CLAWS
Information About Cats
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PLEASE DON'T DECLAW
Happy Cats have Claws!
by Dr. Laura Catena (excerpt) Declawing is an extremely controversial and heated topic worldwide, yet the fact remains that it is a cruel and unnecessary procedure. Many people think declawing is simply a nail trim or removal of claws that have no real value or purpose to a cat. To set the record straight, declawing is not a nail trim nor is it a minor, cosmetic procedure. Declawing involves removal of bone from each toe of a cat’s paw—it is a surgical amputation. This amputation results in a lifetime of pain, as well as behavioral changes. Link to the Article Helping Stray and Feral Cats
(See the SCARS “Shake My Paw” Program) 
Feral cats, wild cats, stray cats -- we have many names for the mysterious felines we sometimes see peeking out from under our porch or darting into abandoned buildings. Yet most of them share a single destiny: short, difficult lives.
Fortunately, helping feral or abandoned cats isn’t difficult. WebMD went to the experts in cat health and behavior for tips on how to make a difference in the lives of our feline friends who are living on the edge. pets.webmd.com/cats/helping-stray-and-feral-cats#1 How to Catch a Feral or Stray Cat
with a Trap When it comes to trapping, there are a lot of steps you should follow to ensure both your own safety and the safety of the cats. But with the right information and techniques, trapping is really easy to do! www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/steps-for-a-successful-trapping-day Alley Cat Allies
Community Cat Care You’ve already proven to be a hero for the cats by trapping them and taking them to the veterinarian to be neutered and vaccinated through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Now after their surgery, the cats will need your care and attention during the recovery period before they can be returned to their outdoor homes. Follow these tips for a smooth transition from spay and neuter surgery to return. www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/post-surgery-care IF YOU FIND A LITTER OF KITTENS
It happens. Someone finds a litter of kittens, scoops them up and takes them to the animal shelter, not realizing that the mama cat may have just left them temporarily to get some food. Naturally, the shelter takes them in and cares for the kittens. A mama cat is by far the best thing for her kittens until they are at least 8 weeks of age (12 weeks is better).
If you find a litter, please do not disturb them but observe from a distance for an hour or so to see if the mama cat does return. And you might want to provide some food and water so that the mama cat doesn’t have to leave them in the future. And then if she doesn’t return, the shelter and rescues will do their best to save them. 
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CATS WHISKERS
FLEA ANEMIA
Critical Care for Kittens 
WHAT IS A "FREE" KITTEN AND
WHAT IS A SHELTER CAT 
IF YOU FIND A LITTER OF KITTENS.....
If you find a litter, please do not disturb them but observe from a distance for an hour or so to see if the mama cat does return. And you might want to provide some food and water so that the mama cat doesn’t have to leave them in the future. And then if she doesn’t return, the shelter and rescues will do their best to save them.
PLEASE DON'T ABANDON PETS
From the Stray Cat Project
Lower Makefield Twp., Bucks County, Pennsylvania Animal abandonment is a crime. If you are not prepared to care for an animal for its natural lifetime, don't get a pet. Indoor cats, especially, will not make it on their own outdoors -- regardless of weather. They never learned to hunt and the outdoors is a scary place for them as they've never had to fend for themselves. Be responsible. Don't ever dump an animal. HOW TO BUILD AN OUTDOOR CAT SHELTER
HERE IS THE WEBSITE:
www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-build-an-ou tdoor-shelter/ 
Introducing Your New Cat to Your Dog
It’s important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a resident pet. Some cats
are more social than other cats. For example, an eight-year-old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. However, an eight-week-old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first time, might prefer to have a cat or dog companion. Cats are territorial and need to be introduced to other animals very slowly in order to give them time to get used to each other before there is a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fear and aggression problems from developing. PLEASE NOTE: When you introduce pets to each other, one of them may send “play” signals that can be misinterpreted by the other pet. If those signals are interpreted as aggression by one animal, then you should handle the situation as “aggressive.” www.paws.org/resources/introducing-cat-to-dog/ Copyright Dumb Friends League. All rights reserved. |
