Helping our Neighbors in Little Havana

Elegance on the sidewalk of Little Havana

While we continue to care for our Riverfront Cats, we have our eyes and ears open for cases nearby where we can make a difference. Right next door to downtown Miami is Little Havana. 

This humble neighborhood is home not only to Cuban and Central American families, but also home to scores of stray roosters, chickens, and cats. Believe it or not they coexist! Why? Well because they are all fed daily by a local volunteer. With a regular food source, the cats have no desire to chase the chickens like prey. If anything, the roosters attack the cats! Truly! Why? Well because the roosters prefer cat food to rice and grains. haha!

Christine works in the area and meets a local woman, named Tamara, who feeds not only the cats and chickens and roosters but also the pigeons and squirrels daily. Tamara is their guardian angel. 

Tamara pets Angel (May 2019), a very sweet but sick stray kitty

Sadly this incredibly sweet kitty passed away in 2020

Free roaming hen and chick on Cuban Memorial Blvd

As informed residents we know the sad reality of what may happen. One day Tamara shared some sad stories of a local resident poisoning the cats. Christine explained the importance of having the cats spayed and neutered to stop reproducing and therefore stop the suffering. 

FACT: Half of all stray kittens suffer and die before age 8 weeks

Tamara, like many local residents, has little to no income for these extra costs. So we sounded the alarm for volunteers to trap the cats and take them to an animal clinic for spaying and neutering, especially the kittens once they were old enough. 

(Left) male cat or Tom cat    (Right) female cat -her name is Leslie

Feeding so many (over 20+) is another big cost.  So, we readily donated bags of food and cans of high-quality cat food and kitten food.  

Kitty smells cat food in blue bag donated by our nonprofit organization

We want to continue to help Tamara with this major feat. She is the only person who feeds the 20+ cats and 50+ roosters/chickens and baby chicks, spanning several blocks. She currently is unemployed.  

It really takes a village, everyone contributing what they can: cat food, time to feed, fundraising, taking cats to vet clinic...

Please consider making a donation to help provide food and spay/neutering for these sweet cats. Any amount is appreciated whether it's $5, $25, $50, $500.

Click on DONATE button on right column. If viewing from a cell phone, please switch to website view.

Or you can send funds via PayPal to info@pawsitivelyhumane.org. 

We are a 501c3 organization for tax purposes. 

ARE THESE CATS ADOPTABLE?

While we do not know the entire history of these cats, most have lived outdoors. Some may not adapt to living indoors right away and some may prefer an indoor/outdoor access. If you think you would like to adopt one of these cats we could try on a trial basis. Our team will offer guidance on what to do and what to expect or not expect.  Anyone interested in adopting or fostering must fill out an application and show driver's license. A home check (we visit your home) will be conducted to ensure you home is "cat safe" much like baby-proofing your home. 

If you would like to foster or adopt a cat, please contact us at riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

THANK YOU for the nomination!

Receiving good news is always welcoming in a world of routine and where bad news often outweighs the good.  But recently I was contacted for being selected as a nominee for a social media award for my work in raising awareness and funding for a very special cat--Rogér, the Miami Le Chat Noir.  

Christine holds Johnny Walker, black spokescat for Riverfront Cats

We often hear from actors the honor of just being nominated. Well it's true.  I am beyond ecstatic. My fellow nominees are outstanding bloggers and organizations that are making a difference in reversing the trend of homeless pets. While I have no expectations of winning, my excitement is through the roof. This nomination is the moral support that fuels our motivation when facing numerous challenges. In the world of homeless pets we face many obstacles--limited funding, closed minds, low awareness, etc.. The nomination means that you noticed, and you care! It's everyday folks like you that nominated us, that lights the dark tunnel. It keep us going!

 I've said it many times and I don't apologize for repeating it again. This is the hardest work I have ever done--shedding lots of sweat and sometimes tears (thankfully I haven't lost any blood--I know how to handle feral cats!) with no pay, but it has been the most rewarding experience of my life!

In Miami Dade County a dent is made in the past two years by small nonprofits such as ours (Pawsitively Humane,Inc/ Riverfront Cats) in cooperation with the Miami Dade Animal Services and other nonprofit organizations. Teamwork, synergy is powerful!

There is much more work to do. But we desperately need VOLUNTEERS!  Whether you can temporarily foster a dog or cat, or have a flair for social media, or work a fundraising event, we need you!  It's not a huge time commitment. 

Yes, I will be attending the BlogPaws conference and award ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee this May. The awards ceremony is live stream.  Follow us on social media for details.

www.facebook.com/RiverfrontCats
Twitter: @RiverfrontCats
Instagram: @riverfrontcats

 

"Every woman needs a little black cat" ~  quote by Christine Michaels

Rogér, the Miami Le Chat Noir - Part One
Rogér, Update
Rogér is Ready for Adoption!

Update on Our Very Ill Queenie

Our sweet but very ill Queenie is still on multiple medications and Hills Prescription G/I canned food to help her get well. The good news is she is eating and she is able to hold down her food. However, the vet is recommending an Ultrasound ($390) to help diagnose the issue. It might be a partial obstruction or another cause. Until the ultrasound is not done there is no way to know what is causing her illness.

Queenie is hanging in there, being the fighter she is. Check her new pictures below

"Will I get better soon?"

"I know I look a mess;  I want to live. Will you help me get better? "

"I just want to go back being the healthy Kittie I was"

Here is a short video of Queenie:

 

She still has life ahead of her to enjoy the new comforts that her foster home brings - a warm soft bed, fresh, clean water and nutritious food every day. For this reason, we are asking our animal-loving friends to donate ANY amount - large or small, everything helps - so we can give Queenie an Ultrasound as quickly as possible and post updates on her progress.

WAYS TO DONATE:
1. Donate online with major credit card or PayPal using the Paypal DONATE button to the right.
2. Mail a check to Pawsitively Humane or Riverfront Cats (contact us for address riverfrontcats@yahoo.com.