A Special Angel Sammy Selfie - Feral Cat Day

Today's selfie comes all the way from the Rainbow Bridge. It's our beloved Angel Sammy, who's taken a beautiful picture to accompany his very important message! So, what's on your mind, Sammy?

::whispers:: Thanks for the intro, Dad. I love you and Mom lots. (We love you lots, too, Doots. Be sure to tell Moosey, Maggie, Graphite, Bitsy and Lady Madonna we love them, too, okay?)

Hi everybuddy!  It's me, Angel Sammy, sharing a really important message from the Rainbow Bridge! Guess what today is? It's National Feral Cat Day, the day launched in 2001 by Alley Cat Allies, the national advocacy group for feral and stray cats. I actually know LOTS about feral cats (you know, those kitties who aren't socialized to humans that you probably see around your neighborhood), because I used to live in a feral cat colony before I ended up at PAWS (where Mom and Dad adopted me!). Here are a few facts you might not know:

1. Feral cats have lived alongside humans for more than 10,000 years! They are the same species as pet cats, but are not socialized to people, so they are not adoptable. Ferals live in groups called colonies and can thrive in all kinds of settings.

2. Trap-Neuter-Return - a humane approach to managing and caring for feral cats - is the only effective method of stabilizing feral cat colonies. With TNR, cats who live outdoors are humanely trapped and checked out medically, spayed or neutered and given their shots. Some of these cats are found to be friendly (like lucky me!), and are put up for adoption. The ones who are truly feral are re-released into the areas from which they came, with volunteer caregivers providing a managed food source and monitoring the colony to aid sick or injured cats. Because they are spayed and neutered, the feral kitties don't have to deal with stuff like territorial fighting, mating and pregnancy, and no new kittens are born.

3. In the last decade, the number of local governments with official policies endorsing TNR for feral cats has increased tenfold, with 100s of cities and towns successfully carrying out TNR.

4. Sadly, in many municipalities, cats are still caught and taken to animal pounds and shelters where they are killed. The shelter system is the number one cause of death for cats in the United States. That’s why it’s so important for people to consider feral kitties today and every day, to help change society and create compassionate communities for cats.

===

We're participating in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our great friends at The Cat on My Head. Be sure to stop by, to see who's hopping along (or to join in the fun)! :)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Miss Kitty :)

Here's adorable, beautiful Miss Kitty, captured in a moment of repose. When she's not posing for the camera (or getting pets and snuggles), this ladycat loves to play. Her favorite activity is chasing after the red dot from the laser toy with the energy of a kitten. She's a mighty huntress, and lightning fast!

Miss Kitty is about 4 years old, spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. She does okay with other nice (non-assertive) cats, but would also be fine as your one and only. Won't you please give Miss Kitty the chance she wants and deserves?

Easy Like Sunday Selfie - Clyde :)

Meet our gentle and cuddly buddy, Clyde. Is he handsome, or what? :) 

16 year-old Clyde was adopted from PAWS many years ago, and recently returned after his elderly owner had to enter a nursing home. These situations break our hearts, but we're glad cats like Clyde are always welcomed back at PAWS, where they will be well-loved and cared for until they find their new forever homes. 

As you can see, Clyde has big, beautiful eyes and a nice, plush coat. He's also pretty skilled at taking selfies AND doing the easy; and loves being pet, snuggling, and (helping his volunteer pals) reading the newspaper. :) 

Clyde is neutered, micro-chipped, current on his vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. He's a mellow dude who gets along well with other cats, but he'd also be fine with being your one-and-only BFF, if that's how you roll. Oh, and Clyde also qualifies for the PAWS Pension Plan, which features no fee adoptions for cats 12 years and older, with the following included at no cost for the life of the cat: a yearly exam and senior blood workup analysis, and vaccinations as recommended by the PAWS vet. :)

We're participating in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our beloved pals at The Cat On My Head. Please stop by their great blog to check out who's hopping along this week (and/or to join in on the fun)! 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Merceline :)

This is our sweet and beautiful new friend, Merceline. She hasn't been at PAWS for long, but all of us humans are already smitten. As you can see from these selections from her official photo shoot, Merceline simply exudes love. 

Merceline is about 7 years-old, spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. She loves being pet, and snuggling and conversing (she's a good listener, and a great purrer) with her volunteer pals. To meet Merceline is to love her, so come meet her today!

Easy Like Sunday Selfie Mancats :)

Stepping forward for his turn in the selfie spotlight is our gentle 15 year-old buddy, Max. You'd never guess from this picture that he's one of those kitties that doesn't really like looking at the camera, huh? Nice one, Maxie!

As for today's "Easy Like Sunday Morning" duties, it looks like our handsome, funny friend Gabe has things well in hand paw. :)

Happy Sunday, Everybuddy!

===

We're taking part in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our wonderful friends at The Cat on My Head. Be sure to stop by to see who's hopping this week, and/or to join in on the fun!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Fifi :)

Check out our sweet new friend, Fifi. Isn't she beautiful?

Believe it or not, Fifi (who our vet estimates to be about 7 years old) was found as a stray. We have no idea how this friendly Persian ladycat ended up on the streets, but are very glad she found her way to PAWS. Now she's safe, loved and well-cared for as she waits to be discovered by her forever family.

Fifi is spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations, and negative for FIV and FeLV. She's a calm and gentle kitty whose likes include hanging out with her human pals, being petted and playing. Come meet Fifi, and see for yourself! :)

Easy Like Sunday Selfie - Morticia

Adorable and friendly ladycat Morticia almost always greets us at the door when we visit. Today, though, she's chosen to say hi (and take her selfies) from her super comfortable bed. :)

Getting...

...sleepy...

Morticia gets along well with her roommates in PAWS Cat Room 4. She would do best in a quieter home without small children. She's spayed, micro-chipped, current on her vaccinations, and has tested negative for FIV and FeLV. She's ready to bring a boatload of love and happiness into a forever home. Come meet Morticia today!

===

We're participating in the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop, hosted by our wonderful pals at The Cat On My Head. Be sure to visit their awesome blog to see who's hopping along this week (and/or to join in on the fun)!