Yesterday, I wrote that Maria and I hoped to visit Maine one day and ride some ferries to Canada. I made hotel and motel calls, just in case we ever have enough money to go. I did get a response from welcoming Maine admirers:
From Elise: “Maine doesn’t want you…animal abusers are not welcome…no hospitality or respect for that sort of people…”
___
From Sue, a friend of Elise: “How are you only putting up the yay Jon posts? A lot of people know the REAL Jon Katz…Donald J. Trump is tutoring you. Maybe someday you will get to share a cell with him.”
Sue, thanks for reading my blog so faithfully and for comparing me to Donald Trump. He is wealthy, successful, and powerful and has a lot of hair on his head, unlike me, who has lost much of it.
I appreciate your support. I love the idea of Yay Jon messages; thank you. It’s odd, but I prefer messages from people who like me rather than people who hate me.
It’s just a weird quirk. He would make an exciting cellmate; perhaps we could be friends. I’ll ask him during one of our tutoring sessions.
And thanks for something else. I love the idea of Yay Jon posts; it might make a good club. I can’t get enough of that.
This name might stick if I am good.
And thanks for getting me to tell the story of Zip and the state of Maine, one of the most beautiful places in the world. In a way, rescue groups there are Godparents to Zip.
But back to your pal Elise. Thanks, Elise, for your sensitive and helpful message.
I am sorry to tell you that a motel manager in Northern Maine, whom I called yesterday for information about a ferry ride to Canada with Maria, was pleased to take a deposit and make a reservation for me to visit him in Maine when we are ready to go.
You’ve inspired me to go. I know a lot of people up there. But not for a while.
Of course, the motel manager didn’t realize I was no longer welcome in the state. This will be disturbing news to some old friends who want me to stay with them when I visit and cat rescue groups that have supported Zip and me.
My I’m picturing state troopers at the border with my photo in their cars. Will the Lobster Roll people refuse to feed me my favorite food?
I understand your thoughts about “this sort of people…” That is one of the most exotic things I have been called in years, and I’ve been called many names. I know what you mean; we are “that sort of people,” for sure. We are different.
Your insights reminded me of the research I did when we decided to get another barn cat. You might be a wee bit embarrassed to learn that Maine was the place that guided and educated me when it came to getting a bar cat. I’m a research addict when it comes to my animals.
I’m grateful. We only have Zip partly because of Maine’s very kind and dedicated feral cat rescue community. They do great work for feral and forgotten cats.
You may not know this, Elise, but there are estimated to be between 60 and 100 million stray and feral cats in the United States.
While animal shelters and governments shoulder most of the load in managing the size and health of stray cat populations, owners bear much of the blame for the situation (and the solutions to it).
The animal rights movement promotes the idea that it is cruel for any cat to live in a barn. (The movement also claims it is abuse for any working horse to work. They also die in great numbers when deprived of their work also.)
As a result of this ignorance, millions of cats have no home at all and die young and painfully, many in the name of animal rights. In Maine, rescue groups are trying to do something about it.
The rescue group that brought Zip to us is here in New York. The scandal isn’t that cats like Zip can’t live inside a house; the scandal is that people won’t let them or give them the chance to live at all.
Lots of cats die brutal deaths for this.
Animal rights groups ignore this awful crisis for cats, and very few people are willing to take a chance on these forgotten animals. We are happy to have given one a good and safe home.
His rescuers told us Zip would be a poor candidate for a house with dogs and no freedom at night. They were right. He didn’t get along with other cats and had become somewhat feral from living outdoors all his young life. For him, anything else is terrifying.
I got the same advice from the local rescue group in our community. It was educational and persuasive. Maine is ahead of much of the country when it comes to saving the lives and freedom of feral and outdoor cats.
We were told Zip could have been a poor candidate for a house life, we see that is true.. He was and is restless and fiercely independent. He dodont care to be picked up or touched and never settles down.
I heard that Maine rescue groups were doing remarkable work saving and helping feral cats and promoting their adoption for barns and other sites open to the experience and nature.
I’m returning your kindness, Elise, by helping you avoid appearing ignorant or abusive about barn cats. I’m sure you mean well and believe God is at your elbow.
Maybe he is. We’ll know soon enough. I’ve gotten enough messages like yours to expect the worst. I’m not sure if you will pay much attention to it, but I feel morally obliged to try; I imagine you feel the same way.
Barn cats live are all over Maine, and so are the people who are adopting them in great numbers and giving them their natural lives in barns and other outdoor buildings.
According to at least a dozen Maine rescue groups, that is the humane thing to do with feral cats. These cats want and need care but often can’t exist safely or peacefully inside the confining environment of houses.
They need to be free, they need to hunt.
Confining them is considered cruel.
Urging sensible adoption of cats like Zip might be more helpful than banning me from your state; the rest of the state seems to have yet to get the news.
I’m sure you had a rough early life or wouldn’t do that. I’m sorry for your suffering.
Cats don’t care as much as you do, whether they live in a barn with food and shelter or sleep in the house during winter at night.
Heated cat houses (which Zip has) are plenty warm enough for them. Sadly, you don’t
Here are a few groups in Maine that advocate saving feral and other cats who have grown up outdoors and need alternative places to live safely and still be cared for.
If you go online, you find a lot more.
I am happy, perhaps beyond your ability, to understand, that we have given Zip such a home, and he is thriving here.
He has become a great friend to me, and I loved him from the first day.
(I should warn you that one of these groups asked me to speak if I came to Maine. You might like to go and hear Zip’s very happy story.
Confining all cats of all kinds to an indoor life is an awful choice for feral cats and those who grew up outdoors in most cases.
The Pope Memorial Humane Society helps place healthy cats unsuitable as pets in environments where they can flourish. “These cats,” they say, ” can be successfully placed in barns, construction companies, police stations, and other businesses looking for inexpensive and effective rodent control.”
Barn Buddies of Bangor, Maine.
“Why adopt a barn cat? Barn cats are incredibly good mousers. Many people who own farms seek out barn cats as a safe pesticide alternative. Providing this type of feline with a safe alternative to the typical home environment is also incredibly fulfilling. Barns are not the only place where barns or feral cats can thrive.”
Friends Of Feral Cats, Maine: This group seeks homes for cats languishing in crates for years. The cats aren’t suitable for homes but deserve a way to live and be sheltered—barns are great.
Our mission, says the group, is to humanely reduce the number of feral cats in our communities by trapping and neutering them and then releasing them back to their colony sites (a method called Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR). Over time, the colonies’ populations shrink due to a lack of reproduction.
Working Cats Animal Welfare Society. “Through this specialized adoption program, we pair cats that could be better suited as outdoor pets with families looking for natural rodents and pest control on their property. Working cats, also known as barn cats, feel their best when they have a job! This program is for you if you have a shed, stable, garage, or outbuilding!
Working cats have temperaments, histories, and behaviors that would not make them as happy as house cats. They do best as indoor/outdoor cats, where they can use their instincts in a natural environment. Cats adopted from this program enjoy complimentary access to the outdoors, where they can come and go at will. However, they understand the care you give them.”
I’ve lived with cats, dogs, and other animals for much of my life now, and I’m happy to tell you, Elise, that Zip is a beautiful success story—my best since rescuing Simon the donkey. Zip is thriving, as almost any cat person can see. He’s living the life he wants and needs.
He likes to be touched and held now and is happy, active, and healthy on the farm. He is making friends with almost everyone but Bud.
That is a far better fate than millions of feral cats ever get. He avoids confinement, and while he sometimes peeks in the farmhouse window, he dashes away when he gets too close to the door, or we do.
Zip loves his barn refuge, which includes a heated cat house and his freedom to wander, hunt, and explore. I am genuinely sorry you can’t or won’t see the justice and care in this, but that’s not my problem; it’s yours.
Messages like yours are just juvenile; they accomplish nothing. I do feel sorry for you. Loving animals, for me, is not about what I need but what they need. I choose not to hate anyone, even people who feed off it.
I can’t wait to establish a Yay Jon club of blog readers; I love messages that are kind to me and my work. I’m sure you would prefer to avoid getting the kinds of messages you send to people.
I am sorry for the sad life you must have had.
YaY! Jon! – and Maria
Well said. Yay Jon!!
I would love to join the Yay Jon Club and hope to get my membership card soon (with the happy face of Zip on the front).
Keep writing and loving in the open and honest way you do.
Many blessings to you & yours!
T.L. Stokes
Vashon Island, WA
Yay Jon. Yay Zip
I want to join the Yay Jon club!!! Do we get a pin? Will you have trading cards with your picture on them? Can we buy a shred of your clothing? Are you coming out with shoes? So many questions.
How about magnets?
Nicely said. It seems some folks only see their narrow view of life, and don’t want to learn anything new. Thank you for rescuing and loving your animals. My wife and I do the same.
Those women have mental health issues (assumption) —— accusing you of animal abuse is pathological.
I grew up in Maine, the coast is beautiful. Have a great trip!
Yay, Jon!
Oh John, I love you and your blog. The ridiculousness of people who do not understand farming and the animals that keep in farming. I love your humor and your responses to these people. so here is another YAY John letter!
Thank you for your comments Jon- these rights people like to makes humans of all the animals – they are not and have different needs- my barn cat adopted me br appearing one day – she lives in the barn with my show rabbits – comes in some on the winter. I have helped relocate Tnr cats to farms from sites where buildings were being torn down in the city – they have a much nicer life . enjoy your trip to Maine – I used to live there for a few years off grid- there are many people who share your beliefs!
YAY Jon! I find it admirable that you are willing to even communicate with these people, and for that I say YAY! Too many humans think their way is the only way.
Yey Jon! Another Excellent and Educational post. Love your humor! ☺️
I Love reading about Zip and have Loved reading about all your animals over the years! I gave a friend one of your books many years ago , she was a breeder of Corgi dogs and she ended up taking them to herding lessons ! You are Great in my book!!
Thanks
Hello Jon, Hello Maria,
I am a downeast Mainer and all I have to say is WELCOME! Jon, I admire your work on all levels, Maria, I admire your work on all levels. You’re gonna fit right in here in Maine,
Thanks!
Hi Jon – I work at a hotel in Loveland, CO, which opened in 2009. Some time during the first few years we became aware of a calico cat who apparently lived on the property. Her left ear was tipped, so someone had taken care of her. People brought her food and she worked as part of the pest control team. (The EcoLab guy said there were never mice in the outdoor traps.) Though I’m sure she appreciated the food, she wanted nothing to do with any humans. We called her “Parking Lot Cat” or PLC for short. Sometimes I could take a picture of her and sometimes if I spoke to her she’d reply before ducking into the storm drain or under a car. I decided she needed a real name, so she became Lottie.
Then COVID came. 96% oof our staff was furloughed. I remained to work the front desk 6 days a week, as well as my true job in accounting. I became Lottie’s butler, bringing her employee meal each day at 3 pm. As she became used to the routine, I’d find her waiting for me. She’d guide me to her dining area with meows & hissing. Sometimes she’d give me a good whack if I did something she didn’t like. She did not like to see hands coming toward her. I’d always chat to her, calling her by name, and sometimes offer her tidbits of her food on the fork I used to scoop it onto a plate. To begin with shed whack the fork right out of my hand but eventually learned to take the food from it. In fact, she knew the word tidbit. After about 3 months, I had 3 days off at one time. She was fed during that time but the day I returned, she ran to me and then ran two complete circles around me, meowing the whole time, but not touching! ❤️ It wasn’t long after that, though, that she began rubbing around my legs. She was very vigorous about it and I’d come inside coated with cat hair. Over tha next months, Lottie and I developed a very strong and loving friendship. In addition to our regular feeding time, I started bringing my lunch outside to enjoy with her. She would lead me over to our picnic table, then sit on my lap and purr while I ate. I left my job there in early March 2023. I entertained the idea of trying to bring her home. I have 3 home cats who live indoors. My general manager & I had several tearful (on my part) conversations about it. He knew, as did I, that Lottie would not be happy inside. She had made friends with a few others at work by then and I knew she’d still be loved and cared for. Plus I still visited with her until, very sadly, the day came that I had to have her euthanized. Lottie had breast cancer, which we knew for about 6 months. She was in pain and it was the kindest and hardest thing to do.
My point of this whole long story is that we understand that there are many cats who will never be happy in an indoor life. That doesn’t need to prevent them from having happy, safe and beloved lives. Our local shelters have barn cat or working cat adoption programs. The hotel will eventually adopt one or two of them to carry on Lottie’s work. They still have the heated house maintenance made for her & the heated bowl. The local paper ran a story about Lottie & me and brought the idea of working cats some more attention from the community. It’s a lovely program, helping cats, people and businesses.
Anyway, I love seeing and hearing about Zip in his new life with you and Maria. I’m glad you all found each other.
Touching story, Nancy. I am glad you took the time to write it and grateful to Jon for posting it.
I am a life-long cat lover and I have done all varieties: outdoors only, outdoor/indoor depending on weather, indoor only. I cannot say that I can conclude that one or the other is better. It all depends on the cat and the circumstances.
I feel that often people want to hear something akin to a law about how to ‘keep’ cats. We had to say goodbye to a rescue we took in 8 years ago. She came from a very bad situation and we were sworn to keep her indoors. And I would not have had it any other way with this particular cat. When she got sick, we too had to make a quick decision and we decided to let her go, with many tears and a hole in our hearts.
The cat that came before her was store bought in Australia, when I lived there, and traveled the world with me. At first, she was outdoors when I was present, and the rest of the time was happily spent indoors. Never out at night. As she got older, it did not seem she wanted to be outside, but was happy when I carried her out to sit in the sun with me.
My very first cat had the choice: there was an open window on the farm where I lived at the time and she could come in or stay out as she wished; except at night, when I kept her indoors. I lived in a quiet area and I was fine with this situation. At the time I thought it was cruel to deprive cats from the outside life. I changed my mind later in life, especially as I lived in more of a city environment with crazy people putting out poison, wildlife and traffic.
Our remaining cat started as a feral kitten. We do not know her history. When she presented herself at our back door asking for food, we fed her. And ultimately, when we saw her get pregnant twice in a short period of time, we asked a cat-rescue group to help us TNR her: trap, neuter, release. Only the ‘release’ never happened because she absolutely loves being an indoor cat and had gotten very attached to us. We have our screen doors open on warmer days and she loves to sit there and watch the birds. Up until now, after 2 years, I have not seen her try to get at the birds or ask to go outside.
So for me it is clear: there are no absolutes for cats. They are individuals and I think that true cat people will not force a certain lifestyle on them, but pick the right spot for them. That is true love for these creatures. Whether it is in a barn, indoor/outdoor or exclusively outdoor. I have never had a cat that would accept being held indoors if they did not want that and they were very good at communicating that sentiment, either by talking or by peeing in the house or scratching at the door. Similarly, our indoor cats would take grave offense if we made them go outside!
It seems that trying to capture the nature of the cat in an absolute rule is only going to cause controversy. And discussions are no longer about the cat’s well being but about human ego. Tragic, really.
A great trip— I drove to Quebec City , spent a few days and continued on following St. Lawrence river to the end. There are beautiful quaint villages. And good food. The Thousand Islands are lovely – I drove there once and crossed over to Kingston Ontario, where Robertson Davies lived. Kingston is a magical Victorian city, with stunning architecture. There are many quaint villages to visit. And not far from NY. Canadians are lovely people and so friendly!
Yay Jon, you struck the right ironic humor in response to this mean and ill informed post. I’m puzzled why she even reads you? Since you are such an evil animal abusing grifter (her words). You have addressed all these issues in your blog posts over time. So did she not read them? I’m legitimately confused with this confused woman. But yay Jon for not getting pulled in to her maelstrom! You gave me a chuckle and again educated those willing to be. But you can lead a horse to water and all that.
Sign me up for the Yay Jon Club! I’ve been a reader of this blog and a fan for many years.
(Maybe Jon Katz is really an A.I. created by Donald Trump to bilk money from people. 😉)
Outed!
Haha!
Ha! I laughed out loud at the thought of police at the border with your picture.
I’ll join the club. I’ve trapped and placed many a barn cat. They have better lives than some people I know.
Yay Jon! A few years ago my mom started feeding a feral cat that was hanging around our shared property – 2 houses on a 2.5 acre lot. He/she started going into the garage and the food moved in there with a cat door being installed. Then a heated cat house rounded out the cat’s new domain. The cat never leaves our property but also won’t let us touch him. Coming inside the house is not an option but it is the cat that makes it that way. We love him/her from afar and watch to be sure he/she continues to look well fed with beautiful sleek black fur and looks healthy and strong. This cat has a tipped ear showing they have been through a trap/neuter/release program at some point. I share all this to say that as much as I would love to make the cat a house cat, the cat would be miserable. Sitting on the porch sunning is the closest to the house that cat will tolerate and that only if we are not nearby. It has been 6+ years now and the cat seems happy and content and is as well cared for as we are allowed to do for them. So again, yay Jon! We lovers of our feral/barn cats salute you.
Poor souls…..though must say I almost fell off my chair laughing at *the REAL* Jon Katz? and a money grabber to boot? All this time, I thought you *were* real! Just when I think I’ve seen/read almost everything on your post comments……I get surprised yet again………
Susan M
I wish I were that clever…I have no idea where all that money went…:)
There are so many cats who would thrive on your farm living Zip’s life! Yay, Jon!
Yeah Jon & Maria & King-Zip!!
In Wisconsin I know that there are working cats for adoption. I hate animal neglect and cruelty. When I was younger I worked with animal shelters and I saw more cruelty than I could stomach especially in the south. I went into situations were no sane woman would go. And some farmers could be nicer to their barn cats but I’m afraid with livestock and feed rats and mice are a real problem. Working cats that have found homes with farmers that look out for their working cats are a blessing.
Yay, Jon!, 😂
This was great! Really hoping you get to vacation in Maine and enjoy every minute! Rescue a few cats while there!
Yay Jon Club needs membership cards with Zip’s picture lol!
Yay Jon!
Yay Jon! My local humane society here in Vermont has an option to adopt working cats for just what Zip does. Ignore the trolls.
Thanks Ann, I always have, nice message..
Yay Jon! Well said! I live in the country. On occasion, cats show up on my property. I have no idea how they find me. I trap them, have them neutered, and let them live here. If there are kittens, I find them homes. I feed them and have heated igloos for them in the winter. Not one of them would be a suitable house cat. I do have house cats, one who is content to stay indoors, and another who would escape every chance he gets.
Yay Jon! You can just ignore those dopes, ya know! Although they are good for comic relief, as long as you don’t let them get you down. We have a little terrier who I’m sure wishes we had a rodent problem she could take care of. As it is she has to content herself with battling somewhere between 100 and a million squeaky toys. I think she’s very happy with us, but I’m also aware that as a spoiled, pampered pet we’re also keeping her away from part of her nature. Animals, domesticated or not, really are not the helpless animated dolls your critics seem to have in their heads.
Well that was mouthful…and quite entertaining:):). Yay Jon!!
“Time spent with a cat is never wasted.”
Sigmund Freud
I don’t know where those people come from or why it’s any of their business about you having a barn cat that lives outdoors! I too lived on a farm and we had several barn cats and dogs who lived outside their whole lives. Do these people who know it all, know that animals grow thicker hair to stay warm in bad weather? I’m amazed!
Thanks Susan, I think it is a sad thing for animals we are forgetting how to speak to each other.
Yay Jon! Proud supporter from TN!
Holy crap! What a nerve you touched! I’ve long been a Yay Jon fan, and plan to stay. So, get those tee shirts, mugs and high-top gym shoes made! Seriously though, that’s some sick stuff coming from some sick people. My first sponsor used to say that if people would use even half of their righteous indignation to take action to solve problems, the world would be a better place.
🙂
Hi Jon,
I live in Maine and see this type of thinking way too often about a lot of things up here.
You and Maria are welcomed in Maine in my eyes. Come and eat the great lobster and clams. Enjoy the
beautiful ocean views and more than likely see many cats wandering around, spayed, neutered, and enjoying
their lives as “barn” cats. Especially on the waterfront.
I hope you both do come. It is worth the trip. Don’t worry, those types of people won’t speak to you anyway, They just stare.
I think Zip is the most successful barn cat I have seen. He is the picture of health. He looks better than some of the cats that live in homes all year. He is living his life!
I’m a Maine transplant, most still won’t talk to me. Being from MA, the worst state in the country in their minds!
Thanks Jan, I love Maine..
Me and my wife rescued a lot of cats and kittens we went under trailers in this mobile home court we live in place 65 kittens in 3 years and 10 cats and we have had many fixed we have gotten a lot of grief we have a voice for them.
I am stunned and saddened by these messages you’ve been receiving. Please allow me to add my two cents, just so you’ll know that there are more of us out here than THEM, and we’ve got your back:
YAY, JON!