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Why Do We Do What We Do?
written by Joseph Della Malva
Thirty million years ago it would have been difficult to believe that short, elongated, weasel-like and above all, French, proailurus would have spent the next few eons preparing to scratch wooden posts and chase bell-clad mice. But, so the time has past, and here they are feline and affectionate, independent and personable - truly, we can conclude, it's all about the cats. But then, if you've read this far, you already knew that.
What you may not have known, however, is that the ancient proailurus didn't give cats much in the way of stunning intellect or a resilient constitution. Sure, they may seem like they're scheming a cunning revolution as they toy pensively with fuzzy trinkets - and they just may be, though we here at IAATCI aren't giving up any secrets - but, what cats really need to live fuzzy, happy lives is something intrinsic we all have plenty to give: love. Love will save kittens from ragged disease-ridden street life. Love will find friendly homes for lonely cats. Love will; love has. IAATCI cares for over a hundred cats that would heartily agree (if only they'd take the time to quit purring and say something!).
But there are some things love just doesn't do anymore. For one, to raise a kitten to an age where they are mature enough to be adopted costs IAATCI anywhere from thirty five dollars to eighty dollars; and that's just if they're healthy. A kitten requires a vaccination for rabies, a vaccination for Panleukopenia (an infectious disease with no cure that can cause dehydration, nausea, and diarrhea), protection against fleas, and de-worming agents. Chief among these basic costs is the operation to spay or neuter the cat, and IAATCI strongly encourages that you consider this for your cats at home if you have not done so already. There are already plenty of kittens in the world right now; too often do we find whole families of cats abandoned at the side of the road.
Moreover, many kittens we take in are, tragically, in poor condition. Oftentimes we at IAATCI treat cats for tapeworms (in addition to the basic worm treatments), ear mites, notoedric mange (a scab-like skin disease resulting from infection by the feline mite notoedres cati), and ringworm (actually a type of skin rash, and not a worm). Sometimes cats require surgery, or even become diabetic!
| | Bert as a kitten | | | |  | |
One such cat, Bert, hurt his lower right leg. His skin tore, and was beginning to peel away. After an emergency vet applied a special type of bandage that dried the area and reduced the swelling, Bert was beginning to feel better. Later, a regular vet offered the ever-lucky Bert a cool stream of general antibiotics (oh how we love them) and removed the excess skin, finishing the job with some staples, a coagulant, and some catnip. Since then, chillin' in the foster care of Carol Sweeney, Bert has made a full recovery and Carol reports, "he's so sweet and lovely - very active; he's a sweet kitty". Now Bert is rehearsing his best meow, as you're likely to see him soon at our upcoming adoption days at the local Petco.
But Bert is just one of many cats that needs the kind of help love doesn't buy anymore. You may have read about Tigger, or you may have heard about poor little Tulip, or you may read about new kittens we find tomorrow who need our help all the same. If any of these stories pluck your heart's strings, the opportunity exists for you to help IAATCI bring more kittens to more families to make their homes. A small donation can help us buy vaccines, pay for surgery, and keep our cabinets full of catnip (lest they catch wind of our lack and revolt!). In addition, encouraging your friends and families to spay and neuter your cats helps to regulate their sometimes-sprawling population and make sure every kitten finds a welcoming home.
| | Bert nka Hermes | | | |  | |
Please take a chance, when you can, to visit our site http://itsaboutcats.rescuegroups.org or our weekly adoption clinics in the Petco at the Loop and see how you can help make sure that proailurus didn't spend thirty million years obsessing over prancing and snuggling for nothing.
UPDATE - Bert has a new home, here is what his new parents have to say: "We have renamed him it is now Hermes. Which fits him perfectly. He is a bunch of fun likes the shower and bath when water is in it. He likes to live on the dangerous side will swing from the curtains. He jumps from one dresser to the bed to the next dresser. He is really attached to our little dog coco who is a rot/lab mix."
If you would like to help us, we currently need volunteers for various jobs as well as foster homes for our cats and kittens.If you are interested please contact us at 407-401-8630 or email us at itsaboutcats@rescuegroups.org.
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