@CattyshackHSV #RescueLoungeAdopt
Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?
Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!
If you have been to Cattyshack you know how the lounge works. The lounge is an important part of the Cattyshack rescue for several reasons.
First – Cattyshack is a rescue, so we need to have somewhere for people to meet our cats and kittens. While a lot of people will look at pictures and decide if they want a cat or kitten this way, it is great to be able to go somewhere to meet the cat or kitten to decide if their personalities mesh with yours, the other animals you might have, and any other family members you have. It is also a great place to see the personality of the cat or kitten, however, a lot of the cats and kittens do act differently at the lounge than they do in their foster homes.
Second – the Cattyshack lounge lets all of our cats and kitten become socialized with people. Through the lounge we are able to let cats interact with a variety of people and other cats, and this helps all cats and kittens decide what kind of environment they enjoy, and if they even want to be adopted by someone with another cat, or children, or a busy lifestyle.
Third – the lounge lets us showcase the adoptable felines that we do have. People can watch through the window at Lowe Mill and see out felines playing, sleeping, interacting with each other and other people, and being silly cats!
And lastly – the lounge gives all of our foster homes a short break if they need it. Since all of our cats and kittens live in foster homes, having the lounge lets the foster homes have breathing space when they need it. While we all love love love the cats and kittens that we foster, sometimes we need a break (sometimes it is because we have 12 in a house, someone has been sick, we ourselves are sick, or we need or want to go out of town). To continue fostering there are times when foster homes need all fosters out so we can clean, rest, and take care of ourselves. We all love fostering (otherwise we would not do it), but it is one of the hardest parts of volunteering because there is a never ending supply of cats and kittens needing foster homes.
So here is the plug – please head over to our website tab “Lounge Reservations” and make a reservation to visit our kitties. We use this money to care for out cats, keep the lounge open, and pay for all medical care. All of this is especially important now, during kitten season. We want to spay as many mommas as we can. Also, you can make a tax deductible donation by looking under out “Ways to Help” tab.
If you are interested in a cat or kitten of your own – you can check out the ones we have available for adoption under the “Our Kitties” tab.
Now, meet ACE!!!
You would never know this lady was 15 years old! A good Samaritan was able to save her from being dumped at the shelter. Ace arrived at Cattyshack with a ten year old friend, Edgar. Ace is no longer skin and bones but her feedings escalate quickly – with all the growling and inhaling – like she does not know when she is getting her next meal. She got a clean bill of health after blood work and vaccinations from a vet in Tuscaloosa before being transported to Huntsville. Can you help us find Ace a home where she can play and never miss a meal again?
Mothers day can be a difficult or a beautiful day. We wish all mothers who celebrate a happy mother’s day. To all those with complicated relationships.. some of our cats feel the same.
Here is something you might be interested in – you can donate to us in someones name. So, you can celebrate that mother in your life, or if the relationship is complicated, celebrate YOU, and donate in your name!
Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?
Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!
Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?
Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!
Cattyshack, Inc, has a lot of people who work and volunteer behind the scenes, so we thought we would take some time to interview some of them. Today’s interview is of Amanda S, a foster and volunteer with Cattyshack, Inc.
Most of the questions are ones that have been asked several times of our fosters.
Amanda S has fostered over twenty-four cats and kittens with Cattyshack starting in 2023. Amanda answered a few questions about fostering and her experiences.
Check out this Foster Home Timeline (under “Ways to Help” and click on the link under interested in fostering) for some basic guidelines on what to expect while you have our kitties. We will work with you every step of the way! Our owner is always available by phone, text, email, or Messenger! Once you are approved to foster, please request to friend Tina Rene Cooley on Facebook so she can send you and invitation to join the Cattyshack Crew!
Check out the “Eligibility Requirements” on our “Ways to Help” page.
Meet Ace and look deep into her soulful eyes. You would never know this lady was 15 years old! A good Samaritan was able to save her from being dumped at the shelter. Ace arrived a little thinner than we would like, but Ace is no longer skin and bones and her feedings escalate quickly – with all the growling and inhaling – like she doesn’t know when she’s getting her next meal. She got a clean bill of health after bloodwork and vaccinations from a vet in Tuscaloosa before being transported to Huntsville. Can you help us find Ace a home where she can play and never miss a meal again?
Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?
Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!
There are a plethora of plants that are toxic for cats, and there are a lot of plants that are fine to have around your pets. As winter turns into spring, some of us might want to bring plants inside, or might want to start planting things to grow. I love starting to garden when the seasons change, but I stick to mostly fruits and vegetables. However, I am a fan of the tulip, and unfortunately, tulips are one flower that is toxic to cats.
List of toxic plants (this is not a complete list, but a beginning of popular plants):
Lily
Oleander
Amaryllis
Daffodil
Aloe
English Ivy
Peace Lily
Foxglove
Apple
Apricot
Yucca
Birds of Paradise
Parsley
Peony
A few Non-toxic plants:
Patient Lucy
Wax Plant
Sage
Venus Fly Trap
Magnolia Bush
Baby’s Breath
Basil
Pearl Plant
Lace Orchid
One of the best places to find a list of toxic and non-toxic plants is by looking at the ASPCA website (linked below). You always want to check before bringing a plant inside or before planting something somewhere that your cats will be. So, bookmark the ASPCA’s website and you can always look up a plant before bring it, or the seeds, home.
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?
Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!
Cats and kittens have a need to play. While cats and kittens often sleep, they do have moments where they need to play, have the “zoomies,” or need something to keep them from destroying the things in your house. Having toys and other things to keep your cats engaged and playful is a great way to help your new cat and kitten adjust to your home, adjust to you, and not destroy your grandmother’s legacy quilt.
One thing to note is that if you own a cat or kitten do not let them play outside unless you have a specific outdoor structure for them, they are on a harness, or they have been trained to stay within a certain area. Cats who are outdoor/indoor have a much shorter lifespan than those who are indoor with supervised outdoor activity. Training on a harness will be addressed in a later blog.
All felines have a inherent need to hunt and they love sunny, warm places. Putting a sun catcher in a window is a great way to entertain a cat. As the sun shines through the class or glass beads and reflects on the floors and walls of your home, most felines will chase it until the sun moves and is no longer reflecting, or until they exhaust themselves. Hanging a birdhouse outside of a window is another way to help them feel as if they are using their hunting skills on trying to figure out how to catch the birds using the bird feeder or birdhouse.
If you have a job that takes you out of the house, cat TV is great to have on and there are programs that are several hours long. Of course, one thing to think about is if your television is stable in case the cat jumps on or at it. Another great toy is a laser toy that has a time limit and will turn itself on and off after certain amounts of time. One of our volunteers has a laser toy that is adjustable, so the time can be short (5 minutes) or longer (20 minutes). The toy will turn itself off and then after an hour it will turn itself back on. The great thing about the toy is that it also is rechargeable, so not batteries. There is also the jumping fish, that lasts for several days and will jump around when cats touch certain parts of it. The fish toy is also rechargeable.
Having several scratching posts will help keep a cat from scratching on your furniture. Also, make sure to have several toys available in case the cat suddenly gets the zoomies, which is when they will need something to play with and release that energy on.
Meet Poppy! This sweet boy is a little shy at first, but was the first one of his litter to start bossing the foster mom around at meal time! He loves snuggles and when picked up he sometimes snuggles himself with his head resting on your shoulder. He would love to be adopted with another kitten as he loves to play with his foster siblings, especially Morticia.