Travel With Bessie

James Fontanetta, Former Wall Street Executive works tirelessly to protect animals

James Fontanetta, former Wit Capital Executive is now working to help animals in need.  Mr. Fontanetta spends all his weekends and evenings patroling the streets for sick, injured or just hungry animals.

“It is so disgusting to see the conditions that some of these animals are left in by owners that abonden them.  I have found plenty of spayed or netured cats who are very affectionate and like to be held, obviously belonged to someone who are skin and bones with broken bones, festering infections, lice, mange just to name ae  few…in some cases they are so bad that they have to have a tail or ear amputated”, said Fontanetta.

People think it’s okay to leave animals, especially cats, outside but they don’t realize there are many dangers.  Cats are often run over by cars, especially black cats at night.   Also, unneutered males get hit by cars often as they stray far from home looking for a female.  Their sex drive is strong and it makes them loose focus and they often end up injured or dead.   Many pet owners take in an adorable kitten or puppy but as soon as it grows up they tire of their new “toy” and throw it out. 

“People need to realized that it’s not like buying a shirt or tie in the store that you can return or discard when you are tired of it, these are living, breathing creatures with feelings who are very intelligent.  They feel pain just like we do.  They deserve to have food and water and have shelter.  They do not like to be outdoors as people often think, especially at housecat who has never been outside.  How cruel is it to throw out that house cat when it’s spend it’s entire young life indoors with a family.  It never developed survival instincts like cats that have been outside the whole time.  Usually, it’s these former indoor cats who are in the worst shape when I find them”, said Fontanetta.

One of the most common ailments that outoodrs cats get infected with is mange.  It causes their fur to fall out and leaves the skin very dry and crusty.  It is very uncomfortable and painful for the cat.  Many people are afraid to near a cat or dog with this skin disorder so they don’t help it.  The truth that as long as you wash your hands after handling the animal, you will be fine.  If you use common sense hygeine, you will not have a problem.  These animals need to be treated right away before this permanantly affects their flesh.  In advanced cases, some of the fur will not grow back even after treatment but mange is one hundred percent curable.

All it takes is a little bit of medicine and lots of love and you can transform a sick cat’s life for the better.

“I get tremendous joy feeling like I can help, especially when I see how bad they were and I get to watch them improve and be happy.  It takes so little to change their lives dramatically for the better.” said Fontanetta.

There is never an excuse to walk past a sick or injured cat and think “someone will take care of it”, that someone needs to be you.  If you can’t do it on your own, call a local animal rescue group.  Just look them up in your area in the phone book or on the internet.  You will be surprised at the wealth of resources you will find.  There are also several groups that will help you spay and neture pets in your neighborhood at a huge discount.  The Humane Society usually has programs for this.  If you are kind enough to feed outdoor cats on a regular basis, spaying or neutering is the best thing you can do to control the population.   If you need help capturing them,call a local animal rescue organizationa and they will guide you or provide help.