In October 2000, a group of Jerusalem residents came together, bound by their shared custom of feeding, caring for, and finding foster homes for stray cats, and founded the Association for Jerusalem Street Cats: they hoped to raise greater funds for such as hospitalizations, medications, and food.

Dedicated kitty-lovers continue to help provide money and time: there is no other volunteer body in Jerusalem that rescues or catches injured cats, and many of the Association's calls for help are passed on from residents through the SPCA or the municipal veterinary service, bodies that recognize how vital the Association is to the city.

We also aide in mediation with human neighbors because of conflicts arising from feeding cats in the shared living environment.

Our policy is that every cat treated be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ready for adoption.

The natural reproduction of stray cats is enormous despite the mortality rate. Many stray cats have been sentenced to a life of constant struggle over malnutrition, thirst, and disease.

In many places in the country, the veterinary service of the Municipal Authority practices "Trap, Neuter, Release". In Jerusalem, the Association has been doing this for years; the Municipality only began in November 2004, and in a limited way in accordance with its resources. The Association maintains a policy of neutering whenever possible, and encourages feeders to report cats in need of this service. The number of cats in organized trapping operations ranges from a few to a few dozen.

The Association's expenses include

• veterinary treatments at various Jerusalem clinics include surgeries (like neutering), hospitalizations and treatment of sick cats, and medication.

• food distributed to cat feeders in different areas.

• equipment like sand, cages for capturing distressed cats, and Styrofoam shelters for the winter.

If you want to help:

We ask for your support so we can continue our work--the work done within the association is voluntary, but resources are required to rescue and care for stray cats. Any amount is welcome!

For Human Contact:

David Rosen, telephone: 052-8932084

For Direct Deposit:

The Association for Jerusalem Street Cats,

Discount Bank, Branch 159,

Tax Account 8497062

One more way to be helpful in oh-so-many ways:

Every time that you buy something from the hOly cats! collection at the.zOhn, I donate 10% of the profits to the Association!

BONUS: If you buy something from the hOly cat! emblem line, I donate 20% of the profits!

AND special sales for special cat calendar dates!