I want to remind you that today,  February 24,  is Spay Day USA!

Communities all over the United States are joining together to spread the word about pet overpopulation and that having your female cat or dog spayed is an easy solution!

The entire month of February is National Prevent A Litter Month! This is another reminder of the importance of having your pet spayed or neutered!

Both cats and dogs just do what comes natural to them but the results can be devastating in those overflowing shelters. This is where we can step in and help stop this. Some ways we can help year-round are having our own pet spayed or neutered, telling our friends and family, and volunteering at your local animal shelter. It all begins with one person at a time, one pet at a time.

I have listed the Pet Happenings For February 2009 on my Squidoo lens. It’s my first lens. Go check it out!

In honor and memory of all the kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs that have been euthanized in open-door shelters just to make room for more…

In honor and memory of all these beautiful animals who have lived out their lives in no-kill shelters because no one adopted them…

In honor and memory of all the strays who are roaming or have roamed the streets of this world just needing someone to love them and take them home but ended up instead with diseases, being hit by a car,  being the victim of starvation, or who have been or will be abused for no other reason than pure meanness…

PLEASE HAVE YOUR PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED!

Donzie

P.S. I am going the change the look of this blog so it looks better. I have a few choices in mind. Hope you’ll like it!

I just wanted to let you know that I have a new article published titled “Adopting a Cat Or a Kitten - 5 Tips For Making a Decision That is Right For You and Your New Pet”. It has somewhat different information than the blog post I wrote on the same subject.

I have also added a new page on my blog titled “Articles” that will contain a list of my published articles related to taking care of your cat. Right now, there is only one article in the list but more will be added. Check back often to get updates. Just click the article title and you will be taken to it immediately!

I also have a new Squidoo lens. It is actually an introduction to my blog here at Daily Catitude. Any proceeds that come from that lens will be donated 50/50 to The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Check out that lens at Cat Care For Life.

There many factors surrounding taking care of your cat. I am always learning something new and I love to share that knowledge. If you have a topic in mind that you would like to know more about, let me know. Together, we can be more responsible for our own pets but the forgotten ones as well.

We are their voice!

Donzie

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL PREVENT A LITTER MONTH!

February 12, 2009 was Spay Day International

February 24, 2009 is Spay Day USA

This time of year can serve as a reminder to have your cat spayed or neutered. If you have had your kitty fixed, congratulations! If you haven’t, why not make arrangements to do it right away.

When you spay or neuter your cat, you help save lives as well as preventing some health  and behavior problems problems. You and your special feline will be happier and healthier!

Have you ever seen commercials on TV showing pictures of animals in shelters? To me, it is so sad to see their little faces. Those pictures make me cry. If I could, I would try to give them all a home. Unfortunately, shelters are literally overrun with cats and kittens who will, more than likely, be euthanized just to make room for other kitties who have no place to go. Euthanasia in this respect is really a polite way of saying the cat is killed so another can take its place. They need good homes but sadly, there are way too many cats needing homes and not enough homes for them to go to.

Cats and kittens end up in shelters for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it can be because the owner just can’t afford to take care for it any longer. With the economy the way it is today, shelters are seeing more pets given up just for that. Maybe the owner is elderly and is unable to care for their pet or perhaps the owner dies. Who will take care of the cat? If a neighbor or family does not take it in, a shelter is the only other choice. There are times when cats are given up to shelters due to their behavior problems instead of taking the time to train the cat.

When you make the decision to spay or neuter, you will be helping to control the ever-rising cat population and you will be saving the life of a poor kitty waiting to be euthanized in the shelter. If your cat has a litter of kittens, do you know you can get them homes? Eight and one-half years ago, a beautiful little Calico Manx kitten kept hanging around my house. I went all over the neighborhood trying to find who the owner was. No one claimed it. On a cold, rainy night, I brought it in, gave it a flea bath, and discovered it was a female. I named her Callie and made an appointment with my veterinarian to have her examined to make sure she was not sick since I had other cats in my home. She was perfectly healthy - and pregnant. She was six  months old! My family and I decided to keep her and keep her indoors. About two and one-half months later, we had three cute kittens - two boys and one girl - Gorgeous Baby, My Favorite Kind, and Abigail Rose. My daughter had a great imagination! We talked about keeping the kittens but we tried to find homes for them. We were unable to find homes for those babies so we kept them. I suddenly went from two to six cats in a very short period of time! That put some stress on our family. There are way too many cats roaming around outside producing kittens. Hopefully they are taken in. If not, it’s to the shelter they go. They get diseases that spread to other cats or get hit by a car. Children may try to pet one and end up being bitten or scratched. Spaying and neutering will prevent these types of things.

If you have ever seen a litter of kittens being born, you know it is an amazing experience. Some people believe they teach their children about birth when their pet has a litter. Actually, I believe it is not something a responsible pet owner should do because, as I mentioned before, you may or may not be able to get them homes. Do you keep them or give them to a shelter? Also, there are no health benefits for letting you female feline have babies before you have her spayed.

There are some health benefits to spaying and neutering.

A female cat can go into her first heat as early as six months of age. Have you ever heard a female cat in heat? She calls for the male cats in the area by screaming and yowling. She rolls around in the floor andif you don’t know what’s going on, you may think something is wrong and make an appointment with the veterinarian ASAP! This behavior is normal for all cats and can last about a week every three weeks during her mating season. If your kitty starts that, don’t wait. Have her spayed immediately. If she is an outdoor cat, you may have a hard time getting her back and if she is indoors, she may try with all she has to scoot out the door to do her business. If she tries hard enough, she will succeed and when you get her back in a few days, you will more than likely find her pregnant! I learned a lesson about this the hard way. About two months after Callie had her kittens, she started all that calling and rolling in the floor. She tried her level best to get out and she did. I was able to catch her two times but the third time, she was on her way. I called the vet and made an appointment for her to be spayed but it was too late. She came home about a week later already pregnant. I waited too long and when she was spayed, the kittens had to be aborted. I felt so bad about that. My veterinarian said there were five kittens. I learned a valuable lesson in that and I hope you will as well.

In addition to all that screaming and rolling around, a female cat can suddenly forget she has a litter box and start urinating all over the house. There’s nothing like the smell of cat urine! The carpet will need to be cleaned and deodorized and that can be expensive. Now that’s something to prevent!

Spaying your female cat can help prevent breast cancer which, according to the ASPCA, is fatal in 90% of cases.

Male cats benefit from being neutered. If you have ever had a male cat spray urine all over the house, you know it is definitely something you want to stop. It is natural for male cats to mark their territory like that. It will take forever to get that smell out of your home. While it is natural for them, it is a very undesirable behavior. Neutering that boy will help prevent it. Unaltered male cats, also called tom cats, have a strong tendency to roam the neighborhood seeking a female cat’s attentions. These cats are notorious for getting into fights with one another and one or both ends up hurt with abscesses or disease. Then come the vet bills. That, too, can be prevented by neutering him. They will try to get out of the house just like the female will so keep an eye on him and make that vet appointment! In 1988, I had a little kitten keep showing up at my door. I did find the owner of the mother cat but she told me I could have it because she didn’t want it. The mother cat had six other kittens. It was her second litter. I never knew what happened to all those kittens. I brought the kitten home and named him Charlie. He was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand with room to spare. He started life as an indoor-outdoor cat. One day, he was on his own porch when I heard this horrible noise. It didn’t last but a few seconds, but when I opened the door, Charlie’s black hair was all over the place and this huge tom cat was running down the stairs. I took him in to the veterinarian I worked for and he said he couldn’t find any injuries but recommended I keep him inside. I agreed to that and made an appointment to have him neutered the following week. When I took him in for the surgery, the vet discovered an abscess on his left back leg. There were obvious teeth marks. We believe that came from that fight he had on the porch. The abscess healed in about two weeks. Three months later, Charlie didn’t seem quite right. He had difficulty walking, loss of appetite, and vomiting. My veterinarian tested him and found him to have Feline Leukemia, a fatal disease spread from cat to cat. We believe that was also a result of that cat fight. Charlie lived four years with aggressive treatment and a lot of tender loving care. I have no idea who that big tom cat belonged to but the fight and the disease could have both been prevented if that cat had have been neutered.

Your cat, whether an adult or a kitten, is looking to you make good decisions for it. Having your pet spayed or neutered is one of the best ways you can show you love for your special family member.

You can find free and low-cost spay and neuter programs near you. Don’t wait to be a responsible pet owner.

Our cats are counting on us!

Donzie Welgoss

donzie@dailycatitude.com

Are you thinking about adopting a cat or a kitten? Perhaps you already have a cuddly ball of fur and you want to introduce another kitty into your home.  Either way, please be a responsible pet owner.

THINK BEFORE YOU ADOPT!

It is so easy to just go out and get a cat or a kitten without giving alot of thought to this huge responsibility. If you take some time to think and make sure you are ready to adopt a new feline friend, both of you will have a happier and healthier life together. Remember - you will be making a commitment  to care for your pet for the rest of his or her life, which can be 15 years or more! You new family member will be depending on you.

While there are many variables that need to be considered when adopting a cat or a kitten, here are 5 tips that will help you make a decision that is right for both you and your new pet.

1. Make sure you are financially prepared to take care of your new pet - not just for the first month or year but for the lifetime of your cat. Remember that your kitty will be counting on you to keep it healthy and this means visits to the veterinarian for routine, surgical ( spaying or neutering) and emergency care. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian in your area before adopting your kitten or cat to discuss fees, hours of operation, and how they handle emergencies. Veterinarians love animals and they are willing to answer any questions you may have. Don’t forget to ask about payment arrangements in the event there needs to be expensive procedures done to diagnose and/or treat your little friend. It’s always okay to check around until you find a veterinarian you like and feel you can trust. After all, you are your pet’s voice. Don’t forget about food, water, litter box and litter, carrier, grooming tools, treats and toys. These are just some of the basic needs.
2. You need to decide if you want to adopt a kitten or an older cat. There are always an abundance of cats of all ages needing good homes. Kittens, however, are greater in number simply because some pet owners do not have their cat spayed or neutered. Do you have another cat at home? How about a dog? It is important to make the transition into your home as stress-free as possible. If you have a small child, it may be best to wait until the he or she is at least 5 years old to add a feline friend to your household. Children always need supervision around animals. Cats and kittens are quick and can bite or scratch your child if it doesn’t like the way it is being treated. Alot of children play with their kitties by teasing them and pulling their tails. Cat’s do not like that! Also, children can squeeze the cat too hard when holding it, hurting the cat. Waiting until your child is older can prevent injuries to both your child and the cat. It’s important to know that all cats, regardless of age need behavior training so they will know who is in charge - and it’s not the cat! They can literally take over the house if you don’t train them from the start! Cats can be difficult to teach different behaviors. You would do well to get the help of Liz Barton, the cat training expert. She will help you have your cat family trained and well-behaved in no time flat!
3. Think about where you want to get your cat or kitten from. You can adopt from your local shelter or from a rescue group that provides foster care to the animal until a good home is found. Some rescue groups specialize in specific breeds of cats. If you think you may eventually want to show your new cat, make sure you find a reputable breeder. You can also find cats and kittens “free to a good home”. In this case, while they are cute, you really don’t know what you’re getting. Remember they are “free to a good home” because the owner of the mother cat did not have her spayed. If someone does not take them, they are destined for a shelter. Adopting a cat or a kitten from your local shelter is by far the best choice. They are overflowing with cats and kittens that will most likely be euthanized to make room for more if someone doesn’t adopt them. Alot of shelters provide veterinary care such as vaccinations and spaying or neutering prior to the adoption.
4. When you think you have found your perfect companion, does it look healthy?  The cat or kitten should be active and not overly fearful of being touched. The eyes and nose should be clear and there should be no signs of wetness around the tail. It’s best not to adopt a sick kitty even though you think you can take it home and nurse it back to health. Keep in mind, however, that shelters, rescue groups, and breeders do all they can to maintain healthy animals.
5. You need to be willing to cat-proof your home. Cats can and will get into everything! Take care of valuable items that can be broken easily. Keep plants away from your little fur ball - they love to eat your plants. While some plants may just cause vomiting, some are actually poisonous. It’s best not to take chances. Kitty-cats love to put small objects in their mouth, such as paper clips and rubber bands. I had a cat who tried to chew the cotton off of Q-Tips! These are choking hazards. Also, keep anything that remotely looks like string to a cat. That can cause choking as well as pull draperies down (experience!). Please be careful with anti-freeze. If you spill anti-freeze, clean it up immediately BEFORE your cat gets to it. Cats love the sweet taste but it will cause rapid fatal poisoning, even with just one lick!

These are just  a few of the many things to think about when adopting a cat or a kitten. If you take the time to make the best decision, you will be rewarded with your cat’s life-long love and loyalty.

Read more about adopting a cat or a kitten in my article.

To find local shelters in your area, go to http://www.pets911.com and enter your zip code.

Visit these links as well to adopt a cat or kitten:

http://www.petfinder.com

http://www.adoptapet.com

http://www.worldanimal.net

Here’s To Adopting A Cat Or A Kitten!

Donzie Welgoss

donzie@dailycatitude.com

Feel free to comment, and if you like what you have seen so far, let your friends know! Don’t forget to sign up for free tips, tricks, and other cool cat stuff. See the box at the top right!

Welcome to Daily Catitude - Taking Care Of Your Cat Through All Life Stages!

This site is dedicated to all extraordinary ordinary cats with attitude, past and present, and the people that love them.

I have been an animal lover all my life but cats have always been special to me. I hope this blog will help you in your effort of taking care of your cat or cats and you will visit often and have some fun.

Remember that all cats have attitude and taking care of your cat isn’t difficult. They love their people! I  have learned alot over the years as a cat owner ( I have five cats now ), working with veterinarians, cat sitting, attending cat shows, and doing alot of reading and research about the mysteries of cats. I am a member of The United States Humane Society and the ASPCA. I have truly experienced the joy of taking care of cats through all life stages, helping with pregnancy and delivery of kittens to having to euthanize my cats and having them die in my arms.

I am also dedicating this blog in memory of my two cats who just passed away. Caesar, my Siamese given to me by my best friend, died of cancer on December 17, 2008 at the age of 16 and Nikki, my white-haired, blue-eyed Tabby (marshmallow cat) died a month later on January 20, 2009 at the age of 21. I found him in a box outside the veterinarian’s office I worked at. He was just 2 1/2 weeks old according to the note in the box. I know Nikki was an old baby and I have heard and read that animals don’t die of broken hearts but it sure did look that way because Nikki and Caesar were best friends and never left each others side.

On a much lighter note, Daily Catitude is in honor of my other five cats - Callie, my 9 year old Calico Manx, Gorgeous Baby, my 8 1/2 year old Striped Tabby, My Favorite Kind, my 8 1/2 year old Mackeral Tabby, Abigail Rose, my 8 1/2 year old Calico Manx ( Callie is the mother of those last three), and Precious Pearl, my 7 year old odd-eyed white  Manx. That’s a motley crew for sure!

If you are a cat lover like me or are just interested in cats and why they do what they do, I hope you will find this blog useful. I have included some links on the side that I highly recommend. I will be adding more info for you as time progresses so please check back often. Feel free to leave comments, too.

I have alot of neat ideas for this site. Enter your name and email in the box on the top right side and I will let you know about tips, tricks, and more cool cat stuff! Just click Get Your Daily Catitude! and it’ll be on the way to you.

My 11 year old daughter, Shelby, came up with the name for my blog one night when all five cats were going ballistic at the same time. She said they were having their Daily Catitude! I thought that was perfect!

Now, sit back and enjoy taking care of your cat through all life stages.

Welcome again and thank you!

Donzie Welgoss

donzie@dailycatitude.com