While I agree with some of the authors points, I also feel the need for expansion on some of her very simplistic explanations on trapping and the ethical debate that goes along with it.

I’ve been practicing Trap/Neuter/Return&Place in my community for some time. Pain medication is provided by any responsible clinic. There is a shot given that lasts several days because a truly feral cat often can’t be approached to administer pain meds and won’t necessarily take a pill pocket.

48 hours isn’t enough for a female cat, and even a male cat could use a little R&R for at least 72 hours after surgery. Depending on the set-up, there are larger spaces than the “dirty traps” the cats are caught in. Females undergo a much more invasive surgery and should be kept at least for 5 days.

Spaying full term cats: it is sometimes very difficult to tell if a cat is pregnant at all. Seriously, when they hunker down, as often happens, their sides bulge out. How do we know if she is carrying or chunky? Are we to expect then the clinic will make that decision when the feral cat is already under anesthesia (which is very dangerous for unborn kittens)? Not one trapper I know doesn’t think long and hard when faced with the possibility there is a pregnancy at all, and whether to allow mama to have the kittens if it appears she is about due.

Tame cats through the program? Perhaps the question should really revolve around people who think nothing of letting their cats out doors, particularly when they are not spayed or neutered. This is the direct cause of millions of animals getting killed or sold to laboratory testing facilities (check your states mandate on shelter animals being sold to class B dealers). Additionally, most of the cats “through the program” can be worked with for some level of relationship with humans. Where we run into problems is the lack of appropriate (vetted) adoptive homes, and people willing to put the time and energy into developing a relationship with a cat. We live in a “I want it now” society. Every successful adoption makes way for another cat or kitten to be taken off the streets. However, when trappers aren’t able to place cats there is a limit to the number they can properly care for and they can’t continue their work with TNR. There have been a handful of times where I’ve had to return friendly cats to their (monitored) colony because I can’t hold them in my home.

Of course there are trappers who do not take the responsibility of caring for these animals as seriously as they should, and these are issues that should certainly be discussed; otherwise don’t get into animal rescue.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/3-secret-horrors-of-some-trap-neuter-return-programs.html#ixzz2NRcvo9Ly

Our position is based not only on ethical grounds, but on scientific findings.

Animals used in tests range from rats, rabbits, pigs, dogs, cats, cows, goats and gnats. There is no animal excluded from this practice. There is an entire industry that breeds animals for testing. In some states class B dealers, which are one source for laboratory animals, procure cats and dogs from shelters and off the streets. In fact, some states such as Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah actually require shelters that receive state funding to sell animals to class B dealers. Imagine the cat or dog that lay comfortably at your feet living instead in a laboratory being tested on. There are a growing number of stolen animals sold to class B dealers as well. So, if Buddy disappears from your driveway, there is a chance he will spend the rest of his unnatural life being tested on for cigarette addiction, topical reactions to household cleaning products, or even how much intake of baking soda it requires to kill him. A few facts: http://soundearth.com/SafeClean/?p=414

Many products are tested, then retested, and retested again.  Some of the ingredients in products being tested are already known to cause cancer in humans. Take formaldehyde as an example. It is in hundreds of products, and also a known or reasonably expected to cause cancer in humans: http://soundearth.com/SafeClean/?p=434.

There are negative environmental impacts caused by testing on animals. For example, the disposal of the tested animals is itself toxic: http://soundearth.com/SafeClean/?p=235

Apart from the ethical debate, much of the data is inaccurate; so much so that human testing is then required. So what is actually being gained? I certainly understand there has been medical advancement due to animal testing decades ago: polio and diabetes, for example. However, we should be light years ahead by now, and there simply hasn’t been a high enough demand for alternatives.

I have recently had a significant reminder that there are people not only in favor of animal testing, but asking for more of it. Their position is based on fear, speciesism and  a misguided belief animal testing provides results that benefit humans.

Animals live in agony; some for great lengths of time, only to result in misinformation on the safety of products. I remember getting a makeover last year, and the makeup artist missed my eye lid when applying eyeliner. The burning sensation I had for about 10 seconds was excruciating. All I could think of was how an animal lives and dies by that feeling throughout its life as an animal being tested on. The particular line of product was not one that tested; as she pointed out many of the European cosmetics had already tested on animals, and there was no more testing to be done.

Advancement in science should be leading us away from this practice.  Thankfully organizations like the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)  are moving us in the right direction. Even the NIH is beginning to acknowledge the validity of in vitro testing: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2721892/

a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.

Thanks to the caring folks of the Sound Earth Community for advocating for animals. It’s inspiring to hear about everyone’s efforts, and meaningful to get support between us!

I need to share a situation with you, and ask for your help. Last Friday I received a call from a woman, in tears, asking for help. For privacy, I’ve changed her name to Cindy for this blog.

One of Cindy’s elderly neighbors had been feeding a cat colony over the years. In early May, this neighbor was removed from her home and placed in an assisted living facility; leaving all the cats behind. Over the following weeks the cats began to migrate to Cindy’s house. None had been vetted in any way, and some had kittens in tow. Cindy really wanted to help and began feeding what she could, and allowing them into her home. She has two cats of her own (that are vetted), and quickly became overwhelmed both because of the size of the colony, and because of her own family’s needs.

Cindy does not have financial means to help the cats. She receives donated food from the local shelter every now and again, but beyond that she needed help and quick! I called Katmarroon in Newburgh looking for assistance. Sure enough Silvia, one of the founders, dove right in. We went to the house to assess the situation, and counted 8 cats and 9 kittens. We took two females with us with the plan that Silvia would go back for the third female and one of the feistier males. We would get the first four spayed/neutered, distemper, dewormed, rabies, etc. the very next day with our friends from The Animal Rights Alliance, Inc. – at least get that far.

Within a couple hours after we left I received a call from Cindy saying two of the cats we had were not the ones she accounted for. Make that 10 cats, 9 kittens… and counting. Silvia went back and picked up two more females. As is typical human response we really wonder where we’re going to get the money to vet all the cats, and where are we going to find homes for not only these cats, but all our cats! One foot in front of the other.

The project has begun…

With that number of cats and kittens we will need some financial assistance of our own. I’ve put together a “Chip In” page with a goal of $1300. This will cover the bare necessities. We are making efforts to, at the very least, get the colony vetted and kittens placed. The cats a super sweet. One of the gals I’m helping with after care from her surgery is just down right mushy. She sounds like a projector she purrs so loud. They all have the “beautiful gene”, honest, what a beautiful group of cats and kittens!

Will you help us? Here’s how:

~ donate money through Chip In – even $5 will be a great help!

~ pass this blog on to your expanded community

~ if you’re local (Dutchess, Putnam or Orange County New York), please donate food

~ Adoption – any of the cats and kittens, whether it be this colony, Katmarroon, or Sound Earth… the more homes we place these beautiful creatures, the more we can assist the greater good.

Thank YOU, for being a part of the Sound Earth community. Your care and thoughtfulness really means a lot!

I received the news yesterday that A. Casey Jones has passed on, and I wanted to share it with you. Here’s what Dot wrote:

Big Daddy

Can you help me find Big Daddy’s forever home?

Also known as:

General Burnside - do you see the likeness?

Atlas – he’s carried the weight of the feral cat world on his shoulders for too long.

Papi – because he’s a smooth operator, and so awesome.

Big Daddy will be fully vetted by the end of this week, and ready to go by the weekend.  He’s super, and would be comfortable in just about any setting. Has presented well with (respectful) children and seems unphased by dogs. He has also presented well with cats, but isn’t very interested in them either.

He ain’t lookin’ for trouble, just a place to lay his head.

It is inspiring to see what can be accomplished when passionate business owners and animal advocates join efforts to benefit animals. The event was filled with many successes!

One of our desired goals was exceeded when The Animal Rights Alliance, Inc spayed or neutered 52 cats. With generous business sponsorship, 29 of those cats received free services including a rabies inoculation. Undoubtedly, because of the Fishkill Cares for Cats event those 29 cats received the care they needed, but would not have gotten. This translates to sparing literally millions of cats from a life of suffering and hardship.

Approximately 150 attendees enjoyed the day with us. Many learned how to successfully conduct a trap/neuter/return program where they live; affecting more animals in need. Our raffle prizes were stylish, informational, delicious and fun with none made from animal products. We raised over $1600 for Furry Friends Pet Rescue, Inc. and Guardian Angel Cat Rescue so they can further their efforts to help animals.

Additionally, one cat from Guardian Angel Cat Rescue and one dog from Furry Friends Pet Rescue were adopted to their forever homes, and a plan was made to team up with Pet Supplies “Plus” in Fishkill to establish regular adoption days at their store; giving cats and dogs in transition another opportunity to find their forever home.

Sound Earth is strongly committed to the welfare of all animals. It is because of this commitment that Sound Earth sponsored, and co-organized, Fishkill Cares for Cats.

Together, we changed lives for good.

Trinity is not allowing me to access the kittens for handling – she is a great mother to her babies. As many of you know, there is a very short window before the kittens will be as repelled by humans as their mother. It is with a very heavy heart I have made the decision to separate Trinity from her kids: Jesse, Eddie and Jenna. I feel that it will be less stressful for Trinity who will be spayed and returned to her colony where she can be monitored, and will afford the kittens a chance at a better life.

Once separated they will be exposed to humans and handled as much as possible – making them more likely to be adopted. That being said, please forward this post to friends and family who may be interested in adopting the Trinity Kids. I welcome anyone to come and meet them, and encourage any interested person to fill out an application: Adoption Form

Trinity and Her Babies (VIDEO)

Here are a few tips to help the process run smoothly:

Be Prepared

Get your cleaning materials ready ahead of time so you’re not searching for things as you go. A bucket can be used to carry things around as well as be filled with cleaning solution. Gather rags, newspaper (for the windows), and your Sound Earth cleaning products (of course). Also have a large card board box or two ready to collect items in that you don’t use anymore. A donation box at the end of your cleaning session will feel especially good.

Make A Wish List

Besides “Some one else come in and clean for me” being at the top of your list, write down all the tasks you wish to accomplish for your spring cleaning. Everything. Big. Little. It sure feels good to check those things off!

Make It A Family Thing

Give everyone a task they can feel good about. Let the organizers organize and the clothes horse do the laundry and swap out everyone’s wardrobe from winter to summer. The little ones love to help, too – start ‘em young, and let them do the dusting. It’s a really obvious difference and will keep them motivated longer when they can see the difference they’re making.

Break It Up

Who wants to spend an entire weekend cleaning? Spend an hour or two on Saturday morning, and then treat yourselves to a job well done with a bike ride in the afternoon!

Set Goals

Whether it is to accomplish three things on your checklist, or spend 2 hours cleaning, if you have a plan laid out it will help everyone focus, and see “the light at the end of the tunnel”.

Feral Cat

I got a call Tuesday from a monitor of a feral colony. One of his kids was not doing well. After missing on Monday, Buddy arrived on Tuesday struggling to walk. He seemed to rally a bit Tuesday evening after receiving two doses of antibiotics. I was encouraged by his intake. However, Buddy died early Wednesday morning.

Buddy was about 3 or 4 years old. Handsome black and white domestic short hair. His guardian called Buddy his favorite. He always stuck around a bit after feeding to say “thanks”, and to get a bit of attention.

Buddy’s story can be repeated millions of times to represent the vast number feral and stray cats that live and die on the streets. Buddy was relatively lucky; he was neutered and being monitored. He fathered no kittens; no offspring will share his fate.

My solace is he was loved, and not alone. He was not invisible, as so many of these cats are to the humans around them.

I came across a poem – Elliot: The Life Of A Feral Cat that put into words what I can’t. It is particularly touching to me because I named one of my rescues Elliot, and know the likely hood of a very sad and painful life he would have had.

If you care to, please sponsor a cat in need: Fishkill Cares for Cats. Or, make a donation directly to your favorite cat rescue organization.