CAT OWNERSHIP

Close to Home

Last month, I devoted this column to the brief escape of my neighbors orange cat, Jack, and how we were lucky to find him after a few hours. I remember that afternoon well - I was determined both to find the missing cat and also to keep my neighbor, Suzanne, as calm as possible in what was becoming an increasingly scary situation. We live in a neighborhood full of 100-year-old houses, with many nooks and…

Free to a Good Home?

At our local supermarket, theres a bulletin board available for people to tack up flyers - items for sale, services for hire, charity events, chicken BBQ dinners, that sort of thing. Of course, its also the spot that people put up my least favorite signs: free kittens or adult cats that need to be rehomed because the family has to move and simply cant take the pets along. …

Are You a Cat Person?

I dont think Id be putting myself far out on a limb to assume that most of the readership of this publication would consider themselves to be cat people. Certainly, there is a cross-section of the population that are simply animal lovers in general- living happily with both species and finding satisfaction and appreciation for both. …

The Longest Winter

Hopefully, were closing in on the end of a very long, very cold winter that impacted all of us in one way or another. Watching the snow accumulate outside, I find it comforting to know my pets are inside, safe and warm, and I pray for those less fortunate animals (and people) who are not as lucky as we are. …

Cat Cafes in U.S.

Cat cafes have become a popular fixture in Japan, where guests can sip coffee while petting any one of a group of resident felines. More recently, these cafes have been spreading to European cities like London, Paris, Vienna and Madrid. Is the U.S. soon to follow? Unfortunately, strict food service industry regulations have thus far made it difficult. …

Which Team Are You On?

Last month, I told the readers of Catnip about my adoption of Tony, a young white-and-black adult male who was rescued this treacherous winter...

Traits of the devoted pet parent

According to the author of a new study on pet-owner personality types, it seems that neurotic people tend to make very good pet owners. Published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, the results indicate that of the 1,000 pet owners surveyed, the people who scored higher in neuroticism and conscientiousness also reported higher levels of affection for their cats and dogs. This likely translates into a better life for the animals, according to…

The Kittens are Coming!

It seems that the April issue of Catnip is the official welcoming gesture to kitten season - a time of year that sees animal shelters flooded with pregnant mamas and their adorable offspring. But the not-so-cute reality of the large number of cuddly kittens is that there will never be enough homes to accomodate the millions of homeless pets out there. …

Babies and Cats: How Will They Get Along?

Hes three years old, gentle as a kitten, and likes dogs, says Susan Vance (Katherine Hepburn) in Bringing Up Baby (1938), reading aloud a letter about her new pet … leopard. She muses, I wonder whether Mark means that he eats dogs or is fond of them? Bringing a kitten or cat into a home with a baby - or vice versa - is certainly less dramatic than that. Most of the time it goes smoothly…

How to Choose a Baby-Friendly Kitten or Cat

If you are thinking about adopting a kitten or cat, your best bet is to talk to people who are already handling the animal. Does she purr often, or hiss when the food bowl is put down? Is the animal easily frightened? At a shelter, a little conversation with staff or volunteers may help you come home with the most family-friendly pet there. …

Barn Cat Management

A friend of mine lives on a large produce farm off a quiet country road, and periodically someone will quietly drop off an adult cat, or sometimes a litter of kittens. Fortunately, this friend has a very soft spot for animals, so she does her best to take care of the kittens and keep them healthy and safe until she can find homes for them. …