Pet Grooming Orange County

Why You Should Adopt A Cat

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Why You Should Adopt A CatArthur

Cats are typically regarded as low maintenance pets, ideal for people that are too busy to care for a dog. However, the decision to adopt a cat should never be taken lightly. The average house cat lives between twelve and twenty years, meaning that a cat is a long term commitment. Before adopting a cat, you should consider the following.

Even though cats seem aloof, they are social creatures that require your companionship. If you spend most of your day away from home, then you should probably reconsider your decision to adopt, or adopt a pair of cats so that they can keep each other company.

Because cats have a natural instinct to scratch, even if you provide your cat with a scratching post you can still expect some damage to your furniture and carpeting. Declawing a cat or kitten is considered inhumane by most professionals, so you should be prepared to deal with the inevitable damage your cat might inflict.

You will need to determine an easily accessible spot for a litter box. If you have multiple cats then you will need more than one litter box. Keep in mind that the waste will need to be scooped daily from litter boxes.

Before adopting you should consider the financial commitment involved with adoption. There are the ongoing costs of food, veterinary care, cat litter, scratching posts and pet sitting. In addition, if you adopt a kitten, you will have to budget for spaying or neutering as well as the necessary vaccinations.

Before adopting, be prepared to keep your cat safe. Statistics show that cats that go outdoors do not live as long as indoor cats. Cats and kittens should be kept indoors to prevent infectious diseases, parasites and accidents.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. Additionally, we offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. Claws N Paws also has many wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. Two doors down from our pet salon we have a consignment shop offering several unique and interesting items. 100% of the profits from all pet supply sales at This n That Consignment go directly into our rescue efforts! For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

Are No-Kill Animal Shelters a Good Idea

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Are No-Kill Animal Shelters a Good Idea?06_02_08_5

As hard as it might be to imagine, homeless and neglected dogs and cats could face a much harder fate than a painless death at an animal shelter. In areas where no-kill policies have been put in place, shelters are often overrun, forcing them to turn animals away. These rejected animals are often abandoned. Many are hit by cars or eventually succumb to disease or hunger. Thousands of deceased animals are removed from the streets every year. Additionally, many “no-kill” shelters simply send less desirable animals to euthanasia shelters where they will be put to sleep by someone else.

Animals that are abandoned must fend for themselves on the streets or in unfit homes where they might starve, become sick with deadly and contagious diseases, be injured or killed by traffic, or be viciously attacked by other animals or people. During the time that they are alone, these animals continue to reproduce, resulting in even more homeless animals.

Many areas, under pressure to reduce euthanasia rates, will utilize self-styled rescues to house elderly, sick and disabled animals. Unfortunately, these facilities are often unable to provide the type of care that animals need. Pets at hoarding facilities posing as rescues are often found in filthy, stacked up cages without shelter or adequate food or water. After years of suffering and neglect, these poor animals usually die alone in their cages.

Reputable shelters and rescues worry about animals suffering slow, miserable deaths. They impose safeguards such as applications for potential adopters as well as fosterers and reasonable adoption fees. They also accept all animals in need, even those that are too sick, old or aggressive to find homes. Many no-kill advocates do not follow these safeguards and instead pressure shelters to give animals away to anyone that will take them.

For animals not eligible for adoption, a painless death at a city shelter is a better option over abandonment, suffering and abuse. However, if we really want to end the homeless animal crisis we must start with the cause of it. The only way to prevent overcrowding of shelters is by ensuring that all pets are spayed and neutered.

We hope that this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!

It’s “Kitten Season”

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It’s “Kitten Season”

For rescue groups throughout Southern California summer is well known as “kitten season”. The warm summer months act as a catalyst, bringing intact females into heat every three weeks. In fact just one female cat can produce two litters of kittens between May and October. If you’ve ever visited an animal shelter or rescue center in June you can clearly see that they are overrun with kittens. Unfortunately most of the kittens born during kitten season are euthanized due to lack of space in the shelters. The mother cats don’t fare well either. Most people looking to adopt will gravitate towards the cute fluffy kittens, ignoring the mother cats and the other adult cats in the shelter. The sad truth is that euthanasia rates for cats in shelters raise significantly during the summer.

Concerned animal lovers can take a stand against the animal overpopulation problem during kitten season. Here are the top ways that you can help:

  • Spay or neuter your cat even if it never goes outside
  • Donate funds or supplies to your local cat rescue
  • If you know how, volunteer to bottle-feed homeless kittens for your local cat rescue
  • Volunteer to foster a litter of kittens or an adult cat during kitten season
  • Consider adopting your own cat
  • Support local businesses that support cat rescue efforts

Perhaps one of the best ways to help during kitten season is to spread the word about the importance of spaying and neutering cats. While some people believe that just one litter of kittens won’t cause much of a problem, one female cat and her offspring can quickly produce thousands of cats.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. Additionally, we offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. Claws N Paws also has many wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. Two doors down from our pet salon we have a consignment shop offering several unique and interesting items. 100% of all profits from pet supply sales at This n That Consignment go directly into our rescue efforts! For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

 

Is It OK to Change a Cat’s Name After Adoption?

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Is It OK to Change a Cat’s Name After Adoption?

People often wonder if they should change the name of the cat that they adopt. Sometimes they do not like the cat’s name or they feel that it doesn’t fit the cat’s personality. Whatever the reason, it’s tempting to rename a newly adopted cat. So, is it ok to change a cat’s name after adoption? Absolutely! It’s fun and easy to train a cat to accept a new name.

While some cats recognize their names, others do not. If it’s not immediately obvious that a newly adopted cat knows its name, then renaming it will not be an issue. However, if the cat readily responds to its name then you will need to make a decision. Most evidence suggests that changing a cat’s name has absolutely no effect on its long-term health and well-being. Naming a cat something you like will strengthen your connection with your new feline friend.

When you adopt a new cat, your first priority should be to make it feel comfortable. Introduce the cat to your home slowly. If your cat seems stressed out, try using its old name to calm it down. After a few days you can start to use your cat’s new name. Cats are easily trainable and name recognition is an important part of the training process. Renaming your new friend will help you build your relationship from the ground up.

When looking for a name for your new cat, you might want to use a variety of different resources. Lists can be found online for popular names, and even the names of celebrity cats. You could name your cat for its appearance or personality or after a loved one. If you choose a name that is similar to its old one, then it will be easier for your cat to make the switch.

Remember that it will take a little time for your cat to learn its new name. Positive association can go a long way towards helping it learn. Try saying your cat’s name out loud before offering food, treats, toys and affection. Once your cat associates its name with good things, it will begin to come when you call.

The cat pictured above is Max. Max is available for adoption at Claws N Paws Day Spa. Max is a neutered male, approximately one – two years old. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a visit with Max.

 

Why Adopt a Black or Black and White Cat

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Why Adopt a Black or Black and White CatLovie2

Sadly, black cats and black and white cats are typically the last to find homes. Through absolutely no fault of their own, these cats are simply overlooked time and time again as most people tend to choose “prettier” colored cats. Even black kittens are left to watch as their more colorful siblings are chosen before them. Unfortunately, the outlook for black and black and white cats is bleak. They often spend months if not years in rescue facilities, anxiously awaiting someone that will look past their color.

Some people believe that black cats are not adopted because of superstitions. Different cultures have different beliefs as to whether black cats are considered good luck or bad. While the old thinking that black cats are “witches cats” might influence some people, many cultures believe that a black cat crossing your path or seen in your dreams will bring you incredibly good luck. In Scotland, finding a black kitten sitting on your porch is believed to bring riches and happiness.

Another reason that black cats are often overlooked is simply because of their color. Many people feel that it is difficult to connect with a black cat in a rescue facility because they blend in with the shadows. In addition, black cats don’t tend to photograph well, making them easy to overlook on web pages. Today, most rescue facilities are full of cats looking for homes. Potential adopters are typically drawn to the more colorful cats, while the black cats seem to fade into the background.

The fact is that black and black and white cats have the exact same charm and charisma of their more colorful friends. Black cats are stunning, regal looking animals, each with their own unique personality. Their sleek and glossy dark coat compliments their bright shining eyes. Black cats are just as wonderful as any other cat and they have the same basic needs; love, care and home of their own. If you are looking for a new feline companion, please consider adopting a black or black and white cat.

The cat featured above is Lovie. Lovie was adopted as a kitten and then returned for unknown reasons when she was two years old. She has been anxiously awaiting a new home ever since. Lovie would be best suited as an only cat or with an older cat that will not chase her. Please consider making her a part of your family!

Claws N Paws Day has many wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. For more information please click here or call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!

Why People Give Up Their Cats

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Why People Give Up Their Cats06_02_08_5

Although many people believe that pets end up at shelters and rescue facilities due to behavior problems, this simply isn’t the case. Most pets are actually given up because of changes in the lives of the people that own them, not because of anything that they have done. Let’s take a look at the top ten reasons why people give up their cats:

  1. Too many living in one house
    Cats can multiply quickly and people often give them up when there are too many cats living in one house.
  2. Allergies
    Frequently, cats are given up because someone in the home develops allergies. Sometimes, in the case of small children, the allergy is food related and not actually caused by the cat.
  3. Moving
    Cats don’t like change, but they can adjust to a new home if they are allowed to. Unfortunately many people feel that it is too much hassle to find a new home that allows cats.
  4. Cost of ownership
    Cats are not cheap to care for. You must pay for food, litter, toys, vaccinations and annual net visits. Sometimes cats become sick, injured, require special diets or need medication.
  5. Problems with the landlord
    When you rent, you must get approval from your landlord in order to have a cat. Sometimes people lie about their cat in order to get into their home. When the landlord discovers it, tenants often decide to get rid of their cat rather than move.
  6. Unable to find a home for litters
    A lot of people refuse spay or neuter their cats and end up with a couple of litters each year. Often, the cat’s owner will find homes for one or two of the kittens from each litter and surrender the rest to a shelter or rescue facility.
  7. Not using the litterbox
    When cats become stressed they sometimes forget to use the litter box. There are several reasons that a cat might not use its box including the type of litter used, the placement of the box, how often you clean it, how many cats use the box and the type of cleaner used on the box. Unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to figure out what is causing the problem, and surrender their cat instead. The good news is that most cats move on to their new homes without any litter box problems at all.
  8. Personal Issues
    People give up their cats for a variety of personal reasons such as divorce, job loss, major injury or home foreclosure.
  9. Inadequate facilities
    Renting a home that doesn’t allow pets or a change of situation where an outdoor cat must live inside are both reasons that people give for giving up their cats. Although many people believe that cats can’t adjust to new situations, they can. It just takes a little longer than it does with dogs.
  10. Cat doesn’t get along with other pets
    Cats can be taught to get along with other pets in a household, however they must be introduced slowly.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has many wonderful cats and kittens looking for a second chance. For more information, please click here.

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