FELINE DEFENDERS of the National Cat Protection Society FALL 2013 6904 W. Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 650-1232 newport@natcat.org 9031 Birch Street Spring Valley, CA 91977 (619) 469-8771 springvalley@natcat.org The National Cat Protection Society is a shelter whose primary mission is dedicated to the protection and welfare of cats.
EDUCATION Providing humane education on cat diversity Breed Extremes From the smallest to the tallest, the most mixed to the purest bred, cats come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Here are a few breeds that rank the most extreme. No Cat Is Too Small Though the smallest breed at 4 to 6 pounds, the Singapura is high energy, playing and loving at full force. Short and Sweet The Munchkin, the shortest breed, loves to play with other cats and everyone else in the family. Not a Hairy Situation The breed with the least fur, the Sphynx wears only fine down, similar to peach fuzz. Cat Be Nimble The Egyptian Mau is the fastest breed, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and jumping to great heights. Large and in Charge Maine Coons command quite a presence at a weight of up to 24 pounds. The Lock on Locks The breed with the longest coat is the Persian the part-persian fur-length recordholder has hair 9 inches long. Based on information from: 9 Extreme Pets: The Smallest, Biggest, and Fastest Dog and Cat Breeds. (2013). VetStreet.com. Popular Cat Breeds. (2009). Discovery Communications. Cat Facts. (2013). Discovery Communications. Singapura Cat. (2013). Petfinder.com. Hubbard, Amy. Colonel Meow the Cat Wins Guinness Record for Longest Fur. (2013). Los Angeles Times. EVENTS Keeping you informed of community events... Newport Beach Events February 1, 2014, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Southern California Amazing Pet Expo A pet expo featuring exhibitors, low-cost vaccinations, and giveaways at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach (949) 470-3045 May TBD, 2014, 1 to 4:30 p.m. National Cat Protection Society Open House and Fundraiser An open house and silent auction that supports our cats and kittens at the Newport Beach shelter RSVP (949) 650-1232 Spring Valley Events November 20, 2013, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Cat and Dog First Aid A course on protecting cats, dogs, and yourself in emergency at the American Red Cross, 3950 Calle Fortunada, San Diego (858) 309-1200 December 8, 2013, 1 to 5 p.m. Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade A pet parade and expo with costume contests at Gaslamp Hilton Park, 401 K St., San Diego (619) 233-5227 June TBD, 2014, 1 to 4:30 p.m. National Cat Protection Society Open House and Fundraiser An open house and silent auction that supports our cats and kittens at the Spring Valley shelter RSVP (619) 469-8771 If you d like to receive the latest news and announcements from NatCat, please send your e-mail address to newport@natcat.org. NATIONAL CAT PROTECTION SOCIETY, INC. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Founder: The Late C. Richard Calore President: Denise Johnston Vice President, PR Director, & Treasurer: Gerri Calore Vice President, Legal Counsel, & Secretary: Richard Tanzer Editorial Advisor: Nanci Burris Editor-in-Chief: Alexis Ravey Art Director: Steve Kinkaid www.natcat.org FELINE DEFENDERS 2 3 FELINE DEFENDERS
NEWPORT BEACH FEATURED FRIEND, MILKY Milky is a 4-year-old dilute tortoiseshell domestic shorthair female that arrived with two other kitties in May 2013, because their owner couldn t bring them on his move. She is quite a character, whether on her own or with others, following, talking to, and playing with people. She especially loves when playtime involves a toy ball! Though she is very friendly, she d prefer to avoid being held and living with other cats. The two kitties Milky came in with have been adopted, so she knows a home is a possibility perhaps it will belong to you! THE FRISKIES FELINE FIELD (Continued from page 8) Lights, camera, and action lit up camcorders when Friskies launched The Friskies 2013, their national Internet video contest, back in June. And our own kitties at both shelters lit up with anticipation of the free canned food promised with our Facebook posts and other social media activity by Friskies. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and viewed, shared, and voted for the entries to help us earn the food we were all winners! they ll probably smell them before they ever see them in the wild, says Bradshaw. Based on information from: What s Mittens Thinking? Make Sense Of Your Cat s Behavior. (2013). National Public Radio (NPR). Shojai, Amy, CABC. Cat Talk: Cat Purring. (2013). About.com 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. SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT, PHYLLIS PALMER We were recently published in the Daily Pilot thanks to the kindness of Phyllis Palmer, an 85-year-old avid sewer and knitter and resident of the senior living community Vintage Newport. She spent two weeks hand-stitching 12 cat beds from towels and fabric, and donated them to our shelter! This is one of many contributions Palmer has made to various charities over the past five years, reports the newspaper. Her other sewing and knitting projects include eyeglass holders, dresses, holiday decorations, and shelter blankets. Phyllis decided to make the beds after envisioning them in our cages during a visit. Then while sewing the beds, she thought about the kitties, which made her feel good. She also plans to make more cat beds for NatCat, adds the newspaper. She has lived in her community for six years with her cat, Bruno, and dog, Bella. For her many charity donations, she just earned recognition as the Resident of the Month in her community s newsletter. Thank you, Phyllis, for helping keep our cats comfy and cozy while they wait for their forever home! Photo: Don Leach, Daily Pilot / September 5, 2013 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 Cats usually purr to ask their owner to stay still while doing something, which stems from purring as a kitten to get their mother to lie still while they ate. For more on instinctive behaviors, check out page 8. FELINE DEFENDERS 4 5 FELINE DEFENDERS
SPRING VALLEY FEATURED FRIEND, LUKE * Luke is a 5-month-old domestic medium hair male that came to us from San Diego Animal Services, with three siblings. Though we re a shelter for owner-relinquished cats, we try to save kitties from Animal Control whenever possible. He loves playtime, but undergoes shy times too. That is why he seeks an owner who can patiently and lovingly warm up his cold feet. CAT CABLE (Continued from page 10) Eating or drinking changes FEATURED FRIEND, WILLY * Willy is a 4-month-old all-black domestic shorthair male that loves people. He learned it from our surrogate mom and now shows the love he learned by circling people s feet. This behavior wouldn t suit the elderly, as he may accidentally trip them, but the eager affection would work great for kids. If your kitty is otherwise normal, you can try home treatment. Keep him from eating or drinking water for 12 to 24 hours. If he seems thirsty, give him an ice cube to lick. Slowly reintroduce water, and then, provide bland food such as cooked skinless chicken or baby food. Based on information from: Vomiting. (2013). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Carlson, Delbert, DVM, Giffin, James, MD. Vomiting in Cats: Causes and Treatments. (2008). WebMD. Visit Cat Cable in Feline Defenders every issue to read the latest in cat care. If there s any specific information you d like to see in Feline Field or Cat Cable, please notify the Newport Beach shelter. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT, SUSAN MULLANEY CAT TIP Susan Mullaney first started giving us her time and heart as a dedicated volunteer in 2000, but left in 2005 when her two jobs and aging kitty needed all of that time she originally had to give. Not quite able to tear herself away from caring for our kitties though, she still sent generous donations fortunate for us! In February 2011, her kitty sadly passed away. Around the same time, she remembers receiving her Feline Defenders in the mail. In it was Noodle, inspiring her to visit him and our other cats. I called NatCat, told them that I used to be a volunteer but hadn t been there in a long time, and asked them if I could stop by, says Susan. They told me I was certainly welcome to. I really enjoyed seeing the kitties and not long afterward, decided to volunteer again once a week. To the delight of our staff and cats especially, Susan came back in 2011. These days, she is still giving our cats plenty of TLC, and in addition to donating items on our Amazon.com wish list, she regularly brings in cat food, snacks, and toys. Our cats particularly appreciate the feather toys! What is her favorite activity? Socializing with the cats, of course! she says. We all love our time with you, Susan, for your gentle and caring nature you re a true asset for all of us. * All of our cats and kittens are spayed or neutered, health- and temperament-checked, leukemia-tested, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped prior to adoption. Cats most commonly vomit because they ve swallowed material that their stomach doesn t agree with. For more on vomiting, check out page 10. FELINE DEFENDERS 6 7 FELINE DEFENDERS
FELINE FIELD Helping you get to know more about your cat... Behavioral Instincts Where do your cat s behaviors come from? Here is a simple guide to understanding a few of them, which you can use to further develop your relationship with her. Facial Expressions People tend to think cat expressions reflect aloofness and cynicism. However, their expressions are likely the result from their roots as a solitary animal. Vocalization: Purring Purring doesn t always reflect pleasure. Rather, cats often do it to say they aren t a threat or ask for comfort. That may be why the purr is used both in times of contentment to express joy and during times of stress to relieve tension, says the Cat Writers Association President Amy Shojai. Physical Activity: Playing Cat play reflects the hunting instinct, which is why cats like toys that look like prey. They also adapt the way they play to the type of prey the toy resembles. In other words, they treat larger toys like they would a rat that could bite back. Further, Cats play more intensely when they get hungry, says Cat Sense author John Bradshaw to NPR. Separately, laser toys trigger the special nerves in the kitty brain that respond to movement. Other Cats A cat already in a home may reject a new adoption, similar to feral cat colonies that often reject an outsider. To prevent rejection, Bradshaw recommends introducing them to each other s smells before they meet face-to-face. This is very much how cats learn about other cats; Continued on page 4 Like National Cat Protection Society Spring Valley at http://www.facebook.com/natcatspringvalley and National Cat Protection Society Newport Beach http://www.facebook.com/ natcatnewportbeach to learn the latest at NatCat! FELINE DEFENDERS SUPPORT 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. Help NatCat offset the costs of producing our quarterly newsletter by donating just $10 a year. Your donation will also further our other efforts as a non-profit organization entirely dependent on the loyal support of our members and friends. Please mail donations to our Newport Beach or Spring Valley shelter, making checks payable to NCPS, or donate online at natcat.org. 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 for a modest donation. Your reservation will lock in the current rate while promising lifetime care for your furry friend. FELINE DEFENDERS 8 9 FELINE DEFENDERS
CAT CABLE Supplying the latest information in cat care... Vomiting Don t flip out if your cat throws up. He may just have eaten too quickly or played too soon. If he acts normally afterward, the episode was likely isolated. Acute vomiting may result from: GI tract bacterial infections Diet changes or allergies Foreign bodies like a toy, grass, or a hairball, which often cause retching clear fluid after the vomit Intestinal parasites Acute liver or kidney failure Pancreatitis Post-operative nausea Toxins or chemicals Viral infections Certain medications If your cat vomits often, visit his vet for an exam, especially if you also notice: Diarrhea Dehydration Lethargy Blood Weight loss Continued on page 6 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 Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663 NAME STREET CITY STATE ZIP E-MAIL FELINE DEFENDERS 10 11 FELINE DEFENDERS
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