Rescue Archives - Page 10 of 11

Adopt-a-Cat Month

With 70% of cats in animal shelters euthanized and only 2% returned to their owners, shelter cats always need homes. But this time of year is one of the hardest on the capacity of our nation’s shelter system. That’s why The American Humane Association named June Adopt-a-Cat Month. The American Humane Association says:

Each spring during “kitten season,” thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly newborns, in addition to all the mellow, older cats and everything in between. And the shelter staff are ready to help you adopt your very first cat — or to bring home a friend for another beloved cat!

American Humane Association also suggests that when adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Many of you may remember the seniors Louie and Talia from the early days of this blog. They came to our family as siblings who were found on the rooftop of my office building, and they were inseparable their whole lives. We never realized until they were gone and the rest of us weren’t as tightly bonded to each other the difference that acquiring cats in pairs made, and it’s something that we recommend doing if you can. There’s nothing like the lifelong love that a bonded pair of cats have for each other, but it doesn’t take away at all from their being wonderful companions to the humans in their lives.

Two of our loc black cat in cage at shelter al shelters, Orange County Animal Services and Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando teamed up for big event this past Saturday to kick off the month where the lowered adoption fees to $15 per pet, and the head peep went to check it out. It was so crowded that she couldn’t get any photos of animals without crowds of people photobombing them, but that kind of crowded is a good thing. The more people there, the more homes for lots and lots of cats (and dogs) in need of homes. Orange County Animal Services alone reported 140 adoptions on Saturday, setting a one-day record. Twelve paws up for that!

One thing the head peep noticed at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is that at least half of the cats had cage cards listing their reason for being surrendered as the owners moving. So it’s really important to take this month to adopt cats, but also to make sure it’s into forever homes. Adopting a cat isn’t a short-term commitment. Indoor cats can live to be 15 or more, and they can suffer from age-related ailments just like older humans do. It’s OK if you aren’t ready for that kind of commitment just yet. If you aren’t, maybe fostering for a local shelter is a better fit for you.

No matter whether you can adopt, foster, or just get out the word about this important month, get out there and make adopt-a-cat month count. Help make room for all of the cats who need room in shelters this time of year so they can have a turn to find their own forever homes.

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Adopting Special Needs Pets

Ashton: Happy Caturday, everykitty!

Did you know that today is two important days that come together into one happy coincidence? It’s National Specially-Abled Pets Day and also a National Adoption Weekend. That means it’s time for me to remind you that cats that might not be perfect on the outside, like me, can be perfect companions.

I have a forever wink. Cousin Earl has a funny hop. But you know what? We purr and cuddle and love you just the same as any other cat. Well, not you, because we already have homes where we are loved even though we aren’t perfect on the outside. There’s a cat out there who isn’t quite perfect on the outside who is waiting to love you, too. Whether that cat doesn’t see quite right, doesn’t hear, or maybe doesn’t walk in a straight line like other cats do, that cat is going to be the most loving pet ever. If this is your weekend to adopt, don’t overlook that special needs kitty.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go show Newton who’s boss. Have a great Caturday!

The Catmobile Rides Again

Yesterday, the head peep drove a transport for the Cute Transport Network. 21 kitties from the streets and shelters of south Florida are making their way north to rescue programs who will find them wonderful forever homes.

How do you get 21 kitties into a catmobile?

With the back seat down so that they can ride in the rear hatchback! One carrier rode in the passenger seat, and we could easily have fit one more in back.

Here are some of the faces of the lucky kitties who are headed north to find new forever homes. Thomas and Belle were just spayed and neutered the day before, but they were ready to party.

Look at that Siamese face! This kitten and siblings were rescued from a Craigslist ad in Miami.

This photo was taken from the front seat, so it’s blurry, but we wanted to include it because one of these black kitties was so bold, he hissed at the head peep when she picked up the carrier. You tell her, buddy!

This carrier was full of quiet, well-behaved kitties who started out life on a Florida horse ranch and are going to find posh new homes up north.

These three little faces were intent because the head peep was part of the mid-transport snack stop. They could smell that food the moment the bag was opened!

This was the first time that the head peep drove kitties who were too young to “hold it” all day. These guys made a bit of a mess. These little faces are saying, “Who, us?” Yeah, you kittens!

The head peep says she feels lucky to have spent a few hours with these kitties on their way to to their futures.

She also said that she felt lucky to get home to us so she didn’t have to deal with any more kitten energy. Remember you said that when we get the 3 AM zoomies, OK?

Blog the Change: Helping Seniors Care for Pets

Seniors are living independently in their homes for longer than ever these days, and sometimes their best friend and constant companion really is a dog or cat. A study in the Journal of American Geriatrics said that seniors living independently who have pets tend to have better physical and mental well-being than those who don’t. They have shorter hospital stays and lower healthcare costs than seniors with no pets, and they are more active and are better at coping with stress.

Cousin Earl was the much-loved companion to our grandpeep in her final years.

Yet aging issues can make it difficult for seniors to keep their pets healthy the way they once did. Caregivers for seniors need a good understanding of resources available to help, and to have a realistic assessment of the situation.

A growing number of groups around the country help through outreach mostly through organizations that seniors already use to help them assist seniors who are already enrolled in other senior assistance programs with help for their pets, too. For example, the Pet Food Pantry in Orlando, FL, run by the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, delivers packages of pet food to seniors and their pets who are on fixed income, allowing the seniors to be sure that their pets are getting better nutrition than table scraps. They also provide basic annual vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries. Since pets are sometimes a senior’s sole companionship, they may not have anyone to take care of their beloved companions if the senior becomes incapacitated. The group also includes an option that Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando will care for the senior’s pet if the senior becomes incapacitated.

How can you find a group like this in your area? You probably haven’t heard of them even if they are there, so you may have to ask around. Since this type of group usually partners with groups that provide services to seniors, try contacting your area’s county senior programs, church senior programs, meals on wheels, and even ask your veterinarian. You can also contact your local hospital to find out who their social workers refer to at discharge.

With all the benefits that pets can bring to seniors, let’s help them be sure they can spend their golden years together.