THE SCRATCHING POST
Issue #30, by Barbara Stanley, home2cats@aol.com
Home 2 Cats, P. O. Box 752671, Memphis, TN 38175-2671
Our mission is:
To provide food, medical care, love and sanctuary for injured, disabled or abused animals.
To educate the public in what constitutes responsible cat care and ownership.
To engage in other activities related to animal rescue and public education about cat care and responsibilities.
Mews You Can Use
Cat Collectors?
At the vet one day a dog owner in the waiting room saw my two cat carriers and struck up a conversation. He began telling me about his neighbor who had 5 cats! He really thought they were abnormal because they had so many cats.
He was also horrified that they allowed the cats in the house. The rest of his conversation was focused on how their house must smell. He had never been or seen the inside of their house but he already had a preconceived idea of what it looked and smelled like.
We tend to develop our own notions about what is normal and then we judge everyone by that standard. Reports that focus on households containing multiple animals typically conjure up negative responses in our thoughts. We tend to label these people as ‘animal or cat collectors.’
‘Collectors’ are basically people that had good intentions but let things get out of hand. Along the way they were not able to properly care and provide for the animals’ well being. Even though they are aware of this fact they continue to add animals to their household and not attempt to find homes for the neglected ones they have.
A great many in the general public can’t imagine that multi-animal household can have healthy pampered pets. Please remember that everyone who has multiple animals are not ‘collectors’ or bad pet owners. We need to judge people on the care and quality of life they are providing for their pet or pets.
Being in rescue we see our share of abused and neglected animals. Neglect is not more prominent in multi-animal households compared to a single animal household. We have seen our share of both.
We have been fortunate to meet many wonderful pet owners who have one pet and some with 20 or more pampered pets.
I have found that most households with multiple pets became that way due to strays that wandered up to their doorstep and entered their lives or they found and rescued an injured animal. These folks were not just out searching or looking for animals. In fact, most will tell you that they never planned or intended to increase their pet numbers. The animal in need came to them.
I feel it is important to remember that if it wasn’t for their generosity and opening up their hearts (and their pocketbooks) those animals would most likely not have survived or if taken to a shelter would have been euthanized.
Most people do attempt to find an appropriate home but if you have ever been in this situation then you know how difficult a task this can be. (If you have rescued animals more than once you will notice your friends will start answering your phone calls with NO instead of HELLO!)
Remember it is not how many animals a household has but the care and quality of life that is being provided. And of course, we can all do our part by SPAYING and NEUTERING.
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Cat Tails
Home 2 Cats' Becky & Keiki
It is hard to predict animal behavior. They tend to be like children and yes, given the opportunity will embarrass you in front of others.
One of our volunteers, Brenda, would occasionally bring her husband along. When Don would get here, Becky, a resident black and white tuxedo cat, would plop herself on Don’s lap.
We lovingly referred to Becky as a ‘Lump’ as she never showed much emotion or energy. Becky would claim Don’s lap as hers. When Brenda was ready to depart she would find Don and Becky the ‘Lump’ in the same spot and position as when Don first arrived.
One day Don and Brenda decided it was time to add another member to their family. Of course, Don was enchanted with Becky but Brenda was in love with another resident, Keiki, a blind Snowshoe.
Don hadn’t met Keiki; I mean how could he when the minute he entered the doorway Becky would plop herself on his lap and anchor him to the spot. So they paid Home 2 Cats a visit with the purpose of visiting with Keiki and making an adoption decision.
They walked through the door and Keiki happened to be sitting on a chair. She was intently listening to the new sounds that were now in the room. Don and Brenda walked up to Keiki talking and fussing over her.
I swear Becky knew exactly what was transpiring. This sweet ‘Lump’ of a cat jumped up on the chair next to Keiki. She stared at Don and then raised her paw and without batting an eye placed her paw on Keiki’s shoulder and pushed her off the chair!
Brenda exclaimed, "Did you see that? She purposely pushed Keiki off the chair!" I picked up the surprised Keiki and Becky just sat there intently staring at Don trying to send telepathic vibes, "Pick me! Pick me!"
Thank goodness, Don and Brenda decided to adopt both cats, which they did one at a time so each could adjust without anymore pushing and shoving.
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Animal and People Recognition
While losing a companion is one of life's greatest sorrows, never having one is to miss out on years of loving companionship.
In Memory Of Animals
Frosty
Beloved cat of Barbara Ragusa.
--Ellen LentzIn Memory Of People
Ted Cartledge
In memory of my beloved husband. He would have been 68 years old. He died much too soon.
--Ruth Blann CartledgeJim Walker
In memory of my brother who would have been 58 years old.
--Ruth Blann CartledgeSpecial Holidays Memorials and Honors
In Honor of our friends, neighbors & family at Christmas:
The Pates (Ki-Kitty)
The Albrechts (Tiger & Snickers)
Kelly Cook (Pedro & Conchita)
Parker Smith
Amy & Mike Jacobs
Eldon & Pat Stanton
Mike & Marlene Mauk (Scraps & Milo).
--Bob & Dody CordesThe Cordes Family
--Mike & Marlene Mauk
The Pate Family
The Albrecht Family
Murphy Cordes
Newest member to the Cordes Clan. Thank you for wandering into our lives.
--Mike & Marlene MaukDody & Bob Cordes (Guinness, Ozzie & Harriett)
Marlene & Mike Mauk (Scraps & Milo)
Sandy, Gary, Nicole & Michael Albrecht (Tiger & Snickers)
--Hal, Suzanne, Elyse & Andrew Pate & Ki-Kitty"In Memory of Ted.
In your Honor, Barbara & Larry.
Because I am thankful for Holle.
Because I am thankful for Phoebe my little rescued cat (and the part you played in her rescue.)"
--Ruth Blann Cartledge
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A Word (or 2) From Home (2 Cats!)
Home 2 Cats Announces a Youth Outreach Program!
If you are under 18 years of age, we need your help.
Home 2 Cats needs your input to assist with youth education. We need to hear from you! Please write us and share your thoughts, opinions or even cat rescue stories with us.
Your response may be published by Home 2 Cats to help in youth education. Responses received will not be returned and will become the property of Home 2 Cats to be used for this youth project. If, however, we publish your comments, Home 2 Cats will notify you by mail.
If you are able to help us in any of the areas listed below, please write or email us at the addresses given at the bottom of this page.
Rescued Cats:
If you have rescued a cat please write us and tell us about your rescue story.
We would like to know if you kept the cat or found him/her a home. If you found the cat a home, other than your own, tell us how you accomplished this.
What have you learned from the rescue experience?
Have you ever fostered a rescued cat, if so, tell us about the experience.
Family Cat:
Tell us briefly about your cat.
If your family has a cat in the household, in what way are you responsible for your pet’s care?
In your own words, what makes a responsible pet owner?
What have you learned from your cat?
What do you like best about your cat?
Youth Rescue:
Without help from a rescue organization, in what way could youths be active in rescue?
Oops!
On our Youth mailing we did last fall asking for input from young people, I incorrectly listed the zip code for Home 2 Cats. One of our supporter’s grandchildren answered our inquiry but I have not received their correspondence.
There may be more correspondence that was sent incorrectly that has not been received. I am hoping with time that the post office will eventually deliver all mail that was sent.
Please write or email us at the addresses given at the bottom of this page.
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Ongoing Projects
Home (2 Cats) On www.petfinder.com
Looking to adopt a cat or kitten? Check out our current pet list and our adoption day calendar on Home 2 Cats home page on www.petfinder.com under shelters/organizations. You may also access our home page directly by http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/TN159.html
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