Whiskers in the Wild: Saving and Socializing Community Cats

by Debra Blaine

Overview

Is that cat wandering through your backyard an abandoned stray, a feral with a family to feed, or simply a housecat on the prowl?

And would you know what to do if it were suffering?

It's heartbreaking to watch animals struggle, whether from hunger, injury, or human betrayal—especially kittens. Identifying when and how to intervene is crucial for the health and survival of neighborhood cats. When we can confidently give them the support they need, our minds are put at ease.

Not every outdoor mouser can or should be brought inside, but all will benefit from humane care and compassion.

Dr. Debra Blaine has decades of experience parenting cats and learning their habits. Along with a foreword and contributions from renowned cat behaviorist Dr. Rachel Geller, insights from veteran cat trapper Dr. Marge Goldin, and dramatic rescue stories by Long Island's celebrated cat hero John DeBacker, this resource book will take you on an educational journey that's alternately heartwarming, tragic, and humorous.

Within these pages, you'll learn:

• How to safely interact with and provide for the community cats near your home
• When and how to perform Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) on a cat with or without help, and without spending a fortune
• How to speak "feline" by decoding the meaning of our furry friends' body language and vocalizations
• How you can vastly contribute to the welfare of cats, even if you don't have money to spare for donations
• The role of TNR and why it's so important
• Fantastic ways to bond with your family furball
• How to add a new cat to your household
• Amazing physical and psychological benefits humans receive from parenting a cat
• And more...

Not only will you further enhance your relationships with cats, indoors and out, but sharing this knowledge may soften your neighbors' tolerance for the colony living behind their garden.

As a cat-lover, you'll be tickled to read about their quirky habits, unique skills, and the 10,000-year history of the human-feline alliance from deity to devil to dearest. This guide also contains a collection of fun facts that are a must-know for cool cocktail conversations!

Don't miss the chapter that recounts John DeBacker's sensational saves.

When you buy this book, a portion of the royalties goes to support nonprofit rescue organizations. These funds help defray veterinary fees and the costs of lodging and socializing cats prior to adoption.

Please purchase and lend a paw.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184647432
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	05/25/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Debra Baine, MD, CPC, CMT, is a physician, three-time award-winning author, certified life coach, and certified master trainer.

Mostly, she writes thrillers, dystopian suspense, and science fiction, which invariably include animals—usually cats—in their cast of characters. However, in the past year, she has published several reference resources, such as this title.

In The Meraki Effect, the first of the Meraki Files duology, the fate of an entire space colony rests on a Maine Coon’s love for a ten-year-old girl. It’s available at Barnes & Noble.

Since 2019, Debra has served as a life coach and helps clients disengage from the hyperactive pressures of a society whose values seem to be spiraling more and more into materialism and hostility. When they rediscover their hearts and their purpose, they thrive.

In addition, she mentors writers at all stages, from crafting their first draft to tightening their prose, and guides them through the self-publishing process. She’s helped dozens of authors professionally publish their books on their own timelines with minimal expense.

Dr. Blaine practiced family and urgent care medicine for thirty-three years until the dysfunctional state of our healthcare system became unbearable for her. In January of 2023, she pivoted to work full-time as a writer and a coach, where she feels she can make more of a difference in people’s lives.

As a lifelong animal lover and cat parent since the age of ten, she’s often been heard saying that she should have been a vet. But what most people don’t know is that upon graduating high school, she really wanted to be a forest ranger. Her parents strongly objected, so she went on to study liberal arts and ultimately, medicine. She has now come full circle. Back to nature, back to animals, and back to the arts as an author.

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Blaine has an amazing gift. She has captured all the fine points of feline behavior through her extensive research. Her experiences are heartwarming, entertaining, and educational. Every cat lover will love Whiskers in the Wild."

Medical Director, Mid Island Animal Hospital, Hicksville, NY - Dr. Mitchell Kornet, DVM