Our Blog Has Moved

The blog of Community Cat Coalition can now be followed on our new web site (www.communitycatcoalition.com). We look forward to keeping you informed about the important work we are doing in and for the community and its neighborhood cats.

The Fantastical Find

I spied this discarded heavy duty cooler on the streets of Ybor City in Tampa during a recent trip to Florida. It's just the thing I've been looking for to line the inside of a Winter shelter I was working to make for my new neighborhood stray before leaving for the trip. It drove all the way back to New York with me and is now keeping a certain feline special someone warm and cozy.

Will Work for Love

Ronin is a professional, young adult male cat who was rescued from the streets of Beacon over the Summer. Ronin has several years experience as a loving companion to offer the right home, yet he keeps getting overlooked for the job. He is well qualified and would make a great Personal Assistant to someone looking for unconditional love and support. Ronin is a self starter who works well with others, has impeccable organizational skills, good bathroom etiquette, maintains a well groomed appearance and is open to working in any stable, loving environment. Ronin asks for a one time, nominal hiring fee of $75 that covers his expenses, and he is willing to travel. If you are interested in hiring Ronin or in learning more about his skills, please contact his agent Community Cat Coalition via email or phone. Ronin looks forward to putting forth his best efforts to support yours.

How We Spell Hope

Maggie and Abrham Lincoln

Maggie is a senior something citizen who has been doing rescue and TNR in Beacon since age 18. She is my hero and an inspiration to the cause.

Give The Gift of Getting Involved

Community Cat Coalition is an all volunteer grassroots initiative. It’s only by volunteer support that we exist and are able to help our neighbors and our neighborhood cats. There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer to help the cause. Volunteers are needed in the following areas. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact us for more details.

• Accounting
• Administrative & Clerical Coordination
• Adoption Coordination
• Cat Care (feeding, cleaning and medicating)
• Community Relations
• Database Development
• Fundraising
• Grant Writing
• Graphic Design
• Field Work (TNR)
• Photography
• Public Relations & Marketing
• Shelter Making
• Social Networking
• Special Event Production
• Temporary Foster Homes
• Transport
• Volunteer Development & Coordination

The Life and Loss of Pixel

Pixel Caves Deal
May 2010 - December 2010

Pixel was not only a very special being, but a very lucky little boy who was found in a garbage can in Beacon in May of 2010. What saved him? His big mouth. Though he was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand at the time of rescue, his voice, mewing for help, was louder than bombs. And thank goodness. I shared time with Pixel while working to get him adopted into a good, loving home. He brought immense joy to my life. Pixel had great presence and a gentle, loving spirit. The day finally came when Pixel was adopted by a wonderful family who adored him tremendously. Pixel settled into his new home beautifully with a Mama and a Papa and siblings, too. Together, they shared laughs and love and tickles and tender moments. In November 2010, Pixel's health started to decline suddenly. A boy once full of radiant life was now listless and struggling for breathe. After thorough testing, it was determined that Pixel had contracted Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a fatal and incurable disease. This was devastating news. Despite the diagnosis, Pixel remained positive and fought to maintain his everyday life. His bravery though the struggle was nothing less than heroic. But the battle was lost on December 14, 2010. This little life, leaving far too soon, touched the lives of many. And he will be missed beyond measure. The lessons of love and life Pixel taught us will live on. Always. Thank you, Pixel. Pixel is survived by his parents Michelle Caves and Jared Deal and by his siblings Sushi and Sterling.

Community Cat Coalition Fund

Community Cat Coalition is delighted to announce its partnership with Community Foundation of Dutchess County to establish a charitable fund for the Coalition. Our new relationship with CFDC will help us increase and administer our donations which will allow us to fully concentrate on our mission. Community Cat Coalition is a grassroots initiative dedicated to humanely resolving the feral and stray cat overpopulation crisis in Beacon, New York. The Coalition raises awareness and educate residents and merchants on stray and feral cat colony care, Trap Neuter Return (TNR), and the importance of accessible, affordable spay and neuter services through workshops and public outreach. We also provide TNR assistance to area Caregivers. The Coalition is an all volunteer and non-funded effort that relies solely on private donations which make possible the important work we do in and for the community and its neighborhood cats.

Donations of any generosity are deeply appreciated and can be sent via mail to the address below or made online. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please make cheques payable to Community Cat Coalition Fund. For online donations, please note Community Cat Coalition in the "Fund Name" section.

Donate By Mail

Community Cat Coalition Fund
c/o Community Foundation of Dutchess County
80 Washington Street, Suite 201
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Donate Online

http://www.communityfoundationdc.org/page30001.cfm

Catching Up

The overwhelming demand for hands on assistance in the community has prevented us from keeping up to date on the blog. Pardon us, but know that we are in the midst of catching up on this and preparing for the launch of our web site. Stay tuned. In the meantime, please support us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/communitycatcoalition) and Petfinder (www.petfinder.com/NY1003.html).

A Second Chance For Ronin

When I first saw Ronin, he was trying to eat bread on Main Street in front of the post office. Ronin was a startling sight as he was severely dehydrated and starving and suffering from a respiratory infection. I was on my bike at the time I randomly saw him so I called a fellow rescuer to come by with a humane trap to help get this poor guy off the street. Our rescue attempt was unsuccessful. Since I didn't know where this cat came from, I posted a "Have you seen me?" plea for help on the CCC Facebook page to which a noble citizen responded. That very same day, Ronin was rescued, and just in time as his condition has deteriorated significantly in just a couple of days. After weeks of fluids and special medications and treatments, Ronin is stable and recovering beautifully. I suspect Ronin was once a pet cat who was discarded and just couldn't survive on his own. While Ronin's health grows strong with each new day, he has been diagnosed with FIV. Ronin is positive and proud and looking for a home where he is either the sole cat or companion to another FIV+ cat. Can you give Ronin the second chance he deserves? Ronin can be hand delivered to any good home within two hours of Beacon, NY. Please contact CCC if you are interested in meeting Ronin and learning more about his remarkable survival at info@communitycatcoalition.com.

CCC at Spirit of Beacon Day

CCC is excited to be a part of the 33rd annual Spirit of Beacon Day on Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 11AM to 4PM. We will have a table set up on Main Street with informational materials, homemade goods from a variety of local artists and artisans and a special parade performance.

For more information about the event, click here.

In The Press

There is an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal about Community Cat Coalition. Despite some inaccuracies, it's helpful at raising awareness about the important work we are doing in the community to humanely reduce and control the stray and feral cat population and improve the quality of life for all Beacon citizens, both the human and the feline kind.

To read the article, click here.

Ed and Ernie

Last Winter Ed the Mechanic adopted Ernie the Cat who was rescued as part of a TNR project. Ernie can be seen daily at the shop where he greets customers with a giant head butt and mew.

Fallon and His Forever

Fallon the funny fingers kitten was recently adopted by the Gilman family in Hopewell Junction where he is adored by two particularly remarkable little girls.

Trap Neuter Return Workshop & Volunteer Rally

CCC Cat & Kitten Adoption Event

Our Friend Omar

(have) The Courage to Act

Arts and Cats

Post Beacon Barks Gratitude

Thank you, Beacon, for the support at Beacon Barks. We had a great day with you. Super special thanks to Libby Faison, Steve Gold, Sara Pasti, Marc Schreibman, Michelle Caves, Kirsten Kucer, Marsha Aliaga, Belle Hann, Franny Lochow, The LaColla Family, Rick Price, Christine Seymour Price, Omar, Kelly Kingman, Paul O'Hanlon, Drew O'Hanlon, The Goodman Family, The Gurna Family, Kat Green, Fernworks, Kalene Rivers, Dan Weise, Open Space, The Ice Cream Express, Shirley Hot, The Franco Family, Ed Vermehren, Stephen Dickens, Kara, Korn, Lisa Altomare, Sai Corson, Tom Moore and all the kind folk who visited the CCC table.