Rescuing a Little Tabby on a Snowy Day

It's been a very cold winter in England this year so when I got a call to say that a little stray was wondering about the area I was only to happy to help out.  The little tabby was a stranger in the area and the locals made inquiries but nobody came forward to claim her.  The local who was feeding her could not keep her permanently but she gave the little cat shelter until I could collect.  

Mostly new cats can be nervous and unsure of their surroundings so they find a hiding place until they know it's safe.  However this was not the case with this little tabby girl. She made herself right at home in my bedroom climbing the different furniture and finding the most comfortable place for naps mainly my pillow.  

Hildy my other foster cat was kept separated from the new cat so I could introduce them slowly and therefor minimise tensions and fights between the two.  Hildy can be grumpy anyway so a new cat in her territory would have to be handled carefully.

A week into the fostering all was going well.  I kept periods the two cats were together short and strictly supervised.  As soon as hissing and growling started I would separate them again.  

I decided to call the new cat Enid, an old fashioned name that seemed to suit her.

Two weeks into fostering and both cats seem mostly at ease with each other.  They are not close friends but tolerate each other from a distance occasionally chasing each other round the house.  

I did a video of Enid's first few days which is available on my youtube channel.  

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued. Thank you for reading.

Cardboard Cat Carrier - Should you buy one?

Being a cat fosterer I can also be the go to cat person among friends and family.  So when a friend asked for help with a trip to the vets I was curious about the cardboard cat carrier she decided to buy.  I'd never seen them before and to be honest had my reservations about how safe they were.  I didn't want to offend and so we got her cat into the cardboard carrier and off we went.

The vet visit went fine and her cat was in good health but just thought it might be helpful to anyone considering a cardboard cat carrier what I thought were the  pros and cons below.  Alternatively an in- depth review and demo video version is available.

Pros

* Mostly are inexpensive a few pounds or so.  

* Top loading and quite easy to get your cat into.

* Well ventilated with lots of breathing holes at the top.

* Clearly signed that a pet is enclosed.

Cons

* Not very robust, I felt like I had to hold the bottom as well as the handle.

* Not scratch-proof, I noticed visible claw marks on the carrier bottom.

* Not waterproof which could weaken the box in rainy weather.

In summary a cardboard cat carrier has its purposes such as short infrequent journeys if you don't have a traditional carrier. And if it's just for a one off journey then probably a good buy.  However I felt the traditional cat carrier is a safer option and better investment if you transport cats more than one off single short journeys.

Mark Twain Quotes about Cats

Mark Twain author of American classics Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Adventures of Tom Sawyer was also known for his love of cats. It is rumoured that Mark Twain loved cats so much he would even rent cats to keep him company when he was away from home.

When greeted by two cats in a doorway he said to them ‘Walk in, gentlemen. I always give precedence to royalty.’  Mark Twain's love and respect for cats is beautifully portrayed both in his life and writings.  What follows is some of his most famousMark Twain quotes about cats reminding me of the feline uniqueness and our human fascination with these mysterious and comical creatures.

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”

"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat."

"I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love, of course."

- quoted in Abroad with Mark Twain and Eugene Field, Fisher

"When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction."

An Incident Mark Twain

“Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”  

Do you have any favourite Mark Twain quotes about cats?  Leave a comment below.

Indoor Cats: Tips to prevent boredom

Have you decided to keep your cat indoors?

If you're worried about whether to keep your cat indoors you're not alone.  There are risks involved in letting your cat roam your neighbourhood including predators, traffic, poison and accidents.  I'm lucky that my back garden backs onto a field with a beautiful view especially on a bright summer day.  Often I see the local cats jumping, running or relaxing in the long grass soaking up the the sun or honing their hunting skills.    As I don't live on a busy main road I do let established foster cats enjoy the calm and reasonably safe habitat where I live my with check up walkabouts to make sure they have not gone too far.

However many cat owners live in busy cities or areas with predatory wildlife roaming free presenting a bigger threat to their feline family members.   So if you have decided your cat is safer indoors what can you do keep them occupied and interested in life.

Let your cat have as much in your house as much as safely possible.  A larger territory gives them more to do, cats like to do their rounds and check all is well in their space.  

Toys don't have to be expensive but a variety will give them different experiences, things to chase, jump up for or pounce on all mimic their natural hunting behaviour.  Food forage toys seem to be especially popular but you can easily hide cat treats in safe places for them to hunt out.  

Boxes: It is still a mystery to me why cats love boxes so much although I suspect it is possibly because of warmth.  A simple box always appears to bring contentment to a cat.  So if you can bring your indoor cat a box home he'll be happy making his hideout from it.

Windows - cats loving looking out of the window as the world outside presents plenty of things for them to watch; passers by, other cats, birds or small insects along with observing the changes in weather that cats seem so sensitive to.  In the summer  you've probably noticed, your cats will lay in the spot where they can soak up the sunlight coming through the window.  Hildy, one of my less vocal, rescue cats started meowing at me a few days ago as it started to snow.  She must have thought it very important to provide me with this weather report.  

So just a few ideas to keep your indoors cats happy but if you have any ideas of your own then please leave a comment.  

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Cat tooth decay what to look for

If you're cat is showing unusual out of character behaviour and has a strange smell like rancid fish she or he may be suffering cat tooth decay.  

Mitsy, a 14 year old black and white female cat belonged to a relative.  Mitsy started displaying behavioural problems, she wanted to sleep outside more often and was toileting indoors.  Her coat was also in poor condition and we wondered if her flea allergy had returned yet, on inspection, found no fleas on the little cat.  My relative also noticed Mitsy had a strange smell like rancid fish adding to our confusion as to how to help Mitsy. We feared she was getting old and reluctantly, fearing the worst,  took her to the vet.  

The vet looked over Mitsy and concluded her heart was strong and he could see no obvious serious health problems.  However when I mentioned the other symptom of a strange smell the vet appeared to have a light bulb moment.  He inspected Mitsy's mouth and found the problem - cat tooth decay. 

Mitsy stayed at the vets overnight and I collected her the next day with the slightly shocking news that all of her teeth had been removed.  Mitsy didn't seem too concerned though the vet gave her a shot of strong pain killers and she seemed very happy to be back home.  Her diet for a few days was wet mushy cat food as per vets orders.

The difference in Mitsy from what must have been a very painful period was remarkable all the strange behavioural issues stopped, she uses her litter tray, mooches around my relatives home quite happily and her coat is shiny again.   Mitsy doesn't seem bothered over her lack of teeth at all in fact her calls for food even seem a little louder and bolder than they once were.  

Cat tooth decay is very distressing and the signs aren't always easy to spot but in this case the rancid smell was a clear indicator of a treatable problem.  If you have any tips for detecting cat tooth decay in cats please do comment below.

What to look for in a good cattery

Before you decide to book your cat into the cattery take a little time to research a good cattery so your feline family member will have the best chance of enjoying your holiday as well.

Ask family and friends if they can recommend a good cattery.  A good sign is that they use the came cattery every time they go away.

If you don't know anyone who can recommend one then it might be worth your time to visit local

catteries.

What should you look for?

1) Litter trays, food, water bowls and individual cat pens are clean and in good repair.

2) Cats that are boarding there when you visit look happy, stimulated and safe.

3) Pens have both a sleeping area and a run so they can exercise and rest.

4) Pens have enough room to keep litter tray and food bowls separate.

5) The cattery has working smoke alarms.

6) The cattery owners are happy and relaxed about you having a look round.

A good cattery can get full especially around holiday time so make sure you book well ahead of
time. It might be as well to research a few decent catteries so if your preferred one is booked you
have a second decent cattery for back up.

Lastly some cat shelters especially independent ones offer cattery services  to supplement the cost

of running their cat shelter.  This options means you're boarding fees will help other cats in your area.
Again don't be afraid to visit and check out their premises to make sure you'll be happy leaving your
cat in their care.

Thank you for reading - if you have any good tips please leave a comment.

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Cat care basics food and treats

If you're thinking about getting a cat or new to cat owership here are just a few tips.

There is some debate on whether kibble (dry food) or wet food is better.  I use both but stick to high quality dry.  Dry means they can snack when they are hungry and wet food contains water so it keeps them hydrated.  Wet also has a better smell to cats encouraging a good appetite.

Feed at regular times and keep a routine.  I've fostered cats that have gobbled up food as soon as it's put down.  After a while, with many cats, this calms down.  It's as if they begin to trust that their servant owner will keep the food coming.

Finally keep spare food bowls so you can replace dirty bowls while you soak and clean them without your cat getting all in a tiz wondering where his food bowl went.



Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

If Your Cat Hates the Cat Carrier

If, like most cats, your cat hates his carrier then try these simple tips.  Getting your cat into a cat carrier is rarely an easy feat. You either end up with scratched hands as he wises up to what's coming and claws his way away from you or stubbornly he sits at the carrier door refusing to budge. Your first attempt fails and kitty is now ten steps ahead of you hiding in the darkest most difficult to get to corner of your house and he's not coming out no matter how you try and coax him. After a while he thinks you've given up and he gingerly ventures out and the routine starts again.

So how can you get a cat into a cat carrier easily? Firstly turn the cat carrier on it's side, then get hold of your cat firmly either with your hands under his front paw armpits or even by the skin of his neck, I prefer the former. Then act quickly to "drop" him tail or back legs first into the carrier and close the door. You can also wrap his back legs in a towel if you are quick enough and get him in that way if his back legs are flailing around.  This whole job takes a minute or so and everyone including your cat are a lot less stressed.

Visit Amazon to check out the range of cat carriers

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Jack found a forever home

Jack was a black and white neutered tom, abandoned when his owner moved away. Fortunately for Jack a nearby family couldn't take him into their home but could leave out food for him. This left Jack getting by until he was brought to our attention and came to live in my home as a fostered cat. Jack was with me quite a while most likely as he was older, about 6 years and because of his black and white colouring.

Jack the rescue cat

Although Jack was a regular moggy in appearance it
was his personality that made Jack the lovable little guy that he was. He was very sweet and would jump on my knee as often as he could even leaving his breakfast before I set off to work to say, in his own way, "Hi!" and returning to his food when I stood up to leave. Jack loved his food and let everyone know if he was hungry often with a frustrated meeow if the food didn't come quickly enough.   If Jack were human I think he would wear a flat cap and enjoy time sitting in a rocking chair by the fire.  Not that he was very old but he always seemed like he just wanted to relax and take it easy.

He had a sweet face to match his character and looked peaceful and contented with his life and humans. So when finally a young family saw a photo of this likeable little fellow they came over to visit him and decided he was perfect for them. Jack liked the family too when they came to see him.

It's good news for Jack that he finally got his forever home although the house just doesn't seem the same without him climbing onto my knee each evening. Last reports were Jack has settled well into his new home.  He has more knees to sit on, plenty of room to mooch around and of course he his still tucking into his food that his new humans bring him.

Thank you for reading.

If you live in Great Britain and are thinking of adopting a cat or a kitten please visit https://www.catchat.org/ for rescue cats in your area.

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Top tips to help your new cat feel right at home...

When your new cat arrives he will most likely be afraid of his new surroundings.  The smells are unfamiliar and he doesn’t know whether you are a friend or a foe.  Rarely have I fostered a cat and they have made themselves at home from day one.  Usually they find a hiding place and take cover hidden away from whatever predators they think may be lurking.

If hiding is your new cat’s reaction it’s perfectly natural and the best thing you can do is leave him alone in his little place of sanctuary until he figures things out.

In the meantime what can you do to help him settle in?

Spend time in the room where his hiding place and talk aloud, this is so he gets familiar with your smell and the sound of your voice.

Leave strong smelling food like tuna outside of his hole to make him venture out a little. When he does venture out leave him to his little act of bravery as if nothing has happened.  Resist your well meaning urge to rush to pick him up or make a big fuss of him.  This will only startle him and send him back to his hole without eating his food.

Don’t try and force him out of his hole in anyway unless of course he is in genuine danger.  To you, life in a cupboard does not look fun but to him the cupboard or place under the sink is his safe place away from danger.

Don’t stare into his hole trying to make eye contact, he will feel threatened.  Instead lower your eyes whenever you need to check in on him. 

Eventually he will make his first tentative steps into the wider world of your home.  Again when he does this leave him to find his way a little at a time.  You may want to give him a congratulatory hug but he won’t see it that way and your sudden movement will frighten him back into his hole.

He may dart back in but his first steps outside his hole are a good sign he’s coming round.  Don’t worry before long scared kitty will be bouncing round your house, jumping on your knee, washing himself in front of the TV while you’re trying to watch your favourite programme and staring at your food while you eat.  He is a cat after all.

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Reasons to adopt a rescue cat

Cats from rescue shelters or in a foster home have usually being through a rough time. Your kindness gives them a second chance in a loving home.

Most are already trained to use their cat litter box so you don't have to worry about mess.

Most shelters ask for a donation when you adopt a cat.  This is because your new feline friend has received medical care such as neutering and flea treatment.  Your donation goes toward helping other rescue cats.

You get a better picture of the cat's health.  As many have been in foster homes or rescue shelters the cat's health has been monitored for any signs of ill health and can advise you on any health issues the cat might have.

You can be specific about what sort of cat would suit you best.  You may want an indoor cat if you live near a busy road.  If you have pets already your local cat rescue centre can find you a cat that stands the best chance of fitting in with your other animals. If you want to adopt two cats then your cat rescue centre will help you find two that are already buddies. 

Many cat rescue centres, at least the one I volunteer for give you the opportunity to return the cat if things aren't working out. It's rare but at least you have peace of mind that your cat will be returned to a good home and quickly.

You can always contact the rescue centre with any questions about your new cat after adoption. Maybe your new little pal meows a lot and you wonder if it's his personality or just that's he's still a little anxious in his new home.

You know in advance what sort of food he's happy eating and if any food doesn't agree with him.  The rescue centre will have worked out any food that tends to make him sick.

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Cat rescue: Success stories

If you're interested in the work we do this video shows some of the cats we've rescued and wherever possible their background story and reasons they came to us.

Most in this video have been adopted but we continue to help as many cats as we can.

Visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you can find out more about the cats we've rescued.

Apart from Ginger what else can you call your ginger cat

If you're the proud owner of a new ginger cat or kitten you might want to call him or her something other than Ginger.

Please feel free to add any other ginger cat themed names in the comments below.

Visit visit Cat Buddy youtube channel  where you find out more about the cats we've rescued.

5 facts about black cats and Halloween

1# Black cats have historical links with witches because of their nocturnal and mysterious nature. #2 Folklore suggests that a black cat will leave the home of his witch if that witch becomes a human. #3 Black cats in particular were persecuted and killed by Puritans because they superstitiously associated them with satanic practice. #4 Black cats in rescue shelters are often the last ones to be adopted because of the ambiguous superstitions that surround them. #5 Some rescue shelters will not let a black cat be adopted before Halloween because sometimes they have been used for decorative purposes only then to be abandoned.