FELINE DEFENDERS SPRING/SUMMER of the National Cat Protection Society

Transcription

1 FELINE DEFENDERS of the National Cat Protection Society SPRING/SUMMER W. Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA (949) Birch Street Spring Valley, CA (619) The National Cat Protection Society is a shelter whose primary mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats.

2 EDUCATION Providing humane education to maintain health... Signs of Sickness Concerned your cat doesn t feel so warm and fuzzy on the inside? The Winter 2012 issue discussed preventing cancer now, check these signs to possibly detect general illness: Improper urination or difficulty getting into the litterbox. In the litterbox, straining or inability to go or crying while going may indicate urinary tract blockage, which demands immediate veterinary attention Abnormal social anxiety or aggression. A cat may attack an individual who causes pain (e.g., a person combing over arthritic hips), says the AAFP Significantly increased or decreased activity Lethargy, whether sleeping longer than usual or ignoring normal stimuli Increased or decreased eating, abnormal chewing, or increased drinking Decreased or increased weight regardless of appetite Lost, greasy, or matted fur, or decreased grooming. Increased grooming may indicate a skin issue Abnormal meowing or howling Bad breath, which may indicate early oral problems Stress displayed as decreased grooming, interaction, eating, or mood Note that these signs don t necessarily mean illness, so you don t need to panic if your cat exhibits them. However, it certainly can t hurt to take your furry friend to the vet for a routine exam. Based on information from: Subtle Signs of Sickness. (2009). Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Feline Behavior Guidelines. (2004). The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). FELINE DEFENDERS 2

3 EVENTS Keeping you informed of community events... Newport Beach June 23, 2012, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pet, Wildlife, and Dog Adoption Faire A pet walk and faire with pet products, services, and contests (benefi ting the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter) at Village Green, Veterans Way and La Paz Rd., Mission Viejo info@dawg.org May TBD, 2013, 1 to 4:30 p.m. National Cat Protection Society Open House and Fundraiser An open house that earns funds for our cats at the Newport Beach shelter RSVP (949) Spring Valley June 9, 2012, 12 to 4 p.m. Talk to the Animals II Event A panel and chat on pet communication (benefi ting Saving Pets One at a Time, or SPOT) at Dexter s Deli, 1229 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar (858) June 10, 2012, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Doggie Street Festival 2012 A street festival with pet products, food, and speakers at Robb Field, West Point Loma Blvd. and Bacon St., Ocean Beach June TBD, 2013, 1 to 4:30 p.m. National Cat Protection Society Open House and Fundraiser An open house that earns funds for our cats at the Spring Valley shelter RSVP (619) If you d like to receive the latest news and announcements from NATCAT, please send your address to newport@natcat.org. NATIONAL CAT PROTECTION SOCIETY, INC. Founder: The Late C. Richard Calore President: Denise Johnston Vice President & PR Director: Gerri Calore Financial VP & Legal Counsel: Richard Tanzer Editorial Advisor: Nanci Burris Editor-in-Chief: Alexis Ravey Art Director: Steve Kinkaid 3 FELINE DEFENDERS

4 NEWPORT BEACH 44 TH OPEN HOUSE AND FUNDRAISER How much fun was our 44th Open House and Fundraiser? A purrfect amount! The cats and kittens were crazy cute as they warmly welcomed us to a sunny day of bidding on gift baskets, gift certifi cates, and many other items. Complementing the day were delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, and other dishes, and a creative cake with an edible image of our invite! Our adoption counselor Suzanne Salazar was selling jewelry donated from all sorts of sources over the years. The raffl e prizes rounded out the party favors with kitty knick-knacks for all ages! All proceeds went to our kitties, as always thank mew for your support! FEATURED FRIEND, DAISY DUKE Daisy Duke is a 5-year-old brown tabby and white Persian mix female. Very vocal and friendly, she loves to lounge on laps, sit on shoulders, and play with stringed toys. As you can tell, she appreciates interactivity and thus, predictably loves to be petted! While she gives you all of this attention, she only asks for one favor to brush her daily. Daisy Duke was abandoned by her original owner, so a kind neighbor took her in for three months. However, she unfortunately couldn t continue providing care due to fi nancial reasons, so she brought Daisy Duke to us. Then, we all rejoiced when Daisy Duke was adopted last March, but she was sadly returned for not adjusting well to the owner s other kitty. Yet, she gets along well with our shelter cats as well as dogs and children! She has encountered a bit of setback throughout her nine lives, but is ready and open to thriving in the right home for years to come. FELINE DEFENDERS 4

5 SUCCESS STORY, SADIE AND JANICE DORN At 4 years old, Sadie was relinquished to us by an owner with pet allergies. She had semi-feral tendencies, but we worked to calm her wild ways. Then on February 7, 2012, Janice Dorn arrived at our shelter, she instantly fell in love with Sadie, and the happy couple left for home. Recently, Janice kindly sent us a letter updating us on Sadie an indoor-only cat, thank goodness. When Sadie got home, she was promptly charmed by Valentine s Day gifts from a friend, commemorated by photography by a friend s son, and welcomed to the family by toys from out-of-state cousins. Since then, she has safely explored the nooks and crannies of the house, eagerly prepared accompaniments for the piano, and proudly carried toy mice across her turf. With all of this action, it s no wonder she enjoys regularly sleeping on Janice s lap in her downtime. I couldn t be happier with Sadie. She is just a perfect companion with me here in the house, says Janice. Sadie says hi and sends her love to all of you. You did a beautiful job caring for her at NatCat. We re just glad you found each other and are taking the ultimate care of one another, Janice. Thanks for writing! NATCAT FEEDBACK We hope you enjoy purr-using Feline Defenders every quarter. Let us know what you think or what you d like to see in future issues at newport@natcat.org! CAT CLUE Did you know that the Exotic cat was initially called the Sterling for its color, but the Cat Fanciers Association later deemed the breed the Exotic? For more on the Exotic cat, check out our Breed-born Traits and Behaviors series on page 8. 5 FELINE DEFENDERS

6 SPRING VALLEY SUCCESS STORY, CATERPILLAR Our beautiful black kitty cat Caterpillar was adopted! We re always especially grateful when our black cats get adopted, as they usually don t fi nd homes as easily as others. About 10 months old, Caterpillar is such an affectionate boy, though, that we weren t really surprised he found an equally loving owner. FEATURED FRIEND, BUFFY Anywhere from 10 to 14 years old, buff-colored domestic longhair Buffy is super sweet and graciously gentle. She is even gentle with our vet staff this quality is why everyone who meets her just loves her. A compassionate woman brought us Buffy named Shaggy at the time after rescuing her. She is a polydactyl cat, but got a cast because a large mass was growing on her paw and had to be amputated. Now free of the cast, Buffy hopes to fi nd a mild home for her warm nature soon. CAT CABLE (Continued from page 10) satisfying for the big hunter in your little cat, says Hofve. You can make it more challenging by running the toy up and over the sofa or up and down stairs to increase the exercise intensity. Cats also like to chase lasers on a pen or automatic device. Based on information from: Myers, Wyatt. 10 Cat Exercises Your Pet Will Enjoy. (2010). Everyday Health, Inc. Overweight Cats. (2012). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Animal Advice Season 1: Exercise for Your Pet. (2012). Purina Radio. McDaniel, Larry, DVM. Purina Animal Instincts Podcast Series: What Should I Consider When Purchasing a Cat Leash? (2012). Purina. Visit Cat Cable in Feline Defenders every issue to read the latest in cat care. If there s any specifi c information you d like to see in Feline Field or Cat Cable, please notify the Newport Beach shelter. FELINE DEFENDERS 6

7 VETBUS VISIT A magic bus visited our Spring Valley shelter! OK, maybe it brought not so much magic as it did an extraordinary service that should be sought every day spaying and neutering. These surgeries alleviate pet overpopulation, which causes 3 to 4 million animals to be tragically euthanized every year. The surgeries also eliminate the risk of uterine infections, breast cancer, and testicular cancer, extending the lifespan and welfare of your cat while ridding trips to the vet. They also remedy bad behaviors such as fi ghting, spraying, and yowling. As a result, you save the costs of vet visits and caring for new litters. Think spaying or neutering will affect your cat s personality? Don t worry Cats hunting skills, playfulness, and general levels of activity, excitement, and vocalization don t typically change following spay/neuter surgery, says UC Davis veterinary behavior resident Karen Sueda, DVM. With VetBus, Dr. Vera Heidolph, DVM, is a very kind vet who has worked in private practices and volunteered services including spays and neuters throughout San Diego and across the border since She came to us in April and May to fi x cats from the Spring Valley area at no cost, and the owners were very happy with the program. After touring the bus, we also gave it two paws up as a fully capable, state-of-the-art mobile facility! Based on information from: Sueda, Karen, DVM. Spay or Neuter Your Cat. (2012). Best Friends Animal Society. Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet. (2012). ASPCA. CAT TIP To see if your cat is at a healthy weight, try to feel her spine and ribs. If you can t, she likely qualifi es as overweight and probably needs more exercise. For more on exercising your cat, check out page FELINE DEFENDERS

8 FELINE FIELD Helping you get to know more about your cat... Breed-born Traits and Behaviors: The Exotic Learn your cat s history, care needs, and expected behaviors by breed In this ongoing series, you ve learned about many different cat breeds. This issue, we help you get to know more about your mixed or purebred Exotic affectionately known as the lazy man s Persian. Why this nickname? The most popular cat after the Persian, the Exotic cat resembles the Persian but with shorter hair while qualifying as very laidback. It has shorter hair because in the 1950s, American Shorthair breeders started mixing in the Persian bloodline partly, to bring the sleek silver color to their breed. This mix resulted in a round, medium to large, muscular, and heavy-boned physique weighing up to 14 pounds as males and 6 to 10 pounds as females. The breed also has a thick neck and coat varying in colors and patterns; smushed face; and large, round head and eyes. Because of this face type and eye size, the breed is unfortunately prone to breathing and mucous problems. However, weekly grooming with a cotton ball and brush can help these issues. Behaviorally soft-spoken and sweet, the Exotic cat likes to stay close to its owner, whether on their lap or on their heels. Friendly and easygoing, the breed makes a furbulous family pet. Based on information from: Cats 101. (2009). Discovery Communications. Exotic Shorthair Cat. (2012). Petfi nder.com. Helgren, J. Anne. Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds. (1998). Barron s Educational Series, Inc. NATCAT protects and defends all felines of all breeds and mixes. Knowing increasingly more about felines can help you understand your own cat s behavior and desires. Visit Feline Field in Feline Defenders every issue to obtain such knowledge, which can only nurture a happier and healthier relationship with your faithful friend. Interested in adopting an Exotic cat? Like National Cat Protection Society Spring Valley and National Cat Protection Society Newport Beach to see some of our adoptable cats and kittens! FELINE DEFENDERS 8

9 NatCat MEMBERSHIP Help NatCat offset the costs of producing our quarterly newsletter by becoming a purroud NatCat member. Your membership also furthers our other efforts as a non-profit organization entirely dependent on the loyal support of our members and friends. Choose from three types of membership: Membership Cost Annual $10 Supporting $250 Lifetime $1,000 To become a member, contact a NatCat shelter. MEWS NOT TREES Want to help us save resources along with cats in need? Notify newport@natcat.org that you d like to receive our e-newsletter, NatCat Mews, linking to our latest Feline Defenders online vs. receiving it in print by mail. RETIREMENT RESERVATIONS Plan for your kitty companion s future today. Just call our Newport Beach or Spring Valley shelter to reserve space in our retirement program, locking in the current rate and promising lifetime care for your furry friend. 9 FELINE DEFENDERS

10 CAT CABLE Supplying the latest information in cat care... Exercising Cats need exercise to maintain a healthy body and mind. Adversely, obesity can cause poor behavior, stress out the body, and increase risk of diabetes, liver issues, and joint pain. Routine exercise can burn calories, reduce appetite, change body composition, and increase resting metabolic rate. However, your indoor cat may not be able to effectively exercise within the confi nes of your home. So what can you do to get her up and running? Try these tips: Adopt another cat. Ideally, you d adopt your pair or more of workout pals at or around the same time. A pair of cats who get along well will get plenty of exercise through their own wrestling and chasing games, says Rocky Mountain Holistic Veterinary Medical Association President Jean Hofve, DVM. Consider walking your cat on a leash. Purchase a durable, fl exible, and retractable leash around 10 feet long. Be sure the leash has a good brake and is refl ective, says Purina. Attach this leash to a harness vs. collar for security, which should comfortably wrap around the abdominal area but snugly prevent escape only allowing two fi ngers underneath. To start your walk together, try guiding your cat with a laser pointer and going for fi ve minutes or so. Then, gradually work up to 20 minutes, Caroline Gilje, DVM, recommends to Purina. However, if your cat is perfectly content indoors, you may want to forgo this option to prevent her from wanting more of the outdoors. Use toys and laser pointers. Cats typically enjoy batting around toys from common household items such as ping pong balls and empty spools, to store-bought wand-style toys. These wands may attach to a feather, mouse, or other article. Interactive play with a wand or fi shing pole-type toy is fabulous exercise, usually quite funny, and extremely Continued on page 6 FELINE DEFENDERS 10

11 Where There s a Will, There s a Way Protect the Ones You Love Give the gift of quality life after you re gone by including the National Cat Protection Society in your will. Our humane education programs teach animal population control and responsible cat care to children and adults. These programs aim to reduce the number of unwanted cats and enhance animal welfare for years to come. Your bequeathed donation can support these efforts by helping us promote the humane treatment of all animals and adoption of the homeless cats continually entering our shelters. Please write today for our free brochure: Planning for Your Charitable Donations c/o National Cat Protection Society 6904 W. Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA NAME STREET CITY STATE ZIP 11 FELINE DEFENDERS

12 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO. 491 National Cat Protection Society PO BOX 6218 Long Beach, CA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED