Just what is an epidemic of cat overpopulation, how did it start, and what can we do to help?

On the surface, it would appear that these are relatively simple questions with quick and easy answers. For Christine Michaels, volunteer for the Cat Network of South Florida and Riverfront Cats, as well as my choice of donation should Zee & Zoey win the category of “Best Designed Blog” for the Petties 2011 Awards, it turns out this is the most difficult obstacle of all – trying to educate a community where there is little to zero awareness that a problem even exists, let alone a reason to help.

It became popular in the 1800’s for cats to be used in farms and townships to reduce rodent infestations

Let’s set the facts straight right now. Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years – whether it started with the Egyptians as a symbol of worship, or to reduce the rodent population in farms and townships in the 1800’s, to today – where our cats are beloved and pampered members of our household, this creature is the creation of human need and desire. All free-roaming, stray, feral, whatever you want to call them cats, are the descendants of unaltered tame cats somewhere in the ancestry line. One unsterilized cat dumped on the street for whatever human reason, can lead to 5,000 cats in seven generations. Multiply that by an entire community, filled with negligent or ignorant people, and that is how an epidemic is not only born, but sustained. Read more

Zoey just celebrated her 3rd birthday and has made so many wonderful new human and furry friends. One of these new friends is Christine, who we just found out lives in South Florida like we do. She is part of a rescue organization called Riverfront Cats and really needs our help! Zoey and I are very blessed to have a wonderful forever home, but not all cats are that lucky. It turns out there is a beautiful mother and son duo, Amber and Rudy, who do not have a forever family to love and spoil them like we do. That makes Zoey and I very sad, so we told Christine we would do a special “Mews-Worthy” post to help Amber and Rudy as best we can. Read more

Myself and Commissioner Dressler talking about Zee and Zoey's book

Hey everyone! We had a great time this past Saturday at the Pet Blessing Event we attended at Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups in Tamarac on behalf of Family Central and local rescue shelters! Dan was there as official photographer, my Mom was there as the Mayor in charge,  and I was there in cat ears, as promised, helping to raise money for the cause as well as to promote Zee and Zoey’s upcoming book! Read more

For those of you that live in the South Florida area, in particular, Tamarac, please drop by to come see me at the Pet Blessing Event to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011  from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m at the Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups, 8101 Southgate Blvd. All dogs on a leash and any other species of domestic pet in a cage are more than welcome to attend with special pet blessings at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but it is highly encouraged that you bring a couple of canned or other non-perishable food items for both people and pets, with these goods being collected on behalf ot the Tamarac Interfaith and Community Leadership Council to benefit Family Central and local pet rescues. Read more

Let us make this VERY CLEAR – we do not like to be interrupted from our daily routine of napping for anything unless it involves Betty White, lizards, or a mews-worthy mention on none other than our beloved ELLEN DEGENERES. So, when our human Mom who is a compulsively,  over-the-top, border line nutcase who needs to be committed fan of Ellen, pointed out that she is being honored in a gala sponsored by the Petco Foundation to recognize her efforts to improve the quality of life for animals and the people who love them, we HAD to jump off the couch and have human Mom do a post for us. Normally mom can be a bit cranky about us bossing her around, but she didn’t even mind us tricking her to write the post for us.

The gala will be held on Saturday, April 30th at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. According to Paul Jolly, the Executive Director for PETCO Foundation, “We are fortunate to have a great many active supporters, and it’s always an honor for us to celebrate the great work being done by our friends and partners to help animals in need. We’ve been big fans of Ellen and her dedication to animal welfare, both in her personal life and through her work with Halo, for many years. We’re thrilled to recognize her at this year’s gala, and to provide financial support to the Halo Pet Foundation.”

Even though we don’t know you Mr. Jolly, we couldn’t agree more and sure are thrilled that so many animals will benefit from Petco, Halo, and Ellen’s efforts!! A total “5 paws up” for sure! If it weren’t for the fact that we refuse to travel in a pet carrier, have nothing to wear, and have other plans that day (an all day nap fest that we just can’t possibly reschedule on such short notice) we would surely be there to honor Ellen!