The Cat Post
Everything For & About Cats
- cat nutrition
- breeds
- cat care
- cat behavior
- cat food recipes
- cat chat
- cat stories
- vet information for your cat
- grooming
- everything about raising newborn kittens to spaying/neutering to vaccinating myths and truths
Keeping your cat healthy and happy for 20 years or more!
- Post Your Cat's Story & Photos!
- cat chat
- Anything Purrrfectly Catty!
ALL Kitties & Kitty Lovers Welcome!
.
Why Adopt a Shelter Pet?
by Don Kjos
Shelters have all shapes and sizes of lovable mutts, purebreds, all-American cats, shaggy dogs, puppies and kittens, teenagers and oldsters. Your chances of finding a wonderful companion who matches your lifestyle, family, and home are excellent!
About 25 percent of these animals are purebreds. But if you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind pet unlike anyone else's, animal shelters offer the best selection anywhere of smart, healthy, lovable mixed-breed cats and dogs.
Pet adoption is a life-long commitment which can easily last 10-15 years for dogs and up to 20 years for a cat. We provide free Pet Adoption Marketing & Advertising to Shelters and organizations through the PAW magazine and website.
According to the Humane Society of the Unites States, mutts are America's dog of choice, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all pet dogs. And their numbers are increasing. For good reason. As dog trainer and author Brian Kilcommons explains, "mixed breed dogs are often healthier, longer-lived, more intelligent, and of more stable temperament than purebreds. This is due to what geneticists call hybrid vigor."
Shelter animals make great pets. A "secondhand" pet in no way means second-rate. On the contrary, shelter workers have often observed that many shelter animals seem to sense what they were up against and become among the most devoted and grateful companions.
Most shelter residents are healthy, affectionate animals. Many have already lived with a human family and have the basic training, socialization, and cooperative skills they need to become part of your household.
Dogs, cats, and small mammals like guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats end up in shelters because of circumstances beyond their control. They're victims of a death, illness, divorce, or a move that didn't include them. Or they were displaced by a new baby. Or their owners just didn't learn how to train them.
Some animals are relinquished at shelters because of a behavioral problem the owners gave up on. But the fact is all pets, young and old, need some obedience training or retraining, as well as patience and commitment, to become cooperative, enjoyable members of your household. And regular, positive training - as little as 10 minutes a day - will reward you amply, because it builds a strong bond between you and your pet as you learn to communicate with him, and he learns to live in your world.
Shelters have the animals' best interests at heart. Animal shelters are either government or private nonprofit agencies. Their primary mission is to find the best possible permanent homes that suit the individual animals they shelter.
Most shelters, but particularly those well staffed with volunteers, become familiar with the disposition of each animal. If an animal has lived with a family before, then its history and behavior are also know. This knowledge helps the staff make optimal matches between homes and pets and helps you in making Pet adoption decisions.
Shelter pets are a bargain. For an pet adoption fee between $60 and $100, you can adopt an animal that would cost several hundred dollars through other means. The fee usually includes spay or neuter surgery, worming and vaccinations, and a certificate for a free health exam.
In addition, shelters offer free educational literature on all aspects of pet ownership, and they often provide ongoing advice and guidance at the shelter, over the phone, and through classes.
You save a life and help combat overpopulation,The simple fact is that there are many more animals needing adoption than there are homes for. So when you adopt from a shelter, you become part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. You give a deserving animal a new home. You free up cage space for another animal needing to be adopted. And your money goes toward the shelter's education and spay/neuter programs, which help prevent more unwanted animals from being born.
Until the overpopulation crisis has been resolved, pet adoption is the humane, ethical choice for millions of Americans.
Did you know...
Because mixed-breed animals have a more varied gene pool, they are less susceptible to the hereditary health problems that can plague some pure-bred animals.
They are also often more intelligent and have more steady personalities.
Just another reason to adopt that loveable mutt!
Article provided by http://www.petsandanimals.org/
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=careforcats
Peace.. & Hugs
Brenda S.
TOXOPLASMOSIS & CATS July 15, 2005 5:43 AM Remember that old wives’ tale that pregnant women should get rid of their cats to avoid contracting toxoplasmosis? Many of our ASPCA News Alert readers do. “I have had conversations with friends who believe it,” writes one concerned subscriber, “and am worried that the myths still seem to be circulating. Could you put out a statement about this issue?”
We certainly can—with help from the ASPCA’s Veterinary Advisor, Lila Miller, DVM. “Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan parasitic disease that can cause birth defects in the developing fetus,” explains Dr. Miller. “The disease is spread by the consumption of infective oocysts, or tissue cysts, found in contaminated feces, soil, or raw and undercooked meat. But humans are much more likely to contract the disease by eating raw or undercooked meat than from contact with infected cat feces. It is also comforting to know that infected cats will shed the oocysts for two weeks only—and the oocysts require at least 24 hours outside a cat’s body to become infective.”
To eliminate the risk of infection, Dr. Miller offers the following precautions for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals:
Dr. Miller also points out that clinical signs of toxoplasmosis in cats are vague and nonspecific, including fever, lethargy, depression and weight loss. If you suspect that your cat may be infected, it’s smart to get your pet checked out by your veterinarian.
Sounds like a great organization. Spay/Neuter assistance information, resources, etc.
29 facilities nationwide(UK)
- Aloe Vera
- Amarylillis
- Apple (seeds)
- Apple Leaf Croton
- Apricot (pit)
- Asparagus Fern
- Autumn Crocus
- Avacado (fruit and pit)
- Azalea
- Baby's Breath
- Bird of Paradise
- Bittersweet
- Branching Ivy
- Buckey
- Buddist Pine
- Caladium
- Calla Lily
- Castor Bean
- Ceriman
- Charming Dieffenbachia
- Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves)
- Chinese Evergreen
- Christmas Rose
- Cineraria
- Clematis
- Cordatum
- Corn Plant
- Cornstalk Plant
- Croton
- Cuban Laurel
- Cutleaf Philodendron
- Cycads
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Devil's Ivy
- Dieffenbachia
- Dracaena Palm
- Dragon Tree
- Dumb Cane
- Easter Lily (especially in cats!!!!)
- Elaine
- Elephant Ears
- Emerald Feather
- English Ivy
- Fiddle-leaf fig
- Florida Beauty
- Foxglove
- Fruit Salad Plant
- Geranium
- German Ivy
- Giant Dumb Cane
- Glacier Ivy
- Gold Dieffenbachia
- Gold Dust Dracaena
- Golden Pothos
- Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy
- Heartland Philodendron
- Hurricane Plant
- Indian Rubber Plant
- Janet Craig Dracaena
- Japanese Show Lily (especially cats !!!)
- Jeusalem Cherry
- Kalanchoe
- Lacy Tree Philodendron
- Lily of the Valley
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Marble Queen
- Marijuana
- Mexican Breadfruit
- Miniature Croton
- Mistletoe
- Morning Glory
- Mother-in Law's Tongue
- Narcissus
- Needlepoint Ivy
- Nephytis
- Nightshade
- Oleander
- Onion
- Oriental Lily (especially in cats!!!)
- Peace Lily
- Peach (wilting leaves and pits)
- Pencil Cactus
- Plumosa Fern
- Poinsettia (low toxicity)
- Poison Ivy
- Poison Oak
- Pothos
- Precatory Bean
- Primrose
- Red Emerald
- Red Princess
- Red-Margined Dracaena
- Rhododendron
- Ribbon Plant
- Saddle Leaf Philodendron
- Sago Palm
- Satin Pothos
- Schefflera
- Silver Pothos
- Spotted Dumb Cane
- String of Pearls
- Striped Dracaena
- Sweetheart Ivy
- Swiss Cheese Plant
- Taro Vine
- Tiger Lily (especially cats!!!)
- Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)
- Tree Philodendron
- Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia
- Weeping Fig
- Yew
Dr. Jill Richardson
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
Phone (217) 337-5030
Fax (217) 337-0599
http://www.napcc.aspca.org
FRIENDLY TO FELINES
Cat lover extraordinaire
Local woman honored by cat magazine
Divorce can leave pets in the lurch
Visitation plan helps owner and animals
The stress of a divorce can be as hard on a pet as it is on the humans involved. (Cox News Service / Charlotte B. Teagle) Atlanta - As far as divorces go, this one seemed like it would be smooth: No kids. Just a house and a pile of property to divide.
But as Barb Waring and her ex divvied up couches, cars and other assets, they found themselves in an emotional battle over the one piece of property with a pulse: Otis, the cat.
"It was agonizing," said Waring. "The other stuff didn't matter. Deciding who would keep Otis - that was the hardest."
In the court's eyes, the black-and-white tuxedo cat was no different from a lawn mower or Denby dinnerware. But in many American households, pets and their owners have reached an emotional zenith. Surveys say more than 60 percent of homes have pets. and when breakups happen, the destiny of furry and feathery family member can turn into a tug of war akin to child custody battles.
The animals suffer. "This can affect the routine of the dog," said John Wright, professor of psychology at Mercer University and a certified animal behaviorist. "Dogs and cats are sensitive to changes. They can get depressed or angry."
Twenty years ago, Atlanta divorce attorney Shiel Edlin was dismissive when a client wanted him to go to battle for a dog. "I told him I didn't go to law school to do doggie visitation," Edlin said.
But during that divorce process, a veterinarian scolded him for his flippant attitude. Edlin has learned that the loss of a pet during a breakup can be more heart-wrenching than losing money and material things.
"This is something I now take very, very seriously," he said, adding that some couples negotiate with season tickets or a sports car or cash to gain custody of a pet. If both sides dig in, they draft a pet-visitation plan.
Divorce attorney Bob Boyd urges couples to consider who is the primary caretaker - the person who walks the dog, feeds the dog and makes sure the dog is up-to-date on its shots. He also suggests the splitting couple take into account their post-divorce schedules and living situations to determine who can better accommodate the pet.
Cheryl Lynn Hepfer, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, said while pets don't have any elevated status on the books, most judges are sensitive to couples struggling with a pet's fate. "We are not talking about a piano here," said Hepfer.
Veterinarian Michael Good said the disputes reflect the changing relationships Americans have with their pets. Dogs, for example, mostly sleep indoors, often on a cozy bed with husband and wife. And as more couples decide not to have kids, pets are treated more like children than animals.
Elizabeth Sarabia watched her fawn-colored dachshund George become more reclusive after her divorce about five years ago. At the time, Sarabia and her ex-husband, Doug Taylor, thought George would be more comfortable staying with Sarabia and the three puppies. But the dog has struggled without Taylor's companionship.
"He's always been serious," said Sarabia, a 47-year-old registered nurse who lives in Atlanta. "But now, he kind of mopes around and sits around all day." As a result, Taylor visits George at least once a month. They often snuggle up and watch a movie together.
Then, there's the gift-pets.
"Sometimes, a woman will call up and say, 'My boyfriend gave me this big Lab, and now every time I look at the dog, I think of my ex-boyfriend. Will you take him?"' said Susan Feingold, executive director of Fulton County Animal Services. Her office receives calls almost daily from newly split couples who want to unload a pet. Her staff refers couples to no-kill shelters and offers free shots and food for those dumping pets for financial reasons.
But that's a last resort. "I tell them, this too shall pass, things will get better, and you will be happy you have the dogs," she said, adding that pets provide comfort during rough times.
Low-cost spay/neuter for cats in the USA
Here's a great list for anyone needing a low cost spay/neuter for their cat or cats http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html
May 10, 2005 7:43 AM
Black cats may be the more fortunate felines
18:19 04 March 2003
- NewScientist.com news service
- Shaoni Bhattacharya
Black cats, a symbol of bad luck in many cultures, may be actually be more fortunate than their fairer relatives. New research shows that black coats have evolved separately many times in different species of cat - indicating that dark fur has a survival benefit.
Furthermore, the mutations leading to a black coat are in the same gene family as those involved in human diseases like AIDS, so it may be that black cats are more resistant to disease than others. Of the 37 species of cat that exist, 11 can have black coats.
Eduardo Eizirik, an evolutionary geneticist at the US National Cancer Institute in Maryland, says: "There are parallels with humans. [The gene mutation system found] does have parallels with other systems potentially involved in disease."
But he told New Scientist that the most likely benefit of a black coat was camouflage for hunting. The study was unusual, he says, because it explored the molecular basis of a trait that could have an evolutionary advantage.
Melanism mappingEizirik, Stephen O'Brien and colleagues mapped, cloned and sequenced two genes associated with "melanism" - having a black coat. They identified changes in a gene called agouti which controls blackness in the hair of domestic cats.
Changes in a connected gene known as MC1R were also implicated in melanism in jaguars and the small South American felines, jaguarundis.
MC1R is a member of the same gene superfamily as a human gene called CCR5, which is pivotal in letting HIV enter a cell. CCR5 codes for a protein that sits in the membrane of a cell and can be used as a doorway by a variety of infecting viruses.
"So perhaps the selective pressure that allowed these mutations to survive in cats may not be camouflage. Perhaps the mutations cause resistance of the cats to bugs," O'Brien told Reuters.
Journal reference Current Biology (vol 13, p 448)
Cat diseases - Wikipedia
It's about time we had a book like this. Michelle Bernard has a rare gift for putting in plain words extraordinarily effective and levelheaded ways to properly care for cats. Steering clear of faddish, dangerous trends-and dissecting the oodles of misinformation that has regrettably become the norm in mainstream advice on animal nutrition-she shines most conspicuously on the issue of a proper feline diet.
(fixed link)Link to National Geographic's - Cats
Let me know if you think a website or link is wrong for us. We can't be too sure...
ANIMAL ANGELS
This post was modified from its original form on 08 Sep, 13:36
This post was modified from its original form on 08 Sep, 13:36
I enjoy your additions as well!This post was modified from its original form on 14 Sep, 14:40
http://www.holisticat.com/dehydration.html
This post was modified from its original form on 19 Sep, 16:28
Give your cat a chance, his/her problem may be medical. If it is behavioral it is still a problem that can be worked on and most likely solved. Don't give up your companion.
Some useful links to this subject:
Spraying
http://www.holisticat.com/spray.html
Is Your Cat Potty Naughty?
http://www.thecatsmeow.org/eliminatehealthproblems.htm
How to Relitter Train Your Cat
http://www.wikihow.com/Relitter-Train-Your-Cat
These are some general information sites about cat pottying. I will look for some more in depth and detailed information to post. In the meantime this is a start to the subject.
Natalie
Bad Breath: Sign of Illness?
Cornell Feline Health Center
March 3, 2006
Forget the mints - start a dental hygiene plan for your cat.
Diabella Loves Cats: Home of Kings Highway Cat Rescue
Some good links to cat health & anatomy information.
Good for you as I see you have been posting occasionally for a long time. What I am looking for is help w/ ear mites in cats. My old boy (13) has just gone through one cycle of having the mitacide medicine for earmites (I chose the lower strength because of his age). The mites seem to be gone but the ear still stinks although I no longer find the ear mite leavings in his ear. I have used an oil product with Neem Oil to cleanse but there must be something to make his ear smell better. I went to Holisticat (haven't been there in years) and found out they now charge for their forums and posting questions. Back in '99, they were the place to go for info and help. So if you know of any further sites to poke around I'd appreciate your help. We are guardians of 7 cats--all rescues--so funds are tight so a membership paid to a forum is out. Heck I am still on dial-up service (no broadband) as most of the money after the basics goes to cat care.
Bella
Dear Bella,
A suggestion to tell your vet - Since you mentioned smell that could indicate infection, possibly fungal. Good nutrition, first and foremost--always helps your pet fight off issues as well.
Our vet suggests olive oil for mites. If there is an infection such as fungal, which is always good to know--versus bacterial, -because antibiotics could make situation worse if it's fungal. Sometimes I think antibiotics are over-prescribed without a need...
PS: Be careful with some oils, as they can be toxic to a cat, but not the dog. Such as:
TEA TREE OIL - TOXIC TO CATS
http://www.messybeast.com/teatree.htm
Keep in touch and let us know how everything goes.
Thank you. Blessings♥ to you and your cat.
Documents
- CaringForFeralCats.pdf
- Clark County Nevada Feral Cat Ordinance.doc
- Free Roaming Cats.doc
- HidinginPlainSight.pdf
- Humane Trapping Instructions.pdf
- Randolphresolution.pdf
- Tips for hard-to-catch cats.doc
More Resources:
ORIGINAL SOURCE - Best Friends Animal Society: Focus on Felines:
http://network.bestfriends.org/campaigns/felines/pages/Resources.aspx#
This post was modified from its original form on 16 Aug, 20:38
This post was modified from its original form on 16 Aug, 20:40
