Miami is one of the cities in America with highest rate of homeless pets, especially cats. There are many small organizations in the trenches rescuing abandoned and injured pets off the streets and highways. At the same time the local shelter reached a record 37,000 unwanted pets last year. Most had to be put to sleep. It's overcrowded and therefore increases health risks for other dogs and cats. With a majority of effort in the trenches, we realized no one is focused on EDUCATION.
To decrease the number of pets dumped at the local shelter where pets are euthanized or dumping them into streets which is illegal, we aim to educate the public on responsibilities of pet ownership, options if they are unable to care for their pet, the Florida laws to protect pets, low cost clinics for spaying/neutering, and the benefits of TNRM (Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage) We also assist with physical TNRM and rescuing cats, kittens and stray dogs.
At the same time, we are overturning perceptions of black cats and dogs (the least adopted and most euthanized) and the stereotypical Crazy Cat Lady. Riverfront Cats elevates the black cat to showcase their elegance and intelligence and that people (primarily women) who care for cats come from all professional backgrounds. We have zero paid staff and all money goes towards veterinary bills, medical and other supplies, gasoline expenses, cat traps, cat food for managed colonies and more.
We are currently collecting donations to pay pending veterinary bills and also to build cat houses! This is a new project related to TNRM. Cats can survive outdoors if properly "managed" which means food and appropriate shelter. For homeowners associations/businesses that are concerned with appearance of stray cats, we are turning around a negative into a positive by building offering free presentations to educate the residents/businesses, building small aesthetically attractive cat houses that blend in with the buildings/landscape of the property. This way the cats are no longer viewed as strays but rather as part of the community the same as birds and squirrels. It's a win-win-win for residents, cats and the community.
We are a 501c3 nonprofit animal welfare organization under the umbrella of Pawsitively Humane, Inc.
