In or Out? How to make up your mind

When people think of the ultimate living situation for a cat, several ideal scenarios may come to mind. Some may think that keeping their cat(s) indoors is safer, while others do not want to take away the quality of life that an outside animal has, justifying their cats need to go outside as more natural or instinctual. Does an indoor cat miss anything by never going out? Does an outside cat have a better life because it can choose it's own territory and lay in the grass?

A major risk for outdoor cats, and one we hear about all too often, is being hit by a car. Cats can also get stuck in many compromising situations, under houses or crawl spaces where they can become dehydrated or starve. Encounters with other cats can expose your cat to diseases, some of which cannot be vaccinated against, like FIV & FELV. Finally, there are people who simply do not want cats in their yard. These disgruntled neighbors may trap your outdoor cat and take him or her to the animal control center or far far worse punishments. Yikes, I shudder to think about it sometimes.

Fortunately, there are many ways to help your feline friend to have a happy, fulfilled life indoors or to allow your cat a safe outdoor experience.

Making The Outdoors Safe

If your backyard has a fence around it, consider installing a Cat Fence .This netting system prevents your cat from leaving the yard, so you know where he or she is at all times. It can also be used to keep other cats out of your yard.

Build an enclosure outside. This allows the cat to have an outdoor experience while remaining safe. Check cat magazines for ideas and plans.

If you have a younger cat, train him or her to accept a leash and harness. This way, you can take the cat on monitored outdoor excursions. While a few brave cats may enjoy walks around the neighborhood, the majority will prefer sticking close to home—the front or back yard.

Transitioning A Cat To Indoors Only

This isn't going to happen overnight folks. Hang in there and make some adjustments to your home and maybe even to your lifestyle. You will have to make Small compromises to make your cat happy

Put screens on your windows and get a kitty window seat.

Play with your cat more. Get him running around, chasing a string or other toy several times a day. A little catnip makes it even more fun!

Add vertical space to the cat’s territory. Cat trees, cat condos, shelves, and other climbing apparatus give your cat more places to climb, play, and call her own.

Provide scratching posts. Try posts made of different materials—corrugated cardboard, wood, carpet, or sisal rope. You can get freestanding scratching posts, floor level, or door hanging varieties.

Play videos. Many cats enjoy watching videos of cats, birds, fish, insects and nature scenes. Check your local pet supply and video stores.

Grow kitty grass. Available at many pet supply stores, it is safe and tasty for your cat to nibble.

If your cat is an “only child”, consider adopting another to keep him company. That would make The SF/SPCA, You and your cat very happy!

Remember: even indoor cats should always wear an elastic or breakaway collar and an identification tag. In an earthquake, fire, burglary, or other mishap, a cat can easily become lost outside, and identification is her best bet for getting home.

Dad Doesn't Want A Tool Set or a Tie....He Wants A Tabby!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

BABY A06201525

12 year old, Cougar on the prowl for forever love...I`m a brunette and blond, all rolled up in a tabby pattern, with lots of energy to join you in all the good things in life, like lap-sitting, following you around the house or chasing your shoelaces. I`m a little older and I don`t have many teeth left but I still have my looks, right? Please, just come in and sit with me for a while and you`ll see that I still have a lot of spark left in me. Bring a toy. I`m still up for a little playtime before relaxing with you. Looking for someone who is ready to shower me with affection and activity. Male or female, no matter. Young or old, I don’t mind. As a gal who’s been around the block, I know what’s most important! My only request is that I be your only cat. Do you think you're ready for me!?

Instead of struggling to find an appropriate Fathers Day gift this weekend, bring Dad to the SF/SPCA's Adoption Fair! There will be multitudes of torties, tabbies, tuxedos and twosomes to choose from. Let's not forget the beautiful black cats too! What's that? Dad would rather have a dog, bird, reptile ....or even a rabbit. We have that covered too! Fifteen rescue groups will be joining forces with us to make a big difference. All we need is you, Dad and all of your friends to come. Are you taking the bus? Tell everyone on board about it too!!! I'm sure the driver won't mind.

We need your votes! The San Francisco Bay Guardian is doing it's annual "Best of the Bay" awards. On page six of the ballot, you will find the following categories that the San Francisco SPCA qualifies for.

1. Best Local Blog: Litter Did You Know

2. Best Local Website: http://www.sfspca.org/.

7. Best Local Nonprofit: The San Francisco SPCA

14. Best Veterinarian: San Francisco SPCA's Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center

15. Best Camp for Kids: San Francisco SPCA's Humane Education Camp

*29. Best Local Animal Rescue: San Francisco SPCA

SCRATCH YOUR VOTE HERE

*Remember: go to page six! *

With your help and a few hundred votes, Litter Did You Know can gain some popularity and the SF/SPCA can help even more animals!

Do you have a few minutes to spare?
The San Francisco SPCA is asking friends to complete an online survey to help improve our communications and grow our programs and services.

Take the survey now.

Celebrate "ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH" With The SF/SPCA

By Daniel Quagliozzi



Wow, June is here already!!! School is out, the birds are chirping and the sun is shining brighter than it has been for months. Time for a vacation? No way!!!! It's time to adopt a shelter cat... because June is "Adopt a Shelter Cat Month", not just in San Francisco, but all over the country. Not only is this a great way to support shelters, but it's a wonderful way to start off the summer fun. Forget those blockbuster movies! You can have an action packed thriller in your very own home for many years to come.

To help you help the cats, the San Francisco SPCA is dropping adoption fees. We can all use a break, can't we?


ADOPT A SHELTER CAT MONTH Adoption Fees:



For all cats 6 years and older
Adoption fee is waived

For all Cats 1-5 years old


Our adoption fee has been lowered to $35

Adoption Fees for Cats 6 months to 1 year--$80
Kittens 2-6 months--$100


This has been an especially hard year on the San Francisco SPCA. We are at capacity with cats coming in steadily each day. The older cats (over 6 years of age) are in dire need of homes. The comfort of a loving human companion is all they are asking for. With this in mind, we have waived the adoption fee. What's your excuse? Find a best friend this month. The gift of love is guaranteed to keep on giving.


The San Francisco SPCA is located at 250 Florida Street @ 16Th Street. Business hours are 7 days a week, 11 Am to 5:30 Pm.







Give us a call at (415) 522-3500 for more details on Adopt a Shelter Cat Month.

In the meantime, watch this video for some inspiration.

BONDED PAIRS: A San Francisco Tradition!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe ALL feline bonded pairs should be recognized equally, whether they are one male and one female, two males, two females or even one cat and one dog. Bonded pairs are twice the fun, easier to keep happy through life's unpredictable transitions and let's not forget double the love!

What is a "bonded pair"?

Due to unforeseen circumstances, cats that have lived together for many years are displaced and surrendered to animal shelters, where they are forced to adjust to sudden changes and find a new home. At least they still have each other, right?

Simply put, two cats that will be incomplete without each other are a bonded pair. In some cases, they are un-adoptable on their own. The pain of being alone makes their behavior regress and their life condition take a turn for the worse. Illness, depression and lack of socialization will soon take over, leaving no inkling of the cats they once were together.

In many shelters across the country, keeping two cats together is unrealistic, due to space and time constraints. At The SF/SPCA, our adoption staff will not separate a bonded pair for a quick or convenient housing solution. Our experience has taught us that separating a bonded pair is, quite simply, inhumane. Instead, we do everything in our power to place these animals in a loving home where their bond is respected and where their love (and the human-animal bond) will flourish.

It’s not always easy or cost effective to respect a bonded pair. We accept that we might be criticized for our adoption policy. But this is San Francisco. And if we don’t lead the way, who will?

THE AMAZING BONDED PAIRS OF THE SF/SPCA

Sugarfoot & Gus

Like many victims of the poor economy, Sugarfoot & Gus lost their home and were estranged from the people they learned to love together. They wound up at San Francisco Animal Care & Control where they would wait for placement into the SF/SPCA Adoption Program. Shyness, loss of appetite and extreme fear had seemingly taken over for them. With the assistance of our volunteers, staff and Cat Behavior Team; Sugarfoot & Gus baby stepped their way back to the affectionate and quirky couple they once were. They are still looking for a happy ending to this story. Add two more reasons to wake up in the morning to your daily routine.

PUFF DADDY & NORMAN

Defying all odds, Puff Daddy & Norman did not come in to the SF/SPCA as buddies. Instead, they found their precious bond through a life threatening disease called FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) Although FIV cats are compromised and may live shorter lives, it does not change the ties that bond two animals together. It's our job as humans to keep these cats indoors and smothered with love and proper medical attention in order to give them the quality of life that they will need to carry on. The SF/SPCA will pair off cats with FIV to help make room for even more cats that need our attention. Luckily, these two cats, bonded by blood... got along famously!

Puff Daddy gets his very appropriate name because like most "Tom Cats" he came in to shelter life from a prior life outdoors. His male pheromones inflated his cheeks, making his head sort of look like a triangle. Thankfully, it has since deflated. Puff Daddy's charm, zest for play and commitment to his buddy Norman make him a solid addition to a home that wants to watch a zany comedy unfold each day.

Norman is no slouch either. He demands attention from people and will sort of compete with Puff Daddy when it comes to being the center of attention. In the very first picture, you can see Puffy sneering at Norman after a quick argument about lunch. They get over it real fast and will soon be affectionately cleaning each other in the picture window. Norman prefers to go first, of course and won't waste his time unless he has an audience.

The San Francsico SPCA takes great pride in keeping bonded pairs together. Support this great cause by inviting a twosome into your home. Your life will change. I promise you.

If you would like more information about:

Sugarfoot (A7078656) & Gus (A7078619)

Puff Daddy (A7343894) & Norman (A7279115)

Call our Adoption Center at 415-522-3500 and ask for more details about these incredible pairs.