The Crazies

That was an actual movie - where people went insane in this little Town, because of the water or something, can't remember.  But that is the way it is with Maryleigh on Webster.

I trapped another kitty on Melville, not the pretty sweet calico I tried for, and not the pretty sweet grey kitty female I wanted, but this feral I've named Melvin.  He, and another that a friend is trapping on Hebard, a white pregnant girl, will go to the clinic today.  Here is Melvin:  Poor baby.

Then there is the Master, Laura, who tried to get the kitty with the huge lump hanging from her belly on Webster and Ferndale.  Unfortunately, that CRAZY BITCH (and I am so sorry if I have offended anyone with that, but my feelings towards this woman are pretty bad) Crazy Maryleigh (that is her official name - well, the second part - did some research on her) was hanging about there.  Turns out Laura happened to be there at the same time this woman comes by from her house a street down, knowing I have finished placing food there, just to throw out the food I've left for these starving animals. She saw the set up to trap this cat, and went ballistic.  She kicked over the trap three or four times, threw food, called 911, and took pictures. This is a woman that claims that the 20 or so cats that I have viewed outside her house, are all hers - most of them unspayed/neutered.  Including Frisco, the kitty that nearly died with the chicken bone stuck on the roof of its mouth, including the little red kitty that was struck by a car two weeks ago and is now in the caring hands of a foster, and now including the one Laura is trying to trap with the tumor on its belly.  Trying to do the humane thing for this animal.  I have found homes for FIVE cats just this year from this spot.  Since I was feeding on these corners a few years ago, I have found homes for at least five others. Laura wanted to trap this kitty because she said it would be a simple procedure to remove it, I forgot what she called it, but it would need to be done.  She offered, and I never refuse Laura.  :)  SOMETHING must be done about this.  There has got to be a law to protect those of us that are trying to make this city a better place, for both human and animal, to co-exist.  We are trying to alleviate the suffering of these animals, and the reproduction of so many, by spaying and neutering,  There has got to be a law to prevent the prevention of this.  This woman must be stopped.  I am beside myself - I have a call in to my police friend to get her advice.  If anyone knows anything about the laws, please comment!

The kittens are doing well, tomorrow the other two, Meadow and Haven, will be going to the clinic for their wellness check, and determine their sex for sure, which I do believe both are female.  So we have three males, and two females, all 9 weeks old, and sweeter than honey.  All need homes. Please please spread the word.

Have a nice day.

The Prayer Of A Stray

Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care! 

I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.  

My body is aching, it's so racked with pain.  

And dear God I pray as I run in the rain, 

that someone will love me and give me a home.  

A warm cozy bed I can call my own.  

My last owner neglected me and chased me away 

to rummage in garbage and live as a stray.  

But now, God, I'm tired and hungry and cold.  

And I'm afraid that I'll never grow old.  

They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones 

while I run in the streets just looking for bones!  

I'm not really bad, God, please help me if you can.  

For I have just become a "VICTIM OF MAN"!  

I'm wormy, Dear God, and I'm ridden with fleas 

and all that I want is an owner to please!  

If You find one for me, God, I'll try to be good.  

I won't run away and I'll do as I should.  

I don't think I'll make it too long on my own, 

cause I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.  

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry, 

cause I'm so afraid, God, that I'm gonna die!  

And I've got so much love and devotion to give, 

that I should be given a new chance to live.  

So, dear God, PLEASE, PLEASE answer my prayer 

and send me somebody who WILL really care...

Happy Monday!

In case any one is new to reading this, a brief summary of how this started.  Maybe 15 or more years ago, I was at the public market, and on my way home (in the dark - yes, I liked to get up early even before this), I spotted some cats in a vacant lot on 1st and Bay street, and started to feed them.  (Actually, it started when I was having lunch at Lorraines Lunch Bastket on Culver near East Main with friends and one spotted a cat behind the restaurant! - I continued to feed through that winter there, before the owners asked me to leave - I helped many cats survive that winter for sure).  After this, I spotted many more around this area, and so it began.  I started building huts, I started to rescue the sweet ones, I started to get them spayed and neutered after I learned about Habitat for Cats low cost clinic in Webster on Irondequoit Bay, WAAAAAY back when.  Prior to learning about that low cost clinic, I was bringing rescues to my own vet and being charged well over $200 for their vetting, and then adopting them out. 

These days, I get up at 3 am. every morning, EVERY SINGLE MORNING, and head out at 4:15 am. to feed well over 60+ cats now, and those are the ones I can count.  There are many more that wait in the wings for me to leave, the true ferals.  I spay and neuter as many as I can through Rochester Community Animal Clinic, and have to return most of those to the street the next morning after their surgery, and its heartbreaking.  I have rescued over 30 cats so far this year, and TNR'd that same approximate number.  I still pay $50 per cat as I did at the HFC clinic years ago, and it costs me a fortune.  I survive on my admin paycheck, and through the help of a few people, their kindly food and monetary donations.  I have given up a life of vacations, fixing up my house, getting a new car, etc.  Every penny goes to helping the less fortunate cats of Rochester.  I would love to be able to find homes for these deserving cats, and there are at least 10 right now I could easily remove from the streets, and they would make such wonderful, and extremely grateful companions, but I can't find enough people willing to adopt or foster. 

I have seen a lot of sadness on the streets over all these years, but there have been so many rewards that almost equal the sad.  Take for instance, Miranda Smudgy.  Here is the latest picture of her.  Talk about a grateful and happy cat:

Smudgy Miranda

On Friday, I had to take "Sabrina", the red kitty that was hit by a car several weeks back, and brought to me by HFC after I told them I would take her, I didn't want her going back to that wicked corner on Webster and Ferndale where Crazy Mary throws away the food I leave for all those cats that live for me to deliver it each morning.  Sabrina (Fluffy) was adopted the week prior, but her new mom was going on vacation so I decided to keep her until her return and continue to socialize this very fearful cat.  She seemed very dehydrated, looked like she was losing weight and had terrible breath.   I brought her in and after weigh-in (4.8 pounds), they opened her mouth and all her gums and teeth were rotting.  They immediately did a blood test (negative) and then gave her a shot of convenia and Clindrop treatment.  Why on earth did RAS (Rochester Animal Services) not see this?  They are the ones that took her in after she was hit by car - I would think they would at least give her a thorough exam.  I am afraid of what will come down the road with her teeth.  She is now in the care of a friend while I am caring for these three crazy kittens I rescued, and seems to be doing a bit better!  Speaking of, these three kittens also went to the clinic for their wellness exam, and guess what, Emma Grey is EMMET Grey.   All three are boys!  Meadow and Haven will be going to the clinic this week and we will determine their sex.   PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD, THESE KITTENS NEED ADOPTING.  I CANNOT RESCUE ANY MORE UNTIL THEY GO - PLEASE CONSIDER FOSTERING IF YOU HAVE A BIT OF TIME ON YOUR HANDS!  Also, please consider making a donation to the clinic on behalf of all these kittens and cats that will need to be spayed and neutered out there.  Tomorrow I will be TNR'ing two more.  This is so costly.  :(

Tiggy

Pippa

EMMETT!

Pippa is kinda my favorite - shhhh!  don't tell the others!

I could write all day about the recent developments on the streets this past week, but just noticed that I now need to get to my full time job!  UGGGH.  Prayers, please.

And don't forget my fundraiser!  July 18th!  Be there or be square.  :)

Have a great day!

Rescuer's Creed

Author Unknown

• I promise I will take your unwanted animals.
• I will heal their wounds, their diseases, their broken bones.
• I will give them the medical attention they need and deserve.
• I will nurture their starvation and give them a warm place to sleep.
• I will spay and neuter them, vaccinate them against the diseases that can harm them.
• I will treat them and honor them.
• I will buy them toys, blankets, balls and teach them to play.
• I will speak softly to them.
• I will try to teach them not to fear, not to cry and not to hate.
• I will whisper sweet, kind, gentle words into their ears, while gently trying to stroke their fear, their pain and their scars away.
• I will face their emotional scars and give them time to overcome them.
• I will socialize them, potty train them, teach them to be obedient, show them dignity
• I will hold their paws and stroke their ears if they have endured too much and walk them over the Rainbow Bridge....

TNR Thursday

What an insane morning for me.  It started with waking, visiting the three kittens in my downstairs bathroom, holding each one, kissing each one, talking gently to each one.  Then, downstairs to where Fluffy is - this is the cat that was hit by a car on Webster Avenue, and brought to Rochester Animal Services, and a rescue group was called after the cat healed from minor injuries, and it needed to be returned to the streets.  The group called me because I feed around there, and I recollected that yes, this kitty had been missing for a week, but I had thought that CRAZY MARY had taken the cat into her house just down the street.  I told the rescue group that this cat should not be placed back into that area because this woman was removing the food after I left it every single day.  I offered to take Fluffy.  A co-worker, who adopted Laura from me three years ago, offered to take Fluffy.  She came and got Fluffy on Monday, but mentioned she would be going on vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow.  I told her I would take Fluffy for that time because Fluffy is very very timid, and I would work with her during that time.  So, here I have Fluffy in one room, and kittens in the other, all scared.  On top of that, today was TNR Thursday.

Patty from Parsells

Mike from Melville

I started off on Melville, where there are a ton of cats.  This is not one of my regular spots, I just happen to know there are many hungry cats and I am feeding them under a lamppost next to the curb.  I rescued Smudgy Miranda here last week.  I set the trap, drove to the next NON-Spot, and set another there.  This is doors down from CRAZY LISA's house.  I drove back to the first set trap around the corner and Voila!  Kitty trapped.  Then back to the second set trap and Voila!  Another kitty trapped.  I believe the first is a boy, and the second is a girl.  Funny how you can pretty much tell the sex of cats when they are older, but with kittens, God only knows, for me.  I wish someone would come over and tell me.  Although these kittens do need to be seen by a vet for a check up, deworming, shots, etc.  Then spaying.  I sure do need help with all this.  There are five total.  The other two are my responsibility even though they are being cared for by a kind hearted girl I met through my friend Julie.  IF anyone can spare some change, please call the clinic at 585-288-0600 and make a donation under my name.  Many thanks in advance!  Each cat cost me $50.  That's a lot of money for me on a single paycheck.

On top of that, as I finished up and headed to my second half of feedings, beyond Webster Avenue up and up Central Park, I poured my usual food down at Webster and Ferndale, where I had every intention of that being one of the trappings I would do that day, but had decided against it at the last minute, lo and behold, there walks Crazy MaryLou (I think this is her correct name).  She is out a lot earlier than normal, as its still only 4:45 now.  I walked up to her and told her to stay away, as I always do.  She said the most vulgar things to me, which she has done in the past, but this time, it made my socks curl up in my boots.  I don't know where she get the filthy thoughts she has - she has certainly been around.  I am not sure what I can do about this, but she is hampering my efforts to get these cats spayed.  I am not sure if there in any legal precedence here.  I would love to get legal advice on this.

I could trap a cat every single day for a year, that's how many cats are out there that need help.  I mentioned seeing one pure white baby kitten yesterday near Niagara Street.  I had every intention to trap it this morning, but guess what.  When I pulled up, I saw three pure white and one pure black baby kittens.  I saw an orange adult.  I was just overwhelmed.  I need more help.  I can't do this alone.

The person that I left a note for on Hebard yesterday wrote another note and taped it up next to his original one.  It said something like 'take the cats elsewhere, its not my problem' to which I wrote a note back saying I would be leaving him some information today telling him that its not likely that the cats will be moved elsewhere, because it just doesn't work like that.  He needs to understand that the cats need spaying and neutering and they won't go away, it will just get worse with overpopulation without it.  He is a sad man.  He obviously just hates animals.  I need help from the city with this.  They just have to be able to help with this problem.  We need to shake these people and make them understand!

Have a Nice Day.

"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics,

which is the goal of all evolution.

Until we stop harming all other living beings,

we are still savages."

Reflections

I've named the kittens!  Although I still don't know the sex of them.  I am SO BAD!!!  :)  I held each one, tried and tried, but couldn't see if they were boys!  I don't think they've quite 'developed' yet.  :)  I held each one and said what shall we name you, and I came up with the following:

Emma Grey, Tiggy & Pippa!

PIPPA!

Emma Grey & Tiggy!!!

As I drove home this morning, from feeding now over 60 cats - that I can count - at each of my locations - three are not really my 'spots' - I feed there because I know there are hungry kitties, but they have no shelters to keep them from harms way - as I drove home, I thought to myself, what will I say on my blog this morning.  I then thought about how long I've been keeping this journal.  Since 2008.  That's a long time to write day in and day out about feeding stray and homeless cats!  But its not just feeding, its not just building little shelters for them to survive the winters, its not just placing food and water down for them so they don't starve to death, its showing them a minute, and sometimes seconds of love from a human being.  There are some that have taken years to trust me, to trust a human, and that is one of the many rewards of what I do.  I can't count - since 2008 - how many cats I've rescued and adopted out, nor can I count how many cats I have trapped, had spayed or neutered, and had to release, and I can't count how many deceased cats that I have come upon in my daily journey, whether it was from being killed by a car, whether it was from a natural cause, or whether it was torn alive by a wild animal, OR whether it was by my decision that had to be made at a clinic due to the severity of its injuries, or disease.

I remember all the cat bites I've endured - not many for the total number of cats I've handled over the years, and I remember all the pregnant kitties I've removed from the streets that made their way to a rescue group.  I also remember all the pregnant kitties that I've had spayed.  And how much better their lives are now for it.  No offspring to worry about, and most have gone to loving homes.

Memories.  That's all I have - both good and bad and oh some so sad.  I live in a city where there are a lot of people that don't care about animals.  That could care less if they starved to death.  Just this morning, I placed food down again on a street that is off my normal route - where a man has placed a sign 'please do not feed the cats - the owner'.  I placed food down, again, for the five that I counted cats that came scrambling over for the only bit of food they will have in their stomachs for the next 24 hours, and I wrote the following note back "Dear Sir, how can you allow cats to starve to death.  We are trying to manage the amount of cats here by having them spayed and neutered.  Please have some compassion.", or something like that.  Really, how can a human being be so cruel.

As I left there, and turned onto Central Park, out of the corner of my eye I saw a pure white adult cat.  And right next to it, a little itty bitty pure white kitten.  That kitten can't be any older than 8 weeks.  I have two spots at the clinic tomorrow, and at least FIVE cats that I was hoping to trap.  Now I have to add this to my list.  Its just never ending.  I believe I will set a trap for this kitten tomorrow, and one on Melville Street - another spot that is not mine - where there are at least five cats not eartipped, where I rescued Smudgy Miranda from.  All hungry.  There is also a new beautiful calico girl I am feeding on 4th and Pennsylvania that has had babies, after I was able to feel her belly this morning.  She needs spaying.

Never ending.  But I keep plodding on, one foot in front of the other.  Please consider foster and adoption so that I don't have to let these animals back onto the streets to suffer.

(Update on Jelly and Elvis:  "Both cats are doing well... They seem very happy in their room..they have different kitty visitors...right now Bella and Lola are spending time with them.  They are eating well.  Jelly is quite friendly after all those weeks hiding under the desk but still gets easily scared.  Elvis is just a good old boy.")  :)

Have a good day.

"Be kind and be truthful

and your life

will be fruitful."

Oh, What a Crazy Life I Lead

Weather forecast for Rochester, NY:

Today:
Showers and thunderstorms through midday, any storms could be strong with damaging winds and heavy rain.  Sun returns this afternoon. Very windy and still humid.
High: 81
Wind: SW 15-35 mph

I tried to dodge the rain this morning by leaving half hour earlier than usual.  3:45 am.!  Am I NUTS or what???  Honestly, my main concern was to let the cats that have NO shelter for their food eat before they got rained on.  How sad, eh?  I did return to the spot on Melville Street after I made my rounds, and on my way home, and moved the dishes from the curb to under a garage awning behind a truck that is always parked there.  The cats came running to the bowls out of the rain.  The grey cat is very friendly, but starving.  Its surely homeless.

Speaking of homeless there is a situation on Hebard that a friend feeds at every other day I guess, and the man fixing up a house there across from a garage, which now has signs all over it of no trespassing.  There are about four or five cats there that are starving.  I thought to myself this morning, after I went to put food down (yes, even though this is not one of my spots, I cannot help myself knowing there are hungry cats), and after seeing a new handwritten sign on the garage saying "please do not feed cats here - the owner", I thought to myself, how can a human being allow an animal in obvious need starve to death.  How can a human being want to allow an animal not to be fed.  I just don't get this.  Can anyone explain their thoughts about this to me?  Its total cruelty in my opinion.  Something must be done about this spot, there is no other place for these cats.  I am hoping my friend will come up with a plan, I have enough to worry about - I cannot handle any more.

Speaking of, a friend of a friend offered to take two of the kittens from me yesterday.  She came and got two of them right after work.  Here is a picture of the two she is going to try to socialize.  Then hopefully we can get them adopted!  She named them Meadow and Haven.

Here is a picture I took of the remaining three, which I am trying to think of names for myself.  I don't know how this girl got the two above to pose like that!   I know the black one is going to be Pippa.  :)  She is one cute little kitten.  She lets me kiss her on the nose!  :)  (some would say eeeuuwww gross to that, but I don't care!).  :)  I am truly grateful that - as much as I love kittens - these will hopefully move fast and out of my house.  Its a lot of stress on me to have this many.

Here is me forcing kitties to have their picture taken:  :)

On top of the kittens, I had the little red from Fernwood dropped off into my other bathroom yesterday.  Little Fluffy is very timid, but a sweetheart.  She was hit by a car a week earlier and was being cared for by Rochester Animal Services and needed to be moved out of there and returned to her colony, although her colony is not a good one because of Crazy Marilee throwing away the food so I had to take her.  Lo and behold, a girl that adopted Laura from me over two or three years ago was interested and came to take a look at little Fluffy.  I think love formed in the bathroom while I let them meet and greet, and she decided to give her a try, even though Laura may be a problem.  Laura is now named Gypsy by the way.  I gave her all sorts of advice about introduction, but its going to take a bit of time I believe. On top of that, this girl is going away for two weeks on Friday, so I may take little Fluffy back until they return.  Ugggh.

Maria and Fluffy Getting To Know Each Other

 I swear I didn't dream about this kind of life as a little girl!  uggh.

Below are pictures of Frisco, the kitty from the same location - Fernwood and Webster - that had a chicken bone lodged in his mouth and was on death's doorstep when he walked up to me that lucky morning.  Here he is with his brother and sisters - is he one happy kitty to be indoors and loved?

Have a great day everyone!

"The greatness of a nation 

and its moral progress 

can be judged by the way 

its animals are treated."

Catville

So much happened this weekend, and the weekend was only TWO days!

First off, Smudgy Miranda has been adopted!  I brought her over for a meet and greet on Saturday morning, and wound up leaving her there.  They had every intention on keeping her, and all went well when meeting with their two year old daughter.  Their young son was away for the day, but when the two met -- well, you judge for yourself!  Happy Dance for me!

Smudgy Miranda and her new family

If you recall, last week a friend showed me a location not far from some of my colonies that she feeds at occasionally.  When I got there, I saw at least five kittens running around.  I reached out for help in trapping these babies, as babies do not belong on the street if we can help it!  I offered to take them in and foster them if she could get them.  Voila, all in one fell swoop, she got them.  They are in my bathroom now, and they are on the cusp of being feral.  I have to slowly get them used to human interaction, as the first eight weeks of their life have been spend only with other cats, and trying to survive inside a garage.  I am way above my head on this one.  I need some help with socializing them.  My sister has offered to foster one, but not until after the July 4th holiday.

On top of that, I received a text from the trapper of these kittens that there was an orange little cat at Rochester Animal Services that had been brought there a week earlier after being hit by a car on Webster Avenue.  Webster Avenue is one of my spots, where Crazy Marilee throws the food away.  This trapper asked if I knew of the cat.  At first I couldn't recall, then I realized that yes!  There has always been a small sweet little red kitty and its been gone for about a week now.  I thought Crazy Marilee had taken it in her house as she considers all these cats HERS.  As a matter of fact, there is a black cat I've seen the past two mornings with a huge ball growth under its belly.  Its terribly sad.  It won't let me get near it, but I placed some food down for it under a bush, hoping Marilee won't see it.  The trapper, a sweet tiny woman, expert at what she does, told me she needed to return it to the colony.  I told her about Crazy Marilee, and that if anything, all those cats needed to be removed from there, not returned.  I told her I would foster it if she could determine its personality. Well, she reported back that not only is this kitty sweet, but she let her brush her teeth!  : )  Imagine that.  And I have someone coming over after work today to meet "Fluffy" from Ferndale.  Prayers please!

The real bummer of the weekend was a message from a girl that adopted Teddy over a year ago.  Here is what she wrote me: 

"I am having problms with Teddy. He has been peeing on our shoes, etc. Now I found pee all over our closet... Its horrible. I just cant do this. especially having a 2 and 5 yr old, its just not healthy. He peed on some of their stuff even. What do u want me to do; I just don't think we can keep him at this point"

This woman and her family adopted Teddy over a year ago.  I am very very upset by this and have offered her the advice to get a calming collar, multiple litter boxes around the only cat house, Prozac prescription from the doctor, and another check up after she told me that Teddy had a vet visit over two months or so ago.  When people adopt from me, I expect its for life.  Most of my adopters have made it clear to me that no matter what, the cat is theirs for life, no matter what.  Some of my adopters have been through trials with these animals from the streets, some have not.  But in the long run, you don't just get rid of your cat because its urinating in the wrong places.  It obviously has an issue that needs to be address, just like if a human child is having behavioral issues, or medical issues.  Do you just get rid of the child?  You can't just expect that I can take the cat back just like that, can you?  I have SO much on my plate, how can you do this to me, or the cat?  Thoughts?

Pictures taken Saturday morning:

Pennsylvania and Second

Pennsylvania and Second

Shelter - Pennsylvania and Second

New Cat at Pennsylvania and 4th

Cammy, my next rescue, on Central & 5th

Buttons on Short Street

Mr. Whiskers II on Short

Crazy Marilee

One of the Many Cats on Merrill Street

Have a good day.

"I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance.  People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction.  Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion and elimination of ignorance, selfishness and greed."

Believe!

I took some photos of Miranda/Smudgy this morning, but she is so active, and wriggly, that it was hard to get a decent one.  We were playing 'dress up' on the bed.  She does love to play!  She will meet her potential new family tomorrow morning.  WISH US LUCK!  :)

After witnessing the baby kittens on Bay and Miller Streets yesterday, this scene weighed heavily on my mind the entire day, up until bedtime, and when I woke this morning.  I felt compelled to go there by myself this morning to place a tote shelter under this bush where the food and water was left.  Two baby kittens watched me approach and then went under the small garage door opening.  One was pure red, one was  black.  It was confirmed by my friend that there are three adults, all female, and 3-4 kittens.  I am begging someone to step up to help, whether it be helping to TNR the adults, or fostering the babies.  I think they are just young enough that they won't turn feral, but close to that gap.

Update since paragraph above was written.  (see?  things change in an instant in life!)  There is now someone from the largest rescue group in western New York, Habitat for Cats, trapping at this place for the adults.  I am SO thankful for their help after I reached out to them yesterday.  I know this will not be an easy task, nor will it happen in a day, but for each cat we spay/neuter, hundreds more will not be born.

Front of House

Add caption

I came  upon these old photos of me - starting to fade over the years - wanted to get them digitalized (if that is even the right word - I am completely dumb when it comes to this computer stuff) anyway, and thought I would share.  Wasn't I so angelic...  back then.  HA!

4 years old?

6 years old?

Have a GREAT day!

To believe is to know that every day
is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises
are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.

Overwhelmed AND Underpaid

I would like to mention, and thank, a wonderful and kind gentleman by the name of Duane DeHollander. Duane is a very generous man who started Rochester Hope for Pets - Missy's Fund to help those in need of financial assistance with spaying and neutering their pets.  He has helped me in the past, and without him, I couldn't have spayed and neutered as many cats as I have since I began doing this.   Here is the link in case any of you would like to check out what its all about.  http://rochesterhopeforpets.org/missys-fund-feral-spay-and-neuter-program/.

After my rounds this morning, I came home with a very heavy heart.  A friend of mine rode with me this morning, she wanted to show me the three or four spots she puts food down for cats at every other day, and wanted to show me a plot of land that she says would be ideal to be used as a sanctuary for cats, a great big field in the middle of the hood.  Would love to know who owns this land also. 

It was a beautiful and quiet morning out there, I love the peace and tranquility of this time of day.  After she saw all my spots, and all the kitties waiting for me to feed them, we drove to her spots.  There is a young tortoise girl that zoomed over when we placed food by the side of the road and she was RAVENOUS.  She even started to choke after gulping down the food.  She feeds at this spot every other day, so these cats - I saw more - are not even eating regularly.  This cat needs to be rescued immediately.  At another spot, I looked over in disbelief.  I saw at least five adult cats, and maybe six or seven or eight baby kittens!  I said to her this is a crime.  I am not putting blame on anyone.  There are some people that cannot deal with situations like this. Its overwhelming.  I certainly don't know what even I can do - I think we can all agree that I do more than my share, I am overwhelmed by what I do as it is, let alone to take over this situation and get it remedied.  I am just one person - but this situation needs help.  This spot needs help.  I need to find someone to trap these cats for me regularly, and get as many of them into the clinic to be spayed and neutered.  I was so upset by what I saw.  We left food and water down for them, and drove off.  Not a good start to my day.

Potential Adopter No. 1 came to meet Smudgy Miranda last evening, and hopefully Potential Adopter No. 2 will come meet her.  There is a Potential Adopter No. 3 in the wings, so lets pray we can find this girl a home.  Potential Adopter No. 1 is just worried about her older cat, who has two younger siblings for a total of three kitties that Smudgy Miranda would be joining in the mix.  Smudgy Miranda is not thrilled by the sight of other cats, so she would take a bit of time to trust another around.  But she would eventually come around. 

That's all I have today folks.  Have a good one.

"Don’t live your fears, live your dreams."