Monday, March 16, 2015

Review & Giveaway: My Street Cats

I'd like to introduce you to a fascinating woman.

Dr. Bilski is a member of the Department of Political Science at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has been an adviser to three Prime Ministers in Israel on social and welfare policies, and is - according to Israeli magazine Haaretz - an expert of political philosophy, social policy and happiness.

Dr. Raphaella Bilski with 2 of her street cats. Photo used with permission.


She also happens to have a rare and intimate knowledge of the cats we would call feral or community cats. She calls them street cats. And her knowledge base was built over 14 years of personal, hands-on interaction with them.

Now I'd like to introduce you to the amazing book she wrote.


Entitled My Street Cats, this tale is both heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. This book provides a first-person account on what it's like to care for a colony of cats for 14 years.

Dr. Bilski brings them to life for you: the independent and cautious Beauty, the abiding friendship of two male cats, the trust a mother cat places in a human when her kitten is ill.

Tel Aviv street cat takes a nap. Photo: Gal. Flickr Creative Commons 3.0

With each story, you gain insights into the fierce individuality of the species, yet also the societal dance that occurs within a colony that knits it together into a community.

I have never before read a book like this, and cannot recommend it highly enough.

A street cat in Tel Aviv. Photo: Victor Bezrukov, Flickr Creative Commons 3.0

The tale begins in a country that has little to no facilities in place for animal welfare, then several years into the journey you witness a country that embraces TNR on a national scale - and the impact that has on the colony as told thru Bilski's eyes.

Cat walking in the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem at night,by Guillaume Paumier, Creative Commons 3.0.

My Street Cats is verifiable proof that TNR works. And the fact that Israel committed 4.5 million New Israeli Shekels in 2014 to trap, neuter & return street cats is encouraging. Those of us who live in the U.S. can only hope to see the equivalent here some day.

A shelter provides shade and water for street cats in Caesarea. Photo: Ari Moore, Flickr Creative Commons 3.0.






Please put this book on your must-read list. It's on mine.

Win your own copy of My Street Cats!

This giveaway is open worldwide, to everyone, everywhere.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be announced next Monday.

If you can't wait and want a copy of My Street Cats today, you can purchase it through our Amazon Associate shop at this link here.
(Disclaimer: we receive a small referral fee if you purchase through our store.)
 
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32 comments:

  1. This country can't come together to provide health care for people.....sad. So I find it difficult to hope that it would come together to provide care for animals.

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  2. Sounds amazing. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. guys....de food serviss gurl will puts thiz on her wish list...her says it DOEZ inn deed sound grate... N we think it doez two !!♥♥♥

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  4. That sounds like an amazing book! I wish all countries would TNR everywhere it is needed.

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  5. what an amazing turn around - we hope more areas can get on board with TNR like this

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  6. Amazing!! So much kudos to her!! Have entered, but will put it on my to read list, just in case I don't win MOL

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  7. That book sounds like a great book. Purrs

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  8. I just ordered the book...couldn't wait. I haven't been to Israel, but have always been fascinated by street cats. I have spent time in Italy with the cats of Rome and several colonies in Chicago. Thanks for alerting me to this book!

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  9. Such an amazing lady, but I don't think I could handle the sad part.

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  10. Sounds like a great book. It is wonderful that Israel is doing so much for the street cats.

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  11. It's always heartwarming to see what one individual is capable of doing in the name of positive change! Sounds like a wonderful woman and read :)

    the critters in the cottage xo

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  12. We didn't realize that Israel had such a strong TNR program. That's pawesome!

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  13. What a great oppoirtunity this is. M said if we don't win the book through this giveaway, she will buy the book. it looks like a good one. Thanks for offering this.

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  14. This sounds like a great book. It is on my MUST read list as I have a deep interest in Street Cats!

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  15. Sounds like a pawesome book and how wonderful that Israel is doing so much for the kitties! Yay!

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  16. That looks like a great book. TNR is catching on in my town and it’s about time.

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  17. What a beautiful book...and a beautiful woman.
    xo

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  18. That sounds like an amazing read! I've met many street cats on each of my visits to Israel, and have been impressed at how well they seem to be cared for. I would love to read about Rafaella's experienced and reflections with them.

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  19. This book may stand as one of the greatest influences in changing human to humane with its insight into the longterm lives of a cat community......they are not so different than us.....

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  20. We think this book sounds so terrific. Hope we win! XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  21. This does sound like a fantastic story and book, great post.

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  22. That looks like a wonderful book. We would love to read it :) Pawkisses for a Happy Monday :) <3

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  23. This book sounds as though it will be a great read.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  24. Definitely on my TBR list! Thanks so much for sharing... when I buy - will use your associate link for sure. -Katie Kat.

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  25. Beautiful cats and warmhearted people.

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  26. Sounds like a great book!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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Coolio! A comment? For US?