A Pit Bull and Cat live peacefully in the same family
A pit bull and cat reside in the same household.
Street Cat Rescue
This all volunteer non-profit organization serves the Austin, TX area and its surrounding communities. Their program provides a humane solution for the Community Cats of the Austin area – Helping the Community and the Cats. Donna Powell will share the organization’s mission as well as many of the programs offered to the public.
Tree House Humane Society
Tree House provides a cageless, home-like environment for the many shelter residents. People often ask them why they take their adoption process so seriously. The answer is simple – their goal is not to adopt out the highest number of cats, but to place each cat in a loving home where he or she will live for his or her entire life.
Emancipe+ (awareness + action)
Asha Thune, Director of Outreach for Emancipet, is my guest for today’s show. Emancipet envisions a world where no cat or dog is ever killed just for being homeless. They work towards realizing that vision every day, by providing services and advocacy that effectively and humanely reduce the homeless pet population in the local communities.
The Debate Over Indoors or Out For Cats
There is probably no single issue in cat care that generates stronger debate among pet owners than the question of whether Kitty should be allowed to spend time outdoors.
Animal welfare associations and most veterinarians urge cat owners to keep their pets indoors, where they will live longer, safer lives. The statistics are sobering: more than 1 million outdoor cats are killed each year by dogs, traffic, and exposure to disease. The average indoor cat lives longer than 12 years, while the average outdoor cat survives for less than five years.
Alternatives to roaming
A growing number of cat owners, concerned about the health and safety issues of unsupervised roaming, have found alternatives to provide Kitty with outdoor time – from fencing the backyard to provide a safe outdoor play area, to providing Kitty with access to a screened porch or balcony, to teaching her to walk on a leash and harness. For more suggestions on creating safe outdoor alternatives for your cat, see www.21cats.org.
It takes patience and work, but, the experts say, an outdoor cat can be turned into a perfectly content indoor pet. The key is to make the transition slowly and to provide lots of attention and stimulation while the cat is indoors. Gradually replace those outside excursions with special periods of play time with you. Introduce new and intriguing toys that will satisfy Kitty’s desire to prowl and pounce.
For tips on helping an outdoor cat adjust to the indoor lifestyle, visit the Humane Society website at www.hsus.org
Keeping safe outdoors
It’s hard to deny that outdoor cats are at much greater risk for injury, disease and death. Still, many cat owners believe that their cats simply won’t be happy unless they can go outside to prowl and exercise their natural hunting instinct.
If you decide to provide an indoor/outdoor lifestyle for your cat, you must be willing to supervise his outdoor play time to ensure his safety from the many hazards of the “great outdoors”:
Don’t allow unlimited access to the outdoor world. Limit the time your cat spends outdoors to a few hours each day.
Never leave your cat alone outdoors when you are away from home.
Always be sure your cat is wearing proper identification when he is outdoors. A cat can disappear in seconds and ID tags increase the chance that he will be safety returned if he is lost or injured.
Best Friends Pet Care Post Summer 2001 Newsletter – Between Friends!
Bubble Wrap
Is your cat scratching your furniture? Here is one method to save your furniture from being used as a scratching post by your favorite feline(s).
Tape bubble wrap to the area of the furniture where your cat scratches. This method should prevent any continued scratching from your precious feline(s).
Now if you prefer not to place bubble wrap on the furniture yet need to relieve the stress caused by your feline(s) try this process. Place bubble wrap on the floor, grab your iPod, begin listening to your favorite tune then start dancing on the bubble wrap. Instant stress relief!!
One fun interesting fact: more than half of all people misuse bubble wrap. According to packers the correct way to use bubble wrap is to put the bubbles on the inside when protecting an item.
The following two ideas plus many more are listed at How to use Bubble Wrap
Relaxing pillow and mat. Bubble wrap can be used not only as insulation for items but for your body as well. It’s a great alternative if you’re tired of sleeping in beds or if you fail to bring your bedding for camping and other outdoor activities. You can spread it out as a mat or you can fold it in layers as a pillow. Either way, you will surely relax and dream with a smile on your face.
Bubble popping. Now, here’s what everyone loves, not only because it’s fun but also because of the funny popping sound. Bubble wrap popping can be done as a relaxing game. But beware, you could become a bubble pop addict!
