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St. Catrick's Day

3/17/2011

On St. Catrick’s Day, we ask this blessing for all felines:

May your lives be filled with love and happiness.

May your fur be shiny, your purrs many, and your fish breath gone!

May the night be kind during your nocturnal adventures and may the sun always shine brightly for you.

May each and every day be filled with joy and void of any sadness.

May you always meet worthy humans and never cross those who would harm you.

May you frolic, charming and delighting everyone you encounter.

May your champions be plentiful and your parasites few.

May your humans always welcome you with catnip and bellyrubs.

May you rest easy in your favorite spot, your bowl always have food, and may each and every one of your nine lives be long and healthy.

As your loyal servant/adopter spoils you, may the Universe keep you safe.

May we all live in peace with one another, and may this message be sent far and wide to animals everywhere.

Blessings to every creature.

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Kitten Season

3/16/2011

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From early spring to fall, there is a phenomenon humans call “Kitten Season”. Us cats think of it as party time! It is the time of year when the warm weather coincides with female cats’ heat cycles. The female cats go into heat and the male cats come running. MEOW! Then come the kittens.

Since a female cat can go into heat every three weeks, one cat can give birth at least twice during just one kitten season and up to four times. Each litter can have 2-6 kittens. (Do the math - it adds up to overpopulation.) The resulting litters of unwanted kittens either remain on the streets to fend for themselves or flow by the thousands into shelters and rescues nationwide that are already overburdened by homeless pets.

Once the unwanted kittens and cats end up in the shelter/rescue system, they quickly tap the shelter and rescue resources for just the basic food and housing necessary to care for them.   Crowded shelter conditions also cause an increased risk of illness among all of the cats and kittens in turn causing an added burden on shelter staff and veterinary services. Of course the best solution is to spay and neuter your own cat and to encourage everyone you know to do the same, thus preventing the sad result of unwanted kittens. There are many low-cost spay/neuter clinics through the country. (See our "Resources" section.)

How can humans help reduce the cat overpopulation? The Humane Society of the United States offers some suggestions.

o    Spay or neuter your own cats - kittens as young as two months and weighing two pounds can be safely altered.

o    Help your local rescue or shelter - donate supplies, money or your time. Contact us to find out what’s needed most - info@smittenwithkittens.net.

o    Care for homeless or wild cats in your area - work with Cat Network (www.catnetwork.org) or Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) to help control your neighborhood’s feral and stray cat populations. Keep your cat safe indoors and learn how to provide safe outdoor time.

o    Become a foster parent - contact your local rescue group or shelter to learn more about becoming a foster parent for cats or kittens in need.

o    Adopt - open your home to new cat or adopt a playmate for your existing pets.

Just some words of wisdom from felis catus to homo sapiens...in this case, it's not simply 1+1=2. More like 1+1=420,000 in 7 short years.

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I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY...

3/11/2011

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Her eyes met mine as she walked past the adoption center. I could see her need and knew I had to help her. I put my paw on the glass, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my cage, I blocked her view as best I could from the back. I didn't want her to see how messy it was. Sometimes we don't have enough volunteers to cover all the cleaning shifts and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my info card, I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I rubbed my shoulder and side of my head against the glass to comfort her. Gentle fingertips that wanted to touch my soft fur; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I meowed to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and I leaped out to meet her. Her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms and purred as loud as I could. I would promise to always keep her company. I would do whatever I could to keep that radiant smile on her face and sparkle in her eyes.

I am so fortunate that she came by my adoption center. So many more are out there who haven't seen us. So many more to be saved. At least I could save this one. Yes, I could save one. I rescued a human today.

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CAT COMMANDMENTS

3/9/2011

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1.      My life is likely to last 10-20 years. I may sleep a good portion of that but the rest I want to spend with you. Separation from my human is painful and does affect me.
2.      Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3.      Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4.      Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, friends, and entertainment but I only have you.
5.      Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6.      Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7.      Before you hit me, before you strike me…remember that I could hurt you and yet, I choose not to bite or scratch you.
8.      Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if I might be sick or something could be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, have been in the sun too long, or my health is suffering.
9.      Please take care of me when I grow old. You, too, will grow old someday.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier to bear for me if you are there, because I love you so.

St. Catrick's Day

Kitten Season

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY...

CAT COMMANDMENTS

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