The World We Live In Just Breaks My Heart

I'm going to try not to make this a crazy cat lady rant but I think this kind of thing needs to be addressed on so many levels. 

Anyway it was brought to me and a few other cat rescuers that there was a pregnant mommy cat at a appartment complex in a not so great area of Houston. The lady contacted us and asked if she caught her would we take her. She said the kitty was really sweet and showed up for dinner every day. So the next day she waited and waited for the sweet little siamese girl with the big belly to come get her dinner. She watched for days and nothing. 

Then she was told by someone in the complex that some kids killed some newborn kittens. Yep...it was her babies. The kids found them and with mommy being a socialized dumped cat she didnt know to run. So I'm sure she watched in horror as her brand new babies were killed one by one. This is the sad and cruel world we live in. 

And mom has never showed back up. We are pretty sure she met the same fate. 

But this is a tragity on so many levels. 
1. Animals are are being dumped like trash. 
2. Animals are being killed just out of meaness. 
3. What is going on in these kids lives to even think of doing something like this. 
4. Where are the parents?

So it all boils down to abuse in it's many forms. We need to open our eyes and fix this cruel never ending cycle. It has to stop. We have to speak up more and not close our eyes and say its not our business. This affects us all. Someday these kids may do more damage than just killing an animal. 

Animals are all dependant on us to protect them and nurture them. But our childeren learn what they live. So much is wrong with this pictures. Teach your kids all life is precious. Help your kids learn to be kind. Cruelty is a learned behavior. And if you see a child being abused step up. That kid can't save themselves. 

Who abuses animals?

Cruelty and neglect cross all social and economic boundaries and media reports suggest that animal abuse is common in both rural and urban areas.

Most common victims

The animals whose abuse is most often reported are dogs, cats, horses and livestock. Undercover investigations have revealed that animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry. But because of the weak protections afforded to livestock under state cruelty laws, only the most shocking cases are reported, and few are ever prosecuted.

Organized cruelty

Dogfighting, cockfighting and other forms of organized animal cruelty go hand in hand with other crimes, and continues in many areas of the United States due to public corruption.

The HSUS’s investigative team combats complacent public officials and has worked with the FBI on public corruption cases in Tennessee and Virginia. In both instances, law enforcement officers were indicted and convicted.

Correlation with domestic violence

Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses.

To put a stop to this pattern of violence, the Humane Society Legislative Fund supported the Pets and Women’s Safety (PAWS) Act, introduced to Congress in 2015 as H.R. 1258 and S.B. 1559. The PAWS Act would give victims of domestic abuse means to escape their abusers while keeping their companion animals safe—many victims remain in abusive households for fear of their pets’ safety.

State legislative trends

The HSUS has long led the push for stronger animal cruelty laws and provides training for law officials to detect and prosecute these crimes. With South Dakota joining the fight in March of 2014, animal cruelty laws now include felony provisions in all 50 states.

First vs. subsequent offense

Some state laws only allow felony charges if the perpetrator has a previous animal cruelty conviction. Given that only a fraction of animal cruelty acts are ever reported or successfully prosecuted, the HSUS is committed to supporting felony convictions in cases of egregious cruelty regardless of whether the perpetrator has a prior conviction.

This really needs to be addressed. My soul just cries for these poor children and animals.  

Carey Abbott

Your a Keeper

Not Disposable: Every Life is Precious

Cutest Kitten Names

• Oreo
• Peaches
• Luna
• Pumpkin
• Milo
• Pepper
• Waffles
• Cupcake
• Mittens
• Tigger
• Sock
• Snickers
• Sadie
• Dexter
• Dusty
• Panda
• Izzy
• Scooter
• Murphy
• Jake

These are just a few adorable names. What is your favorite? 

Introducing your kitten to an Older Cat

Things Your New Kitten Will Need

• Quality kitten food
• Cat treats - you can make quality treats using kitten food to make sure she is still getting quality nutrients.
• Food and water dishes
• Litter box and cat litter
• Cat bed
• Cat carrier
• Collar and ID tags
• Cat brush and/or flea comb
• Toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste
• Scratching post and kitten-safe toys

Maybe this Will Help People to Understand

This is a sad and unnecessary truth. Most people have no clue why rescuers beg and plead for people to spay and neuter. So this never has to happen again. When humans fail to do their part animals suffer. 

Founder of MMKR, Carey Abbott

Fadding Kitten Syndrome and What to Do

Fading Kitten Protocol
**Adapted from Austin Pets Alive! Resource Documents - http://www.maddiesfund.org/assets/documents/Institute/Austin%20Pets%20Alive!%20Resource%20Documents.pdf

Fading Kitten Syndrome is a life-threatening emergency in which a kitten, sometimes one that was previously healthy, “crashes” and begins to fade away. If not dealt with immediately, it can result in death.

Symptoms:
- Low Body Temperature – the kitten feels cool or cold to the touch
- Extreme Lethargy - not getting up, unable to stand, not responding when pet - Gasping for breath
- Meowing/Crying out

It is caused by 2 things: Hypothermia (being too cold) and Hypoglycemia (not enough blood sugar). When this happens, it is vital that you take these immediate steps!

Step 1- Get them warm:
- Create a “burrito” towel. Immediately wrap the kitten up in a towel like a burrito leaving their face exposed
only. Their whole body, tail, ears, and paws should be in the towel, only nose and mouth exposed. Do not take the kitten out of the towel to adjust them, check on them, etc. - this is very important! Every time you take them out you will make them cold again, even if it is only for a second.
- Wrap a HEATING PAD turned onto *low* around the burrito towel (to avoid burns) as an EXTRA source of heat. Secure it around the towel so it stays in place

Step 2- Get their blood sugar up. Once you get the heat on them,
- Get a bowl or Tupperware and a few tablespoons sugar in hot water.
- Stir it up so you get a sugar-water solution - as strong as possible while still pretty runny.
- Using a syringe or your finger give 3 drops every 3 minutes into the mouth.
- If they aren’t swallowing, try not to get it down the throat, try to get it on the tongue or gums.
- Set an egg timer or use the stopwatch on your cell phone to make sure you are doing it at least every 3
minutes. Every 5 minutes or 10 minutes will not work, it must be every 3 minutes.

Step 3 – Bring the kitten to VCAS:
- Keep kitten with you and continue sugar every 3 minutes.
- They won’t have any extra advice for you that isn‘t in this handout, but they will need to be made aware of what
is going on.

Sometimes it can take hours for them to come out of it. Once they do come out of it, make sure you contact VCAS.

Keep in mind, even with all the love and attention and perfect treatment of this condition, some of them still won't make it.

The Survival Rate with our care FAR surpasses their survival rate in Nature.

Kitten Behavior

Too often, pet owners resort to punishment when they believe a pet has stepped out of line. Punishment is a poor tool for shaping behavior in most situations. Physical corrections and harsh scolding are likely to bruise your relationship and can lead to more serious problems, such as aggression.

Never hit, shake or yell at your kitten. If you need to interrupt a behavior, such as scratching furniture, use a spray bottle or make a sharp noise by tapping a tabletop or clapping your hands loudly. Avoid doing anything that makes your kitten act frightened or reluctant to approach you.

Understanding your kitten's body language

Cats are good at letting you know what they want, either vocally or with their bodies. It won't be long before you understand what your kitten is trying to tell you.

Meows

As your kitten grows up, you start to hear distinctive "meows" from her. Low-pitched meows usually mean your cat is uncomfortable or unhappy. High-pitched meows mean she's happier, and if she keeps repeating them, she's wanting your attention. Maybe she feels it’s time for her favorite kitten food? With a little practice, you'll soon get to know what your kitten's trying to say.

Interestingly, meows are hardly ever directed at other cats, nearly always at humans. So listen up, she's talking to you. Learn more about a cat’s meow.

Purring

Purring is usually a sign of contentment, although it doesn't always indicate happiness. A cat that is ill or anxious will sometimes purr as a comfort. However, most of the time if your kitten is rubbing against you and purring loudly, it's a sign of affection or she's asking for something, such as food.

Hisses and growls

If you're hearing these, you've got one frightened little kitten. She's trying to puff herself up to sound scary so she can protect herself. You'll usually hear her hiss and growl during tense encounters with other animals.

Rubbing

When your kitten rubs her face up against you, it means she's really comfortable in your company and is showing she likes you.

Rolling over

If your kitten rolls over onto her back and stretches her legs, she is indicating complete submissiveness and trust in you. She's also asking for attention. And when she hops onto your lap and snuggles down contentedly, there's no doubt how she views her new environment.

Tell-tail

A cat's tail is an excellent indicator of her feelings. A happy kitten will hold her tail straight up; if she's frightened, she'll tuck it between her legs. The broad swishing, of an adult cat's tail, shows annoyance or impatience. If she's really agitated, her tail will move rapidly from side to side — this is clearly threatening behavior. A twitching tail is a sure sign of your kitten's excitement and curiosity. Learn more about the cat’s tail.

Ears

Pricked ears are an indication of interest in what's going on around her as well. Ears held erect and inclined forward, she's relaxed and friendly. But when a cat's ears go down, flat against her head, it's a sign of aggression; this is done to keep them out of the way should a fight erupt.

Info from the following site: Hillspet.com

This Is Hard to Fathom

Just Ponder this a Moment

These stats are just staggering. Please spay and neuter. Spaying and neutering saves lives.

Staggering Stats

Kitten season has been a whirlwind of joys and sorrows. And still going strong. We, rescuers, are just barely able to keep our heads above water. But still, we push on. There is no rest for the weary but in the long run it is all worth it. Rescuers are doing their best to just keep up. Understand we can only do so much. Room in rescues and shelters is precious and so is funding. I can't stress it enough the need to spay and neuter. Less of the pet population would be euthanized,

The numbers are just shocking.

Less than 30% of cats are adopted from shelters or released to owners.

 56% of dogs and 71% of cats that enter the shelters are euthanized.

This number is just way too high for my comfort. Why is this such an epidemic? We need to take charge of our own animals and get them spayed or neutered. This should just be a give me. As animal owners, we should know this. But it's worth repeating over and over and over and over and over...yeah as annoying as that sounds. It's just as annoying to keep having to say it.

Now please if you take care of your pets this is no way directed at you. I'm just tired of so many precious lives being lost because of overcrowding and not to mention the terrible things that happen to free kittens and outside cats. Nothing good comes from an outdoor cat.

Can't afford the to say or neuter? Look for funds from a garage sale, online sales, or contact your local low-cost spay and neuter clinic see if they can help you. And you can get ferals spayed for free at a lot of the local low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

Love them and keep them close. They aren't with us long enough as it is. Cherish every moment you have with them or find someone that will. They have feelings and love unconditionally.

Meow...Meow...
Carey Abbott