All Shelters Get Returned Animals
No matter what we do, cats are going to be returned. We've had some returned within 24 hours, others have come back 9 years later. The reasons run the gamut. Those that are less than a couple of weeks – now those are the ones that are usually due to unreasonable expectations on the part of the adopters.
Having had contact with thousands of cats, I can tell you that very few people understand just how sensitive and intelligent cats are. All of a cat's senses are hundreds of times more intense than a human.
Ability to hear is off the charts. They can hear what is going on outside the house, thru walls, being put in a bathroom that tends to echo is going to be torture. They can hear every footstep, cough, cupboard closing, no matter where it is in that house. They hear you walking up to the refrigerator, not just the opening of it.
Sense of smell is incredible. They know what you had for breakfast and its already 10 o'clock at night. You put hand lotion on yesterday. Deodorizers, fabric softeners, cleaners, scented litter, it’s a constant bombardment! If something smells like themselves, it is probably safe, no matter what that smell comes from – face rubbing or urine, much the same to them.
Movement. Sensing and seeing movement is how they have survived thru the centuries. A hand gesture can be threatening, so can a ceiling fan.
A cat's sense of touch is once again how they stay alive. Texture under their feet, sinking their claws into surfaces, laying on something smooth and cool or fluffy and warm, those sensations go right to their brain.
Many adopters might be first-timers so it is understandable that there is a learning curve. It is vitally important to ask questions and not make assumptions about cats in general and to follow any instructions or tidbits the agency might give about the individual cat you are adopting. If you know someone who is adopting and you have knowledge – share. People share tips and info all of the time to new parents of human babies but don't so much when new animals are coming into their friends' and families' lives.
The important thing to remember a cat's senses are very important and allow for that in your care of them. Education and work before an adoption can make the difference in adoption success and for shelters being better able to control their numbers of cats on hand and ability to find homes for more cats. So much more can be said, space is limited, please remember to ask as many questions as you can think of when adopting a cat!
2020 Federal Spending Bill
The President has signed the final 2020 federal spending bill, which includes new protections for animals.
It has increased oversight of animal businesses by the USDA. The bill directs the USDA to immediately restore its database of animal welfare records, allowing the public to once again see whether puppy mills, zoos and animal research labs are complying with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and whether the USDA is enforcing the law. It also requires the USDA to record all citations on inspection reports, ending its current approach of using weak enforcement alternatives like “teachable moments,” which conceal the licensee’s violation history and allow them to stay in business.
Direction for the Department of Justice to report to Congress on its animal fighting and other animal welfare crimes prosecution program.
$2 million for a lifesaving grant program to keep domestic violence survivors and their pets together.
One More Friendly
On 2/6/20 we sent 1 female friendly to ADOPT. Solome was very underweight previously and is doing so well now! That makes 1 for February and 3 for the year and 11,688 since we started in 2007! We've had lots of calls about injured cats, don't know if the weather is impacting that – normally animals lay low and don't fight when there is deep snow and below zero temperatures.
Don't forget our Photo Contest, deadline 4/15/20. MUST clearly show eartips and snow in the picture to be considered. Send entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Events upcoming:
- Saturday, 2/15 - Pet Supplies Plus at 720 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville, from 11am-3pm
- Saturday, 2/29 - PetSmart at 63 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, from 11am-3pm - this is PetSmart National Adoption Weekend
- April 19,2020 - Kitten Shower - FIFTH annual Kitten Shower at the Villa Park VFW.
Details for these and all upcoming Feral Fixers events can be found on our website.