Monday, July 17, 2017

Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Series: "Buy in July" Event Supports Animal Rescue

Animal Rescue Programs
Guest post by mystery author Marla Bradeen (aka Paige Sleuth)

When in search of a new furry family member, most animal lovers think first of adopting from local shelters and rescue organizations. These places are always at capacity, and I sadly doubt I will live to see the day when the cat and dog overpopulation problem ceases to be an issue. Here in Las Vegas alone, there are an estimated 200,000 feral and stray cats. That number is overwhelming to me, and it highlights the importance of spaying and neutering. Luckily, we have an organization here helping with that effort. The Community Cat Coalition of Clark County aims to fix as many local cats as possible using a program known as TNR, or Trap, Neuter, Return. Through TNR, feral cats are temporarily captured, spay/neutered and vaccinated, and then released back into their communities. To help support their mission of humanely reducing the feral cat population, during the month of July I'm donating $1 from every Paige Sleuth book purchase (for books over $0.99) to this wonderful organization. If you haven't heard of Paige Sleuth before, she's my alter ego, and she writes the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. More information about her, her July book giveaway, and details for downloading your free copy of Murder in Cherry Hills, Cozy Cat Caper Mystery book 1, are at the end of this post.


TNR is not a new concept for members of the animal rescue community, and even more people are familiar with the importance of spay/neutering pets (thank you, Bob Barker). Animal foster programs are also quite common, and also a great way to help an animal in need if you're not ready to make the long-term commitment of adopting. But there are also many secondary rescue programs out there that aren't as widely known. Some are so creative and heartwarming that I'd like to spotlight a few I've come across.

Pups on Parole. I absolutely love this concept. As part of this program, abused dogs are paired with qualified prison inmates until they're ready to be adopted out. Most of these dogs need a lot of tender loving care to get over some traumatic experiences, and the inmates work with them until they've learned how to trust people again. The dogs are also acclimated to a bathroom schedule and taught some basic essentials for life on the "outside" (such as how to walk on a leash), all with the goal of giving them a second chance at finding a loving home. But the dogs aren't the only ones benefiting from the program. Anyone who has ever had a pet knows how they can give your life purpose and structure, two qualities that can only help those who may have made some bad choices but are attempting to turn their lives around.

Paige Sleuth's rescue cats and cover models enjoying some time outside

Seniors for Seniors. Those actively involved with rescue know how challenging it can be to find homes for older animals. This effort strives to combat that challenge by matching senior animals with human seniors. Several variations of this program exist. Some give out starter kits (such as a litter box and food bowls) with every animal adopted out, and some are more of a long-term foster program, where the organization pays for everything, but the senior opening their home to the animal handles all care required. Either way, I think this is a fantastic approach to placing older animals in loving environments, and also a wonderful opportunity for humans in their golden years.

Reading to Shelter Animals. The idea behind this program is simple: Children read books to shelter animals. The animals benefit from some much-needed human attention, and the children get to practice their reading skills without fear of judgment. As an author, how can I not love it?

Now it's your turn! Tell me, are there any unique programs centered around animal rescue in your area? Are you involved with any, or have you adopted or worked with a critter enrolled in such a program? Let me know in the comments!


Paige Sleuth is a pseudonym for mystery author Marla Bradeen. She plots murder during the day and fights for mattress space with her two rescue cats at night. When not attending to her cats' demands, she writes. She loves to hear from readers, and welcomes emails at paige.sleuth@yahoo.com.

As part of Paige's second annual "Buy in July" event, where $1 from every July book purchase (for books over $0.99) will be donated to animal rescue, she's hosting a book giveaway this month. Enter below for your chance to win one of Paige's books plus a surprise mystery book. And follow the link in the first entry option to claim your FREE copy of Murder in Cherry Hills, the first book in the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. Good luck and happy reading!

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26 comments:

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

These look like fun books! Can't wait till I finish the book I am reading so I can start one of these!

The Menagerie Mom said...

What a fantastic way to help out this TNR effort! Though my area does not currently have a program for reading to shelter animals, I would love to help establish one.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful ideas!

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Thank you, Angel and gang! My cover models, Anna Belle and Molly, and I hope you enjoy the books. --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Random Felines said...

YAY - someone new to read (plus she gives back...may have to break out the credit card and do some book shopping)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Thank you, Menagerie Mom! I'm so thankful this series is popular enough that I can give back some to help local cats. The shelter reading program here in Las Vegas is part of Nevada Reading Week, I believe. I don't know much about how it's run, but I just love the concept. Good luck with your own program if you give it a go! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Thank you, Patricia! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Aw, thanks so much! My cover models are both rescue cats, and now that they have their own series they like to support their less fortunate feline friends. All three of us are so grateful to organizations such as C5, so we're happy to help. If you do check out the books, I hope you enjoy them! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Not really said...

Looks like a great series!! And that this supports rescue programs is wonderful. For the past 25 years I have adopted only seniors. Especially after I learned that for many it was a case of trading them in for a 'younger model'. So inconsiderate of the heartless jerks. I told my sister about this and she has promised to pick up a couple of the books at the local book store. Near where I used to live, Spokane, WA, they pair unadoptable cats [ferals] with farms, warehouses, they have shelter from the elements, are vetted, fed regularly, and help keep vermin from damaging things. Think it is a wonderful idea. If picked I prefer print copy. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

I love that you adopt seniors, Della! Both of my cats are technically seniors now (although I have a hard time thinking of a seven-year-old cat as a senior), but they are just as silly and active as they were when I first met them at ages five and two. Like you, I can't imagine trading them in. They are family. And thanks so much for telling your sister about the books! I doubt any bookstores carry my series, but they may be able to order them. The fictional Cherry Hills is actually located in Washington State, just south of Wenatchee. (I used to live in Seattle.) And that program to match ferals with farms sounds fabulous! What a wonderful way to welcome these stray cats into the community. Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the giveaway! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Eastside Cats said...

Tonight, I am joining our city council meeting, in the hopes of getting them to change the ordinances to allow TNR. Right now, technically, they could give me a ticket AND take away my friendly ferals because they aren't licensed nor had a rabies shot in the past year. And, they would be euthanized. We all need to get involved, to talk 'don't litter, spay and neuter' and TNR works!

diannekc said...

This is a new author and series to me. I'm looking forward to reading the series. Since I just adopted two kittens from a shelter and think any donation to a shelter is helping out a great cause.

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Ugh, some of the laws are so backwards. Thank you for taking the time to speak to your city council. I'm not sure if it would help, but C5 has some statistics up on their website about how dramatically the number of cats euthanized at local shelters here in Las Vegas has decreased since they started TNR (http://www.c5-tnr.org/keeping-score.php). And this is a humane way to help reduce the feral cat population, which I would think your city council would want to support. Good luck tonight! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Thank you, Dianne! I hope you enjoy the series, and I'm sure those two kittens will bring you lots of joy in the years to come. --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

pilch92 said...

That is very kind to help those less fortunate.

Hairballsandhissyfits.com said...

that prison inmate and dog program sounds amazing! Love the cover of all those books too!

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Hey, we see a theme about the Cherry Hill Books! The first werd is allus differnt...

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Thank you! My two cats are both rescues, so they like to give back as part of their birthday/adoption anniversary celebration. --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

When I first heard about Pups on Parole, I thought it was such a wonderful idea, too. And I'm glad you like the covers! Those are my rescue cats, Anna Belle and Molly, showing off how pretty they are. --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Yes, there's definitely a theme there! I imagine I'm going to run out of words to use in the titles eventually, but so far so good. Thanks for stopping by! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Three Chatty Cats said...

What a great event! Anything that supports animal rescue gets a thumbs up from me. And these books look like a lot of fun!!

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Animal rescue is a cause close to my heart, so I'm happy to be able to give back. Thanks for commenting! --Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

cupcake58 said...

I love all the cats pictured on the books. They are all so adorable.

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

Molly and Anna Belle, the cover models, insist that they be featured on all the books. I think they like showing off how pretty they are. Thanks for stopping by! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)

Jana Leah B said...

I love the Reading to Shelter Animals program. How great that it helps animals & kids.

Marla Bradeen/Paige Sleuth, Mystery Author said...

That type of program seems to be getting more popular, which is great to see. Thanks for stopping by! –Marla (aka Paige Sleuth)