The pictures are great. I love how the author captured the society and different personalities of the cats. However, I was disappointed that the writer didn't get around to explaining whether the cats were neutered/spayed until the end of the book. There were references to the old tom cat, beat up. Why didn't they get him neutered? Or the momma who had more than one litter. I don't know when this was written, but it is standard practice now with feral colonies to trap/neuter/release on a regular basis to manage the colony and keep everyone healthy.

I'm so glad I ordered this calendar, I couldn't beleave it was on my dorrstep the next day, it was like they new I was going to order it and sent it in advance, amazing. The calendar is so preciouse with all the pictures of street living cats, but the real jewl in this is the stoy the photographer shares on who these felines are, where they live, how he came to know them and take tell their stories. It makes one want to go out and take pictures of forgotten community of homeless and stray animals. It's a work of Heart.

Photographer Knox and freelance writer Sara Neeley have teamed up to produce a stunning, poignant photo essay highlighting the beauty of the hidden world of alley cats. Knox, well known for his gritty urban photojournalism, was inspired to photograph the feral survivors he encountered in his work. He soon uncovered a complex underground family structure of cats surviving the clash between nature and modern civilization. The authors readily acknowledge that this book shows only a sunny glimpse at the brutal life of street cats (for "who would buy a book that accurately showed the suffering" they endure?), but their purpose is to document this world and inspire citizens to make small changes, including spaying and neutering both domestic and feral animals.

A stark account of the lives of urban feral cats. The book may leave you sad and angry, but the black and white photos are precious, and you will run to give your own sweet, safe, healthy kitty an extra hug. I bought it for a fellow cat friend.

The concept of this book fascinated me because all of my life I have been surrounded by stray cats. Ever since I was a child, my family have always left food out for our neighborhood strays. Eventually, some of those strays made our backyard their home, regardless of where we have lived. Many, many cats - all with their own names and distinct personalities - have shared our yards and our lives. Some for fleeting moments, some for many years. We even have photos of some of these cats in our family photo albums, because they were like a family. Even now at their present home, my family has a colony of about 15 cats living in their yard. The numbers vary as they come and go as they please. Some never return. Like the cats in this book, many have met with sad ends - not due to coyotes, but mostly to cars and human cruelty in the form of poisonings. But the cats that remain are loved and fed, their antics entertain us, and they are buried properly when they die.

My mom has been trapping and taking all the strays that she can to be spayed and neutered for years now. I didn't even know it had a name (trap-neuter-release). It is hard work, though, because of her extremely limited financial resources and uncooperative or unable animal welfare agencies. The Humane Society of Miami, where we used to take some of the strays for low-cost neutering years ago, no longer performs this service for stray cats (only for those that are adopted from them), which I find unbelievable, as what can be more humane to an animal than to neuter it and prevent the inevitable suffering of their unwanted (by humans) litters?

Instead, they refer us to the city Animal Control, who has recently put a limit on the number of cats a single person can take in to be neutered. They also used to have a mobile trailer that went to different points in the city throughout the month to have cats neutered at free or low cost, but due to budget cutbacks this service has also been discontinued. My mom has had to fight tooth and nail and written to everyone from the mayor to the directors of the Animal Control simply to get permission to neuter a few more cats. My mom cannot afford to do this at a private vet's office, and she knows of no private vets nearby that provide this service for free or at a cost as low as the Animal Control. It's too bad that these agencies are unwilling to help the very animals they are supposed to protect.

Back to the book. It's a great book! Like another reviewer mentioned, if you only love purebred cats and see them as a status symbol, then this isn't for you. This is for true cat lovers who see as much beauty in a scraggly little stray kitten as in an expensive purebred Angora. The photographs are striking, but what I enjoyed most was actually the text. At the end of the book, the poignant stories of some of these cat characters are offered. Some have happy endings, some do not. But they are nevertheless fascinating to read. I would have read a whole book worth of them.

I think it's especially important to have a person who hates cats or at the least thinks they don't have as much personality as dogs to read this book. It will show them just how much love, loyalty, and devotion cats can truly have towards each other, and how intelligent and resourceful they can be. Most importantly, it should tug at the heartstrings and inspire feelings of compassion in people so that they stop needlessly hurting and killing these little animals. They need to stop seeing them simply as nuisances or pests, and more as creatures like us: with real families and real feelings, who mourn the loss of their relatives and would fight to the death to defend them.

Beautiful photos and wonderful stories abound in this book. While I haven't become a huge cat saver, my 70 year old mother is. She is a firm believer in the Trap Neuter Release, easily fixing over hundreds of cats in her lifetime. She has numerous colonies she feeds and keeps healthy and 40 cats in her own yard (6 acres). Many were abused, abandoned, Felv and Fiv positive. She has blind cats, 3 legged cats, dumped cats, all kinds. If she had the talent, she could write a book to rival this with all her experiences. Thank goodness for the people who do this work, it is heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time. Buy Urban Tails and get involved!

This photo essay is touching and telling of those precious beings that are part of our urban and rural landscape. It is a good meditation that evokes action on behalf of ferals everywhere. Feed the cats who pass by your door.

Knox's respectful and compassionate photos show us the lives struggling just out of our sight, in alleys, urban woods, parking lots - anywhere they can eke out a bit of an existance. His photos are heart-wrenchingly sweet and beautiful, and the spirit of each animal shines from his or her eyes, a gift to those of us with a heart to see. You will never forget this boook... share it with all the cat lovers you know, then take action to help these creatures without a voice.

This is a wonderful story for everyone of all ages and not only for animal lovers.it is an eye opener of the life of homeless cats.It is a true story big as life itself and is shared right from the heart.I am convinced that Knox touched each and every heart of every cat.
It is one of my favorite 'coffee table' books.Beautifully written with exceptional photography.

Are you looking for something more than the usual, run of the mill cat book?? For something more compelling and informative, as well as beautiful, check out "Urban Tails - Inside the Hidden World of Alley Cats" by Sara Neeley and Knox. It is a photographic journal of urban feral cats who are being cared for by the authors and their own TNR program. No one could fail to be deeply moved by this wonderful and poignant book. Anyone involved in caring for feral cats will especially appreciate this photographic essay of, what are often, forgotten felines.
It makes a refreshing change to see someone who isn't just taking pictures of these homeless/feral cats, but who is actually doing something about their plight.

Are you looking for something more than the usual, run of the mill cat book?? For something more compelling and informative, as well as beautiful, check out "Urban Tails - Inside the Hidden World of Alley Cats" by Sara Neeley and Knox. It is a photographic journal of urban feral cats who are being cared for by the authors and their own TNR program. No one could fail to be deeply moved by this wonderful and poignant book. Anyone involved in caring for feral cats will especially appreciate this photographic essay of, what are often, forgotten felines.
It makes a refreshing change to see someone who isn't just taking pictures of these homeless/feral cats, but who is actually doing something about their plight.

This beautiful book changed the way I see these feline members of our world. The photos by Knox pull at my heart. I'm going to look into how I can get involved in TNR. After this book, how could I not?

"...or when you drive by that place near the river" -Jared Carter.

Thank you - gorgeous photographs, bittersweet words, precious lives.

Inspiring!

Our six feline waifs and strays had to wait for their dinner while I read this book, cover to cover, and I'm looking forward to going through it again, slowly, savoring the beautiful photographs.

These urban-tailed cats are my cats, in a different location, slightly different circumstances - my cats came from my workplace too, kittens climbing in the dumpster to eat, a white cat abandoned at a fuel site, an infant kitten left in a box. Now they're in our home; they are our family.

Thank you for this book - it is a joy to read, and an encouragement to help where we can.

A sudden movement out of the corner of our eyes is most of us ever see of feral cats. To most of people a hungry tom searching through the garbage or a friendly stray with kittens is a normal every day occurrence. One that leaves our thoughts as soon as we turn around the next corner.

Knox captures on film, the essence of the plight of our forgotten felines, without exploiting them or the horrible fate many suffer. When looking at these pictures you can almost hear their cries for help, you can see the love, caring and compassion they have for each other.
You can also see the pure emotion and see into the "soul" of a forgotten feline. With the images captured in this book, you can see that they do indeed have feelings and do need our help. Coupled with Sara Neeleys writings, you can spend the day looking through the eyes of a cat as they struggle for survival, play, love and find joy in the simplest twig.

These cats are our responsibility as humans. We have domesticated them and they are willing loving companions. We owe them a better life than to be dropped of on the corner, or put outside for good. This is OUR issue and we have to abandon the "its just a cat" attitude.

If to the reader, a cat is a status symbol, or if you think that a cat is only to be purchased by pedigree, then this book is not for you.

However, If you are a true cat lover. A lover of moggies, toms, DSH and all forms of our furry feline friends, then this is a MUST have book.

If you can find it in your heart, buy one for yourself, your vets office and anyone you think would appreciate this.

Thank you Knox and Sara!
RIP Spooner.

A sudden movement out of the corner of our eyes is most of us ever see of feral cats. To most of people a hungry tom searching through the garbage or a friendly stray with kittens is a normal every day occurrence. One that leaves our thoughts as soon as we turn around the next corner.

Knox captures on film, the essence of the plight of our forgotten felines, without exploiting them or the horrible fate many suffer. When looking at these pictures you can almost hear their cries for help, you can see the love, caring and compassion they have for each other.
You can also see the pure emotion and see into the "soul" of a forgotten feline. With the images captured in this book, you can see that they do indeed have feelings and do need our help. Coupled with Sara Neeleys writings, you can spend the day looking through the eyes of a cat as they struggle for survival, play, love and find joy in the simplest twig.

These cats are our responsibility as humans. We have domesticated them and they are willing loving companions. We owe them a better life than to be dropped of on the corner, or put outside for good. This is OUR issue and we have to abandon the "its just a cat" attitude.

If to the reader, a cat is a status symbol, or if you think that a cat is only to be purchased by pedigree, then this book is not for you.

However, If you are a true cat lover. A lover of moggies, toms, DSH and all forms of our furry feline friends, then this is a MUST have book.

If you can find it in your heart, buy one for yourself, your vets office and anyone you think would appreciate this.

Thank you Knox and Sara!
RIP Spooner.

I have read the book and saw the photos of all those sweet innocence which in turn thanks to this book have given them voices for our hearts to hear.

I myself do TNR along with two friends. I have seen many cats, and lost a few to cars and one to old age. Some cats stay, few leave to places unknown but we have spayed and neutered at least 60 cats over a 3 years period and that is just 3 people. Imagine if more people get involved in neighborhoods.

I am owned to 15 cats. The newest one was actually a large black tom with a persona like Nemesis I called him Tony (taken from the big boss on the Sopranos) No one dared to challenge Tony. He was the major tom cat of the neighborhood I trapped and neutered Tony last May and to my surprise months later he became very friendly to me and now sleeps on my bed.

My favorite is Tiger Lily a runt that was scared to death, her mom was no where to be found and after capture she was a true wild animal. But within days she accepted me.

The story of Possum's Gang in the book got to me the most. It's amazing how hard feral cats have it going for them. I lost my beloved Jelly to a careless driver. He died while to the hospital. His brother Peanut Butter was never the same and now eats at another house. I guess the familiar area reminds him to much of his twin brother.

I pray that this book will inspire more TNR efforts. Since humans started the tragedy it is only right for us to end it.

All true cat lovers and animal lovers will truly appreciate it more so if one deals with the plight of feral cats.

There is nothing slick or commercial about this book. For the everyday pet lover and animal activist alike, "Urban Tails" is an engagingly gritty, but very beautiful, photo essay about the photographer's long-term relationship with his subjects. Knox's artistry, some of which is playful, othertimes ethereal, takes hold of the underlying reality that these colonies of feral cats face a desperate and daily struggle for survival. Any human with half a heart will think twice the next time they catch a glimpse of dumpster diving felines in the parking lots or alleys. Neeley's text compliments Knox's story and brings to life the alley cat underworld, complete with the individual life journeys of select ferals. "Urban Tails" stirs compassion in the reader and is a motivating and solution oriented force to become involved in helping those who are unable to help themselves, instead of remaining a passive bystander.

As a person involved with a Feral Cat Colony this book is a must have. Any human, animal shelter, or government office that does not support TNR must view this book. It is an emotional journey for a fact of life---There are feral cats everywhere----the general way of dealing with strays IS NOT WORKING! I want to share this book with everyone I know.

There is nothing slick or commercial about this book. For the everyday pet lover and animal activist alike, "Urban Tails" is an engagingly gritty, but very beautiful, photo essay about the photographer's long-term relationship with his subjects. Knox's artistry, some of which is playful, othertimes ethereal, takes hold of the underlying reality that these colonies of feral cats face a desperate and daily struggle for survival. Any human with half a heart will think twice the next time they catch a glimpse of dumpster diving felines in the parking lots or alleys. Neeley's text compliments Knox's story and brings to life the alley cat underworld, complete with the individual life journeys of select ferals. "Urban Tails" stirs compassion in the reader and is a motivating and solution oriented force to become involved in helping those who are unable to help themselves, instead of remaining a passive bystander.

Cat enthusiasts will want to consider the plight of the common alley cat in URBAN TAILS; INSIDE THE HIDDEN WORLD OF ALLEY CATS, which pairs fine photos by Knox with text by Sara Neeley. This is no casual survey: hundreds of hours of observation have gone into this photologue and chronicle of the cats' plights - and even better, the authors have researched an alternative called TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) as a viable management plan for feral cats and cats living outdoors.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Finally some light is being shed on the plight of feral and homeless cats. They exist as a mostly un-noticed society of living-feeling animals right in front of ours eyes. I really enjoyed the book, the photography is excellent and I have been inspired to get more involved. mk.

The book combines some of the most effective and affective writing with stunning photos. The picture on the cover is just the tip of the iceberg. Knox's skills with the camera are to be lauded among those of the greatest wildlife photographers in the world. Sara Neeley's words, too, provoke emotional responses I didn't think were possible when discussing alley cats: sympathy, empathy, fraternity, joy, and so on. I highly recommend this title for anyone and especially for cat lovers.

If you are a cat lover, know a cat lover or have experience with taking care of feral and stray kitties, you MUST purchase this book. This hauntingly beautiful book was written and photographed by two very talented and compassionate people, Sara Neeley and Knox. It honestly chronicles both the joys and the tragedies of urban alley cats through amazing photographs and thoughtful text. It will make you smile and make your heart ache all at the same time. But mostly, it will inspire you to respect, protect and hopefully, fight hard for these creatures who do not have a voice and need and deserve human help NOW. As Sara and Knox discover through their diligent care and close observation of these city cats, the kindest...most humane...most progressive step you can take is to spay and neuter these cats through a process called TNR (trap, neuter, return or rescue). It alleviates so much suffering and is the only way to end animal overpopulation. Buy this book, take it to heart and take action!