By: Robin Desmet – August, 2018 Your neighbor’s cat has kittens and they are weaned and ready to be adopted. You hold one of the wiggling furballs for a minute and instantly you fall in love. You weren’t really looking for a kitten, but before you know it you find yourself at the pet store […]
Anti-Abuse Bill Moves to Governor Baker’s Desk Boston- Legislation intended to enhance humane treatment of animals, and punish those who engage in animal cruelty, has received final legislative support following approval by the House and Senate today on Senate Bill 2646, Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety. The legislation furthers anti-abuse measures first secured in the 2014 Protecting […]
By: Aliana Brodmann von Richthofen – July, 2018 After having been around the so-called bush, otherwise known as the system of favoritism and corruption in Massachusetts, many times over, I should not be surprised that it engulfs the most feeble and vulnerable. But I was, nevertheless, shocked that there is neither mercy nor justice even for […]
By: Robin Desmet – June, 2018 Despite their popularity as pets and their ubiquitous presence in the media, cats are probably one of the most misunderstood breed of animals. Myths surrounding these creatures abound, especially among those who are unfortunate enough to have never owned one. One common misconception that seems to pervade is that […]
By: Robin Desmet – May, 2018 Losing a kitten is one of the most difficult parts of animal rescue. No matter how much time goes by, you never forget the ones you’ve lost. Anyone who fosters or rescues animals for any length of time is bound to face this heartbreaking situation at some point in […]
Each year The Valley Patriot honors two Valley Patriot writers for outstanding writing or taking the high road in public discourse while also taking very bold stands on some of the most important issues that shape our culture and our community. Columnists, reporters, and even letter writers are eligible for this award. It is given […]
By: Robin Desmet – April, 2018 Without a doubt, cats that are kept indoors live longer than cats that are allowed to roam freely outside. But are these indoor cats happy? I think they can be, but it requires a bit of effort and creativity on the part of the owner. Cats crave stimulation and […]
By: Robin Desmet – February, 2018 When Paul adopted Goldy he had already spent half of his life as a cat that was allowed outdoors. Although Goldy loves to snuggle with Paul on the couch, he also enjoys his time roaming in the yard. He is an avid hunter and he loves to spend time […]
By: Robin Desmet – January 2018 For the past couple of weeks, those of us who live in New England have been subjected to bone chilling cold. Can you even imagine having to live outside in this type of weather? Sadly, this is a reality for many cats. This is no time of year for […]
By: Robin Desmet – Nov. 2017 Because I trap and rescue cats, people will often tell me that they can nolonger keep their own cat(s) and ask if I can rehome them. Well, the short answer is, “No. I cannot.” Believe it or not, everyone I know already has a cat or three. I always […]
By: Robin Desmet – Oct. 2017 Halloween—a holiday for witches, ghosts, vampires, and the much maligned black cat. But what is it about black cats that brings out the haters? The reputation of the black cat as an evil creature started back in Europe in The Middle Ages. In 1233, Pope Gregory IX claimed that […]
By: Robin Desmet – Sept. 2017 I was interested in fostering Chicken from the moment I saw his picture. His curious, wide-eyed look captured my attention and his story captured my heart. Chicken was found outside all by himself with no mother and no siblings. He was brought to an overwhelmed, over-crowded, kill shelter at […]
By: Robin Desmet – August, 2017 “I am looking for a free kitten.” When I hear this statement I can’t help but cringe. My reply is always the same—“There is no such thing as a free kitten.” My statement is often met with doubt or displeasure. Then I usually hear a story about how so […]
By: Robin Desmet – July, 2017 When you rescue kittens that were born outside, chances are very good that they will need some degree of socialization, or taming. Kittens born in the wild are fearful of people and will hiss and spit and run away when approached. If you are lucky enough to capture the […]
By: Robin Desmet – June, 2017 In my opinion, fostering is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of volunteering with animals. There is nothing like opening the door to my foster room and getting greeted by 6 fluffy kittens all vying for my attention. It brings me such joy to see them grow […]