Mom says she has been thinking a lot about this subject of socializing cats. She works with all the cats in a big shelter (we are ok with that as long as she doesn't keep any!). She says most people would be surprized to learn that cats that are surrendered by the owners are usually the most difficult to interact with compared to a stray cat when they first arrive.
You see, stray cats have just made it big by being brought to the shelter. They now have a warm, safe place to sleep. They are served food. They have fresh litter. It's a palace compared to the streets. Cats that are surrendered by their owners, however, have downgraded in their lifestyle. As nice as the shelter is, and the people take really good care of all the animals, it's not home. It's not familiar people, smells, noises. It's scary.
So, this got Mom to thinking. It's just a given that when someone gets a puppy or a dog, that you are supposed to socialize it. With other dogs, people, kids, taking it out to the store, park, going for walks around the block, etc... Why don't cat owners do that for their cats?
Yes, cats like to be independent, but we are social creatures, too. Just when we want to be. But, why do people just think "it's just a cat" and not work with it.
Now, Mom kind of sees this topic in a different view. She hopes no one ever has to give up their cat, or any of their pets, but unfortunately it happens. If cats were socialized and exposed more to people, other pets, kids, noise, etc... then there would be less "fraidy cats". Your cat's vet would probably hug you and thank you for this! If you had to board your cat, it would make the transition easier. And, if you had to surrender your cat, well, this makes them that much more adoptable.
So, how do you socialize a cat? That's where Mom is looking for some advice.
Obviously, introducing the new cat or kitten to friends and family in a safe environment would help, and following up with some tasty reward and praise. Handling the cat or kitten would get them used to being held, touched, etc... The cat might at the very least tolerate this! Clicker Training would be a great way to help, as well.
Overall, wouldn't socializing your cat or kitten benefit them in all kinds of ways? And, that can only be a good thing. Plus we cats would get tasty treats! Meow!!
Cats need a place to express themselves. To meow, purr, and have some fun.
Showing posts with label animal rescue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal rescue. Show all posts
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Oh My Cat! Check Out This Blog!
Mom just found this blog, it is PAWSOME! The cats are pawsome, naturally, but check out what their humans have done for them! Hey Mom & Dad - we want this in OUR home! Get crackin'!
Pawsomely Oi and Huyi
Tatiana & Bailey
Pawsomely Oi and Huyi
Tatiana & Bailey
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Rescued Cat Poem
If you have adopted a cat, fostered a cat, volunteer with cats, or just love cats, read this beautiful poem. Kleenex required.
Rescued Cat
Once I was a lonely cat,
just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat,
or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
Then one day I heard a voice
so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you,"
was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat,"
"and rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds,
and bathed and brushed my fur.
She told me about the rescue group
and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
a line that never ends."
"And in the center there is you
protected by new friends."
"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
and those that share their home
after you've been found."
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far."
"To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently,
the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special cat like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the cats
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet."
Author of this masterpiece: Arlene Pace
just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat,
or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.
Then one day I heard a voice
so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you,"
was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat,"
"and rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds,
and bathed and brushed my fur.
She told me about the rescue group
and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle,
a line that never ends."
"And in the center there is you
protected by new friends."
"And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
and those that share their home
after you've been found."
"And all the other folk
are searching near and far."
"To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently,
the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think
it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting
for a special cat like you."
Now every night I say a prayer
to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live
and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the cats
in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person
to lift them off their feet."
Author of this masterpiece: Arlene Pace
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wayside Waifs Wednesday - Featured Cat!
Hey everyone, this week we are featuring an extra special kitty, so please be sure to forward this on to everyone you know, ok?
Share Bear came from a hoarding situation. There were about 20 cats, and Share Bear is the last one. It's sad that he is still waiting for his forever home. He has been waiting a very long time. He is such a terrific cat, so let's all help him to get adopted, puh-lease!
Learn about Share Bear by clicking on his photo. Thanks!
Share Bear came from a hoarding situation. There were about 20 cats, and Share Bear is the last one. It's sad that he is still waiting for his forever home. He has been waiting a very long time. He is such a terrific cat, so let's all help him to get adopted, puh-lease!
Learn about Share Bear by clicking on his photo. Thanks!
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| Share Bear |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Two Cats Are Better Than One!
Way to go, MOM, for missing Wayside Waifs Wednesday! Sheesh, she has no excuse, so now we are trying to make up for her laziness/forgetfulness. We know Mom loves all the kitties at Wayside though, so I guess we'll let it slide THIS TIME.
So, we are going to feature 2 pairs of cats that need to go home together! Did you know having 2 cats is better than one? Yes, it is true!! Even though we tolerate each other, we play together and once in awhile can be spotted curled up together. We keeps each other company! And, we torment the dog too, bwa hahahaha.
Our first dynamic duo is Mini Mouse & Velvet. Velvet is the black cat, and Mini Mouse is the Torti. These 2 are littermates and are very bonded to one another. They get along fine with other laid back cats, as these 2 can be quite shy at first. But, they are very friendly and love to get attention. They have been waiting to go home for a very long time. To learn more about them, please click on their photo.
Little Grey & Sparky came from the same home. They are having a hard time adjusting to being in a shelter environment and are still quite shy. Sparky is a little more outgoing. Grey prefers a quiet area, and would prefer you to speak quietly to her as well. They are both gorgeous cats, and would be so much happier in a home with a loving family. To learn more about them, please click on their photo.
So, we are going to feature 2 pairs of cats that need to go home together! Did you know having 2 cats is better than one? Yes, it is true!! Even though we tolerate each other, we play together and once in awhile can be spotted curled up together. We keeps each other company! And, we torment the dog too, bwa hahahaha.
Our first dynamic duo is Mini Mouse & Velvet. Velvet is the black cat, and Mini Mouse is the Torti. These 2 are littermates and are very bonded to one another. They get along fine with other laid back cats, as these 2 can be quite shy at first. But, they are very friendly and love to get attention. They have been waiting to go home for a very long time. To learn more about them, please click on their photo.
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| VELVET & MINI MOUSE |
Little Grey & Sparky came from the same home. They are having a hard time adjusting to being in a shelter environment and are still quite shy. Sparky is a little more outgoing. Grey prefers a quiet area, and would prefer you to speak quietly to her as well. They are both gorgeous cats, and would be so much happier in a home with a loving family. To learn more about them, please click on their photo.
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| LITTLE GREY & SPARKY |
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wayside Waif's Wednesday!!
Meeeeeowww! It's Wednesday, and you know what that means! Yep, we feature some of the most wonderful cats available for adoption at Wayside Waifs! Now, we just got a lot lot lot of snow, so Wayside may be closed today, so call before trying to get out there!
Today, we decided we wants to feature the 2 diva's that are at Wayside Waifs - Tiger and Mya. Tiger and Mya have been at Wayside for some time now. They are both beautiful cats, with very definite personalities. They even haz their very own room!
Tiger is a domestic short hair tabby. For those she approves of, she enjoys laying on their lap, having her belly rubbed, and even though Tiger is a big diva, she loves to play!
Mya is a beautiful black & white cat. Mya is kind of a silly cat, in that she likes to do things when no one is watching, like playing with her puff-ball toys. She doesn't mind a few pets on the head, but she has her limits sometimes. She prefers to sit beside someone rather than on their lap. Mya likes to do things her way, basically. She would prefer to be the only pet in the home, too. She is quite independent.
You can learn more about Tiger & Mya by clicking on their name below their photo, as well as find the information for Wayside Waifs.
Good luck, Tiger & Mya!!
Today, we decided we wants to feature the 2 diva's that are at Wayside Waifs - Tiger and Mya. Tiger and Mya have been at Wayside for some time now. They are both beautiful cats, with very definite personalities. They even haz their very own room!
Tiger is a domestic short hair tabby. For those she approves of, she enjoys laying on their lap, having her belly rubbed, and even though Tiger is a big diva, she loves to play!
Mya is a beautiful black & white cat. Mya is kind of a silly cat, in that she likes to do things when no one is watching, like playing with her puff-ball toys. She doesn't mind a few pets on the head, but she has her limits sometimes. She prefers to sit beside someone rather than on their lap. Mya likes to do things her way, basically. She would prefer to be the only pet in the home, too. She is quite independent.
You can learn more about Tiger & Mya by clicking on their name below their photo, as well as find the information for Wayside Waifs.
Good luck, Tiger & Mya!!
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| TIGER |
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| MYA |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wayside Waifs Wednesday
Our Mom works at Wayside Waifs with the cats. Sometimes she fosters, too. Even though we don't really like having other cats in our home, we know how important it is for these cats to find their own home. We both were adopted, but at different shelters, in Ontario. We were pretty little at the time, but we were so happy when Mom & Dad brought us home! We had lots and lots of love, plus food, toys, our own beds. It was warm and comfy, too. We want other cats needing homes to have all of that! So, on Wednesdays, we will feature some of the awesome cats available for adoption at Wayside Waifs.
The 2 cats we are featuring today are very close to Mom's heart. She fostered both of them! To learn more about them, click on their name below their photograph. There are more pics and even a video for you to see!
The 2 cats we are featuring today are very close to Mom's heart. She fostered both of them! To learn more about them, click on their name below their photograph. There are more pics and even a video for you to see!
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| Chartreus |
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| Callie |
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