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- The Kitty Sheet - August 15, 2024
The Kitty Sheet - August 15, 2024
Dear fellow kitty lovers, we’ve made it to our 4th issue! Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is coming up this month, as well as a can’t-miss free webinar from Cat Talk Radio’s Molly DeVoss about how to extend your cat’s life and save $$ on your vet bill! Speaking of which, just how much does cat parenthood cost in 2024? Plus, check out our Kitties of the Week! And in case you were wondering, NO, Kitten Season is sadly not over yet! There are many nonprofit rescues in North Texas still intaking kittens and in need of donations to help with their care! The Kitty Sheet believes the world of cat rescue is a world unknown to many. If more people were aware of it, and ways they could help, we know the lives of more kitties could be saved. We hope The Kitty Sheet can contribute in a small way by highlighting the work of rescues and ways compassionate citizens can help. As always, thank you for reading and sharing The Kitty Sheet! Join us by becoming a subscriber below.
-TKS
Alley Cat Allies/Facebook.
Alley Cat Allies Shares an update on its legal fight to stop the U.S. National Park Service from removing Community Cats on a historic site in Puerto Rico. Despite its recent court victory, the ACA says the NPS plans to move forward with plans to remove the cats October 1st. Read more and find out how you can help.
GREAT news for community cats in North Texas! The Texas Coalition of Animal Protection (TCAP) says it’s sterilized 8,522 cats so far this year! Thank you to TCAP and community cat caretakers!
The Clear The Shelter Mega Adoption Event is Saturday August 17th! It’s an effort of The Humane Society of North Texas and 20+ other North Texas Animal Shelters to help find homes for over 1,000 pets. Learn more here. Before you bring a kitty home, see our post about the 💰️ Cost of Cat Parenthood below!
National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is coming up August 22nd!
Can cats get the bird flu? Yes. Cases are being reported in Colorado. They’ve also been reported this year in Texas. A vet discusses prevention and signs in Catster.
Do cats grieve? A new study suggests that, yes, they do exhibit signs of grief upon a fellow pet’s passing. Read more in NPR.
Find Your Foster Fit at this SPCA of Texas event in Dallas on August 24th! RSVP.
In case you missed it.. 🎉 Great news for Dallas residents! Dallas Animal Services recently expanded its community cat program in partnership with the Texas Coalition For Animal Protection and the Spay Neuter Network. Read the WFAA news report and learn more about the DAS Community Cat program.
Think you know everything about taking care of your cat? Take this quiz to see if you have what it takes to be a Cat Champion 🏆️ !
Kittens recently rescued by Maricats Rescue after losing their mom.
It’s been a very rough kitten season for nonprofit rescues in North Texas. There are pleas for help daily from both city animal shelters and animal loving concerned citizens. Rescues do everything they can to save as many as they can with tireless dedication. Despite the inevitable heartbreak and the financial challenges they face along the way, they continue because it is their calling.
Marilee Hasselle Wells is the founder of Maricats Rescue in the DFW area. She shares her thoughts with The Kitty Sheet about this year’s kitten season and what drives rescues to continue their life-saving work.
“It feels like kitten season hit fast and hit hard this year, if it ever really ended from last year. As rescues we are doing our best to keep up and soften the blow of unnecessary suffering of these precious souls,” said Marilee Hasselle Wells, Founder of Maricats Rescue. “Working as a team with amazing volunteers absolutely makes an impact and we just need to continue to focus on what’s important despite the sleepless nights and exhausting days. Nothing good comes easy and we are their only hope for GOOD. That’s what keeps us going.”
So how can you help?
Fosters are always needed, as are donations to help with vet care and the associated costs of caring for kittens, their mammas and other cats that come into a rescue’s care. Maricats Rescue, a 501(3) nonprofit, and other rescues need your help to save lives. If you feel called to help, these rescues are asking for donations on Facebook:
Maricats Rescue (Arlington, TX)
Buddies Place Cat Rescue (Arlington, TX)
Leo’s Friends Rescue (Dallas, TX)
Mid-Cities Community Cats (Bedford, TX)
You can also remember these rescues during North Texas Giving Day on September 26.
Another way to help is by becoming a volunteer FOSTER! It’s a short-term commitment but so rewarding! You can apply to be a foster directly with the rescue, and they’ll provide you with everything you need. Fostering allows rescues to save more lives.
❗️ Also, we’d be remiss not to mention beware of kidnapping kittens — that is taking them from their mamma. You may have the best intentions but often times moms go in search of food and have not abandoned them. Their mamma is their best chance for survival. There are cases however when a kitten is ill or something has in fact happened mom. That’s when to take action. The Kitten Lady shares what to do if you find a kitten outside here.
🖐️ Count us in! Don’t miss this August 24th FREE webinar hosted by Cat Behavior Solution’s Certified Feline Behavior Specialist Molly DeVoss. She’ll talk about specific things you can do daily to increase the lifespan of your cat and perhaps, ultimately reduce medical bills you might have faced in the future. Molly will also discuss the leading threats to cats and share 6 longevity tips. This purr-tastic online event is sponsored by Dallas Pets Alive.
Before you head to the North Texas Mega Adoption event to find a furry feline family member, or adopt from a rescue, please take a moment to consider the cost of caring for your new family member before making a commitment.
💰️ So how much DOES it cost to be a Cat Parent in 2024, especially given the rising costs of pet essentials like food as well as vet costs? For some insight we turn to Rover:
The annual cost of having a cat can range from $710-$2,865 a year, with the typical monthly cost landing between $60-$240. From 2023 to 2024, the cost has increased, on average, $70.
This change is driven largely by rising prices of pet food, at times costing up to 100% more than last year. In fact, cat parents report being most financially impacted by increasing costs of essentials: pet food (63%), treats and toys (49%), and vet visits (43%).
Did You Know? 83% of cats visit the veterinarian before their 1st birthday, but over 50% don’t return until they become sick or are in pain. (Source: American Association of Feline Practitioners)
August 22 is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day! It’s a great reminder to take your kitty in for a wellness checkup. Cats are MASTERS at hiding pain. This is why yearly appointments are crucial not only for their annual vaccines, but also for early detection and providing the best possible care for your cat. The American Association of Feline Practitioners shares some great checklists and tips to help you make the most of your vet visit and make your kitty less stressed.
Wonky Whiskers Rescue is caring for two kittens with specialized medical needs. Indiana Bones (Indy) came into rescue with severe injuries to both of his back legs and also dealt with infection. One leg was amputated, and the rescue its trying to save his remaining back leg with FHO (femoral head ostectomy) surgery.. Read More and Donate Here . Pugsley came into rescue with no eyes. She’ll be going for surgery August 30th to be spayed and have her eyes closed. The rescue says it’s also hoping the doctor will also be able to widen her left nasal passages because she’s not able to breathe through her nose well. Read more and donate here.
Honey is in the care of the Grand Prairie Cat Crew. She’s undergone a 5th round of antibiotics for a sinus infection and it’s not clearing up. She needs a CT Scan to find out what is going on. Find out how to donate towards her care here.
Our special thanks to esteemed Certified Feline Training and Behaviorist Molly DeVoss of Cat Behavior Solutions for allowing us to share her super informative Cat Talk Radio podcasts with you each week!
Molly also has recently introduced an AMAZING program for shelter cats called Feline Right At Home in partnership with Vitakraft. It’s a FREE training program for shelter staff and volunteers to help scared, stressed and fearful cats become more trusting and more adoptable. Learn more in this YouTube Video.
✅ Shelters should visit Feline Right At Home to learn more and apply!
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We bring you TWO Cat Talk Radio podcasts this week! , Molly answers questions about caring for aging felines. Think of this podcast as a great mini-handbook of the things you need to keep in mind when caring for your senior cats. Tune in below: ⬇️
We also share her podcast on Intercat Tension, a common issue in multi-cat households, and it can turn your peaceful home into a feline battleground. How to recognize it, and what to do if you suspect it's going on.
✅ Subscribe to the Cat Behavior Solutions - Cat Talk Radio on YouTube.
✅ Follow Cat Behavior Solutions - Cat Talk Radio on Facebook!
About Molly Devoss
Molly has spent decades helping cats who are suffering in shelters. Her vision is to reduce the number of cats euthanized in shelters through positive reinforcement and behavior modification so fearful cats become more adoptable. She sat on the Dallas Animal Advisory Commission for eight years, and works with the cats at Albuquerque Animal Welfare, Dallas Animal Services, Santa Fe Humane Society, Felines & Friends New Mexico, and individuals seeking cat behavior guidance.
Summer & Chip are truly MIRACLE BABIES! These adorable litter mates were terribly sick and nursed back to health by Maricats Rescue who gave them round the clock medical care which saved their lives! They are now 5 months old and ready for their forever home. Please read their story here, share, and Contact Maricats Rescue for more info here.
Sweet sweet Kalea is looking for her forever home! She is a little over a year old and absolutely loves attention and cuddles. If you are looking for a snuggle buddy, she is the one for you. Contact Texas Rustlers Fat Cats to learn more!
Gilligan & Ginger are such cuties! They are two months old. “Ginger is the sweetest little girl with the most unusual color fur you have seen.” Both are happy go lucky little kitties that get along with everyone and just want to snuggle. Contact Maricats to learn more here!
Pixie-Poo has been waiting too long for a furever home! “She is sass, playful, and obviously the cutest thing ever! Pixie is a young female cat with a love for toys, comfy beds, and soft pets. She is great with other cats and dogs as long as she has time to get used to them. She would do well with older children because sometimes her playfulness turns into sassiness. Pixie is such a wonderful girl and she is more than ready to meet her family.” Contact Wonky Whiskers to meet this precious girl!
All That & More is a stunning tuxedo girl with a stunning personality to match. “I am loving and sweet and think you have hands solely to pet me! If I'm not cuddled up next to you, I'm snuggled in a blanket somewhere close. I need to be your only furbaby, but that means more time for us. I love catnip toys and temptations treats. But the thing I love most is to be with people and have chin scratches. I'm a little petite and very calm and gentle. I'll be the purrfect addition to your home!” Contact DCL to meet her!
A Cat Matchers volunteer rescued Andy, DOB 9/17/23. He was terribly sick. Unfortunately, Archie’s right eye ruptured and it needed to be removed. “He’s sweet and loves to be held and petted. He doesn’t require any special handling, he acts like a normal cat, he just happens to have one less eye. He likes adults, kids, cats, toys, laps and love.” Contact Cat Matchers to meet Andy!
Bella is a former mamma kitty who “adores attention from her humans and is really a laid back, sweet cat. Bella may do well with other friendly laid back cats if introduced.” Cat Matchers offers a s short term sleepover program so you can get to know each other better. Read more about Bella and how to adopt!
SENIOR KITTY SPOTLIGHT - ABRAHAM
Meet Abraham who was rescued from the shelter! At 9 years old, “this sweet senior has no teeth, no claws, and no worries—just endless love to give! Laid-back, affectionate, and 100% snuggle-approved. ” Learn more about this handsome, sweet boy here and consider giving him a place to call home!
Mr. Jim needs a special home off the streets where he can rest safely, comfortably and enjoy life for however long he remains healthy. This handsome boy is both FIV+ and FeLV+, two cat diseases that impact the immune system. A fundraiser has been launched to help Cupid’s Animal Haven (Weatherford, TX), a sanctuary for sick, feral and senior cats, set up another house for FeLV+ kitties, for Mr. Jim to call home, along with other FeLV+ felines. For more info on Mr. Jim and to help Cupid’s fund a new housing shelter click here.
