“Adopting the Purrrrfect Pet”
Adopted Cats Find Their Human the "Cat's Meow!"
By William F. Schley
We don't know when man first invited cats to share his life and home, but the relationship has worked for at least 6,000 years. Jeff Walden of Reno visited the Pet Network Animal Friends in Incline Village in 2001 after losing an elderly cat. He decided on a male tabby. As he prepared to leave the shelter, Jeff felt a paw tap his shoulder.
"A female, almost identical to my new cat, was glaring at me as if to say, 'What about me?' I said, 'That one, too.'"
Reasons abound for adopting a cat. If you travel, an independent kitty requires less care than most other types of pets. Cats are friendly and lovable. Their presence deters rodents. Cats supply love to seniors in need of companionship. Felix domesticus are intelligent. Just turn on the Animal Planet and watch Puff enjoy the intellectual stimulation!
Owning a cat is mutually beneficial. They rid our homes of vermin, but cats also help lower our blood pressure. Cats are a great way to teach kids humane values. Apartment owners often allow cats when they refuse lovable, but louder canines.
New cat owners need to take the time to learn about prospective new pets. Shelter personnel usually know their animals-ask them about the cat you think you like. Even with a food dish and litter pan, kitty needs a bed, grooming brush, and quality food. Pay attention to your new kitten but don't try cuddling your little Tiger until he initiates.
Becky Goodman, executive director of the Pet Network in Incline Village, NV, advises prospective cat lovers to become well-informed about care, feeding, and behavior to insure their new cat's long, happy life. "Any interested human must fill out an owner application to assure us that they're ready for the responsibility of pet ownership." A contract providing that all cats from the Pet Network will remain indoors for life needs to be signed at the time of adoption. On average, an indoor cat lives ten years longer than his cousin, the outdoor feline.
Look for a cat that is gregarious and energetic. Remember, kittens are cute, but personality can change with time. Bring your whole family to the adoption center to be sure everyone gets along. And, ask shelter personnel for a list of items to buy for Muffin.
When you've decided to adopt a cat, check these locations for a meet and greet. A long, happy life full of adventure and joy awaits you and your new feline friend.
Pet Network Animal Friends
775-832-4404
401 Village Blvd., Incline Village, Nevada
The Reno SPCA
775-324-7773
840 East 5th Street, Reno, Nevada
Nevada Humane Society
775-856-3729
2825 Longley Lane, Reno, Nevada
Bill Schley is a legally blind, freelance author from Reno, NV. ?His elementary science textbook "Forecasting" sells worldwide in six languages. Bill owns two dogs, Benny, eight year old black Lab as seen on his web page at ?www.williamschley.com, and Min-Min, seven year old Lhasa Apso. He has written for for almost ten years. Bill can be contacted at 4_1desertrat@charter.net
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Feline Five-Star Face Off Cat Show
Is Your Cat a Knockout?
By Geri Herrick
The Silver Cats Club of Reno
is hosting their 38th Annual International Cat Show for three spectacular days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 19 to 21, 2008. The show will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. Two hundred plus cats will face off for tittles and points that accrue for annual awards. Professional judges from all over the country will handle each cat and present the winners. Purebred cats, kittens, household pets, and new breeds will put their best paw forward for the judges.
As a special show feature, the official measuring of a local contender for Guinness Book of World Records, the longest cat, will take place Friday evening. Cats will also be available for adoption from the Palomino Valley Pet Rescue, Feline Friends of Northern Nevada, and the Nevada Humane Society. Vendors of "everything cat" will also be on-hand.
This show is the Silver Cats Club of Reno's main fundraiser and depends on community support to make it a success. All proceeds are donated to Palomino Valley Pet Rescue, Feline Friends of Northern Nevada, and the Nevada Humane Society. So, bring it on cat lovers; have you got a feline knockout at home?
Can Your Cat be a Contender?
- All vaccines must be current.
- Every cat entered must be groomed as close to perfection as possible. Bathing is a must: ears and eyes must be clean, the fur brushed and all nails clipped.
- Any cat may be shown once without being registered with the International Cat Association (TICA).
- All household cats, eight months and older, must be spayed or neutered.
- No kittens under three months of age are allowed in the show hall.
- All purebred cats are judged according to a set standard for their breed. Sections of the standard carry a certain number of points. Standards differ for each breed. Each cat is judged against others in its breed, then against other breeds. The cat the judge feels most meets its standard may go on to Finals for rosettes and awards.
- Household pets have no set standard, so they are judged on condition, cleanliness, personality, looks, and, lastly, what the judge likes.
- All cats go to all six rings each day, when they get to their cage in the show ring, the owners' job is over. It is then up to the cat and the judge to determine the winner.
- All cats must be entered with an official show entry form.
Visit www.RenoSilverCats.org or call ?775-772-6653 for more information and show entry forms for YOUR kitty contender!
Geri Herrick is mother to many cats including her three-legged celebrity cat named "Flip," now 10 years old and semi-retired. As a young cat, he was abused by children, but with lots of love and trust, he has dedicated his and Geri's life to working with at-risk children. Geri has been an active member of Silver Cats for more that 20 years. She recently retired from the Nevada Humane Society and remains dedicated to animal welfare.
"Ali Kats" of Kuwait
Guard kitties assist soldiers
By John Tuomala
Feral felines, as most everyone knows, have a tough road to travel. Nowhere that I've been does this seem to be more true than in the Mideast. I saw this firsthand while working for the U.S. Army in Kuwait and Qatar from 1995 to 1999.
Upon my arrival in Kuwait, I was shocked to see small mobs of feral cats barely surviving on what they could scrounge out of trash cans. A Kuwaiti policeman told me that Kuwaitis with pet cats usually treat them very well. I asked him about the large number of feral cats. He replied that most of the feral cats were offspring of pet cats abandoned in the face of the 1990 Iraqi invasion. Those once-pampered house pets suddenly had to survive on their own and in a war zone!
Picture me carrying cat snacks around for the benefit of what hungry kitties I might encounter. I also set food out at regular intervals for the cats that hung around my flat. Later, while guarding the ammunition dump, I noticed that a number of felines had taken up residence beneath our guard shack. My coworkers were quick to point out that such behavior was prohibited by Army Central Command (ARCENT) regulations, "adopting or feeding any stray animal, cats included." After they were convinced that the cats would keep the sand cobra and the nocturnal viper away, several of my coworkers begin providing food for the feral felines. We built a cat house behind the guard shack to accommodate our new "guard cats." Since the recent war in Iraq, the regulations have been amended to allow civilian contract workers (though still in most cases, not military personnel) to adopt stray animals.
The Islamic religion regards dogs as "unclean," hence I saw only Westerners with dogs in Kuwait and Qatar. Not so, however, with cats. Legend has it that the Prophet Mohammed was a cat lover. Most Arabs though, seem to have the most feeling for animals other than house pets, such as horses and camels. An organization called ARK (Animal Rescue Kuwait), started by Westerners, had to disband in 1998 for lack of support.
John Tuomala is a former U.S. Army soldier and reserve officer with no previous writing experience. A hard-core cat lover, he lives and works in Reno, NV.
Paws for Love
Dynamic Dogs Doing Good Deeds
By Sue Buckmaster
Maybe you've seen "Buddy,"
," the stuffed dog with the floppy ears and big red heart, seated beside the sign "Paws to Read Here Today." He's with us at the libraries on the second Saturday of the month, where children are gathered happily reading to a therapy dog. This is just one of the many local Paws for Love programs.
Paws for Love President, Scott Meddaugh, says, "What amazes me most about this organization are the good hearted members who dedicate their personal time and energy to help others, making our community a greater place to live. Every time I speak with a member, I hear touching stories, such as how a dog has enriched the life of a socially challenged child, or put a smile on the face of a child laying in a hospital bed, or an elderly person enjoying the dog's companionship."
The Paws for Love mission statement is to promote happiness and healing by bringing canine friendship to those in need. This organization is made up of many dedicated members with some also working behind the scenes to plan and manage the following objectives:
1. Promote their mission and goals in the community, which includes pet therapy work and driving awareness around responsible pet ownership.
2. Increase their impact through:
- Paws to Read Program-Helps local children develop a love of reading by providing therapy dogs for them to read to at libraries, schools, and community centers.
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Facilities Program-Includes dog's visiting hospitals, retirement homes, children's shelters, psychiatric facilities, etc.
3.Grow Membership: The more members that are out volunteering their services, the more people will benefit. (Twenty new members have joined since the first of this year.)
Ruth Hagan, Paws for Love vice president, says, "We are looking for good-hearted people with well-behaved dogs." As an independent tester/observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc., she's often the first contact for those wishing to be involved with pet therapy. "We are dependent on new people, as our dogs have a short working life compared to ours. Frequently people who rescue a dog want to increase the quality of the dog's life by sharing it with others," Ruth said.
Teams must be registered with a recognized pet therapy group, Therapy Dogs, Inc. or Delta. Prospective members are sent to Therapy Dogs, Inc. for information and often go to a local pet training facility or self-train. Several have met in a class and continued through Therapy Dogs, Inc. joining Paws at the same time. Ruth said, "This helps with facility placement and participation in the Paws activities, such as the parades, dog shows, at rehabilitation centers, and puppy playtime in the courtyard at the VA Hospital."
Dana DeShazer and her Dachshund "Rudy" completed the obedience training and the Therapy Dog, Inc. test this year. When asked about her participation to date, Dana replied, "The parades and pet shows are so much fun. Seeing the kids' faces light up along the way is priceless. Going to the rest homes and assisted living facilities we all feel like we have really made a difference. We have made wonderful new friends, and it's been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done."
Marie Suchan has been a Paws for Love member for five years. Jade, her Akita, interacts with autistic and special needs children. They can read to, crawl on, and cuddle this calm dog that will give a quick lick to a hand, or snuggles up to four or more children at a time. Marie proudly stated, "Jade is so popular at Ester Bennett Elementary School that she is pictured with Principal Michael Henry in the yearbook."
"Kody, a year-old Golden Retriever, knows it's Library Day when his red coat goes on," says owner Jane Katz. Kody will often lay his head on a child's lap to be petted as they read. Because of his gentle nature, several children return each month to read to him. She concluded by saying, "As a special educator, it is very fulfilling to watch children of all reading abilities enjoy their reading experiences with Paws to Read."
If you'd like making people's lives happier with your dog, call Paws for Love at 775-826-5199, or visit ?www.paws-for-love. Sue Buckmaster takes her German Shorthair Pointer "Casey" with his soft, velvet smooth ears to visit students at Smithridge Elementary and at the South Valley Library.
Sue Buckmaster takes her German Shorthair Pointer "Casey" with his soft, velvet smooth ears to visit students at Smithridge Elementary and at the South Valley Library.
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