“Being kept by a hoarder is a slow kind of death for an animal.” D. Randall Lockwood, ASPCA Senior Vice President

Animal hoarding is a devastating plight not only for the animal but also the hoarder. Gary Patronek, director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University, defines hoarding as the “pathological human behavior that involves a compulsive need to obtain and control animals, coupled with a failure to recognize their suffering”.

The hoarder is not an abuser, but they do not realize that they are harming the animals. They don’t view their behavior as doing anything wrong. A person afflicted with this syndrome believes that they are helping the animals by providing them with a home and a environment filled with love. They are totally unaware that they have too many animals and are allowing the animals to live in poor or dangerous conditions. It’s more common than you think. In fact, nearly a quarter-million animals fall victim to animal hoarding each year.

Animal Planet’s Confessions: Animal Hoarding is quite eye opening. You can watch previous episodes and perhaps get a better understand of the syndrome and how it affects the lives of those who suffer with this condition. We have sympathy for those suffering but have more sympathy for the animals that are unable to protect themselves.

Hoarding is very difficult to prevent, but it can be stopped. There is a need for public education and for everyone to know how to recognize the basic signs of hoarding. If you suspect someone of hoarding animal, do your part and report the abuse.

The ASPCA’s criteria to define animal hoarding is:

• More than the typical number of companion animals
• Inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness and death
• Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and human occupants of the dwelling

Animal Legal Defense Fund’s First Strike and You’re Out: A Model Law is a proposal for mandatory bans on contact with animals following a conviction for animal neglect or cruelty. You can help by signing the petition and find out how you can help to keep offenders away from potential new animal victims. North Carolina is the only state we found that has a unique law that allows any person or organization to sue an animal abuser.

Psychiatric Times has an in depth article People Who Hoard Animals that will help you to understand and recognize the syndrome. You will need to set up an account (free) to sign in but the information is well worth your time to read. Simply enter the article title in search.

We all need to do our part to educated and help to ensure the safety of animals. United we can make a difference!

This question is a bone of contention amongst many cat-lovers. Some feel that cats ought to be able to roam independently and not kept cooped up indoors, whilst others believe that the risk of allowing their cats outdoors (and the possible nuisance caused to their neighbours) makes it necessary or preferable to keep them inside.

There are pros and cons of either preference.

Keeping a cat indoors will mean:

• Having to maintain and clean adequate cat litter facilities which can quickly become smelly, and leave bits of litter here, there and everywhere.
• Risking the destruction of furniture as substitutions for scratching-posts (since shop-bought scratching posts don’t seem to hold the same appeal for a cat as a really nice piece of wood attached to, say, a table or sofa).
• Not having to worry about the cat being injured in an accident on the road.
• Not having to administer flea and worm treatments.
• Not having to have the cat vaccinated.*
• Possibly having to put your cat on a diet, with accompanying shame at the vet’s office (house cats don’t exercise as much and if they are good at sneaking food treats on top of their meals they will put on weight.

*provided that no other pet in the house is allowed outdoors;

On the other hand, allowing your cat to go outside will mean:

• You will need to regularly update their flea and worm treatments (which can be expensive).
• You will need to keep your cat vaccinated.
• You will be brought ‘presents’ of varying degrees of disgustingness.
• Your neighbours might hate you for allowing your cat to use their garden as a toilet.
• Your cat might be injured on the road (especially if you live near a busy road or junction) or in a fight with another animal – expensive to resolve if you don’t have pet insurance.
• Your cat might get pregnant if not spayed.
• Your cat might be exposed to poisons, bites or stings from outside.

These are factors that influence us on a practical basis and are important to consider when deciding whether or not to let your cat out. However, there will be other, more personal factors like what the cat’s temperament is like. If they are forever clawing at the door or meowing loudly at the window making threats at passing birds, it may prove impossible to ignore their desire to go outside. On the other hand, if you have to scoop them off the sofa and physically eject them from the house hissing and scratching it might be that an indoor life will suit them better.

Perhaps the funniest thing about this question is that even when all important factors have been taken into consideration, the decision about whether your pet cat will be kept indoors or not will be decided….by the cat.

Cats are the loving companion that so often takes a back seat to the dog who can be publicly paraded around. Very seldom do we see cats dressed up and strutting their attire. Cats can also be victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect. We need to appreciate the importance of cats in our lives and do all we can for their well being.

“Of all God’s creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat.” – Mark Twain

The cuddly and affectionate cat will keep you from being lonely and bored. They are a great source of humor, their actions and movements are so animated that their playfulness will unravel the child in you. Just watching them will ease stress and make you feel more relaxed. So soft to the touch and full of curiosity, wanderlust and aloofness.

It’s no time to hide your cat pride! Please join us in celebration of our feline friends and don’t forget to tell every cat lover you know!

In honor of Cat Appreciation Month cat lover and country music singer Kellie Pickler teamed up with fashion designer Geren Ford and Fresh Step litter to help design a limited edition “Kitty Crooner” sweater. The sweater was designed for fellow cat lovers to show their feline pride in honor of Cat Appreciation month. All the proceeds from the sweater goes to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In addition to 100% of the proceeds from the sweater going to the ASPCA, cat lovers can post pictures of themselves on Fresh Step’s Facebook page throughout Cat Appreciation month and Fresh Step litter will donate $1 for every fan who posts a picture through March 15, 2012. If you don’t have any cat clothing, check out the cool app that Fresh Step litter created. It lets people place digital sweaters on their photos!

Cat owners who want to show their cat pride by wearing the “Kitty Crooner” sweater can purchase the sweater for $35, while supplies last. And remember 100 percent of the purchase price benefits the ASPCA.

You can win the actual sweater Kellie Pickler wore on January 24 to kick off the campaign. It is being autographed and auctioned off in a package that includes two tickets to one of her upcoming concerts, a meet-and-greet at the concert, and an autographed copy of her new album, 100 Proof! The auction runs through February 14, and 80 percent of the auction price will benefit the ASPCA.

“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” – Ernest Hemingway

If you are one of the countless individuals who is totally in love with your cat, you are in good company. Here is a list of famous cat lovers…..

Ian Anderson (1947- ) Musician
George Burns (1896-1996) American comedian, actor, and producer
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British politician
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Author
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Physicist
Robert Goulet (1933- ) Recording artist, star of stage, screen and TV
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) Author
Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) Career army officer
John Lennon (1940-1980) Singer
Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974) American aviator
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) Humanitarian
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) Author
Queen Victoria (1819-1901) Queen of England
Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) Scientist and philosopher

Visit your local shelter and adopt a cat!

Safety for our pets is a desire for all pet lovers. Living amongst us are individuals that carry the passion for safety beyond the normal efforts. We feel they deserve to be featured in an article telling just how they are trying to make a difference. The two we are featuring today are Ashley Oelsen and Melissa Ramirex.

Ashley Oelsen

Ashley Oelsen has embarked on a journey to help save millions of rescue dogs by building awareness through education and community outreach. Inspired by her love for animals, Ashley brings something very unique and diverse to her day-to-day operations.

Sol

Ashely was recently awarded a $10,000 donation by Dog Time Media along with a fellow rescuer for their hard work and dedication. Sol Foundation can add this wonderful donation to it’s rescue fund allowing Ashley to continue rescuing, caring for some of the dogs that come out of shelters very ill and then placing them in the proper home. It’s always more than a days work and it NEVER ends. She gave up her full time job to start her foundation and works 24/7 living up to Sol’s mission.

She has determination and a true passion to save homeless pets and unite them with a loving owner. Ashley is an amazing humanitarian with a very big sol. You can learn more about Sol Foundation by visiting Sharing Our Love.

Melissa Ramirex

Melissa Ramirex from Chicago is determined to raise awareness of the dangers of traveling with an unrestrained dog in a car. Her two year old 12-pound puppy Max became paralyzed from the waist down while sitting in the front seat of her husband’s car when it was T-boned by another driver. She developed Doggie Seatbelt to prevent other small dogs from going through the pain that Max suffered when he landed at the foot pedals.

Max and Melissa

We’ve finally gotten to the point where we buckle ourselves and our children in the car, so it makes sense to buckle-in dogs since most people consider them a family member. “We need a light bulb to go off with dog lovers”.

Melissa obviously wants to sell Doggie Seatbelts, but her story goes way beyond the commercial aspects. She is extremely passionate about educating folks on the need to restrain dogs in the car because it is something that most folks don’t even imagine being dangerous. Sort of like when our moms put us in car beds and just plopped them on the back seat.

Visit My Doggie Seatbelt to read some valuable safety tips and read informative articles on her blog.

One of our Wordless Wednesday submissions was from Foster Mommy and it got us to thinking about the wonderful people that open their homes to pets that need our help.

Foster homes are extremely useful to assist animal shelters, local humane societies and breed rescues. There are so many pets in need that some of them could use a little extra help to find a permanent, loving home. Fostering a pet may seem like a huge task but it is a very good way to make a difference. A break from kennel life will give the pet a second chance at becoming someone’s forever cherished pet. Fostered pets become better adapted to home life and increases their chance of remaining in the new home permanently. The individual love and care of a foster parent gives the animal an opportunity to flourish. After some of these lovable pets have spent several weeks or months at the shelter without being adopted they are euthanized for lack of space. Getting involved and doing whatever we can to prevent this fate is worth the little time and effort it takes.

Medium-to-large, adolescent, untrained dogs are prime candidates for foster homes. So often they are overlooked for adoption because they are too big, unruly, or just too ordinary. Their behavior becomes worse from the stress of being kenneled. Can you imagine being in a cage with countless others and watching as people go through to choose a pet? What do you think these sweet animals are thinking after time and again not being the picked one? The adorable puppy stage has long passed. They do however have a lot to offer each in their own way. Foster homes can provide a stable home setting where they can become the perfect adoptee.

Other common reasons pets are fostered are kittens and puppies who are too young to be spayed or neutered, cats and dogs who are nursing a litter, orphaned kittens and puppies or pets that are being treated for injury or illness. This group will take a lot more time and dedication to foster. The orphans will need to be bottle fed as often as you would feed a baby. Injuries and illness will be challenging to say the least. Once they are old enough or well enough to be adopted you will experience the feeling of a job well done.

Aside from regular day-to-day care of feeding, grooming and exercise, the responsibilities of a foster home may include basic training in house training, walking on leash, sit, down and stay. Some of our furry friends need behavior modification to correct problems such as jumping, barking, destructive chewing, and just not listening. Socialization skills help to determine whether the dog is good with different types of people and other animals. If needed you may be asked to dispense medication or take the animal to vet appointments. And the most important of all is to lavish them with plenty of playtime, cuddling and love.

Foster volunteers are the key to saving the lives of homeless pets. Do a little homework to find out what the foster programs are all about. Learn how to get ready to become a foster parent. The rewards is knowing you provided the individualized care and affection to restore the optimal state of your visitor. The feeling that you were instrumental in getting them on the path to a great new life will last a lifetime.

Foster programs can provide you with all the information you need. If this is something you would be interested in getting involved with, then please contact your local humane society, animal shelter, or a breed rescue organization.

by Tiffany Current

Moving in together can be a big adjustment. Instead of making decisions for one, you have to compromise on everything — the dishes, the dusting, the dinner parties. If your partner has a pet, it complicates things even more. Sure, seeing this cuddly creature on an occasional basis was a breeze, but how will you handle living with it every single day?

Pretend like you’re dealing with your in-laws. After all, it’s practically the same thing. You’re two parties brought together by one common interest — your partner. So if you want to make the best of your new situation (and live in pet harmony), follow these simple guidelines:

Give ‘em a reason to like you

You can win over your partner’s pooch or calico kitty the same way you won over your mother-in-law. By showering it with gifts and attention. Give Whiskers her favorite treats, change Fido’s water, play catch with Rags. Just keep rewarding your pet-in-law, so it will start seeing you in a favorably light — instead of as competition for your partner’s love. In time, this positive reinforcement will help you gain your new pet’s trust and affection.

Don’t Go Overboard

You want your in-laws to like you, but you need to know when to take a step back too. The same logic applies to your partner’s pet. Remember, animals like attention, but they don’t want to be smothered. So give them a little space when they ask for it. If Snuggles is tired of playing with his ball, don’t force him into another round. If Snowball wants to take a catnap, let her sleep without being interrupted. You can’t force your in-laws into liking you. Just let it happen naturally — or it may not happen at all.

Don’t be the bad guy

Inevitably, your in-laws will do or say something that’ll get under your skin (whether it’s intentional or not). Your new pet is no different. One day you’ll discover Frisky scratching your loveseat or using your favorite shoe as a chew toy. When that happens, make sure you have a good disciplinary plan in place. Talk to your partner beforehand about what to do if (or, more accurately, when) your pet acts out. Should you speak to Coju in a stern voice? Or simply spray him with a quick squirt of water? Figure out a punishment that both you and your partner can agree on.

During the first few weeks of your cohabitation, have your significant other dole out the punishment. After all, you’re in a new living situation with your pet-in-law. You don’t want Rover associating any negative behavior with you. Over time, you can ease into the disciplinary role. But for now, stand on the sidelines until your new pet warms up to you.

Pull Your Weight

In-laws can be a lot of work. Sometimes you’ll waste a whole day running errands for your father-in-law or making small talk with your partner’s sister. It’s no fun. In fact, it’s a chore. And chores are a big part of caring for your new pet-in-law too — like cleaning out the litter box, brushing your puppy’s matted fur, or struggling to cut your cat’s nails.

Right off the bat, you and your partner should discuss who does what when it comes to pet chores. Are you doing a 50/50 split, 80/20, or 100/0? By talking it out beforehand, you cut down on any potential disagreements and unrealistic expectations. So figure out what type of split works best for your live-in relationship (and for your pet too).

The Cost of Living

Just like you have to pitch in for your in-laws’ birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday gifts, you’ll have to pitch in for your pet-in-law too. There’s the vet bill, toys, endless supply of kibble. It all adds up. So how much are you willing to contribute to your new pet’s cause? Will you even be able to afford it?

Before you pull out that checkbook, make a list of all your typical monthly pet expenses. Now look at your own monthly budget. What percentage can you allocate to pet costs without breaking the bank? Go with that number (even if it’s a small one). Because giving a little is better than giving nothing at all.

Remember, it took time and effort to win the love and respect of your in-laws. Stick with it, and you can do the same with your pet-in-law too.

Tiffany Current is a relationship expert and author of the book, “How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him)”. She likes to spend her time writing, watching movies with her husband, and pestering Shelly her own cat-in-law.

It’s usually no secret to a pet owner if their furry friend isn’t comfortable with their veterinarian; anxiety, defensive biting or scratching, hiding when it’s time to go to the vet, or creating a racket are all common signs that your pet is not pleased with the idea of a trip to the vet’s office.

Ways to Prepare Your Pet:

Socialization of pets is important for more reasons than just helping to make trips to the vet go more smoothly; socialization will create a more balanced, well behaved animal that can cope more easily with a variety of situations and stresses. If possible, start socializing your pet at a young age by having them meet and be petted by your friends, family members and children.

Dogs especially need to get used to being around other animals, too, and should always be kept on a leash when visiting the veterinarian. This helps keep them safe and other pets safe, and can also help calm them down if they are already leash trained. The familiarity of the leash and the pressure of your hand on it can alleviate fear and stress.

Bring your pet in for routine visits to their veterinarian just so they become more familiar and comfortable with the place, people and atmosphere. Bring along a few treats for them to have at the animal clinic. If your pet associates the vet’s office with good food and petting, it may help them feel more calm during checkups and other medical procedures.

Finding the Right Veterinarian:

Finding a right veterinarian is as important for your pet as finding the right doctor is for you. There are a few specific things to look for when considering which vet is right for you and your pet.

Ideally, a professional veterinarian has a clean, well maintained office. Overly strong animal smells may be a sign of poor cleaning and may also cause more upset to your pet than they may already feel. The veterinarian should also be calm, patient and show an interest in you and your pet that goes beyond asking the routine questions. A veterinarian that talks to your pet soothingly and does not become angry or flustered if a defensive pet tries to bite or scratch will help create an atmosphere of calm that will be projected onto your animal.

Finally, if your pet just doesn’t warm up to a specific vet, try another one to gauge if the problem is with one particular doctor or the entire experience. It’s completely all right to shop around for a veterinarian that your pet feels most comfortable with and trusts, so don’t hesitate in asking for recommendations from friends or other pet owners.

This post was contributed by Kelly Austin from Higher Salary. Kelly has always been fond of pets and has had a variety of them since childhood. She is now happily taking care of a healthy bullmastiff. Visit her site for information on the average medical billing and coding salary and guides to other popular careers.

Everyone knows that proper diet is important to keep us healthy and happy – but do you realize that the same applies to your cats? But what’s best? Should you feed them commercial products such as Royal Canin cat food, or homemade choices? Age targeted meals, or cover-all options.

Felines are ‘obligate carnivores’ and must have meat and fish in their diet, and lots of it, to stay in top shape. And while they can digest carbohydrates, there’s no real need for them to be included in their food.

But cats have different needs and requirements, depending on their age, underlying health and lifestyle. Older cats will usually need less food than a young cat – and, just like us, if your cat likes to lie in front of the TV instead of running around the garden, the amount of sustenance they need varies.

You must keep this in mind when selecting cat food.

Commercially prepared cat food is scientifically tested to ensure it contains the right mix of nutrients, which is difficult in homemade food. Brands usually have a wide range of choices, including those aimed at different age brackets.

In terms of those added vitamins, the most important are B-group vitamins for the central nervous system, vitamin A to keep cells working properly, vitamin D and phosphorous for health bones and teeth and vitamin E to protect against cell damage.

Check the back of the label to ensure that these are all included in your chosen product, as this will make sure you’re giving your pet what you need.

Dry and wet foods have different benefits. With dry foods, it’s easy to measure and use, easier to store and have a long shelf life, as well as helping to keep a cat’s teeth healthy by removing plaque. However, some cats prefer wet food’s smell and texture. It also allows them to eat more in one sitting and requires them to drink less water. Many owners choose a mixture of these two options.

Grass is useful for cats to induce vomiting, which helps them to empty their body of potentially harmful parasites and hairballs. The vegetation contains high levels of folic acid, which will react with a cat’s digestion. “Cat grass” from pet shops is free of pesticides and weed killer, so is therefore a good option.

Follow this simple guide and you’ll be able to keep your cat at the top of its game – and, for more intricate enquiries, always ask your vet for advice.

This guest post comes courtesy of Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet supplies retailer. The company offers a wide range of cat supplies as well as specialist insurance, to ensure your pet’s long-term health and to make sure that any trips to the vet don’t prove too costly.