feline defenders - National Cat Protection Society

FELINE DEFENDERS
of the
National Cat Protection Society™
WINTER 2012
6904 W. Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 650-1232
newport@natcat.org
9031 Birch Street
Spring Valley, CA 91977
(619) 469-8771
springvalley@natcat.org
The National Cat Protection Society™ is a
shelter whose primary mission is dedicated
to the protection and welfare of cats.
EDUCATION
EVENTS
Preventing Cancer
Newport Beach
Cats can get cancer too. How? Through many
factors, such as genes, environment, and lifestyle.
“For example, squamous cell carcinoma of the
ear, eyelid, or nose is a skin cancer caused by
repeated exposure to the sun,” says the ASPCA.
Most commonly, cats contract lymphosarcoma
from the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which
spreads in utero, saliva, contact, and though
rarely, litterboxes and dishes. Lymphosarcoma
is a highly malignant cancer, so make sure your
veterinarian tests and vaccinates your cat for
FeLV.
April 20 to 22, 2012, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fri. and Sun.)/7 p.m. (Sat.)
America’s Family Pet Expo
A large-scale pet and pet product expo
at the OC Fair and Event Center, Costa Mesa
(800) 999-7295
To prevent many cancers, just spay or neuter!
Spaying prevents breast cancer, and neutering prevents testicular cancer.
March 15, 2012, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Cat and Dog First Aid
A course on pet first aid for emergency preparedness and response
at the American Red Cross, San Diego
(858) 309-1200
Providing humane education
to protect welfare...
To possibly detect cancer early, check for these symptoms:
• Lumps and bumps
• Swelling
• Ongoing skin sores, infections, or patches
• Coarse fur
• Abnormal discharge
• Bad breath
• Abnormal behavior, such as lethargy
• Weight loss
• Sudden lameness
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Appetite loss
• Abnormal breathing, urination, or defecation
Whether or not you find these symptoms, you should regularly take
your cat to the vet for examination, testing, vaccination, and any other
necessary services. These visits can assure that he or she doesn’t tooquickly use up all nine lives.
Based on information from:
Eckstein, Sandy. Cancer in Cats: Types, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment. (2009).
WebMD.
Cancer. (2011). American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Feline Leukemia Virus. (2009). Cornell Feline Health Center.
FELINE DEFENDERS
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Keeping you informed of community events...
May 6, 2012, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
National Cat Protection Society™ Open House and Fundraiser
at the Newport Beach shelter
RSVP (949) 650-1232
Spring Valley
May 5, 2012, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2012 Walk for Animals
A scenic 3/4-mile walk, activities, contests, and vendors
(benefiting the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA)
at Crown Point Shores, Mission Bay San Diego
(619) 243-3493
June 3, 2012, 1 to 4:30 p.m.
National Cat Protection Society™ Open House and Fundraiser
at the Spring Valley shelter
RSVP (619) 469-8771
If you’d like to receive the latest news and announcements from NatCat,
please send your e-mail address to newport@natcat.org.
NATIONAL CAT PROTECTION SOCIETY, INC. www.natcat.org
Founder: The Late C. Richard Calore
President: Denise Johnston
Vice President & PR Director: Gerri Calore
Financial VP & Legal Counsel: Richard Tanzer
Editorial Advisor: Nanci Burris
Editor-in-Chief: Alexis Ravey
Art Director: Steve Kinkaid
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FELINE DEFENDERS
NEWPORT BEACH
FEATURED FRIEND, MAX
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT, JENI ERICKSON
Max is a 6-year-old seal point Siamese female.
A very sweet girl, she loves attention, and her
ears and chin scratched. She also loves to
talk – she is a Siamese after all! Perhaps most
notably, she fetches. Just toss a cat toy, and
she’ll more often than not bring it back. She
just doesn’t particularly like to be picked up.
To see cats above the front desk in
Newport Beach or sit with cats on the
walls in Spring Valley is to know and
love longtime artist Jeni Erickson’s
artwork. Since Operations Manager
Nanci Burris found Jeni in 2001, she
has created the many colorful murals
at both of our shelters that set scenes
from the tropics to a park. Meanwhile,
Jeni also enjoys painting large privateparty canvases, furniture, and 3D views. “I’ll paint on anything!” she says.
She even once painted on the side of a car.
Max was relinquished to us this January after
her owner’s infant developed cat allergies. Sadly declawed, she
absolutely must be an indoor cat (though NatCat urges that all cats
be indoors only). And she’d likely do well as the only cat in your
home, especially because she was the only one in her last place.
VOLUNTEER VIEWPOINT
Want to learn how NatCat volunteers
step up? Whether you’re one, interested
in becoming one, or just support the
team of our volunteers, here’s the latest
from our volunteering viewpoint:
• 15 new volunteers signed up at our
monthly volunteer orientation
on January 28th
Over the years, Jeni has also taught art, ceramics, and many other
facets of art at Newport Elementary and Christian Montessori Academy.
Though proud of multiple works, such as a whitewashed mural at
Margaritaville, Jeni is perhaps most proud of the ones she created with
a student who has since passed.
“She was too sick to go to recess, so
we used to stay in and do ceramics,”
she remembers. “I asked her to sign
and date each piece – now that she’s
gone, I feel like this ‘collection’ has
immortalized her in a way.”
While painting at our shelters, Jeni
particularly loves her “kitten fixes”
and appreciates the staff’s dedication
to the cats. At home, she also gets
her friendly fixes – with two cats, a
dog, and 10 turtles.
• One young volunteer earned her
Bronze Tabby Student Award.
Learn more about our Student Awards Program
at NatCat.org/participate/students.html
• NatCat needs baskets and items for our upcoming Open House
and Fundraiser on May 6th! Our attendees tend to particularly like:
- Cat toys
- Items for women
- Items for men
- Items for children
- Beach gear
- Gift certificates
- Gift cards
FELINE DEFENDERS
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We’re so grateful you enliven our
environment with your artistic ability,
Jeni! If you’d like to learn more about
Jeni’s artwork, contact either shelter.
CAT CLUE
The Ragdoll cat usually prefers the ground over heights. For more
on the Ragdoll cat, check out page 8.
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FELINE DEFENDERS
SPRING VALLEY
IN MEMORIAM, JIM AND MAXI O’NEIL
NATCAT SHOPPING
We’d like to express
our deep appreciation
for a $2,000 donation
we recently received
from Dan O’Neil for Jim
O’Neil on behalf of his
cat, Maximus – or Maxi.
Jim found Maxi in the
crawl space under one
of his two homes, left
behind by a neighbor.
To properly care for the little guy, big-hearted Jim drove 45 minutes from
his other home – daily!
You can shop to support NatCat! With GoodShop.
com and iGive.com, you can buy items from your
fur-vorite online stores while earning money for our
shelters. These stores widely range from Amazon
and Apple to 1-800-PetMeds and Williams Sonoma.
You may even get a discount! You can also shop
at Ralphs using your Ralphs rewards Card to earn
our shelters donations.
When Jim passed away, a few of his neighbors cared for Maxi until his
brother brought him to San Diego. “Very loving and peaceful, he easily
adapted to his new environment,” says Dan. “He fit in great with his new
feline family, JenJen and Chleo – both San Diego-native cats.” Tragically though, Maxi passed away six months after the move, so “he is now
peacefully resting with Jim in Heaven,” remarks Dan. In their memory,
the donation will help save, feed, care for, and stop the neglect and
abuse of animals like sweet Maxi.
CAT CABLE (Continued from page 10)
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT,
SIMON HOLLOWELL
Whenever astrophysicist Simon
Hollowell from Stratford-uponAvon in south Warwickshire,
England, visits his uncle Nick
(Thompson) – our longtime
volunteer handyman, we get to
see him too. We all sure enjoy
his visits, especially our cats!
Simon interacts really well with
our kitties and likes to spend
most of his time at our shelter
in the retirement area. Thanks
from all of us and come back
soon, Simon!
FELINE DEFENDERS
To learn how to sign up for any of these programs,
visit NatCat.org/donate/more-ways.html.
While exploring your options, avoid using items or methods that make
your cat fear you rather than avoid the areas. And hopefully, she’ll soon
know where to go and where to stay away.
Based on information from:
Keeping Your Cat off Countertops and Tables. (2012). The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Syufy, Franny. Countering Counter-Surfing Cats. (2012). About.com.
Visit Cat Cable in Feline Defenders every issue to read the latest in cat
care. If there’s any specific information you’d like to see in Feline Field
or Cat Cable, please notify the Newport Beach shelter.
NATCAT FEEDBACK
We hope you enjoy purr-using Feline Defenders every quarter. Let
us know what you think or what you’d like to see in future issues at
newport@natcat.org!
CAT TIP
Cats don’t typically care for cold, prickly, sticky, or slippery surfaces,
which can be used to keep them off of your countertops. For more
on discouraging household high-jumping, check out page 10.
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FELINE DEFENDERS
FELINE FIELD
Helping you get to know more about your cat...
Breed-born Traits and Behaviors:
The Ragdoll
Learn your cat’s history, care needs, and expected behaviors by breed
In this ongoing series, you’ve learned about the Siamese,
Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Oriental, Persian, and
Maine Coon. This issue, we help you get to know more
about your mixed or purebred Ragdoll – the “puppy cat.”
In 1963, a California breeder presumably mixed a feral
white Angora cat and a few other longhaired cats with
Siamese-style points to birth the Ragdoll breed. What are
points? When the fur on the face, ears, legs, and tail
grows darker than the fur everywhere else. The breed’s
point colors are typically seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac.
With big bones, the Ragdoll can weigh up to 35 pounds, which is triple
the size of most breeds. This size comes with strength, a wide chest,
and a large rear. Yet, the coat stays short, making grooming easy. The
cat also flashes beautiful blue eyes. It isn’t particularly prone to health
issues, but should be regularly checked for heart disease.
Behaviorally, the Ragdoll adorably likes to follow its owner around –
hence the nickname, “puppy cat.” The name Ragdoll comes from its
tendency to go limp when picked up, as it is generally very laidback.
Easily adapting to a new environment with kids and other pets, the
breed totally qualifies as a great family indoor cat.
Based on information from:
Cats 101. (2009). Discovery Communications.
Ragdoll Cat. (2012). Petfinder.com.
Helgren, J. Anne. Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds. (1998). Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
NatCat protects and defends all felines – of all breeds and mixes.
Knowing increasingly more about felines can help you understand your
own cat’s behavior and desires. Visit Feline Field in Feline Defenders
every issue to obtain such knowledge, which can only nurture a happier
and healthier relationship with your faithful friend.
NatCat NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Each year, NatCat finds loving, responsible homes for hundreds
of unwanted cats and kittens. Donations and memberships help us
supply food, shelter, and medical care while they await adoption.
Please help us continue to provide this vital service.
Join NatCat by becoming a member!
o $10 YEARLY
o $1,000 LIFETIME
o $250 SUPPORTING o $_______ OTHER
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o Check (make checks payable to NCPS)
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Interested in adopting a Ragdoll cat? Like National Cat
Protection Society™ – Spring Valley and National Cat Protection
Society™ – Newport Beach to see some of our adoptable cats
and kittens!
FELINE DEFENDERS
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o www.natcat.org (to PayPal)
o PayPal directly (to natcatnewport@gmail.com)
Please mail form and check (if any) to:
NatCat - PO BOX 6218 - Long Beach, CA 90806
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FELINE DEFENDERS
CAT CABLE
Supplying the latest information in cat care...
Discouraging Household High-Jumping
Does your kitty drive you crazy by jumping onto countertops, shelves,
tabletops, and other high household places? Beyond your (in)sanity
though, they could get hurt stepping on a hot stove or licking up residual
cleaner.
However, cats naturally like jumping and climbing to explore, observe,
and escape. So how do you deter the urge without stripping the instinct?
Try these tips:
Offer an alternate outlet. To maintain natural behaviors, set out a cat
tree or condo with different platforms, warm beds with extra blankets,
or window shelves, such as the Kitty Sill™ and the LazyPet® Deluxe
Window Perch.
Clean areas, or increase meals. Keep tempting food off of counters,
or give several small meals a day rather than one or two larger ones to
maintain satiety. Around-the-clock access to food may also work for cats
at a normal weight.
Use items of consequence. Stick sticky tape or aluminum foil to the
edge, as cats don’t like the feeling and noise these items create. If you
don’t want to ultimately clean up the sticky mess they may leave behind, try to “balance some lightweight cookie sheets on the edge of the
counter,” says the ASPCA. “When your cat jumps up, she’ll land on the
sheets. They’ll move and possibly topple over, making some unpleasant
noise when she leaps back onto the floor.”
Other noisemakers are available in stores today, such as the Snappy™
Trainer, SSCAT® cat system, and ScatMat®.
Continued on page 7
FELINE DEFENDERS
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Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Protect the Ones You Love
Give the gift of quality life after you’re gone by including
the National Cat Protection Society™ in your will.
Our humane education programs teach animal population control
and responsible cat care to children and adults. These programs
aim to reduce the number of unwanted cats and enhance animal
welfare for years to come.
Your bequeathed donation can support these efforts by helping
us promote the humane treatment of all animals and adoption of
the homeless cats continually entering our shelters.
Please write today for our free brochure:
“Planning for Your Charitable Donations”
c/o National Cat Protection Society™
6904 W. Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
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FELINE DEFENDERS
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
National Cat Protection Society™
PO BOX 6218
Long Beach, CA 90806
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LONG BEACH, CA
PERMIT NO. 491