In the year and a half since we re-located from SoCal to Houston Nikita, Daddy Kiril and I made a few attempts to reach out to local rescues and journalists, with almost no success.
Either they don't read their email or they don't take a cat blog in their midst seriously enough to explore it and respond to serious correspondence.
With Nikita gone it has become MY challenge, alongside daddy and Sneakers, to reach out and connect, as well as cover the news and write about organizations we learn about.
One of our challenges is to expand on the resource page Nikita began so long ago by adding Houston, Harris County and Texas links and blogging about them.
This blog has made local donations, done a story on a new rescue effort in town and, as a follow-up to that piece, a series on the stray dog and cat crisis in Houston.
We let Laura Carlock, of Rescue Pet Movement, know of our first reporting in February; while she expressed thanks and an interest, there was no response to our heads-up about the March series, or a mention on their media page or blog.
At one point in our coverage we made note of the Houston Chronicle claim that there were"more than 140 rescue organizations trying to ease the crisis" in the region.
Last month, to get more details I, then Daddy Kiril as liaison for this blog, attempted to reach out to the journalists covering the story, BARC, and several local politicians:
Hi Mr. Morris! Hi Mr. Hoffman and hello Miss Alexander, too!
My name is Elvira Mistress of Felinity.
Remember me, gentlemen? I recently wrote you!
I am a cat...and I blog.
I and my protegé, Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo, have, as far as I know, Houston's ONLY cat blog.
In response to the recent , great, Chronicle piece on RPM & BARC I wrote a major story, with photos, in support...
The Elvira Factor 12: Houston We Have a Problem
Well, since the Chronicle had a another article a few days later, I found reason to write a follow-up piece.
Houston We Have a Problem 2: An Elvira Factor Follow-up
One thing I am hoping one of you can help me with is with regards to this statement in the 2nd article:
"More than 140 rescue organizations try to ease the crisis..."
140? In Houston/Harris County? Really?
As I wrote about this:
"How many of those are cat related? Is there someplace where someone can find out the names, contact info and websites of these organizations? An office, or a webpage, for meows sake?
If there is why wasn't this info presented in the article, especially in the online version, and if there is not why was this fact not addressed in some fashion?
If no-one, with wider reach than us, has the "140" on a one-stop page somewhere then, hell, we would like to do it with regards to cats, at least!"
We have a rescue resource page that we'd like to add to as we get to better know our new city, and our neighbors discover us.
Please read and share my essays if you like, and if you know any Houstonians who blog about their cats I'd love to know and invite them to stop by and visit the most unique Cat blog in the Pet Blogging Community!
I got no response from the reporters of the Houston Chronicle.
Daddy took over from there.
First a letter to BARC:
Dear BARC
My name is Kiril Kundurazieff
I have lived in the Westchase neighborhood since moving here from southern California, in September 2012.
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos, as you may already be aware.
It is my hope that you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
Anyway, as you know the Houston Chronicle has written a lot, lately, about the serious stray dog and cat problem facing our city.
Miss Elvira has blogged about these stories and expressing her thoughts on the crisis, every step of the way, beginning here:
The Elvira Factor 12: Houston We Have a Problem
In one of her 4 essays she addressed the revelation that there are supposedly 140 rescue groups in the city...
"140? Really? How many of those are cat related? Is there someplace where someone can find out the names, contact info and websites of these organizations? An office, or a webpage, for meows sake?
If there is why wasn't this info presented in the article, especially in the online version, and if there is not why was this fact not addressed in some fashion?
This blog is slowly building a Houston, Harris County, and Texas, resource list related to cats, and so far we have 20 Houston area groups listed and would love to learn about and add more.
If no-one, with wider reach than us, has the "140" on a one-stop page somewhere then, hell, we would like to do it with regards to cats, at least!"
That is why I am writing to you.
Are you, or someone else, aware of such a list and its website URL?
If there is just a list, but no place online to see it, how can I get a copy of the list and post it on the Texas Resource Page of The Opinionated Pussycat?
Sincerely yours...
Dear Mr. Morris, Mr. Hoffman, Miss Alexander, and Mr. Haj
My name is Kiril Kundurazieff
I have lived in the Westchase neighborhood since moving here from southern California, in September 2012.
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
The Opinionated Pussycat
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos; you would be amazed.
It is my hope that you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
To the councilman in District I:
Dear Mr. Gallegos,
I have been a Westchase neighborhood resident since moving from southern California, in September 2012 and am a cat person.
In reading yesterday's Houston Chronicle article, on possible beefing up of animal rules, I saw where it mentioned that you have "focused on animal control" and expressed several concerns.
It gives me hope that your staff and you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
The Opinionated Pussycat
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos; you would be amazed.
Our councilman in District F:
Dear Mr. Nguyen,
First off, Congrats on your election win.
As a fellow Republican, and a Westchase neighborhood resident since moving from southern California, in September 2012, I found this news a nice wake-up call to the established leadership of this city.
In reading your profile on your council website I found it interesting that we have creativity via writing, storytelling and poetry in common.
It gives me hope that your staff and you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
The Opinionated Pussycat
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos; you would be amazed.
And, finally, the office of the Mayor:
Dear Mayor Parker,
My name is Kiril Kundurazieff
I have lived in the Westchase neighborhood since moving here from southern California, in September 2012.
In reading your profile, on your city website, I found it interesting that we have something in common.
You once co-owned an independent retail bookstore...
I once worked for a small independent, family owned, chain of bookstores for 17 years, the last 11 as a store manager.
We share an interest in creativity via writing, storytelling and poetry. (I attended the first series of poetry "classes" hosted by the new Houston Poet Laureate, in the central library, last year.)
It gives me hope that your staff and you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
The Opinionated Pussycat
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos; you would be amazed.
Daddy Kiril Writes Letter: Mayor's Office BARCs Back!
Daddy wrote a response, on March 27, that has yet to be returned and probably won't be I sadly suspect:
Dear Ashtyn,
Good evening and thank you very much for replying and for the link!
You are right that the page is outdated in some of its links, having last been updated in 2012.
The website still had some links to rescues and shelters, that I did not have, and that deal in BOTH cats and dogs, perfect for adding to my growing resource page, which has a feline focus.
I am glad that you replied as I was wondering if others I reached out to would (My councilman and one other, and several Chronicle reporters covering the crisis story.).
I had even written a letter to BARC.
All similar in content.
Few people in Houston are aware that the world of cat blogging got its first serious push out of Houston, in 2004 (Carnival of the Cats, the oldest weekly animal centered share-fest on the internet, of which my blog is most frequent host) and for several years the popular catblogosphere website was hosted by a Houston cat blogger who moved out in 2012.
Kiril Kundurazieff
Writer based in Houston, Texas
Professional member - Cat Writers' Association
When looking to connect with the local cat loving community, as well as gain respect, and build a reputation for, one's creative writing, commentary and journalism I suppose being mostly ignored is a sign; of just what is hard to say, hee, hee!
We admittedly have a lot to learn as writers, journalists, and networkers and consider the efforts shared here a decent beginning.
We also are still looking for the answer to our question about that list of organizations, too!
I will end this post by sharing a pair of recent announcements from local groups:
Rescue Pet Movement needs cat fosters!
"Just in time for Spring cleaning–a Garage Sale benefiting Rescued Pets Movement! One of our volunteers in Pearland is organizing a garage sale to benefit RPM on Saturday, April 26th (Details, here)."
Daddy Kiril works that day or he'd see if he could make it to the location by bus for a story.
Late April sales events at the Citizens for Animal Protection Thrift Store
We suppose all you can do is keep trying, and we know you are persistent. Thank you for your efforts to get the answers needed to help the cats of Houston! :)
Posted by: meowmeowmans | April 16, 2014 at 08:32 PM
We don't think newspapers and government take pet blogs seriously. It's a shame. They don't know what they're missing.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | April 17, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Elvira.....yur dad deserves all de credit in de werld for tryin....Lord noez he haz & it bee nice ta see at leest one response; two wooda been grate.....
all....well...like iz that a dreem...
anyway, heerz hopin everee one haza safe, happee N burd free Easturr ♥
Posted by: da tabbies o trout towne | April 17, 2014 at 11:15 AM