EVERY day is Feral Cat Day for those who care about them and are dedicated to keeping them safe and healthy. Sarasota County Commissioners took a bold step when, after studying the feral cat issue, they rejected the old “catch ‘em and kill ‘em” philosophy that had been fueled by ignorance all over the country for many years; the enlightened BCC granted the Sarasota county ferals resident status as “community cats.”
Sarasota County recognizes these animals as worthy of life and a part of our neighborhoods. Colony caretakers are no longer “criminals,” and efforts to assist these animals are no longer secretive but recognized and encouraged. Finally, Sarasota knows that these cats do have homes ... they’re just outside in both location and philosophy: they physically live outside and they emotionally function outside the normal human concept of them having to be lap cats owned by individuals in order to matter.
Here are just three of the 2011 events/organizations honoring ferals and those who care for them; watch your email and daily news for more, or contact a shelter or organization near you to ask how you can help.
(note that this is a day early :) Cat Depot (2542 17th St Sarasota, FL 34234) is hosting a Friends of Feral Cats event on October 15, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “and will offer assistance to the hard working people who have dedicated their lives to saving feral cats. There will be a food bank available, as well as informational sessions about spaying and neutering, micro-chipping, and TNR programs in our area. It will be a day to celebrate ferals and the wonderful people who care for them!” Drop by the beautiful new facility and learn all you can about cats! Contact host Lauren Inderbitzin at laureni@catdepot.com or 941-366-2404
Sarasota in Defense of Animals (founded in 1989) has long sponsored a feral cat clinic and maintains outdoor “catteries” on their east county sanctuary which is a permanent home to almost 400 animals, including a large number of Sarasota’s feral cats. The star right now is “Robin Hood, a big orange tiger cat that had been shot with a bow & arrow by a cruel person and after months of recovery it was determined that Robin Hood was a feral cat and not adoptable. Robin Hood is contented to hang out with his cat-mates in one of SDA's catteries where he lies in the sun and doesn't have to be bothered with people.” (The picture accompanying this article is of Robin Hood recovering from his wounds where the arrow punctured his shoulder and is used courtesy of Sarasota in Defense of Animals.) Donations and volunteers are always needed and National Feral Cat Day is an especially good time to make that little commitment you’ve been meaning to make all year!
The Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) sponsors “Buddy’s Feral Cat Program” with one-Sunday-per-month free, volunteer operated spay/neuter clinics for Sarasota county cats, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5660 Ashton Road, Sarasota, FL 34233. For more information check this section of ARC’ web site call 941-957-1955 ext 0 or email feral@animalrescuecoalition.org
Not in Sarasota? Check here for over 40 events listed statewide. Not even in Florida? That's O.k.! Check here under “Compassion for Cats Coast to Coast” for Alley Cat Allies' listing of observances nationwide.
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