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originally uploaded by StephenFalken.

Jasper has been cranky and I have been busy, so this week’s Caturday is another kitty. Love this pic another photog on Flickr shot.

originally uploaded by StephenFalken.

Because I am at work on this chilly Saturday morning and will be out all day, I am unable to provide a picture of my wonderful Jasper. Instead I provide this fantastic pic done by a fellow Flickrite.

I hope one day to get a shot this great of my Jasper with such a fine background as the urban landscape he found.

The Gangsta Cats : Chanel, originally uploaded by Gregory Bastien.

Found on Flickr. Adorable.

IMG_3934-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

Isn’t he sweet?

Originally uploaded by parl

November is “Adopt A Senior Pet Month.”  Shelters often find it difficult to adopt out senior pets.  The pets may be in a shelter because their owners passed away, because the owners did not have time for them, because of any number of other reasons that are unrelated to the pets now in a shelter waiting for homes.

Some fear falling in love with the senior pet and then the pet dying in just a few years.  The truth is death is unpredictable and yet we still become involved with people in spite of the reality of death.  The senior pets up for adoption need love too and it is of no fault of their own that they are older now.

Other people fear the increased vet costs involved with a senior pet.  When looking at a specific senior pet at a shelter, you can ask about their current health issues and then decide if you can afford whatever costs might be involved with this pet.  Not all senior pets are sick, just as not all older people are sick.

Many benefits are associated with senior pets that go without notice:

• Senior pets require less patience and time for care and training.
• Senior pets are often housetrained.
• Often times, senior pets settle in quickly with their new families.
• They love naps as much as most of us do and make great nap companions.
• What you see is what you get – you know his or her personality up front.
• Senior pets demand less & are good matches for senior citizens or busy individuals.

Find a senior pet to adopt or foster here.

Yesterday was National Feral Cat Day.  St. Louis has a large feral cat population and I would imagine that the rest of the country has the same issue.  Please consider these animals, keep an eye out for them, as the weather changes.  With the cold weather coming soon, I would like to share some tips for helping the feral cat population to survive a crisp fall and bitter winter:

• Put out water in wide and deep dishes in the alleyway (wide and deep dishes will take longer to freeze).  Provide water consistently.
• Honk your horn before you start the engine, or bang on the hood, to ensure a cat has not curled up in your engine to stay warm.
• Support legislation that mandates adding a bitter agent to antifreeze (those on the market tastes sweet to cats) so that cats do not drink it and die.
• Provide dry and warm shelters for feral cats in your neighborhood – you can learn how to build one here.
• Set up feeding stations for the cats, away from activity (feral cats are often skittish), out of sight, and ideally a spot only known to you.
• If you have the time and are willing to make the effort, trap, neuter, and release helps to keep the feral cat population manageable.  Many communities have organizations that can be valuable resources.

(Most tips above are inspired by the Alley Cat Allies newsletter).

“Another Caturday picture, really?”

Jasper is curious about everything – bags, baskets, boxes, flowers, food, my camera, and any open door, drawer, or shelf.  I titled this photo “Curiosity did not in fact kill the cat.”  (Taken last Saturday afternoon).