Pawsitively Humane

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Christine interviews M. Rosenberg inside dog cage

PETS TRUST

Christine interviews Michael Rosenberg inside dog cage

at Miami Dade Animal Services


This November 6, 2012  is an important date as voters head to the polls to vote not just for a President to lead our country but also to decide on a number of issues affecting our immediate county.  This year Miami Dade county has a record long 10 page ballot. Towards the end of the ballot is a very important initiative to help REVERSE the euthanization of healthy, adoptable pets at the county shelter.  It's #240. VOTE YES.

The Pets Trust (which we have been covering since it first reached county commissioners), could be the model example for the entire country for a fully comprehensive plan to reverse the rate of euthanized pets at county shelters. People turn in their pets for a number of reasons.  Pets Trust will get to the root of the problem through various programs: high volume/low cost spay neuter clinics and education programs to help pet owners understand the responsibility in caring for their pets and solutions to solve problems so they are not abandoning their pets or turning them into the shelter. 

Pawsitively Humane,  Inc was the only animal welfare nonprofit in South Florida to interview Michael Rosenberg (President of Pets Trust) while he lived the entire weekend in one of the dog cages.  While many television news stations covered Michael's story of determination, as one of the nonprofits that works in both the trenches and in education, we felt it was important to talk straight to Michael, unedited. (For the complete history on Pets Trust, scroll down and click on the links).

We apologize this is not a high quality production (all of our funds go to the care of rescued pets). The noise in the background are the fans that run nonstop since there is no air condition where the dogs are caged (this is Miami and it's humid). Also the interview was conducted after hours, well after the center was closed to the public, so the only light we had was a flashlight. My interview took place at 10pm on a Friday night, October 5th inside the dog cage.  A typical night for animal welfare volunteers.

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Miami Dade's Pets Trust would be a Model Example (Miami Herald Article, October 29, 2012) 

Inside the Room at the Miami Dade shelter where animals are killed (Miami Herald Article, October 27, 2012)

Christine Michaels, Founder of PHI, attends County Commission hearing about Pets Trust (July 10, 2012)

The County Commissioners Vote on whether to add Pets Trust initiative to Nov 6 Ballot (July 17, 2012)

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Monday, October 15, 2012

Oct 16 is National Feral Cat Day

 NATIONAL FERAL CAT DAY


In the U.S. the cat is the most popular pet, meaning they outnumber dogs as pets. At the same time, in Miami alone there are a predicted 400,000 homeless cats, a result of cat owners who did not spay/neuter their cats and in turn multiply  in this tropical paradise.

The feral cat literally changed our lives here at Pawsitively Humane, Inc.  In stumbling upon them, learning about their plight, and now in caring for them with food and shelter, the feral cat has taught us about our community, and about ourselves.  They taught us to enjoy the simple things in life and that we do possess inner strength to overcome obstacles.  The feral cat is a constant reminder to be grateful for what we have and not complain. Yes, a feral cat has taught us important life lessons--they lead by example. They are often misunderstood and ignored and fight to survive. The feral cat does not wimp like a dog or seek attention. They are stoic and independent. But once you connect with a cat, your life changes for the better.

We encourage you to take the time to learn more about this misunderstood creature as shared in the previous posting.

The two videos below depict the "friendly feral" cats in our neighborhood. You'll notice we can pet them but only at their feeding station. They are still feral in the sense that we can not touch them when we encounter them elsewhere in the neighborhood. They gained our trust over time at the feeding station. It takes time to gain trust but once you do, it is a feeling like no other.


 Leroy Chaz and Lion King are two of the 21 Riverfront Cats.
We named the black cat Chaz and later learned the FPL guys (next door) named him Leroy.
You'll notice Leroy Chaz would rather be petted than eat. He normally begins eating after feeders walk away. He loves the affection.


Lion King is also feral.  But really, he started giving nose kisses to Christine's dog before he allowed humans to pet him! After three years, he initiated contact by rubbing against our legs. Then slowly we could pet him and on that day we cried tears of joy! It took three years. Here Lion King is salivating, and if you notice carefully, kneading his paws in delight.

Let's celebrate these intelligent, resilient creatures by SHARING this posting with all your friends and contacts! Education is key to overcoming misconceptions and turning around an epidemic into a positive!

Together we can make a difference!

p.s. to see photos of Christine dressed as Cat lady feeding the cats, visit our dedicated cat blog, Riverfront Cats.


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