NYC Eartips: Spring 2009

The E-Newsletter of the New York City Feral Cat Initiative

Welcome to the Spring 2009 issue of NYC Eartips, the e-newsletter of the New York City Feral Cat Initiative (NYCFCI). In this issue you'll read about the work of dedicated volunteers who have been out trapping and rescuing cats and kittens for adoption placement throughout New York City this spring. You'll also read about free and discounted cat care goods and services in "Tips for Stretching Your Cat Care Dollars," by Valerie Sicignano, and learn how to bottle-feed and take proper care of orphaned kittens in "Help for Orphaned Kittens," by Jill Richardson, DVM.

We think you'll enjoy reading about how the NYCFCI and ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic collaborated with the community to reduce the feral cat population in Meredith Weiss' article "It Takes a Village to Help Feral Cats – The East Village."

In "The Odyssey of J. Gramps" by Evon Handras, be heartened by the tale of a friendly cat found living in a feral cat colony who got a second chance at indoor life and is looking for a forever home.

And Meet Lois McClurg, the new NYCFCI Assistant TNR Director, in "NYCFCI Welcomes Assistant TNR Director Lois McClurg."

Plus, you'll learn how to post your cat and kittens that are available for adoption in "NYCFCI Launches Petfinder Adoption Page!,"and read about the important work CSM Stray Foundation is doing to promote responsible feral cat management through TNR to the next generation in "CSM Stray Foundation Feral Cat School Program."

If you want to get involved, now is your chance! Learn more about an opportunity to share your knowledge about hand-raising kittens in "Help! Bottle-Feeding & Feral Kitten Socializing Mentors Needed." And those of you who use Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking websites will be interested in reading "Tweets and Posts and Shares…Oh, My!" to find out how you can promote the NYCFCI and share TNR articles, news, and events online.

The NYC Feral Cat Initiative is a joint program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals and Neighborhood Cats, two private non-profit organizations committed to solving New York City's feral cat overpopulation crisis through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Through our e-newsletter, we hope not only to keep you informed of our progress but also to inspire you to get involved in helping the feral and stray cats in your neighborhood. If you are already involved, then we hope our newsletter — and our website www.NYCFeralCat.org — will provide you with useful information that will help you work more effectively with the cats in your care.

Thank you for being a part of our efforts to make New York City a safer place for feral cats. We hope you enjoy NYC Eartips. If you have comments or suggestions for this newsletter, we welcome them at eartips@NYCFeralCat.org. And if you haven't already, please visit our website at www.NYCFeralCat.org.

Together, we can make a difference for feral and free-roaming cats in New York City.

Best wishes and happy reading,

In This Issue…

Kitty Beat: Report from the Boroughs

Tips for Stretching Your Cat Care Dollars

by Valerie Sicignano, NYC Feral Cat Initiative

Help for Orphaned Kittens

by Jill Richardson, DVM

It Takes a Village to Help Feral Cats — The East Village

by Meredith Weiss, NYC Feral Cat Initiative & Neighborhood Cats

The Odyssey of J. Gramps

by Evon Handras, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

NYCFCI Welcomes Assistant TNR Director Lois McClurg

NYCFCI Launches Petfinder Adoption Page!

CSM Stray Foundation Feral Cat School Program

by Nancy Fahnestock, CSM Stray Foundation

Help! Bottle-Feeding & Feral Kitten Socializing Mentors Needed

Tweets and Posts and Shares…Oh, My!

by Krista Menzel, Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

In Every Issue…

Upcoming Events

Donate to the NYC Feral Cat Initiative

Volunteer to Help Feral Cats