Pet First Aid Awareness Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Every Day is Tag Day - April 4
National Pet Day - April 11
Pet Owners Day - April 19
Hairball Awareness Day - April 24
World Veterinary Day - April 25
National Kids and Pets Day - April 26
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day - April 30

 

 

 

 

To help with additional needs at this time, please visit this link, too:

 

https://store.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/pages/covid-19-emergency-fosters-supplies-needed

                            >^..^<

 

 

If you would like to see past issues, or are having trouble viewing this one, you may find them at this link: 
https://ymlp.com/archive_gqbyjegjgu.php

Email: catzgalore@netzero.net

 

Feel free to share this newsletter with your friends. If they would like to have their own subscription, send them to:

 

TheProblemCat.com to fill out the form on the upper left of the page. This is a private list and is not shared with others, certainly not any advertising companies.

 

Published once a month on the 7th. Submissions and suggestions are welcome.

catzgalore @ netzero.net

_______________________

 

 

There's literally a TON of websites with activity suggestions to keep you entertained, but I won't list them all here. Just do a search at your favorite search engine on "things to do in self-isolation," or your own favorite phrase. Believe me, it won't matter.

1. How to Make Your Own Face Mask

https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html

2. Read a good book: Black Cats Tell All
 
Be sure to get this book by my friend, Layla Morgan Wilde. She's not just a writer...she's a true cat advocate and professional cat behaviorist, devoted to the welfare of all cats, with a special interest in the black cat experience. Her efforts serve the needs of these wonderful cats who, more than other varieties, suffer from many dangerous and useless myths.
 
This book is a compilation of stories submitted by many of us who have been lucky to have black cats in our lives. Yes, I am a contributor as well.

Please visit Layla's blog at https://catwisdom101.com/  to get all the information about the book and how to order it, her journey with many cats (don't miss her story about Clyde!), and her work with non-profit projects, such as this one, to benefit cats.

3. Watch funny videos about cats. Here's one:

Eight Things to Do With Your Cat At Home (in isolation)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aNxTAFQbeI

 

4. Watch celebrities enjoying their cats while self-quarantined.

 

 

 

5. Share photos of your cat(s) with others online.

 

The hashtag #QuarantineCats is a thing on Twitter now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      I am certified.

 

April 7, 2020       

Did a Cat Really Get COVID-19 from Its Owner in Belgium?

A recent article reported that a cat in Belgium was infected by its owner and now has the coronavirus. However, amidst many myths about the virus and the resulting pandemic, we need to ask if it's true.

Read this:
https://www.newsweek.com/cat-belgium-covid-19-coronavirus-1495185

Even the original article admits this is not proven.

"We think the cat is a side victim of the ongoing epidemic in humans and does not play a significant role in the propagation of the virus," according to Steven Van Gucht, virologist and federal spokesperson for the coronavirus epidemic in Belgium.

The cat is in quarantine but recovered from the illness in 9 days, according to the article. There have been no reports of pets passing the virus to their human owners.

https://www.livescience.com/cat-infected-covid-19-from-owner.html

An article from WebMD.com says that cats and dogs can become infected, but the incidence and risk are low. (Thanks to Paul DeCeglie for sending this in.)

https://blogs.webmd.com/webmd-interviews/10101/cats-and-ferrets-can-be-infected-with-covid-19

And here is the first known case of a tiger becoming infected:

"A 4-year-old Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, the zoo announced Sunday. It is the first instance of a tiger testing positive for the virus, the USDA said."

The good news is the three tigers and three lions, also affected, are recovering, thanks to loving care from their keepers.

Here are three links on this story:

1. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/tiger-at-bronx-zoo-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/2360876/

2. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/05/us/tiger-coronavirus-new-york-trnd/index.html

3. https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1157973-tiger-at-new-yorks-bronx-zoo-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/

 

 

Temporary Suspension of Spay/Neuter Will Save Lives During the Pandemic

According to the ASPCA website, "...we must stretch to meet extenuating circumstances and endeavor to ensure that vulnerable shelter animals leave the shelter alive, even in times of great uncertainty.

"To that end, during this crisis, the ASPCA supports animal shelters’ liberal exercise of discretion, where allowed by law, to adopt or place unaltered animals, particularly where placement is necessary to avoid euthanasia or where essential staffing levels are reduced due to COVID-19."

https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/aspca-statement-concerning-spay-and-neuter-shelter-animals-during-covid-19-crisis

For further information on this topic, visit their "hub" page:
https://www.aspcapro.org/aspca-covid-19-information-hub


Coronavirus in Context: A Veterinarian Answers Top Questions About Pets and COVID-19

Putting things in perspective without the hype:

https://www.webmd.com/coronavirus-in-context/video/courtney-campbell

(Thanks to Paul DeCeglie for sending this in.)


Dog, cat adoptions boom during COVID-19 pandemic

"While millions adapt to working from home, social distancing and self-isolation, they seek out new pets to keep themselves or their kids company. In Minnesota, animal shelters promoted adoptions in anticipation of temporary closure, reported Minnesota Public Radio. By the time the shelters closed, people adopted more than 300 animals, leaving only a few. Similar pet adoption booms occurred when animal shelters in New York, Arizona and California made adoption appeals, reported the Washington Post."

https://www.petfoodindustry.com/blogs/11-news-hound/post/9039-dog-cat-adoptions-boom-during-covid-19-pandemic

 

 

If you follow Dr. Andrew Jones, the holistic veterinarian in British Columbia, Canada, you may be interested in his generous offer to help everyone continue to care for their animals during the pandemic.

In his own words: "It appears that the Coronavirus pandemic is not ending anytime soon. Many people are facing immediate financial hardship - losing jobs, businesses closing. Many of you are finding it difficult to get to a veterinarian, or even afford one... In light of this, we have decided to offer my membership site, Dr Jones' Inner Circle, all for Free.

"Everying I have ever published... all the videos.. my Bestselling Book 'Veterinary Secrets: Natural Health for Dogs and Cats'..My Getting Started with Veterinary Home Remedies Course..

"You can get it for Free, No Credit Card or ongoing requirement....just your name and email:

http://www.theonlinevet.com/freetrial"

Thank you, Dr. Jones! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
I have purchased many of these products through the years and can attest to their quality and usefulness, and fully recommend every one of them.