Cat adoptions

During the Holidays I like to remind everyone that it's the perfect time to bring home a new companion or give a kitty to someone you know is able and ready. Cats make great companions and they don't ask for much attention, some even sit on your lap. Here are some cats up for adoption at the Manhattan Beach Petsmart, stop by and browse. You might just find your perfect soul- pet!

Happy Holidays!!

There are 3 here, can you see them?!

Feline Panleukopenia Outbreak in LA County!

This just handed to me! ~~  There is a "Feline Panleukopenia Outbreak in LA County"  I wanted to let everyone know how you can protect your cat, and how it is very contagious. Panleukopenia is an often viral disease of cats that causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme dehydration and/or sudden death. It is a really stubborn virus. Your cat may become infected by the simple fact that you shared a cat carrier! This is serious.....

 There could be no symptoms for weeks!

 The virus is only killed by bleach (half a cup per 1 gallon water)--Go clean that carrier you just let your friend borrow!

The good news is there is a vaccine called FVRCP, but it must be received at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age with a booster no later than a year following the last dose.

You ask, how is it transmitted?

• Contaminated human hands or clothes (Stop petting other cats for now....
• Direct contact with infected cats 
• Contaminated environment (Yes cat carriers, beds, litter boxes)
• Pre-natal-a mother can transmit the virus to her unborn kittens
• Infected cats can still shed the virus up to 6 weeks after they recover (If the make it.....)

Walking your cat on a leash

Watch this video to learn about walking your cat on a leash:

All photographs and video by Lisette Kennedy  all rights reserved

Happy Easter to all! No Lilies are welcomed.

Happy Easter to all!

The joy we feel every time we come home and our cat runs to the door or stares through the window is indescribable. This Easter if you don't already know this, don't bring lilies home!

They are toxic to cats! They can cause kidney failure and death. You only have a few hours after a cat ingests a lilie to save him. Pretty flowers are deadly, some to add to the list;

•Day Lilies
•Tiger Lilies
•Japanese Lilies
• Daffodils
•Hyacinths

And many more, the list will continue on another post...

Catsercise!

Does your cat meow at the door, does he show interest in going outside? Is he an Alpha?

Mine is! And he loves to go for a daily walk. Everyday he asks to go outside, he will sit at the door and meow. This is how I know it's time to grab his leash! I tried several leashes and the one that he feels comfortable walking in, is the "H" leash design. It doesn't obstruct his neck or armpits. Other designs that go under the chest made him walk funny or not walk at all (and trust me when I say he Loves his walk)

The best way for him to get some sun, climb up a few trees, walk and run!
The best part is that he is safe, no feral cats or other animals will approach him. You won't be that person down the line putting the "Lost cat" on every pole (I see at least one a week in my neighborhood).

The importance of a good bed

Cats sleep about 18 out of the 24 hours in one day. With that statement comes the important duty of getting your cat a decent bed he/she can call her own. Wash your cat's bed at the same time you wash your own sheets, that way you won't forget. It's important to keep it clean, if you were a cat...wouldn't you want a clean bed?

A guest in my house

This week I got a call from some friends who needed temporary housing for their cat Tick. They are moving out of state and until they get settled I knew I could help out. All three of my cats have been around other cats (at the adoption center) and I made sure to introduce them to a small Chihuahua early on.

They were all neutered and spayed already (this makes them all be easy going) Tick arrived at my house 3 days a go, a new place, 3 cats she doesn't know and she is not fixed.

I keep her in a separate room at the moment, she is not too happy. She makes strange noises and hisses contantly. She is not too friendly with me either, she is only 11 months and she is very wild.

Nevertheless, she is a beautiful cat. Gray with white paws and her eyes look like a Costa Rican monkey does. Buggy, big and green. I can only hope she will come around, I can't introduce her to my cats yet, I have to wait until she feels more at home.

Cat Fish

Mickey likes to play "Catfish" in my new fish tank. Mickey turned out to be the cutest cat, he gained weight over the first year I fed him and is now nice and plump. He surprised me with his amazing personality, I learned he was playful, liked to play "catch" with hair bands, the fastest laser chaser I ever saw and most of all he is sweet. Whenever I sit to do work on my computer, he comes up behind me, reaches out with one arm and meows as if to say "hello, pet me" He loves a belly rub! He curls his tail like a monkey and believe it or not he smiles! -- Yes, when you pet him you could see him smile !

Mickey the Cat Fish

Happy Cat Year!!!

Two years a go I was looking for a long hair cat, I had a cat 10 years a go and now it was time to try again.
 I searched through the internet, the local pet stores and adoption centers for "my perfect cat" a long hair Maincoon type was my dream, but long hair cats were nowhere to be found in Los Angeles.

 I discovered a sign that said "Kittens" on PCH in Hermosa Beach, California. I went into the VCA Animal hospital, where every weekend a non-profit organization called The Peter Zippi Foundation holds cat adoptions.

 As I walked up the stairs, I could see all the kittens were in a small room with a giant cage, they all shared it. I went into that room and there were cats flying, playing, biting, jumping on each other. It was like a monkey cage! In all that chaos I looked down at the floor and there was this orange kitty, he looked right up me with a smug look as if in saying "I'm the king here and I'm the cutest here. You must hold me" and so I did. I picked him up and he sat on my shoulder, as if we knew each other from before. His face looked like a China Doll, he had short hair and green eyes, he had a name already; Sully and it fit him so I kept the name. Not exactly the long hair cat of my dreams but there was something about him, I had to take him home......

 I was happy I found a cat, I was ready to adopt and  to my surprise I was told you have to adopt two. Reason being, while you are at work, they need someone to play with, keep them company etc.

Luckily Sully had a brother, a skinny, scary kitty that was not very friendly and not very cute either, his name is now Mickey. I figured, after not having a cat for 10 years, this was the payoff, giving a home to two brothers that could be together forever. No separate homes, they would grow up to know and love each other, and so my cat story begins.....

Sully the Wonderful, Wonderful Cat!