September Edition

Thanks to the support of loyal donors like you, we've been very busy this month protecting cats around the country. Here are just a few of our current projects and successes:

Frankie came to us after he was found at the Atlantic City courthouse, but the only thing this little guy is guilty of is being a purring machine! He’s between 1 and 2 years old, though Frankie is no juvenile delinquent—this law-abiding lap cat is mild-mannered and gets along well with kids. And if you want to pet his short, shiny orange-and-white coat, he has no objections, Your Honor!
Read more about our adoptable cats.

Starting tomorrow, we’ll be hosting monthly Helping Community Cats workshops in our Bethesda, Maryland, headquarters on the third Thursday of the next three months. Using videos and demonstrations, our workshops teach community members how to create a humane program for cats, from TNR trapping techniques to community relations and colony care. We’re excited to start hosting workshops here in our offices, but Helping Community Cats workshops also take place all over the country.
In the DC Metro Area? Attend the workshop.
Check out our events calendar to see if there’s a workshop near you.

Late last month, the City Councilors of San Antonio planned to vote on an amendment to the city’s animal code that would outlaw outdoor cats and threaten any cat found “at large.” We urgently contacted our supporters in San Antonio and asked them to oppose the misguided and dangerous changes. Our voices were heard—the next day, the council tabled the measure, and is now working with advocates and stakeholders as they reconsider the changes. Way to go, San Antonio!

When a deadly provision in an otherwise positive bill threatened cats in New Jersey, Alley Cat Allies and our supporters asked Governor Chris Christie to conditionally veto the dangerous language. Although overall the bill expands access to spaying and neutering, S 2923 would have endangered cats’ lives by threatening impoundment for outdoor cats and allowing shelters to kill animals that they deemed too old, sick, or scared to be adopted, before the required seven-day holding period was up. In the end, Governor Christie vetoed all the language we opposed. Now this beneficial bill can go on to help New Jersey’s cats!
Read more about S 2923.

National Feral Cat Day is October 16—only one month left! Help us get the word out to as many people—and impact as many cats—as possible by promoting National Feral Cat Day in your community. Get started now with our printable downloads, including posters and truth cards, as well as tips and templates for announcing National Feral Cat Day around town. Our National Feral Cat Day 2011 gear is also a great way to start a conversation about protecting cats in your community!
Download materials to promote National Feral Cat Day.
Visit our Café Press store for National Feral Cat Day 2011 gear.

One of the oldest residents of the feral cat colonies living along Atlantic City’s famed boardwalk passed away recently, and she will be much missed by her caregivers. Known to our Boardwalk Cats Project volunteers as “Grandmom” or “Snowball,” this legendary lady lived near the boardwalk for nearly 20 years. Grandmom’s long life at the boardwalk is a shining example that feral cats can live long, healthy lives outdoors.
Read more about Grandmom.

Why Trap-Neuter-Return? – This new fact sheet makes the case for TNR in your community by explaning how TNR benefits everyone.