Cats aren’t dogs. The secret to coping with cats is as easy — and sophisticated — as that.
That’s one of many messages We Care Animal Rescue obtained this week from superstar “Cat Daddy” Jackson Galaxy, former star of the Animal Planet present “My Cat from Hell.”
“It’s all a matter of allowing cats to think they’re calling the shots,” Galaxy advised the Star on Tuesday. “There is no telling a cat what to do.”
Galaxy was set to spend three days consulting on the nonprofit no-kill shelter together with Kristen Hassen, an animal welfare skilled with a background in massive public shelters. She’s advising We Care on operational issues whereas Galaxy is specializing in cats.
Executive Director Ashley Armstrong mentioned the duo can even advise We Care employees on the most effective use of their new building, which opened in December.
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Hassen and Galaxy have consulted with shelters in Maui which were inundated with lots of of cats left homeless after final August’s wildfires. Some of these felines may finally make their option to We Care and go up for adoption, Hassen mentioned.
About 70 cats reside at We Care. One of the cats Galaxy will work with is Tabby, who tends to chase and chew folks however can be candy and affectionate. If We Care can determine what triggers his aggression, it would have the ability to discover him a cheerful home.
When requested how he plans to work together with Tabby, Galaxy mentioned he’ll let Tabby take the lead.
“Then I’ll try to direct him to something that gets his frustration out — and hopefully not on my body,” he mentioned. “I’ll be looking for triggers, whether they’re environmental, post-traumatic or brain chemistry.”
“Cats aren’t dogs” appears apparent, but it surely has deeper implications that specify why folks run into hassle after they attempt to prepare cats like they might dogs.
Unlike dogs, cats aren’t totally domesticated. Dogs have been sharing our campfires, accepting our meals and guarding our settlements for tens of 1000’s of years. Cats have been defending our meals provides from rodents for a very long time too, but it surely wasn’t till the urbanization of the Industrial Revolution that the fashionable idea of the indoor housecat solidified.
Cat litter and the behavioral expectations that come together with it have solely been round for the reason that Forties.
Dogs are pack animals biologically wired to comply with a pacesetter, whereas cats are predators, inclined to hunt by themselves. That’s one of many causes bonding with a cat is so rewarding, Galaxy mentioned; you’re being chosen by an animal that’s not biologically programmed to decide on anyone.
During their first go to to We Care’s new building, Hassen and Galaxy had no downside profitable over Gatsby and his roommate, Lily.
Galaxy sat down and confirmed Gatsby the again of his hand, fingertips dealing with down — a non-threatening gesture that Galaxy mentioned simulates the “nostril on nostril” interplay cats typically have interaction in after they meet.
Gatsby sniffed his hand and shortly took cost of the petting, rubbing scent glands on his cheeks, chin and head throughout Galaxy’s hand, leaving a pheromonal sign that “Gatsby was right here.” Lily was slower to interact, however she quickly got here out to say her share of consideration.
The pandemic was exhausting on animal shelters. Some nonprofit shelters have folded, and public involvement is essential to preserving the remaining ones viable, in keeping with Hassen.
“Shelters need to throw open their doors and invite the public to come in and help,” mentioned Hassen. “During the pandemic shelters closed the doors and made it harder to adopt. We Care is a great example of an organization that’s now saying, ‘Come help us.’”
“The best organizations are inviting more people to help in more ways,” she mentioned, by placing extra animals in foster properties, working as non permanent security nets as an alternative of everlasting sanctuaries, and taking out the concept that some cats with particular wants aren’t adoptable.
“Diabetes, hyperthyroidism and feline leukemia are not reasons for a cat not to be in a home,” Galaxy mentioned. “These cats are not broken, they just need a little care. That’s what parenting is.”
Winter could be a harmful time for pets if their homeowners aren’t correctly ready.
The finest high-tech devices for cat homeowners
1. Litter-Robot 4
The Litter-Robot 4 by Whisker is slightly like a Roomba. One day, you’re baffled by the cost. The subsequent, you’re questioning the way you ever lived with out it. The self-cleaning litter field prices $699 (sure, actually), but it surely eliminates a each day chore each cat proprietor dreads.
The Litter-Robot 4 sifts out waste after each use, pushing clumps right into a tightly sealed drawer to forestall odors. You may also view up-to-date stats about your cat’s litter field use and weight. Plus, it really works for multi-cat households.
2. Tractive GPS Tracker Collar
Whether you’ve got an escape artist or an indoor/outside cat, Tractive’s GPS collar helps you monitor your cat’s actions and preserve them protected. The collar additionally information exercise ranges and notifies you with a well being alert in case your cat all of a sudden modifications habits. The tracker prices $49.99, and a basic subscription prices $13 monthly, with reductions for annual billing.
3. Petcube Cat Monitoring Camera
Petcube is a $49.99 digital camera that lets you monitor your cat when you’re away. The subscription plan begins at $5.99 monthly. Subscriptions offer you access to reside streaming, 3-day video historical past, and good alerts. If you need to work together along with your cat when you’re gone, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite has 2-way audio and a deal with dispenser.
4. Petlibro Dockstream App Monitoring Water Fountain
Keeping your cat hydrated doesn’t simply give your fur child extra power — it can be essential for stopping feline decrease urinary tract and persistent kidney illness. The $79.99 Petlibro water fountain makes it simple to trace your cat’s hydration ranges with in-app stories and low water notifications. Running water can also be extra interesting to cats, motivating them to drink extra.
5. SureFeed Microchip Feeder
If you’ve got a number of pets, it may be difficult to maintain them out of every others’ meals. This computerized feeder from Sure Petcare is activated by your cat’s microchip or RFID collar tag, eliminating meals stealing. At $199, SureFeed is costly for an computerized feeder, however for pets on particular diets, it may be a literal lifesaver.
You can attain Jesse Duarte at (707) 967-6803 or [email protected].
