring Florida Power & Light transformer room-- we stopped feeding near there and moved feeding station) and passed away. Many of you will remember the case of Leroy, the black cat who went missing three or four days, and fought his way back as close to the feeding station. We luckily found him in the dark, nestled in the grass with two badly injured hind legs. One leg was saved. The other was amputated. But! The good news and silver lining is that he adapted to indoors and is now living the good life!

Christine feeding Mama and Romeo (March 2011)

Sabrina (lead volunteer for coordinating the cat feedings) and I have searched high and low. I can't remember the last time I spent so much time crawling on my hands and knees in bushes. As terrified as I am of bugs and insects, I do it for the cats! (Of course I lather or perfume myself in bug and mosquito repellant! It really does work).

Mama is the name of the missing cat. She was named Mama by the first feeders (construction workers before I moved onto the property) because she had a kitten that died. She also has the sweetest face of all the Riverfront Cats. So tender and gentle. And Mama is one of two or three cats we can pet and pick up without much fuss.  I never seen or heard her hiss. Just look at that loving and angelic face. 

 Mama cat was at station 2. She never roamed far like Gabriel. The male cats tend to roam more and further away from home base.  She and Sabrina always stayed in the area.

One silver lining was the cooperation of local county workers.  Station 2 is near the Miami Avenue bridge where construction was undergoing for a year.  The day it reoopened she went missing. Could Mama be stuck inside one of the rooms under the bridge with padlock? So I called the Miami Dade County Bridge office.  It was 4pm. Close to quitting time.  I explained the situation to the receptionist. She was patient and listened intently. In five minutes I received a call back from Manny, the supervisor.  He remembered me from another incident three years ago. He would meet me in 20 minutes. Amazing!  Just maybe...

Manny came out. But he noticed the padlock was not a county lock. It was put by the contractor.  He called another county employee to bring padlock cutter.  In a few minutes he arrived.  Then he called the contractor who was in the area. I had three men out there moving mountains to help me get access to areas where Mama may be lying, perhaps injured...

Contractor for bridge repairs and Manny

Sadly, no sign of Mama.  The silver lining was knowing I could count on Manny and his team to react quickly. He remembered me from three years ago when I tried to lure a friendly black cat that was dumped under the bridge. I wanted to bring him in. He was someone's pet and did not deserve to live outdoors. The "wicked witch" of the bridge tower gave me hard time. That's when I called the office. The Director and Manny came out next day and apologized for tower person's behavior and ensured I had no problems in the future walking the area checking on cats. They've seen many homeless cats throughout Miami and could see the Riverfront Cats were well taken care of. That we have a well organized effort and no new cats. They were appreciative. Wow --what a difference from Metro Rail employees who did not care and removed a $600 custom made gorgeous cat house on property that my condo did have land rights to access! But Manny and his staff were kind and grateful. There are some good people in this world!

Christine with Manny, supervisor for Miami Dade County Bridge

 Mama cat, like the other Riverfront Cats, are approximately the same age, around six years old. She appeared relatively healthy, definitely on chubby side. She loved to eat and was a "home body" staying close to feeding station and caretakers, hence she didn't exercise a lot.

It really is heartbreaking. We get so attached to these community cats, like our own pets. This certainly puts a damper on our Christmas season put we still pray for a miracle.

Mama cat we will never forget you.  May you be happy and safe wherever you are.

Winner of Stray & Feral Cat Fundraiser Prizepack

WE DID IT!! No, wait. YOU DID IT!!!  You helped us and the cats reach our initial goal of raising $700 and even surpassed it. This is terrific news as we have started to trap the cats and discovered some are in bad shape.   Not to worry. The vet can clean them up while they are under anesthesia from spay/neuter surgery and give them shot of antibiotics if necessary.

Muki is not happy. He his not wanted around by other sterilized cats.
Don't worry Muki--we'll take care of you!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.  These are outdoor stray and feral cats so the photos will not always be cute or glamorous shots.  This is reality. But we are making a difference!

And now to announce the winner of the prize pack full of cat goodies...

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURA ZACCARDI

Laura wins this prize pack containing Martha Steward food jar, feeding bowls, a water filter, Furminator, bubbles and two books by award-winning author Deb Barnes.  Enjoy Laura!

Thank you everyone for caring. It really takes a team effort. A little goes a long way.

Riverfront Cats Mentioned in News about TNG

Christine (founder and President of Riverfront Cats) feeding Leroy and Lion King

The subject of homeless cats and how to reverse the burgeoning population and decrease the rate of euthanizing healthy stray cats at animal shelters is gaining traction in Miami! But it also a hot topic. Not because of Miami's prevailing warm weather, but the subject of feral cats and how to address it always raises eyebrows and controversy nationwide. At least there is a growing discussion in our city. 

In Miami, Florida, the city is advancing efforts to overcome the plight of homeless cats.  In a new measure called TNG, (Yes that is letter "G" like giraffe) a program was launched where the county-run animal services is aiding efforts by residents with the sterilization (spay/neuter) of community cats in areas surrounding their home or work and returning the cats to their neighborhoods.

Recently an article was published in the Miami Herald that discusses some of the controversy surrounding the TNG program.  As established bloggers and educators on community cats, we anticipated the negative reaction by organizations such as the Tropical Audubon Society and other bird groups.  This is the usual cat vs. bird debate. 

Sure it's natural instinct for cats to chase birds.  But do they really kill millions of birds? In our expert opinion, no.  Our organization promotes TNRM--Trap-Neuter-Return-MANAGE.  The "M" is critical as managing the cats is similar to having outdoor pet cats where they are monitored and cared for daily.  We know the Riverfront Cats do not destroy property, or create noise disturbance by fighting or yowling, etc. In our observations, the cats are not chasing or hunting birds.  Perhaps because they are well fed.  If they show signs of sluggishness or illness, the cats are also taken to a veterinarian. 

Riverfront Cats was mentioned in this news article speaking to this issue as shown in the video below. The video is ten minutes long and demonstrates that managed cats are happy, healthy, do not create disturbance, and city officials and residents are thankful for our efforts. We are making a difference


Unfortunately our government-run health programs (Ie. Health Department of State of Florida) is often outdated and bird groups rely on antiquated and faulty science in their arguments opposing TNR and TNG. 

We turned to Peter Wolf, Cat Initiatives Analyst for Best Friend Animal Society, and founder/blogger for www.voxfelina.com  for his commentary:
  

Something you rarely hear from opponents of “community cat programs” is that no community has ever killed its way out of the “feral cat problem.” Lethal methods have been tried for generations—and have proven costly and ineffective. Not to mention publicly unpalatable. Rather than focusing their efforts on solutions, opponents tend to use scaremongering and pseudoscience to promote their agenda. Claims about the risks free-roaming cats pose to wildlife are often grossly exaggerated, or taken completely out of context. The same is true of many claims concerning the health risks these cats pose to other cats and to humans—lots of hype, but little basis in fact. What’s being done in Miami-Dade County is being done elsewhere, too. There’s a real momentum behind “return-to-field” programs—and for obvious reasons: the public is simply fed up with funding costly, ineffective lethal roundups.

We encourage readers to follow Peter on his blog www.voxfelina.com for important analysis and updates on the growing science behind TNR and other cat initiatives.  As an educated community and society, we believe this will only contribute to more discussion and solutions for all cats!

Lion King--caring for a sick community feral cat

Lion King January 2012, at his regular weight

 It's been four years now since we started managing and caring for the Riverfront Cats. In total there are now 19 cats. Most of them were born before we moved into these new condos, fed by construction workers during the building boom and then bust of 2007, 2008 in downtown Miami. The Riverfront Cats are at least four years old or older.  Throughout these years the cats have appeared relatively healthy.

Some of the cats are feral, semi-feral and friendly.  So what happens when a feral cat gets sick? How do we capture them? Is our vet trained to exam a feral cat? Does it  make sense to spend hundreds of dollars on a sick feral cat? We knew the day would come when we would have to ask these weighted questions and make difficult life and death decisions. That day was last week.

Some of you may remember Lion King. He was one of the three cats that Christine first trapped when learning about TNR in 2009. This semi-feral cat was losing weight during the winter when most of the outdoor cats gain weight. Red Flag #1.  Then Christine noticed drooling.  Red Flag #2. You see semi-feral cats do not normally drool. Christine knew this was most likely stomatitis or a form of dental disease. She had treated a sick cat in South Beach with the same symptoms. She knew to observe Lion King while he was eating. Sure enough, in just letting the moist food touch his mouth, Lion King flinched and the gob of moist food fell out of his mouth and missed the ceramic bowl (yes our neighborhood cats get treated like true pets in sanitary, clean bowls). This happened repeatedly for weeks. It was so painful that Lion King could not eat. He was literally starving to death and his body was shrinking and shriveling. He was a dull blonde sack of skin and bones.  We knew it was time to make plans to capture and treat him.

Christine in her cat costume (in celebration of Feral Cat Day in October 2012 )
feeding Lion King and Chaz Leroy

More questions swirled. Would Lion King stop trusting the volunteer who captured him and took him to unknown environment with a room full of strangers, the vet clinic? If  regular pets dreaded the vet clinic would this fear be exponential for a feral cat? Would Lion King stop trusting all the volunteers? Would he even appear at feeding time? What if he needed daily medicine administered in his food? In the meantime, he was deteriorating. It was time to stop wondering and stop the pain.

The task began of capturing Lion King. Both Sabrina and Christine, on separate occasions, attempted to carefully place him in the carrier (he only allows us to touch him at feeding station, hence why he's "semi-feral") but Lion King scuffled and ran off only to return seconds later for more petting. That alone was unexpected and a joyous moment. He was semi-feral, but he loved and trusted us. After six attempts of grab-push-scuffle, we abandoned the gentle approach. You know the saying "it takes a village". Thankfully our friends at neighboring Florida Power & Light yard would keep an eye on Chaz Leroy and Lion King. (The piles of lumber and concrete blocks are a playground for the cats). They too noticed Lion King's deterioration. True cat men and animal lovers, Chistine received the call last Wednesday that Richard caught Lion King.  Finally! She then rushed him to the vet. Lion King would have to be sedated in order to examine him. Did the vet know how to handle a feral cat to sedate him? We always wondered if all vets were trained in handling feral cats. "Yes we do this all the time with unfriendly cats".  But they sent Christine home to wait. Before heading out the door,  there was the matter of the the estimate $370-$580. Ouch.

First, the examination. The good  news. No tumors were visible. The drooling was blood and puss from an infected tooth and gums. A tooth extraction was the answer. Next a blood test. The vet called to announce that Lion King tested positive for FIV, feline Aids, transmissible to other cats. The first decision "Do you want to consider euthanization since he could  infect other cats"?  It was a loaded question that we never anticipated. What was the correct answer? There is no right or wrong answer.  Only the caretaker can assess all the variables and reach one decision. The ultimate goal is that the cat not suffer. Sometimes euthanasia is the only humane solution.

The volunteers conferred. Lion King roamed the west side of the building and was in contact with three other cats.  We knew they didn't fight. Chaz Leroy was also his best buddy. They loved each other. Secondly, if Lion King didn't have cancer or if an injection now could replace daily doses of medicine, and if volunteers could collectively pay the bill until fundraising efforts were launched, the decision was easy--continue with the treatment.  No euthanasia.

Lion King waking up after sedation/tooth extraction

Per the vets instructions, Lion King recuperated indoors overnight (inside the carrier) and was released outdoors (his home) the following day. His dilated sleepy eyes perked up when he heard familiar noises of the outdoors--the sweaky gears of the door from the parking garage, the rustling of dried leaves from winter dryness...  We opened the carrier door and crouching, he slunk way. Would he return at sunset for dinner? Would he ever allow us, the once trusted caretakers, to feed him let alone pet him? We would wait an eternal six hours until sunset.

LESSONS LEARNED

This experience has provided deeper insight about the behavior of feral cats. No two cats are alike and even semi-feral cats have distinct personalities, habits and gestures and will trust caretakers. More importantly, this story demonstrates that caring for a colony is the same as caring for outdoor pets. Feeders of feral cats need to consider the responsibility of taking sick cats to the vet and the associated costs. This is why we encourage feeders to learn the proper way to trap cats and to educate neighbors and residents about the plight of homeless cats to seek support and teamwork so one person does not carry the burden. That's how Riverfront Cats started. Christine jumped into action, learned about TNR and TNRM and immediately created flyers to pass out to neighbors. She also hands out flyers with updates.

So if you are wondering what was the total bill well...Lion King also received dental cleaning and tartar removal to prevent further infection. The vet did recommend to bring him once a year for dental cleaning given that his immune system is weakened and can not fight infections. To treat his dehydration and lack of nutrients, he was given electrolytes and fluids through an IV. All this along with anesthesia, an injection of antibiotics, totaled $575.80. With our nonprofit discount, it was reduced to $480 (click here to view the full bill).

HOW YOU CAN HELP

*** We are NOT asking for money ***

There's an easy way!!!

If you follow a charity, you probably receive a regular stream of letters and emails asking for financial donations presented with poignant stories like Lion King. We know you care and want to help but like most people, there are budgets and limits.  We have a better idea! CLICK HERE.

 Donation are always welcome. Simply click on the DONATE NOW button to the right.

The Death of Common Sense and Cats

Guest post by Lorena Parapova In reading and following the Loews Hotel disaster surrounding the outdoor cats that lived peacefully on expansive lush landscaped hotel grounds, I am beyond shocked that a major hotel chain with a brand slogan "Loews Loves Pets" would make a rash, senseless decision without expert advice. Where was common sense?    If Loews Hotels has clearly mandated no cats on the property, then we know there will always be cats for various reasons. Let's review those reasons. 1. The Vacuum Effect. It's already happening. Unsterilized cats have already moved in. we know this from the trapping by Critter Control of three intact cats as documented on www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats. I just received the update today that security guards at Loews Hotels are seeing many more new cats on the property. We told you so. 2. The very close proximity of residential neighborhoods to the Loews properties.  Some outdoor cats roam well beyond the perimeters of their home.  What happens when Loews traps someone's outdoor pet cat? 3. Loews may think by stopping the feeding piles the cats will go away. The fact is it's human nature to feed a starving animal. There will ALWAYS be someone leaving food, whether it's an employee or hotel guest, it will happen. Realistically you can't put cameras in every nook and cranny of a property that size. Therefore, Loews Hotels will essentially be committing additional funds to trap and send cats to their death for eternity.  A service that was provided for free to Loews for stabilizing the cat population, Loews Hotels is going to significant lengths and money to eliminate cats. Congratulations Loews--you just walked into your own trap! You are killing cats and your brand!    Loews Hotels-- Orlando's official cat killers.   With the same amount of time and money and energy, Loews Hotels could have easily started a cat sanctuary right there on property! Where? Well if Loews is providing hotel rooms for the trappers, those hotel rooms could be joined and converted into an indoor sanctuary! Ok so instead of two hotel rooms make it three rooms to give them a little leg room. It's a five star hotel, give them some space. Or with the backing of a billion dollar holding company that deals with insurance, and oil rigs, pipeline transport and Mr. Tisch is co-owner of NY giants, certainly they could spare a million dollars a year to run a high occupancy cat sanctuary like the model one in Brazil or Naples, Florida. Hotels, Insurance, Oil Rigs, Cat Killers So I have to wonder if the Chairman, Mr. Tisch, and CEO, Paul Whetsell even know the details and exactly what's transpiring, other than their secretaries sending template responses "that forward your concerns to the Orlando team"?  That's the problem, the Orlando team has not responded.  Oh and did you see our Tweet appear on the megatron in Times Square? I was just thinking? Who's the CMO? Loews Hotels is taking a huge risk with their brand.  No one at Loews Hotels has ever answered the following critical questions. How will Loews know if they trapped someone's pet cat? There's greater risk of domesticated dogs attacking another dog and hotel guests, it's happened many times, so why do they allow pets? What about the ducks!? There's greater risk of getting bitten by the ducks if you get close to them.  There's greater risk of someone slipping and falling while getting out of the shower. Mr. Tisch should know, he's founder of the holding company that specializes in insurance. Animal lovers are a growing population in this country. We are not going to forget or let this go. LOEWS CATS WERE LIKE BARNYARD PET CATS CARE Feline is a small nonprofit organization and cannot bail out  future cats trapped by Loews Hotels. That's why TNRM works! It controlled the population without overcrowding the shelters and sending cats to their death. (God bless Carol and Alejandra and other nameless CARE volunteers for your angelic efforts). The current Loews Hotel cats were like outdoor pets. You don't have to snuggle with a cat to be considered a pet. They have a name, a story, they knew the caretakers. The cats knew they were loved, until Loews Hotel betrayed them, ripped them from their home and made them suffer...oh my gosh, I still can't get over the number of injuries and the trauma they went through and still endure. While many have been relocated to new homes, they are still in the oversized cages. We can only pray when the day comes to open the cages and release them to the backyard that they will stay and not run away encountering...I shudder at the thought. Speaking of which, Bernie and Matrix have been released over a week ago and have not been seen. This is why rescue groups do not offer relocation as viable option. Sadly, instead of admitting their mistake and correcting it, Loews Hotel is quietly going forward. Critter Control is now wearing regular clothes instead of uniforms and driving Loews trucks.  But the cats that remain still face a horrible, painful future called trapping and relocation. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Seriously folks. There's so much more we can do and must do! Write your letters to the new CEO Paul Whetsell.  Also, pick up the phone and call him. OK--you'll never get to speak to him directly but ask for him. And then give the assistant an earful! Be polite but have your concerns and questions ready, memorized, heartfelt...Leave your name and phone number or address. Loews Hotels Corporate Head Office 667 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 521-2000 And Please sign the latest petition !!! http://www.change.org/petitions/loews-hotels-stop-trapping-harmless-cats-sending-to-kill-shelter

Why Won't Loews Hotel Tell the Truth?

A concerned person wrote to the Loews Hotels and received this response. It offers no new information and Loews still has not answered critical questions to this day.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you for your recent letters explaining your position on the TNR program. While TNR may be successful in other locations, it was not successful in eliminating our prime issue of feral cats interacting with guests and entering guest areas. The attempt to conduct this pilot program was not successful and thus, was suspended. FACT: Experts that visited the site will tell you the program worked for a number of reasons including the expansive grounds of the hotel where cats were never seen. Also former employees and past and current feeders of the Loews cats, are not aware of any regular interaction of the outdoor Loews cats with guests that occurred  unless guests went looking for the cats. These are employees who spent time in caring for the cats. And if the cats were getting close to guest areas, the feeding areas could have been moved further away. This is an easy remedy.  There have been several incidents in the hotel's history of domesticated pet dogs attacking other dogs or guests. Why didn't Loews end the pet program? *

We attempted to work directly with the local feral cat organization, and most recently with Alley Cat Allies, to re-locate the cats from our property. Unfortunately, they felt they could not support this change and would not assist in the process. Orange County Animal Services advised that their standard protocol is to turn ear-tipped cats that are brought into their shelter to the local feral cat group, for placement elsewhere. We chose this option. FACT: These organizations can not support relocation--a process that is clearly traumatizing to the cats with little success rates. In addition the methods of Critter Control have been inhumane.  It's all documented on www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats.  The outdoor cats were like barnyard pet cats in many ways. They knew their names, they had a story, they were familiar with caretakers. Loews Hotels accepts domesticated dogs without checking medical records including vaccinations. So why discriminate against harmless, vaccinated cats?

Much of what I read in your letter is not based upon the realities of our situation. We are re-locating feral cats to the Orange County Animal Services Center and are working closely with the team there. Everything is being handled by licensed professionals. Orange County Animal Services has come on-site for a detailed review of everything we are doing and advised us that they had no concerns with our process. FACT: The animal shelter is aware that Loews has decided to trap their cats, but that is extent of the relationship. Loews is not doing the trapping. Loews is not delivering the cats to OCAS. Loews hired Critter Control  to trap the cats and they are supposedly dropping off trapped cats at OCAS. Who is monitoring Critter Control?  No one. Loews  is not paying for the relocation efforts.  Loews is not paying for the vet bills for injured cats. There are several cats unaccounted for.  Where are they Loews? Where are they Critter Control?


As I am sure you are aware, there are many who support positions contrary to TNR. Our hotels are pet-friendly, but there are important distinctions between owned pets and outdoor, free-roaming feral animals. The Florida Department of Health's position statement on this issue is clear and supports the concern we have for the health and safety of guests and team members. FACT: There is a distinction. The fact is domesticated "owned" dogs brought on property pose greater risk than do outdoor, managed, rabies-vaccinated cats.* Outdoor cats are naturally scared of strangers and run away as one approaches them. Loews knows this. There are documented incidents of dog attacks but  Loews does not share this with the public.  Loews does not check for medical and vaccination records of hotel pet guests. Loews does not call the veterinarian of hotel pet guest to verify if the records are updated and legitimate. The Loews outdoor cats were sterilized and rabies vaccinated.  There is greater risk of hotel guest slipping in bathtub or anywhere on the hotel grounds. Loews has hotel guests with a  pet sign a waver. Why not have everyone sign a waver recognizing that indoor and outdoor pets exist on property including ducks?

Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando
Who is "I" mentioned in the letter?

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We are not giving up!  We encourage supporters of the Loews cats to please take a moment to pick up the telephone and ask to speak to Paul Whetsell, the new CEO. You will probably never speak to him but do speak with his executive assistant.  Be prepared to share your concerns with bullet points and questions. Please be polite. If you get voice mail, just leave your name and number. If you don't hear back, keep trying.
   

Corporate Office (Loews Hotels)

667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065-8087
(212) 521 2000
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For MEDIA INQUIRIES "Save Loews Cats"
Contact Alicia Grecco
786-205-6165

*At Riverfront Cats we support pet-friendly hotels. However we can no longer support Loews Hotels. As stated repeatedly throughout these posts, there have been incidents of pet dogs attacking other dogs and guests at Loews hotels. We agree the hotel should not abandon their pet -friendly program  because these "accidents" or tragedies (as in January 2012) are rare. However, the elimination of the Loews outdoor cats goes against their brand and increasing science that TNRM works.  Unfortunately the Health Department of Florida is outdated. They have taken an old statement  and added today's date. The Health Department has not provided any science that TNRM of feral cats poses a health risk to the community.

SAVES LOEWS HOTEL CATS

Riverfront Cats was tracking the progress of the successful TNRM program at Loews Orlando Hotels. Upon concluding  her case study, Christine sadly learned in December 2011, of Loews' decision  to eliminate all the cats on the property.  Many blog posts, articles and events have occurred. To help you track this case chronologically we list the relevant links from the beginning.  The most recent postings are at the bottom.

For Media Inquiries
Please contact
Alicia Grecco
alicia.grecco@yahoo.com

Loews Loathes Pets?
This is the first posting sounding the alarm about Loews hotels' sudden reversal to eliminate harmless, healthy, outdoor cats. The posting provides a complete background of the inception of TNRM and photos of the cats and their beautiful Italian-theme cat feeding mansions.  http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/01/loews-loathes-pets.html

Loews Abandons Successful TNRM program
In sounding the alarm, Christine reached out to fellow cat bloggers and the media across the nation. When cat and animal lovers learned that a mother and her kittens were already trapped (from the Hard Rock Hotel) and later euthanized at the shelter, bloggers unleashed their fury. The USA Today also picked up the story. Loews, in feeling the pressure, stopped trapping but then announced they would relocate the cats. This we know is traumatic for the cats. Recognizing that the general public was unaware of the plight of outdoor community cats, we provided various links where cat educators could leave comments that denounced Loews' new decision.  Educating the average person (even though they may own cats) is key to saving these harmless cats. http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/01/loews-hates-pet-cats-more-links-to.html

Mainstreaming of Feral Cats
In a joint effort to kickoff an education campaign due to the Loews Hotels cats cause, author, Deb Barnes, of Zee and Zoey Chronicles, interviewed Christine Michaels about the misconceptions of feral cats and why TNRM works. Video 1 explains the Loews Orlando Hotel situation. Video 2 follows Christine as she feeds the Riverfront cats, some once feral, are now friendly. But all the cats are apparently happy and healthy and welcome Christine's visit. http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/01/mainstreaming-of-feral-cat.html

Urgent Update: Loews Orlando Hotels Resume Trapping
Riverfront Cats received a tip that Loews had hired a wildlife exterminator (Critter Control) to trap the cats and drop them off at local animal shelter. We were ready and one informant was on property to verify that Critter Control was at the Loews Orlando Hotels setting traps. Loews buried the announcement in a separate section of their Facebook page.  http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/03/urgent-update-loews-orlando-hotels.html

The Official Press Release by Save Loews Cats organizers summarizing events and the inhumane trapping by Critter Control. The photos speak volumes.
http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/04/loews-orlando-hotels-begin-inhumane.html

The Protest against Loews Orlando Universal Hotels --an account of a compassionate (not crazy) cat lady's adventure. http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/04/protest-against-loews-universal-orlando.html

On Earth Day, Christine is reminded of the sad plight of the Loews Hotel cats. She recalls the artwork throughout the Loews Portofino that features upscale residents with an outdoor cat.
http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/04/earth-day-harsh-reminder-irony-in-loews.html

Why Won't Loews Hotel Tell the Truth?  
Loews Hotels responded to some letters with another template response with more falsehoods and blanket statements. http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/05/more-lies-from-loews-hotels.html

The Death of Common Sense and Cats
A concerned supporter points out the holes in Loews Hotel's logic to rid of cats. It will only lead to more senseless killing. http://www.riverfrontcats.com/2012/05/death-of-common-sense-and-cats.html


Follow more detailed weekly activity, follow us on www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats
Thanks to the tremendous coordination by Care Feline TNR and kind-hearted residents, most cats have been relocated. We pray for their safe release.

Note: By purchasing your pet's subscriptions through the link in upper right corner, Riverfront Cats receives a donation of 10% of  your purchase.

About Us

Hello animal lovers!  [click here for Spanish version]

We are pet educators and nonprofit organization specializing in cats.  Our goal is to raise awareness and REVERSE  the plight of homeless cats by overturning misconceptions surrounding cats in general, black cats, stray and feral cats through education and leading by example through our nonprofit organization. Our two main functions are:

1. Education about all cats (indoor, outdoor, pet cats, stray and feral cats)
2. Rescue and adoption (as a small nonprofit, we can only accept a very limited number of kittens and cats)

We also lead  by example in caring for our neighborhood cats through a proven method--TNRM (Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage). These are innocent creatures who did not ask to be homeless, but they deserve to live humanely. We are always in need of local residents to help feed the cats or donate cat food or money.  Please consider helping.

HOW CAN ANYONE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Please register for automatic email updates (check right hand column). It's a great way to stay informed, share information that can save countless lives. It's free and we don't share your email and we promise we don't scratch or bite--Meow.

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit under the umbrella of Pawsitively Humane, Inc.
www.pawsitivelyhumane.org

There's so much to learn that we encourage you to take some time to review this website for helpful information.