Beautiful Black Cats

It's been a busy Spring for me! I wanted to highlight some of the gorgeous black cats I sit for. This particular grouping was all part of my "spring break" week. (Their peeps graciously allowed me to feature their kitty's photos here.) 

Hector - a gentle giant of a kitty

Hector lives with two tabby brothers. They all enjoy catnip and da bird.

Cinders - a tiny girl and very active youngster

Cinders enjoying the concrete surface (on her harness)

Phinney, only 5 mos. old, recently adopted from PAWS. He is already an accomplished purrer.

Phinney lives with an adult tabby brother.

Ella, after a bite of delicious food

Henry, he's a chill fellow. He lives with Ella and a brother who is an orange tabby. His brother is the 

hunter of the family while Ella and Henry are the snugglers.

Earth Day action

Today is Earth Day so it's a good day to reflect on the larger world outside. Unfortunately so many species around the world are threatened or endangered that it's difficult not to get discouraged. Sadly humans are pretty much behind all the factors that contribute to a plant or animal species demise. How can you not feel overwhelmed? If you are a registered voter, contacting your legislator regarding wildlife and environmental issues is an easy and free action. Most major non-profit groups such Humane Society of the United States, World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, Snow Leopard Trust and the Iinternational Fund for Animal Welfare will send you regular emails about upcoming state or federal legislation that pertains to wildlife. Just log onto their websites and get signed up. 

Today I chose to highlight a wild cat I didn't know much about. There are only 2,500 Andean cats left in the wild. Unlike majestic lions and tigers, this guy is as small as a house cat! A coalition of organizations is working to purchase protected land in Argentina where these cats live. In honor of Earth Day please consider skipping your Starbucks or lunch out today and donating $5 or $10 to help these little cats.

Protect the Endangered Andean Cat

City Kitties Outside

With more high rise building sprouting up all over Seattle these days, I fear "kitty high rise syndrome" may increase as well. Cats can get bored inside and being outside, even on a small balcony, can add interest and excitement to their lives. But just like humans, savvy felines make errors of judgement or have accidents that can end up being painful and disabling or worse, fatal. Here's a story about one lucky kitten  who survived an incredibly long fall and will make an excellent recovery. Being young likely helped his survival, as older and overweight cats may not fare so well in a fall.

So how can you safely give your kitty the fresh air and enrichment he needs? With outdoor enclosures, cats can have "outdoor time" when the weather permits. For kitty guardians living in apartments or condos where no structural changes are allowed, the Kitty Walk systems are ideal. You can also easily take these with you when you move. Your cat will quickly learn the routine and when it's time for him to go back inside, a few treats should help as a reward for his cooperation. No matter what type of enclosure you choose it's always best to allow for "outdoor time" only when you are home and can monitor your kitty to make sure he is comfortable. If you can install a cat door or leave your own door open enough for kitty to come and go then you can be sure he is able to come back inside if he gets cold, wet or overheated. (Just like people, some cats enjoy the cold or heat and others don't.) Put a kitty condo or chairs with cushions out so your cat has a soft spot to doze and a bowl of water. Spring is just around the corner, we'll all soon be able to appreciate the outdoors again!

This is a DON'T!

Ready for the Kitten Bowl this weekend?

This Sunday, February 7th, watch the cutest little "footballers" play around on the Hallmark channel. All 71 kittens will be available for adoption after their big game. This is a great way to raise public awareness of all the precious kittens and cats in shelters awaiting homes.   

Kitten Bowl

Kitty Stars

Catdance Festival

Check out some of the cute short films entered in the 2016 Catdance Festival!

 I love how cats truly own the Internet. 

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Squirrels are part of our urban landscape and just like birds, they are not only important in our ecosystem but super fun to watch! The infant squirrels who years ago fell out of a very tall tree into my back yard may or not still be around  (I cannot tell them apart). Those four squirrels had been bottle fed for a month by a licensed wildlife rehab center and while not exactly tame, they weren't afraid of humans. I felt some obligation to feed them during the fall and winter months and continue to do so. So now all the squirrels living in my garden share a bowl of sunflower seeds and peanuts in the colder months and help themselves to whatever fruit and vegetables I attempt to grow. They prefer zucchini blossoms to the actual zucchini so I never have to worry about a glut of giant zucchinis like a lot of gardeners, or even having any squash actually. Oh well, the kitties and I think squirrels are cute and enjoy having them around so I can buy zucchini at the farmer's market if I want...

happy-squirrel-appreciation-day

How Catified is your Home?

Here are some shots of two very kitty-friendly homes! Scarlett is a 4 year old orange tabby who requires a lot of stimulation in her daily life. Trout as well, is a busy little person. Their parents encourage these smarties to be curious and confident with lots of enrichment options such as a variety of scratching/scent marking options, climbing levels, and spots to "cave." When the kitties are at home on their own the blinds are open so kitties can watch the world outside and enjoy sun breaks.

Scarlett at the top of her four-in-one condo. She can use the chairs for climbing as well. Hanging in front of the window is a humming bird feeder that Scarlett's people keep filled. There is also a large tree squirrels scamper on in Scarlett's view.

Scarlett observing me in her kingdom. In addition to the large kitty condo, Scarlett can choose to scratch the sisal rope post for a different texture.The centerpiece of the room is her leopard print tunnel. This is particularly fun to hide out in when playing with da bird or a laser.

Trout enjoying the warm indoors on a clear but chilly day. The corner window gives him an incredible view of the neighborhood and the urban wildlife.

Trout has probably spotted the neighbor kitty across the street in this picture. Being up high allows him to feel secure.

If your kitty isn't using her kitty condo, moving it to a different area with more of a view or near where you spend a lot of time will help. If your cat is climbing on a certain chair or other piece of furniture repeatedly, that is probably a good spot to put her own condo. Remember that offering a more interesting alternative is the best way to redirect a behavior you dislike. Cats need to scent mark belongings in their home, which is what scratching your sofa accomplishes. Either a cardboard scratcher or a sturdier post near or next to the couch should make them happy. Their own bed on the sofa or near it would also be ideal. I hope this makes you excited to arrange your living space so that your feline family members get maximum enjoyment from the home you share!