Posts by Wendy Welch

Is now a good time to adopt a pet?

Is now a good time to adopt a pet?

February 16, 2018 | Comments Off on Is now a good time to adopt a pet?

[print-me] Pets add fun, companionship and love to our lives, but they’re also a big responsibility. Choosing to add a pet to your family is a very important decision.  Sometimes, adopting a pet  may be too much added responsibility if you’re experiencing other life-­changes at the same time.  Take this quiz to assess what’s happening in your life now, and in the near future, to help you decide if this is the best time to adopt a pet. Check the following events that have either occurred in your life in the past six months, or that you think may occur in the coming six months: Divorce or end of a relationship Marriage Change in living arrangements (new roommates or moving in with significant other) Move to a new residence Pregnancy or new baby Longer hours or increased responsibility at work Financial concerns Children leaving home or moving back home Care­taking responsibilities for elderly or ill family member Significant changes in family routine Death of a family member Death or disappearance of a family pet Relinquishment of a pet (given away or brought to an animal shelter) Significant health problems of a family member Change in working status of a family member (begins work, changes jobs or retires) Frequent travel, either for business or pleasure Limited leisure or free time Graduation from high school or college Disagreement among family members about adopting a pet Add one point for every pet you currently have (one aquarium counts as one pet). Scoring 0-3: Your life seems fairly stable. Now is probably a reasonable time to acquire a pet. 4-­6: You have a lot of responsibilities right now. Although adopting a pet may still work for you, a small mammal, an adult cat, or well-­trained, adult dog would probably be more appropriate than a kitten, a puppy or an active breed of dog. 7-­10: Let’s think twice about this. With all the changes and responsibilities in your life right now, you may not have time to care for a
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Your new cat & the litter box

Your new cat & the litter box

February 16, 2018 | Comments Off on Your new cat & the litter box

[print-me] Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined here, you’ll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat. Location The most important aspects of location are the need for it to be quiet, easily accessible, and not near the feeding and water stations or any comfort items. Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot in order to minimize odor and loose particles of cat litter in the house. Often, the litter box ends up in the basement, sometimes next
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Managing scratching

Managing scratching

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Managing scratching

[print-me] By nature, cats have a need to scratch objects in their environment. We know that cats leave their scent behind when they scratch things and that this is a means of letting the world know that they’re there… whether it is to warn another cat away or to invite them to play. They tend to go back to the same spots and scratch those spots repeatedly for this reason; it’s another way for them to mark their territory. Even cats who have been declawed will try to scratch things for this very reason! Scratching also happens in play, as
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Kitten-proofing your home

Kitten-proofing your home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Kitten-proofing your home

[print-me] When bringing a kitten home, there are a few easy steps that you can follow to keep your little bundle of fluff safe in their new environment. It’s best to take a look around before you bring your kitten home. The real secret to kitten-proofing is to look at your home through the eyes of a cat. Find everything that looks like a fun toy, and if it’s something harmful, get rid of it or make it safe. Having her home prepared for her arrival will make the transition much easier for all of you! Look around your house
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Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

[print-me] Cats, like people and dogs, benefit from keeping fit and active, both mentally and physically. Exercise is essential for your cat’s mental and physical health because it relieves stress and boredom, improves circulation, builds muscle tone and can prevent or reduce behavioral problems. So, we need to get our cats up and moving, and there’s no better way to coax out their natural instincts to stalk and chase prey than by engaging them with toys. Types of Toys for Fun and Games Wand Toys A wand toy can be as simple as a stick with a thin piece of
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Cat to Cat introductions

Cat to Cat introductions

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat to Cat introductions

[print-me] If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, be patient. The introduction must be gradual. Following the initial introduction, it can take some time for a relationship to grow. It can take months or even years for some cats to develop bonds with other cats. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don’t become buddies learn to live peacefully with one another, while others become fast friends. Sadly, it’s difficult to predict whether or not any two individual cats will get along. There are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches
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Cost of Owning a Cat

Cost of Owning a Cat

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cost of Owning a Cat

[print-me] When you think about the annual cost of care for your cat, there are several things to consider. Cats can live an average of 10-18 years, although some cats may even live into their twenties. Below are general price ranges for the things your cat will need over the course of his/her life. Food Most cats are fine with a typical feline pet food that you can buy at specialty pet stores or even grocery stores. It is important to pay attention to the ingredient list on your cat’s food because often times, you get what you pay for.
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Bringing your new cat home

Bringing your new cat home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Bringing your new cat home

[print-me] Congratulations on finding your new best friend! Here are some tips to help guide you through the first few days after bringing your new cat home! It’s important to remember that your new cat could be frightened and confused, even if they were happy and outgoing when you met them at the shelter. Cats like routine and to have control over their environment, so it may take them a few days to feel the safety and comfort that they felt in the den they had created for themselves at the shelter. For these reasons, we suggest that you set
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