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Passing it On: About Cat Health
As anyone who keeps up with this site or who know me personally can attest I have a wonderful, if somewhat strange (due
to psychological trauma), cat named Roxie in my life. I have always claimed not to be an animal person. I still claim not
to be an animal person. I just love Roxie, that's all. (And if you believe that I have a leaky tunnel to sell you in downtown
Boston.) Roxie has brought something into my life that wasn't there before, I can't explain it, but she did. For that I
am grateful. In return I have educated myself about how to keep her healthy (and not just because she is so vicious when
she is scared that she may kill a vet if she has to see one). I want to pass some of what I have learned onto others who
have cats (and other pets). Most of this is links to sites where people can go to educate themselves on important issues.
Let us honor our pets the way they deserve to be honored, after all they never asked to live with us, they never asked to
be part of our lives, we brought them into our lives and they deserve to be treated with love and respect.
No-Kill vs. Kill Shelters
So what does it mean to support and adopt from no-kill shelter vs. a kill shelter? A no-kill shelter makes a commitment
to every animal it takes in that it will house it for however long it takes, no matter how much it costs, until a home is
found, even if a home is never found. A kill shelter puts down animals it deems un-adoptable; almost immediately. That means
older animals, special needs animals, shy animals, unattractive animals, you-name- it are killed; almost before the person
dropping it off can get back to their car. So you may think that adopting from a kill shelter means you save a life but adopting
from a no-kill means you don't but for every animal adopted at a no-kill they can take in another animal and save another
life. And don't forget that most of the kill shelters receive lots of government funding and tax dollars and kill animals
with them; and the no kills receive nothing. Please research who you support carefully, every shelter is not created equally.
Saint Meows Cat Shelter in Cambridge, MA this is no-kill shelter that saved my cat, Roxie (please consider donating to
them, fostering cats or kittens for them or adopting your next cat from them.)
Saint Meows No-Kill Animal Shelter
Animal Nutrition
You are what you eat, and so is your pet. If you feed your pet garbage food he or she will not have a long healthy life,
if you spend a little bit more on food and educate yourself on what is in pet food and why the good stuff costs more you will
realize why it is your vet bills will be smaller in the long run. Think about it, it just makes sense.
Whats really in Pet Food from the Animal Protection Institute (API)
Selecting a Commercial Pet Food from API
Easy to Understand Article about Pet Nutrition
How to find Animal Friendly Pet Foods
I feed Roxie Innova cat food.
Declawing
Declawing is actually a barbaric practice. It is not just removing the nails or claws of a cat, it is an amputation of
the toes and part of the foot causing the cat to walk on her joints. It is illegal around the world, and many indivuals
and organizations are working to outlaw it here, in the US. Cat owners must educate themselves on this surgery and other
options. To mutilate an animal in this way should never be a consideration. Please, read and ask question before you defend
or consider doing this practice.
The Truth About Declawing from Cats International
An explanation of what happens in declawing surgery, do not assume you know.
Why Cats Need Claws and Dozens of Links
Join the World and Outlaw Declawing Petition Online
Feline Human Bond
Bonding with Roxie was something I worried terribly about before I got her. How much would she be able to connect with
a human after the way she was abused was a constant question in my head. Well the answer was exactly what I knew it would
be from my own life and what the shelter told me it would be that only unconditonal love. patience and time could create a
bond and that I would have to work hard and wait and see what happened. That didn't stop me from researching like crazy though,
because that is my style. Here is some of what I found.
Feline/Human Bond
Animal/Human Bond
Animal Cruelty and the Connection to Crime
Cruelty to animals and crimal offenses have long been connected. Women who are survivors of domestic violence frequently
report that their animals have been mistreated as well and police know that serial murders and sexual offenders frequently
began their criminal careers with animal cruelty. In many countries animal cruelty is investigated much more carefully and
prosecuted much more severely than in the US because of these connections, as goes the old adage, an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.
First Strike: The Connection Between Animal Cruelty and Abuse
State Animal Cruelty Laws from API
Why All Cats Should be Indoor Cats
I can't even tell you the looks of distain cat owners get from the people at shelters when they try to defend the fact
that they let their cats outside. Shelter workers reply something like, "Do you have cars where you live? Dogs? Coyotes?
Other animals?" Any of those is reason enough to never let your cat out of doors. The indoor cat can live to be 18
years out the outdoor cat is lucky to see 8. Humans domesticated cats, we tamed them, we are obligated to keep them safe
and that means inside. These sites explain it better than I do.
The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats
An Inside Cat is a Safe Cat
Keeping Cats Indoors
How to make your outdoor cat an indoor cat
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