Of course there are more than 10 reasons why I love my cats, but here are some good ones…

10. Because they come running when I call them

9. Because they sleep next to my head and curled up in the crink of my bent knees at night

8. Because they love to be cuddled

7. Because they are very talkative and expressive

6. Because of the way they freak out and run around like wild hooligans outside when it’s really windy

Theodore the Fat Tabby Cat

5. Because of all the crazy contortionism they achieve when sleeping

4. Because they greet me outside when I get home from work every evening

3. Because they have made themselves known to the neighborhood and make friends with everyone who lives around us

2. Because there is nothing softer than their warm, wonderful-smelling fur

1. Because there is no sound in the world as wonderful as their purring, vibrating bellies pressed against my ear

Sasha the Mini Maine Coon

PS. Also because there is just something extra special about rescue cats. Both my kitties are rescues.

It is so sad.

The shelter I volunteer at locally has seen a HUGE increase (over 30%) in surrenders this year (over last year at this time). Be it foreclosure, vet bills, or whatever… people just don’t have the money to pay for their pets’ care anymore because the economy is so bad.

I can see right through people’s usual excuses when they drop off their lifelong pet for adoption. Most are just too lazy to care for them or think they aren’t as cute anymore once their adults (and not “cute” puppies and kittens).

But people lately have legitimate, bona fide reasons for surrendering their cats and dogs.

Let’s see… fix Fido’s hips or fill up the gas tank so I can get to work. Essentially: fix Fido or get fired.

Hmmmn.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking.

I just found this story on MSNBC.com talking about other areas hard hit by foreclosures and the economy and the effect that it’s having on pet owners. Have a look…

FRANKLIN, Mass. - Diana Bardsley wiped tears from her eyes as she recalled taking food off her plate to feed her beloved spaniel Hunter and two Siamese cats.

Her greatest fear: that she could be forced to surrender the animals as she struggled to stretch her food stamps and Social Security income to meet the escalating cost of living.

Some hope was restored after she visited a local food pantry, which has started offering free pet food to help owners keep their animals out of shelters.

“I know a lot of people will probably say, ‘Well, if you don’t have enough money to be able to feed your animals, that you shouldn’t have pets,”’ said Bardsley, 53, of Franklin, as Hunter played in the living room with three of her grandchildren.

But, “Just because financially you may go downhill a little or a lot, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up the part of your family that you love,” she said.

For some pet owners, though, there is little choice.”

Check out the rest of the article here.  ** WARNING: You will probably need Kleenex.**

Did you know that this month is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Adopt a Shelter Cat Month?

The group has all sorts of cool activities on its website and they’re all about kitties. All month. There is a photo contest, a fun cat quiz (well it’s actually a survey but it’s still fun), a Cat Care Guide, and all kinds of other neat stuff.

Do you know someone who is interested in getting a little furball for themselves? Send them to an ASPCA shelter in their area for a rescue pet! Whatever you do, DON’T let them go to a breeder!

Thanks to Dogster’s For the Love of Dog Blog for this information:

“KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

3/18/08: Animal Control (& Entire Town) Underwater! Piedmont, Missouri

Kinship Circle has just learned tonight (3/18) that the town of Piedmont, in rural Missouri, has evacuated due to severe flash flooding. We are posting as much information as we have at this time and will follow-up with more verified facts as they become available.

We know, but have not yet confirmed:

The town’s animal control is underwater, animals evacuated. Some died in floodwaters. Stray Rescue St. Louis (active in Katrina rescue) appears to be headed to Piedmont. It has been raining nonstop 48+ hours and other Missouri/Illinois shelters may need help.”

================================
1. Piedmont Animal Control Underwater - Emergency
=========================================

ALERT FROM / REPLY TO:
CONTACT: Susan Rhoades, suerhoades@gmail.com

PLEA FOR HELP FROM PIEDMONT, MO:
3/18/08, From Susan Rhoades, suerhoades@gmail.com

PIEDMONT ANIMAL CONTROL UNDERWATER — EMERGENCY:
Piedmont has been evacuated. Cibele got out what she could, but many of her babies have drowned. Please, if you can, post, cross post, anything you can do to help her. Not only are Piedmont AC’s animals in danger, but the town’s animals are in danger as well.

Stray Rescue’s disaster team is gearing up to go there — Jan Siener from Act Now! Will be going there tomorrow. We will need fosters, transport, etc.

TO HELP, CONTACT:
suerhoades@gmail.com

Piedmont Animal Control Shelter
115 W Green Street; Piedmont, MO 63957
573-223-4020; Cibele: cibelebr@care2.com

Stray Rescue of St Louis
1463 S 18th St; St Louis, MO 63104
314-771-6121

Jan Siener, ACT Now! Rescue
P.O. Box 510321; St. Louis, Missouri 63151
info@actnowrescue.org

I recently discovered that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a program that allows adopters to meet their perfect match. The first of its kind, the program, according to the ASPCA website, is the only method in existence that evaluates an animal’s interests, behaviors, etc. and matches them with a hopeful adopter’s preferences.

The Me et Your Match™ program will hopefully lessen the number of repeat surrenders. So often people adopt a dog or cat then take it home and realize a few weeks or months later that they don’t like its personality, so they drop it back off at the shelter.

The website says that there are specific “Canine-ality™,” “Puppy-ality™,” and “Feline-ality™” tests that result in the animal being classified a certain way. For example a dog could be put in the “Couch Potato” categoryor the “Go-Getter” category.

It’s a pretty cool idea. To read about the program, visit the Meet Your Match™ program page of the ASPCA website.

You might end up a match made in heaven!

Who knew?

I know this topic came up quite awhile back but I think it’s worth re-introducing.

I got some snail mail recently from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)asking me to buy a membership. I always do research before donating to animal welfare groups because I get so many mailings in a week, and half of the so-called non-profits are shams that spend like 1 cent of a dollar on the animals. (Once you donate to one you get on ALL the mailing lists.)

Anyways, I found a website called PETAKillsAnimals.com. They report that PETA killed 97% of pets in their care in 2006 (most recent year for which stats are available).

97 percent.

This information came to light after a highly puclicized trial of two PETA employees who were arrested in 2005 for animal cruelty. They were found with a roaming “death van” and had been euthanizing pets and throwing them in trash bins. They were, to the dismay of the public, acquitted in 2007.

I wanted to find some back up information to support the claim from PETA Kills Animals and I found out, from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, that PETA killed (”put down”) 14,400 pets between 1998 and 2005. Pets that were supposed to go to homes. In fact, PETA actually told the vets and shelters they picked the animals up from that they would be going to homes and getting adopted out, according to the PETA Kills Animals site.

PETA employees even admitted on the stand that the group frequently kills animals. How frequently? Well in 2006 the group took in over 3,000 animals. Only 12 were adopted out.

This completely shocked me. This is sickening.

PETA’s own philosophy holds that people and animals are equal. It’s President, Ingrid Newkirk, has likened dogs to boys. And coming from a group that works so hard for animal rights and to harm the reputation of animal abusers…

PETA has become every piece the animal killer as the companies it commonly attacks.

So much for animal welfare.

Tell me what you think about this.

Looking to rescue a pet? Want to save one from a dog or cat shelter? Of course you can adopt from any animal shelter (including Humane Societies, local animal shelters, no kill animal shelters, or smaller, local rescue groups), but pet ownership starts with a good evalutation of the place where you get your new cuddler. A good animal shelter should have the best interest of the pets in mind, and should imbue friendliness and warmth in spirit. Take a look at these requirements:

1. Spay/Neuter
The local animal shelter you choose should have spayed or neutered the animal upon receiving it. This is a standard protocol for most animal shelters and the low cost is usually built into the adoption fee. See Number 2.

2. Veterinarian Health Care
Compassionate care from skilled/professional people is a must. If a vet is spending his/her free time contributing to the animal welfare goals of a shelter (for little to no money), you know the animal has been well-cared for. Some cats and dogs come in with:

• fleas
• ear mites
• respiratory infections
• kennel cough
• worms
• colds
• open wounds
• broken limbs
• other animal bites
• bacterial infections

Vets who volunteer at pet adoption shelters are there to ensure that the little sweeties are receiving the health care they need and are healthy enough to go home with you. Most shelters will not let an adopter take an animal home if he/she is not in good condition. You may be allowed to put the animal on hold or get your name on a wait list if the animal isn’t yet well enough to go to your home.

3. Shots/Animal Vaccinations
Relating to Number 2, a cat or dog shelter should also provide a round of shots for the animal. Again, the cost is usually built into the nominal adoption fee. Dogs and cats should both get Rabies and Parvovirus vaccines and Distemper shots; stray cats may also be vaccinated for Herpes and Calici, and dogs may also get Bordatella, Modified Live Virus (MLV). The vaccines really depend on the age of the animal. If your cat will be an outdoor animal, he/she will require additional vaccines which will not come with the shelter’s first round of shots.

4. Cleanliness
Cleanliness is next to Godliness; however, feelings on cleanliness can also be subjective. Some people may want to get an animal the heck out of a dirty shelter while others may feel more comfortable with a shelter that has sparkling cages and unsoiled play areas. Regardless, make sure the litter box and/or cage floor is free from feces and/or urine; otherwise the animal may have been lying down in it, which can cause further bacterial infections. Make sure the animal itself has had good hygiene put in place and doesn’t seem stinky or dirty.

5. Pleasant Staff Who Seems Happy to be There
It is true that cats and dogs have a sixth sense. They sense disaster and human emotions. The happier the person, the happier and more fun-loving the animal. Animals will always reflect the spirit of their owners and that sometimes starts at the shelter. Of course, there will always be some dogs and cats that were abused and seem depressed and afraid. (Personally I think these are the ones who end up with the sweetest demeanors because once they realize they are safe there little personalities come out and they start to mature their emotions.)

6. ASPCA Visits
To verify that your chosen shelter is run effectively and with the animals’ welfare as a first priority, ensure that the shelter is regularly visited by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Humane Societies do not get visits from the ASPCA as they are privately funded national organizations with regional arms, and have their own standards.

Every year the ASPCA visits more than 150 other shelters throughout the country to talk with directors, volunteers and employees. The ASPCA is there to discuss problems and assist the shelter staff with suggestions, materials and resources. It takes a lot more than good intentions to run a shelter, and the ASPCA’s Shelter Outreach team is staffed by seasoned animal welfare professionals who are there to help with sheltering situations in your area.

7. Adopter Screening
Your local animal shelter should always have the pets’ welfare in mind. This includes a full screening of the hopeful adopter. You want to ensure the rescued pet will be going to the best possible environment, i.e., if the cat doesn’t like dogs, it shouldn’t be adopted out to a home where there is a dog. If the dog is afraid of men or was abused, it should be adopted by a woman with a gentle character and lots of free time.