Cat Chat (please go to cat chat 2)

[Hime]

Our cat has been sneazing occasionally for couple of days. So today mom called the vet, since holidays are coming... Apparently our cat got just some sort of mild flu and it should pass, so now we are just supposed to keep an eye on her. She's basically acting like usual, eating fine and still goes 'nuts' couple times a day, but just sneazing from time to time.

[jaevibes]

I'm a cat freak but sadly I don't have a cat.Tried to persuade my mum and she finally said we could go to the SPCA and look at the cats there. Hopefully she means I could get a cat.So now,my cats are the stray cats roaming around.I just pet them and when I'm with my cousin we'll go to a pet shop and buy cat food then find cats at her neighborhood.Ouh don't worry though we clear up the mess before leaving.My cousin and I are cat freaks.

[CamoGirl12]

I love cats

[heartleafed]

Well, looks like my sister's kitty is pregnant. (Accidental, we weren't purposely looking to breed her, I swear)
We're only expecting two or three kittens from her though, since she's so tiny, and so is their father. So that should be helpful, less babies to find homes for.
I'm just worried that she's not gonna let us anywhere near the babies to make sure they're all doing okay. We've had mommas around before (cat, dog, rat) so we know to leave them be, but they have to be checked eventually. Other than that I think she'll make a good mom. She's two years old, so her maternal instincts should kick in pretty well.

I can't wait for kittens though! It's been so long since we've had babies around.

[Bittertiffany]

I'm a cat freak but sadly I don't have a cat.Tried to persuade my mum and she finally said we could go to the SPCA and look at the cats there. Hopefully she means I could get a cat.So now,my cats are the stray cats roaming around.I just pet them and when I'm with my cousin we'll go to a pet shop and buy cat food then find cats at her neighborhood.Ouh don't worry though we clear up the mess before leaving.My cousin and I are cat freaks.

I hate the ASPCA. they don't even donate all thier profits to the animals, only like 30% gained on those stupid ads... and it is also a kill center! so if you want to donate to a shelter, do it to your local no-kill one! not ASPCA!

[Typical Aquarius]

Ya know, no- kill shelters are not as great as everyone thinks.
They are often overcrowded, under-funded, and the "unadoptable" animals are often still put down.

We have 3 no kill shelters here, as well as a "kill shelter". If you walk into the no- kill shelters, you will find that there are too many animals in most of the cages, they don't have enough toys, beds, or space for the animals they do have, and the people who work/ volunteer there are unorganized and untrained. As much as they want to do good and help their community, they are really just hindering those interested in adopting the perfect pet.
Not only that, but the "unadoptable" animals are still put down. Any animal that has medical expenses too great for the shelter, doesn't get along with other animals, or shows that they do not get along with people (such as dogs that bite, or cats that attack others), will often be put down, so that they have room for the animals they can make a profit off of.
Older animals, especially, have it hard in no kill shelters. Whereas they might be seasoned veterans who can handle anything, most families want a playful puppy or fuzzy kitten, not a dog that gets winded after a short walk or a cat that spends all day napping in the sun. The older animals, or animals that aren't necessarily cute, spend their lives in cages, not getting the tender, loving care that they deserve, and the socialization that they need. Animals that spend their lives in shelters, never knowing the love and joy of a family of their own, can quickly go from a "great dog" to an "okay dog", simply because their needs are not being met.
Whereas only 30% of the donations accepted go directly towards the animals (for things such as beds, toys, litter, food, or medical expenses), the rest of it benefits the organization as well. The other 70% goes towards salaries for the employees (how else are the lawyers and law enforcement officers on the "Animal Cop" shows supposed to make a living?), upkeep of various facilities, transportation (taking the animals back and forth to the vet, as well as transporting them to adoption drives), and advertising (in order to have a successful charity, people have to know about it). Some of that money also probably goes towards other organizations (with the hope that those who receive will share in turn) and possibly even scholarships for those who show exceptional efforts in helping the animals of their community.

"Kill shelters" may put down animals that are cute and fuzzy and tug at your heartstrings, but they also end the misery of animals that are bounced from home to home, will never be adopted because of their age or appearance, and animals that would have ended up hurting somebody and being put down anyway. Animals in "kill shelters" are also a little better provided for. Because the shelter is not pouring money into a "lost cause", they are able to provide the animals they have with things such as toys, turn out lots, and quality food and medical care. In short, those animals live a better, albeit possibly shorter life, without the inconsistency of the life that "no-kill" shelter animals live.

I hate to say it, but adopting a cat from your local SPCA is probably investing in an organization that has the potential to last, and provide more animals with their "forever homes."

[.Middy.]

Hey guys, any ideas on how to harness train a cat? I want to train both of my cats to walk on one so one of them can be out of the cage when we move.

[Bittertiffany]

Ya know, no- kill shelters are not as great as everyone thinks.
They are often overcrowded, under-funded, and the "unadoptable" animals are often still put down.

We have 3 no kill shelters here, as well as a "kill shelter". If you walk into the no- kill shelters, you will find that there are too many animals in most of the cages, they don't have enough toys, beds, or space for the animals they do have, and the people who work/ volunteer there are unorganized and untrained. As much as they want to do good and help their community, they are really just hindering those interested in adopting the perfect pet.
Not only that, but the "unadoptable" animals are still put down. Any animal that has medical expenses too great for the shelter, doesn't get along with other animals, or shows that they do not get along with people (such as dogs that bite, or cats that attack others), will often be put down, so that they have room for the animals they can make a profit off of.
Older animals, especially, have it hard in no kill shelters. Whereas they might be seasoned veterans who can handle anything, most families want a playful puppy or fuzzy kitten, not a dog that gets winded after a short walk or a cat that spends all day napping in the sun. The older animals, or animals that aren't necessarily cute, spend their lives in cages, not getting the tender, loving care that they deserve, and the socialization that they need. Animals that spend their lives in shelters, never knowing the love and joy of a family of their own, can quickly go from a "great dog" to an "okay dog", simply because their needs are not being met.
Whereas only 30% of the donations accepted go directly towards the animals (for things such as beds, toys, litter, food, or medical expenses), the rest of it benefits the organization as well. The other 70% goes towards salaries for the employees (how else are the lawyers and law enforcement officers on the "Animal Cop" shows supposed to make a living?), upkeep of various facilities, transportation (taking the animals back and forth to the vet, as well as transporting them to adoption drives), and advertising (in order to have a successful charity, people have to know about it). Some of that money also probably goes towards other organizations (with the hope that those who receive will share in turn) and possibly even scholarships for those who show exceptional efforts in helping the animals of their community.

"Kill shelters" may put down animals that are cute and fuzzy and tug at your heartstrings, but they also end the misery of animals that are bounced from home to home, will never be adopted because of their age or appearance, and animals that would have ended up hurting somebody and being put down anyway. Animals in "kill shelters" are also a little better provided for. Because the shelter is not pouring money into a "lost cause", they are able to provide the animals they have with things such as toys, turn out lots, and quality food and medical care. In short, those animals live a better, albeit possibly shorter life, without the inconsistency of the life that "no-kill" shelter animals live.

I hate to say it, but adopting a cat from your local SPCA is probably investing in an organization that has the potential to last, and provide more animals with their "forever homes."

I still don't think it is right. I mean, my local no-kill shelter usally only has one or two animals in each cage. And, I mean.. Would you like it if you were one of those innocent animals being killed? That's what I thought.

[Bittertiffany]

Hey guys, any ideas on how to harness train a cat? I want to train both of my cats to walk on one so one of them can be out of the cage when we move.

Um.. I have a savannah, and I am working on getting her harness trained. You usually have to reinforce them with treats, and for my cat water bottle sprays sometimes. (Yes she likes them, especially when it is hot out.) and let them sniff around the area.

[.Middy.]

Makes sense, thanks. I'll work on it.

I'm picking up a new kitten tomorrow! My grandma wants one and there is a adorable kitten on the way home from where I am at now and my grandma has fallen in love with her.