Sweet Kitties
How sweet my furkids are when they are sleeping.
Antifreeze and pets = trouble!
This is the time of year when pets are potentially exposed to an added danger - antifreeze. Thousands of pets die each year from antifreeze poisoning. Typically, Spring and fall is when many people flush the coolant systems in their cars. The chances of spilling antifreeze or having the liquid in an exposed area puts our furkids at risk. Even though outdoor pets have a greater risk of being poisoned, we need to be mindful of our indoor pets too. If your cats are like mine, they are escape artists and sometimes get out without my knowledge. Dogs can become exposed when taking their "person" for daily walks.
Shelters Rock!
I thought National Animal Shelter Appreciation was a month long event. It should be! So even though it ends Saturday, don't stop showing your support for your local animal shelters. I hope we never have to worry about what would happen to homeless animals if we didn't have shelters and rescues to turn to.
Your local animal shelter cares for displaced animals and adopts them into new homes. It investigates cruelty and neglect, reunites lost pets with their families, teaches kids to care about animals, and provides spay/neuter services.
"In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach. " Taken from www.hsus.org
Pledge to Support Your Local Shelter....
My Elvira is a star!
There is a truely wicked, laugh-out-loud, website called My Cat Hates You. Two of my furkids, Pandora and Elvira, have mugshots there. Their names were mixed up though.
http://www.mycathatesyou.com/cats/alpha/e/3580
http://www.mycathatesyou.com/cats/alpha/p/3573
Aside from pictures of the most hateful cats and awesome merchandise, there is a forum with some of the most amazing animal lovers in the world, from all over the world actually. I have been blessed to make some friends that I hope to meet in person someday.
I digress... in 2004, one of the site's geniuses Jim Edgar, wrote the book "Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties And Cats Gone Bad". Also available is a page-a-day calendar (I've bought it the last three years and will do so again for 2009).
Jim just published a second book called My Cat Hates you. Elvira is on page 102!! After you're done checking out the fab website run to your local bookstore (support locally if you can) and grab a copy. If not click on my link to Amazon. Remember... PAGE 102!
Vote for America’s Favorite Animal Shelter!
If you live in Western Montana PLEASE vote for AniMeals!
Over 7 million adoptable dogs and cats are put to sleep each year due to overpopulation. Through this contest Care2.com will reward shelters and rescue groups who work tirelessly to care for homeless animals, and raise awareness about the importance of supporting pet adoptions and taking action to save animals’ lives.
Care2 will donate a total of $15,000 to the local animal shelters or rescue groups with the most votes.
* 1st Prize -- $10,000
* 2nd Prize -- $3,000
* 3rd Prize-- $1,000
* 4th and 5th Prizes -- $500 each
And our friends from Adopt-a-Pet.com are sponsoring the following prizes:
A $1,000 donation to a randomly selected participating shelter each week for five weeks.
Recruiters Rewards: The 20 contest participants who recruit the most friends to vote for their favorite shelter will receive a $50 gift certificate for pet products sponsored by Adopt-a-Pet.com as special thank-you gifts for them and their beloved companions.
Animeals Recycle Program
For those of you living in Western Montana here is another way to help out my favorite animal food bank. This is from their website www.Animeals.com
AniMeals Recycling Program
Help AniMeals feed hungry animals by recycling your cardboard, newspapers and aluminum cans! For your convenience we have set up accounts at both recycling centers! Just take all your recyclables to Pacific Recycling located at 2600 Latimer Street or Allied Waste Missoula Recyclery located at 3207 W. Broadway and tell them to put it on the AniMeals account. Both recycling centers are open 8:00 to 5:00 Monday thru Friday. AniMeals also has bins available for your recyclables on weekends and after hours at 1700 Rankin Street.
First Aid & CPR For Cats
After reading about the awesome fire fighter who preformed CPR on a cat I got to thinking. What if my cats needed CPR? What on earth would I do? It's safe to say that I better learn. It's irresponsible of me not to know how to administer first aid and CPR on my pets. They could choke on cat treats, or anything that's around the house that they shouldn't get their little paws on. By the way, that is a daily occurrence! No, I'm not a bad Meowmie. Cats are just too curious and even the sweetest baby has a naughty side. I find myself saying, "NO", "Drop it mister", "That's not for kitties" in my sleep.
Read more »
“Tastes Like Fur”
Al Machado is my hero!
This amazing fire fighter not only saved a cat from a burning apartment building, but when he saw the tiger angora wasn't breathing he preformed CPR and revived the distressed cat. Here is a video from the scene, shot on September 10, 2008.
You'll also notice that a dog that was also rescued was being given oxygen.
June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!
American Humane.org, The ASPCA, and many other animal organizations around the
According to The Berlin Longevity Institute, cats can add as much as 10 years to their owners' lives. Picking up a cat has a nearly instantaneous calming effect on humans, causing blood pressure to drop and the heart rate to slow.
The estimated population of homeless cats in the
Throughout the spring and summer, animal shelters throughout the country are inundated with dozens of litters of kittens. Tragically, about 71% of these animals will have to be put to sleep because there are not enough loving homes.
There are a number of things families should consider when choosing to adopt a cat:
Age: While the playful antics of kittens are hard to resist, adult cats are often better suited to families with young children. Mature cats respond better to the clumsy handling of inquisitive toddlers. The ultimate choice when considering the best age of a feline for you is whether your household is ready for a grown-up cat that can turn on occasional playfulness, or the constant playfulness (with regular naps) that kittens are known for.
Number: If you are thinking about adding another cat to your feline fold, it's important to consider the facts about a multi-cat household, including feeding, multiple litter boxes, and most important, whether the cats will get along.
Personality: Be aware that many cats are under a great deal of stress in the shelter environment. A cat's true personality may not come out until he has been in his new home for several weeks. Visit the cat you're interested in several times and read any information available from a previous owner. Generally, kittens should be active and enjoy being handled. And shy cats are best suited to quiet households.
Coat: Decide if you want a long-, medium-, or short-haired cat. The longer the coat, the more brushing that is needed to prevent painful matting.
Nutrition and Health: Good nutrition and regular (at least yearly) vet visits will keep your cat healthy and happy. Keep your cat indoors to prevent her from getting into accidents or fights with other cats. Check your cat for fleas, and make sure the litter box is clean and odor-free. Finally, set aside time every day to play with your loving companion; it is beneficial for you both!
If you decide to adopt a cat:
Prepare your house for your new cat or kitten: Adult cats and kittens love to climb and explore. Curiosity need not kill the cat. Be aware of possible hazards. Keep trashcans closed, toilet seat covers down, and cabinets latched. Don't let cords or wires dangle, and cover any floor heating or air vents. Houseplants may be pretty, but many are toxic, so check with your vet for information on cat-friendly indoor plants.
Provide the best care for your new cat: The cat should have bright eyes; clean ears, nose, and teeth; and a shiny coat. A veterinarian should examine your cat as soon as you adopt her, and at least once a year. Provide good nutrition, flea and heartworm control, home dental care, and other preventive care. Make sure her litter box is clean and odor-free. Keep your cat indoors to prevent her from getting into accidents or fights with other cats.
A cat will provide years of love and happiness to families that give them the same!