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Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare Ohio Animal Advocates

500 Cats Fixed in a Single Day

On a bustling Saturday in Gainesville, Florida, the team at Operation Catnip pulled off an extraordinary feat: spaying and neutering 500 cats in a single day. The high-volume clinic, hosted at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, marked a major milestone—100,000 community cats fixed since the organization’s founding in 1998.

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Book of the Month Ohio Animal Advocates Book of the Month Ohio Animal Advocates

The Cat Man of Aleppo: A Story of Selflessness

The OAA recommended book of the month is The Cat Man of Aleppo by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham. This book tells the true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who, amid the Syrian Civil War, courageously offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats. The story follows Alaa through the war-torn streets as he uses the little money he earns from his job as an ambulance driver to buy food and supplies for the cats.

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Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates

H5N1 Avian Influenza in Cats: What Animal Welfare Organizations Need to Know Now

Cats are now part of the story.

While avian influenza (H5N1) has long been a threat to bird populations, a disturbing development has emerged: domestic cats across multiple U.S. states have tested positive for the virus. For shelters, rescues, community cat groups, and access-to-care clinics, this means shifting protocols, staying informed, and protecting both animals and staff.

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Spay/Neuter Ohio Animal Advocates Spay/Neuter Ohio Animal Advocates

Fix For Life: A New Chapter in Spay/Neuter Advocacy

As the United Spay Alliance State Leader for Ohio, we’re proud to introduce a powerful new message we’re embracing across the country: Fix For Life.

At its core, this is more than a tagline—it’s a call to action. Because fixing isn’t just a procedure—it’s a promise. A promise of health, safety, and compassion for every animal in every community.

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Animal Welfare, Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare, Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates

Student-Led Club Makes Big Impact on Campus Cats at University of Dayton

At the University of Dayton (UD), a group of passionate students is proving that compassion and community can make a real difference for animals in need. Paws with Claws, UD’s first student organization dedicated to cat advocacy, has already helped nine community cats find safety, medical care, and loving homes since launching in 2024.

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Podcast Ohio Animal Advocates Podcast Ohio Animal Advocates

United We Spay, Episode 013: Ohio Animal Advocates’ Journey with Vicki Deisner & Dan Spehar

On this episode of United We Spay, Vicki Deisner from Ohio Animal Advocates and community cat management expert Dan Spehar address this question through the lens of affordable spay-neuter services. Their conversation with Stacy underscores these initiatives’ critical role in managing overpopulation and fostering collaboration between citizens and local governments. Dan offers compelling insights into the humane effectiveness of trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, highlighting the Together Initiative for Ohio’s Community Cats as a successful model for stakeholder empowerment and local action.

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Cats, Advocacy Ohio Animal Advocates Cats, Advocacy Ohio Animal Advocates

Massachusetts Bans Cat Declawing: A Win for Feline Welfare

Massachusetts has officially banned the practice of cat declawing, marking a significant victory for animal advocates who have long argued against the procedure’s inhumane nature. Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on January 10, 2025, making Massachusetts the third state in the U.S. to outlaw declawing, following New York and Maryland.

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Animal Welfare, Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates Animal Welfare, Community Cats Ohio Animal Advocates

Winter Care for Community Cats

As winter approaches, it’s essential to make sure our community cats have a warm, safe, and comfortable place to call home. These outdoor cats face the challenges of colder temperatures, wind, and snow, making it crucial that we provide them with shelter to weather the season. In this two-part series, we'll be sharing expert tips from Louise on how to create winter shelters and provide effective care during the colder months.

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Cats, Spay/Neuter, Veterinary Medicine Ohio Animal Advocates Cats, Spay/Neuter, Veterinary Medicine Ohio Animal Advocates

Feline Fix by Five: Preventing Unwanted Litters and Promoting Feline Health

For years, there was no clear consensus on the best age to spay or neuter cats, leaving pet owners and veterinarians uncertain about the right timing. The Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization, backed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has now set a clear guideline: kittens should be spayed or neutered before they reach five months of age. This recommendation helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and offers significant health benefits, including reduced risk of certain cancers, infections, and behavioral issues such as spraying and roaming.

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Cats Ohio Animal Advocates Cats Ohio Animal Advocates

How to Build an Emergency Cat Shelter

When a bad storm or sudden cold snap is arriving soon and time is of the essence, use the design described here to quickly build an adequate temporary shelter. You'll need a cardboard box (cardboard is actually good insulation), duct tape, shredded newspaper, a pair of scissors and either a plastic drop cloth that's 3 millimeters thick (a common item in the paint department at Home Depot or a hardware store) or contractor trash bags at least 3 millimeters thick.

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“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”

— Nelson Mandela