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National Feral Cat Day is today October 16, 2009. The observance was started by Alley Cat Allies, a national cat-advocacy organization, in 2001.

“Feral cats live healthy, quality lives outdoors, but there are ways to make their lives even better, including programs like trap-neuter-return,” said Becky Robinson, National Director of Alley Cat Allies. “National Feral Cat Day is a great opportunity to learn more about feral cats and why trap-neuter-return is best for the cats and the community.”

So what’s the difference between a feral cat, stray cat or free-roaming cat? Free-roaming cats are usually pets that are allowed outside, but are still family pets. Stray cats were once pets, but were lost or abandoned and live permanently outdoors. Feral cats are the offspring of lost or abandoned cats or other feral cats who are not spayed or neutered. Females can reproduce two to three times a year, and their kittens, if they survive, become feral due to lack of contact with humans.

Here are ways to prevent feral cat colonies or assist existing ones in your area.

* Spay or neuter your cat and encourage others to do the same.
* Keep cats indoors or, if outdoors, in contained spaces.
* Donate cash or time to shelters.
* Adopt from shelters.
* If you see feral cats, report them to your local animal shelter or a trap-neuter-release group.

Here is another reminder to vote for your favorite animal shelter. The contest is sponsored by www.Care2.com and www.AdoptaPet.com  Deadline is January 31, 2009 so get crack-a-lackin’!

My cats are asking that you PLEASE choose AniMeals of Missoula Montana.

**The last contest ended November 1, 2008. The lucky winner was Independent Animal Rescue, Inc (IAR) of Durham, NC  www.animalrescue.net

CONGRATULATIONS!! w00t w00t!

Feeding hungry animals in Missoula along with most of Western Montana is a huge job for someone to undertake. Karyn Moltzen accepted, thus creating Animeals of Missoula. This excerpt explaining Animeals was taken directly from their fabulous website.

AniMeals began as a food bank for animals.

We recently expanded our work to include a rescue operation, which consists of saving the lives of animals marked for euthanasia.
We pull these animals out of overcrowded shelters and put them into our foster network until we can find forever homes for them. Once in our care, they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, and micro-chipped so that they never have to face the threat of euthanasia again.

Ten million animals are lost or abandoned every year and five million of them are destroyed. The numbers are staggering. We are working to bring about a time when no more animals are killed just because they have lost their homes.

We need funds to continue this work. Please send your donations to:

AniMeals

1700 Rankin Street

Missoula, MT 59808

We are a registered 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit corporation. Our tax-exempt charitable organization is supported entirely by private contributions. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

According to the website over 101 lives have been saved to date. Even if you don’t live in Montana, I urge you to visit www.Animeals.com. Even if you can’t donate, please take in the information that they have and perhaps use it to create an organization like theirs in your community.