Messy Messy Kitten

Micky likes to get into his food... Good thing he doesn't mind getting his face washed.

OMC - WANT!!

I am in awe over the wonderful work Matthew Ross does.  His georgeous paper 3D paper sculptures are amazing.  Oh how I would love this one..

But his basic kitties start at $150.. .so that really isn't with in my budget of fun cool items to sit around the house and be chewed on by The Crew.  The prints are much more reasonable, but I would so love the real thing..   *sigh*

Speaking of something else I want..

How cute is this?? it is made by Bubbledog

But this one tops them all.. I really should just buy it and remove it from my wish list seeing as it has languished there for over a year..

There are some wonderful cats and dogs (among other things) at http://www.uniquegiftart.com

Spider

I love Sparta & Loki

Haunted walk at the shelter

I ended up going to the shelter last night to help out with the haunted walk through the woods they put on.  It was the third year they were able to do this particular fundraiser.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to show up, so didn't sign up to be anything in particular but was able to help out at the coffee/cocoa stand for a few hours.

There was a wonderful turn out.  It was a warmer night but there was a bit of wind so the cocoa was a big hit. 

The shelter has a bunch of woods around it, and they were able to set up a 10 minute walk with several vignettes for a good fright.  The tour guides wore glow sticks if there were kids in the group and they wanted to keep it tame.  Still they had quite a few groups ditch before the end.  One woman walked out and said it was so scary she peed her pants :) I said they should put that on the poster for next year :)


They had a young man who twirled a fire stick which was quite a hit.  donated goodies to sell and a witch at the end giving out candy.


A good time was had by all, and I believe they raised almost $1000 (before incidentals) 


all and all, a good night

National Feral Cat Day

So today is National Feral Cat day... well OK someone (well Ally Cat Allies) decided today to bring attention to the nation's feral cats.. It's not an official holiday, but it is a good idea..

One thing about the word feral bugs me... and that is the ubiquitous use of that word for ANY cat that doesn't have a home.. or should I be a little more accurate in that any cat that once lived outside for any length of time..

The official definition of feral is "of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal."  Or not domesticated.  

A feral cat is a cat that is not friendly.  A cat that would rather take your arm off then take a treat from it.  A kitty who would much prefer it if you would not interact with them.


There are stray cats, domesticated cats who are living outside, that are not feral.  These kitties can live in homes.  Ferals often can not - I know of a few that are in homes, but it took a lot of work to win every ounce of trust and even still they are wary.  They are not your typical house pet and it takes a very special owner to even try to work with it. Sometimes feral cats are domesticated, at which point they are no longer feral - which is easier to do when they are younger.  As a general rule feral cats are NOT cats you can pat, they are not cats that have been your pet for years (save for the rare exception), and  feral cats are also NOT cats that have been living in your home for months or years that you no longer want so you bring it to the shelter and say it is feral. 


But they are living feeling beings who deserve to live long healthy lives.  It really hurts when I hear of communities that want to just kill them and  hope that ends the problem (often it does not, other cats move in when the first set is removed) 


There is no absolute when it comes to the best way to deal with feral cats.  TNR does help control the population and keeps kittens from dying due to lack of food.  Feeding can help keep them healthier.. 


But until we get the over population under control and cats are no longer considered disposable pets, there isn't a whole heck of a lot we can do to prevent the continuation of feral cats.  Wouldn't it be nice if even your most commonly bred cat had a monetary value to the world?