THIS OWL….

GO GRIZ!!! SILENT AUCTION OF TAILGATING GRIZZLY BEARS PAINTING PRINT!

STARTING BID AT

$10.00

GO GRIZ!!!  The starting bid on this print is just $10.00!!! It is a picture of a bunch of Grizzly Bears tailgating….the original tailgating party at a Griz football game!  The artist signature reads “Ohrmann ’03″.  Take advantage of this SPECIAL silent auction starting price!  Proceeds from the sale go to AniMeals No-Kill Adoption Center and Animal Food Bank!  Bid on this pride of Griz poster TODAY and show your support for the Griz with their big game this weekend!!   Email info@animeals.com with your bid and first and last name!

DECLAWING: What You Need to Know

Written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it’s something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed “inhumane” and “unnecessary mutilation.” I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat’s claw is nota toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat’s claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat’s “toes”. When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats–whose senses are much keener than ours–suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat’s body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat’s personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you’re still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website “Cat Scratching Solutions” provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal postsare by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I’ve found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat’s front claws. They’re great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can’t exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors–which are really fun. Now that’s a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You can find Soft Paws® on the web by clicking hereor call 1-800-989-2542.

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

For a list of countries in which declawing is either illegal, or considered extremely inhumane and only performed only under extreme circumstances, or for medical reasons, CLICK HERE.

Not yet convinced? Click Herefor “The Truth about Declawing – Technical Facts.”

Questions or Comments? Like to add to this website? Please feel free to e-mail me.

Dr. Christianne Schelling   Copyright1998 – 2011   All Rights Reserved

ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE. 

TRULY FRIENDS…

I Like You…

Thank you to all of you for your incredible support.  We appreciate you more than there are words to tell you!  We <3 you ALL!

Good Boy.

Microchipping Can Save Lives! :-)

Here is a short story I found online, that I wanted to share…it shows the benefit of microchipping your pets!  Happy Thanksgiving! (all cats adopted from AniMeals and AniMania! are spayed/neutered, up-to-date with vaccinations, dewormed and microchipped).  AniMeals also will microchip your pet for just $15.00.  Call 406.721.4710 to make your appointment. www.animeals.com

“A young lady who is a friend of one of my kids came to live with us last June. She is an orphan – her mom died when she was 12 and her dad died when she was 17. She kind of drifted around after her dad died and ended up sleeping on a couch at the home of one of her childhood friend’s parents. They obviously didn’t have room for her, though.

Anyway, other than about 4 suitcases, she had nothing in the world except a tiny, black cat. She had gotten the cat, Aiko, as a kitten and she had her spayed and micro-chipped. Throughout all her travels, she always made sure to update the info on Aiko’s chip.

The last place she was staying, in Austin, the people didn’t allow a catbox in the house and so Aiko became an indoor/outdoor cat for the first time ever. Sadly, she disappeared in April of this year.

2 months later, the young lady came to live here because there just wasn’t enough room for her long term at the last place. This girl never complains about any of the rough things that have happened in her life. In fact, the only thing I’ve ever seen her sad about was losing her cat.

Fast forward to November and the girl gets a message from the people she had last lived with. Her cat had been found! Someone had picked the cat up and taken it to the vet, who scanned Aiko for a chip.

My husband was less than thrilled at the prospect of another cat, since I had just inherited 3 from my mom, but none of us had the heart to say no. My son in Austin collected the cat and brought her to San Antonio.

I still can’t believe it happened after all those months. It’s made me a believer in micro-chipping. Aiko is one of the tiniest little black cats I have ever seen and she’s not afraid of anything. She rides around on this young lady’s shoulder most of the time when she is not at work. When the girl is at work, Aiko sleeps in her desk chair, waiting for her to return.”

(original link to story is here: http://www.amazon.com/forum/top%20reviewers?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2Z5LRXMSUDQH2&cdPage=1&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=Tx2ZT97GV6AM04A)

CATNAPPING…

SHHHHHHHHHHHH…don’t tell Beverly that there are two dogs right near her head!! Wonder if she will notice when she wakes up from her “cat nap”…remember that her adoption fee has been covered by a sponsor, so all you pay for is her infamous frog bed.    Hail, Queen Beverly!

You can find her at:  AniMania! – A Store for Pets and Their People & Pet Wellness Center * 1530 Livingston * Missoula, MT  59801 * 406.543.0100

ORDER FROM THE BLACK CAT BAKE SHOP HOLIDAY MENU!!

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving, than to order your holiday meal items from Black Cat Bake Shop!  Don’t forget to stop in and get some APPLE PIE POCKETS, too!  During November, Black Cat Bake Shop is donating 40% of the proceeds from the sales of their APPLE PIE POCKETS to AniMeals!  Thank you SO much to them for this November promotion!!  November 21st is the holiday order deadline!

Conspiracy…