The Misunderstood Feral Cat

by Christine Michaels (founder of Riverfront Cats and Pawsitively Humane, Inc)

Do You Know the Difference between a Stray and Feral Cat?

Fanny, a Riverfront Cat

Chances are that you will come across stray and feral cats in your lifetime. These outdoor animals are often misunderstood. Whether you spot them in your backyard, around your office park, or while traveling abroad, misconceptions still prevail worldwide about stray and feral cat. Learning the facts can help overturn the myths and stop the overpopulation and mistreatment of homeless cats.

The Difference Between a Feral and Stray Cat

A feral cat is typically born in the wild or outdoors with little to no human interaction. If you attempt to get too close or try to pet them, feral cats view your hand as a claw that will harm them and will hiss and/or run away. Feral cats are born from other ferals or from stray cats. What is the difference between the two? Well, a stray cat was once a pet cat, until it was either lost or was abandoned by its owner. While they struggle to survive in their new outdoor environment, some strays become fearful of people, even adopting feral behaviors after a period of time, depending on their surroundings. However, most stray cats remember that humans feed them and try to stay near homes, carports, and other areas where people concentrate.

When a regular caretaker notices a stray cat that is friendly, it is recommended to take the cat to a veterinarian to scan for a possible microchip. In lucky instances, the stray cat and its owner are happily reunited.

Click here to continue reading the article as published on PetMD

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Will anyone ever love me?

Why should this healthy puppy be put to sleep because he was abandoned?  There is hope! Pawsitively Humane Inc.  is actively educating the public about homeless pets and what we all can do to reverse this sad statistic.

Let us know you support educational efforts to reverse homeless pet population in Miami Dade and the rest of the country!

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Click like on our Facebook page   www.facebook.com/PawsitivelyHumane
3. Be a part of the solution--stay informed with current events and facts by signing up for the e-newsletters. Registration on right hand column. (We promise we do not bite, scratch or share your email). 

Together we can make a difference! 

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Pets Trust needs a YES vote!

Christine Michaels at the Pets Trust kickoff at Biltmore Hotel

Miami-Dade County, FL  has the chance to serve as a model example for leading the nation in a comprehensive program, incorporating education, low cost clinics, and high-volume spay/neuter clinics to reverse the rate of homeless pet population. The initiative is called Pets Trust and Pawsitively Humane, Inc. fully supports the idea.

We have been following the progression of this effort since the beginning, battling its way through County Commission meetings and all the red tape. The initiative is now on the November 6 ballot but we face the biggest challenge of all.  A campaign needs millions of dollars  to spread the word, educate the public and motivate them to get out and vote. Pets Trust does not have millions of dollars like the Children's Trust.

So it's up to us--animal-loving people, humanitarians to walk the walk and do our part. Please share this posting, share the facts, email your friends and family--everyone you know who lives in Miami-Dade County.

The Pets Trust initiative now has a ballot number--240.  Please vote YES on ballot number 240 to end the killing of 20,000 healthy, adoptable pets.  

UPDATE: Nov 7, 2012  So did it pass? Click here to learn the results!

Here is our last posting on the subject, for more background information. 

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20/20's Kitty Cam segment

 

On Friday night, 20/20 (An ABC TV news program) aired a segment called "Kitty Cam" to follow the activities of outdoor pet cats. At the crux is the claim that cats are serial cat killers. Unfortunately, ABC News did not conduct any in-depth, professional, journalistic investigation and failed to consult, interview, or include cat experts.

Not surprising,  George Fenwick, President of the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) claimed that cats are responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species (yet Mr. Fenwick couldn't name even two). This group has yet to conduct and publish a scientifically reliable study about the effects of outdoor cats on bird population.

Peter Wolf, of Vox Felina judiciously reads, studies and tracks all the organizations, government bodies, and researchers that claim to study cats and bird populations. Bottomline: outdoor cats are not responsible for the decline in bird populations.


 At Pawsitively Humane, Inc we work hard to educate the public and overturn misconceptions about stray cats. When misleading reports like this are aired, it sets us back.

As animal lovers and pet owners, we can ask 20/20 to do the right thing and conduct a followup with a balanced report.

We ask that you please sign this petition.

Second, here is the online form to share your comments with ABC News.

Many thanks for your part in educating the public and helping millions of falsely portrayed cats.
 

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Moew Mobile, Spay/ Neuter, Schedule

Many stray kittens were born this summer and now it's time to spay/neuter, mommies, daddies and kittens 4 months and older before they keep reproducing! 

For more information and FAQ's about the Meow Mobile spay & neuter program for cats, visit the website at http://www.meowmobile.com/

***Reservations are required.***

Please contact the Meow Mobile by sending an e-mail to meowmobile@thecatnetwork.org or by calling 305-233-9958 to schedule an appointment. E-mail requests are generally answered faster than phone messages.

September 2012 SCHEDULE:

**Sep 2 (Sun.): LITTLE HAVANA -- Marlins Stadium, 1390 NW 6th St., Miami (EVENT FULL)

Sep 5 (Wed.): THE FALLS -- Ceramic League of Miami, 8873 SW 129 St., Miami

*Sep 8 (Sat.): MIAMI BEACH -- North Shore Open Space Park, 7900 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Sep 10 (Mon.): SOUTH MIAMI -- PETCO, 6200 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami

Sep 12 (Wed.): KENDALL -- Sunset Feed & Supply, 7650 SW 117th Ave, Miami

Sep 18 (Tue.): HOMESTEAD -- PETCO, plaza at SW 157th Ave. & SW 312 St., Homestead

Sep 24 (Mon.): MIAMI SPRINGS -- Miami Springs Golf Course, 650 Curtiss Pkwy., Miami

   --- We will be parked at the north end of the parking lot that lies in the median of Curtiss Pkwy. ---

Sep 26 (Wed.): WEST KENDALL -- Felix Varela High School, 15255 SW 96 St., Miami

*Sep 29 (Sat.): MIAMI BEACH -- North Shore Open Space Park, 7900 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

October 2012 SCHEDULE:

**Oct 3 (Wed.): LITTLE HAVANA -- St. Lazaro Church, 1778 NW 3rd St., Miami

Oct 8 (Mon.): SOUTH MIAMI -- PETCO, 6200 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami

*Oct 13 (Sat.): MIAMI BEACH -- North Shore Open Space Park, 7900 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Oct 15 (Mon.): KENDALL -- Sunset Feed & Supply, 7650 SW 117th Ave, Miami

Oct 17 (Wed.): HOMESTEAD -- PETCO, plaza at SW 157th Ave. & SW 312 St., Homestead

*Oct 20 (Sat.): MIAMI BEACH -- North Shore Open Space Park, 7900 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

*Miami Beach events are FREE for free-roaming cats of Miami Beach. These events are targeted for cats from Miami Beach only.

**Little Havana events are FREE for free-roaming cats of Little Havana. These events are targeted for cats from Little Havana only, and an ear-tip will be mandatory to receive free surgery.

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