Friday Films: That’s What Moms Do

Do you consider yourself a cat or a dog (or both) parent?  Many of us do; if not seriously, certainly in jest.  For sure our cats and dogs consider us their parents, or at least their leaders, alphas, caretakers, whatever.  When we have the keys to the food closet and treat jar, we’re certainly a very important part of their lives.

Today’s Friday Film is a new video by Furball Fables in which kitties are discussing their parentage.  See what you think.

That’s What Moms Do

May 6-12, 2012 is Be Kind to Animals Week

Join the event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915 — American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals^® Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same.

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Celebrate Animals Every Day!

Friday Films: The Shelter Pet Project

For today’s Friday Film, I wanted to choose something that might get you motivated to come down to LAPCATS or go to one of your other local shelters or rescues and consider adopting a shelter pet.  I picked 3 cute shorts from The Shelter Pet Project, an effort by The Humane Society, the Ad Council, and Maddie’s Fund, to get more shelter pets adopted.  The Shelter Pet Project is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable!

The Sand Box

The Cell Phone

Toys

If you’d like more information, here’s a video that explains more about The Shelter Pet Project.

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A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet: Adopt

 

PetSmart National Adoptathon this Weekend

You are cordially invited to stop in to say hi and see all of our fantastic felines looking for their forever homes!  We promise to have quite a variety of cats at the Adoption Center, as well as a directory showing all our other kitties in foster care too.

LAPCATS in the PetSmart Adoption Center

8215 Laguna Blvd. (Laguna and Big Horn) 

Elk Grove, California

Friday – Sunday, May 4-6th, 11 am – 4 pm each day

LAPCATS is rabidly approaching our “1,000 Homeless Shelter Cats Placed” milestone adoption.  Please come in and help us reach our goal!

A Warm Weather Reminder from Sac County Animal Care

It is that time of year again. Please share to help educate and avoid heat-related animal emergencies!

The warm weather is here and seems pleasant, but heat can kill a pet if left inside a vehicle, has inadequate shelter at home, or is over-exerted in warm weather.  The County Animal Shelter reminds pet owners of taking important precautions to ensure their animals stay safe and cool during the upcoming hot summer months.

“Just a few ordinary precautions and preparations can make a pet comfortable and safe as our weather heats up,” said Dave Dickinson, Animal Shelter Director.  “Even mild temperatures in the 80”s can heat the car’s interior to dangerous levels that can cause heat stroke for a pet left in the car.”

Tips on how to help your pet get ready for summer:

• Never leave your dog or any animal in an unattended motor vehicle or parked car under conditions that endanger the health or well being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation or lack of food and water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal: It is against California law 597.7(a) and is punishable by fine, or felony prosecution. Cracking a window or leaving a bowl of water won’t protect your pets. A car can reach 120 degrees in just minutes.  A dog’s normal temperature is 101.5 degrees; at 107 degrees brain damage occurs and at 120 degrees your pet can easily succumb to heat exhaustion and die.
• Avoid extreme heat: When temperatures get above 90 degrees, bring your pet inside. For outdoor pets, be sure to provide them with plenty of fresh, cold water in a tip‐proof water dish and adequate shade and shelter for them to cool down.
• Use sunscreen: Pets get sunburned just like people, and if your pet has light skin and/or a mostly white coat, they can be particularly susceptible to a painful burn and skin cancer. Use sunscreen on sensitive areas, such as ears and nose to make sure your pets are protected. 
• Don’t run your dog or over-exert your pet: Exercise in warm temperatures can be harmful. Animals, like people, are susceptible to life-threatening activity-related heat stroke.

If your pet has been exposed to high temperatures:

• Be alert for signs of heat stress, including heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
• Move your pet immediately to the shade to help lower their temperature immediately. Apply cool (not cold) water to the pet.  Apply ice packs and cool towels to your pet’s head, neck, and chest.
• Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.  It could save their life.

More protection recommendations and tips on what to do if your animal becomes overheated are available online at www.SacCountyShelter.net.  If you see animals in danger and potential neglect or abuse cases, please contact the Animal Shelter to report the issue at 916-368-7387.

Friday Films: Black Cats are Awesome!

Tipper here!  I stepped in today as spokesperson—er, spokescat–to welcome you to our Friday Films, because this one is about how amazing we ebony-colored, wild panther-like, cool black creatures are.  Everyone knows black goes with everything and never goes out of style.  How lucky you would be to be loved by a black cat!  LAPCATS has several of us available right now, including me and my buddies below.  If you are in the market for a loving companion, please stop by and see us soon!

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Black Cats are Awesome!

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Tipper at top; first row:  Max, Raven and Jasmine; second row:  Panther, Kaui, Syrian                                      – Photos by Barbara Doty

   Mark Your Calendar!

 

Happy Tales: Esme

Esme is doing great.  Within the first 24 hours I could tell that she was happy to be in a home and had really made herself at home.  She’s been eating and drinking and going the bathroom with no problems.  She has fully taken over the kitty beds at the house and has been giving and getting lots of snuggles.  

Our first cat Lucy has had a bit more of an emotional roller coaster about Esme.  At first she was ecstatic to have another cat in the house, but then she started being a little territorial.  Most of the chasing has already stopped.  Lucy mostly gets territorial if one of us is holding Lucy and Esme gets close — she has hissed to say "these are my people!"  Luckily, Esme is so relaxed she isn’t bothered by it at all and doesn’t get aggressive in response.  Lucy’s territorialness seems to be slowly subsiding.  Both cats were able to lay with me on the bed this morning with no problems.  I think within a few more days everything should be totally fine.

Thank you for checking in — I really appreciate it!  We absolutely love Esme and how sweet and laid back she is.  She is a great fit for the family.

Friday Films: Simon’s Cat in “Shelf Life”

What is it about cats and our “things”?  Their never ending curiosity?  Their attitude that what’s ours is, of course, theirs?  Or are they just oblivious to what they encounter as they stalk and prowl through the jungles of our living rooms?

I’ve had dogs for years, and was used to being able to set items up on the counter where they would stay until I moved them.  Not so with cats in the house!  Nothing is safe!  By the way, did you know cats can jump up to seven times their height?

Simon Tofield shares his experiences in the latest Simon’s Cat video.

 

  Shelf Life

The Difference Between Dog and Cat People

Statistics are based on more than 80 million aggregated and anonymized responses to “Teach Hunch About You” questions answered between March 2009 and June 2011 by about 700,000 users of Hunch.com.  To view the graphic full sized and read more about how the information was gathered, see the Hunch website.

(Source:  Hunch.com via Mousebreath.com)

Something New for Sacramento Area Animal-Loving Teens

The Sacramento County Animal Care (SCACR) volunteer program generally focuses on adult volunteers, but now, due to public request, the shelter has a new volunteer program for teens who want to help shelter animals.  This new volunteer program is called S.A.L.T., “Sacramento Animal Loving Teens”.

SALT is the brain-child of a bright and very motivated teen named Zara Anwar, who came to us via volunteer Barbara Doty, Program Manager for LAPCATS.  Zara is a true leader and even created the website for the program.  The SALT website is undergoing a few minor modifications, but it is up and running and is a real accomplishment for 13-year old Zara.  The adult advisor for the SALT program is shelter volunteer Kari Emery (also a volunteer with LAPCATS).

The target age group for SALT is teens ages 12-15, but others are invited to become involved as space allows. Parental permission is required.  At first, teens will focus on activities like stuffing Kongs, making display boards, and staffing fundraising car washes at the shelter this summer.  As the program structure solidifies, the frequency and scope of the teens’ involvement will be expanded. The SALT group is initially meeting once a month in the SCACR classroom at the shelter.  Please refer to the SALT website for more program details and contact information.  Many thanks to Zara and Kari for all their hard work getting SALT established!