cat-in-window photo & cat-tip-for-the-day

This is my kitty-client, Jenny. Isn't she a beauty! We met for the first time today and it was love at first sight.

It is pouring today and the weather report says to expect the same for up to three days. *groan*
I'm either in the car or in client's homes during the day so it won't be too much of a nuisance for me but I do worry about the little ferals in our area. When it pours so hard they will likely hunker down and not come for food.
What a life stray cats lead. Scrounging and fighting for food and sleeping under buildings and trucks.  They seem to be everywhere and no end in sight. I only feed a couple that I see now at the warehouse. I can't get near them and they are often not in sight when I arrive. Others in our area feed dozens. Heart-breaking, isn't it? Possibly wherever you live you hear of the same problem.


          Cat-tip-for-the-Day=^..^= Making the indoors fun

We all want our cats to be safe and healthy so the majority of cat-owners keep their cats inside. These are referred to as 'indoor cats'. That is a wise thing to do these days with heavy traffic and many dangers for cats outside the home. If you have chosen to keep your cat inside it is important to make their indoor life worth-while. Cats get bored. I've heard people say that cats don't need too much attention because they sleep most of the time. I don't agree with that observation. Cats sleep too much because there is absolutely nothing else for them to do. We, as owners, should provide a happy and fun environment for our felines.
We are all trying to save money these days. Cat trees are a big hit for cats but you need not purchase such an expensive play-toy. Add a large shelf to the wall near a window and place a comfy basket or box on top. The cat should have room to walk on the shelf and then enter the basket. If you are handy, build a window seat that can screw into the window-sill and finish it with a soft cover. Cat's will spend hours looking out windows into the trees watching the goings on of squirrels and birds. They love that.  If you don't have a window-seat the back of a comfy chair placed close to the window will do.
If you have a fire-place and burn wood, take a block of wood and cut it down the center. Lie it face down on the floor (flat side down) and your cat will use this as a scratching post. It has to stay flat and not wobble around. If they are not attracted to it right away, rub some cat-nip on it. Praise your cat when she scratches her nails on it.
Place empty boxes around for the cat to discover. There is no end to the fun this will provide.
Get down on the floor and play with your cat. Even if you just pull a string or a feather on a rope you will attract kitties attention. They love for you to interact with them. No less than a dog does.

That's just a few ideas to keep kitty content on the cheap. I'll have more to come.

Time to do the supper rounds.

hugs, Deb