June 21, 2012
Hi Cat Lover!
I hope you're having a great summer and that
it's not too hot where you are.
Here's what's in this issue:
Oregon man gets plague from cat bite...
Exotic animal ownership banned in Ohio...
Jaguar cubs born in San Diego zoo...
Cat food news...
Meow Organic brand
Web sites to explore...
CedarCide for all pest control...
A smile for you...a new video on my web page!
Take action...
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NEWS FOR CAT LOVERS
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You may remember from history class reading about the
Bubonic Plague that wiped out one third of the population
of Europe in the 14th century. Well, modern versions of
the plague are still with us, but living conditions
and health care have improved so much that the number
of people affected is very small now...maybe 7 a year.
The survival rate is much higher, too, for those
who are infected, but it's still scary. Here's a story of a
man in Oregon who got the plague from a stray cat bite:
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/plague-confirmed-in-oregon-man-bitten-by-stray-cat
I think his big mistake was taking a dead rodent
out of the cat's mouth. Who does that?
-----------------------
Remember the story about the exotic animals that
were owned by a couple in Ohio last year? They
released all 49 of them, apparently in response to
a legal threat about humane treatment. The result
was that local authorities were forced to shoot them
to protect people in the area.
The loss was tragic and included 18 Bengal tigers,
17 lions, 8 bears, 3 mountain lions, 2 wolves and
one baboon.
Now Ohio has passed legislation banning the private
ownership of exotic animals. Let's hope this protects
everyone... people as well as animals.
Here's the story:
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Ohio-bans-exotic-and-dangerous-pets033
-----------------------
This isn't recent news anymore, but in case you haven't
had a chance to see these jaguar cubs, here's a short
video of them at one month old:
http://soc.li/OpZ3L6M
They were born at the San Diego, California zoo on
April 26. SO cute!
------------------------
Over the last month or so, several readers have asked
if I know of any good cat harnesses so they can take
their kitties on safe walks in comfort. Thanks, Amy, for
your research. Here's a cat harness that isn't too expensive!
http://www.theproblemcat.com/recommends/catharness.html
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CAT FOOD NEWS
===================================
I just ordered yet another new cat food for my crew
here and as soon as it gets here, I'll give you a
report on how they like it.
It's called Meow Organic and is made by a company
called Pugzbrand. They use all their own ingredients,
homegrown and processed on the family farm in Ohio.
Everything is certified organic and cruelty-free.
Yeah, it's not cheap. It's just gotten to be such a
crap shoot in the petfood department these past few years,
and I'm leery of all brands now, even some that brag about
being natural and safe. So we'll see how this one goes.
Be sure to send me your findings if you know of something
that's good, too.
----------------------------
If you want to keep up with the recalls, here are
some sites to watch:
1. http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/default.asp
2. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls
3. http://diamondpetrecall.com/
4. http://www.nestlepurina.com/2012_NeslePurinaRecalls.aspx
This one is not about contamination, but about a thiamine
deficiency. Also note there is a typo in the URL. Don't try
to correct it.
----------------------------
Help Feed Shelter Animals
Don't forget to visit these sites as often as you can and
click on the shelter-feed links. There is no cost to you
to do this.
http://clicktogive.com/Animal-Care.aspx
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
http://pets.care2.com/i?p=868775137
http://www.freekibblekat.com/ (Answer a trivia question...
even a wrong answer gives a donation.)
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WEB SITES to explore
===================================
A number of readers have asked me about the product
I recently purchased from CedarCide, called Best Yet,
wanting to know how it's working out controlling pests like
fleas and ticks.
I have to say, I'm thrilled...to a point. Actually, my
only problem with it is the smell. A faint fragrance of
cedar is quite pleasant, but this stuff is strong! I'm
not in love with it and the cats hate it. The dogs are
OK with it, but reluctantly.
However, it's a small price to pay for a product that
actually works, is totally safe and non-toxic, and is
affordable. You could spray this stuff on your food and
it wouldn't hurt you. Of course, it might make you gag,
but the point is...it's safe! It is lethal to any and
all bugs! Fleas, ticks, flies, moths, wasps, mites (yes,
I dab some into the cats' ears when they get ear mites),
and even spiders can't survive it.
I highly recommend it, and I don't even get a commission
for saying so.
http://www.cedarcidestore.com/best_yet_cats.html
-----------------------------------
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common kind of
heart disease in some cats. Here is an interesting article
on the subject:
http://tinyurl.com/cwdqej2
Thanks to Christine for sending this in!
If you would like more information, here is a report
you can download to see the list of studies that will
receive funds for specific research being done this year
by the Winn Feline Foundation:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/HEALTH_STUDY_GRANTS_2012.pdf
(This link is a download, so you have two choices: just click on it
and it will open, or, right click it and choose where you want to
save it on your computer.)
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A SMILE FOR YOU
===================================
Smart cat, patient owner:
http://www.care2.com/causes/who-says-cats-dont-do-tricks-video.html
-----------------------------------
Check out the video on my website, at the top of
the page. It shows a kitten trying to wake up his
playmate. Too cute!
http://www.theproblemcat.com
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TAKE ACTION TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED
===================================
How to help animals:
1. http://www.hipaws.com/help.html
Help feed the ones that never got adopted.
2. Always remember to check with your local shelter
to see what they need. Your donation will go directly
to the animals, in sharp contrast to some of the large
national groups, whose donation income goes toward
large administrative salaries and other expenses, not
necessarily for animals. The only large rescue I endorse
is www.deltarescue.org.
===================================
Watch for your next issue of The Kitty Times in 2 weeks!
Purrs and nosetaps,
Roberta, the Cat Lady
mskitty @ theproblemcat.com
==================================
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