Catnip Nation Wins Best Documentary!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you've most likely read the posts about the documentary film Catnip Nation. I met Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the film, at Cat Camp NYC in 2017. I had a very enjoyable conversation with Tina which led to her contributing not only updates about the film but educational, thought-provoking articles about feral cat communities as well.

Catnip Nation's March Report - What Happened to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats?

In January I brought you the fifth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina brings us the exciting news that Catnip Nation will be at the Catsbury Park Cat Convention in just a few weeks! Tina and the Catnip Nation folks will be discussing the dismantling the TNR program for the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats and the uncertain fate 60 cats faced. In their presentation they will discuss how things worked out for the  cats, and the universal issue of protecting colony cats and their caretakers. I can't wait to see the Catnip Nation crew again and attend their session, which I'll definitely be reporting back on. Are you going to the Catsbury Park Cat Convention? Let me know in the comments below. 

Catnip Nation, Award Winning Documentary, Now Available on DVD

In May of 2017, I introduced Catnip Nation to my readers. As I waited (not so) patiently for the film, Director and Producer Tina Traster contributed thought-provoking and heartfelt articles for my blog. (The Catnip Nation series won a Certificate of Excellence in the Cat Writers' Association Communications Contest last year.) When the time finally came to see the film I was SO excited, and it did not disappoint. Catnip Nation is now an award-winning film, and it is also available on DVD. 

Catnip Nation Has A New Trailer! And Other News

Hello, and Happy Monday! I've got some exciting news to tell you all! If you're a regular reader of our blog you know that Catnip Nation has been giving updates on their project right here on our blog. If you're not familiar with Catnip Nation, I'll tell you a little about it. Catnip Nation, a full-length documentary that looks deep into the soul of a handful of unsung and unseen heroes who feed and care for feral cats. Catnip Nation is not only a collection of stories, but the people behind it are working hard to make TNR legal everywhere. 

Today I'm excited to bring you their new trailer! 

Catnip Nation - A Documentary About Feral Cats and the People Who Take Care of Them

Cat Camp NYC, which took place this past March in Manhattan, turned out to be a very educational experience for me.  I was able to speak to people from all walks of the cat community, learning about their missions, values, and work. One of the people I had the pleasure of meeting was Tina Traster, the Producer and Director of the documentary film, Catnip Nation. 

When I was looking at the promotional materials for the film, I noticed they are located in Rockland County, NY where I was born and raised. This piqued my interest and made me very happy because many people don’t even know that Rockland County is on the map! I was so pleased to hear that a spotlight is being shone on the wonderful people whose tireless efforts improve the lives of homeless cats in my hometown. 

The film’s trailer brings me to tears. 

Catnip Nation's June Report: The Plight of a Jones Beach Feral Colony

Last month I brought you the first installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a lawsuit that could have a devastating long term effect on feral cat colonies. Thankfully, Alley Cat Allies is involved in the case and hopefully it will have a positive outcome. It saddens me that this is happening so close to my home. Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below and let's get this conversation started. I'm also asking you to please share this post on social media to bring attention to what's happening on Jones Beach. 

There are still a few days left to help out Catnip Nation on their Seed and Spark campaign. Let's help them spread the word about the importance of advocating for feral cats. And don't forget to come back in July to read Tina's next update. 
Dawn

Cats Versus The Birds on Jones Beach

Hello all, from the Catnip Nation team. You may remember reading about our documentary project a month ago on this blog. We’re planning on keeping you updated on a monthly basis on our project, and to give you an inside peek into the stories we are following.

Catnip Nation is a documentary that tells the stories of a handful of unsung and unseen heroes who care for ferals, and the adversity they come up against.  Ultimately, we will use the film to advocate for laws for TNR, and to stimulate a national conversation so people who do this incredible work can come out from the shadows.

Catnip Nation's August Report: A Long Island Feral Colony is in Danger

In June I brought you the second installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a feral colony at a town dump that is in jeopardy. I'm hoping all parties involved can come to terms for the sake of the cats. How nice would it be for all cats to live safe and happy lives? I hope this feral colony is safe and is being taken care of.

Dawn

Catnip Nation's October Report: What Happens to Cats After a Natural Disaster?

In August I brought you the third installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina gets us thinking about what happens to cats after a natural disaster. Do cats get left behind? Do dogs and livestock get more attention? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Dawn

Where Are The Community Cats After A Natural Disaster?
We’ll never forget the images of Texans rescuing their cows from flooded fields in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey last month. Today, as I scroll on my Facebook page, my heart stops when I see the picture of a man carrying a dog on his shoulder, trying to escape the ravages of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The man was also trying to save his horse.

Catnip Nation's January Report - Fighting For TNR Ordinances In Rockland County, NY

In October I brought you the fourth installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina discusses the importance of TNR ordinances to address the feral cat issue. I could not agree more! This summer I toured Alley Cat Allies' Atlantic City Boardwalk Cat Project, which is proof that TNR works!  One of my goals for my blog this year is to write more about TNR to educate the public on this very important topic.Tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you, Tina, for being a voice for feral cats, not only in Rockland County (my home town), but everywhere. It makes me proud and elated that the Village of Haverstraw, where I grew up, passed Rockland County’s first feral cat ordinance to support Trap Neuter Return (TNR). My niece went to high school with the mayor, Michael Kohut, and I went to school with his brother. (The Village of Haverstraw is small... everyone knows everyone else!) My dream is for this type of ordinance to be passed nationwide. Let's all help Tina and Catnip Nation spread the word by sharing this post. Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

2017 Was A Busy Year For Lola The Rescued Cat!

As 2017 comes to an end it’s time to reflect on the year that has passed and give thanks for the many blessings that have come my way. I’ve started this post over two or three times, writing it in Lola and Lexy’s voice (since they did our look back last year.) But this year it seems to flow better coming from me (much to their dismay. Sorry, girls!)

A Look Back at 2018 for Lola The Rescued Cat

Now that 2018 has come to a close, it’s time to reflect on another year in our lives. ( I had planned on having this post completed a few days ago, but never quite got around to finishing it.)  It’s hard to believe that I have now been blogging for four years!  When I look back at my first posts (and cringe), it’s amazing to me how much the blog has grown and improved because of how much I have learned along the way. 

Catnip Nation's June Report - What's Happening With the Cats at Google?

In March I brought you the sixth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tackles a New York Times article that is emotional for cat rescuers, advocates and lovers. Google's employee run group GCat Rescue, which does wonderful things for feral cats, has been getting pushback from an environmental group. The link to the story is here. Read Tina's response below and tell us your thoughts in the comments. This may strike up differing opinions amongst our readers, but if a colony of cats could be in danger we need to let the world know. 

Catnip Nation's August Report - Settlement Reached Over Jones Beach Ferals

In June I brought you the seventh installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation.  This month Tina brings us news about the settlement that was reached between New York State and the American Bird Conversancy over the feral cat colonies at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Tina first told us about the plight of the colony in this post from last year. 

I was hoping for better news for the Jones Beach ferals. In the eight years that I've been on social media (four of them blogging), I've never been publicly judgmental, attempting to keep Lola and Lexy's world a positive one. But I wonder how an agency can state worry over the existence and safety of one species with total disregard for the possible demise of another. All living beings are equally important in my book. But it doesn't seem that the American Bird Conservancy shares my view.

This is why TNR ordinances are necessary in every town of this country. Feral cats need to be protected. TNR ordinances work! You can read about a success story here. I thank Tina and her peers for working tirelessly on this issue and bringing important information to light. 

Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Tell us about them in the comments below. 
Dawn

Jackson Galaxy's Cat Camp 2019 Returns to NYC!

I love cat themed conventions! An event with hundreds of happy, cat loving people is filled with amazing, positive energy. For a writer, the opportunities for connections and inspirations are boundless. I attended the inaugural Cat Camp NYC in March of 2017 with friends Laura Zaccardi of Squeedunk Cats and Deb Barnes of Zee and Zoey and had the best time! I had been blogging for a little over two years at that point and still wasn't comfortable "putting myself out there." I pushed myself during the event and as a result, I made wonderful connections with wonderful people. 

Cat Camp NYC - A Cat Lover's Delight

Living in New York City definitely has its perks. Admittedly, at times I am a “jaded New Yorker”, not being able to see past the traffic that takes me an hour to navigate the 10 miles to my office, or the train delays that turn a 50-minute commute into 90 minutes. But when Cat Camp NYC was announced, right here in my backyard, I was happier than ever to live here. 

New York City’s first feline-focused symposium.

Cat Lovers Unite by the Sea at the Catsbury Park Cat Convention

Cat-themed conventions seem to be popping up all over, much to the delight of cat-loving people. Last year I spent two days at Cat Camp NYC, and this April I attended Catsbury Park Cat Convention (CPCC) in Asbury Park, NJ. 

We're Winners! The 2018 CWA Annual Contest Was a Big Surprise For Us!

When I was writing our look back at 2018 I was pleasantly surprised at just how much content I was able to generate last year. I think that quite often bloggers crank out content without realizing they’re writing top notch posts. Sometimes we’re on autopilot, with the goal of sticking to our schedule or making sure we’re getting up a post on a weekly basis. Well, at least that’s how it is for me.

What is a Community Cat?

Welcome to the third post in our Community Cat Awareness series. In some of the webinars I have attended, one of the topics discussed was the fact that many people do not understand what a community cat is, or why they are in their neighborhood. For the cats’ health and safety, it is important to educate people on this subject.

In today’s post, we will be answering the question, “What is a community cat?”

The CWA 2019 Certificate of Excellence Winners are Announced and We're Very Surprised!

The Cat Writers’ Association has announced the winners for their 2019 Communications Contest. Last year I was very surprised at the results, but this time I was completely blown away! This year I won 14 Certificates of Excellence for the 15 entries I submitted. I’m very excited to share the top spot with my good friend Deb Barnes of Zee and Zoey. I have admired Deb and her work for many years and thought I could only aspire to be her equal in any way. To say I am extremely honored to be on par with her in the contest is an understatement.

Lola on the Road: Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center (Ann Arbor, MI)

Welcome to the sixth post in our series, "Lola on the Road". Throughout the summer I visited several cat cafes, and I've been sharing my experiences with my readers. Coffee and cats - two of my favorite things! If you missed the last installment in the series, you can read about The Cat Parlour here. And if you'd like to catch up on the entire series, you can do that here. 

My travels have taken me to cafes in Brooklyn, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Texas. I ended the summer in MI, where I not only got to visit two fabulous cafes but I also got to catch up with old friends and meet a blogging friend and another long-time Facebook friend for the first time (all of whom I met through my cats or through blogging. Cat people rule!) It was a great end to the summer. 

Today I'm happy to share a wonderful cafe that I'm sure you'll love reading about - Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center in Ann Arbor, MI.