Conferences are great networking opportunities

Some years ago, I wrote this item and as the next great networking opportunity approaches - the Saskatchewan SPCA Animal Welfare Conference - I thought it was an opportune time to revisit what I wrote and to share it with you.

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THERE’S NO PLACE I’D RATHER BE RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT


By Linda Jean Gubbe

On Friday, September 26, 2008 I headed out to the Hilton Hotel to attend the 4th Animal Welfare Conference sponsored by the Saskatchewan SPCA. It was a great two days. Now I wanted to share a bit of the experience with others who were unable to attend. It isn’t the same as being there...but hopefully you will get a taste of it enough to think about attending next year. You’ll love it.

There is no place I would rather be than at a table with animal people at an animal conference. The air is electric and the laughter intoxicating.

On my way to the conference early Friday morning (much earlier than is ethical in my opinion), I was looking forward to seeing faces I hadn’t seen in awhile, putting faces to names that I had only “met” over email, and new faces of those up-and-coming in the animal rescue business.

I’ve been to a number of conferences now and it’s always the same. People who have met each other at other conferences or events greet each other with a supportive hug. That revitalizing hug that means yes, I made it. I survived. I am still here working hard for the animals and you know what I have gone through to get here. Thank you. Thank you for being you and understanding the passion that I have for the animals.

Then there are the new people, not necessarily new to the rescue business, but new to connecting at a networking opportunity. They usually find a table where no one is sitting and sit watching with anticipation all those coming into the room. What are they watching for? A look. A smile. Something that tells them that they are being welcomed into this networking family. They are watching to see if they can “recognize” the face to the name that they have been desperately emailing for support for the past however long, as if the email address was somehow stamped to the person’s forehead.

A person stops by the table and says “Is anyone sitting here?” “No” they say with a sigh of relief as the networking begins.

Then it’s a roller-coaster ride of emotions from then on. Emotions from the entire spectrum, from trepidation to overwhelming “been there-done that” memories to excitement about the future.

I glance across the room as everyone is hanging on every word from the presenter. Notes scribbled on the pads of paper from the conference package….ah…those notes! They don’t want to miss anything. That phrase that would have come so handy in that other incident and now I will have it for next time! I am better prepared for next time! You can see it in their eyes. You can see it when they nod their head…yes…yes…they really understand I’ve been there, experienced that…I am SO glad that I am not alone in feeling this way.

I smile. I love it when people are networking. I love it when people who feel isolated…and you can feel isolated in a large city just as easily as a small rural community….suddenly have a world of possibilities opened up for them. Even just the simple phrase…”here’s my email address. Email me any time you need to.” Wow! The light in their eyes means so much for them, for you, for me and definitely for the animals.

That light means there is hope and that’s the most important thing to keep us going.

By the end of the presentations and the beginning of the wine and cheese, conversations are running rampant. Stories of this foster or that foster and the wonderfully individual things they do. Stories of companions past and present bring smiles and laughter to all. It is the most healing time. Then, of course, there is the sharing of information about…this happened…did you experience this….you did!....what did you do?...AH HA!...excellent idea, I’m definitely trying that as soon as I get back!

By the time I head for home and crawl into bed, I am exhausted but thoughts are still whirling around in my head. Thoughts are always whirling around in everyone’s head during a conference. I sleep for about two hours because my body is exhausted, but my mind then wakes me up and says…heh we need to get this all down before I forget. And I sit and type for at least another two hours. Then I finally try to calm my mind again to try to grab a snippet of sleep before getting up to start the second day of the conference.

I’ve been to conferences where there is four days and one would think that you would be totally wiped out…but you’re not. The energy that flows through the room each time is inspiring. That energy is fuel you needed to carry on another year….or years…and needs to be refueled every once in awhile. Emails are okay. Phone conversations are okay. But there is nothing that is as energizing as a conference where people look into each other’s eyes and touch each other’s hearts and souls.

It is all so overwhelming, but we wouldn’t miss it for the world. There is no place else in the world that I would rather be than a conference….unless it’s perhaps following through with something I learned at a conference and having it turn out to be a huge success! That is so kool.

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I'll be going to the conference.  Will I see you there?

How many cats can I legally have?

I'm glad you asked.  It's a busy time of year for cats and kittens and we are, of course, encouraging you to adopt one of these great personalities that we have longing for a good, safe, warm, forever home.

The City of Saskatoon Animal Services doesn't have a bylaw about how many - yet.  But it's not about how many you can legally have.  Nope, the real question is how many can you take care of properly.

I borrow from a recent post from The MEOW Foundation, Calgary, so that I can share it with you.  Then a few final words of my own on the topic....

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ZW has just posed a very important question in her query about how many cats a person can legally own in one's home. Definitively, Calgary Bylaws and Animal Services have the legal answer to this question and they will give you the answer by calling 311 or emailing them.

That, however, is not the most important question......the most important question to ask yourself is how many cats can I take care of in a healthy, happy, responsible and fiscally realistic manner, factoring in food, litter, toys, vet bills, medications, spay and neuter surgery costs, vaccinations, and for aging pets, expensive dental cleaning and surgery necessities?

Every animal deserves to have all of these things in their lives and while the joys of pet ownership are myriad, as we all know so well, there is a lot of responsibility and financial cost to keeping a pet properly for the 12-20 years of its life. Consider this cat cost breakdown, for one cat per year, as outlined by the Calgary Humane Society on their website:

CAT BUDGET

The below does not include emergency medical care, initial vaccinations and rabies vaccine [added by MEOW: factor in having an emergency reserve fund of anywhere around $1,000 - $3,000 per cat per year for emergency vet care]. This also does not include the cost of your time needed for walking, playing and caring for your cat.

For a spayed female, 12-pound, domestic long haired cat:

Minimum Cost Per Year (Approximate)

Food and Treats

4 cans of cat food (396g) per month @ $2.00 a can $96.00

4lb bag of dry food per month @ $20.00 each $240.00

3oz bag of cat treats per month @ $5.00 each $60.00

Veterinary Care

Yearly visit - exam and vaccinations $71.00

Nail trimming every 2 months @ $15.00 a trim $90.00

Litter and Supplies

20lb bag of cat litter per month @ 10.00 a bag $120.00

1 tube of anti-furball medication $10.00

License

City Of Calgary license fee per year $10.00 (City of Saskatoon - intact $32, spayed/neutered $16)


Vacation
2 weeks cat care @ 15.00 per day $210.00

Minimum Cost Per Year (Approximate) Subtotal $907 plus GST $45.35 = $952.35


One Time Costs
Metal food and water dishes $15.00
Collar, leash and harnesses $35.00

Brush $15.00

Litter pan and scoop $13.00
Scratching post $45.00
Cat Carrier $45.00
Toys $30.00
Cat bed $20.00


One Time Costs Subtotal $218 plus GST $10.90 = $228.90


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I thank the MEOW Foundation for the above breakdown. 

So, as you see, the question is NOT how many does the City allow you to have, the real question is how many can you responsibly take care of.

There are so many other factors, besides legalities, to take into consideration first:

1. Will you ever have to move?
2. What if you and/or your partner get a great job opportunity but it means moving quickly which may mean not being able to have the proper time to find animal friendly housing?
3. What if you are a senior who suddenly is unable to stay in your own home but must go into a senior care home - most do not allow even a goldfish?
4. Or worse yet, what if there is a sudden accident - heaven forbid - and your family does not want or is unable to care for your cats?
5. What if there is a disaster such as flood, tornado or a fire in your home? How many of those cats can you get to safety without jeopardizing you or your family's safety?
6. Money is always an issue for everyone. It might not be right now, but there are always times when it is a factor and sometimes a major factor.
7. Time is also an issue people tend to forget when talking about cats. Believe it or not cats live better lives when you can give them more of your time.

The single most important issue to keep in your mind is the CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.

Things happen that are beyond our control. You need to be prepared.

In any of these circumstances, it is traumatic enough if you have just one cat, but if you have more than one, then you multiple the difficulties by that number.

Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?

I hope I'm not scaring you away from adopting.  Cats are one of the best forms of relaxation - good for your body, mind and soul.

All I'm trying to say is please think carefully, for the sake of the cats.  It is, after all, about "pawsitive" thinking.

>>^--^<<  Kindness to animals creates a better world for us all!

Elevated feeding bowls for Seniors

Now that my Tawn is getting on in years, it is more and more evident that she has difficulty getting up and down.  I've placed little stairs beside the bed.  But I have also elevated her food and water dishes to make it a little easier for her.  I've used bowls now instead of plates because she would push the food off the plate and couldn't then reach it as easily.

"As the population of aging pets increases, elevated feeders are growing in popularity, noted Rochelle Hartigan, director of marketing for OurPet's Co. in Fairport Harbor, Ohio.  Due to advances in medicine, she said, pet life expectancy has increased so significantly that today, about 40% of U.S. pets are considered seniors.  Raising a pet's food bowl at all stages of life can have significant benefits, but this is especially important for increasing comfort and wellness for older animals."     Pet Product News International, August 2011

What we won't do for our companions, especially when they have given nothing but unconditional love.  Tawn has been with me for 17 years and hopefully a little longer yet.  So if she needs a few extras like an elevated dish in her old age, that's okay by me.

*River Dance for Spay/Neuter!

Ever spy on your cat at night? I watched my little feral girl, Hawley, the other night. She was playing in the living room. It was like a dance. I hear Riverdance is coming soon. Maybe she could apply, but then she’s too shy. She’s such a pretty girl. While it is a joy to see her happy and dancing playfully, I do wish she would warm up to people. She’d make a gorgeous companion. (Small commercial for little ferals living in a home.)

TIME AND CHANGE. Recently it was a trip down memory lane for me when I ran into someone I worked with in the military many years ago. As I am not originally from Saskatoon and neither was she, so it was interesting that we both ended up here and bumping into each other some 30 years later. Thirty years…oh my goodness…times runs away with you! What I found especially Interesting was how much has changed and yet so little has changed.

It brings to mind the fight against the cat overpopulation. A lot has changed over the course of the fifty-some years that I’ve been an advocate of animals and twenty some years in animal rescue. The World Wide Web certainly has been a huge part of that change especially during the last decade. Yet it still seems that not as much has changed as it needs to be – there is still an overpopulation problem, particularly with cats.

“Is there still an overpopulation crisis for cats?” someone asked me the other day. All you have to do is to call up any spca or rescue group and ask if they are full. The answer is almost always yes. What does that mean? Why aren’t the new and innovative programs working? Well, in part I think it’s because not everyone is doing all the programs and often it’s only a handful of people in any one community who are consistently working towards the solution.

While there isn’t any ONE thing that will solve this crisis situation; in fact there are several pieces to the puzzle, it still needs one key word to pull all the pieces together - TEAMWORK. To visualize that picture perfect community, we need a lot of people from all facets of the community working as a team.

5 STEPS TO A CAT FRIENDLY COMMUNITY.
1. Work Together.
2. Just Do It – Spay/Neuter.
3. Educate.
4. Legislation.
5. Registration.

1. WORK TOGETHER.
This is hugely important! We need to pull together and build a team with as members from all facets of the community – rescue groups, spcas, individuals, members of the local city government, members of the animal health professional, and other members of the community – everyone! Then we will see a big difference more quickly and more effectively.

The Calgary City Animal Services, working with the Calgary Humane Society and the rescue group MEOW Foundation, along with other individuals are doing amazing programs in Calgary that are taking a chunk out of the overpopulation crisis. It’s great work.

“Care for Cats.ca” is a brand new project going national. The website was launched this January 2011 as a kickoff to the “Year of the Cat” campaign. It brings together everyone who works with and/or loves cats across Canada. I’m excited to be a part of the Advisory Council for “Care for Cats.” It is an opportunity to build a network of resources so that no one fighting the war on cat overpopulation feels alone. Let’s work together to ditch the view of cats as a disposable commodity. In other words….let’s “ditch” the idea, not the cats!

“Care for Cats” is a long term project that will respond to the cat overpopulation crisis by creating and distributing impactful public education programs and support materials, encouraging community collaboration across all pet industry sectors; providing accurate resources; and collecting and evaluating national metrics to measure success. Recognizing that we cannot expect to completely solve the cat crisis in a single year, Care for Cats was formed and 2011 The Year of the Cat is its first project.

2. JUST DO IT – SPAY/NEUTER.

Borrowing from the Nike company – let’s just do it. Part of understanding the value of a cat is to understand the cat’s medical needs. Spay/Neuter is a very important part of those medical needs. (Don’t forget dentals – that’s HUGE too!)

Rescue groups, humane societies and veterinarians have all be promoting spay/neuter for decades. Fortunately it is starting to sink in, and though we still have a ways to go, it is still a very important step. So please encourage everyone to get their cat spayed or neutered.

3. EDUCATE.

Something that most anyone involved with animal welfare does is to try to educate – everyone within ear shot and at every single opportunity they can – and sometimes that’s in the grocery store lineup or in the middle of a parking lot. I have a lot of those type conversations – comes with the fact that my car is not exactly what you might call “unnoticeable.”

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s advocates. So it’s important to keep information available for the children and allow them firsthand experience with the cats, even if it’s just spending a pleasurable afternoon brushing and playing with some of the cats in SCAT’s free roaming Adoption Centre. It’s a beginning and you just never know which one or more of these great youngsters will have an idea – one that will become the start of some new, innovative and amazing program to take us a step closer to truly understanding the intrinsic value of cats.

4. LEGISLATION.

Now, here’s where some opinions may differ, and truth be told, I’ve never been one to have laws crammed down someone’s throats; however, it does seem that some people need extra “encouragement” to do the right thing, unfortunately.

Mandatory licensing (paired with a functional and aggressive spay/neuter program funded from these funds) is an option several communities are exploring. If it’s combined to include a functional and aggressive spay/neuter program using these funds, then it may have a chance of helping the community. Both increasing the number of cats that are returned to owners and decreasing the number of kittens born helps to decrease the numbers going into shelters. It’s simple math.

The unhappy fact is that there are staggering numbers of cats killed every year. If these cats had loving homes to live in and were not left abandoned or dumped into someone else’s arms with “here, you deal with it”, then there would not be this fact. The goal is to decrease these numbers in whatever way we can.

If the spay/neuter program isn’t helping as effectively or as quickly as it needs to be, then perhaps mandatory spay/neuter is the next step.

NOTE: Any legislation regarding animals, whether mandatory licensing or mandatory spay/neuter must be discussed and reviewed and updated as needed. The discussion must include what is best for as many animals as possible, which means that for mandatory spay/neuter for example, there must be an exemption process for those animals that a veterinarian does not recommend the procedure for a particular animal due to health concerns. The animal’s health must be taken into consideration. For the mandatory licensing laws there should be an adaptation for credible, authorized, and registered animal welfare organizations who are helping the community and local government reach its goal of less animals on the street.

Bottom line is to decrease the number of unwanted cats and to increase the numbers of cats who are healthy and happy in forever homes.

5. MANDITORY REGISTRATION.

I strongly believe that anyone who is interacting with the public REGULARLY in order to relocate animals should be registered. I don’t mean the accidental day trip that brings the dog or cat home pregnant and you immediately keep them inside and get the animal spayed and neutered right after the youngsters are weaned – I’m talking anyone who has animals to relocate on a regular basis.

Home breeders and rescue groups/individuals, for example, should be registered, should have a business license, and need to adhere to the standards that are set out by the dog kennel and cattery associations. This protects the animals in their possession. Drop in visits from the public or health inspectors or animal welfare protection officers are then able to ensure that the standards are maintained.

It also would protect the customer – the members of the public who simply want to provide a good home for one of these animals and those who donate to causes so that they know for sure that their money is helping with the best possible care of the animals.

There are lots of details that would need to be worked out with this kind of project, but recent events and the large number of hoarding situations across Canada and the United States means there is a need for some way to gain control of an otherwise uncontrollable situation. It is horrendous that animals have to suffer for any amount of time through neglect or sub-standard care whether it is intentional or not.

TIME FOR CHANGE. Okie dokie so that’s my jumping up on the soap box for today! Thanks for listening.

Let’s get back to the basics – spay/neuter. It’s time to spread the word again. Hopefully we can stop a bunch of kittens from being born in traumatic circumstances this spring and then hopefully the kittens who are born will be able to find great homes!

Help the cats! Spread the word! Spay and neuter. Let’s dance with Hawley to victory!

Why Riverdance? Well, I just thought that since River Dance was coming to Saskatoon, it just seemed such a great example of how beautiful an accomplishment can be with some great teamwork. Same goes with spay and neuter. We can make Saskatoon such a beautiful place by working together as a team.

PS: Am having a little trouble with posting on the blog with some new changes which were happening at Canada.com so thank you so much for your patience with not hearing from me for awhile. I’m still working on getting it resolved. I’ve managed finally to get this posting up, so hopefully it will be smooth sailing, or should I say dancing since we’re on that theme for this posting, from now on.

Let’s work to improve life for our community’s animals. Kindness to animals builds a better community for us all.

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!”
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Online Resource Information:
www.calgary.ca/animalservices then click no cost spay/neuter program on the left hand side.

http://www.careforcats.ca/

http://www.streetcat.ca/

*Things that one learns when being a Foster Parent for Felines...

I am constantly awestruck by the SCAT volunteers. We have so many who do such outstanding work for their feline foster "kids". Story after story about sweet creatures from the streets, terrified of humans, and the many ways that foster parents use to help these kitties feel safe and loved. They are truly a unique group of people and we love them for it!

One of the foster homes recently wrote an item that I just had to share with you.

THINGS THAT ONE LEARNS WHEN BEING A FOSTER PARENT.

1. I certainly do not have a math degree but I do know the following...the smell from the litter box is directly proportional to the quantity of cats and can only be solved with the scoop and clean equation. The attempt to substitute the mom/roommate/boyfriend constant to solve the equation for you is rarely successful.

2. Kittens are the BEST antidepressant, anti-stress, anti-anxiety medicine you can find. No matter the stress or troubles that come from the day one minute sitting down with the kittens brightens the day! Now I just need to figure out how to bottle and sell it!

3. One lap and two arms are not enough!

4. You can't predict the ones that will steal your heart. Don't get me wrong... as a foster parent all the cats that come through my doors have a special place in my heart but every now and then one of the cats just takes up a little bit more room in that heart and its even harder to see them go... Don't tell the others but I am sure we all have our "favorites".

5. SCATnip mice are like the equivalent of candy for children for most cats. They LOVE it!

6. Leaving an empty box in the middle of the room will result in hours of entertainment for you AND the cat.

7. Large cats fit in small spaces.... or at least they will try (test this theory by placeing a SMALL box in the middle of the room. See above. This will increase the entertainment length by at least double.

8. You will truly fall in love with these beautiful innocent creatures. Sometimes you will have a sick cat or kitten to help and its devastating but the maternal instincts will kick in. You will stop at nothing to ensure the cat is taken care of and try and get it healthy again. This requires strength and dedication that will often come from what it seems like out of the blue and you will be surprised what you are capable of.

9. Size doesn't matter when it comes to the King or Queen of the castle... and apparently species doesn't matter either. My cat couldn't care less what dog, cat, person comes though my door, he knows he runs the show and he makes sure the newcomers and I are always reminded of who is the boss ;)

10. Hairballs are gross. Always keep one eye on the ground!

11. Nothing is more gratifying than gaining the trust of a newcomer. When they finally ADOPT YOU is when you really see what this is all for and why foster homes are so important.

12. One more thing I have learned of is that bitter-sweet feeling that comes from seeing one of your "kids" walk out the door on their way to their new home. Its never easy but it brings a sense of joy and pride. I assume its much like sending your kids to college or to get married. We are so excited that they are off on their own, so proud of who they are and what you accomplished together and you have the highest hopes for them to have nothing but a happy life in their new family!

So I ask all of you who have ever wanted to help an animal to pick up the phone and become a foster home. Not only is it great for the cats to have a warm and comfortable place for them to grow and thrive and show their true character (which in turn helps in placing the cat in their suptable forever homes), bit it also is one of the most fun and gratifying things I do in my life. We have a great group of SCAT members ready and willing to be your support through the entire process.

Bring a cat in from the cold and help them find a forever home this holiday season.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

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Thank you, Kristine for allowing me to share this. It is wonderful.

Thank you to all our wonderful foster parents who rise to the occasion whenever a sweet feline needs a safe haven.

Thank you to all the volunteers who trudge through the snow drifts to shovel out the shelters for feral cats and leave food and water.

Thank you to all the businesses who care for the ferals living in their area and allow caregives to put the shelters in their space.

Thank you for the donors who have donated the funds year in and year out, some right from the beginning, and are our constant source of good cheer that lets the volunteers know that someone really cares about their hard work.

Thank you for the volunteers who organize fundraisers and sit at tables endlessly talking to people about the wonderful kitties that need homes.

Thank you for those who help by cleaning up after the kitties at the Centre and at PetSmart Adoption Centre - it's a very unglamerous but necessary job to help keep the kitties healthy and happy.

Thank you to those who do the books, enter the data, answer the phone and do the everyday office chores of a normal business that are so vital to the day to day operations of any charity.

Thank you for all who help to communicate to the other volunteers and to the public and donors through the blog entries, the newsletters, the website and emails.

Thank you for all the wonderful people who stop by the Centre to visit the kitties and to drop off needed supplies like stamps and long distance calling cards, paper and pens, canned cat food and litter, handmade cat toys and blankets, and even just their bottles and cans.

Thank you to the truly inspirational youngsters of our community who collect coins through a dozen different ways to bring in and donate to the kitties; a great hope for our future in these young people.

There are so many helping us, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking of them all. Those who take a bit of time out of their own hectic lives to help these wonderful creatures in whatever way for whatever amount of time they can. Truly something to be thankful for this Christmas Season as SCAT steps closer to its 15th Anniversary.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

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H.U.G. a Homeless Cat today! Help Us Get a home!

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!”

Online Resource Information:

Saving and Bettering Feline Lives Since 1997… http://www.streetcat.ca/

Looking for your next Feline Companion… http://www.streetcat.petfinder.com/

Check out when the next bake sale is… http://catadoptioncentreonfaithfull.blogspot.com/

Visit with a foster home… http://scatfosters.blogspot.com/

Peeking in on Donna’s Teenie Tiny… http://donnasteenietinykittentales.blogspot.com/

Become a friend… http://www.facebook.com/StreetCatRescue

*More than just Meow to Communicate

Morning Communication between a human (me) and the (my) resident cats. Sun peeks in through the blinds. Throw back the covers. One foot. Two foot. Out of bed. Steering down the hallway with one eye fighting to stay closed and the other eye keeping a watch for shadowy (because one does not yet want to turn lights on) shapes on the floor indicating an obstacle which may be a cat toy discarded strategically after the midnight escapades…or it may be one of the grotesque “furrballs” – not fun to discover when barefoot.

Safely negotiating one’s way to the kitchen – grab a can, any can with a cat on it and pull tab. Be quick the masses are collecting. Plate down. Mad dash back to bed for additional snooze time. Congratulating oneself for managing to maintain one eye still closed the entire way – makes for quicker snooze when you only have one eye to get closed again.

Every once in awhile, however, the furry minions attempt to manipulate the course of the morning routine.

Tawn will sit by my pillow and use her telepathic abilities until I feel her presence and make that one critical mistake….I open one eye – even though it is just a sliver opening…too late…she has me. That’s stage one. Stage two…extend paw and tap twice in quick succession. Pause for response. Repeat as necessary until victim has put feet out onto floor. Stage three. Run as fast as you can to the bathroom so that victim cannot close the bathroom door without you too inside the room and up on the counter. Victim sometimes thwarts enterprising feline, however, by heading for the kitchen first and dropping food as a decoy.

Joy is a little more direct. She too sits by the pillow and purrs at the candidate, but unlike Tawn, her telepathic abilities have not yet been fine tuned enough, so she then relies on her plan b – jump onto candidate and plop non-too-subtly onto chest, purr louder and turn head back and forth causing whiskers to tickle candidate’s nose which usually results in the desired movement….or an unceremonious relocation to another part of the bed.

Nike is not as subtle as the girls. His technique is to jump up onto bed, position oneself as close to the ear as possible and MEOW as loudly as possible. Wait for response. Repeat as necessary.

Over the years I have managed to steel myself against their ploys – most times, so they don’t try as often as they used to. Sometimes I even manage to do my morning routine early enough to surprise them before they even get out of bed themselves. They don’t expect it and seem to say “holy smokes, didn’t see that coming” as they scurry down the hall to the kitchen.

Communication between humans and cats. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly cats learn to communicate with humans and the numbers of ways they find to do it. I read somewhere that cats are masters of observation who learn to use peoples’ routine to their advantage. Aha…that might give us a clue.

If only we humans could pick up their lingo as quickly. I’m fortunate to have had so many teachers (furry and none furry), not only from people in the “business” for a very long time, and not only from the cats who have been my companions, but also from the many cats who have used my residence as a temporary stop over and the cats I sometimes sit and watch at the Centre. It is fascinating to watch the dynamics between cat and cat, and humans and cats.

TIP: One of the cat phrases you should learn to decipher as quickly as possible: “happy - keep doing what you’re doing and don’t stop or there will be consequences.”

Communication between humans about cats. How do we best communicate with people about cat rescue? What does it take for people to feel connected? How can that communication become a part of peoples’ routine? These are all questions a charity asks each and every day, especially when 14 kittens are found at the side of the road and all have a highly contagious fungul infection so space is needed to quarantine them, experienced medical care provided and funds to pay for it all, not to mention finding good permanent homes for them after they are well.

Communication is what keeps a charity alive!

It is extraordinary how fast technology is changing and how many new ways there are for people to communicate now. Even SCAT Street Cat has undergone some amazing changes over these past fourteen years.

Communication between SCAT Street Cat Rescue and the public. We started with sitting at mall displays talking face to face with people, hand written case files for the cats, and newsletters from an ancient computer (I was tempted to put in “ancient typewriter” but thought that might be too much like …in the old days when I walked 100 miles to school barefoot… ;-) I’d add hand written volunteer lists too, except there were so few of us that we didn’t need a list.

Fast forward fourteen years and here we are. Our cat case files and volunteer lists are all on a secure online program that volunteers with passwords can access from home to get the information they need to do their job. Extra bonus – it’s free. (Thanks to Petpoint & ShelterCare Insurance.)

Our Adoption Centre on Faithfull is our pride and joy. It is a wonderful space to ask questions, donate funds or supplies, buy a special treat for the cat or cat lover in your life, and find out about what opportunities there are to work as a SCAT Team volunteer either on a regular basis or just for specific upcoming event fundraisers. We have visitors all the time who simply love to stop by and hang out with the resident cats. They find it very enjoyable to sit on the couch and get a furry cat hug from one of the free roaming cats, or watch as they play with donated toys and lounge on the tall cat tree in the main window or the printer (of course). The Centre is a very important part of our communication strategies. And, extra bonus – we have a sponsor who pays for that space for us. (Thank you to the Heather & David Foundation – you rock!)

SCAT has their own domain name website: www.streetcat.ca plus we are hooked up with Petfinder on: www.streetcat.petfinder.com. Years ago, when we had a wonderful person offer to start up a website for us, it was very exciting. At that time, we thought, here we go, we’re hitting the “big time” now. Little did we know that the communication possibilities didn’t stop there.

Communication Explosion. The communication steps that we were learning brought us closer and closer to the public, the volunteers and sponsors, but I still was not prepared for the communication explosion that came with the blogs and facebook.

I am still not up on all the new terms, but I’m giving it the college try. I am just learning how much fun texting is and how fast it is to connect with someone. I am now a fan. And it’s great when you send an email and get a quick answer from those who have a blackberry.

Today’s communication tools are so different. I remember mom having difficulty trying to set the time on the vcr and I would just shake my head. I always thought that I was fairly in tune with modern technology, of course, even now, but the look on my nephew’s face the other day makes me realize those days are over. NOW I finally understand how my mom felt and look for help instead of pretending that I can just work my way through it. Google is my friend. It is so kool to be able to type “How to……” and a whole list of stuff pops up. It makes it a little easier and I don’t have to get that look from my nephew quite as often.

I am also becoming a huge fan of blogs. I love how everyone can see a rescue happening, from the day the kitten/cat is rescued to the work and care to make them healthy and happy and then to see them in their permanent home and the wonderful photos and success stories. I love how the volunteers can pass along the event they are planning and then other volunteers can fit it into their schedules. I love how everything is so right there for everyone to see. Not only that, but with facebook especially, it allows the public to communicate with us; to let us know how much they like an event and how they are able to pass it along to their friends. It is awesome! And…it’s free. (In case you didn’t know…charities LOVE the words free and donated in-kind.)

Meow Communication. On the days when it’s tough, that’s when the communication tools are the most helpful. It starts with the call that comes into the Centre, like one of them this week - cat trying to stay warm from the recent snowstorm crawled up into an engine, managed to hang on as the car sped home where the owner hear the meows for help and brought her to us. Gorgeous “Mittens” had her front paws burnt. (Don't forget to bang the hood of your car before taking off during the winter.) Or another when a business called with a kitten found outside their business just after the snow storm – little Casey was brought in from the cold. If it hadn’t been for this Good Samaritan, this little tyke would have died alone in the cold. The little meow for help is the communication that we cannot ignore.

Our internet presence, from websites to SCAT blogs and facebook pages, is extremely popular, thanks to people like you. Hardly a day goes by without someone making a positive comment about the blog, facebook, or something they read in those locations. Mr Lucky Chance’s adoption happened because of facebook and several adoptions happen all the time from people who go onto our Petfinder site and keep up on all the new arrivals. Yup, we definitely intend to stay online.

So get hooked up and stay tuned and then, as facebook says…SHARE. Sharing makes the downs a little easier to take when you know others are there cheering you on and the ups are so much more fun to share with friends. We hope that you feel more connected with what SCAT does and continue to communicate with us.

Just as the cats learn different ways to communicate with us, we try to learn new ways to keep the communications flowing to you. And it all starts with Meow…….I mean, You.

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Note: As of November 20, 2010, SCAT has received 655 calls for help in 2010. For a relatively small organization with limited core volunteers, most of who have families and work full time on top of their volunteer work, it means some stressful times. With limited resources, it is often tough to keep up, but we continue to do all that we can to provide whatever assistance we can to all situations.

Sometimes we can only offer guidance, but we are extremely proud of the Saskatoon community as they take on the challenge and with our guidance the caller often steps in and helps. That’s what a healthy community does.

This Christmas season we hope that you will stay in touch. Please spread the word, through whatever communication methods you use in your daily life, and help SCAT to continue their work. Whether you donate valuable funds to help pay medical bills to keep the cats healthy, or volunteer to spend an hour at a fundraising booth, or simply stop by and sit on our couch and spend some quality time with our great little furry personalities at the Centre, it’s all good.

More than just Meow to communicate to help the cats!

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It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!” Want to chat cat? Email me at pawsitive@sasktel.net

Online Resource Information:

Saving and Bettering Feline Lives Since 1997… http://www.streetcat.ca/

Looking for your next Feline Companion… http://www.streetcat.petfinder.com/

Check out when the next bake sale is… http://catadoptioncentreonfaithfull.blogspot.com/

Visit with a foster home… http://scatfosters.blogspot.com/

Peeking in on Donna’s Teenie Tiny… http://donnasteenietinykittentales.blogspot.com/

Become a friend… http://www.facebook.com/StreetCatRescue

*My Behavior is Fine, Thank you....What About Yours?

An adventure awaits. While growing up I loved writing and doing research on whatever topic which happened to peak my interest at the moment, so I’ve always loved books. To me a book is an adventure waiting to be had. I’ve always had a strong quest for knowledge and so I am always looking for that well turned phrase that heightens my senses and awakes the little grey cells (as Hercule Poirot says).

My other love is, of course, animals. Animals have long been a part of my being, whether it was through a budgie named Joey, who spent hours spinning tales into my ear; a horse, with a name long forgotten, who efficiently but ever so gently managed to select a new seating arrangement for me – on the ground – during my schooling at a riding academy and thus teaching me to be present in the here and now – something I tend to forget and must be reminded of; or a family dog named Patches, who constantly barked whenever my siblings and I would fight and who dug his nose under any pillow to lick away our tears, showing me that love and compassion are not traits possessed by humans alone.

So now I match my quest for the artistically written word to the cat world and begin the hunt for great books about cats.

Topic of discussion for today is Behavior. SCAT was invited to set up a booth at a TCU Place event – “Spotlight on Seniors”. Whenever I am at one of our display booths, there are those inevitable “my cat is doing……and what should I do….” discussions. I love answering these kinds of questions for several reasons:

1. It helps the cat and cat guardian (owner) get back on a level playing field,

2. minimizes the discomfort of a situation,

3. maximizes the health benefits of a animal-human bond (for both the cat and the human), and

4. provides never ending opportunities for me to learn.

So I decided to go looking through my vast collection of books for one or two to use as a conversation starter at the event booth. My first attempt at picking “a” book resulted in a pile of 18 books. Needless to say I discovered that I have a lot of books on the subject of cats, and not surprisingly, even some duplicates. Hmmm, may have to do a draw sometime perhaps.

Quest for Answers. One of the books I dug out was “The Cat Behavior Answer Book” by Arden Moore.

In the forward, Nancy Petersen (President, Cat Writers’ Association), wrote “Arden’s book has taught this “old dog” some new tricks about cat behavior. Start reading your way to the best relationship you can have with your cat!”

This well-written book uses question-answer format, just as if she were sitting at the display booth with us, answering the questions as people arrived to pose them. She places the different types of questions into six parts:

1. Feeling Finer about Being Feline ,

2. Chatting with Your Cat,

3. Kitty Quirks and Funny Felines,

4. Thinking Outside the Box,

5. The Basics of Chowing and Grooming, and

6. The Ins and Outs of Living with Cats.

Little Book – Big Info. This little book (roughly 4x6) may be small in size, but it is packed with a wide spectrum of things to consider when talking cat behavior. In the first chapter “Feeling Fine about Being Feline”, for example, Arden talks about the basics of who the cat is. And yes, the whiskers do grow back after your young daughter decides to practice for her hair dressing career, though it will take two to three months to do so.

Scattered throughout the questions and answers format, Arden includes tidbits and side stories which add to the interest – plus could make good Trivia questions for your next party. She even quotes one of my favorite cat people in the whole wide world – Kit Jenkins (Program manager for PetSmart Charities) and talks about Kit’s theory on how the cat’s facial appearance gives you a sneak peek into the cat’s personality. Jenkins contends that feline faces usually fall into one of three physical shapes: square, round or triangle. She says that square face cats, for example, such as Maine Coons are big, solid and are eager to please, affectionate, love to snuggle and give head butts.

Become Someone’s Hero. This little book’s size makes it so easy to pop into your purse and pop back out to read one more question and answer while you are waiting somewhere. Handy for taking to any event where other pet guardians will join you and there is always one or two of those “that darn cat” stories. Feel empowered by popping out this little book and helping someone with their kitty woes. Or regale them with one of the funny stories like “Do Cats Have a Funny Bone?”

Do Cats Have a Funny Bone?

One of my favorite humorists, Arden writes, and fan of cats is Dena Harris, the “Erma Bombeck of cat writers.” The author of Lessons in Stalking: Adjusting to Life with Cats, Harris created a Top 10 list (adapted below) to show that our feline friends do indeed see the humorous aspects of sharing their lives with us:

1. Our astonishing lack of hair

2. The way we harbor the illusion that we stand even the smallest chance of winning a staring contest against them (Hint: Cats blink only because they feel sorry for us.)

3. Our ability to pass through a sunbeam without dropping unconscious to the floor

4. That we appear not to consider a live mouse the finest form of in-home entertainment

5. The way we fold clothes warm from the dryer instead of diving headfirst into them

6. The time we spend working to remove the glorious trail of cat hair from around the house when they know they can replace it all in 6.4 seconds

7. That we think those decapitated rodents left on the back porch are presents for us

8. That we ignore the primary uses of the computer and tv, both of which are for napping

9. That we choose not to walk around on top of the countertops, which is where all the best views are to be hand, not to mention treats

10. Our never-ending devotion and eternal servitude to them (Actually, cats don’t so much laugh at this last one as encourage it.)

My Behavior is Fine – but What about Yours? Thinking about the funny bone points gets me thinking what do the cats think when we go off on a tangent about something?

From the cat’s point of view: It’s perfectly logical that when I get up from my nap, I need to stretch. If they don’t have a tall scratching post – and no, one of those two foot models don’t cut it – than the only thing I can find is the wood on the door frame, so what else am I to do? HINT: scratch posts come in different sizes even up to 6 ft to accommodate tall stretches. PS: they also help with energy spurts running from the invisible predators and getting away from that adorable cute kitten that is taking all the attention so I have to show off situations. I mean, really, who wants to be seen scratching the door frame if I have a fancy tall scratch post, or three…..okay okay…maybe just two….I can live with just two.

From our point of view: Anything that we think of as bad cat behavior is open to interpretation and likely will be an entirely different story from the cat’s point of view. If you take time to think about it, you will likely find the correct solution for any situation.

If you are fortunate enough to share your life with an animal – any kind of animal – my wish for you is that you take the time to learn what they have to teach you. And to understand what they are trying to teach you, it may mean picking up a good book now and then. I have no doubt that “The Cat Behavior Answer Book” will help you do just that.

Arden writes in her Preface: “Cats put the C in clever, the A in attitude, the T in tenacious, and the S in “so what.”

Give your cat a chance and he’ll soon be saying: “My behavior is fine, thank you…what about yours?”

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!” Want to chat cat? Email me at pawsitive@sasktel.net

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Resource Information:

The Cat Behavior Answer Book – Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Questions by Arden Moore

Online Resource Information:

Arden Moore website: http://fourleggedlife.com/

Kit Jenkins articles have been posted on SCAT Street Cat Rescue Forms & Info page: www.streetcat.ca/downloads.html

Dena Harris: www.denaharris.com/lessons

*Best Friends Make This World An Easier Place to Live in!

One of my best friends passed away this week. Smudge was with me for seventeen years. I miss him terribly already. He was a very special little cat – my little old man I used to call him. He came to me when he was about one year old and he walked like a little old man even then. He always had trouble jumping up, but it never stopped him much from doing things. If he wanted up, it just meant that he would first ask politely by placing a paw tapping on your leg and his plaintive and polite little meow giving you the hint.

When I finally moved into my first house, it was a no-brainer that a house was not a home without a cat. So off I went to the SPCA. (Note: I would of course have checked out SCAT too, but this was before SCAT had even started up, so the SPCA was the obvious and good choice.)

As soon as I walked into the cat room, Smudge’s little polite meow and his short….but trying to get longer by the minute…arm reached out and grabbed me. He came out, plopped himself onto my shoulder and purred. He had this wonderful, very loud, and rather unusual sort of “broken” purr. I could tell that he was special right from the beginning.

As the adoption papers were being signed, he sat contently on the shoulder, but we weren’t allowed to leave until everyone had a chance to say goodbye. He always had a way with people and it never changed throughout his lifetime. He always knew how to work a crowd, as the saying goes.

After about a month, I went back and got Tawn, who was about 12 weeks old at the time, a lovely little grey girl. Smudge became a bully. He never did like kittens…even through all the years of fostering. Just didn’t want to be bothered with them. Reminded me sortof like Garfield trying to get rid of Nermal….”you are way too cute…I don’t need you taking up my limelight.” I used to say to Smudge…you better be careful, she’s going to be bigger than you someday and turn the tables on you. He was a very small cat – looked like a Korat, while Tawn was a Russian Blue type. Eventually she did outgrow him, fairly quickly, but being a Russian Blue, she was far too ladylike to take him out into the back and give him a thumping. She would just jump up somewhere and since he always had trouble jumping, she would just thumb her nose at him….yes…cats do that….and turn around and ignore him. He would just walk away like he had won anyway and that it was what he had wanted to do all along, of course.

If Smudge was to have gone out to work, he would have been the Walmart greeter. He loved people…or more like…heh…more hands to adore me with…was what he was actually thinking, but if people wanted to think it was because he liked them…that’s okay with him…as long as it involved picking him up. My son called him his shoulder cat. Being 6’2” and with broad shoulders, Smudge loved to sit and survey all that was going on and his big purr rumbled the whole time.

At the house someone coming to the door meant both Smudge and Tawn seeing who could beat whom to the door first and get in more pets before the other got there. One day, however, this proved to be a little more complicated than planned. A friend stopped by, however, she was not alone – she brought her new shepherd with her. So as Smudge came galloping down the hall and around the corner to the front door, he stopped dead in his tracks and did the fastest change of direction I’ve ever seen and made a beeline back the way he came. For a few days after that he seemed to approach with a little more caution, but soon went back to his usual form of greeting.

Smudge was ever the polite little man. He had a very unique way of letting you know that he was hungry. He would very “politely” walk around you, purring his loudest. Sort of saying….heh, just to let you know I’m here…just in case you didn’t think I was here….but I am here…and if you happen to have something to eat in your hand or about to get something to eat in your hand, I would be very happy to help you out with that. And that in itself would be okay, but when one is still sleeping and his “walk about” comprised of walking around your head, over the pillow, across your chest…..again….and again…..and again…..and again…..and again…..and again……………………………………………..and again…..until you finally got up….Okay, okay…I get it…I’m up. There was no such thing as ignoring him and pretending you were sleeping. Of course, when I made my own meals….and yes, contrary to what some of you think…I do cook….not much, I agree…but upon occasion…..Smudge was right there….just in case I decided it was too much for me to eat and felt the need to share with someone.

One of the things I will miss most is the way he played. His most favorite toy in the whole wide world was the little sponge balls. He would bat them around and have a great time. Then he would get it into his mouth and walk over to me to show me his “catch.” But he didn’t just walk with it….oh no….it was a big production. I would often hear him coming down the hallway and knew that he had the ball in his mouth because he would walk in a very “bulldog” type way – plodding down the hallway and huffing and puffing and snorting the whole way – like he was daring phantoms to take his “catch” away from him. Of course, truth be told, if a cat did indeed try to take it away from him, he would have dropped it in a heartbeat and complain bitterly all the way to me….he’s picking on me Mom, he took my toy…it’s my toy…not his…….but since no one ever did, I just praised him and threw the ball back down the hallway where he would start the whole process all over again.

His last morning was spent cuddled up beside me, first on the bed, then on the sofa as we lay watching tv. He was purring – then it stopped. His favorite sleeping space is empty now. None of the others have taken it over. Flowers that a friend brought in his memory sit on my kitchen counter. His photo is on my cell phone.

Smudge was a great little person, one of my very best friends. Best friends make this world an easier place to live in and my world just got a little tougher to live in, without Smudge.

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!” Want to chat cat?  Email me at pawsitivethinking@sasktel.net

*Pudding or Nuggets?

Okay, put up your hands everyone who has ever had a sick cat. Then you are familiar with the phrase “is he using the litter box and… describe it.” Oh, yeah, right….describe it. Well, is it soft or hard? Pudding or Nuggets?

Then your cat starts to look at you funny because everywhere he goes, there you seem to be haunting his every move. And there’s the how to act very nonchalant while peeking around the corner to watch the litter action and try to scoop up the sample before it gets buried in the litter too much. They must wonder what the heck is going on with that.

Then there is the “OTHER” sample of the fluid kind. I’ve heard that with dogs there is this little cup at the end of a stick that you try to position at the right moment. Sure….that’s not too intrusive! Yeah right. Then there is the whole problem of trying to figure out how to do that with a cat…not exactly the same method used – that’s for sure.

My little old man, Smudge, is going through his final chapter unfortunately, so I stopped by the clinic with the appropriate samples. I handed the vet tech the baggie of the stool sample and then handed her a pill bottle of the liquid sample and she had this surprised look on her face. “What are you? Wonder woman? “ “It’s very difficult to get a pee sample from a cat.”

I chuckled a little before saying, lately he’s been using a litter box with no litter in it, so it was easy to just dump the pee into a bottle….but, we can go with wonder woman. I’m okay with that.

The things we do for our furry side-kicks.

For most of the vet needs for both of my older cats, I get the vet to come to the house. Neither of the old ones like the car and it just seems to add too much stress to what is already going on with their health. Some vets do that for you, especially if you are a regular client and the pet is going through a particularly rough patch. Can you imagine a human doctor doing that nowadays? When was the last time you heard of a family physician packing up their stethoscope and popping over to check out how the kids are? Only for the pets, you say! It is nice though, I have to admit. The cats are much more relaxed.

If you do have to take your cat to the vet, I found How to get your cat to the vet

Written by a vet, it’s gives you some tips to getting the cat into a carrier, particularly those who seem to be watching too many cartoons. You know the ones. It’s like they all of a sudden sprout 4 more pairs of legs and all of them stiff as a board.

Whether you go to the vet or the vet comes to you, there is still that list of inevitable questions, including “Pudding or Nuggets”.

Well, I’m off again. I see Smudge getting up, so I better go see how he’s making out. Inconspicuous is my middle name.

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!” Want to chat cat? Email me at pawsitivethinking@sasktel.net

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Online Resource Information:

http://www.streetcat.ca/

How to get your cat to the vet

*Job Application

 "I would like to apply for the position of Mice-Catcher at your firm. I have a great deal of experience in this field and am a very hard-worker. I can work alone but work best with a team mate.

I am enclosing a recent photograph. I have some facial injuries sustained during a recent territorial dispute and, as a result, I am looking to relocate. As you can see in the photograph (inspecting the garage door mechanics), I have some experience with machinery as well.

I believe you will find that I can make a valuable contribution to your organization. I am available for an interview at any time. You may contact me at 955-7228 if you need more information.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this position and my suitability further.

Sincerely,

Al (Scarface) Cat-chino"

Al dictated this to one of his assistants who happens to also be a SCAT volunteer, of course. This actually could be said for several of the cats in our care.

Many are very sweet, but extremely shy of people. Considering their unknown origins and locations where they have been rescued from, it's not surprising.

I have Hawley and Nike at my place. It took Nike many years before I could pet him and Hawley is a gorgeous little girl who still is unsure of getting too close but does talk to me upon occasion. But that would not hinder either of them in doing rodent control. I do not have mice in my house, that's for sure. How do I know? Well, about once a year when the weather starts to get cold, I see the remnants of one. And I know there are mice around outside because it cost me about $100 just to get one of their nests out of my engine last year.

So if you know of anyone looking for a good Rodent Manager for your workplace, it's very likely we have a match made in heaven ready, willing and able for you. Just give the SCAT office a call and take a peek at the www.streetcat.petfinder.com website.

It’s all part of “Pawsitive Thinking!” Want to chat cat? Email me

Linda Jean Gubbe