When the holiday season begins in November, many people are busy cooking and cleaning. Relatives will be visiting from out-of-town which means “Mr. Snuffles” may find himself shaking and hissing in the corner, trying to avoid your nieces and nephews. Gotta love family!

Keep your cats safe for the holidays. Family, friends, and their children may stay at your home; politely tell them that Mr. Snuffles does not like to be handled by small children. This will keep the children and Mr. Snuffles safe.

When you put up the Christmas tree, make sure it is secure. Cats love to climb trees, and they’ll think that you bought the tree just for them! Make sure you place a tree skirt around the tree and keep an eye on the water level. Cats may think that the tree water is another water dish for them. Yuck!

Tips and Tricks

• Keep holiday decorations away from cats. They could digest the garland from the Christmas tree and have to go to the veterinarian;
• Put food away in refrigerator so you cats do not feast on your meal; they could get sick;
• Make sure you tell family and friends that your cats do not like to be held;
• Give your cats plenty of toys to keep them occupied while you have guests visiting your home. They’ll probably run and hide anyway!

The holidays are a time to bring out all of the decorations from the attic or closet. From shiny Christmas ornaments to a Menorah. Make sure your decorations are out of reach; otherwise you may find it on the ground in pieces.

Cats love to climb Christmas trees. You may consider purchasing an artificial tree. This way you’ll have it for more than one Christmas, that’s provided that your cats do not take it down!

Rebecca

What are you doing to keep your cats safe for the holidays?

Makeup is part of the multi-billion dollar beauty industry. Makeup tested on cats is cruel. They suffer because they are kept in tiny cages and have blush, mascara, and lipstick tested on them. Yuck! Makeup does not belong on animals, it belongs humans.

Makeup tested on cats is unethical. Cats do not wear makeup, men and women wear makeup. There’s absolutely no reason to test makeup on cats. Humans sell their blood and plasma; they could offer to have companies test makeup on them for a price. Some people will do whatever as long as they get paid for it.

Urban Decay is a company that does not test makeup on cats. In fact, they have a vegan line of products. They are one of many companies that do not test on cats. Other companies that do not test on cats are: Almay, Bobbi Brown, Burt’s Bees, and many others.

The Humane Society and animal shelters have a list of people who are banned from adopting cats and kittens. Why? Because these people are known to sell animals to companies so they can test makeup on cats. It’s sad that people only adopt cats just to sell them into torture. It’s like adopting a child and selling her into child slavery.

Some companies put the following words on their packages: not tested on animals. Unfortunately, this does not mean anything. Look for the “rabbit” symbol — a rabbit in a circle with a line through it. When you see the rabbit symbol, you’ll know the company does not test on animals. CLICK HERE to read about companies who do not test on animals.

Avoid purchasing makeup tested on cats. Some companies will register with PETA because they produce a list of companies that do not test on animals. Before you purchase your favorite makeup, you may want to consult the list.

Makeup tested on cats is cruel and unusual punishment. Animals are not put on this Earth so humans can perform tests on them. Cats are more than pets; they become part of the family. They love us unconditionally and accept us, flaws and all. Think about this before you purchase your favorite brand of makeup.

Rebecca

What makeup do you use that is not tested on animals?

Many people are taking their cats to their local Humane Society because they cannot care for them anymore. Lost jobs mean losing apart of the family. It’s heartbreaking when people bring their pets to the local shelter because they cannot care for them anymore. The Humane Society and shelters could use your support!

The greatest you can give is to adopt and rescue a cat or kitten from your local Humane Society. They make great pets and are already spayed or neutered. You will help save a life and give these animals the “forever” home they deserve. Open your heart and home today!

Find out how you can help today so tomorrow the lives of animals will be saved! I took a flyer that was created by the AZ Humane Society and recreated it so I could put my personal touch on it. No, I didn’t have to break apart the PDF (graphic designers know what I mean), I was able to copy and paste the photos into Adobe InDesign. Having a graphic design background comes in handy!

For those in the state of Arizona, please visit AZ Humane Society to find out how you can help. If you live in Chandler, Arizona, CLICK HERE to find out how you can help. The Humane Society appreciates your support!

Rebecca

How will you help your local Humane Society?

There’s a lot of talk about the H1N1 vaccine and the flu itself. People are living in fear of getting the H1N1 flu. Most of these people are healthy but they are buying into the fear that is spreading. Take a deep breath, sit down, and listen up. Those of you, who are healthy, eat a balanced diet, use proper hygiene, exercise daily, keep your mind free of clutter, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze will be fine. People who eat junk, don’t exercise, do not adhere to proper hygiene, and have negativity swirling around in their brains may want to change their ways. If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for your cats!

At first it was reported that cats could not get the H1N1 virus from humans. However, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported that a cat became ill with H1N1 because three family members had influenza-like symptoms.

“A 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was brought to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where it tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The diagnosis is the culmination of collaborative efforts between IDPH, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, USDA, and IDALS Animal Industry Bureau.” CLICK HERE to read the full report.

What can you do to protect you and your cat?

First, don’t panic and use common sense. When you go grocery shopping, wipe down the cart with disinfectant wipes. Most grocery stores now provide these wipes. Second, cover your mouth when you cough and cover your nose when you sneeze or sneeze into your shirt. It sounds gross, but you can always take your shirt off and wash it. Don’t forget to wash your hands. Carry hand sanitizer with you if you cannot immediately wash your hands. You may want to carry wipes in your car so you can wipe down your steering wheel and gear shifter.

Get rid of the fear

Cats and H1N1 does not have to be a scary thing. Keep your cats indoors and make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Give them good food and clean water. Make sure they get enough exercise since they are indoors. Clean their litter box every two weeks with a gentle cleaner. Use gloves when you clean their litter box!

For cats and H1N1 to meet, cat owners will have to have the flu. Owners who keep themselves healthy do not have anything to fear. Eat right, exercise, and tune out the “fear reports” about H1N1. Remember, the only thing you have to fear is fear itself!

Rebecca

What precautions are you taking to protect you and your cats?

Spaying and neutering your cat is a good thing. Many people do not agree with this. For some reason they think it’s a bad thing. Perhaps they feel the cat will be less than a cat if it is spayed or neutered. Getting a cat spayed or neutered is for his or her own good and yours.

Some people allow their cats to be outdoor cats. What happens when your male cat meets a female cat? They will add to the ever expanding kitten population! Before you know it, you may have a litter of kittens on your doorstep. Are you prepared for that responsibility? You’re probably not ready to take care of a basket full of kittens! You most likely will take them down to your Humane Shelter, give them away, or sell them. If you had your male cat neutered, you wouldn’t have a bunch of kittens in your home!

Having your cat spayed or neutered is a great way to keep the kitten population from expanding. Each year thousands of kittens are born. Some will survive, some won’t. The kittens could end up becoming the responsibility of others. It’s not fair to them or the kittens.

Some people use money as the reason they don’t get their cat spayed or neutered. This is inexcusable. If you can’t afford to the procedure, don’t have a cat. Furthermore, many shelters including the Humane Society, offer low-cost spaying and neutering.

Bonus: A cat from the Humane Society or your local shelter will already be spayed or neutered so you won’t have to pay for it.

The Human Society provides a “mobile” clinic that will stop at PetSmart or Petco. You can bring your cat to the “clinic on wheels” and have your cat spayed or neutered for a fraction of the cost of what you’d spend at your veterinarian. It’s a win-win situation!

Don’t be ashamed to get your cat spayed or neutered because there’s nothing shameful about it. You’ll be doing your cat a favor. You probably won’t breed your cat so you may as well get her spayed. Besides, in the years to come, it could become mandatory.

During kitten season, many shelters across the world see an influx of kittens. It becomes the shelter’s responsibility to find homes for these animals. It can become costly, but they do the best they can. Have your cat spayed or neutered today so tomorrow the kitten population won’t be as large and the shelters will not be overrun with kittens!

Rebecca

What is holding you back from spaying or neutering your cat?

Before you adopt and rescue a cat or kitten from your local Humane Society or shelter, make sure you’re a responsible cat parent. Cats and kittens are no different than children. The only difference is that they don’t talk back to you. Then again, cats will be vocal if you’re late feeding them!

When you adopt and rescue a cat or kitten from a shelter be aware that they may require more responsibility and need just a bit more TLC than your cat or kitten. Animals in a shelter are stressed and susceptible to illnesses such as upper respiratory infection. Make sure you’re prepared to nurse a sick cat or kitten for about two weeks.

Tip: Make sure you feed your cat the proper nutrition. Like people, cats are becoming obese. It’s not uncommon to read about a 20 lb. cat. Yikes! Provide your cat with kitty condos he can climb and give him toys like a stuffed mouse he can chase. Consult your veterinarian on how you can keep you cat in tip-top shape.

Remember when you adopt and rescue a cat or kitten, it’s a long-term commitment. Make sure you find one that fits your personality. It’s not fair to the cat or kitten if he or she is too vocal. Write down the type of cat you’re looking for. What color will the cat be? What gender would you like, male or female? What about the cat’s personality, friendly or highly independent? What is your personality like? Knowing before you go to a shelter will help you help the adoption volunteers choose a cat that is purrfect for you!

When you adopt and rescue a cat he’ll become part of the family. If you’re personality is one that sees cats as just that and not a family member, you may want to forgo adopting a cat and get a fish instead. They’re low maintenance and just swim in a bowl or small aquarium.

Children need to be taught to respect and honor pets. Before you adopt and rescue a cat into your home, educate your children. Make sure they know the cat IS NOT a toy! Bring them to shelters and let them get acquainted with a cat or kitten. Tell the volunteers and employees that you’d like to adopt, but want to introduce your children before you bring a cat or kitten home. Perhaps the shelter has some kind of program where they educate children on pets. The more they know and can apply what is taught the better for the animal community.

Adopting and rescuing a cat from your local shelter is the best gift you can give. These animals are stressed out because one minute they’re with a loving family and the next they’re in a tiny cage. Their freedom is taken away and they don’t know why. Plus, they’re hearing new and strange noises they haven’t heard before in their life. Be understanding and patient with a shelter cat or kitten.

Cats and kittens are living creatures like you. They are alive and deserve to be treated with respect just as humans do. Make sure you’re ready for the commitment of being a cat owner. It takes more than time and money; it takes love and compassion as well!

Rebecca

How are you a responsible cat parent?

Finding a veterinarian for cats doesn’t have to be stressful or cost an arm and a leg. You can find compassionate veterinarians that don’t cost a fortune. For example, Banfield, The Pet Hospital can be found in select PetSmart stores across the U.S. Their services are more cost effective than a private vet and they offer services such as a “health and wellness” day. They’ll give your cats and dogs their shots at a discount. They can do this because they are a large pet hospital.

If you’re searching for a veterinarian for cats, make sure you find one that has a staff that is kind and compassionate. There’s nothing worse than making an appointment and receiving rude customer service. People love their pets and won’t hesitate to find another veterinarian.

What to look for in a veterinarian

• Make sure the veterinarian and staff is kind and compassionate.
• Cost effective exams and shots.
• Will you receive reminder notices about your cat’s shots?
• How clean and sanitized is the veterinarian’s practice?
• Can you purchase supplies such as food, collars, and leashes?
• How long has the veterinarian been practicing? Does he/she have references?
• Does the veterinarian offer boarding? How clean is the area?

When you search for a veterinarian for cats, inquire about boarding services. You never know when you have to go out of town or choose to take a vacation. If you can’t find someone to watch your cats, you may need to board them. Find out how much it costs per day, ask to see the boarding area, and make sure your cats are up-to-date on their shots.

You can find veterinarians for cats anywhere, but make sure you find the right one for you and your cats. If you don’t get a good feeling about a veterinarian then it’s time to find a new one. There are plenty of veterinarians for cats. Take your time and find one that’s just right for you and your cats!

Rebecca

What do you like about your veterinarian? Share your experience.

Adopting a cat from the Humane Society can be a very rewarding experience, but it can be stressful at the same time. Your new cat could develop an upper respiratory infection. If you’re a new cat owner, it can be daunting because you don’t know what to expect. Make sure you find an excellent veterinarian with an excellent staff as well who can help you every step of the way.

Upper respiratory infections in cats from the Humane Society are common. Why? Cats are constantly handled by people, and they are in and out of their cages daily. If the air quality is not that great, they’ll be more susceptible to catching the upper respiratory infection. This can be mild or severe to the point your new pet could develop pneumonia.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a humidifier so your cat can breathe. Having a stuffy nose is not fun. A humidifier can alleviate some of the stuffiness for your cat. This is one household item that will pay for itself;
• Keep your new cat away from its new siblings. Some people will allow their cats to be together; it’s better err on the side of caution. Nursing two or more cats can cause you and them unnecessary stress. Keep you new cat in a spare bedroom or bathroom until she’s feeling better;
• Do your best to open your cat’s mouth to dispense the medicine. It may not be easy to get the medicine into your cat. Take small steps because she’s probably scared. You would be to if someone was pointing a syringe filled with pink liquid that you didn’t know what it was. Try to enter from the side of your cat’s mouth. Get someone to help you if you can;
• Patience is a virtue. The upper respiratory infection is just like the flu and it must run its course. This can seem like forever, but you cat will start to feel better in 7-10 days. Make sure your cat finishes the medicine and stops sneezing before you allow her to around other cats.

When your cat develops an upper respiratory infection, don’t panic. Cats may develop it because of stressful situations like introducing a new cat or you have a baby. You cat may be given nose drops and some form of antibiotic. It will take a good 7-10 days to work itself out of your cat’s system. If you have other cats in your house, it’s a good idea to isolate the new cat from them.

If your cat starts to “gag” don’t panic, unless it is severe. They do this because just like humans their noses drain and that drainage goes down their throat and they try to clear it. Gross! Unless your cat does this each day, there’s no need to rush her to the emergency vet.

The upper respiratory infection will soon be over in 7-10 days. If symptoms progress, take your cat to the vet. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Give your cat lots of TLC because that is just as important as the medicine from the vet. Be patient and keep the faith! Your cat will be purring away in no time.

Rebecca

What experiences have you had with adopting a cat from the humane society?