Chapter 4    THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS
We can't always control our emotions, but we can control out thoughts.
Unfortunately, our thoughts have a lot of influence, for better or worse, on our emotions. They can literally make them better or worse.
Although not easy, it's best not to dwell on negative thoughts or emotions. Not that total denial is the answer, but acknowledgement, followed by a swift kick to the positive is the best defense.
The more we dwell on certain thoughts and memories in our heads, the stronger they become, due to increased neural connections that form in our brains. This is the basis for learning.
Emotions that may be attached to these thoughts add to what becomes instant recall, the second we think that thought, we simultaneously feel that emotion.
Some have likened thoughts to "viruses" in the brain. Once exposed, the mind either allows them to multiply, forming stronger connections as they do, similar to a virus multiplying and spreading to more cells in the body, or dismiss them, thereby minimizing their effect, similar to the body mounting a defense against invading viruses.
Although we can't always control what we are exposed to, we can deal with our own thoughts in a positive manner. Whenever possible, try to dwell on the positive in thought and emotion. Thoughts give us our filters, the lenses through which we see the world we live in. These lenses can be "rose-colored" or dismally dreary.
Thoughts also lead to actions. Actions lead to reality. So it's true, we really do create our own reality and have to accept responsibility for that.
Whether we let our emotions take over completely, see our world through cloudy lenses, or dwell within ever growing negative thoughts, we alone the power to change our reality.
The best way to deal, is not to dwell, to flip the switch, turn on the lights, to "vaccinate" in a way. Attach an instant positive thought, let it grow and multiply until it outnumbers the negative thoughts. Similar to antibodies attacking invading viruses in the body, send "positive thought antibodies" to overpower and eliminate the invading negative thoughts.

Chapter 3    THE LOOP

The anger-guilt feedback loop is inevitable, self-sustaining and hard to escape.
You get angry, frustrated at the lack of progress, you feel like you're just spinning your wheels, and no one cares, no one will listen, no one will change, no one will learn.
You accuse those still displaying optimism of wearing the proverbial "rose colored glasses". You berate them for not being realistic.
You berate yourself for not having a positive outlook and berating those who do. 
You feel you can't step back or accept limitations, mostly because you can't "unlearn" what you have learned.
You can't deny the stuff that makes you angry and sad, at least not for long.
Your body may choose a physical ailment to slow you down. Or you may succumb to mental or emotional exhaustion, have a breakdown, become depressed. You may have a hard time mustering the energy to do what you once enjoyed.
Or you feel guilty for actually having the audacity to want to enjoy yourself when so many are still suffering.
You may turn to mind numbing substances, escape through too much sleep, be unable to sleep, eat too much or have no appetite, further compounding the exhaustion.
You get crabby, snap at loved ones, yell, become impatient, all of which makes you feel more guilt and anger.
So what do you do in the search for answers? I wish I knew.
I find that answers generally lead to more questions. If I had all the answers, I wouldn't be writing this now.
Writing in a journal is one of the ways I deal with things. Inner peace through outer expression can be a very useful tool to invite introspection, tackle mental exasperation or face emotional challenges. As countless self-help books offer suggestions to deal with the stress of life's ups and downs, I suggest you do what ever you need to do in order to make the process your own.
It may take time, after all, life's problems usually don't build up overnight, nor can they be solved as quickly. 

Chapter 2   STAGES

As rescuers, we go through stages. We learn new things, try them out, show or teach others. We think it will change the world.
Then it doesn't.
So we try harder. We learn more new things, try them, tell others, teach them. And we think it will change the world.
Then it doesn't.
Some people can repeat the same cycle endlessly. Or, more likely, succumb to exhaustion and burn out.
Then begins the anger-guilt feedback loop.
We get angry that we succumb, we feel guilty over not accomplishing our goals. (It doesn't matter that they may not have actually been attainable.) Or we feel guilt over backing off or quitting, which is generally a matter of self-preservation, consciously or not.
Guilt over limitations can be hard to accept.
Then we may lose all hope, become pessimistic, jaded, skeptical, disillusioned, disheartened. Physical, mental and emotional exhaustion sets in, resulting in compassion fatigue, the latest term for burn out.
We look for answers, solutions, that may not even exist. We wait, paralyzed, unable to move on, hoping for that push, that spark that will ignite us again.
If it doesn't come, it may mean it's time to let go, accept limitations and move on. It may be time to build a new fire, with a new spark, nurture a new flame, to find a way to do what we did before, to provide warmth, light and energy, but in a different way.
No more anger.
No more guilt.
No regrets.

The following blogs will be written from the point of view of animal rescue, but are actually dedicated to all who answer the call to help others in need, those with tails and without. You all deserve thanks for what you do. And we all need to remember that sometimes rescuers need rescuing too.
Whether paid or volunteering, no matter what the level or job, we've all been there. Hopefully these words can  provide help for the helpers, advice on ways to lighten the load, ideas on ways to bounce back, keep going or change paths.

Chapter 1         ONCE UPON A TIME
Isn't that how fairy tales start? What is a fairy tale? A story we tell ourselves, with make believe heroes, that come to the rescue, and that always has a happy ending?
We all know they have nothing to do with real life. We all say we don't really believe in fairy tales. Or do we?
This seems to be a common theme among rescuers, although few would actually claim to be heroes.
But that is, in fact, what most are. So, do we believe in fairy tales? I'd have to say yes.
After all, aren't we all living in our own little fairy tales? We go on quests, assume the role of heroes, rescue those in distress and hope for a happy ending.  It's called life.
The problem is, when we quite often relive the same tale over and over again, until "once upon a time" becomes "time and time again".
But we all go through stages and cycles. It's part of learning and living. The key is to make ever larger circles with each cycle.

Wanted: Donors to help us finance and maintain our feral cat rescue/shelter/clinic.  All of our services are greatly discounted, unlike some clinics where regular prices are charged for the majority of clients in order to help subsidize a minority of low cost cases. Unfortunately, we still have all the expenses of running a regular clinic, such as rent, utilities, supplies, etc., which is tricky to do since our majority is made up of the low cost cases.
So if you have a soft spot for the underdog, or cat in this instance, help us help homeless cats. Many are actually tame and adoptable, many are kittens young enough to be socialized, many are sick or injured and in need of veterinary care.
Whether they are called strays, alley cats, feral or community cats, they are deserving of humane care. The cats themselves are certainly not to blame, they are out there due to people. Part of our effort is to educate the public, to quit providing more homeless cats through intentional action such as abandonment, or inaction, such as not getting them spayed or neutered.
Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, is only a beginning, only the tip of the iceberg. It is not the end-all solution to the problem, but a tool to stop breeding. It should also be used to get friendly tame cats off the streets, get kittens socialized and get sick or injured cats the help they need. We feel only true feral cats should ever be returned, and only to a safe, well maintained and monitored site.
We scrutinize the "community cat" brand, as it is often used in the numbers game to achieve a so-called no-kill status. We do not feel re-abandonment of tame cats is the answer. What is really needed is to get these cats off the streets and stop people from providing replacements.
With your help, we can house these cats while they receive medical care, recover from surgery or wait for a foster or rescue group. Some of these cats are too old or have chronic conditions making them unadoptable, for these, we can offer hospice, so they can live out the rest of their lives in a safe happy environment.
It may not be glamorous, and we are not in this to just maintain the status quo, or to conjure imaginary numbers as a feel good gesture. We want to make a difference, not only for the few, but for all.
Please help us, together we can do this!

This blog was prompted by recent events which have actually been going on a long time. I realize the sense of urgency we all feel when we see the endless lists of animals in need of saving. Too often they are the ones in shelters that are marked for death when they've outstayed the required holding time, are too many, have been there too long, are sick, old, or considered unadoptable for any reason, often when no effort has even been made to get them veterinary care or adopted.

These calls come out weekly. The shelter has too many cats, there is a deadline set and they will be killed, no exception, no extension, no second chance. I applaud the many courageous and generous people who have stepped up, trying to save these animals. The problem is, this effort is not sustainable. There are limited resources, people get burned out, it becomes an emotional time bomb. Then there are the people who keep providing just as many cats, if not more, to replace the ones who do make it out or are killed.

I have in past blogs called for changes, mostly in the way the shelters are being run and the way people address the issue. It needs to be made a matter of public debate, with demand that political leaders also step up for changes. But there is more. In addition to rescuers taking in these animals and public outcry over their treatment at the hands of people working in government run institutions, there needs to be EDUCATION.

EDUCATION SAVES LIVES. 

How long will untenable situations be tolerated? How many more innocent animals must suffer until the demand for change occurs? How many more lives will be lost due to lack of knowledge?

There are low cost, even free options for spay and neuter. There is no reason to let cats or dogs breed in this day and age when literally thousands are killed simply because there are too many and not enough homes.

Education on options is only one aspect, education about the responsibility of pet ownership is a must. We no longer live in rural environments where it was once considered okay to let cats roam, breed and reproduce at will, where the elements often eliminated the majority of offspring. Now that we have urbanized much of the farmland around major cities, the issues surrounding animal control have changed. So should the approach of local shelters, as well as the public at large.

Animals are not disposable "things" to be played with then discarded, to be quickly and cheaply disposed of with all the compassion of a sanitation department.

They are living, breathing, feeling beings that deserve compassion and kindness.

In a perfect world there would be no feral cats, at least as we know them. The term feral refers to the wild state or resembling a wild animal, especially after escape from captivity or domestication. Where are they? Everywhere there are domestic cats. Why are they there? People. Who is responsible? All of us. What can be done? A lot, but it takes a sense of responsibility and caring, to get cats spayed or neutered, to not abandon or turn them out, to adopt cats from shelters or rescue groups rather than buying from breeders, pet stores or strangers.

The fact that there are so many feral cats means this is not being done on a large enough scale. Cats are amazing examples of superior survival instinct and adaptability. They are very capable of surviving on their own. They are also prolific breeders.

Is has been said that there is no natural niche for feral cats and therefore they should not exist. But in reality, what is a natural niche? Do humans have a natural niche? These cats are here because of us, so what is natural? 

Another fact is that the majority of these cats are still domestic and are actually tame with only circumstance to blame for the feral classification. But there are occasions in which cats are truly feral, usually after several generations on the streets. These cats will not allow handling, avoid human contact and will react like any wild animal if threatened. These are the cats that must be trapped, sedated, anesthetized, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated as needed, then released once they have recovered from anesthesia. They will not take to living in confinement, will never trust humans and cannot be tamed. This is considered truly feral.

These cats are best released to a well maintained, safe feral site, with responsible caretakers to provide food and water, to make sure all cats are altered, watch for new unaltered arrivals or injuries to the cats. Although considered solitary, cats do form social groups and colonies centered around a food source. And if left intact, they will breed. Once fixed, physical stresses from fighting, breeding and repeated pregnancies cease and these cats can live out their lives in better health.

Often, tame cats are found at these sites, those abandoned, turned out or lost. It is our goal to get these cats off the streets and into homes if possible. To give them a second chance. The problem is, there is often nowhere else for them to go and they are usually relegated to being put back out on the streets, since the only other alternative is death, part of the mass euthanasia of thousands of unwanted cats in shelters.


It is the goal of Orchard Animal Outreach to give these cats a chance, we try to take as many of these friendly cats off the streets and take in the hard to adopt cats from shelters as well as cats due for euthanasia due to time or space constraints. Unfortunately, we face many of the same problems as shelters, always in need of resources to provide such services. What would be a dream come true is an extremely generous donor with a soft spot for homeless cats, to provide us with a building to convert into a homeless shelter for the animals and the funds to continue our mission.

In this blog I will discuss regulatory responsibility, referring mainly to animal shelters and the law. In the past and unfortunately even today, many municipal shelters are managed not for the good of the animals, but for the good of the bottom line, in a fashion more similar to a sanitation department where the animals are treated like garbage, to be disposed of quickly and as cheaply as possible. Adoptions are given low priority as are people searching for lost pets. Enforcement or even investigation of animal cruelty infractions are given little attention.

Many of the attitudes displayed are a direct reflection of the shelter leadership. This has to change and fortunately this is where the voice of public opinion can make a difference. If the people of these communities stand up and demand change, be persistent as well as pervasive, things do change.

All across this country, animal shelters are taking the steps necessary to become more humane and helpful for the animals. Sadly, many are not. These are often still being run according to outdated notions about animal care, or stubborn individuals who don't see a reason for change. Judges may not think animal cruelty cases merit harsh punishments, city managers may not see beyond budgets, animal control officers may not even like the animals they are meant to care for and protect.

It is cases such as these that the public must address, in person, at meetings, with petitions, letter campaigns and the greatest tool available today, social media. Campaigns such as these have in the past resulted in changes to animal cruelty laws with stiffer penalties. The problem left is getting the authorities to take the issue seriously, for parents not to turn a blind eye, living in denial, for police officers to pursue said investigations, rather than believing them to be a waste of time, getting prosecutors to take these cases on. In some states there are specific units of lawyers devoted to animal cruelty crimes.

Some may ask with all the human suffering, why bother to devote resources for just an animal? Countless studies have shown that often violent criminals started by abusing animals. It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Currently it may be difficult to get a conviction and appropriate sentence, even if getting as far as court, but that should not be an excuse not to try. There will be no monetary recovery, in fact to many, the cost will outweigh the outcome, but it is imperative to get the message out that society is changing and certain behaviors, no matter if they were considered okay in the past, will no longer be tolerated in a compassionate, caring society. Even if just by publicizing such incidents, we can make a difference and it will be well worth it. There are countless crimes that are no longer hushed up, animal abuse needs that as well. These episodes should not be glossed over, made to seem less brutal just to shut people up. We need this out in the open, we need people to be outraged, to demand change. Only then can public opinion make changes for the good of us all.

The purpose of this blog is to educate the public about cats, to perhaps instill a sense of responsibility. The problem of homeless pets is not just “someone else’s problem”, we are all responsible on several levels. It may be personal, much of which starts at home where children grow to mirror parents. It may be on a communal level, with public opinion, either influencing or being influenced by leadership. It may be solely on a regulatory level, put in place by governing bodies.

Regardless of excuses, it comes down to the question of: “Why are there so many homeless animals?” The answer comes down to one factor: we humans.

What can the individual do? First of all, be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Number one on the list is to raise children that are respectful and kind to animals of all kinds. When children witness a parent responding cruelly to an animal, even if considered a “pest”, they will grow up to emulate the behavior. Instilling a sense of compassion and fostering empathy will aid every individual on this journey called life.

Number two is to stop the intentional, unintentional and indiscriminate breeding of cats. This will prevent more unwanted litters adding to the already unacceptably large numbers of homeless cats.

Next is to stop abandoning them once they are here. Stop assuming “someone else” will take care of them. Stop supporting those who sell cats, whether in pet stores or online, adopt instead. Don’t leave them behind when moving. Take full responsibility for the life of the cat, give it a loving and secure home, providing not only the basic necessities of life, but a loving, nurturing environment as well.

On the community level, we can all make sure our voices are heard by our votes in elections, attending city and county council meetings, participating in public opinion forums in the newspapers and online. Public opinion can be a powerful force for change.

We can also look around our own neighborhoods to see if there is someone in need. Unfortunately, this is where there is often conflict between cat lovers and haters. Approaching the problem with empathy instead of anger or apathy is the way. Generally if there is someone willing to bridge the gap, bring both parties to discuss the problem calmly, solutions can be reached.

If someone is unable to provide needed care for the animals, there are resources available to assist with care, whether with feeding, spay and neuter, veterinary care or finding a new situation. There are always options and unfortunately, people don't always know where to turn for help. This is where the education comes into play. The more people know and are made aware of the options available, the better. Just another of our goals.

The subject of cats is certainly divisive. Few people can say they are strictly neutral when it comes to cats. They either love them or hate them. Historically, cats have either been worshiped or reviled. The fact that they do not promote ambivalence is well established. The reason for this is not.

Perhaps it is because they tend to pick up on and reflect back to us, our own emotional states, which makes some people extremely uncomfortable. Domestic dogs are generally people pleasers, they tend to reflect back what they think we want to see. Cats are more like mirrors. Cat people, men and women, don’t seem to mind. They accept cats for what they are, harbor no expectations or demands. They just appreciate what cats do give.

Cats have followed humans along the evolutionary trail much like dogs, although with differing roles. Dogs became domesticated for what they could do for man, initially working as guardians, hunters, weapons, for sport or entertainment, and finally as companions. The role of cats was one less of domestication but more of opportunity and symbiosis. Cats became guardians of the grain stores due to natural hunting instincts and the ready source of prey. Humans benefitted by the reduction of rodents befouling their food stores, cats benefitted by the available food source. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, the very definition of symbiosis.

Although cats are generally considered companions today, many still perform this useful duty. Usually the mere presence of a cat, whether hunting or not, is enough to keep mice away.

While many people accuse cats of causing major decline in bird populations, there are so many more pervasive reasons for decreasing bird numbers. Other predators, such as raccoons, skunks, even other opportunistic birds, are known to raid nests and eat eggs. There are birds of prey which actively hunt other birds. But by far, the most lethal creature to birds on this planet is man, whether through the loss of green space, decline of farmlands, intentional poisoning of “non-native species” or those birds considered “pests”, automobiles, high rise buildings, reflective windows, pesticides, deforestation and elimination of habitats due to increased urbanization. These are by far greater contributors to bird deaths than cats.

It seems in general, that the cat accusers are less bird lovers and more cat haters.

Overall it cannot be denied that we humans have moved across the land like parasites, wiping out some species entirely, while creating massive natural imbalances in plant and animal populations. As a consequence of our insatiable appetite for consumption, the concepts of symbiosis and balance have long been discarded.

Unfortunately, one of the results of our disregard is what this blog is all about, the surplus of cats, as well as many other sadly considered “disposable” pets, leading to the point of mass killings occurring daily across this country merely because there is nowhere for them to go.

Many of these cats end up in shelters, brought in by animal control officers, people who trap them or are dropped off by owners who suddenly can’t or won’t keep them, can’t or won’t have them spayed or neutered, thereby preventing roaming, fighting, mating and having unwanted litters of more kittens.

Sadly, the life of a shelter cat is short and stressful. If they don’t die of disease, starvation or lack of proper handling, they will be killed when their time is up to make room for more. Many animal control staffers are not proficient in the handling of cats. Many just don’t like cats. Often these cats are labeled unadoptable, vicious or feral based on reactions that are totally normal for a stressed and frightened cat. They are not just like small dogs, they don’t act or react like dogs and unfortunately for them, they are considered disposable, euthanized all too easily when their time is up, no more room, or for convenience, (often just before a long holiday weekend).

The truth is, ALL CATS ARE ADOPTABLE. They may not all fit into the cozy niche of beloved house cat, (even though I wish they all could). But due to their remarkable adaptability and survival instincts, there are always options.