The Agenda Behind Agenda-driven “Science”

What do you get when public policy is based on agenda-driven junk science? If various TNR opponents have their way, we’ll find out the hard way.

As I pointed out shortly after the Smithsonian/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “killer cat study” was published, the paper actually has very little to do with science or conservation. At its core, this was an agenda-driven effort to undermine TNR. (Note, for example, the emphasis on unowned cats—the cause of about 69 percent of mortalities, according to the paper’s authors—and native species—“the majority of the birds preyed upon by cats,” [1] a claim unsupported by the very evidence the authors provide.)

And, as we’ve seen in the past couple weeks, members of the media, wildlife advocacy organizations, and the scientific community are trying to use the Loss et al. paper as a lever to shape policy. There was, of course, witch-hunt pioneer Stan Temple’s op-ed in the Sun-Sentinel, referring to the paper as “a new study… provid[ing] a science-based estimate of the number of birds and mammals killed by cats nationwide.” And the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is sounding the alarm, claiming that “cats may even restrict the statewide recovery of some rare birds.”

Among the other stories I’ve seen (and no doubt there are many I’ve missed): Read more

Feline Shelter Intake Reduction Program FAQs

The timing was perfect—almost.

Not 10 minutes after I published yesterday’s post, I noticed a link posted by my friends at Stray Cat Alliance on the organization’s Facebook page. Beside the link was this not-so-subtle endorsement:

“THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!!”

As I say, not so subtle. On the other hand, I couldn’t agree more. Read more

Stray Cat Alliance’s I Spayed L.A. Program

Although I wasn’t planning to post anything until next week, I changed my mind after watching this video about Stray Cat Alliance’s I Spayed L.A. program. “A year-and-a-half ago, when we started this program, we believed that the community would embrace us,” observes founder and executive director, Christi Metropole, “but they have embraced this program more than we ever could dream possible.”

Indeed, they did. This year, the organization spayed and neutered more than 1,000 cats in South Central Los Angeles, and they’ve got plans to sterilize another 2,000 by summer.

For more information, check out the Stray Cat Alliance website.

(Video not working? Click here to watch it on YouTube.)

2012 No More Homeless Pets National Conference

Just two more days to take advantage of the early-bird registration rate of $275!

And Vox Felina readers can save an additional $25 by entering the discount code “Wolf.” Simply visit the conference website, and click on “Register Now.” (When asked for payment information, be sure to use your discount code.)

Among this year’s speakers are Jackson Galaxy, star of My Cat From Hell and author of Cat Daddy, Ellen Jefferson, executive director of Austin Pets Alive!, Christi Metropole, founder and executive director of Stray Cat Alliance, and Becky Robinson, co-founder and president of Alley Cat Allies.

And, for those hard-core attendees who stick around until Sunday…

Laura Nirenberg, legislative analyst for Best Friends’ Focus on Felines campaign, Lisa Tudor, Director of Development and Outreach, the Foundation Against Companion-Animal Euthanasia (FACE), and I will be presenting Taking It to the Street (Cats): Grassroots Advocacy for Community Cats Sunday morning. (Apologies in advance to those who will be staying out too late Saturday night!)

Hope to see you there!

When: October 25–28, 2012
Where: Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Cost:
$275 early-bird rate ($325 after September 19)

For updates and additional information, check out the conference Facebook page. Questions? conferences@bestfriends.org.

Get Out the Vote!

Photo: Kate “Miss Moderncat” Benjamin

Facebook users: Smudge and I need your vote!

To celebrate Father’s Day, Stray Cat Alliance is running an online photo contest of “cat daddies.” At last check, Smudge (whose story I’ll save for a future post) and I are in fourth place. To finish “in the money,” however, we need another 100 votes or so!

And if you have a Facebook account, you can help.

You can trying accessing the contest page directly here. Or, follow the links from the Vox Felina or Stray Cat Alliance Facebook pages to the contest page. (A recent post on Stray Cat Alliance’s timeline is shown below.)

Now, at some point, you’ll be prompted to “install” the Facebook App—which, admittedly, sounds kinds of scary. Nothing to worry about, though—it’s just another way to “host” an event on Facebook.

Anyhow, once you’re on the contest page, click “View Entries,” and you’ll find our entry on or near Page 7. (The placement may change slightly as additional entries are added to the list.) Click on the thumbnail, and the photo will be enlarged—and you’ll be given the option to vote for us. (This is the important part.)

So, what’s at stake here?

Well, the contest winner receives a $100 Petco gift card (which, let me assure you, would be put to very good use!). Then there’s the honor of winning, along with some greatly-appreciated PR. And, in our case, it would be a victory for ear-tipped cats everywhere. (OK, perhaps I’m exaggerating just a bit.)

Many readers, I know, have already voted and encouraged others to do the same. If you haven’t done so, there’s still time—the contest ends at 6:00 pm PST Sunday.

For updates, keep an eye on the Vox Felina Facebook page.

Smudge and I thank you for your support!

Thanks to Stray Cat Alliance for sponsoring the contest, and to Kate Benjamin for our entry.

Follow-up Items

A few follow-up items related to my past couple of posts: the first sheds some additional light on the Santa Ana typhus scare, while the second provides a little historical context to The Sacramento Bee’s recent reporting on Wildlife Services.

1. Typhus, Fleas, and Cats
Somehow I missed press releases from both Stray Cat Alliance and Alley Cat Allies, both issued yesterday in response to the Santa Ana typhus scare. (My apologies!) Below is the SCA release in its entirety (as I’ve been unable to find a link). The ACA release can be found here. Read more

Who’s Your (Cat) Daddy?

If you’re in the Phoenix area, please join me on Thursday, May 17th when Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy will be here for two special events promoting his new book Cat Daddy: What the World’s Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love and Coming Clean.

Lunch with Jackson: Special Fundraiser for Spay/Neuter Hotline’s TNR Program
Duck & Decanter (1651 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ) is hosting a lunch (vegetarian and vegan options) from noon until 2:00 pm. Tickets are $50 per person (includes lunch and a copy of Cat Daddy). The event will be held in a private area and limited to just 60 attendees. Jackson will be signing books and greeting guests.

Jackson is a huge supporter of TNR, and was impressed by how many other supporters he met during his February visit. So, a portion of each ticket sale will be donated to the Spay/Neuter Hotline’s TNR program. Last year, this program—one of the largest in the country—sterilized more than 10,000 community cats, and it’s on track for 12,000 this year. Since its founding in 2009, the Spay/Neuter Hotline has sterilized more than 30,000 of the area’s free-roaming cats.

Reserve your tickets now by calling Duck & Decanter at 602-274-5429. This event is sponsored by Changing Hands Bookstore, Duck & Decanter, and Vox Felina.

Book Signing at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe
Thursday evening, Jackson will be at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe for a book signing. Anyone who purchases a copy of Cat Daddy from Changing Hands (pre-order online) will be issued two tickets for the book signing. Doors open at 6:00 pm for people with tickets. At 6:45, any remaining seats (don’t count on it!) will be open for general seating. The event starts at 7:00.

The book signing is sponsored by Changing Hands Bookstore, Tarcher/Penguin Books, and Moderncat.

Pre-order Cat Daddy and help shelter cats
Only one day left! Order your copy of Cat Daddy before May 10th, and Tarcher/Penguin will donate $1.00 to the cause of saving shelter cats. To make your pre-order count, simply e-mail a photo or scan of your receipt to: CatDaddyBook@gmail.com.

Donations will go to Best Friends Animal Society, Stray Cat Alliance, and Neighborhood Cats.

Also:
• Read my review of Cat Daddy for Moderncat.
Cat Daddy book tour details.
Cat Daddy audio book info.