This issue we highlight a great cat rescue organization in Los Cabos and explore cat adoption.

KITTY HEAVEN

Located at the home of realtor Angelique Shornstein, shelter is provided to homeless kitties found in Todos Santos and surrounding areas. These very lucky kitties are cared for in a strictly feline environment, getting spayed/neutered/ vaccinated and otherwise given a new lease on life.
Kitty Heaven is the only cat refuge in Todos Santos and is funded solely through donations. The current facility can really only accommodate 20 cats comfortably, and is always over that limit. Angelique needs help! The expenses she shoulders are enormous, the cost of food, vet visits, medications, flea treatments, and maintenance…..not to mention the time it takes to love them all. Angelique spends 4 hours a day with her furry friends. They each have names and they all become part of her family, some even stay in her home but they are looking for the forever homes. For more information, to adopt or donate, contact Angelique at //www.petfinder.com/shelters/angelique@bajarescue.com“>bajakitties@yahoo.com

Is a cat the right pet for you?

You are considering adding a cat to your family……..now you must decide whether or not to make the up to twenty year commitment to a new feline friend. To dog people, taking on a cat seems like no big deal – no house training, numerous daily walks or obedience classes. But if you are a novice at animal care-taking, hair on the furniture, paw prints on countertops and kitty games at 3 A.M. — not to mention litter box daily maintenance — can take some getting used to. Time must be found for grooming, feeding and interactive play. If you are considering adopting a kitten, factor in plenty of time for socialization and supervision to ensure that the end result will be a well-adjusted adult cat.

Cats had only one function throughout the centuries: vermin control. Only in the last one hundred years has selective breeding caught on — synonymous with the rise of the cat as a companion. Still, less than 10 percent of the world’s cats, both in and out of shelters, are purebred. The majority — common house cats – have charmed their way into becoming the number one most popular pet in North America.

When you have made the decision to commit to a cat, hop on the internet and visit www.petfinder.com, loscaboshumanesociety.com, or visit in person, the Los Cabos Humane Society shelter, or Kitty Heaven where an array of felines resplendent in tabby stripes, calico patches, solids and tortoiseshell patterns awaits. The feline diversity residing in local shelters and rescue groups ensures you will find a kindred spirit. Shelters generally vaccinate, de-worm, test for feline diseases and spay/neuter before adoption. Ask for specifics on what is included in the adoption package, and remember the initial adoption costs are just the beginning, yearly veterinary check-ups and quality cat food can help maintain their health and wellness and lessen care costs in the end.

Searching for Mr. Right
Before facing cage after cage of homeless cats, consider your needs and expectations. If yours is a full-time working household, I recommend passing up kittens and adolescents (less than eighteen months old) in favor of a more low-key adult whose energy needs will be easier to meet. If you are a novice cat owner, stay away from “excessive” cats — excessively shy, aggressive or demanding — for they may provide too great a challenge for your first experience. Your best bet is the friendly, outgoing cat, who nudges an outstretched finger offered and who nuzzles and purrs. Remember that not all cats will tolerate being picked up and cuddled, they may prefer to come to you, lay near you or eventually in your lap as you get to know them.

Is coat color or pattern important? By all means, choose a cat who attracts you, but remember that the gorgeous calico hiding at the back of her cage may well go into prolonged hiding once she is released into your home. A cat who is social and relaxed at a shelter usually has the personality needed to meet the stresses that life throws her way. Consider the whole cat, not just one element. Spending some time in the shelter environment will give you an idea of the personalities of the cats and allow the cat to pick you, a very important factor when searching for a new feline companion. Look for the cat that comes to you and chooses to spend time with you, they are trying to tell you something…….

A cat in your life can add warmth, humor, companionship, love, fur all over your furniture and the good possibility of the occasional hairball, but it’s worth it! If you can make the commitment, a cat is waiting to enhance your life in ways only a kindred spirit can.

 

Whether you adopt, sponsor, donate, or just love….your help is so badly needed and so appreciated.