Wednesday, February 27, 2008

It just never ceases to amaze me

I didn't start this blog to have a soap box. Or to be political. But when I read stories like this one at cnn.com, I just have to write something down. I want to be sure I am not the only one that is flabbergasted by so many things, least of all the fool we have in charge. The newspapers are plastered with predictions of $4/gallon for gas by as early as this summer. FOUR BUCKS! I drive a Honda Civic that gets about 32 miles per gallon. Even with this I am paying about $120 a month just to drive to and from work. Sure, I live too far away from my office, but the real estate market doesn't exactly favor relocation. Do I feel bad for people that drive gas guzzlers? Hell no. However, it's getting to the point where everyone should feel bad for everyone that has to drive anywhere. This gas thing is really starting to affect everyone, even people that drive hybrid cars. Anyway, I don't even have a point, just wanted to link to that story and point out the idiot that is again rearing his head.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Feral Cats

There was an article in the local newspaper recently about a guy who takes in stray cats, provides medical care for them (many are in need of it) and gives them food and a place to stay. He doesn't try to make them all his pets, but does care for them. There are about 30 or so that come and go from his property. He also discovered that local shelters and other programs often offer financial assistance, something i have firsthand experience with, to people who capture feral cats and pay to have them spayed or neutered. Often people will Catch-Neuter-Release (CNR, in case you ever hear this term). This kind soul is doing this but also providing other medical care for the animals. And food. He lets them go but if they come back he feeds them.

What amazes me is the number of letters to the editor in subsequent days complaining about there being no regulations for this type of situation, and that he has basically opened an illegal shelter. I think neighbors complained as well.

I don't know what to say about this. Just give the friggin guy a break. He is a single, aging man, who is spending his limited money to help animals. People seriously do not have enough going on in their lives if they have time to write a letter to the editor just to complain about someone doing something so kind.

On a related note, a relatively inexpensive and quick way to spay/neuter a cat is T.E.A.M.. This is a traveling clinic and all they do is spay/neuter. You have to find out when they will be in your area, and I know they often set up shop in the PetCo. parking lot in Waterford, CT. You drop the animal off in the morning and pick him/her up in the afternoon. I forget if you need an appointment, but they love animals and have done an outstanding job on one of my cats and three feral cats I have caught and either released or found homes for.