pCheers to NYC-baseda href=”http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/” Neighborhood Cats/a for leading the charge to make New York City adopt a no-kill approach to its feral cat population. The grouprsquo;s efforts were highlighted in an article in the emNew York Times/em on April 16 titled a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/nyregion/a-no-kill-approach-to-feral-cat-control.html?_r=0″ldquo;Taking No-Kill Approach with Feral Cat Population.rdquo;/a/ppNeighborhood Cats offers workshops in trap, neuter and return, an approach to feral cat management that Friends of Animals advocates.nbsp;img alt=”” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/feral%20cat%20photo.jpg” style=”width: 300px; height: 200px; margin: 8px; float: right;” //ppFriends of Animals supported the recently released emTen Lives, A Feral Cat Odyssey,/em a documentary directed by Stan Minasian that reveals the lives of feral cats and the growing numbers of people and organizations working to not only humanely make their lives better, but reduce their numbers through the proven method known as trap, neuter and return TNR.nbsp;/ppThe emNY Times/em article reports that in the past New York City tended to deal with free-roaming cats by starting periodic roundups and taking cats to shelters to be adopted, or more likely in the case of feral cats, to be euthanized.nbsp;/ppBut that did not make a dent in the population. So three years ago NYC shifted to a new approach that relies on volunteers trained to trap, neuter and then return them to their colonies in the neighborhoods they came from.nbsp;/ppAdvocates say the new tactics are contributing to a decrease in the number of stray cats in the city. Statistics show greatly reduced numbers of cats taken to shelters for adoption or euthanasia.nbsp;/ppIntakes fell 35 percent, to 18,219 in 2013 from 27,940 in 2009, according to Animal Care and Control of NYC, a nonprofit organization that has a contract with the city to take in rescued animals. Euthanasia numbers fell 63 percent to 3,044 in 2013 from 8,122 in 2009./ppNeighborhood Cats mission is to make TNR fully understood, accepted and practiced in every community./ppTo accomplish its goals, it works on both the local and national levels. In New York City, where it is based, it has guided the development of one of the most comprehensive community TNR programs in operation today.nbsp;/ppAnother prevalent U.S. group called Fix Our Ferals, a community-based, non-profit organization that promotes TNR in the San Francisco East Bay area, is documented in emTen Lives/em.nbsp;/ppMinasian also takes viewers around the United States and to Havana, Cuba; the Colosseum in Rome; and Ottowa, Canada, to show how governments, organizations and caring people are coming together to humanely reduce feral cat numbers through TNR.nbsp;/ppTo see emTen Lives /emin its entirety and purchase a copy, a href=”http://www.feralcatsusa.org”visit this site/a. Our story about thea href=”http://https://friendsofanimals.org/magazine/spring-2014/10-lives-inspiring-story-about-humane-feral-cat-management” making of emTen Lives/em can be read here/a.nbsp;/pdivFor more information about our low-cost spay/neuter certificates,a href=”https://friendsofanimals.org/spay_neuter_certificate_information” click here./a/divpnbsp;/phr /pWe have a CHEER today for the upcoming restaurant,a href=”http://eatatearthburger.com/” target=”_blank” Earth Burger/a in San Antonio, Texas which aims to be the first plant-based fast food restaurant in the state./ppimg alt=”” src=”/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/earth%20burger.jpg” style=”width: 300px; height: 244px; margin: 8px; float: right;” //ppThe idea for this veggie burger stand was conceived by Chef Mike Behrend and the team at Green Vegetarian Cuisine, who wanted to address the struggles parents have when it comes to finding plant-based, healthy fast food while out running errands and canrsquo;t find the time to prepare a fresh, home cooked meal. Earth Burger will provide healthy, nutrient-rich vegan food on the go thatrsquo;s free from any hydrogenated oils or artificial colors./ppWe applaud the creators of Earth Burger for taking the risk of launching a plant-based fast food restaurant in San Antonio, Texas where vegan and vegetarian restaurants are scarce, and encourage you to please donate to their a href=”https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1553374632/earth-burger-plant-based-fast-food/pledge/new?clicked_reward=false”Kickstarter campaign/a before 4/29/14 to help them with their build-out and equipment purchases. You can also ldquo;likerdquo; them on a href=”https://www.facebook.com/EatAtEarthBurger”Facebook /ato get updates about the restaurant and to check out their photos and visit their official site for a full list of menu items. a href=”https://www.facebook.com/GreenVegetarian?fref=ts”Green Vegetarian Cuisine/a is already our favorite restaurant in Texas, and its success helps customers switch from a meat-based diet to enjoyable, vegan cuisine./p