Recently in Cats Category

This pretty Calico is the perfect combination of sugar & spice - her name is Sandie and she's 1-2 years old. She was seen being thrown into some bushes at a local park and a kind citizen brought her to safety and we are now looking for the loving home she deserves. Please contact Menifee Valley Humane Society for more information (951) 301-6506 or info@mvhumanesociety.com

Courtesy CatChannel.com:

Does your kitty like to snack on plants? In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, March 14-20, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sheds light on the most common dangers pets may encounter, and offers helpful advice for poison-proofing your home.

"National Poison Prevention Week is an opportune time to educate pet owners about the many toxic substances that can harm our pets," said Dr. Steven Hansen, senior vice president of the ASPCA's Animal Health Services. "Our animal companions depend on us to be informed and protect them from danger."

In 2009, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, Ill. managed more than 195,000 calls. The public utilized the APCC's 24-hour hotline for emergency and non-emergency inquiries alike. The APCC number is (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

The top calls of 2009 involved the following common household goods and products:
Just Say No to Drugs: For several years, human medications have been No. 1 on the ASPCA's list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed more than 45,000 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it's essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

Bugged out: In our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, pets can be put at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded more than 29,000 calls related to insecticides. "One of the most common incidents is the misuse of flea and tick products," said Hansen. "Some species of animals can be particularly sensitive to certain types of insecticides, so it is vital that you never use any product not specifically formulated for your pet." It is also a good idea to consult with your pet's veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

No Food for You: People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruit can seriously harm our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,000 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders -- chocolate -- contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

Don't Eat the Daisies: In 2009, common household plants such as azalea, lilies and kalanchoe, were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls to the poison center. Other varieties that can be harmful to pets include rhododendron, sago palm and schefflera. "Just one or two sago palm nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and even liver failure," said Dr. Hansen. "Also, lilies are highly toxic to cats -- even in small amounts they can produce life-threatening kidney failure."

Read the Directions: Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they're often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed over 7,500 cases involving animal-related preparations such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

Beauty and brains, Miko, is patiently awaiting her forever home. She is a two year old female, lilac point Siamese who loves to strut her stuff in our cattery. Miko is catwalk ready and waiting to make her runway debut in your home. Won't you come visit her today?

YAPS
11937 13th Street
Yucaipa, CA 92399-1829
(909) 790-1440

By Denise Perry
Executive Director
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center

Day after day, we see many different people and hear many different stories. However, there's one particular story that weighs heavy on my heart.

We were contacted last fall by a gentleman, an 85-year-old man, who had a beautiful cat named Angel. Angel is diabetic and this man was looking for someone who would take care of her in the event of his death. He said he had no family at all. His wife had passed away and all he had left in the world was sweet Angel.

He was concerned about what would happen to Angel if he should die before she did. I told him we would be glad to take her if that should happen.

As we continued to talk, it was clear this man needed assistance. We wanted him to be able to keep his beloved companion. So, for the next few months following that call, we helped him care for Angel in his home. Carrie Ridgway and Jack Dehler from our staff took a very active part in stopping by his house to make sure all was well and in taking Angel to the vet.

One day Carrie received a call from the man. He was in tears. He wasn't able to give Angel her insulin injections because his hands were shaking so badly. We went to his house, picked her up and brought her into the adoption center.

A few days later, we learned he was extremely lonely without Angel. He had decided he would really like to have another cat to "foster." The staff decided on one of our long-time adult cats, Rebecca, which Jack took to his home. The gentleman was elated!

In mid-February, Carrie received another call from the man saying he was ill. Carrie and I went to his house. We called 911 and he was transported to the hospital. He stayed only a couple of days because he wanted to get back home to his precious Rebecca.

In late February, Jack stopped by the house to check on him. He had not answered his phone that morning, so we were concerned. Sadly, Jack learned that he had passed away the night before.

While Angel's long-time owner missed her dearly, he was very grateful to have an organization like the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center take in his precious kitty and give her the care he no longer could. We didn't know him long, but thankfully, we were able to lessen his loneliness in the last few months of his life by giving him a cat to foster and being there whenever he needed help.

As a thank you for our caring, he had named the Pet Adoption Center in his will. By doing this, he continues to help care for his precious Angel until we find her an appropriate home, as well as help other homeless animals in our care.

There was nothing routine or ordinary about this situation, but it's a shining example of the importance of the human-animal bond. Whether it's donating food to Meals on Wheels through our Chuck Waggin' program, our Pet Therapy program, humane education, or an individual situation like Angel's owner, we do all we can to support the special bond between people and animals.

That is why I love this place and doing the work we do!

About Angel:
Angel is a 10-year-old Siamese mix with many more years of love to give. She requires a daily insulin injection for diabetes, which her new owner can easily learn to give. Otherwise, she's in good health. She misses her owner, but is sweet and warms up to people easily in spite of what she's been through. A quiet home would be best.

For more information, call the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340, or stop by the center at 6165 Industrial Ave., Riverside, Tues.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. and Sun. 10-5.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (formerly Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center) has a free Pet Behavior Help Line to assist pet owners in understanding and working through their pet's behavior problems. The Pet Behavior Help Line helps with behavior issues before the problem becomes so unbearable that the animal is given up to an animal shelter.

By reducing the number of pet turn-ins due to misbehavior, local shelters may reduce the number of pets euthanized each year. This free, volunteer-driven service addresses most dog and cat behavior issues, including house soiling, nuisance barking, escaping, destructive behavior, crate training, and introducing cats to cats, dogs to dogs, and dogs to cats, as well as channeling mental and physical energy and more.

This service is available to dog and cat owners throughout the Inland Empire. Call the Pet Behavior Help Line at 951-688-4340, ext. 6, leave a detailed message, and receive helpful information in the mail. A trained Help Line counselor will follow up by phone for a personalized discussion about the pet's issues.

For answers to some common pet behavior problems, visit www.petsadoption.org and click on 'Pet Behavior.' Owners may submit their questions through the web site instead of calling.

Please be advised that some cases of aggression and phobias or severe fears are out to the scope of this service. Pet owners will be referred to veterinarians and certified animal behaviorists for assistance.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond. As the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, the center accepts owner turn-ins of cats and dogs and transfers from local animal-control agencies. Prior to adoption, each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, evaluated for behavior issues, and microchipped. Each animal also is monitored for physical, emotional and mental health, and receives ongoing socialization. For more information, contact the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center at 951-688-4340 or visit www.petsadoption.org.

# # #

In the U.S., over 45% of dogs and 58% of cats are now estimated to be overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The third annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study, conducted in October 2009, found that from 2007 to 2009, the number of overweight dogs and cats increased by 2% and 5%, respectively.

Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
"Obesity is now the biggest health threat to pets in the US," states lead researcher Dr. Ernie Ward. "The costs of obesity in illness and injury make it the number one medical issue seen in today's veterinary hospitals."

Obesity rates in cats were highest at 21.4%; dogs were slightly better with 8.6% classified as obese by veterinary clinics. Obesity in dogs and cats is typically defined as 30% above normal weight. According to the study, 6.7 million dogs are estimated to be obese and 34.9 million overweight. The numbers in cats is higher, with 20 million estimated to be obese and 54.3 million overweight.

"These numbers, 34 million dogs and 54 million cats that are overweight, continue to slowly creep upwards. The frightening fact is that now pet owners are increasingly classifying their overweight pets as 'normal,' making the problem more difficult to address," notes Dr. Ward. "If this 'fat gap' continues to grow, that is, when a pet owner looks at their chubby companion and views it as a normal, healthy weight, our nation's pets will continue to suffer the consequences of obesity. I believe owners have this misperception because they are surrounded by fatter and fatter pets. Twenty years ago, these dogs were viewed as overweight. Today, pet owners view them as normal."

When asked, 33% of dog owners and 46% of cat owners with overweight pets incorrectly identified their pet as a normal weight; 25% of dog owners with obese dogs reported their dog was normal while 40% of obese cat owners thought their cat was a normal weight. Interestingly, 33% of small dog (less than 23 pounds) owners thought their overweight dog was a normal weight compared to 41% of large dog (over 50 pounds) owners.

Owners of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers were more likely to claim their dog was a normal weight when it was in reality, overweight. And 43% incorrectly identified their overweight Retriever as normal while only 33% of small breed dog owners underestimated their dog's weight. In total, 46% of all Labrador and Golden Retrievers were determined to be overweight or obese. The study found that in general, owners of small breed dogs were more likely to correctly identify their dog as overweight than owners of large breed dogs.

"It's important that pet owners understand the significance of even a few extra pounds on a dog or cat," explains Dr. Ward. "For example, a typical 90-pound female Labrador Retriever is equivalent to a 186-pound 5 foot, 4 inch female while a 12-pound Yorkshire Terrier is similar to 223 pounds on the same woman. A 15-pound cat is equivalent to a 225-pound 5 foot, 9 inch male and a 20-pound feline equals 300 pounds on that man. Each pound on a cat is equal to about 13 pounds on the average female and 15 pounds on a male."

"One encouraging finding was that 82% of pet owners agreed that pet obesity was a problem in the US. The challenge for veterinarians is to educate owners of dogs and cats on what a healthy weight actually is for their pet and offer weight loss strategies," says Dr. Ward.

Treats continue to be the main culprit for excess weight. According to Ward, 90% of dog owners and 54% of cat owners responded that they gave their pets treats. "Even tiny treats pack a punch," notes Ward. "Making matters worse, today's treats are so loaded with sugar and fat I call them 'kibble crack.' Modern treats are literally rewiring our pets' behavioral responses and creating cravings that go far beyond what is normal in many pets."

Ward stresses that pet owners need to understand the impact treats have on their pets' weight. For example, he equates a premium pig ear given to a 40-pound dog to drinking six, 12-ounce colas. "No one would sit down and drink six sodas at one time, yet that's exactly what we're doing when we give our pets these snacks," states Dr. Ward. "Even a single, small dog bone treat given to a 10-pound dog is no different than a person eating two chocolate doughnuts. The truth is, we rarely stop at one dog treat. Give a few each day and you've fed the equivalent of a dozen doughnuts. No wonder we're seeing such high obesity rates."

The third annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study was conducted using data collected by 41 US veterinary clinics in October 2009. In all, about 600 adult dogs and cats were evaluated. Approximately 8.6% of dogs were classified as obese and 36.7% as overweight. Approximately 21.4% of all cats were rated as obese and 36.5% as overweight.

For additional information on the study, please contact Dr. Ernie Ward or visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com.

Courtesy KPIC.com

Nature's Variety has expanded its recall of chicken-flavored pet food because of concerns over salmonella. The Lincoln, Neb.-based company said Monday that the raw, frozen food is being recalled because it could be contaminated with salmonella.

The recall includes three-pound packages of chicken medallions, six-pound packages of chicken patties and two-pound packages of chicken chubs.

Initially, the company recalled only packages with a best-by date of Nov. 10, 2010. Now packages with best-by dates of Oct. 29 and Nov. 9, 2010, are also being recalled. (See a full list of recalled products)

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Pets can also become ill if they consume the bacteria.

In a prepared statement Tuesday, Nature's Variety shared that it now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on its Raw Frozen Diets as "a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology."

Read more

Courtesy LA Times:

Pet lovers know what I'm talking about when I say it's really difficult to take a picture of your pets and accurately capture just how darnn cute they are. Perhaps my dog hasn't mastered the red carpet poses of masters like Beyonce, Paris Hilton or even the cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore," but it's still frustrating when every single picture we take of the little guy comes back with the "red eye" syndrome and with our 9-pound pooch looking like he's part of a police lineup. And just try to take a picture of a black cat. Your cat may look all panther-like to the naked eye, but make an attempt to grab a shot that shows how truly gorgeous that sleek kitty is and, well, you just can't do it. Trust me, I've tried. A lot.

The fine folks at Fujifilm in Japan must have some frustrated pet owners on their development team because they've launched a 12 mega-pixel camera, the FinePix Z700 EXR, that recognizes when it's being pointed at a dog or cat (using the "Auto Dog / Cat Detection" function) and instantly optimizes the focus and exposure. In fact, you can actually program it to store the parameters for up to 10 dog and cat faces. There is also an auto-release function that will automatically get the shot when the pet is looking directly at the camera.

Read more

These nifty options should really come in handy for animal rescue groups posting to Petfinder.com looking to amp up that "Please adopt me!" appeal.

Scarlett's Magic, a Savannah breed that holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tallest domestic cat at 18 inches from shoulder to toe, is turning 2 Friday in Corona.

Her owner is holding a birthday party that she will be attending from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Savannah Cat Shoppe, Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos, 2780 Cabot Drive, Corona.

The party includes snacks, giveaways and an appearance by Corona Mayor Karen Spiegel.

For more information, call 800-881-0006

Leslie Parilla
lparilla@PE.com

Courtesy PRWeb:

A new memoir is shedding light on a problem many pet lovers struggle with and few find help for. It's the very real pain they go through from the time they learn their pet has a terminal illness until the last goodbye. Many books have been written on dealing with the grief and loss an owner feels after a pet dies, but until now there has been no help for the intense feelings of anxiety, powerless and even depression that can arise during the illness. This is known as anticipatory grief.

"A book with lessons on dealing with the dying of a pet is sorely needed these days," explains author Doug Koktavy. He wrote The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer: Lessons on Living and Dying from My Canine Brothers because he couldn't find help for his own out-of-control emotions and wanted to share with others the coping strategies he learned. "More than half of Americans consider their pets as family; some say the number is closer to eighty percent," he says. "That is a huge number of people who will be outliving their 'children.' My story describes my three-year journey when both my beloved Labrador retrievers got diagnoses of fatal illnesses. I was a wreck until I realized the help I needed was right under my nose."

The most powerful message I got from the book was "Don't be afraid." I knew in my heart that although I would be sad to see Maxine go, it was okay for her to leave. No regrets, no guilt, no fear. Everyone facing the loss of a loved one should read this. Conquering fear and guilt and learning to live in the present are just two of the lessons from the dogs. It all started with a pronouncement from his veterinarian that Beezer had ninety days to live. Shocked and unable to come to grips with the knowledge that he suddenly was losing his best friend, Doug grew frantic with fear. His work and his own health began to suffer as he chastised himself over what he might have neglected to do for his dog. What followed were some of the lowest lows and some of the highest highs of his life as Doug said goodbye first to Beezer and then to his brother Boomer.
Anticipatory grief is a term that typically has been applied to situations in which a person is facing the impending death of another person and is experiencing loss, sadness, fear and even physical illness. This groundbreaking memoir describes how these debilitating emotions can occur when pets are departing.

The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer: Lessons on Living and Dying from My Canine Brothers, published by B Brothers Press, 2010, is a hardcover book with 328 pages, numerous photos and illustrations by artist Chris Smith.

Doug Koktavy is a creditor's attorney in Denver. An avid sportsman, he has played ice hockey for years and competed in triathlons. Today he enjoys sharing his free time volunteering for local nonprofit animal organizations. He also has developed a fundraiser for nonprofits called the B Brothers Project. Information about becoming a member of this unique fundraising project can be found at www.BeezerAndBoomer.com/npo.html.

Mark your calendars for Yucaipa Animal Placement Society and Yucaipa Valley Rotary Club's Golf for the Animals on Saturday, April 24th at the Yucaipa Valley Golf Course. Check-in is at 7 a.m. with the tee time set for 8 a.m. The course is championship length, offering golfers an 18 hole golfing experience. A par 72 course, nestled among the hills of Yucaipa, it is sure to appeal to golf lovers alike.

Steve Shaffer Board Member of YAPS and chairman of the event stated that "this promise's to be the biggest and best ever tournament to support our local shelter, as all proceeds from the event will go to support the programs that YAPS provides to the animals and community alike."

A local non profit, no kill animal shelter, YAPS rescues animals from shelters throughout the region and takes those that owners can longer keep. Their rescue efforts include providing all the necessary veterinary procedures and care while they await their forever homes. Last year the tiny shelter saved 322 animals and, with the publics' help, is determined to double that number this year. Other services that the shelter provides include veterinary support to limited-income senior's pets and low cost vaccine clinics for senior residents. YAPS has also joined the City of Yucaipa to provide vouchers to assist residents with the altering of their pets.

The entry fees of $100 per golfer or $350 for a foursome and will go directly to the shelter and the animals served. The fee includes golf, golf cart, lunch and goodie bag. With a putting contest and $10,000 hole in one, there will be plenty of activities in addition to the great golfing.

Sponsorship opportunities and sign ups to golf are available; don't miss this animalistic affair! Call Yucaipa Animal Placement Society for more information (909) 790-1440, or e-mail info@yaps.org to reserve your spot or see how you can help!

Download Registration form golf2.pdf

As winter winds down and "kitten season" approaches, it is important to get educated about what to do if you come across a litter of kittens outdoors, according to Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for stray and feral cats.

"The spring is when most litters of kittens are born," said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. "Should you come across kittens, you may be tempted to pick them up and bring them home with you, but that might not be in the best interest of the kittens."

Deciding what to do when you find kittens depends on a number of variables, said Robinson. She suggests the following steps:

Determine the kittens' age. If kittens are not exposed to or handled by people in their first weeks, they will not be socialized and cannot be adopted as pets. These feral cats will prefer to live their lives outdoors, in family groups called colonies. Check Alley Cat Allies' online guide to kitten progression (www.alleycat.org/KittenProgression) to help establish the age of the kitten.

Find out whether a mother cat is caring for the kittens. "If the kittens are alone when you find them, they could be abandoned, or the mother could simply be looking for food," Robinson noted. "Wait and observe from a distance for an hour or two."

If the mother cat does not return, determine if the kittens are young enough to be socialized, or if they should be trapped, neutered, and returned to the site. Note that if the kittens are not yet weaned, they will require bottle-feeding and round-the-clock care.

If the mother does come back, keep in mind that her care is best for the kittens, and they should remain with her until they are weaned. If she is friendly, trap her, pick up the kittens, and bring the whole family indoors to a confined area until the kittens are old enough to be adopted. If the mother is feral, leave the family outside and provide shelter, food, and water. Once the kittens are weaned, place them in foster care for adoption.

Neuter to ensure no more kittens. "The best way to help stray and feral cats is to end the breeding cycle through Trap-Neuter-Return," said Robinson. "The cats are humanely trapped and taken to a veterinary hospital or spay/neuter clinic to be vaccinated and neutered. Socialized cats and young kittens are put up for adoption. Feral cats are 'eartipped' and returned to their colony."

Visitors to www.alleycat.org can find more information about caring for and socializing kittens, as well as tips on starting a Trap-Neuter-Return program and connecting with Feral Friends--local individuals, groups, and veterinarians who will be able to help.

A bus full of students from Menifee's Ridgemoor Elementary School arrived at the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center with pencils and paper in hand. There was a lot to learn about the furry residents that call it home. These are animals rescued from shelters or turned in by owners who can no longer care for them and at the RHSPAC they are evaluated, trained if needed, receive vet care and patiently wait for just the right person to adopt them.

Temecula's NaturVet Foundation funded the trip. The NaturVet Foundation currently supports four no-kill shelters with the RHSPAC being the only one in Riverside County. The other three are in San Diego County. They donate more than $14,000 yearly to sponsor field trips for young students.

"We can still make a difference at this age," said Traci Garmon, foundation president.
She and husband, Scott Garmon, followed behind the classes taking photos and smiling as the children moved from dog kennels to the cat room. Leading the tour was Carrie Ridgway, who handles fund development and humane education for the shelter.

She talked to them about the importance of spay and neuter as well as safety tips.
Students met Lola, a beagle/lab mix with a non-stop tail. Volunteer Aggie Greenberg shared with the group a little of Lola's history and some doggie safety tips.

Moving into the cat room the students got to visit through the cage doors with two senior volunteers who's main job was to entertain the kitties. They also learned about volunteers who come to read to the cats which helps to socialize them. Resident kitty, Bubba, watched as the children walked by hoping a treat might land in his cage.

The highlight of the tour was a heartfelt presentation given by eleven-year-old Lauren Burton who brought her dog Gracie to meet the students.

The Burton family of Riverside adopted Gracie, an Akita, after Lauren took a similar tour last year and fell in love with the handicapped dog. Gracie was born without the use of her front leg and gets around with the help of a wheeled-harness for her front legs.

"You just can't keep that dog down," said her father, Kurt Burton.

Just before her presentation Gracie was lying on the floor in the lobby, totally calm while the room buzzed with excited students and a busy front desk. Dog behaviorist Rick Belmonte commented that he had evaluated her while she was at the shelter.

"That dog has a lot of heart," he said, "She doesn't know she isn't like other dogs."

Check the shelters Web site for adoptable pets

Angel is a sweet and gentle ten-year-old female Siamese-mix kitty. She recently lost her home because her elderly owner could no longer care for her. You see, Angel has feline diabetes. Although it is a treatable, manageable condition, she will need an owner who is willing to carefully monitor her diet, give her a daily injection of insulin, and regularly take her to the veterinarian to get blood glucose checks to ensure that her blood sugar is being properly regulated.

And what do you get in return? We think Angel will be the perfect reading companion and lap cat. Throw in a soft bed and a sunny window to sit in and watch the birds fly by, and you will have a best friend for life.

Sometimes life throws us a challenge and that is what has happened to Angel. She is a real trooper to have gone through all the recent changes in her life, and she deserves to have a chance at that type of life again -- safe, secure, and with someone who will love her and care for her the rest of her life.

If you think you might be that special person in Angel's life, please ask one of our Adoption Counselors to introduce you to her. We'll let her do the talking after that .....

Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center
6165 Industrial Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504
951-688-4340

Punkie - male bobtail kitten, all black, about 5 1/2 months old -- so cute and playful, growing like a weed, weighs 8 lb; waiting patiently for a home of his own.

He has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, received any needed veterinary care and has a clean bill of health. Contact Bettye Campbell, Rescue and Rehome, location: Quail Valley community of Menifee (951) 244-3215

Rescue and Rehome has several adorable pets ready for new homes:

Sheba - petite female bright Calico cat about 19 months old; very pretty, sweet kitty

She has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, received any needed veterinary care and have a clean bill of health. Contact Bettye Campbell, Rescue and Rehome, location: Quail Valley community of Menifee (951) 244-3215

I got an email from Morris the cat! OK, well, not really Morris but the nice folks at 9 Lives sent an interesting fact sheet about kitty nutrition and I have to admit I learned a few things myself.

Did you know that cats can be lactose intolerant? I didn't. So, for my kitties...no more lapping up the milk at the bottom of my cereal bowl. They also pointed out that chocolate and raisins are bad for kitty. I really doubt my cats would eat that but I've heard of cats eating things like tomatoes which may also be bad for them.

Here's the interesting fact sheet:

Little Known Facts

• While 85 percent of pet parents understand the dangers of feeding their cats chocolate, only 30 percent recognize milk as potentially harmful to their feline friends
• A majority (66%) of cat owners are influenced by things other than the nutritional content of cat food when choosing which food to purchase, such as the brand name, the taste or flavor, and the cost
• While most pet parents (39%) bring their cat to the vet once a year, a close 26 percent never bring their cat to the vet

Mis-Purr-Ceptions

• 23% of American pet parents think it's beneficial to keep their cats on a purely vegetarian diet, while actually it may be harmful
• There are a number of foods that feline parents assume are healthy for cats, but are actually not beneficial to their health including root vegetables (73%), green tomatoes (54%), and raw potatoes (50%)

Male vs Female Cat Owners

• Female cat owners are more likely than their male counterparts to have a better understanding of which foods are unhealthy for their feline pets, such as raisins (65% vs. 46%), onions (61% vs. 49%), and garlic (53% vs. 42%)


• While more female cat owners (52% vs. 40%) have fed their cat table scraps, male cat owners tend to feed their cats table scraps more frequently


• On average men pass human food to their cat 8 times a month, compared to women who average 6 times a month

Good Intentions

• An overwhelming 94 percent of American cat owners are confident they feed their felines the most nutritious meals possible, however;


• Nearly half (48%) of feline pet parents admit they've fed their cat table scraps; and


• One in ten table scrap feeders confess to giving their feline leftovers of this type more than15 times a month


• Nine out of ten feline pet parents would be willing to switch foods if they knew it would provide better nutrition. In fact;


• 92 percent of cat owners would switch foods if it would improve their cat's health; and


• 91 percent would switch food if they could add years onto their feline's life

Download the list and pass on to another kitty parent 9Lives Pet Parent Purrception Fact Sheet - FINAL.pdf

By Wendy Hammerstrom
Credentialed Massage Therapist

In 1986 I met with a body worker trained in New York City by the renowned shiatsu master Ohashi. She was showing me how she worked with, what was to me at the time, an unusual client. Duke was a great mastiff puppy from New Jersey horse country that was receiving deep muscle massage around his leg and hip joints to increase circulation to lessen the chance of sprains and strains as he grew.

Duke enjoyed every minute of the flexion and extension, friction massage, acupressure along his spine, and energy work he received. I was impressed by this and even more so when the therapist, a small woman, introduced me to her next client, a very large brown horse. She used the same shiatsu points and meridians that she showed me on Duke. As with working on Duke, she began by quietly sitting and waiting for a sign to begin. Then she visualized the horse's spine, scanning vertebrae at a time, for areas that were deficient in healing energy. Based on that and how the horse would press into her hands, she would begin work. This was clearly a dance of mutual respect, trust and appreciation.

after that I learned of Linda Tellington Jones, founder of Tellington Touch (TTOUCH) healing for animals, one of the better known systems used especially for horses but not at all limited to them. One of Linda's clients was a python at the San Diego Zoo named Joyce who suffered from a recurrent respiratory ailment. After spending hours using TTOUCH on Joyce along with some assistants, Linda pointed out that this was a result of her inability to stretch to her full eight feet. Joyce made it apparent that she was grateful, in front of a room of two hundred previously skeptical zoo personnel by rising up cobra style in front of Linda and flicking her "third eye" with her tongue. She also rested with her head over Linda's heart.

Michael Fox, VMD, author, former director of the Humane Society of the United States, who writes a syndicated column for the Washington Post, and is co-founder of a wildlife sanctuary in Southern India, has also done work with wild animals in addition to extensive work with domestic animals. He told me that when they brought in injured animals at the wildlife sanctuary in India, he would call in one of his therapy assistance dogs, or a previously rescued wild animal to comfort the newcomer. This, and from the his staff being trained to give gentle strokes, the laying on of hands and prayerful presence stimulated the animal's will to live.

Most pet owners I speak to say they instinctually massage their pets. Learning specific points and techniques can be helpful for degenerative and chronic conditions such as arthritis and stiffness. Massage therapy can be used as an adjunct to other treatment including as a stimulant to enhance post-operative recovery, as a catalyst for convalescence from sickness and as an adjunct to intensive care in cases of shock and severe debility.

Massage increases endorphins, the body's painkiller hormones, and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system that brings the body into homeostasis or balance. The benefits are the same in animals as they are in people.

Other benefits include improving circulatory disorders, especially impaired heart functions in old age; reducing obesity and hypothyroidism; improving liver and kidney function; and reducing stress and anxiety. This last benefit works both ways. The pet massage giver also has a decrease in stress and anxiety.

I have a client from Hemet whose Chihuahua lies on her for the second half of the massage when she is face up. I am not allowed to leave the room until I have spent a minute on Angel's spine. Another client in Fallbrook has a large Shepherd-Rottweiler who is beginning to experience pain and stiffness in his joints. Bo always presents the hip that is giving him the most discomfort.

Animals know our intentions and rarely will refuse help from us, unless the memory of the problem is so painful they can't bear it, or if they have been mistreated. Pamela Hannay says "We must show them the respect they deserve, give them the opportunity to let them do the work they are best at and let them by our teachers."

Wendy has been teaching and practicing massage, yoga and movement on the east and west coast since 1973 and is also a Mandala artist and a native plant gardener. She has a BFA in Dance from Temple University. She currently lives in Murrieta, California and is a state credentialed massage therapist as well as yoga teacher. Wendy has been a co-organizer of local earth days and co-organizer of the first Holistic Health Fair in the Inland Empire. Read more from her blog

Animal Samaritans wants Desert pet owners to help eliminate animal overpopulation, neglect, homelessness, and euthanasia by encouraging them to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. In honor of National Spay Day USA, which is Tuesday, February 23, Animal Samaritans is discounting it's already low spay and neuter fees by ten dollars to pet owners who schedule an appointment tomorrow and mention the "Spay Day USA discount." The savings is on top of Animal Samaritans' already affordable $72 fee for cats and $95 to $135 for dogs, which is based on the canine's weight.

The United States Humane Society estimates more than 500 animal welfare organizations, animal rescue groups, veterinarians, and civic organizations around the country will be holding events this Spay Day USA. Internationally, 43 countries have committed to hold life-saving spay/neuter events for more than 40,000 animals around the world.

In 1995 Spay Day USA was created by the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL). Eleven years later, DDAL combined operations with The Humane Society of the United States, making Spay Day USA America's first and only national day of action to promote the spaying and neutering of pets.

On Average, Animal Samaritans spays and neuters over 8,000 dogs and cats annually, more than any other organization or veterinary clinic in the Desert. Their Spay and Neuter fund, which provides free pet spaying and neutering to low-income Coachella Valley pet owners, typically dries up before the end of each year due to public demand for affordable vet services. When combined with their free spay and neuter services for feral cats, Animal Samarians has given back more than $220,000 dollars to our community over the past two years.

In April 2010, Animal Samaritans will open their new 7,360 square foot, state-of-the-art veterinary clinic at the Animal Campus in Thousand Palms. Once in their new building, the organization expects to more than double the number of animals they spay and neuter, from an average of 30 per day, to more than 60 per day.

Additionally, they project their pet vaccinations could leap from 24,000 to 40,000 annually. With a new digital x-ray, tele-radiology capacity, and a specialty suite for pet oncology, orthopedics, dermatology, and ophthalmology, they will offer an affordable alternative to many traditionally expensive veterinary services. Animal Samaritans also expects to increase the number of
pet microchipping, pet wellness exams, and pet dental services they currently perform. Not coincidentally, Animal Samaritans broke ground on their new clinic, on Spay Day USA 2009.

Animal Samaritans SPCA, a 501 (c) non-profit organization founded in 1978, is committed to improving the lives of animals and people. As the Coachella Valley's most comprehensive animal welfare organization, they strive to one day eliminate the needless suffering and abuse of homeless and unwanted animals. Programs and services in place to save the lives of healthy and treatable animals include prevention through humane education, low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter, low-cost vaccinations, animal sheltering and pet adoptions. In addition, more than one hundred volunteers from their Animal Assisted Therapy programs visit disabled children in special needs classrooms, nursing homes, and hospitals, while their Animal Assisted Activities teams see residents at Juvenile Hall. More information is available by calling 760-343-4908 and by visiting www.animalsamaritans.org

Q: A reader has an issue with his kitty, JoJo, who's a neutered male. He had to move within the last few months and there's another male cat in the neighborhood so it seems the other cat has taken offense to Jojo's presence and there's been more than a few cat fights. Is there anything he can do aside from keeping Jojo inside?

A: The best answer to this question is also the easiest. KEEP YOUR CAT INDOORS! (I'm sorry, was the Crazy Cat Lady shouting?) Neutering a cat does not take the territorial response out of his system. The other cat was there first, and JoJo is encroaching on his territory, and the other cat isn't going to let that happen -- even though it's a big world and there's plenty of space. But then those are the very reasons to keep your cat inside. It's a big world out there with lots of scary things for a cat who is left to roam outside: Cars. Loose dogs or coyotes. Crazy people who like to harm animals or steal animals. Getting lost. Accidental poisoning. Rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. Fleas. Fear and loneliness. And if JoJo is getting in fights with this, and maybe other cats, the possibility of contracting a deadly disease from a bite or scratch is also something that can happen to him -- and, at the very least, a potentially expensive trip to the veterinarian. Cats that are kept indoors live an average of 14 years; cat who are allowed to roam live an average of 4 years.

Your cat can be happy inside. You just need to create a happy and healthy environment. Consider getting a second cat for company (this is based on your deciding to keep the first one strictly inside!); get your cat some well-designed toys that will entertain him -- and rotate them on a regular basis so he doesn't get bored; provide cat furniture and viewing stations where he can safely sit and watch the world go by; and/or station a bird feeder outside one window -- that's a total entertainment package in itself!

I hope this helps you and JoJo have a safe and happy life!