Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives
How many cats is too many cats? We’ve all seen situations where someone clearly has taken in too many. But what is that number? Where does the scale tip from several beloved cats to being overwhelmed?
The drama in animal rescue usually comes before the adoption.
Louie came to us earlier this year. He was shy, having been raised with little human interaction. Our staff and volunteers took it slowly with him. He wasn’t aggressive or dangerous, just nervous and frightened. Slowly, he began to trust and show his gentle, loving nature.
Cheyenne first met Maizie in 2019. The Pomeranian mix was, as all puppy mill survivors are, terrified of people. Working as a dog trainer for Second Chance, Cheyenne had seen her fair share of dogs like Maizie.
Every dog does things that are cringe-worthy. Humping, licking those places, sniffing crotches, gagging (causing the mad dash to get outside), and yes… scooting our butts across the carpet or grass. Whether we choose to scoot in the middle of your dinner party or while you’re enjoying a cup of coffee- it’s something you probably wish would stop.
Mascara. Shampoo. Perfume. Laundry Detergent. Oven Cleaner. Yes, these products might help us look and feel prettier and make our house shiny and clean. But, did you realize there is a very ugly side to some of these products? Yes, I’m talking about animal testing.
Sitting in the window, tail twitching, eyes darting- yes, cats yearn for the great outdoors. No doubt, most cats want to roam.
You know the indoor/outdoor cat debate (“outdoor cats are in danger and decimate the bird population” vs “cats are meant to hunt and be outdoors”). Whichever side you land on, you know your kitty’s environment can affect their behavior, health, and lifespan. Indoor cats live longer, are healthier, and are less likely to be lost. Outdoor cats have more stimulation and are more active. If you choose to have an indoor cat, but understand the lure of the world beyond the door, you can try some creative ways to help your cat scratch the itch to be outside.
Creepy, crawly, blood-sucking, little jerks. Yep, we all hate ticks. Have you come back from a hike or a walk around the block to find a tick on your dog? Or your cat wanders around the yard and comes back with a tick? Ick.
A few Pet Columns ago, a shelter cat named Wendy wrote about Pandemic Pet Surrenders. Although we haven’t seen surrenders directly attributed to the pandemic, we do see a lack of pet-friendly housing and economic factors taking their toll.
In any surrender, it’s assumed that pets are being given up on. Maybe you think they’re pets who are too high energy, too much work, or that could no longer be cared for. However, when you see my friends come into Second Chance, it is a different story.
Bang! Pop! Screeeeech! Boom! While you, your friends, and family enjoy the July 4th festivities, please don’t forget about keeping your furry friends safe and calm.
People ooh and ahh at fireworks, but unexpected loud noises tend to have the opposite effect on us pets. Dogs who are afraid of fireworks can dig under or jump over fences, break tethers or even shatter windows in response. Cats associate loud noises with danger, so they can become very stressed on Independence Day.
You’re sweating, I’m panting, the cats are sleeping in the shade. We all have ways to cope with the hot summer temperatures.
People sweat, which helps cool your skin. A dog's main way to cool down is panting. Moisture evaporates from our tongues, noses, and the lining of their lungs as we pant. As this air circulates, it helps cool us off. Cats conserve energy, seek out cool surfaces (sleeping on a tile floor), and groom (saliva evaporates off their fur, cooling them down).
Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives
