1/31/14 – In 2013 nearly 200 cats and dogs were helped with money provided by individuals and businesses who support 4 Paws 1 Heart. Amazingly, this number doesn’t even include the number of animals who will never be born because of our ability to pay for spaying/neutering. Thank YOU ~ Diana, Gina, and the Board of 4 Paws 1 Heart

Dear Editor and RESIDENTS OF STERLING HEIGHTS, WARREN, ROSEVILLE, AND EASTPOINTE. Your cities have signed a joint contract with the ANIMAL CARE HOSPITAL OF STERLING HEIGHTS, 34244 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, to KILL ALL STRAY CATS brought into their hospital by the animal control officers of these cities.

In June of 2013, the new Chief Animal Control Officer of Macomb County initiated a program and policy which dictated that all cats brought into the shelter would be either euthanized or returned to the community (after being neutered/spayed) in which the animal was found. This policy included all cats, not only those deemed feral. The Shelter had adopted a program known as Shelter, Neuter, Release (SNR) which included the concept of Community Cats.
At that time, the cities of St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Warren, Eastpointe, and Roseville were put on notice that unless they allowed cats to be returned to their communities after being neutered and spayed by the County, all cats presented to the Shelter from these cities would be euthanized. The cities were also advised that when the current contract expired (December 31, 2013), the Shelter would NOT take in any cats from the aforementioned cities. The reasoning behind the Macomb County’s change in policy was that there had to be an alternative to the wanton killing of feral cats and that a feral cat population could be of benefit to a community, especially in the area of rat abatement. It also considered the overwhelming number of domesticated cats who are abandoned and lost each day and the inability of the shelters to meet the housing and adoption needs.

It is my understanding, that meetings were held between June, 2013 and January, 2014 amongst the five cities and the discussions had centered around two issues: 1) Not doing business with the shelter thus impacting its finances; and 2) finding a less expensive place to do business — and that business is killing cats.

Although I have done everything possible to alert our policy-making leaders within my city, St.Clair Shores, and the residents of the cities mentioned, the killing of innocent cats has continued. These cats are not always feral, they may have been residents’ pets, cats abandoned by owners as they lost their homes or moved, or just cats who continue to be born because the Cities do not have a managed trap, neuter, and release program (TNR).

On January 20, 2014 the St. Clair Shores City Council approved a one-year moratorium on the enforcement of the ordinance which required all cats to be leashed thus allowing the SNR program to be established with the County Shelter and for individual residents to follow a TNR program. Currently the City administration is meeting with the Shelter Chief to work out the details of SNR and working with rescue organizations to assist residents in TNR.

Unlike the progressive Council and Administration of St. Clair Shores who recognize the importance of quality of life issues to its residents and the fact that the plight of innocent animals are important to its residents, the four remaining cities entered into a contract with the Animal Care Hospital of Sterling Heights. This contract requires all cats picked up by the Animal Control Officers of Warren, Sterling Heights, Eastpointe, and Roseville be brought to the hospital where they will be killed. The animals will not be sheltered or put up for adoption — just killed. This was confirmed in a telephone call to the aforementioned hospital.

I continue to be disgusted by the total disregard for life by these four cities’ (Sterling Heights, Warren, Eastpointe, and Roseville) politicians and administrators. I recognize that there are those people who don’t quite understand the value of a cat or dog, and I recognize that there are those who are “dog” people and have little regard for cats BUT I will end this with a quote by Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” ~Gandhi (1869-1948)”
Diana

GREAT NEWS!!! Felix (aka Felicia) is safe and warm tonight. After so many days of Brennen trying to capture our Felix, Brennen opened his door and Felix walked through it!! Who said she isn’t smart? When Brennen called me she was sitting with him purring while he petted her. She is being kept separate from the other household kittie and she will hopefully go to her new home tomorrow. 4 Paws 1 Heart will take care of her medical needs. I cannot express how happy we all are. Remember when we first posted her plight? ~ diana

1/23/14 – SOUP Update from his foster mom. Less than one month later and look at what love and some medical dollars can do. ~ diana

“My foster boy Soup! Thank you 4 Paws 1 Heart for saving him! And thank you for allowing me to foster him and be witness to the amazing heart & healing going on with this beautiful boy thanks to the love, kindness & medical provided by 4 Paws 1Heart & Gina! He’s doing very well here in my home. He now kicks his litter everywhere, which he could not do before! So Im very happy for the mess, because it means he is healing! ♥♥♥” ~ Denise

1/22/14 – Our baby Helena. Remember, we will still want her to see an eye specialist and she’s scheduled for another visit with Healthy Paws tomorrow. Then, when she is all better, Nicole will have to give her up to a forever loving home—could that be yours? ~ diana

1/19/14 SOUP UPDATE: Soup had a little problem the other day because of overeating and had to see Auntie Gina. But tonight he is back home with his foster mom, Denise. Here’s her message:

“My foster boy Soup! He is such an amazing boy who’s been through a horrible ordeal, and yet he is the most loving cat Ive ever met! Thank you 4 Paws 1 Heart for saving him and everything you are doing for him and so many others! Diana & Gina, you rock!!!” ~ denise