Pet-Owners have Reduced Risk for Cancer

In a recent study of 4,000 participants published in the Cancer Epidemology, Biomarkers and Prevention journal, researchers discovered that pet lovers are a third less likely to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphatic system. The report is quoted as saying, 'This large study provides support for a decreased risk between pet ownership and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. And it's possible this is related to altered immune function.'



(I haven't been able to find an online copy of the report. If any of you do, leave a link in the comments. Thanks!)

The Ultimate Recession-Proof Cat Toy

Hours of fun and entertainment for both the cats and everyone in the room with them. If interest ever wains, you can just pull out a cardboard box, a square of bubble wrap, a few twist ties, and your finest silk shirt.

Anyone can afford to keep their cats entertained with these economical and earth-friendly cat toys. Don't believe it? Then you likely don't have any cats. We can remedy that for you, by the way.

Catumentary

Cooper the cat is documenting his life with a lightweight camera that hangs from his collar and snaps a picture every two minutes. His cats-eye view is on display at Flickr (check it out--there are some gorgeous shots!) and will soon be featured on Animal Planet's new show, Cats 101.

What a cool idea! Stay safe, little fur-man!

Photo Credit: Cross Films.

Cat Massage

Here's a tutorial for humans. However, we think that amateur efforts are generally very well-received. Don't you agree?

Fat Black Cat on a Utility Pole

Today two utility crews, a pair of bucket trucks, and plenty of other safety equipment all contributed to the rescue of Kitty, a fat black cat who had been stuck at the top of a pole near near some 26,000 volt power lines. Yikes!



Kitty climbed the pole on Friday night and finally set foot back on solid ground today, 4 days later. Kitty's human, 13-year-old Gabe, said he would sleep with his window open and could hear Kitty crying all night long. Awww! The neighbors could hear him clearly, too, and said he got louder each night.

Gabe and his family tried every city agency, and while all were sympathetic, none offered to help. Even the utility company initially refused, telling the family that Kitty would come down when he was ready, or hungry, or both. Gabe left tuna at the base of the pole every night, called him constantly, and Kitty still remained stranded.

Finally, after the family contacted the media and let them know they had some trained climbers ready to take action, an NBC affiliate in Seattle contacted City Light, who came out to do the job themselves.

Scott Thomsen, spokesman for Seattle City Light, pointed out that the utility company does not routinely rescue cats (no kidding!), but given the nature of his predicament, figured they were best-suited to do the job. They were particularly concerned that a resident (or their friends) might try to rescue him on their own. Heh. "We're pleased that the cat was able to get back to his owner," he said.

They covered the power lines with protective sleeves, poked and pushed kitty into the loop on the end of a catch pole, and lowered him to people on the ground.



Kitty is finally home.

Meryl Streep and Dewey the Cat

Dewey, the Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World chronicles the struggles of Dewey--the kitten abandoned in the library's overnight book drop box one frigid winter, the librarian who found him, and the town that embraced him.



A bestseller already, Dewey, the Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, has climbed to the top 10 on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and other lists of best sellers. Now it is also being made into a movie, and rumor has it that Meryl Streep will star as the librarian. Now our only question is--who will play Dewey?

Who gets your vote?

Benefits of Feral Cat Colonies

• Feral cats can minimize rodent problems, keeping their populations in check and discouraging new rodents from moving into the area. Worried about the birds? Well, studies have shown that cats prey on rodents, insects, and reptiles far more than birds. Habitat loss and encroachment by humans is the primary threat to bird populations, and raccoons and opossums are the primary predators of nesting birds. Feral cats benefit the ecosystem more than harming it.
  
  
• People who help care for feral cat colonies can enjoy the same benefits as having a companion animal, such as extended life expectancy, lower blood pressure, and lower stress levels.
  
  
• Feral cat caretakers are often elderly and live alone, a population at risk for depression, loneliness, and isolation. Cats relieve these conditions and often bring a sense of happiness and purpose to people who help them.
  
  
• Individuals who cannot commit to the full-time commitment of adopting a companion animal can participate in programs to help feral cats.
  
  
• An established, stable, vaccinated, and sterilized colony of feral cats deters other stray and feral cats from moving into the area. This decreases the risk of humans and pets encountering unvaccinated cats, and will virtually eliminate problem behaviors like fighting and spraying.
  
  
• Feral cats can improve public health when the supervised colony is vaccinated against rabies. These vaccinated feral cats act as a buffer (safety barrier) between the wildlife who might carry rabies and the domestic neighborhood cats who have the most contact with humans.
  

Many towns in our valley attempt to remove feral cat colonies by trapping and killing them, but doing this simply reopens the territory to the other cats who will move in to repopulate the area. Simply put, killing feral cats doesn't get rid of the perceived "problem" of feral cats. Instead, it just perpetuates the problem while ending lives and costing more money than humane options!

Trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs--where feral cats are humanely trapped, altered, and released--have been shown to be the most effective method to deal with feral cat colonies. The American Veterinary Medical Association and many other animal welfare organizations support TNR programs over euthanasia because they WORK.

Support TNR programs and save lives!

Shelter Your Feral Cat Colony this Winter

Here in our valley, many feral cats freeze to death each winter, and the cities use this as a justification for their trap-and-kill programs each fall. If we can help shelter our feral colonies, then we can save lives. Simple shelters will keep cats warm and dry, which will prevent them from roaming or freezing to death. dry and warm and will prevent them from roaming. With this provision managed colonies can be very hardy in the wintertime. Here are some tips for building feral cat shelters that will become long-lasting safe havens for our four-legged friends:

• Use a strong box, crate, or doghouse as a shelter.
  
• Insulate the shelter with thick plastic or insulation scraps to keep out our strong winds and severe cold.
  
• Blankets and towels retain moisture, so use hay, straw, or synthetic insulating material those those used for camping or saddle covers.
  
• Leave a small opening just big enough for the cats to enter. Be sure to put the opening on a side of the shelter that's protected from the icy winds.
  
• Put the shelter on bricks or pallets to get it off the ground. This will keep the shelter warmer and keep it from rotting.
  

The Top 3 Ways to Keep Your Cats Safe on Halloween

1. Keep your cats inside.
This will protect them from increased foot and car traffic in poor visibility, and will prevent them from becoming targets of pranksters. Secure them in a room, if needed, to keep them from getting out when the door is opened for trick-or-treaters.


2. Keep them away from the Halloween goodies.
The foil wrappers are shiny and crinkly temptations for kitties, but can be hazardous if swallowed, and chocolate is toxic to cats (and dogs). Give them some nice catnip instead, so they don't feel left out of the festivities. (Skip the costumes, though.)


3. Watch those flames!
If you have candles as part of your Halloween decor, keep the cats clear of them. The end of a cat's tail can easily snake its way into the eye of a pumpkin's Halloween face.




Feel free to add your own tips in the comments.