artanimals

30 10, 2011

Vox Felina

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

About Vox Felina
This blog is intended to be a repository of research notes, news stories, correspondences, and associated commentary focused on a range of issues related to “the plight” of feral cats in general, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) in particular. The blog format offers two significant benefits for this project: (1) by limiting the scope of each post, I’m able to zoom in on the details—critical for understanding deeply the complexities of the topic, and (2) the hypertext and tags permit linking and cross-referencing impossible in the print domain.

Vox Felinaartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

23 10, 2011

October 22, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

Sasha

Once again we were very thankful to be able to hold a clinic at the Ernie Morgan Center. We had a full day of surgeries for 15 cats and 8 dogs.

Sasha came with her friend Blitz, both of whom were found in the Ocean View/Bayview area of Norfolk and taken in by Veronica Ronan. Veronica’s children call them “dog cats” because they get along so well with the canines already residing in the Ronan home. A friend of Veronica’s who came along to help is having his black cat sterilized Friday with PETA for free.

Lyra & Orion

A black cat who needs a home is Orion, who was brought for surgery with Lyra (also available for adoption). Orion and Lyra were born to feral cats but have been socialized. They are still shy around new people but very loving lap cats with a little time and patience. If you are interested in giving both or either a forever home, please contact Emily. Cats from feral or otherwise unsocialized origins can sometimes make the best companions.

For more pictures, please visit our Facebook page.

October 22, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

22 10, 2011

More Community Cats & Neighborhood Heroes in Berkley

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

As noted in a previous post, SpayHR chooses to help with cat overpopulation through spay/neuter and not through killing.

Berkley cat

Often people in the community feed free-roaming cats but do not take the more important step of stopping overpopulation. Feeding these cats is a way of caring for them, but it does not address the larger issue. When members of the community decide to take steps to help in a more meaningful way, we assist in whatever ways we can.

Berkley cat

In the Berkely section of Norfolk, Lee Case is trying to control the number of roaming – and reproducing – cats on her street.

We are glad for the opportunity to work with people like Lee, who spend their own time and money to trap, transport, recuperate, and feed cats who were not originally their obligation. Lee is helping not just the cats but her community, taking responsibility where someone else has not.

More Community Cats & Neighborhood Heroes in Berkleyartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

21 10, 2011

October 21, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

Ernie Morgan Center

What a beautiful morning to be at the Ernie Morgan Center, the venue for today and tomorrow’s clinics.

The first dog to arrive was Sadie Whitley, lovingly referred to as a mini-Rott for her petite frame. Sadie’s family heard about our program via our mailer. The second dog to arrive was Anabel the Chihuahua. The girls sat side-by-side in crates, waiting patiently for surgery time.

Sadie & Anabel

A few of our participants had been referred by friends who had already had their pets spayed/neutered. Billy Frankart brought Remy, a Corgi/Husky mix. (Remy has already had his surgery and is hanging out with the clinic staff, waiting to go home soon.)

Deirdre Karidan’s neighbor told her about our clinics, and she brought Pappy to be spayed.

Remy meets Mimi

We’ll return to the Ernie Morgan Center tomorrow and are looking forward to a busy morning. See more pictures from today’s clinic on our Facebook page.

October 21, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

19 10, 2011

Update: We’re expanding our services

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

We have a new map, outlining the neighborhoods added to our program recently: West Ocean View, Pinewell, Northside, Bayview, South Bayview, Colonial Heights, Fairmont Park, East Fairmont, Estabrook, Coleman Place, and Ballentine Place.

Update: We’re expanding our servicesartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

15 10, 2011

National Feral Cat Day, October 16, 2011

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

National Feral Cat Day is tomorrow, October 16.

How can you help feral cats? SpayHR is seeking donations of humane traps for TNR assistance. Contact us for more information.

Note: We have received a few comments opposingTNR and certainly understand that feral and otherwise free-roaming cats are viewed as predators and destructive to native wildlife. Our stance, though, is not to punish – through shooting, poisoning, or other methods of killing – the cats.

Cats in the community, feral or friendly, are there because of human action and inaction. Companion animals are regularly abandoned, left to fend for themselves and overpopulate (because they were not sterilized). There are rarely legal consequences for these human actions; punitive recourse is instead directed at the cats, whether through their being trapped and brought to municipal shelters to be euthanized or through recommendations by law enforcement* to kill them. These are easier responses for some to take, as it does not involve confronting people who can retaliate or who may ignore requests to take responsibility.

We simply choose to help those who are taking compassionate responsibility where others have not.

* per one reply from a TNR opponent

National Feral Cat Day, October 16, 2011artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

15 10, 2011

We’re expanding our services

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

We’re excited to announce that PetSmart has awarded Spay Hampton Road’s our second year of grant funding and has approved our proposal to move into additional Norfolk neighborhoods with this money!

Please open the neighborhood expansion map to see the Norfolk neighborhoods covered by PetSmart grant funding. The areas highlighted in green were already being covered, and the areas highlighted in yellow will now also be included.

Hooray!

We’re expanding our servicesartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

14 10, 2011

October 14, 2011 Clinic

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

checking in

Honey

Today’s clinic was an exciting one for many reasons. We had our 1000th animal spayed; we saw residents from our most recently added target area; and, we had a full showing, plus four extra cats, for a very full clinic.

Honey is a BIG sweetie who showed up right on time this brisk morning. She seemed to be enjoying the attention and was hesitant to get on the van. Just before leaving, we saw her recuperating inside. She’s probably home right now, hopefully taking it easy, with Ed and Patches.

Hemingway

We were so happy to see Janis Greer with Boomer and Hemingway from Fairmount Park, one of the newly added target neighborhoods in our program. Hemingway is a cutie, with his big, polydactyl paws and tabby good looks. Boomer and Hemingway are outside strays now being well taken care of: In addition to getting neutered, both received their vaccinations and dewormers.

a very shy Chloe

We always encourage clinic participants to take advantage of the low cost shots and treatments available through our surgery providers, and that is just what Kenneth Hall did for Chloe. He adopted her from not so great conditions and wanted to get her started on heartworm preventive and make sure she was up-to-date on all vaccinations.

Not only did all scheduled people/animals show up for their appointments, the PETA clinic staff took four additional cats from our standby schedule, putting the total number of s/n surgeries at 28!

Zoey & Jack

Of that 28, we had five pairs: Boomer & Hemingway, Maximus & Rocko, Zoey & Jack, Micah & Sadu, and Star & Sissy.

Maximus & Rocko

One of the two seemingly odd couples was Maximus and Rocko, who were adopted by Kyra Smith when their family moved abroad. Kyra hadn’t known the people or the two dogs for very long, but she and her family took on the responsibility of caring for Maximus and Rocko.

The other duo giving us a reason to look twice were Star and Sissy, who are part of a big, loving family. Star didn’t mind waiting in line if it meant belly rubs and hugs from Daniel and David Molaison. Sissy has kittens at home whom we hope to see at another clinic soon.

Star with her fmaily

Micah and Sadu were found at just about a week old by Nhare Payson. Like many of the cats at our clinics, they lucked into finding nice people to care for them.

October 14, 2011 Clinicartanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

14 10, 2011

1000th spay/neuter!

artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

Honey

The 1000th animal to be spayed/neutered through our program came to today’s clinic.

Honey came with Ed Fisher, who also had his dog Patches spayed through our program.

1000th spay/neuter!artanimals2017-07-17T16:18:07-04:00

25 09, 2011

Just a reminder…

artanimals2011-09-25T16:10:02-04:00

The rain date for Friends of Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center’s Dogs Gone Swimming event is today, September 25.

Just a reminder…artanimals2011-09-25T16:10:02-04:00

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