Black Cat Appreciation Day

Years ago animals who went into the shelter had a worse than a 50/50 shot of getting out. Black cats and dogs had a far worse time of it. Thankfully the word has gotten out that black cats aren't bad luck, and the stats no longer say that black cats are more likely to die than others in a shelter.

But cats are still dying in shelters.. black, white, tabby, tortie.. they are all dying. I think instead of highlighting 'black cats' we should be highlighting the awesome cats that end up at the shelter. They are not broken or damaged or nonredeemable.. okay some are broken and some are damaged, but all of them are awesome. Some of the best relationships I have had with cats were the ones that needed more from me than a 'normal healthy cat'.  Out of the 370 fosters I have had I remember the ones who had serious health issues more keenly. My time taking care of Em after she became diabetic brought us closer.

So take another look at the black cat (little black cats go with everything you know) or the diabetic, or the three legged cat.. because money can buy you love when you use it for an adoption fee.

And, as it just so happens, I happen to have three wonderful friendly happy, purring cuddly black kittens that are going back to the shelter for adoption on Thursday.. so lets get to the appreciatin..

Cats just like these, or like your own, are dying because people do not understand how awesome shelter kitties are, so tell us about your experience with a rescue kitty.

Hodge Podge of a post

Happy National Black Cat Appreciation Day!

I'm a little sad that Tina, Keith and Adele aren't with me to celebrate, but I can celebrate they are in their new homes.

I am loathe to admit that I once said I would never adopt a black cat... the reason being when I adopted Ollie I had a devil of a time taking pictures of him.. instead of taking it as a challenge to improve my photography skills I just let the frustration annoy me.

Then I learned that black cats and dogs are far more likely to be euthanized when they enter a shelter because people do not adopt them. The reasons why vary from old superstitions to pet hair.. It is so sad that any pet looses it's life before it gets to begin, but even more so because of the color of it's fur.

Speaking of which, today is also apparently International Homeless Animals' Day

Millions of animals are killed each year simply because there are not enough homes.  No matter what the no-kill movement tells you right now, we are still a very long way from solving this problem.  Education is the only way.. Helping people understand the plight of the animals is the first step in helping the animals.

Speaking of helping the animals..

My poor momma cat is not doing well at all.  I weighed her yesterday and she was 5.5lbs; this morning 4lb 14oz.  I force fed her maybe a third of a can of A/D and some KMR which she took far better than I thought she would... she even licked some of it off the towel I had her wrapped in, so I hoped she would eat it out of a bowl, but she wouldn't.  I gave her 20ccs of fluids yesterday before she got mad at me.  This morning I gave her another third of a can mixed with KMR and got about 15ccs of fluids in her before she started hissing at me and threatening to bite me... I gave all of the kits some KMR as well and sadly they all took some.  Prior to this when I would feed the wee one some would take a little, most would refuse.

They also have started soiling the bed.  This isn't unusual, but it is also a sign that mom isn't up to taking care of them or maybe she doesn't like KMR waste.. *shrug*  She is taking care of them, she is grooming them and letting them nurse.  She also looks fine.  You would barely know she's not eating.. she is not sneezing, no inflammation, she is bright eyed and likes attention when I finally get my hands on her.. (she avoids it when ever possible) other than the fact she feels like fur and bone and she is shedding quite a bit..

But she has started drinking water again, which is something.  *paws crossed*