From the article: 2000 - 2009: The Age of Awareness for Cat Lovers
The first decade of the 21st century has been an Age of Awareness for many cat lovers. Events such as the pet food recalls of 2007 certainly were a jolting enlightenment to the necessity of learning more about what goes into the food our cats eat. Through education and awareness, we have also learned the truth about declawing, and the importance of microchipping. Many of us have also learned that one person can make a difference for cats, and we have put that knowledge to good use. What was your single most "aha!" moment in the past decade, and how did it compel you to react? Share Your "Aha" Moment
The Day I Became a Catwoman
- I will never forget the day Oreo and Stripes became members of our family. They had both been left on the side of the road and were so small and weak we didn't know if they would make it or not. I actually had to feed Oreo with a bottle. Stripes was a little stronger but there were several days when I held both of them because if something happened to them, I wanted them to be with me. That is when I realized that it was my calling in life to take care of these two wonderful, helpless creatures.Since then, Stripes has passed away and is deeply missed, but we have added eight more to our home. We now have nine wonderful cats. I love being a "Catwoman".
- —Guest catwoman
There've Been A Few - My 2 Biggest Ones
- Since Dublin moved in with me 6 Dec. 2008, I realised I'm a cat person. Never thought of myself as soon before then. I realised, too, that cats communicate very clearly, but we often fail to pay heed. I've learnt to pay attention to Dub's signals, especially when he does things he knows I don't like - it means there's something in particular he wants me to know - like not liking the pine litter I tried. He doesn't like it, & I switched back. This made me realise how intelligent he is & that he has very definite opinions on everything from his litter to what he eats & what he likes to do. I've learnt to read him & what he's telling me, although he still surprises & puzzles me from time-to-time. I'm really amazed by how smart cats are & am learning all I can about them. Amazing creatures!
- —margopego
Hurricane Katrina
- I had just adopted a litter of kittens in June 05, which put my household up to 9 pets. Then hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Many of us saw the pictures of dying animals, people that wouldn't leave since they couldn't take their animals with them. That was the moment I realized I was responsible for the wellbeing of my animals, and disasters DO happen. Never being good at having my own disaster kit, I put together a full kit for all of my animals, incorporating all the suggestions, leaving contact numbers with my vets, anything so that my animals wouldn't be STUCK if something happened to me. That was my huge AHA moment.
- —akpoppie
cat litter
- We used to only use unscented clay cat litter so our cats would not be effected by the chemicals added to the scented litters. We were also afraid to use clumping cat litters since they were not flushable. In the last few years we started using the America's Best Cat Litter for multiple cats. It is wonderful for controlling odors and the cats adapted to it immediately. We also started using a litter locker so we don't have to worry about the possibility of blocking up the pipes from flushing the clumps. We use the litter locker for the urine clumps and flush the other. We have been very happy with this combination and the cats are too. Cat Guide's Note: I think Nancy D is referring to "World's Best Cat Litter."
- —Guest Nancy D
pet insurance
- I used too think that pet insurance was too costly to ever see a return on the premiums paid. We had a cat about three years ago that had lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy treatment, which extended her life another two years in a comfortable manner. We found out, as would be expected, that treatment of this type is very expensive and most owners may not be able to afford it. Since then we adopted 4 cats from the local shelter. The first thing I did was sign up for the pet insurance offered as a benefit where I work. I purchased VPI pet insurance with a cancer rider so if we are ever in that situation again we won't be so financially strapped. Our 3.5 yr old cat has been diagnosed with the beginning of kidney failure and had to go for ultrasounds, x-rays and in-depth lab testing. I now am a firm believer that the premiums are well out-weighed by the benefits of having the insurance. I've had no problems what so ever filing claims and I use the vets I choose.
- —Guest Nancy D
My "aha" moment
- My "aha moment came this this past year, when I found out how easy it is train a cat to walk on a leash. The key was starting with a harness instead of a collar. Found out how on the "About cats" forum.
- —Lesforan
Environmental Enrichment as Therapy
- My “Aha” moment was the finding of small adrenal glands in cats with “feline interstitial cystitis” (FIC). These most likely result from an early adverse experience, and lead me to change my view of FIC from a bladder disease to a disease affecting the bladder. We then learned that most cats with FIC have multiple health problems, seemingly made worse by their unusual sensitivity to their environments. Based on these studies, we changed our approach to treatment to one of environmental enrichment, and have shown that this leads to recovery of a variety of health problems in cats. We also developed the Indoor Cat Initiative (www.indoorcat.org) to help cat owners and veterinarians create enriched living for indoor-housed cats.
- —Guest Tony Buffington
Feral cats can adjust to living in homes
- I love Alley Cat Allies, but I have always taken exception to this statement: "Yet feral cats are unsocialized to humans and can’t adjust to life in a human home...". That is just not true. As I discovered when I adopted my delightful vowels in 2003. Already nearly 5 months old, which is well past the age at which ACA states a feral can be socialized, O and U, while challenging, have been the lights of my life. And they have NO desire to go out. "Out" is bad. Although O will stick his nose out if I am bringing in groceries. The vowels are delightful little companions. O did get some socialization in a foster home (they were trapped at about 4 months) because he was more outgoing, but U was completely wild. She was 4 pounds of terrified fury. Now she loves nothing better than to get under the covers and have her tummy rubbed. They still have issues, and may never be completely normal. But then, neither am I! And, they have ALL their claws -- I never HEARD of declawing.
- —acter
