MSI Press Blog

Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Luca and Ameen Ameen Aljbour is a pharmacy student in Gaza . He takes care of a cat named Luca. Many times, Luca has run out of food, once running away for two days in search of it. Ameen has shared pictures of her looking at an empty plate. On some occasions, this sweet kitty has gone a short while without food, but inexorably, pennies would again come in, thanks to people on Twitter and from elsewhere donating what they could and retweeting Luca's pictures and needs. We work at keeping Luca alive because as long as she stays alive, hope stays alive. Twitter users have also come to Ameen's rescue as he works his way through his doctor in pharmacy program. Sometimes, he has had to put off an exam for a day because he has not had the fee, but when that information has been shared, again, somehow last-minute donations come in. Currently, he still needs $937 USD to enroll in the next semester (four courses).  Here is Ameen...

  Murjan doing what he did best: Communicating with his staff Be Kind to Animals Week is here—a time to reflect on the many ways we can show compassion to the animals who share our world. At MSI Press, we believe every week should be kind to animals, but this one gives us all a little extra motivation to step up. Here are a few ways you can join us in spreading kindness: 1. Support Animal Advocates Around the Globe Follow your heart when it comes to supporting rescues, shelters, and advocates—but consider lending a hand to animals in places facing exceptional hardship. Rescuers in Gaza , Syria , and Ukraine are doing heroic work in devastating conditions. We’ve highlighted some of these dedicated people in past posts. If you’re able, please join us in donating directly to help their lifesaving efforts. 2. Stay Alert for Local and Urgent Animal Needs Animals in high-kill shelters often face deadlines that only funding or foster placement can change. These calls for help are poste...

  Following up on previous posts about the Animal Friends Shelter, we wish we could say good things are happening -- and donations do come in, that is good -- but the circumstances become more and more dire for this Gaza shelter, with one of the two shelter volunteers/staff/managers developing hepatitis (typical right now in Gaza but medical facilities are mostly blown up) and food markets and warehouses being blown up, too. Still, some food can be found; it is just becoming very, very expensive and the shelter dependent upon donations, for which they are very grateful. Praying that enough people will help for now and that complete relief will come soon. If you wish to donate directly to the shelter, it is also possible -- and safe. I have done it twice, and each time the funds were received right away. The link to donate is  PayPal.Me . The funds go directly to Sameer. If you are a cat lover, please do take the time to read the posts at the  Animal Friends Shelter  ...

  Graphic from Animal Friends Shelter/Twitter Today, we make another plea not to forget the animal caught in the devastation that is going on in Gaza. These cat shelters are desperate for food and medical supplies. Housing is marginal, and sometimes populations have to be moved because of bombing. The people who care for them, sometimes at risk to their family and sometimes at the cost of being separated from family, are brave souls who deserve prayers and financial help. Our plea is: if you can help (even a few dollars added to many others giving a few dollars add up), please do. If you cannot help, please spread the word on your social media platforms (and anywhere else you can). The stories are not being covered by the media in ways that would bring attention to the dire plight of the animals forgotten in war (any war, really). See our cats in war series of posts. For more Caturday posts, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sale...

  Today's Caturday post is the next in the series of cats in war and shares Bored Panda's article on  The Shocking Reality Of Animals In War Zones: How We Are Helping Animal Shelters In Gaza-Israel War . Read other posts about  cats in war zones . Read other  Caturday  posts. Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow  MSI Press  on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Planning on self-publishing and don't know where to start? Our  author au pair  services will mentor you through the process. Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a wr...