Gemini Universal LLC

Today, October 16, we are celebrating National Feral Cat Day 2013. Alley Cat Allies launched National Feral Cat Day® on their 10th anniversary in 2001 to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them.

Lovely weather, good friends and lots of canine participants made for a fantastic Third Annual “Stroll for Strays” event to benefit SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals. Following are some highlights and photos of the event.

Therapy dogs are of great importance to veterans suffering from PTSD. Guardians of Rescue is currently aiding veterans returning from overseas through their Paws of War program.  The team rescues dogs from kill shelters and war torn areas, trains them, and then carefully matches them up with a PTSD patient, to help them through their recovery.

Because millions of shelter pets lose their lives due to overcrowding situations in shelters and lack of loving homes to adopt and care for them, there is now a campaign to raise awareness of this plight.  Today, be a light for pets by promoting awareness about pet adoption and help save lives.  By remembering those we have lost, we can shine a light on the ones we can save.  See what others are doing across the country:

On September 12, 2013 a fast-moving fire broke out at the boardwalk in Seaside Park, New Jersey, destroying much of the boardwalk and spreading to Seaside Heights. In addition to the businesses lost and the people thrown into turmoil, the lives of the boardwalk feral cats were put at risk.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and often I find that to be true.  I discovered recently that Trupanion Pet Insurance came up with a handy visual to make it easier for people to choose the right plan.

Alley Cat Allies recently announced they are gearing up for what they hope will be the best National Feral Cat Day^® ever.  Help them reach their goal by making your preparations now to celebrate feral cats on October 16, 2013.

Did you know that cats get less medical care than dogs? The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is promoting August 22 as Take Your Cat to the Vet Day in an effort to create awareness of the much needed care of our feline friends.

I was delighted to run across an article published online by The Veterinarian Magazine, as it outlines findings that FIV-positive status alone did not have a negative impact on a cat’s survival.  As a former guardian of an FIV-positive cat, this study made my day.