Cat Care, Breeds and Resources Blog

This is crazy but there is a non-native species extermination bill before the Senate and it includes Feral Cats! Seriously, if this bill passes, feral cats will be killed.

H.R. 767, officially called the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act (or REPAIR Act), includes feral cats as one of the species targeted for destruction. The bill places no restriction on how the species may be killed or the methods used to kill them. This would allow the federal government, using our taxpayer dollars, to hire hunters and trappers as the exterminating agents.

Feral cats need not be killed. Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) programs are the most humane and effective way to manage feral cat populations and preserves wildlife.

Please urge your Senate representatives to reject the non-native species extermination bill. Go to: Non-Native species bill to sign the petition.

Thank you in advance for helping save feral cats. If you want to know more about TNR and the pros and cons, click How To Save Feral Cats.

Me Petting Tara, a once feral cat

I can’t imagine someone killing wonderful cats like Tara and her siblings. Feral cats don’t have to die to save wildlife or to stop overpopulation. TNR programs are humane and allow cats to live out their lives without reproducing.

Purrs, Frankie

CoCo here. I used to be feral. Me and Snoball lived outdoors for 9 long months before Mom and Dad adopted us. Now we live in the warm house with the other guys. Of course, Kira, who likes to think of herself as the Alpha Cat, is annoying at times. But other than those times, life is very, very good. Warm, fun and I always have a full belly and a clean litter box and a lap to sit in. You can tell I was a feral cause the tip of my ear was cut off (humans call it tipped, but it was cut off so that they knew I had been spayed.). I’m really glad Mom and Dad gave us a home. I’m gonna go snuggle with Mom now to show her my appreciation. CoCo.

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P.P.S. For funny cat pictures and facts, click Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

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Every once in a while I find a video I have to share with you. This is one. This cat just doesn’t seem to mind that the bird is riding on his back. Years ago, I had friends, Richard and Jenifer, who had cats, birds and fish. I used take care of the menagerie when they were gone. They had one bird that would taunt the cats. I don’t believe he was doing it on purpose. He simply repeated what he heard.

Anyway, one day I walked in and found the bird in his very large cage, hanging upside down and swinging back and forth saying, “Here kitty, kitty. Here, kitty, kitty. I’m gonna kick your butt. I’m gonna kick your butt.” The funny thing is one of the cats was walking underneath his cage at precisely that time. She stopped and looked up at the bird, then continued on as if nothing had happened. Totally unreal!

The bird had heard Richard, playing with one of the young kittens used those words. Whenever Richard would say that, the kitten would jump on the bed and they would play. Believe my he did not kick the cat’s butt. The cat and he would play in the blankets and have a good time. Believe me, all of their animals were well loved and cared for. Better than most children.

Do not try this at home! If you have a cat and a bird, do not put your bird on your cat’s back. It may not end as happy as this video.

Bird Rides Cat

Purrs, Frankie

Kira here. Yeah, I remember Richard. He used to come and tell me he was gonna kick my butt too. I showed him. I was so fast, when he threw the ball I’d have it back before it left his hand. I showed him who was boss. It wears me out just thinking about it. I was much younger then. Just had my 13th birthday but I could still beat ole Richard. Well, just remembering has made my sleepy. Gonna go nap. Kira

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P.P.S. For funny cat pictures and facts, click Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

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What do cats have in common with giraffes and camels? The way they walk. It’s called digitigrades: that means they walk directly on their toes — the bones of their feet which make up the lower part of the leg.

If you’ve watched cats, you’ve probably noticed that they also walk by moving both legs on the same side of their bodies, then the legs on the opposite side. Most animals, including dogs, move legs on alternate sides in sequence. Cats also place each hind paw (almost) directly in the print of the corresponding forepaw. This minimizes noise and visible tracks and makes them sure-footed in any terrain. Now you know why cats can move so quietly and sneak up on their prey.

A view of Gypsy walking toward me

This unusual trait is shared with camels, giraffes, some horses (pacers), and a few other mammals. Next time you see a cat, check out their gait and compare it to a dog.

Purrs, Frankie

Kira here. I could have told you that. Cats walk right, dogs don’t. Cats can be stealthy, unlike dogs, who usually have to announce their presence with a bark. I like to sneak up on the unsuspecting — especially Snoball! Later. Kira

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P.P.S. For funny cat pictures and facts, click Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

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A good friend, who is the local feral cats and abandoned cats “home” in his neighborhood has had 12 cats suddenly die in the last 2 weeks. Some were his, others were from neighbors a couple of blocks down.

First they noticed raccoons seem to be disappearing — or not appearing, as they usually were — then some of the cats disappeared. Next he started finding cats dead or dying but did not know why.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is one of the diseases that they are looking at as the killer of his cats.

What is FIP?
FIP is a viral disease that can affect many body systems and is a progressive disease that is almost always fatal. It is found in both domestic cats and big cats (cheetahs, cougars, bobcats, lynx, lions).

It is caused by a virus — feline coronavirus (FCoV) and there are 2 forms that this virus can take:
1. FECV — this virus does not cause disease; usually only a mild case of diarrhea.
2. FIPV — this virus causes disease when it mutates into FIPV in the cat when it starts to replicate in the cat’s body.

How is FIP Transmitted?
The virus can be transmitted through saliva and feces of infected cats. Although litter boxes are the most common mode of infection, other sources include contaminated food and water dishes, bedding and even personal clothing.

Can a Cat Survive FIP?
Depending on the cat’s health, some can survive. If a cat’s cellular immunity is very strong, it could survive; moderately strong, it might not be able to keep it in check, then it could develop into FIP; a weak immunity would allow the FIP to grow “dry FIP” nodular lesions throughout it’s body; in a weak immune system, the virus would multiply uncontrolled and develop a “wet” form of FIP.

What Are The Signs Of The Disease?
Weight loss, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. There could be nodular lesions (granulomas), disorientation, loss of balance, tremors, convulsions, behavior changes and urinary incontinence.

Is There A Cure For FIP?
There is no cure for FIP. Very few cats survive the disease. Cats with the dry form live longer than those with the wet form because the disease progresses slower.

There is a vaccine to protect against FIP called Primucell which is for cats over the age of 16 weeks of age. It is found to be about 50-75% effective.

If your cat shows any of these signs, take them to your vet immediately. Also, sanitize all of the food and water dishes, bedding, and anything else the cat has been around.

For a in-depth report on FIP, click FIP

This Is Gypsy

Purrs, Frankie

It’s me, CoCo. Man, reading about FIP is pretty scary. I’m so glad my parents brought me in to live with them. I was a feral cat — I don’t like the sound of that either — and they adopted me and my sister, Snoball. Snoball has FIV, another not so good thing. However, something that she can live a very long time with. I’m glad, cause she’s pretty cool and I love playing with her. In fact, I’m in the mood for a tumble, so I’m gonna go jump her now. Later! CoCo

P.S. To get this blog emailed to you, simply type in your email address and press ’subscribe’ in the box on the right side of this blog.

P.P.S. For funny cat pictures and facts, click Cats Just Wanna Have Fun

P.P.P.S. For dozens of articles on cats and cat breeds, click Cat Articles