Please consider declawing carefully

Buttercup is a declawed cat. She now has litterbox issues. Not serious, but enough that she ended up in rescue. We've discovered that she prefers to urinate on a fabric surface (like bedding) and will do so in a box if it's lined with bedding rather than litter. Is the related to her declawing? We can't say, but we do know this: Declawing can cause litterbox aversion. Cats that have been declawed spend the first few weeks walking on their painful paws. Every trip to the litterbox must be a new experience in pain. Imagine running your sore, swollen fingers through a pile of gravel! Perhaps the memory of that experience lingers to the point that any trip to the litter brings it back in painful detail.

The Frederick County (MD) animal shelter is considering changing their adoption policy to allow future adopters to declaw the cats and kittens they adopt. Most rescue groups and many shelters prohibit the procedure as part of their legally binding adoption contracts. Please take a moment to sign this petition and let them know that changing their policy is unacceptable and cuts to the heart of the phrase "animal welfare."

http://www.petitiononline.com/mc6984/petition.html

If you live in Frederick County, MD, please call your county representative and let them know you do not support this change in shelter policy. You have a voice. Use it to protect those who can't speak for themselves!

Sweet girl seeks conversation partner

My name is Gina and I have so much to tell you! I was adopted as a little kitten. I lived in a happy home for several years. I'm still not sure what happened, but I ended up back with AdvoCATs, seeking new companionship. Everyone here says that can't figure out why my first family gave me up: I'm very sweet and affectionate. I love people. I get along well with other cats. And I'm a stunning example of calico beauty!

Since I've been back at AdvoCATs, I've gotten to know the people and the other cats looking for homes. Everyone is very nice and really focused on finding loving, committed families. We work together to get to know these families, connect them to the right cats, and make sure the adoption process is as thorough, and as painless, as possible.

If you'd like to get to know me better, I promise I'll be gentle. And sweet. And cute. And with you for the long haul

Best buds seek new surroundings

This is Bailey(bottom) and Bentley (top). They're beautiful, aren't they? They were the cutest kittens! Yes, all kittens are cute, but can you imagine these two as tiny, blue-eyed puffballs?! A family adopted them waaaaaay back in 2000. They filled out a great application and happily signed our contract. We took their picture and posted it in our family album. We waved them out the door and wished Bailey and Bentley a wonderful life. Seven years later, we're all back together again.

Bailey and Bentley loved their family and loved their home, especially one room where they felt safe and happy. Whenever they had to leave that room, their pet parent complained, one or the other would urinate on a chair. This is certainly odd behavior, and understandably frustrating. We hoped we could work with the family to understand and address the underlying reason why this was happening but they chose to bring them back to us to find a new home.

When we brought them back to the Playroom, they were very frightened and angry. For the first two days, they had their own little compartments . Bentley huddled in his area and growled, Bailey stared in wild-eyed confusion. Neither wanted to eat, making us all very nervous: Many adult cats who are abandoned by their families stop eating and fall victim to hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver syndrome. Most of them die from it (out of grief? stress?). Finally they ate a little food, drank a little water, and used their litter box (we all sighed with relief).

How are they now? Jennifer, one of our volunteers, took this lovely picture. She said they were mellow and laid back. They enjoyed being petted and chatted with, but never came across as needy or demanding of attention. They were curious about Jennifer and her camera but, once they satisfied their curiousity, they went about their feline business and let her commune with the other cats. Neither Bailey nor Bentley have urinated anywhere other than the litterbox.

What happened in those seven years? Why did these two loving, playful cats become introverted with their family? Maybe there was construction in the house. Maybe their favorite family member left. Unfortunately, we may never know. We know they have finally adjusted to the Playroom (which is not nearly as comfortable or cosy as their favorite room). We know they're sweet, beautiful, curious, and loving. We know they'll make two wonderful roommates for someone who will commit to them to the end of their happy days.

Editor's Note: Bentley passed away on Monday, August 27th. He went into acute hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver syndrome, the same condition that took our Sarah. He fought valiantly. He even let us try to force feed him through a surgically placed tube. He was in such pain that, when he asked, we let him go. Bailey has been placed in a home where she will get a lot of attention.

All grown up and no place to go (or is there?)

My name is Moore. I've been here, gosh, seems like forever! At least since I was a young'un.

I'm a quiet guy, really. I like my food dry, my water wet, and my toys shiny. I'm not set in my ways or anything, I've just found my preferences. Truth is, I adjust pretty quickly. You have to when you're living with roommates. I respect their space, they respect mine.

The truth is, though, that I'd prefer a new scene with just a couple of roommates to share the space. I don't take up a lot of room. I'm pretty neat and tidy. I don't stay up late or play loud music. I do like to share my bed occasionally. I hope that's ok with you. I understand if you want the bed to yourself once in a while, but I really do enjoy the company, especially on those cold nights.

I guess I'm looking for a long term relationship. The kind that's good for everyone. I bring a lot of love to a home, and a sense of calm certainty. I know things are going to be OK. There will be food, there will be sunny places to nap, and there will be a family to love me the rest of my life.

Editor's Note: Moore was adopted last weekend. He is getting reacquainted with Lily, another adoptee from the playroom. At last report, they were getting on very well!

My name is Sarah, and I want to talk to you about committment

My name is Sarah. It's been a while since I saw the folks here at advoCATs. I was adopted five years ago when I was just a baby. The couple who adopted me said they were ready to make a 20 year commitment to take care of me. In return, I promised to purr when they petted me, play when they dangled toys, and comfort them when they needed it. I kept my promise and grew to be their loving companion, giving of myself, sharing my sometimes funny, sometimes curious, always interesting feline ways. We had a good thing going for a while there.

Now I'm homeless and back with the rescue. I'm trying very hard not to sound ungrateful or bitter, but a promise was broken. They brought me back to advoCATs, hoping advoCATs will find me a new home. They said I was a good cat, just a little too playful with their new baby. They weren't willing to help me learn how not to be too playful. They weren't willing to let me in on what was happening or prepare me for the little one's arrival.

I was talking to Sweet Rosie, who just came back, also. She really has no clue what's going on. She too was just a kitten when she was adopted six years ago, and had no understanding when her pet parents went their separate ways and decided their was no room in either of their lives for her. She just sits in fear - afraid and alone. It really scared her and broke her heart when the people she called her family decided to bring her back to advoCATs and left her in a room with a whole bunch of strange cats. People don't realize how much that hurts. They think "ech, she's just a cat. She'll be fine! She's so sweet, someone will adopt her an a heartbeat." Well, a lot of heartbeats have gone by, my friends. Cats like us, cats who are 5, 6, even 10 years old, we don't find homes so easily. I worry about Sweet Rosie.

And, I worry about Emerald and Cody and Abby, Rusty and Phillip, and Esmeralda and others who, after years of laps, purrs, and trust, have all become homeless because their guardians and protectors, for one reason or another, or one excuse after another, failed to keep their promise to love them and provide for them as true members of their families.

If you're thinking about adopting me, or Sweet Rosie, or maybe a pair of kittens, please be ready to make the commitment. Be ready for a 20 year friendship. Be ready for us to be with you through the really great days and the really rough ones. Be ready to take us with you if you move to a new home. Be ready to introduce us to new arrivals (no matter how many legs they have). Teach us what we need to know. Teach yourself what you need to know (I hear www.petvideo.com has some excellent segments on introducing your cat or dog to a new baby). We are members of the family too.

Make the promise to be there for us until the end. We promise we will be there with you.

Editor's Note: On October 6th, Sarah left us. She had developed Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL), or fatty liver syndrome. She went into acute liver failure. She stopped eating, stopped playing, and became very sullen and depressed. She chose not to interact with anyone (feline or human) who came to talk with her. Sarah simply gave up. We have no clinical proof that being abandoned by her adoptive family is what led to her decline. But according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, "forty percent of cases [of FHL] are due to environmental changes." We've seen this happen before. Sarah made us understand that cats truly grieve when they lose their families. It affects them physically and emotionally, and both deeply.

Good Guy seeks Good Family

I'm a good guy, a regular cat, a Charlie. I love people and their wonderful hands. I love kicking back in a sunny spot and taking a nap. I like good food, well prepared and presented (nothing fancy, but a ceramic bowl is always a nice touch). I'm ready with a steady purr that'll melt even the coldest heart.

Considering that short list of wants and needs, I can't understand why I haven't met The Right Family! I'm sure they're out there, just waiting to run across my picture on the web or to walk into PetCo and see my big mug looking out from the cage. I have to believe that's true.

If you're out there, if you're reading this, please come get me. I'm a good guy, really.

Editor's note: Charlie found a good family looking for a good guy to keep them company!

A Most Misunderstood Lady

Hello, my name is Bella, and when I came to AdvoCATs two years ago, I was optimistic of finding a purrfect family. You see my family left me when they moved, and if it were not for the lady who bought the place, I would be lost. She got to know me and then, when it got cold, let me live in a spare room. She had a “crotchety old man cat” who did not like me much, or, as she told me sadly, she would have kept me. Everyday she played with me, groomed me, and took me for walks outside (always supervised) for exercise. She took me to the vet to make sure I was okay. I stayed with her for six months, and all the while she tried to find me a good home.

She found AdvoCATs and worked with them to help me find a new home. She was so sad but she checks on me a lot (she's my virtual foster). At first, I was feeling a bit abandoned again, but the AdvoCATs has turnout out to be a good place to stay (for now). I love the humans here and the other cats are really cool. We have a great time. It is not the same as having my own family though.

I love to play, and I'm very affectionate: I purr, kneed, play patty pat, slobber a bit, and talk and talk. It sounds a lot like I’m growling, but I can’t help it: I just love humans, I forget myself! I can tell you all kinds of terrific stories. The lady who found me said I tell best stories ever, I love to chat. I do not like to be in a cage very much, so I do not go to the adoptions that often, but if you ask about me, I will be there, I promise.

I like kids and other cats, so big families are not a problem. I do not go outside anymore (it's just not good for me in the long run) and will be happy with a window or two. I am not very big, rather petite actually, so I do not take up a lot of space, even on your lap. I have watched a lot of my friends come and go, and as much as I like it at AdvoCATs, I sure would like a family of my own.

I hope if your reading this, you are “my person.” They say I have one just waiting for me, are you it?