Monroe Cats TNR

10/15/2023

Food for thought...
I can safely say, I don't know a single feral/stray colony cat feeder that is directly responsible for the cats being there in the first place, do you? All the feeders I know are only feeding because they have big hearts and compassion for these kitties who are the result of some other irresponsible person abandoning them in the first place. Most of them also either TNR the cats already or call people to help them TNR the cats. So why are the feeders the problem and not the dumpers?
According to something that an official recently said to us... 'It's easier and more enforceable for a neighbor to call the police to report their neighbor feeding the cats rather than a neighbor calling in a neighbor who put them outside and left them.'
Think about that a minute. In Michigan, it's illegal to abandon or neglect your pets. But it's "easier and more enforceable" to report a bowl of cat food here?
It's hard to even try to wrap my head around this logic... report the non-crime and ignore the crime? Fine the people with compassion, let the irresponsible people get off scott free? By that logic, no wonder we can't get ahead of the outdoor cat population...

10/15/2023

10/08/2023

Great idea ! Less noticeable

08/29/2023

We need to do better ! 💔🤬

9542 likes, 1284 comments. “Lahaina Maui Fire Animals in Need”

08/19/2023

Rest easy Lo**ta
52 years in that tank
Nothing but human greed 💔 🤢

We share this final image and words we received last night from our friend and colleague, professor Claire Beatrix Paris.

Claire prayed and burnt incense whilst Toki was lowered from the tank that confined her for over 52 years.

These are her words:
“They put her on a stretcher and lifted her up in the sunset sky. She was covered with a shroud. You could still see her white and black snout, radiant and beautiful. A flock of Ibis birds flew over her, tears were running down my face. I was holding my breath with her, hoping this was just a bad dream. My heart is broken..
I am sorry Sk’AliCh-elh-tenaut, forgive me, I love you.”
-
We love you for always and forever Tokitae. Dear Li’i, our hearts are with you.
**ta

OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN
-
This is merely her shell, she’s not here. Her powerful, beautiful and magnificent spirit has already left to return to the Salish Sea. There is only love, Tokitae. Only love.

Photo & Caption: Team Until Lo**ta is Home

07/19/2023

Animal Control Division and Shelter Operations
July 19, 2023

On July 18, 2023, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a lease and operation agreement transferring operations of the animal shelter, 911 S. Raisinville Road, from the Sheriff’s Office to the Humane Society of Monroe County. Effectively immediately, the Humane Society will be responsible for day to day operations and the pets housed at the shelter. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to support the shelter operation until the transition is complete.

Sheriff Troy Goodnough is honored and proud of the partnership and agreement with the Humane Society of Monroe County. He feels this agreement will greatly benefit the citizens of Monroe County, but especially the pets housed at the shelter. The goal at the shelter has always been to adopt out the pets as quickly as possible and the Humane Society specializes in adoption.

The Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division, which formerly operated out of the shelter, will now operate out of the Sheriff’s Office located at 100 E. Second Street in the City of Monroe. The Animal Control Officers are still responsible for enforcing all animal laws. This new structure will allow the Animal Control Officers to focus on abuse and neglect prevention & investigation. Dog licenses can be purchased at the Sheriff’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

06/20/2023

This blog is a little different in that the body of this blog is not written by me but rather by a well-known spay/neuter advocate back in 2015. I have been granted permission to use this here. The author has asked to remain unnamed in hopes that the insight into the words here will have more impact...

06/15/2023

PSA for the Day...

06/15/2023

Opinion. When the Indian Religious Freedom Act became U.S. law in 1978, we no longer had to hide our drums and dancing in the guise of tourist attractions, and our ceremonies were again openly practiced as necessary to the health of our communities.

06/01/2023

💯

If You Want to Help Cats, Be Kind to Your Fellow Rescuer!

One is the loneliest number, especially when you are doing rescue. The expenses can threaten our financial well-being and the heartache can hurt our soul. We all need the encouragement and support of our fellow rescuers.

When Sandy started out in rescue, she loved that it gave her a purpose in life. She had always loved animals and working with feral kittens was a concrete way to help animals. Each little feral kitten she trapped, tamed and got into a home made her feel that she was making a difference. Sure, rescue was expensive, but she was willing to put off home repairs or weekend outings to do something she loved. She even made some new rescue friends.

And then this happened...
While waiting at a spay/neuter clinic, Sandy overheard a rescue friend tell a clinic worker, "Sandy shouldn't be fostering--she feeds them crap kitten chow. No wonder those last kittens had goopy eyes. If you can't even feed them decent food, you have no business taking in kittens!" Devastated and embarrassed, Sandy made a complete break with the rescue world. She couldn't afford the high quality brands. In fact, it was a stretch to pay for the food, litter, toys and flea treatment. Something that gave her joy, was now a humiliating memory.

Rescuers are wonderful people with big hearts for cats, but they sometimes forget that people deserve kindness as well. And when rescue mindsets clash, it is usually the cats that suffer. We all know that some foods are healthier than others, but nobody's worth as a foster parent or cat owner should be judged by the food they can afford to feed. Rigid rescue mindsets can drive some people right out of rescue. And it isn't just about food. It is veterinary services, trap quality, adoption screening, number of fosters, brand of litter, when to TNR and when to foster and even the foster home itself.

If you want to help cats, be kind to your fellow rescuer. Trapping and fostering are the hardest part of rescue and we need to help and support everyone who is trying to do their part. Remember, there are 60 to 90 million un-owned cats in the U.S. Our best efforts at controlling their numbers and caring for them are just scratching the surface.

Sandy doesn't trap or foster any more. The cats and kittens she WOULD have rescued are still out there--and they aren't eating grain-free designer food. So the next time you feel critical about another rescuer, consider how your judgment will affect the cats we all care about.

05/10/2023

Please sign

Stop the Michigan DNR from adding several animals to the "nuisance" list. 164 signatures are still needed!

05/07/2023

This is terrible !
There are better ways to protect farm animals and livestock .
Do better Michigan 🤦🏻‍♀️
Sooo sick of nasty people and nasty “laws” 🤢 there’s something wrong with someone who thinks it’s ok to make anything or anyone unnecessarily suffer .

Your either part of the problem or part of the solution .

05/07/2023

What should you do if you find a baby bunny?
✅ Eyes open, ears up, can hop = they most likely do NOT need help.
❌ Blood, flies, cold/wet, attacked by animal = call a rehabilitator right away.
🐰 If a nest gets destroyed it can be repaired and babies can be put back. The mother won’t abandon her babies if they are touched!
ALWAYS call a rehabilitator before intervene or if you just aren’t sure what to do.

04/15/2023

Rest easy Cat Lady 💔

04/15/2023

The Humane Society of St. Clair County/ S.N.A.P is proud to present $10 TNR program for our community stray/feral cats and kittens!

Our spay/neuter clinic is celebrating its 10 year anniversary! With over 30,000 spay/neuter surgeries completed we continue to fulfill our mission to end the large number of homeless, stray and neglected pets in our community.

As of 2021 the number of residents calling in need of assistance with stray or feral cats and kittens was overwhelming. All our local shelters and rescues are at their maximum holding capacity and there being no place for these homeless cats to go. In 2022 the number were even greater. The rate of reproduction is overwhelming. As a community we must do all we can to end the the large number of homeless cats and kittens.

04/10/2023

I know you don’t like our mom living in your attic or shed. We understand. We only ask that you don’t have her taken away. We need her. There is a way you can ask her to move gently, without any harm coming to her or us.

She chose your place because it is warm, dark and quiet. If you change two of those factors, it should nudge her to leave. Play music and turn on lights in the area where she is staying. It won’t harm her or us, but the message will be clear.

Do this for three days. That will give her time to find a new den. When she has found one, she will move us to our new home.

It won’t cost you any money and it won’t cost us our lives. Everyone wins.

Thank you 🙏