Cats

THE “NO-KILL” MOVEMENT. HOW THE ANIMAL RESCUE FIELD IS REDUCING THE EUTHANASIA RATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

THE NO-KILL MOVEMENT WITH ONE IMPORTANT EXCEPTION THE GOOD NEWS Since 1984, the no-kill movement in the United States has made tremendous strides lowering the euthanasia rate of household pets.  From an estimated 17 million animals euthanized annually in shelters in the United States, we have dropped to a much improved 1.5 million per year.  Figuring that a percentage of those still performed are for terminal illnesses or severe aggression issues, the numbers become even better.  Still, not one healthy adoptable pet should ever be killed. Because of the never-ending efforts of hundreds of shelter and rescue animal advocates, starting with Rich Avanzino, the President of the San Francisco ASPCA in 1984, we’ve come a long way. The efforts now continue through many local and national organizations.  The result?  Many shelters with previously high euthanization rates are now either considered “no-kill” or are rapidly heading in that direction. PRIVATE SHELTERS So, why do some shelters still euthanize for reasons other than health or behavior?  There are two types of shelters to consider.  The first is a private organization, run as a…

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HOW TO CHOOSE A VETERINARIAN

So, you need to choose a veterinarian.  You’re new to the area, or you’re a first-time pet owner.  There are lots of veterinary practices within a reasonable distance from you – how do you pick? WORD OF MOUTH If you already know pet-owners nearby, ask.  Don’t just ask what practice, ask why.  Everyone looks for different things in a veterinarian – something that is very important to you may not be particularly important to your neighbor.  Vets and their staff come in all types – curt, but efficient; friendly, but scattered; working to the client’s convenience instead of their own.   And, from my personal experience, veterinarians can be an ego-driven lot, so make sure to ask about the vet’s personality as well. HOURS This can be very important, both for routine and emergency visits.  When I moved into my current home, I chose a practice which advertised that they were open until 7:00 PM two nights a week.  I commute to work every day, and having these two days where I could make an appointment after my work hours were complete…

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KIDS VERSUS PETS

NOTE:  This post is meant to be for fun only – please enjoy it as such! Younger generations seem to be opting for pets rather than children in larger numbers than earlier ones.  So…I decided to do a little research to see which is more economical.  Turns out the millennials may be on to something! MEDICAL Be they veterinary, or human, medical costs are expensive and only rising.  Gone are the days of $50.00 vet or pediatrician visits.  Hello to dropping at least $150.00 whenever visiting a medical professional.  Here is the breakdown: Veterinarian bills over the lifetime of a dog – approximately $22,000 Veterinarian bills over the lifetime of a cat - approximately $18,000 Pediatric Bills for a child up to the age of 18 - $12,024 plus vaccines at $3,150 = $15,174.  Or you can spend (in case something extra is needed) $34,895.00 for insurance, which will, of course, require a co-pay. EDUCATION Since we’re only talking about raising a child to the age of 18 here, education through public school, is very cheap.  (Not free, since there are…

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12 PLANTS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR PET SICK

Household pets come in contact with lots of dangerous items every day.  Although they have lived in our homes for many centuries, they are still animals, and need us to protect them from the hazards of our world.  More than 100,000 companion animals are treated each year for some type of poisoning.  One of the biggest reasons for this is toxic plants - either house plants, or items we've planted in our yards or gardens.  Here are some of the most common ones: COMMON AT CHRISTMAS Poinsettia – Causes irritation in the stomach and mouth if ingested. Not generally life-threatening.  Affects both dogs and cats. American Holly - Vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, low heart rate. Toxic to both dogs and cats. Mistletoe - cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, erratic behavior, vomiting, and diarrhea. Toxic to both cats and dogs. COMMON HOUSE PLANTS Aloe Vera – Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea. Poisonous to both dogs and cats. Ivies - Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries. Toxic to both cats and dogs. Lillies – Kidney failure – toxic to cats, non-toxic…

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5 THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET

FIVE THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET (Adopting a pet. This is an updated version of a post I wrote on Facebook a few years ago, after a few unhappy events.  Two adopted dogs were hit and killed by cars within a period of six weeks.  The reason – they were timid animals who ran out from their new homes in blind panic and into the street.  In one of those instances, the adopters were told not to let the animal off leash at all during the first few weeks – advice they ignored.  So this post came from a place of sorrow and frustration.) You've decided to adopt a furry companion - that's wonderful! Many companion animals are euthanized every year.  Choosing to save one is a marvelous thing. A couple of notes about adoption counselors/shelter workers - from one who has been both employee and volunteer for many years. 1. LET THEM HELP YOU CHOOSE A shelter counselor is NEVER trying to talk you out of an animal - they're trying to talk you INTO the right animal. Yes, that…

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WINTER SHELTERS FOR FERAL CATS

It's mid-winter and cat colonies are suffering from the cold and wet - make some winter shelters for your feral cats.  Below are some DIY ideas to help protect vulnerable felines from the bitter winter weather. The two most important things in creating any shelter are that it is waterproof, and that it is sheltered from the wind. I’ve drawn these shelters from many different sources, which I will credit here – please check out the links for complete directions on construction.  Of course, you can always purchase shelters online, but there is great satisfaction in building one from scratch.  One word of caution, however.  If the cat colony is not on your property, please make sure you have the landowner’s permission before setting up shelters.  Some people consider a feral cat colony to be a nuisance and will object to any outside interference. So, here are a few ideas: STYROFOAM SHIPPING BOXES Styrofoam shipping boxes can be found at supermarkets, fish stores and butcher shops. Even vaccines are packed in them, so your veterinarian might be a good source as well. These…

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