MSI Press Blog

  This is the seventh of a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones. Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts. (Ditto for dogs and other animal

  War and natural disasters create atrocious living circumstances not only for the people caught in the vortex but also for their pets, who are not used to foraging for themselves, have not built up the skills for survival, and are met with austere conditions too frequently too overwhelming to support their efforts to stay alive. Ukrainians are devoted to their pets; having to leave them behind may look like desertion but in a blitzkrieg style war can be the only option to helping ensure a fleeing family itself survives -- and is likely gut-wrenching. Many families are scooping up their pets. Some cannot, and their pets are now on the streets. Network for Animals is stepping in and doing the best it can to take care of animals left behind. It needs help. Help = money. Any amount; US dollars stretch farther there than here. Network for Animals is registered in a number of countries, including Brazil, the USA, and UK, as a reputable charity, and contributions are considered tax deductibl

  photo from Animal Friends Shelter This is the first of a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones. Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts I

  This is the next post in a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones . Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts Network for Animals helps anim

  We received this note from Network for Animals (NFA), which is doing great work worldwide, and, now especially, in Ukraine to help abandoned, sick, and desperate animals. Perhaps there are others out there, who read Caturday posts, who would like to join us either in donating or in following the suggestions in this note from NFA. While it’s fact that making a difference and saving animals costs money and lots of it,  we are  NOT  writing today to ask for a donation .   The Ukraine conflict is one of the worst crises we have seen since World War II. As people fled the embattled country, many animals were left abandoned, terrified, injured and starving on war-torn streets. These are the smallest, voiceless victims of war, and it’s critical that we stand together as animal lovers and unite to provide as much help to these poor, innocent animals as possible. Today we are not asking for a donation, but for your help with another vital component of our work; it's called Facebook Fundra

  This is the next in a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones . Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts. Network for Animals helps animals

  Network for Animal s in Ukraine are begging for donations while there is still time. They need to stockpile food while they still can, as well as medical supplies. Well, here is one of their notes: We are finding ways to channel food to countless abandoned animals who face  death by bomb blasts, airstrikes and enemy fire . Two days ago, we managed to get roughly 1.3 tons (1,300 kilograms) of food to hungry tummies, as well as provide medical supplies. Yesterday, we delivered another two tons (2,000 kilograms) of food, and today we hope to do even better. The Russians are closing in and supply lines are closing. The animals need your help NOW! We don’t know how much longer we can maintain our supply routes as the Russians close in. This makes what I am about to say even more URGENT:  Please, donate right now  to Network for Animals, while there is still a chance to rush emergency aid and food to desperate animals.  We are their only hope. They are feeding about 2 tons of food a day. A

  And now, the third post in the series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones. Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts Sulala Animal Rescue , loca

  Those who rescue street animals and pets in Ukraine abandoned by killed and fleeing owners (though many fleeing owners successfully take their pets with them, not all are able to do that) need prayers -- and donations. They take risks every day -- not only from bombs but also from possible capture by invading Russian troops. However, there ARE some happy endings. Here is one of them . If you are like me, there is little you can do from afar -- but donations CAN help fund the work of those who are near. Please consider even a dollar or two if you can. Network for Animals is one of the few organizations that is able to take funds directly from non-Ukraine sources. And yes, I know it is Caturday, and this is about a dog -- but they rescue cats, too!                                  Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .  

  photo from Animal Friends Shelter Recently, the Network for Animals put up a video on  Facebook  that details the plight of animals caught in war zones. In our cats in war series, we are looking at specific shelters and their owners and trying to find ways to help them -- hoping that some readers will be able to step and help, at the very least. In several previous posts, we have identified rescuers and shelters in Gasa that are in desperate straits. With a truce in effect (a very short one), they can go out and replenish the supplies (brought in through humanitarian aid work) for their cats and dogs (and, in some cases, other animals. In some cases, they have had to hold their populations to less than subsistence levels, which made for some pretty grumpy cats.  Here are links to shelters who could use some quick turnaround help. Even small amount help -- they can be put together with other small amounts to really make a difference. Animal Friends Shelter; donation info HERE . More p

  Excerpt from Clean Your Plate!  Be Nice to Your Friends [ILLUSTRATION 6, CHAPTER 6 WARNING GOES HERE] As anyone who has ever talked to a toddler can tell you, toddlers can be brutal. Like, soul-crushingly, life-ruiningly frank. There’s a lot of truth to the Internet meme that says “if a woman calls you ugly, she’s jealous; if a man calls you ugly, she’s flirting, but if a kid calls you ugly...you’re ugly.” Kids have absolutely no sense of social niceties. They also occasionally spaz out with small bursts of poorly-controlled demonic meanness of unknown origin. (No, it’s not just your kids. It’s all of them.) Why We Say It The fact that parents across the globe tell their kids to be nice to their friends is entirely unsurprising. We’re terrified our little monsters will alienate their peers and doom themselves to a life of social isolation and misery (sticking us with the therapy bills). However well-meaning this parental plea for our kids to exercise their still-developin