The heavy summer rush of rescue has continued into the Fall, but it is time for a quick update on our work.

Thanks to all of you and your tremendous and dedicated help to animals, we are making that big difference to improve so many lives. Our agenda is two-fold . . . . in addition to the hands-on work, we are interested in advocating for more compassionate, humane, and common sense policies for animals.

Thanks to the public outcry, attitudes, practices, and treatment of animals have changed for the better. Progress in feral cat management is notable, but there is still a long way to go for many municipalities. When early Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) programs started showing effective results by humanely reducing feral kitten births, the large humane organizations in the USA recognized that TNR was a proven success. The tide is turning and TNR is becoming the standard, main-stream approach for feral cat management.

It's up to us to push lagging municipalities into new, progressive feral cat policies. Please email your own Mayor and Council and insist they support TNR in their jurisdiction. TNR reduces the numbers coming into a municipal shelter. It's win-win for both the municipal budget and the feral cats!

It's always gratifying to be able to give you some of the stories we've been involved with and the happy endings. Because of your support, YOU are all a part of helping these cats to a better situation.

MYRTLE MAE and BLACKIE

Every year, Jim sends me an update and several new photos of his two little feral charges – Myrtle Mae and Blackie. This year he sent me their story so all of you could share in hearing about them. Please click the link below and read Jim's loving letter about these two feral critters who share his home and heart.

Here's the wonderful update:  MYRTLE MAE and BLACKIE

BEAR AND TICKLES

It was three years ago that Diana and Michael called us for help with two feral cats and a litter of kittens in their North Vancouver backyard. Happily, PAF was able to help them get Bear and Tickles spayed and neutered.  Diana found homes for two of the three kittens and they kept 'Ginger', a tiny orange kitten. Their story is at this link.  

The Story of Bear and Tickles

We now have a more recent update and some photos of this beautiful feral couple and their (tame) adult boy, Ginger. Bear is a long haired tabby and his coat was starting to get quite matted this spring. Matted coats don't allow for proper insulation from winter cold or dispersing summer heat so it was decided to catch Bear once again and get him to the veterinarian for a shave. He did well and Diana sent us 'before and after' photos of this handsome feral. Bear and Tickles live on Diana and Michael's covered porch and are fed daily. You can see from the photos that the cats are flourishing and healthy looking. They are very bonded to each other as is evident by the photos, and enjoy it when Ginger comes outside to hang out with his parents. Diana says that Ginger patrols the backyard green space with his dad, Bear.

Both the above stories show the compassionate hearts of people who realize that feral cats need some help in our world and have actively gone about doing just that. Their efforts are showing others what can be done and why TNR for feral cats is effective (no more reproducing). The presence of the cats keeps the rodent population down in our communities which is a good thing as it means that pesticides don't have to be used. It's nature's common sense way of balancing things.

BEAR  and TICKLES - update

FERAL FEEDING AND SHELTER STATIONS

All around the North Shore many residents and businesses have made and are maintaining feral cat stations to feed and house these little ones. PAF assists by getting the cats spayed/neutered and any vet care needed. Some of the photos at the link below show you what can be done! You just need to put your imagination to work.

PAF feeders also help ferals throughout the year to be de-fleaed by using “Oral Program” which is a liquid which can be squeezed into their wet food. Diatomaceous earth (MUST be FOOD GRADE) can be used under their bedding and helps to control fleas and internal parasites naturally. It can also be added to their food.

PAF has supplied some of our feral caregivers with a pet warming disk to help the cats stay warm in winter weather. The disk we use is called “Snuggle Safe” which is warmed in a microwave for a few minutes and can then be slipped under blankets for a cozy night. The disk will stay warm for up to 10 hours.

So, LOTS can be done for feral cats besides just spaying and neutering! We hope you will pass on all this information to others so more people can provide that safety net to these little guys. The more helpful and factual information we can provide to the public, the better, so that the archaic practice of 'trap and kill ferals' is stopped in favour of progressive, humane, and more effective policies.

Click here to see FERAL FEEDING STATIONS

SASKATOON STREET CATS

This wonderful group operates in Saskatoon and does tremendous work for feral and stray cats in that City. PAF has been liaising with them over the summer and exchanging information. Have a look at the website of this hard working group and give them support if you can!

STREET CAT website

All across the country, small groups are helping feral cats and showing leadership to residents and municipalities. Please email your Mayor and Council to enact a TNR program in your jurisdiction.
 

LITTER BOX CHALLENGES?

We don't usually endorse any products but we have found something that may be helpful to you if you have a cat with a litter box problem. On several occasions we have been contacted by cat owners concerned because their cat is not using the litter box. Inappropriate behaviour with the litter box can be a reason a cat is surrendered or euthanized.

The first thing we advise is that the cat be examined by a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. If the vet indicates it is a behavioural issue then we have recommended that the owner try “Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract' brand of litter which is carried by PetSmart. One of our new adoptions recently refused to use the litter box in his new home and Cat Attract worked immediately and brought him back to the litter box. Here is a link to 'Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract' litter. Read the reviews.

Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

We are continuing to work hard this Fall to help feral cats and also do advocacy to change the future. Thanks for being with us.

           Lana Simon, Director
                                                            Pacific Animal Foundation
                                                            www.pacificanimal.org