We Are Now Proud Members of Good Search

 Riverfront Cats is a now a proud member of GoodSearch.com, a company that helps non-profits like ours raise funds through the everyday actions of our supporters. Every time you use a GoodSearch service, they donate approximately half of the revenue they make to the non-profit you’ve designated. Here is a short video on how it works: http://www.goodsearch.com/getstarted.aspx?viewType=RV

Here is how you can help:

Go to www.goodsearch.com and register by clicking the "get started" button. While you're filling out your information, it will ask you to select a cause, here you type "Riverfront Cats" and select it.

1. Use GoodSearch.com when you search the internet – they will donate a penny to us every time you do

2. Use GoodShop.com when you shop online – they work with more than 2,500 major brands, have over 100,000 coupons and donate a percentage of every purchase you make to us.

3. Enroll in the GoodDining.com program - they will donate up to 6% of every dollar you spend when you eat at one of 10,000 participating restaurants

We’d like to begin building our presence on GoodSearch.com. Please join our community on GoodSearch.com and help us raise money for our mission.

For Adoption: Ninji

Just look at those green eyes and satin sheen!

Here is our latest black cat rescue. Meet Ninji! He's an all black kitty except for the white spot on his chest.

Ninji was discovered by a customer at a gas station in West Miami. This little guy walked up to Frank and stood on his hind legs and pleaded with his front paws to pick him up and feed him and save him.

Frank looked around and noticed other young cats. Upon inquiring, he learned that the cats belonged to a local resident, an elderly lady. Sadly the daughter sent the mother away to a nursing home and dumped the cats outdoors.  The cruelty...we are continuously shocked and heartbroken. But, Frank contacted us and we picked up Ninji. Thankfully we had room for one more.

Ninji is long and lean and weighed 7 pounds in his first visit to the vet.  At first he only wanted to nestle on your lap and nowhere else.  It was obvious that his prior owner provided him much tender loving care.  Sequestered from the other cats, we slowly introduced him to the gang.

Ninji first vet visit (July 2013)

nestling in bathroom sink

Soon Ninji emerged from his shell and demonstrated his agility, athleticism and acrobatics.  This combined with his endless energy, sleek body and satin sheen earned him the name Ninji.

Ninji will most likely retain a boyish face from his small round head and lean body.  After a couple of months he now weighs a healthy 9 pounds.

Ninji just received his second round of vaccinations and is neutered and got a clean bill of health! He's ready to go to his new home. Click here to review all his vet records (Donations welcome to cover the $200 vet bill--simply click on the "Donate" button to the right).

MORE ABOUT NINJI
With his high energy levels, it would be ideal for Ninji to have younger kitten as a playmate or guardian that actively tosses around his favorite toys--he loves to chase and fetch the fabric mice.

And he's a talker! Ninji makes different sounds when he's playing, prowling, and celebrating meal time.  There's the chirp, the mew (yes mew not meow), and the howl.  You'll learn cat language before you know it!

ADOPTION GIFT BASKET
For anyone who adopts Ninji, you will receive a black carrier, and a "Welcome Kitty Gift Basket" including a pet carrier, food bowl, toys, the delightful book The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey autographed by cat author Deb Barnes, and a bottle of Coppola Wine. Christopher Coppola and his black cat Otto are the famous guardian/cat duo and were celebrity guests at the Black Cat Gala in Miami. Christopher and Otto have generously donated the bottle of wine for anyone who adopts a black cat from Riverfront Cats!

If you are interested in meeting Ninji, please contact us via email at riverfrontcats@yahoo.com

So are you ready to Kung Fu with your new best friend?

Finding a Home for a Rescued Cat or Kitten

 

"With my gray and white fur, I can match any color or decor!"

We receive daily emails and calls inquiring if we could take in a kitten or cat or two or more.  The stories surrounding the situation vary. Often the caller has found a mother and litter of kittens or just the kittens. Or an owner has to give up their pet for a number of reasons (valid or irresponsible). More often we hear of scenarios where an elderly person has to move to a nursing home or has passed away. Sadly, no definite plans were made for the continued care of their pets.  The fact that you clicked on this tab and are taking the time to read this post shows you care! Thank you.

Most nonprofits like Riverfront Cats/Pawsitively Humane, Inc. can NOT take them in, not on a daily basis. Why? As a no-kill shelter we are all limited in space and funds.  We have to find homes for our current rescue cats (and dogs) before accepting new ones. Plus, there are half a million homeless pets in South Florida.  There are just not enough shelters to take them in and homes to readily adopt them. It takes time to find homes. But there is hope--in you! Yes you. Individual contributions make a difference.  It requires work but this will ensure your rescue kitty has a chance to live in a permanent home and off the streets. Only as a last resort should you take the cat to a county or city shelter.

PROVEN TECHNIQUES to FIND A HOME FOR A KITTEN or CAT

In this post we offer proven techniques to help you find a home for a kitten or cat. 

1. Ideally, it's best to take the kitten or cat to a vet for an initial exam, bloodtest (primarily  for FIV and FLV) and vaccinations.  This is step one in the protocol followed by nonprofit shelters to determine if your rescue carries the two most common illnesses. (FIV = Feline Aids; FLV Feline Leukemia*). If you are limited in discretionary funds, then go straight to step 2. If the cat is more than two months old, please get him/her spayed/neutered.  This is critical to prevent unwanted litters and more homeless cats.  Chances are there is a local organization that offers low-cost spay/neuter.  Check online.


2. Photos. Lots and lots of photos. We don't mean five or six snapshots. Take at least 50 photos!  Half the trick is marketing or advertising.  ALSO, take the time to stage the setting with solid and contrasting colors, accessories for kitty (if he/she will not get scared). You can have fun with this task!   If the cat is black, use a solid white or bright background or even a pattern.  If the cat has a pattern or stripes, then use a solid background. By taking 50+ photos this gives you the opportunity to take photos in different lighting, changing the props, capturing kitty in cute, funny and adorable positions and poses, using Instagram...GET CREATIVE!

1. Brainstorm a unique name. Think of the personality of the cat and connect it to popular characters on TV, movies, pop culture, or literature.


2. Create a nice flyer with one or two quality photos, the name, and a brief description.  Be sure to include your contact information. 
1. We encourage you to ask for a fee especially if you invested in veterinary care for the kitty's initial checkup. Giving the kitten or cat away for free means the cat has no value and there is higher risk the cat will become unwanted in the near future.  
2. If the cat's story is sad or heroic, share that story in one paragraph. Stories sell! Please describe more than the cute and adorable attributes. That's wallpaper and attract minimal interest.  HUMANIZE the cat.  Ie.  We once rescued two male sibling kittens.  One was a terror and the other sang opera so we named them Figaro (Italian opera) and Luciano (after Italian mob boss Lucky Luciano). We described their behavior "Figaro will serenade you..." and "Luciano lures into dark alley (the kitchen) and will pounce you for food!"
3. Post that flyer in every single veterinary office and pet store with public bulletin board in your city.
4. Share that flyer or photo/description with all your friends, family, colleagues via email, Facebook, Pinterest and all social media. You will learn some people prefer email, some prefer Facebook, some texting. 


3. If you are not able to keep the cat or kitten for an extended period, you can always invest in a newspaper ad.  This will cost more but you will reach thousands of readers and increase the rate of adopting sooner than later.  It's all a numbers game.  Contact your local paper for rates. 
1. Craigslist is one form of advertising for free but we strongly advise you to ask interested persons to answer a few questions. You want to ensure the person is ready for the LIFETIME responsibility of adopting a pet.  It costs money and takes time to care for a pet, similar to a child. If they travel a lot, will this person readily invest in a pet sitter? If anyone hesitates to answer your questions, then that is a sign they are not serious. Move on.  In our line of work, we come across many people who fall in love with the cute kitten or adorable puppy but when Fluffy and Fido grow up, owners are not enamored and tire of the responsibility and later dump them into the streets or county kill shelters.  Yes it happens. You can always join a local animal nonprofit organization as a member and use their form.  In Miami, Cat Network membership is only $25 a year.  This will entitle you to low cost spay/neuter ($25) and sometimes free when CN wins grants. You can then use their application and a member will mentor you in interviewing potential adopters and to perform a home visit.  ALWAYS conduct a home visit when working with strangers. Just as a home needs to be baby proofed for infants and toddlers, dogs and cats also need a home free of dangers. Also, hoarders exist more than you know. Here is a sample Adoption Application. Feel free to borrow the questions to utilize in a casual email. Do not adopt out to anyone that would permit the cat to walk onto a balcony of a highrise building--cats will jump on the ledge and fall. It happens more often than people think. All it takes is a flying bug or floating piece of lint to ignite the cat and the next second they are jumping on the ledge and do not realize the actual height.

Do not delay in following these steps.  Also, kittens are easier to find homes for than adult cats.  This is why you want to act quickly with kittens before they get bigger.  Bigger is not as cute.

Thank you for taking the time to learn how to find a home for a rescued or abandoned kitty. Please do not hesitate to email (riverfrontcats@yahoo.com) us with any questions.  We're all in this together and the more people working together, the sooner we can make a difference in the plight of homeless pets.

Thank you GOOD SAMARITAN!

* Please do not be alarmed if you learn that your rescue cat is positive for FIV and FLV. Often these cats live long INDOORS.  While initially it was suggested not to mingle FIV positive cats with healthy cats, we are finding more experienced cat owners  willing to let their healthy cats co-mingle with FIV or FLV cats as long as there is no fighting.  Transmission of the diseases comes from blood transfer usually through aggressive fighting.

For Adoption: Millie & Tillie

Think of a precious heirloom passed around from owner to owner. But each move risks the fragile nature of this keepsake. This is the story of Millie & Tillie.

These stunning feline sisters have been bounced around like used tennis balls. Their first owner dropped them off at a kill shelter. Thankfully a local rescue organization saved them and found them a new home. Sadly, they were "returned" a year later. The son of the family developed "severe allergies". Millie & Tillie are back in foster care. 

Millie is the brave one and hence the leader. Tillie, on the other paw, loves to reach out with her paws to "grab" your attention. They love to be petted and hugged. If they are physically separated too long, they meow in search for the other. These sisters have strong bond and will not be separated.

Despite bouncing from home to home, it's that bond that keeps them grounded, sweet natured and open-hearted, ready to accept a permanent home.

Remember adopting adult cats is much easier than adopting kittens. You know their personality and disposition and don't have to worry about your furniture and decor getting destroyed or shredded. These are fine ladies at two years of age.

If you would like to meet Millie & Tillie, please contact Christina at cdm1580@bellsouth.net or call 786-573-1580.

Happy Birthday Geisha!

"Like my crown and my pretty cake with black kitties?"

Geisha was the first Riverfront rescue kitten and today she's turning 4. 

Today Geisha is living the good life--indoors, highrise condo (while she doesn't complain we know she's not pleased living on the 40th floor where she only sees buzzards and not regular birds) fancy digs, pretty accessories and plenty of naps and catnip. Geisha is a proud petite supermodel kitty and poses for photos and graces many greeting cards and calendars.  OK mostly for Riverfront Cats communication pieces.  She's not picky. Not the Diva like her cousin...

[singing] "It's my birthday and I'll wear what I want to..."

"What is my birthday wish?... Your vote!"

PLEASE VOTE FOR RIVERFRONT CATS IN THE PETTIES. CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Rags to Riches Contest--Charlie's Magic Carpet to Abu Dhabi

 Charlie is the new Richie Rich

 UPDATE: Congratulations to CAREN GITTLEMAN of www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com

It's that time again to celebrate another rescue and successful adoption. A year has passed since Charlie was rescued, adopted and rode the magic carpet to an exotic new home--Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates!

Charlie's story is special. So much that we devoted a three-part series of blog postings. For a brief recap before we get to the contest, Charlie was dumped and abandoned in our neighborhood.  In the nick of time, he was adopted by a young couple.  But then Nina and Felipe were leaving Miami and moving to the Middle East! What about Charlie? As responsible pet parents, they planned and coordinated special air travel for their new family member and spared no expense. No hesitation.  We wondered about the care of cats at a local cattery in Abu Dhabi and Charlie's adjustment to a condo in the desert.

Charlie is living the good life. From the humid, palm tree city of Miami, to the desert and palm tree city of Abu Dhabi, Charlie has struck it rich!   So now it's time to celebrate with another RAGS TO RICHES contest.

 Since the theme of Charlie's story is faraway travel, Riverfront Cats is giving away snazzy travel prizes  we know you will love! ONE lucky winner receives:

• A $100 airline e-gift card for your choice of American or Delta Airlines.

• Your choice of red or white handsome travel tote with cat imprint.

• A hand held digital scale to easily weigh your luggage. 

Where would you go if you win? 
 Let us know by leaving a comment below.

OK now for the rules. Please read carefully as this contest will utilize the Rafflecopter. If you never used Rafflecopter, it's easier than it appears.  The trick is to click on the down arrow buttons next to the numbers like "+1". Then enter information if requested, and then click Enter. Easy Peasy!

There are two requirements.  
1. Leave a comment on this posting (articles in blogs are called "postings") or any other posting (by scrolling down to end of the posting and click "Comments" and add your comment)  AND  
2. Submit your email address--please see Rafflecopter below and in the box where it states "Please leave a blog post comment..." click on the down arrow next to "+1" and a drop down box appears where you can enter your email, then click "ENTER".  It's that easy! (Your email address is strictly for a way to contact the winner and will not be shared or disclosed). Leaving a comment and submitting your email is mandatory.  There are other ways to gain additional entries but they are not required.

This contest is open to residents of U.S. Canada, U.K. and Australia and New Zealand. Contest ends at midnight August 1, 2013. The winner will be announced any day after August 1 and will receive an email from us. Winner must reply within 48 hours.

This is our way of giving back to you our supporters, followers and donors. THANK YOU and Good luck!
And a huge thanks to our generous donors for the prizes!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please remember to Vote for RIVERFRONT CATS and ZEE ZOEY in the Petties so we can continue rescuing more cats and educating the masses about responsible pet care to reverse the rate of homeless pets.

Click here to log-in. 

Best Cause/Rescue Blog - Riverfront Cats
Best Blog Post - Riverfront Cats
Best Designed Blog - Zee Zoey

We're in the Petties!

To our new followers, Riverfront Cats has been nominated for a Pettie, an award bestowed to popular pet bloggers.

We are so thrilled as this is our first time entering and we are finalists for two categories. Riverfront Cats is a young blog and small nonprofit compared to our fellow finalists.  We appreciate them as many finalists are friends.  So it's all in friendly spirit. Working with feral cats we see plenty of clawing and hissing. So this is a refreshing and fun challenge!

To win, we need your help to VOTE DAILY until July 31. It's very simple! Log in here using your Facebook or email. Find the categories, and select Riverfront Cats and Zee & Zoey.

• Riverfront Cats - Best Cause Blog
• Riverfront Cats - Best Blog Post
• Zee & Zoey - Best Designed Blog (Deb Barnes has selected our nonprofit to receive the donation).

What do we win? A trophy and $1,000 donation. We could really use the funding to spay and neuter more cats and rescue more kittens and especially black cats from the streets, treat and care for them, and find them permanent, loving homes.

Thank you for taking a few seconds to vote.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for making a difference!

Update on Leroy, the amputee

"So this is how humans live.
Didn't take long to get used this comfy, soft, ant-free, non concrete bedding."

We have an update on Leroy, the outdoor community black cat that lost his back hind leg.  His recuperation is going smoothly and he's adjusting to living indoors.  Leroy is certainly enjoying sleeping on a cool, not humid, soft human bed instead of hard, hot concrete.

"... but I miss climbing and running.
These condos don't have any trees or lumber piles like my old backyard."

But there's more good news!  Our volunteer Sabrina has decided to keep him along with her three other cats.  It was evident Leroy was in shock from both losing his leg and adjusting to a new environment. Often for cats a strange environment is more stressful than losing a limb. Given that Leroy was comfortable with Sabrina and allowed her and other volunteers to pet and hold him, we knew finding him a new home would cause additional stress.  So for now, he's happy.

We are still collecting donations to pay off the credit card bill for his treatment and surgery ($2,600). No amount is too small or large. We are extremely grateful for any amount whether it's $20 or $200 or $2000. Simply click the button on the right.

Aside from losing his leg, Leroy is a healthy cat and exhibits signs of curiosity and adventure.  He clearly misses climbing trees and running around. Exercise is important for all pets to prevent obesity and other health complications.  A cat tree would be ideal where he can climb easily and use his three limbs in a limited environment like his condo. If anyone would like to donate a cat tower here are a couple that would fit in his new home. Please email us for an address  riverfrontcats@yahoo.com.

These happy endings keeps us going in this tough line of work. Everyday we receive emails and calls of residents finding kittens, someone having to give up their pet cat, an elderly person who has passed and loved ones struggle to find homes for their pets...So we revel in these few victories, these precious moments.

Purchase the Espresso Lotus Cat Tower here  

Purchase cat tree resort here

Thank you for your support. Thank you for caring.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We're a Petties Finalist! Please remember to vote daily until July 31 in the Petties to help us win an award and a donation. This will help us pay Leroy's vet bill and save more stray, feral and black cats!

Here are the three categories to vote for to help us win!

• Riverfront Cats - Best Cause Blog
• Riverfront Cats - Best Blog Post
• Zee & Zoey - Best Designed Blog (Deb Barnes has selected our nonprofit to receive the donation).

Here is the link to log in and vote. 

http://petties.dogtime.com/login

Riverfront Cats--Finalists for the Petties--VOTING BEGINS

WOW!  We just received the news that Riverfront Cats is a finalist for not one but two Pettie awards!

Riverfront Cats thank all of you, our wonderful readers, followers, donors and supporters for nominating Riverfront Cats. We could not get this far without you!  Now the VOTING BEGINS DAILY starting July 5 until July 31.

What do we win? First a nice trophy for our founder who is also the main blogger behind Riverfront Cats. She deserves a shiny award on a shelf, free of cat hair just for her work. And if we win, we get to choose a nonprofit to receive $1,000. We choose our our big brother nonprofit Pawsitively Humane, Inc., (the umbrella of Riverfront Cats) so we can have more impact in educating the public and saving more stray, feral and black cats and kittens. 

Also, our dear friend Deb Barnes from the blog Zee & Zoey are also a finalist for Best Designed Blog. If she wins, Deb will also choose Pawsitively Humane to win $1,000.  So please vote for the three categories below.

•  Riverfront Cats for BEST BLOG POST 
•  Riverfront Cats for BEST CAUSE/RESCUE BLOG.  
•  Zee & Zoey  for BEST DESIGNED BLOG.  

So set those DAILY reminders on your iPhones, computers, futuristic gadgets. 

CLICK HERE to log in and begin voting. If you choose to use your email, remember your information is not shared and you can unsubscribe anytime.  Voting ends July 31. 

Thank you for taking a few seconds each day to vote.
Thank you for making a difference!!

Perro Callejero, a music video

[Para leer y escuchar en Espanol, haga  clic aqui. For posting in Spanish, click here.]

Riverfront Cats is proud to share our first music video (and in Spanish!) to create awareness about homeless pets. While the video is about dogs (perros), naturally the message is universal to all pets including cats. 

The brainchild behind the video is Silvia Rosales Del Monico who is also featured in the video. She is a singer and actress in the Spanish speaking media in the U.S.. Our founder Christine Michaels, received a call from Silvia who lives nearby.  Silvia and her husband Dan had found stray kittens in their neighborhood in Little Havana and asked for guidance on how to help the kittens. Together Christine, Dan and Silvia teamed up to ensure the kittens were captured, taken to the vet for checkup and vaccinations and placed in loving permanent homes.  Christine also taught Silvia and Dan how to use a cat trap to humanely trap other stray and feral cats in their neighborhood to get them spayed and neutered.  Silvia and Dan's genuine concern and love for animals lead to ongoing conversations on how to raise awareness and reach the masses to reverse the rate of homeless pets.  They are the proud owners of four rescue cats.

We thank Silvia for investing her time and talent in coordinating this video to reach the Hispanic audience and sharing the powerful message that adopting stray dogs bestows as much love and energy as any other pet and that pet ownership is a lifetime commitment.  Pets (dogs and cats) provide unconditional love and companionship and we must do the same.  Protect and love your pet as they would do the same for you.

Please enjoy the video. The lyrics are in Spanish with English subtitles.
Together, we can make a difference.

[Note: click on the arrow button to view video and then click lower right square to view it full screen; also toward the end of the video, the sign "Concurso de Baile" translates "Dance Contest". The group wins the Dance Contest in order to win back the dog]