​
How to introduce a dog and a cat!
Despite the stereotype, many dogs and cats learn to live together peacefully. Be patient and take the introduction process slowly, but know that whether or not your pets get along will also depend on their individual personalities. Follow this link for a maximum chance of success.
​
​
CURIOUS ABOUT CATS?
​
The key to a successful new relationship between a cat and human is patience. But you can be better prepared with some tips, tricks and random facts.
​
Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. It is an unnecessary surgery that provides no medical benefit to the cat.
​
How to build a winter shelter for cats
Providing shelter is a great way to keep cats safe from the elements and can help you monitor their ongoing well-being. There are several options available for feral cat shelters. Building a winter shelter for your outdoor cats can be both simple
and inexpensive. Watch this YouTube video for one simple option.
Spaying, Neutering, Vaccine and Veterinary Services
Sterilizing feral and domestic cats is the most important thing you can do to help curb the serious overpopulation problem among felines. This problem is so great that high-volume sterilization is essential in lowering the high numbers of feral cats in our cities.
For information on low cost services:
Tip Me Frederick derives it's name from the process of ear-tipping a feral cat. This means that the top 1/8" of the cat's left ear has been surgically removed. This is a national symbol; quickly becoming an international symbol, that alerts people that a cat has been altered and received its vaccinations. These cats have a "colony caretaker" who loves them and manages their ongoing daily needs. Tip Me Frederick was founded to help these caretakers find the resources they need to do just that.
​
Benefits of adopting an older cat
When adopting a cat, don’t automatically count out older cats. There are numerous benefits to adopting an older kitty, they’re much better suited to those with a busy lifestyle, among other things! Continue for more reasons why you should consider adopting an older cat.
Relocating or Rehoming feral and outdoor cats
For additional information see:
Fia the Feral Gets a Barn Home by Kitten Lady
​
Relocating feral and outdoor cats is not as easy as physically placing them in their new outdoor home. Cats are very territorial, and if you simply place them in a new location, they will try to find their way back to where they came from, often times killing themselves in the process. Fortunately, feral and outdoor cats can be acclimated to a new territory fairly easy and in a short amount of time.
Place the cat in a large cage or kennel within the building they will be calling home. Give the cat a small towel lined carrier with the door held open with a small bungee cord, food and water, and a litter box. Clay litter is better than clumping in this environment, as clumping litter can get wet or in the water bowl, making a sticky mess that is more difficult to clean up. Clean the litter box and give fresh food and water daily. This can easily be done by closing the cat inside the carrier (the one you have bungeed open) to keep the cat safe while you are tending to its needs.
After 2-3 weeks, you can open the cage door. Food and water should be kept both inside and outside of the cage. Once the cats leave, they may never want to go back into the cage.
After two more weeks, the cats should be comfortable in their new home and the cage and supplies can be taken away.
Caring for your barn cat is as easy as providing fresh food and water daily. Some barn cat caregivers keep litter pans inside their barns, but often are rarely used. Never rely on outdoor cats to sustain themselves on rodents alone, they need a nutrient rich diet to sustain a healthy life.
Rehoming Your Outdoor or Barn Cat
If you find yourself with a cat needing to be rehomed to an outbuilding or barn because it is feral and not suitable to living indoors with people, contact me at ahozik0@yahoo.com
Until you can find an adequate situation for the cat, please keep it in a cage (at least 3′ deep) with a smaller towel lined carrier inside with food/water and a litter box. Use clay or pellet litter vs clumping to avoid spilled water turning litter into mud. If cat is fractious (attacks) or very frightened, please turn the carrier toward the back of the cage.
