8 Purrfect Ways to Celebrate National Cat Day
October 29, 2015
October 29, 2015
They're super-smart, playful and tenacious. Some like nothing better than snuggling in a warm lap, while others will adore you in their own unique way. Every day is a good day to celebrate the felines in our lives.
But October 29, designated as National Cat Day, is special. It's a time to make sure you've done all you can to protect your best friend--and extend your compassion to cats who aren't fortunate enough to have a human like you.
But October 29, designated as National Cat Day, is special. It's a time to make sure you've done all you can to protect your best friend--and extend your compassion to cats who aren't fortunate enough to have a human like you.
1. Open your heart and home to an older--or other hard-to-place--cat. No one will ever love you more.
Click HERE to learn why senior pets make the BEST best friends, and HERE for the heartwarming story of a discarded 16-year-old kitty who changed her adopter's life. Feline leukemia-positive (FELV) cats are eager to give and receive love too. But though they can live many healthy years, few find homes because they're contagious to other cats (not to humans). And don't overlook the shy guys and girls at the shelter as so many people do; even the most fearful cats blossom with time and TLC. Not ready to adopt? Foster!
Click HERE to learn why senior pets make the BEST best friends, and HERE for the heartwarming story of a discarded 16-year-old kitty who changed her adopter's life. Feline leukemia-positive (FELV) cats are eager to give and receive love too. But though they can live many healthy years, few find homes because they're contagious to other cats (not to humans). And don't overlook the shy guys and girls at the shelter as so many people do; even the most fearful cats blossom with time and TLC. Not ready to adopt? Foster!
2. Keep your cat safe by keeping him or her indoors.
Click HERE for tips on how to transition your cat from roaming outdoors--across toxic lawn chemicals and into the path of cars and predators--to a happy, healthy, much longer life inside your home.
Click HERE for tips on how to transition your cat from roaming outdoors--across toxic lawn chemicals and into the path of cars and predators--to a happy, healthy, much longer life inside your home.
3. Keep your cat from becoming a shelter statistic.
Every day, animals find themselves in shelters, confused and afraid, because their owner passed away or became incapacitated without a plan for their continued care. It doesn't matter how young or healthy you are; life is unpredictable. Click HERE for information on how to ensure your pet a great life even when you're not around to provide it.
4. Spread the word: Declawing is a painful amputation not a manicure.
Think how you'd feel if your fingers were amputated to the last knuckle. That's what declawing is. Many people don't realize this or that it causes cats lifelong pain, even disability. The good news: Declawing is absolutely unnecessary. Click HERE to learn more and HERE for a feline behavior expert's guide to managing scratching humanely.
5. Feed and create an outdoor shelter for feral cats.
Feral cats have it tough enough in warm weather. When the temperature dips and the snow flies, they will starve or freeze to death without your help. Contact a local group that traps, neuters and releases (TNR) feral cats for guidance and support. Remember: Many ferals were once someone's unfixed, free-roaming--or abandoned--pet or are the children of those cats. All the more reason to spay/neuter and keep your cat indoors.
Every day, animals find themselves in shelters, confused and afraid, because their owner passed away or became incapacitated without a plan for their continued care. It doesn't matter how young or healthy you are; life is unpredictable. Click HERE for information on how to ensure your pet a great life even when you're not around to provide it.
4. Spread the word: Declawing is a painful amputation not a manicure.
Think how you'd feel if your fingers were amputated to the last knuckle. That's what declawing is. Many people don't realize this or that it causes cats lifelong pain, even disability. The good news: Declawing is absolutely unnecessary. Click HERE to learn more and HERE for a feline behavior expert's guide to managing scratching humanely.
5. Feed and create an outdoor shelter for feral cats.
Feral cats have it tough enough in warm weather. When the temperature dips and the snow flies, they will starve or freeze to death without your help. Contact a local group that traps, neuters and releases (TNR) feral cats for guidance and support. Remember: Many ferals were once someone's unfixed, free-roaming--or abandoned--pet or are the children of those cats. All the more reason to spay/neuter and keep your cat indoors.
6. Volunteer at a shelter--or help an infirm neighbor care for their cat--and bring the kids along.
It's never too soon to instill compassion in children. Just make sure they're supervised and well-behaved; shelter animals in particular need love and attention but may be stressed from the loss of their human family, abuse, neglect or being in a strange, caged environment. Click HERE for more ways you can help animals and vulnerable humans.
It's never too soon to instill compassion in children. Just make sure they're supervised and well-behaved; shelter animals in particular need love and attention but may be stressed from the loss of their human family, abuse, neglect or being in a strange, caged environment. Click HERE for more ways you can help animals and vulnerable humans.
7. Spay/Neuter, Spay/Neuter, Spay/Neuter!!
Spay/neuter prevents certain cancers and curtails both wanderlust and hormonally driven aggression. Most importantly, it prevents the tragedy of cats being born just to be killed for lack of a home. The sad reality is, there are far more cats (and dogs, bunnies, birds and other companion animals) than there are homes or shelter space for them. And, no, your cat does NOT need to experience and your kids do NOT need to witness the "miracle of birth."
Spay/neuter prevents certain cancers and curtails both wanderlust and hormonally driven aggression. Most importantly, it prevents the tragedy of cats being born just to be killed for lack of a home. The sad reality is, there are far more cats (and dogs, bunnies, birds and other companion animals) than there are homes or shelter space for them. And, no, your cat does NOT need to experience and your kids do NOT need to witness the "miracle of birth."
8. Hug your cat and thank him or her for choosing you.
Copyright © 2015 Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets. All Rights Reserved.
