Deaf ears

I have been pre-occupied the last 2 days with concern over the amount of cats that have arrived at the local shelter either pregnant or with babies. This happens every year at this time and it seems the numbers are getting worse. They want more foster homes, and I hope they can find them,  but that surely is not the answer.

Lily & Mr. Ed

It is sadly obvious that the 'spay your cat' message is falling on deaf ears in our area. This is the country and attitudes are different here. There is not much importance put on cats. Carleton Place has Animal Control for both dogs and cats but some areas around where I live do not include cats in their bylaws. They have animal control for dogs only. Cats are treated like squirrels; disliked and ignored. Hard to believe, isn't it? In this day and age the fact that a domesticated animal can be so neglected and thought so little of.

Of course, there are many good cat owners and my business is proof of that. I see cats that are treated like spoiled children; pampered and fussed over to no end. I see happy, contented cats who are often adopted from the shelter and are given a good home for the rest of their lives. Most are what you would expect though; good companions and respected members of the family.

Sierra

It does my heart good to see so many fortunate cats but I know how many sit at the shelter waiting for their turn at a chance for a happy life and then I see more kittens arriving each day and I ask myself, Why? Why isn't the message getting out there? I wish I knew. I expect it is the lack of money, lack of interest and just plain lack of concern amongst the population here.

Before we moved to this area, we lived closer to the city of Ottawa. There were strays,  but there was also a spay/neuter clinic in the city for those who could not afford the expensive vet costs, and that helped to keep the numbers down. We had one cat and she was 14 when we moved to Carleton Place. Within 2 years I had taken in 3 more that showed up on our deck, hungry and scared. More arrived and it soon dawned on me that there was a problem with the number of strays and that I needed to find a good shelter to take them to. It was then that I contacted the Lanark Animal Welfare Society and then visited them for a tour of their shelter. I soon got very involved and became a board member.. I was the Volunteer Co-ordinator for 3 years.  A group of us worked hard to raise money for the shelter and we soon were able to add a 'cat wing' that allowed the cats 'freedom' from their cages throughout the day. That alone made our hard work worthwhile. We soldiered on to get the message out to Spay and Neuter by handing out pamphlets, buttons, posters etc. because that was the only thing that was going to improve the situation.
That was many years ago and I would have hoped to see attitudes change with the majority of the population here but sadly, I haven't yet. It seems to be one step forward...three steps back.

But, you can't give up trying. The cats depend on those who care about them to help change their 'plight'. Spaying your own cat and reminding those that you know to do the same is a start. Writing letters to your local municipality to open a spay/neuter clinic is another important step. In our area it never came to life but it doesn't mean it won't in the future. We animal lovers are a stubborn bunch and we are the voice for the lost, homeless cats. Thank God for that.


Audrey will be drawing for the cat dish tonight so please leave a comment if you haven't already. Good luck!

hugs, Deb

This week's Cat-in-window photos & a give-away.

Does this beauty look familiar?

That's right. It's this little bit of gorgeousness but in a different window. 

and I do have to remember to look down sometimes.

Peek-a-boo

This is my favorite little cat dish.

I have three of them along with a few little china plates that I use daily for the cats. It is the perfect size and washes up so easily. Cute, too.

I thought it was time for a give-away to welcome new followers and show my appreciation to those who have followed along for awhile now.  Boy, you must love cats. I expect that if you do follow this blog you are owned by at least one cat. So please just leave a comment and I will have Audrey do the honours on Tuesday.

"Yes, folks, I work for this lousy keep. It's pretty sad. Pray for me."

hugs, Deb

She's no fool.

"There is an all-too quick minded and quick movin' human in this house."

"I will be lowering myself into this basket immediately upon hearing her foot-steps.

The others are all too daft to hide.

I'm ashamed to even know them."

Audrey grabbed a freeze-dried chicken strip and took shelter in my new baskets. I expect she was planning to be in there over lunch & dinner while the more brave of the feline group attempted to make friends and enjoy the attention coming from a three year old grand-daughter.

"Do these two love each other, Nan?"

"You are nice, Sierra."

"Can I give Annie a bite of my tomato, Nan?"

"Let's share this one, Annie."

"Good Grief" thought Annie.

It was a sleep-over at Nan's last night. We had lots of fun and the cats certainly had their feathers ruffled a bit. Now Ry is home and it's time for a nap while Audrey continues checking from room to room for the little grabby hands.

hugs, Deb  

Fabulous faces

I made great strides with my two, new, scaredy-cat kitty-clients this week. These are the cats I referred to as 'challenging'.

One look at those faces and they had me. Flash & Quincy just needed a bit of time and a quiet cat-sitter to take the chance of getting to know yet another human being. The first day with them was very un-eventful. Flash made himself visible but Quincy watched from under a chair as I set about laying out their dinner. I let him be.

The next morning both Flash & Quincy followed me into the kitchen and we have been fine ever since.
I am now able to pet them both while I give them their favorite treat.

                                         Quincy & Flash
They had a bad start, these two. Eventually they were abandoned by their owners.
But now, they have won the lottery and will find each day ahead that they are now living in paradise.

Flash is the most curious.

It took a little more time with Quincy

They aren't litter mates as some would think. But they are two male, neutered cats that seem to love each other's company and are quite pleased with themselves how life has turned out for them.

Penny is a 'comfy cat' as long as her bowl is topped up.

She's not much for playing but wouldn't pass up a game of 'find the treat'.

And Zoie..well, she's still in her window, madder than a cat with its' tail in a screen door but I keep reminding her that mom will be home in the blink of an eye.

I also cared for a Devon Rex today but unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to take a photo.

I'm changing up the cat bag for the weekend.

New files, new toys and a bit of nip for those who like to indulge. Of course, I always have a bag of freeze-dried chicken. Who can resist?

I have calicos, tabbies, grey and whites & three orange and whites to keep me busy.

We are expecting rain and stinkin' hot temperatures for the next few days.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone. 

I'm joining Camera Critters at http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/

hugs, Deb

Finding the comfy spot

With all the beautiful grass, gardens and landscapes

you would expect a cat to find this spot rather uncomfortable.

I guess old habits are hard to break.

I know Audrey's comfy.

She snuggles right in there with the oldsters for an afternoon nap.

Lily and Ed now have this

added to their food daily. The b vitamins are very important for them and as they age they very often do need a supplement.

hugs, Deb

Kane's secret garden

The last day of Spring took us out-side to enjoy the sun, cool breeze and the beautiful flowers. This is Kane's favorite walking area. Off-leash and not a care in his head, he wanders around thinking he owns the place. He has many resting places.

Shade man.

Yes, it is a local grave-yard that I stumbled upon ten years ago while out walking the same dog at a much quicker pace. It was a cold wintery day and we took refuge here to get out of the wind. It was like finding Kane's secret garden even though it was all snowy and white.

Behind the grave-yard is a bush that has well-travelled paths both by walkers and wild-life. I love it here.

And did I mention how quiet it is. Oh ya, it's quiet.

hugs, Deb

Time-out

My kitty-client, Zoie is always on bird-watching duty.

She is a bit miffed at the cat-sitter because she would like to be outside where she can really get close and comfortable with the local birds but alas, she must stay in.

"Please don't be too mad at me, Zoie. I brought you lots of toys and treats to sample."

                               "Hmmmmph! This time-out business is for the dogs."



hugs, Deb