365 Days A Year!

Not ever, ever, never do I not get out of bed every single day, no matter how I feel, or what kind of weather it is out there, I get up and go out and feed cats. 

It could be raining, sleeting, snowing, pouring. Knock on wood I haven’t had too many sick days in my life – I am a relatively healthy person, despite being a bit overweight, and lack of exercise. Although I must say, my legs are in decent shape because of the hour long route I take each morning, in and out of the car, walking to the shelters I have built up for these cats.

I miss those days where I could sleep a bit. That was a long long time ago. I do dream of the next time I am able to. Most people take that for granted. Try walking in my shoes, knowing there are animals waiting for you. Try staying in bed, knowing they are waiting for their meal. I dream of the day when all the animals find homes. I don’t know when that will be, but I can dream and hope for it for someday soon to happen.

There is so much controversy about feeding stray cats. Not only nationally, but I myself encounter so many mean people who think I shouldn’t be doing what I do. When I feed strays I don't JUST throw out some food. I also catch the cat, get the cat spayed or neutered at my own expense and get the cat its shots or whatever medical care it needs. Then I try to place it in a home.

I've fed strays for years and I have often not been too popular for it. I don't really know why they care. The cats don't do anything destructive. In fact, in a few places in the United States, there have even been city ordinances passed to make it a crime to feed strays. This is definitely not right. I often wonder what sort of uncaring people would pass and support these laws and how they'd like it if they were out of the street with no food or shelter.

As far as cats getting into someone's garden, I say who cares? People are the most destructive animals on the planet, but I don't see these same people whining about that. I can see where it might be annoying if a cat tears up your garden, but there ARE worse things. If this is your only real problem then you are doing very good.

These domesticated cats don't survive very well outdoors on their own without human intervention.

The best that stray cats can usually do is to eat from garbage cans. Every now and then they may find a mouse to eat, but in general most stray cats are starving. Especially during the winter.

Also, remember that it isn't the cat's fault that he or she is a stray. Often strays are cats that have been abandoned by their owners for some reason. Other times, the strays are born outdoors to other stray cats. In any case, it isn't the cat's fault that they have no home. Also, cats are intelligent animals with feelings and individual personalities and it is cruel to let them go hungry.

So, I hope this sparks something within each of us to know that it IS our responsibility to help these poor creatures, in any way we can.

Have a good day.