2001 Articles...

12/24/01  The Missing Cats of Antioch
Are the missing cats of Antioch California a random series of coincidence, or a mystery that deserves investigation? Julie Atkinson believes the latter, and here is her story.

12/9/01  My Cat Ran Away
Or maybe he didn't. Here are some straight facts to face about missing cats, along with tips for recovering your treasured furry family member.

12/3/01 Raw Food Diets for Cats - a Natural Solution
Many nutritionists and veterinarians agree that a raw food diet is best for cats. Here are some pros and cons, and how to go about utilizing it.

11/6/01 Outside the Box Part 2
Betsy Lipscomb offers plenty of serious help for solving problems of cats who eliminate outside the box. Part 2 of a two-part series, written originally for Cats Magazine

11/2/01 Cleaning Kitty Accidents
Sometimes we cat lovers just have to "get down dirty" when the subject of cleaning up messes arises, and this is the time. I'm not talking about the mess that occurs when your cat knocks over a vase full of flowers. I'm talking about serious cat messes.

10/22/01 Understanding Cat Food Labels
Two formulas you will need to decipher the ingredients list on that can or bag of cat food you are about to buy, along with other descriptive terms to watch for. Part 2 of a 2-part series.

10/14/01 Tips for Choosing Cat Food
Cat food is one of the most important expenses of feline guardianship, next to veterinary care. It is important to note that proper diet can eliminate or delay veterinary expense for a number of serious medical conditions. Part 1 of a 2-part series.

9/28/01 Outside the Box
This article, written by Betsy Lipscomb for Cats Magazine, will bring a sigh of relief to anyone who is concerned about inappropriate elimination. Part one of a two-part series.

9/14/01 Hands Across the United States
As we mourn our human losses, animal advocates pull together to help the pets in New York who have become homeless or abandoned because of the tragic plane bombings against the WTC.

9/8/01 Have Kittens - Will Travel?
So a stray cat has "gifted" you with kittens and you need to find good homes for them. Here are some tips from HOSTGary, host of the About.com Cats Forum. Don't let your kittens leave home without them!

9/6/01 What's In a Name? - Cat Names
How did you choose a name for your cat? From a real-life hero, a fictitious character from a book, movie or video game, perhaps a song title? We toss around a number of options here, for this all-important task.

8/29/01 California Cats and Dogs Benefitted
Maddie's Fund continues in its march toward a kill-free nation, with a $1.8 million gift for a low-cost pets spay and neutering program for low-income Californians.

8/26/01 Mad Cow Disease - Are Cats at Risk?
The answer will depend largely on who you ask, but evidence points to a resounding "maybe" for risk to felines.

8/8/01 Shannon's GuideCat Portfolio
How much can be written about one old cat? Quite a lot, it seems, in retrospect.

7/30/01 Early Spay and Neuter
Throw out those old misconceptions about waiting until your cat reaches puberty, and consider these compelling arguments for "fixing" those babies early.

7/15/01 Carpet Urine Odor?
Don't be too quick to blame the cat. A new study indicates that a tiny but smelly microorganism might be the cause of stinky carpets.

7/13/01 And Then There Was Shannon
A celebration of the life of an extraordinary cat, who largely inspired much of the content on this GuideSite. He will be missed, more than words can say.

7/11/01 La Visitadora - The Visitor
A poignant story about a cat, two women, and the man who brought them together, from the prolific writer and artist, Jim Willis.

7/4/01 Living with an FIV+ Cat
A diagnosis of FIV+ a year ago has sent us on a roller-coaster ride, but Shannon is a tough old soldier although now faced with end-stage CRF as well.

7/3/01 Cats and Mice
Although "cat and mouse" may be one of the oldest games in the world, the rodent treat your cat brings home may be a double-edged sword for both of you.

6/26/01 Adoption Spotlight: Best Friend Animal Adoption
A hard-working group of volunteers dedicated to helping the plight of homeless animals in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC.

6/16/01 Shelter Spotlight: San Francisco SPCA
From the innovative Adoption Pact to the state-of-the-art Maddie's Adoption Center, the San Francisco SPCA leads the vanguard in the goal of making the U.S. a no-kill nation.

6/14/01 Shelter Spotlight: CACC
In honor of June is Adopt a Cat Month, we're making tribute to various shelters and the selfless folks who staff them and volunteer for the sake of the animals.

6/7/01 Introducing Cat Breeds Snapshots
Have you ever needed to find out just a small piece of information about a particular breed of cat? These Cat Breeds Snapshots are just the answer! Easily navigated by an A to Z listing (No, there's not a "Z" breed yet) these snapshots contain the most pertinant information about each breed listed, with photographs where available.

6/1/01 June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month
If any of you feel a sudden need for loving companionship in your life, here's the perfect opportunity to enrich your own life while saving that of another sentient being. A Cat Named Wellington offers purrsuasian of another sort.

5/27/01 Shelter Sheets
Shelter Sheets were developed because we think all cats should come with instructions. Although they are intended primarily for use by animal shelters and other organizations involved in adopting animals, they are also available for use by the "end user." We've started with six important topics and more will be added frequently.

5/23/01 Feline Knowledge Quiz
Nowadays there is no excuse for anyone with access to a computer to remain in the Dark Ages where our favorite pets are concerned. How far have you come as a result of reading articles on this site and on other great feline-related sites?

5/23/01 We Are Their Heroes
Jim Willis is a rescuer of animals in need, and a prodigious writer of soul-rending prose about the creatures he loves and the people who care for them. This piece is no exception.

5/16/01 Understanding Anesthesia for Cats
A better understanding of some of the commonly-used types of anesthetics and analgesics (pain relievers), how they work, and their potential drawbacks, will help us make the best decisions when it comes to sedating our cats.

5/12/01 Flushable Kitty Toilet
Self-cleaning litter boxes have been around for awhile, with mixed reviews, so it was with much interest that I read about the development of a flushable kitty toilet, which uses water for self-cleaning, much like your regular human toilet.

5/4/01 Book Review: The New Natural Cat
Perhaps this book is not the "final word" for information on raising cats, but it's a good place to start.

5/3/01 Book Review: Just Cats
A fun little picture book with text by Karen Anderson, reviewed by your Guide to Cats.

5/1/01 Living Free Animal Sanctuary
For 20 years this Southern California sanctuary has been rescuing cats and dogs tagged for euthanasia at shelters, but may have to close at the end of May.

4/27/01 Tiergarten Sanctuary Needs Help
Tiergarten Sanctuary is moving back to Germany later in 2001, and needs to find homes for some of the rescued animals under their care. They have been placing around 200 animals a year, and time is running out.

4/26/01What's Wrong with Owning Pet Cats?
In an effort to be politically correct, for several years now I have struggled with these appellations, but I am here today to say, "Enough is enough!"

4/13/01A Cat Lover's Thoughts on OSU's Cats/AIDS Experiment
HOSTGary has been been doing a little followup research on the experiment at Ohio state University (OSU) that will kill roughly 100 cats, ostensibly in the name of science, and so far he doesn't like what he sees.

4/12/01Kitty Numbers Racket
Does the number "420,000" mean anything to you? Or "30"? They will, after you read this article.Not what you might think, but check out these numbers anyway and learn some interesting trivia facts about cats, while you're at it.

4/4/01Sterilization Vaccine for Cats
Animal advocates breathlessly await the announcement of a new sterilization drug, which could be administered by injection, pill, or even as a food additive, which would add a whole new layer to the concept of feral cat colony management.

3/28/01Real Men Do Love Cats
He may drive a taxi, design aircraft or rule over boardrooms during the day, but he comes home to cuddle and coo with his furball the minute he enters the house, and he's not embarrassed to admit it.

3/19/01Maddie's Fund Ahead of Goal Again!
Maddie's Fund has once again exceeded expectations, this time with its "No More Homeless Pets in Utah" project, in conjunction with the famed Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Way to Go!

3/15/01 How Does My Cat Garden Grow?
Gardeners generally fall into two categories: those who enjoy watching their cats sniffing and luxuriating in the greenery, and those who would be happiest if cats just gave their gardens a wide berth. This article addresses both sides of the garden fence.

3/8/01 Sasha Comes Home - A True Love Story
Angelica has a soft spot for cats, so when she made friends with the feral cat who showed up regularly outside her small studio apartment, it was natural for her to want to offer him a home. The result was a rollercoaster ride for both of them.

3/7/01 Ophelia's Winter - Book Review
The sad story (with a happy ending) of a cat left to the capriciousness of strangers after the death of her human companion-- a warning to all of us to protect our pets in our wills.

3/2/01 Voices for Sara
Napa, California is a nice town to live in, nestled near vineyards and farmland, replete with history, but welcoming to the newcomer. It is no surprise that residents were shocked in January of this year, to hear of the beating and torching of a cat on the residential streets of Napa.

2/26/01 Justice for Baby Angel
Animal lovers go ballistic when even the hint of cruelty to animals comes into play, which was proven in the case of Baby Angel, a cat who was allegedly tortured and then paraded around in a shopping cart in a Kennesaw, GA PetSmart store.

2/15/01 Feline Owners Manual and Maintenance Guide Ch. 3
Chapter 3 covers Diagnostics: Erratic Performance. Please be assured that in most cases, these problems are only matters of "driver error," and can be resolved once you know what you are doing wrong.

2/10/01 Bonsai Kitten Wars
Spies and counterspies run rampant as members of opposing sides gear up in their battle of words over the Bonsai Kitten site. Meanwhile, the FBI steps in, and the Day of Reckoning is at hand for the Bonsai Kitten webmaster.

1/29/01 Cat Personality Test - What Kind of Cat are You?
Did you ever wish you were a cat? Wonder what kind you'd be if you were? Take this entertaining and insightful test and you may be amazed by the results.

1/19/01 Feline Owners Manual and Maintenance Guide - Ch. 2
Chapter 2 covers Diagnostics: Breakdown, those times when it appears parts of your cat are simply not working right. Can you fix it yourself, or does the problem warrant a trip to the shop?

1/14/01 Declawing: Disclose and Wait
A proposal and a petition for legislation on the State level, making full disclosure mandatory prior to the performance of this mutilating surgery, which is presently treated as casually as neutering, by many veterinarians.

1/11/01 Socks Gets Booted!
Evicted White House tenants are said to plan to leave First Cat behind, but Clinton's Secretary, Betty Currie comes to the rescue of the faithful furry retainer.

1/8/01 Feline Owners Manual and Maintenance Guide
In a purrfect world, all cats would come equipped with an instruction manual, but if yours did not, this will fit the bill.

1/2/01 Speedy Kitten
A touching story of a small kitten born with a gross deformity, and the kind-hearted veterinarian and clinic staff who gave him a new life.

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