Amy Shojai's Blog, page 100
April 23, 2014
Hairball Prevention, Not Just For Cats!
Hairball Prevention, Not Just For Cats!
Pomeranians may develop hairballs, too. Image Copr. RickieB20/Flickr
Hairballs are the bane of cat owners but hairballs can also affect dogs. How many of y’all have discovered Fluffy’s “gift” by walking barefoot late at night? That cigar-shaped slick nasty “squish” disgusts pet owners, and though it’s quite common for cats to urk up the occasional hairball–it is NOT normal.
This Friday is National Hairball Awareness Day, and Dr. Jane Brunt of the Catalyst Council offers some good advice. “The cat has developed a digestive tract that, when it is healthy and working correctly, can handle normal amounts of fur without problem. Even long haired cats should not develop more than one or two hairballs a year,” says Dr. Brunt. “There have been a lot of recent scientific studies about vomiting in cats and that it may be an indication of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which can progress to cancer.”
Yikes! Hear more from
Persians potentially have more coat to choke on…but even the shorthair beauties can develop hairballs. Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Cats groom themselves, of course, by lick-lick-licking and subsequently swallowing some of the fur. This time of year when shedding takes place, there’s more fur to swallow. When it doesn’t make its way out the normal method and end up in the litter box, fur collects inside the cat and causes irritation and sometimes constipation and blockage. The lucky cats get rid of the mass (technically called a bezoar). It’s more than a nasty nuisance, so as Dr. Jane Brunt says, get your cat checked if your kitty’s “urking” more than normal.
This time of year, dogs also “blow coat” and end up shedding great wads of fuzz. Learn more about shedding here. With my black German Shepherd, Magic, we typically have drifts of dark fuzz left in hunks here and there. It must be itchy, too, because Magic does quite a lot more self-grooming through scratching and nibbling. While big dogs don’t typically hark up hairballs, smaller pooches with thick coats–like Pomeranians–can develop hairballs and either vomit them up or become constipated or even blocked.
So what can you do? With either dogs or cats, good grooming strips away the loose fur as it’s shed. That prevents it being swallowed, developing into painful mats, and helps keep your carpet (relatively) fur free. My fav grooming tool for both cats and dogs is the Furminator. Seren loves getting combed with this, and Magical-Dawg with his longer coat can lose half his body mass with one session! (Not really, but it does look like that…)
What are some of your grooming tips to prevent hairballs, mats and other “big hairy deals” in your pets? Do tell!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 21, 2014
Monday Mentions: Odd Couples & Bloomin’ Creativity!
Monday Mentions: Odd Couples & Bloomin’ Creativity!
Robin Hood pink clusters on each side of the overgrown path offer contrast to the Martha Gonzales crimson in front. Even the weeds look good! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
That picture is from last year’s garden, but this year promises to be even more spectacular. The roses have just now begun to bloom, and the wildflowers–blue bonnets and paintbrush–cover the banks along highways. All of Mom-Nature’s creativity has me inspired to create, too. How about you?
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the amazing videos below, too! For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Writer Beware: Kerry Jacobson this so-called “book publicist” has stolen from lots of writers!
Open Letter to My Boobs just a wonderful post by a gifted (and brave) blogger
Misadventures in Research from Robert Liparulo, a fun (and scary!) quick read
Writer Beware: Silver Publishing Gone
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
CAT RABIES VACCINE ALERT! Production of Merial’s PureVax Feline Rabies vaccine has been put on hold due to a manufacturing discrepancy. The dry material of the vaccine comes in tiny vials that must be reconstituted (liquified) before injection, and some of these instead turn into a gel-like consistency or include precipitates (floating solid material). These vaccines should NOT be used–your veterinarian will have been advised about the issue. However, since PureVax is the only non-adjuvant “recombinant DNA” vaccine (in other words, one that greatly reduces the chance of injection-site sarcomas in cats) it’s often the vaccine of choice for our kitties. That’s the only one I want my cats to get. The vaccine is on backorder for 6-8 weeks probably until mid-summer. So check with your vet about alternatives to be sure your cats are protected, since rabies vaccination is often a matter of state and/or local law.
Bark & Paws 2014 in Denison Texas bring your pooch for this all day fun event!
Stem Cell Therapy for Feline Stomatitis
Unite To Fight Pet Cancer from the awesome Morris Animal Foundation–honor your cats and dogs and save the life of future pets. Blue Buffalo will match funds for the “virtual walk” up to $50,000–see the video, below.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 18, 2014
Real Easter Bunnies Need Care, Time & Love
Real Easter Bunnies Need Care, Time & Love
‘Tis the season for Easter bunnies…real ones need lots of love, attention and proper care, and are not stuffed toys! Image Copr. Audrey/Flickr Creative Commons
Awwww…nothing sweeter than baby bunnies. Well, baby anything, right?
But Easter is not the time for a spur of the moment furry gift. Chicks and ducklings and baby bunnies by the score are purchased each year, some dyed in ridiculous colors, almost as gag gifts despite the fact they are living creatures with very specific care needs.
The House Rabbit Society has lots of great information about caring for a bunny. They do make wonderful pets–but you have to want them for more than a couple of weeks, or until the “cute” wears off.
Did you know that bunnies mark territory? Chew all kinds of stuff? (even more than dogs!). And unless you “fix” your bunny friend, aggression can become a problem. I wrote all about it here.
At my house, Magic already has his paws full playing with Karma. I hate to think what Seren would think were I to bring a bunny into the house–although cats do seem to get along well with rabbits when they’re raised together, introduced properly and socialized.
What about you? Have you ever had a bunny pet? We did when I was a child, but made lots of mistakes. *sigh*
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 16, 2014
Beware Easter Lily–And Other Seasonal Poisons
Beware Easter Lily–And Other Seasonal Poisons
Easter Lilies are highly toxic to pets. Image Copr. Joe deSousa/Flickr Creative Commons
Easter is next Sunday, and with the season comes all kinds of wonderful traditions. Some of these, though, like Easter Lilies and chocolate eggs, can prove toxic to our pets.
Cats don’t tend to munch inedibles nearly as often as dogs do, in part because–well, dogs will eat anything! Heck, they drink out of the toilet and snack from the litter box, for gosh sake. But if it’s sweet, like chocolate, so much the better from the pup’s viewpoint. Dogs evolved to detect sweet, which helps detect ripeness in fruits and veggies (since they are, after all, omnivores).
While cats don’t have a “sweet tooth” per se (as carnivores they prefer the meaty tastes and just don’t have the taste buds to detect sweet), kitties can get in trouble with toxic targets, too. Cats that paw-play or claw the leaves of toxic plants can get the poison on their claws or fur, and become poisoned when they groom themselves. Simply drinking from the water in the lily vase can poison a cat. Believe me, if a delinquent cat (like Karma!) can get in trouble, he will.
So at my house, there are no indoor plants, period, not even the harmless ones. Oh, once the roses start blooming, I’ll bring some of those blossoms inside (roses actually are edible and with thorns removed they’re safe for both people and pets).
Learn more about toxic plants and first aid for poisoning here as well as more info on chocolate poisoning here. How are you protecting your cats and dogs this Easter?
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 14, 2014
Monday Mentions: Creative Birds, Thriller Inspiration & Pet-astic Links
Monday Mentions: Creative Birds, Thriller Inspiration & Pet-astic Links
Last week I got a good start on the new thriller SHOW AND TELL, but then was sidetracked by STRAYS and getting the cast recording finished (you can listen to it here). I find, though, that any kind of artistic endeavor seems to whet my creative appetite. Whether I’m writing music or prose, cutting glass or carving wood, they all seem to make me hungry to make something happen.
My office is filled with whimsy, pieces of art and crappiocca and fun stuff that makes me smile or lights a fuse on my imagination. I’ve got a dragon, Bast statue, rooster who thinks he’s a parrot (with flapping wings and real feathers), carved wooden screen, green frog that thinks he’s a toad, bouquet of cat teases, cat-sculpted vase, and…Pink Floyd the Flamingo (above). Some or all of them may make an appearance in a future book. They’re my inspiration and a bit of a touchstone for me when I know they’re the “real” in my imaginary thrilling and sometimes scary world.
Do you have favorite items in your workplace, maybe that look like nothing special to others but mean the world to you? Is it because of where you got it, or was it a gift, or reminds of you of a time in your life? Do tell!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the great video below, too, from Stephen King! For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Writers, Stand Up for Yourself! know when (and how) to say NO
Comprehension: Paper vs Screens yes, they are different–are you a “slow reader” able to savor?
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
P&G Selling Pet Food Brands to Mars
Veterinarians & Suicide when empathy becomes too much?
Chimera R Us! it’s not just for pets anymore…writers will like this!
Lawn Chemicals and Cats some good info and cautions
Mudslide Dog Reunited with Family
Dog Performs Heimlich, Saves Human’s Life well…not really a Heimlich but impressive nonetheless!
Doggy “Cleft Palate Gene Mutation” Identified
International Conference on Feline Health this looks PAW-some!
Diamond Pet Food Lawsuit Settlement
Only Natural Pet all-natural pet products sold exclusively at Pet360.com – introductory savings of up to 15%
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 11, 2014
Rediscover “Lost” Loves with #HillsPet
Rediscover “Lost” Loves with #HillsPet
Awww, now that made me cry! When you think about dog weight loss or cat weight loss, one rarely thinks how this impacts the loving bond we share, but this video about Bear drives home the point. “I gained a friend,” says Bear’s dad. Those four words explain the importance of keeping pets slim.
To see a beloved pet in such pain and discomfort, and make that awful but ethical choice to stop the suffering–and THEN instead to regain your friend with something as easy as a diet change–now that’s something to howl about! That’s why I’m so pleased to bring you this information.
Lenny BEFORE on Day 0 at 14.6 pounds. Lenny is the “clinic cat” at Fundy Veterinary Animal Hospital, and “helped himself” to food that was always available. Cat images courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
It can be frustrating when our pets pack on the pudge, and can’t get rid of the extra poundage. After all, many of us love to “love” our pets with treats (you CAN treat your cats and your dogs with healthy treats!), and it can be difficult to deny them this kind of special attention. Even when we try to do the right thing and slim down Tubby Tabby or Rotund Rowdy-Dog, the challenges continue and we feel like heels when pets look at us with pleading eyes. The overweight pet can’t interact like he used to. Walk time becomes a chore for you and your pet so there’s less time spent out and about. Kitties that aren’t lean-mean-playing-machines sleep more and we miss that c’attitude we fell in love with.
Lenny lost 1.3 pounds AFTER eating the Metabolic…meee-WOW what a difference 180-days make! He’s inspiring other clients to slim down their tabbies, because it was so easy.
Unhealthy overweight pets just aren’t happy when they can’t physically spend quality time with us. It’s like we’ve lost our best friend. That’s what happened with the dog in the video and maybe that’s what’s happening with your cat or dog, too. Has your pet’s extra poundage impacted how you interact? Details, we want details! Did the dog used to beg to fetch the ball, and now has no interest? Does the kitty have trouble staying spiffy because it’s hard to pull off those kitty-yoga moves for good grooming?
Even cats and dogs without the severe weight issues like Bear can benefit from a bit of slimming to get to a healthier weight. It not only improves the pets’ quality of life, it enriches your relationship, too. That’s because eating Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution changes an overweight animal’s metabolism to act more like that of a lean animal, so that even after the target weight is reached, this higher efficiency metabolism continues.
Magical-Dawg loves his treats! and an empty bowl offers opportunity to offer sad puppy eyes and say, “I’m starving…fill ‘er up, pleeeeeze!” Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Do you have an overweight pet? Have you tried to slim him/her down? Older pets reluctant to move might be enticed by placing the food bowl at the top of the stairs or on a cat tree, so they must move their furry nether regions to get fed. But what goes in the bowl matters, too, and you’ll see a difference in only 60 days by feeding the Metabolic. I want my pets to stay with me as long as possible–and be happy and healthy at the same time–and keeping them slim can add to both quality of life and length of our companionship, so to me it’s a no brainer.
6-year-old Suzie BEFORE, when she weighed 82 pounds. Image courtesy of Hill’s Pet Foods
If your pet has a weight problem, have you asked your veterinarian about Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution? Last month I blogged about how it works and why it’s such a great product here. And you can read testimonials here (type in “metabolic”) and learn more about product here as well.
Today’s blog, though, captures the true benefit–LOVE.
Now, to get the legal stuff out of the way: This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Food, but Amy Shojai’s Bling, Bitches & Blood Blog only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 9, 2014
Strays Cast Recording
I’ve posted this on the STRAYS page as well, but want to share my excitement in a post. The musical will be performed in October, and in preparation for that, we held a Staged Reading with actor/singers Aaron and Diana Adair, Johnny Flowers, Gil Nelson, myself and my co-author Frank Steele. That fine group also lent their voices to record the songs. This is performed with only six voices–imagine how it’ll sound with a full cast and chorus!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 8, 2014
National Dog Fighting Awareness Day!
National Dog Fighting Awareness Day!
Yes, I’m blogging a day early–but it’s important. April 8 (today) has been declared National Dog Fighting Awareness Day by the ASPCA. That’s appropriate since the entire month of April is National Prevent Cruelty to Animals Month and I can think of no more heinous crime against dogs (and other critters) than dog fights.
Image courtesy of ASPCA
Yes, I said “other animals” because even non-fighting critters may be victims of this cruel practice as “training tools” for the fighters. I wrote about a visit to the Crime Museum in Washington, DC last year, where the ASPCA hosted a display of dog fight paraphernalia and information about this horrible practice. The veterinary CSI’s had even excavated the skeleton of a cat that had been killed and buried in conjunction with training the dogs.
Sadly, there are still many myths surrounding the crime. It’s not an isolated practice–dog fighting happens all over the country, in cities, urban settings, and in the country. Perhaps in your community.
I know it happens where I live. Here in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma, dog fighting and the associated guns, drugs and other crimes occur with great frequency. Yep, kids are involved–bring those kids up while exposing them to such things as “normal” and guess what happens? Urk!
So mark your calendars and iPhones for a Google+ Hangout tonight, at 7-8 pm New York Time. I’ll be there. Will you?
Now…I gotta go pet my Magical-Dawg, Seren-Kitty and Karma-Kitten and thank doG that they’re safe!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 7, 2014
Monday Mentions: Working Dog Aps & Tricky Rats
Monday Mentions: Working Dog Aps & Tricky Rats
Looky looky! I’m wearing my bunny-slippers-with-teeth again, as I continue the work on the latest thriller SHOW AND TELL. Lots of stuff a-percolating about the story, too, almost too much good stuff. The trick will be how to get everything to come together.
But it’ll happen. *s*
I’m already getting help and ideas from my Sweet Peeps on Facebook (are you my friend/follower yet? 
). And as in the past, there’ll be new characters to name so I’ll let y’all know when the next NAME THAT CAT/NAME THAT DOG contest happens.
Meanwhile, I’m back in the desk-treadmill-saddle and walking about an hour a day. Okay, I skipped Saturday, while I finished up orchestration on the newest (and final) song GOTCHA DAY for the Strays show. (Soon I should also have samples of the cast recording to share.) But otherwise, I’m doing my best to get-and-stay as healthy as possible. It’s amazing the increased energy I feel when I’ve walked my quota.
Here’s a chance for some of y’all to get a PAW-tographed copy of the 2nd thriller HIDE AND SEEK. I’m giving three copies away through GoodReads and you can sign up directly in the form, below. Good luck!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Hide And Seek
by Amy Shojai
Giveaway ends April 18, 2014.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the amazing videos below, too! For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Pamela Wray, The Great Pretender here’s a serial plagiarizer you won’t believe!
Writers League of Texas Agent Conference
Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference (yes, I’ll be there! first weekend in May)
BlogPaws Social Media Conference for anyone who writes about/loves pets!
Thrillerfest in July! you won’t want to miss this (yes, I’m going!)
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
“I Love You Smell Much!” a study that shows familiar smell lights up a dog’s pleasure centers in the brain
Shame On Winnie The Pooh, pooh-pooing science?
2014 Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE Awards) Nominations Open!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
April 4, 2014
Cats Under Attack! TNR, TB, Toxo & Talkback
Cats Under Attack! TNR, TB, Toxo & Talkback
Managed feral cats can live healthy lives. Image Copr. Sapphire Dream/Flickr
No, I don’t mean my cats have turned on me, although Seren and Karma have yet to call a truce. Actually, the past week or so has been filled with an array of articles, posts, and flame-war discussions denigrating cats as well as those who attempt to help them.
This isn’t new. Cats have been the scapegoat for many of the world’s ills. Perhaps it’s because our felines have such great success surviving what would fell lesser creatures. After all, there’s a reason that “9 lives” myth has been repeated for eons.
Cats, particular the issue of ferals and TNR, seem to bring out all the trolls. For more on TNR, read this blog post from last year.
News outlets eager to sell stories and get more eyeballs on their venues often duck fact-checking and opt for hand-waving sensationalism. So cats are blamed for:
rabies (despite the fact that wildlife reservoirs–bats, raccoons, foxes–are the more likely host)
“crazy brain disease” and being baby-killers due to toxoplasmosis (despite the fact most humans harbor this without any problem, as a result of eating rare meat–and it’s easily preventable with just modest hygiene)
Bird predation (despite human destruction of habitat and other critters–like rats and snakes–impact birds at much higher rates).
And now, a scare that cats transmitted tuberculosis to people, via contact with badgers. (?!) “We don’ need no stinkin’ badgers!” (sorry, couldn’t resist but it’s NOT funny)
The anti-TNR folks point to these issues to convince us lethal means–usually poisoning–of feral cats should be implemented. That’s worked SO WELL over the past 100+ years (NOT!). The results have been ineffective, inhumane and costly.
My owned cats Seren and Karma stay inside, not to protect the wildlife from them, but to protect them from the wildlife. I agree that companion cats merit protection. But so do feral felines, who through no fault of their own, live life on the wild side. And truth be told, both Seren and Karma were but one paw-step away from living that wild side life, and being the targets of cat haters.
Sound harsh? So sue me.
TNR is not a “single” thing. It’s an all-encompassing effort that not only trap-neuter-returns but also adopts out the adoptable “strays” that wander in or get dumped, places kittens able to adapt as pets, euthanizes the un-save-able, and helps relieve the burden for local animal welfare organizations. So according to some, TNR is a “failure” because cat colonies don’t go away simply with the trap-neuter-return portions of the equation.
Hmnnnn.
Is TNR perfect? No. Is killing cats a perfect solution? No. Are there valid arguments on both sides? Of course. That’s always the case when the situation isn’t black and white, but instead all shades of gray, tabby, calico and more.
Here’s my response to one thread of comments:
“I’m delighted there are so many here who claim to have the best interests of cats (shelter, stray, feral, pet) at heart. And I’m saddened that rather than working together to help the situation, great pains are taken to denigrate any effort. It’s very easy (on both sides) to pick and choose the “facts” one wishes to spotlight in an effort to support an argument and point fingers how WRONG WRONG WRONG the other party is. Rather than allow emotions to run the show, it’s a much more difficult — and ultimately rewarding and ethical –stance to offer a balanced look. Rather than point out the shortcomings and condemning a particular practice based on the FAILURE, why not look at the successes, analyze why they worked and how to improve these efforts?
That might actually make the positive difference all parties purport to want.
Thank you to those who truly do want what’s best for the cats. Your passion could indeed make a positive difference for cats. They’re the innocent victims in this tug-o-war.
And as far as I can see, cats and cat lovers (on both sides) lose the battle when all that matters is who can shout loudest. True journalism, it seems, is dead and advertorials have inherited the hand-waving space.”
I’m tired of having to quash the bad information each time it’s resurrected by folks who ignore reality. And I’m sickened by those who use these issues in a war against companion animals who argue that it’s more ‘humane’ to trap and kill feral cats, rather than to manage colonies in which healthy cats unable to accept human companions live for a decade or longer. Properly cared for feral colonies provide a protective barrier from diseased animals (and other cats)–because as we know, kitties chase away “stranger danger” and only reluctantly accept in newbies to the fold. Seren drives that home every day with her c’attitude toward Karma. Of course, the operative words there are “properly managed/cared for.”
Here are just some of the recent stories, with commentary, that have been published. Some make valid points, although I don’t necessarily agree with the conclusions. There also have been some solid rebuttals.
The Evil Of Outdoor Cats is the story that started the recent furor, and here’s the author’s follow up with some more response and a nicely composed Response from CWA Member Anne Moss and from well known pet expert Steve Dale.
TB Caught from Cats and a vet’s warning about More To Come (notice how the vet says it’s low risk–but the headlines trumpet something else.)
No Evidence to Support Killing Feral Cats offers a great response from Peter Wolf with facts and figures to back it up
I’ll let y’all decide for yourselves. Some of my colleagues have speculated we’re in the middle of an orchestrated PR campaign against TNR and cats in general. What do you think? Do our responses to these stories fuel the fire? Are we preaching to the choir without any chance to change minds?
Oh, and I have no doubt the trolls will come out in force. So in advance, y’all can refer to my comments policy here.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!
