Cat News Around the World

Inmates at the Bang Kwang prison in Thailand have discovered the value of cats as therapy, and prison officials concur. Hardened criminals such as robbers and murders are soon abandoned by family and friends, and have found comfort in the fact that the prison cats listen to them. The Correction Department has decided to allow these human-feline friendships to continue, provided the cats are sterilized and they don't sleep with the inmates.

One of the prisoners said, “When I first arrived here, I was very edgy, so full of worries and bad tempers rushing in and out. But when I began raising and playing with these cats, my mind grew calmer.” I think most of us can relate to that.

_{Photo of Therapy Cat in a Nursing Home, Photo Credit: © iStockPhoto.com/Sue McDonald}

Big Cats on the Prowl in Victoria, Australia

A number of unidentified species of big cats have been spotted by farmers in the Warrnambool area of Victoria. Talk has been heard of several sheep have been slaughtered with evidence of scratching marks by huge paws, but thus far none of the big cats have been killed or photographed. They are described as "about the size of Golden Retrievers and black or tan in Color."

MD Humane Society Closes Cat Adoption Due to Panleukopenia

The highly contagious disease, also called feline distemper, was brought in by a stray cat, highlighting the importance of keeping cats indoors.

Shelter Officials of the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) announced that the cat adoption and housing units will be closed until further notice, and have asked area residents to refrain from bring in cats they want to surrender until advised that it is safe.