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.

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

Dasher Got Adopted!

Day 5: Dasher loves his new cat daddy Jason

Great news! Dasher, our Christmas kitten,  was adopted two weeks ago and adjusted rather quickly. In just two days he was meeting and getting along with resident tuxedo cat, Sam.  Dasher also loves his new daddy. It's an all boys club in this household and no fighting. Just respect and all around love.  Another happy ending.

Day 1: Under the bed, naturally

Day 3: Dasher joins the MAN club--sitting next to his new daddy and the remote control!

Day 4: Dasher becomes friends with resident cat, Sam

Day 6: Dasher and Sam napping together

 

Day 7: Dasher and Sam, best buddies forever

We love these happy endings. It fuels our spirit, keeps us motivated to continue helping these helpless creatures who are grateful for shelter, food, warmth and love.

Feral & Stray Cat Fundraiser & Prize Giveaway!

Sinbad, licking his lips after yummy dinner.
He may live outdoors but he's well taken care of by dedicated volunteers.

The most important day of the year is here- National FERAL Cat Day!!
(October 16, 2015).

In the past we had fun dressing in costume, and making hilarious music videos all in an effort to raise awareness about the most misunderstood cat--the community, feral cat.

 But this year it's a serious matter.  With kitten season over and the burgeoning of homeless cats, we uncovered other colonies.  In a recent challenge to rescue kittens from several old homes to be demolished to make way for shiny skyscrapers in the heart of downtown Miami, we discovered an established colony of cats.  Some quite old with injuries and illness, other cats were teenagers or younger.

At first we counted 10, then 20, 30..."Houston we have a problem in Miami".  It's time to get in the trenches and fight this battle.  Time to TNR and build new shelters!

But we need funding to spay/neuter 30+ cats and treat any cats for injuries and/or illness--mange, cuts, infections... We also ensure that during construction, the cats are safe and accounted for every evening at feeding time.  Construction sites are dangerous for kittens. We've encountered too many horrific accidents. But it's nearly impossible to relocate feral cats. It's best for them to stay in the neighborhood to minimize danger and injury.  We build shelters and place them nearby (if possible) so mama cats have a safe place to receive food for kittens when volunteers come around.

No cat should suffer, even community, stray and feral cats!

Artemis thrives in the outdoors but she has mange.
It can be treated with your help.
She also needs to get spayed.

 So it's that time again to raise funds and we have not asked for monies since last year--that's a very long time!!! We need to raise at least $700.  For some human cat nip, we are giving away a Cat Prize Pack worth over $200!  For every donation, you will automatically be entered in our drawing to win this prize package for you and your cats!

Prize Pack (Cat not included)

Cat Prize Pack- Valued $220

Martha Stewart cat food jar and matching feeding bowls
Drinkwell water filter
Bubbles
Litter Scooper
Furminator for long hair cat
Book- The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey
Book - Purr Prints of the Heart

One of several house scheduled for demolition

Christine feeds one of the colony cats in downtown Miami

Truck for wrecking crew

First house demolished

Rescued from empty home scheduled for demolition

Scared kittens, rescued from demolition

Christine pets Tabitha, a friendly stray.

No Amount is too SMALL! 

Please use the widget on right column or click on DONATE NOW button.  Contest open to anyone on Planet Earth! Be sure to leave an email address to be entered into the drawing. Contest ends on Wednesday, Oct 28 at 11pm PST. Winner will be selected October 31. Winner will have 48 hours to confirm otherwise another winner will be selected. 

Thank you for caring! Thank you for making a difference for the most misunderstood cats!

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
 

Rogér is Ready to be Your Valentine!

Ladies, Cat lovers, BLACK cat lovers...we have wonderful news about Rogér, the Miami Le Chat Noir.

After unsurmountable odds, Rogér, the injured black cat with dislocated jaw and slashed throat has made a nine- lives come back. He overcame his initial physical injuries only to go into shock and become diabetic. Frail, weak, it was touch and go. But with regular TLC and vet care and monitoring, Rogér has fought his way back and shockingly warmed up to humans, the first time in his cat life.

"What? I can really have a real home? Indoors?"

Rogér's weight is now up to a healthy 12 pounds! Each glucose test is better than the last and he is gaining confidence and now expects individual attention and TLC. He would make a great companion for someone who enjoys comforts of home and quality time with pets.  While he does well with other cats, Rogér will need to continue his special diet. He should do well in a friendly dog household too. 

"Everyday would be Valentine's Day if you choose me"

Rogér grew accustomed to the attention at the vet, along with the poking and prodding. A no fuss cat! So smart he recognized he would be rewarded with adulation after all the testing and needles. He continues to amaze us.

Make this your special Valentine story, and that for Rogér.  That bond and unconditional love that only exists between human and pet.

If you are in the SOUTH FLORIDA area, interested in meeting Roger, please contact Karen Payne at 305-205-4646 or via email at Karen Payne karen90new@gmail.com.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!