THE SCRATCHING POST
Winter 2000, Issue 2 - Happy New Year! Edition
by Home2Cats Founder: Barbara Stanley

Home2Cats
P. O. Box 752671
Memphis, TN  38175-2671

The Scratching Post Newsletter, Winter 2000, Contents:

Mews You Can Use

Cat Tails - Captain Hook

A Word From Home (2 Cats)

From the Cat's Clawset

Animal Recognition

In Memory of Critters

Spaying and Neutering

Catty Corner

Our Website Menu & How To Contact Us

 

Mews You Can Use

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)—This virus attacks the immune system much like the AIDS virus in humans. It is primarily spread through biting, so outdoor cats are at higher risk. Casual, nonagressive contact among cats rarely results in the spread of FIV. Cats that are infected with FIV may appear normal with no outward signs of the virus. This period of apparently normal health can last for years. Eventually, signs of immunodeficiency begin to develop, compromising the cat’s ability to protect itself against infection.

There is no vaccine for this virus, but blood tests can determine if a cat is infected. The FIV test detects the antibodies to the virus rather than the virus itself. Kittens will almost always test positive for FIV antibodies during the first six months of life, if their mother was infected with the virus. It is important to note that a positive test does not mean the kittens have FIV. Kittens under six months of age that test positive for FIV should be retested at six to eight months of age, at which point they have lost their maternal derived antibodies.

The best protection against this disease is to spay/neuter and by keeping your cat indoors. If your cat is FIV positive, keeping him/her indoors is the best preventative from spreading the disease to other cats. This also helps to limit his/her exposure to other diseases which may compromise your cats health.

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Cat Tails ~
Name:  Captain Hook aka Hook
Breed:  Tropical Island Mix

Profile:

Captain Hook is from the Cayman Islands. This feisty ‘pirate’ of the Caribbean lost a battle with a crab. The crab nipped most of his right front paw and left him with only one claw. However, this has not dampened the spirit of Captain Hook. Hook says "Always face your opponent, but keep your paws to yourself."

 

Hook’s Favorite Things:

Favorite Toy ...	Balls
Food ...	Eukanuba
Destination ...	Airplane rides to the States
Activity ...	Playing on a beach
Plant or Tree ...	Palm trees

Hook’s Least Favorite Things:

Least Favorite Toy ...	Crabs!
Food ...	Seafood
Destination ...	Animal shelters
Activity ...	Playing on a beach with crabs that have attitudes
Plant or Tree ...	Crab grass

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A Word From Home (2 Cats)

Our rescued cats are able to roam freely at Home 2 Cats or in their foster homes. If a rescued cat needs to be isolated while it is recuperating from illness or injury, we dedicate a room to that cat. We do not believe that caging is beneficial to its good health. At Home 2 Cats we believe a happy cat is an uncaged cat!

We also provide sanctuary to cats that are permanently injured, handicapped and/or have ongoing health issues. We are a "no kill’ organization that believes that ALL animals deserve a chance at life and give that chance to all the animals we rescue.

To update you on our recent rescues in the fourth quarter of 1999, we have rescued 54 cats and 1 dog.

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From the Cat's Clawset

Rules of Etiquette for Inexperienced Cats:

For sitting on laps or rubbing against trouser legs, select colors that contrast with your own.

For people doing paper work, sit on the paper being worked on. After being removed for the second time, push anything movable off the table, like pens, pencils, stamps, etc and always one at a time.

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Animal Recognition

While losing a companion is one of life's greatest sorrows, never having one is to miss out on years of loving companionship.

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In Memory of Critters

	Kasha - The most lovable 'fuzz bucket'.  She would prance around with her head held high after a day at the groomers.  She knew she looked good. From:  Ellen Lentz, San Ramon, CA
	Mr. Ash - Our pretty boy who walked into our home one day and never left.  He returned our love daily ... even though we called him a girl (Ashley) for over a year. From:  Elen Lentz and Steve Meyer, San Ramon, CA

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Spaying and Neutering

Responsible pet owners will spay or neuter their cats to help reduce the huge number of unwanted pets. Even if you confine your cat and prevent any contact with other animals, spaying/neutering is very beneficial to your cat’s health. 

Spaying helps protect your female cat from dangerous uterine infections and tumors, plus drastically reduces incidence of breast cancer. Neutering reduces the incidence of roaming, mounting, urine marking and aggression in males. 

Spaying and neutering are routine surgical operations, relatively inexpensive, and require no more than an overnight stay with the veterinarian.

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