The thought of adopting two cats at once may seem daunting. While pet parents should certainly consider the added responsibility of adding two felines to their family, there are some advantages to adopting multiple cats.  Here are four benefits for pet owners that are considering adopting two cats at the same time.

1. They keep each other active
Having two cats in the home inspires both to play and interact more frequently. They are more likely to mimic hunting, engage in enthusiastic play around the house, or simply keep each other on their toes.  However, as cats are instinctually territorial, it is important to make sure they have their own space to retreat to when they wish to rest. This will help encourage healthy interaction and the room necessary to keep everyone getting along. It is also important to know that some cats may not be best friends immediately and age differences can impact how they interact.

2. They are more mentally stimulated
A lonely cat is more likely to cause “trouble” without even realizing it.  Boredom can lead some cats to scratch furniture, climb curtains and use the toilet paper as a toy. Having two cats in the house (provided they are a good match) can help because they mentally stimulate one another.  They will invent games, chirp, chatter with one another, and keep themselves challenged when you are not around to play with them yourself.
 

3. Having two cats helps them be cats
Cats are very much like people. There are those that tend to be extroverts and pounce right into laps begging for attention. Then there are the quiet hiders that slink stealthily around the house, observing everything and everyone from a cautious distance.  But as much as we wish to understand our cats as having human-like characteristics, they are, in the end, cats.  Having two cats allows them to be cats when they are interacting amongst themselves. They mutually nurture and embrace their feline instincts.

 
4. They help groom one another
Although cats are known to be fastidious self-groomers, having a second cat could help redouble their efforts.  They are likely to groom each other and clean hard-to-reach places that are often neglected. If you find the right match, you can rest assured that those spots behind the ears or on the neck are being addressed on the regular.


 Before you take two cats home with you from the shelter, it’s important to make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility of adopting two cats. Also, finding the right match is critical. Consider visiting a shelter and watching how two cats interact, or simply ask to see if certain pairs seem to gravitate toward one another frequently. This may be a good indicator of their compatibility.

Today’s shelters are filled with cats that require forever homes. When you adopt two cats at the same time, you are not only taking the steps to keep both cats healthy and happy, but you are also lessening the financial strain and challenges adoption centers face on a daily basis to provide for their welfare.

You benefit from the love and companionship of two cats, and your local shelter can utilize its time and resources more effectively. But in the end, you are also providing a forever home, and that’s the most important thing.
 

Article provided by:  World's Best Cat Litter
https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/

Fostering cats is such an amazing and rewarding experience. There is nothing more gratifying and wonderful than watching small kittens grow up into big kitties!  As a foster, knowing that I helped save them, give them love and shelter is the best feeling ever.   There are so many cats and kittens that need our help and as a foster you can pick your passion such as; kittens, adult cats, special needs, socialization of feral kittens, emergency placement fosters, or fosters that provide the kittens a break from the adoption centers.  The need is endless.   

During COVID while my family was in quarantine, my mom wanted to foster kittens. We contacted Nancie with Community Cat Angels and she had a litter of three-week-old kittens that had been trapped in a rock wall and were in need of a foster family. There were three kittens, all sisters, and each had different coloring. They were so tiny! We decided to name them after gemstones as they had come from a rock wall and my mom and I were currently working in the jewelry industry.  We named them Ruby, (a black tabby), Sapphire, (long haired dark tabby), and Emerald, (a lighter tabby).

After much research on what to do with young kittens, we took them home and introduced them to our family.  Kittens are messy, just like human toddlers and take a bit of effort and clean up.   The have to learn about the litter box, as well as kitten food rather than momma’s milk.  Watching the kittens learn how to explore their world was my favorite part.

All three kittens survived after their initial challenges with being trapped as babies without their mom.    Emerald had some medical problems early on that we had to go to the vet for multiple times. Her body was too small for her colon. We were worried for a  bit that she might not make it. With great medical care from our trusted vet and us looking after her, she did make it and eventually her body grew into her colon.

Instead of putting the kittens into adoption once they reached age and weight goals, my family foster failed.  We call if foster WIN as we decided to keep these kittens that we fell in love with.   All three kittens are currently leading very happy lives with lots of love and lots of treats If you are interested in watching their journey, she runs an Instagram page for them @the_gemstone_kittens.

Fostering not only is a personally rewarding experience but it has a lot of other benefits, especially to shelters and your local rescues. Animal shelters and rescues can only take so many cats. Without fosters, these animal organizations have to turn animals in need away due to space and manpower constraints.  Some organizations like Community Cat Angels depend entirely on fosters as they do not have a brick and motor building to house the animals.  There are also certain cats that don’t thrive in shelters, are too timid or scared and don’t show well for adoption.  Some cats are better off as the only feline and prefer humans, or they may have medical conditions that require more attention than a shelter can provide.  Some just need to grow into big kitties and need some extra TLC like our gemstone kittens. 

Stray cats that are looking to be adopted need to be around people to promote positive relationships.  Often when stray cats are living outdoors, they may have been abandoned or simply do not know what it’s like to have a positive relationship with humans. In this instance, it is vital for this type of cat to be fostered so they can get used to what it’s like living in a house again and learn that there are people who want them around and want to have positive interactions with them. It is unfortunate that some cats are abandoned to fend for themselves when most communities have resources to prevent this.   If you cannot care for your cat any longer, there are plenty of resources to reach out to for help without discarding them on the streets.  Plenty of people are out there who would love to help and can give you solid advice for your specific situation.  Please see the bottom of this article for those resources.

There is a time in a cat’s life between when they are kittens and when they are full grown cats that these cats can be socialized. This is a great time to foster so that these kittens can have a positive relationship with people and become fantastic house cats. If cats are not socialized at this point, then they are called unsocialized or feral cats and sometimes their only option is to live life outdoors with the hope that some kind soul will provide food and fresh water for them.   Our goal at Community Cat Angels is to get more stray cats off the street and those cats who cannot be socialized are spayed or neutered so that they will not have any more kittens who will live that life cycle. These unsocialized cats are released back into their outdoor homes where they will struggle to live in the elements and the threats of coyotes, the harsh elements, cars and sometimes mean people.

As you can see, fostering saves lives. Please consider becoming a foster parent! There are many types and ages of cats that need to be fostered and we can help match the best cat for you. If you cannot foster cats, please consider donating or volunteering in other ways such as fundraising events, administrative tasks, transporting animals, or even social media and marketing. 

 To Foster, volunteer or donate:
cats@communitycatangels.org
815-325-3417

Donate: https://communitycatangels.org/donate

The Scottish Wildcat ( Felis silvestris ), also known as the Highland Tiger, is a highly endangered cat in Scotland's Highlands. The wildcats evolved from European wildcats. Over 9000 years ago, the land bridge between Europe’s mainland to England became cut off by the natural development of the waterway of the English Channel.

The demise of Scottish wildcats is another tale of habitat loss, hybridization with domestic cats, and persecution by humans. As of 2019, there is no longer a viable wildcat population living in the wild. A recovery project to conserve this elusive cat is underway.

Scottish wildcats can be twice the size of domestic felines. Their body is muscular and stockier than domestic cats. The head of the wildcat is flatter, and its ears can rotate independently and tend to stick out to the side; this evolutionary trait allows wildcats to view prey with the camouflage of low rocks and shrubs without their skull or ears giving away their location.

While their diet consists mainly of rabbits, wildcats will also dine on birds, amphibians, fish, reptiles, and small mammals, in areas where rabbits are scarce. Wildcats have powerful jaws, and a bite to the neck can crush the windpipe or sever the spine of its prey. Wildcats have even taken down small deer with their tenacity.

These fierce wildcats live up to Scotlands Motto - Nemo me impune lacessit - no one provokes me with impunity.  If you’d like to learn more about the Highland Tiger, you can find out more in the links below.

https://www.wildcathaven.com/scottish-wildcat

https://savingwildcats.org.uk/about-saving-wildcats/wildcat-conservation-in-scotland/

Lehnanne Gibbs Kidd -  CCA Volunteer

One in three companion pets will go missing in their lifetime. According to the ASPCA, over 6 million companion animals enter an animal shelter every year; however, only 700,000 animals will reunite with their people. We can increase those odds and help our pets find their way home with proper pet identification.

Every pet parent should prepare for a lost pet. Even indoor-only cats can get out and go missing. Pet identification is a great way to ensure your pet has the best chance of getting home.

Pet ID tags hanging from a collar is the easiest and most visual option for your pet. Microchipping is a great backup form of ID, but a visual ID should be your first line of defense. The size of the tag should be optimal for the size of your pet; the ID tag needs to be easy to see and make sure that the details are easily read. National Pet ID Week is a great time to ensure contact information on identification tags is up-to-date and legible. ID machines are located in many stores and can create tags while waiting. Small business sellers on sites like Etsy and eBay offer more personalized options.

Style personalization aside, basic information should take priority. The name of your pet and contact number is standard. If space allows, I’M LOST to the tag may encourage a potential finder to take action.

There are many types of ID tags. They come in various materials, sizes, colors, and personalization options. ID machines are located in many stores and can create tags while waiting. Small business sellers on sites like Etsy and eBay offer more personalized options.

Microchips are an excellent second line of defense. Microchips are slightly larger than a grain of rice, and they are inserted just under the skin between the shoulder blades of the animal. Insertion of the microchip is generally well-tolerated, and placement causes no more discomfort than receiving their vaccination shots.  Most shelters and veterinarians have a wand-like device with a small screen that scans over the shoulder blades of the animal. If a microchip is present, the display will show the microchip registration number.  

A national database maintains the contact information of registered microchips; this allows notification of the pet owner. You should ensure that the microchip is registered and keep the contact information up to date. It also helps to note the microchip on a visible tag.

While some products can keep track of your pet's location via GPS, microchipping is not a real-time tracker for your pet. GPS trackers are an option, but not without drawbacks. The size of the GPS tracker can be cumbersome for smaller pets. Another drawback is the cost of the device, and a monthly subscription may be required.

If your pet doesn’t have a tag or loses it and you are lucky enough to find them, identification packets are helpful to keep on hand. It is common for shelters and rescues to require proof of ownership before relinquishing an animal. Keep a file with current photos showing any distinguishing marks up-to-date vet records. A copy of municipal registration for your pet and microchip number and contact information to the company is also a must-have in this file. Contact information to your veterinarian and any other proof you can think of can make getting your pet back to you safely and quickly. Some even include a pre-made “LOST PET” flyer on hand with current information, just in case; this can help alleviate some of the stress when you are concerned that your pet has gone missing.

National Pet ID Week is a great time to take these preventative measures to help ensure all of your pets have the best chance at finding their way home. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Lehnanne Gibbs Kidd, CCA volunteer