RINGWORM: Winning the fight against fungus!

By Daniel Quagliozzi

When anyone mentions the word Ringworm, especially in animal shelters, the gut reaction is almost always to start itching. Blegh!!! Ringworm! It's a animal shelter reality and horror story all wrapped in one. It seems like every year, particularly in the summer, we are battling this fiesty fungus with everything we've got, due to the high volume of kittens and cats coming in from other shelters.

When one cat has ringworm, we have to bleach every kennel it has lived in, every carrier it was transported in and quaranteen every cat it was exposed to. Sound easy? Not if you have 30 or more cats that have transmitted or have been exposed to the fungus and every human that cleans, feeds and socializes the cat has to wear a surgical gown, rubber gloves and foot covers just to walk in the room and say hello.

RINGWORM FACTS

WHAT IS RINGWORM?

Ringworm is NOT A WORM, its actually a FUNGUS that creates lesions on the dead surface layers of skin, hair, and claws. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between people and animals. The infection is common, worldwide, and is similar to athlete’s foot. Ringworm is contagious to people and animals, and it appears in our shelter that we have the first stage of an outbreak of the fungus.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

The fungus is transmitted by spores that attach to the skin, which germinate to produce hyphae that invade the dead layers of skin and hair. Animals become infected either by direct contact with an infected animal or by exposure to a contaminated environment or object such as grooming tools or bedding.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The signs of ringworm can vary, but most animals have the classic ringworm lesion: a circular red area of hair loss which is surrounded by broken hair and scale at the edge of the lesion. The lesions typically heal from the center as they enlarge peripherally. Other signs of ringworm may include patchy hair loss, itching, inflammation, and infection of the nails. In people, ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple that becomes larger, leaving scaly patches of temporary baldness. Infected hairs become brittle and break off easily. Yellowish crusty areas sometimes develop.



ARE YOU GETTING ITCHY?!?!?!?!

Ringworm of the body shows up as a flat, round patch anywhere on the skin except for the scalp and feet. As the rash gradually expands, its center clears to produce a ring. More than one patch might appear, and the patches can overlap. The area is sometimes itchy. Ringworm of the foot is also called athlete's foot. It appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Animals are treated with an oral medication and lyme-sulfur dips. The treatment takes 4 to 8 weeks. Humans are treated with a cream you can purchase without a prescription. If the cream doesn’t work, your physician can prescribe medication that will kill the fungus.

Ok, now that you are sufficiently grossed out, go buy a tube of Lamasil, just to be safe!

Senior Moments: Caring for your elderly cat

By Daniel Quagliozzi

After yet another visit to the veterinarian with my 18 year old cat; Matilda, I decided it may be a good time to address what it's like to care for a senior cat. You may remember Matilda from previous posts such as : My Alarm Clock Is Hungry & My Cat Made Me Do It. This time around, the exam shows the onset of kidney disease. As it is, I give Matilda subcutaneous fluids a few times a week to keep her well hydrated and functioning as normal as possible. Although, Matilda habitually defies normalcy, as you can see in her other stories. Her failing health, coupled with cognitive dysfunction (Catzheimers) make caring for her a lesson in life's mysteries.

Sure, there are challenges, disappointments, reality checks and unknown territory behind every corner, but I have news for you.... Some day, your cat will grow old too and it will suddenly occur to you that kitty is not the sharp, nimble footed acrobat s/he once was. Caring for elderly cats is not as bad as some make it out to be. It's just life's reminder that nothing lasts forever. Why not help your cat along the way with dignity and grace?

When is a cat considered a senior?

Cats often initially show age related physical changes between the ages of seven and ten years. Most human companions will notice differences, both physically and behaviorally in their cat, by the time the kitty is twelve. In my case, I started to see signs of aging in Matilda around fifteen. It's been a long three years since then!

You may notice some of these common signs of aging in your cat:

Many cats will have some difficulty jumping or climbing onto higher surfaces due to arthritis.

• Your cat may be less diligent about grooming himself. (Their hair can appear matted or greasy)
  
• Changes (in environment or routine) may be more difficult to adjust to.
  
• Increased vocalization, or meowing is louder than usual.
  
• Your cat may sleep more (ok, more than usual).
  
• Decrease in energy and zest for play.
  
• Change in appetite or refusal to eat.
  
• Litter box avoidance or aversion.
  
• An increase in aggression due to pain or confusion.
  
• Some cats become more relaxed and mellow, and may be more accepting of petting or medicating.
  
  

Ways to Accommodate an Older Cat’s Special Needs

For cats with arthritis or joint pains, ramps or stairs covered with carpeting are helpful to make access to sofas, beds, or other favorite resting places easier. There are also elevated food and water dishes available if your kitty has trouble with neck pain.

If your kitty is not grooming well, you will need to help out. Matted coats, particularly on long-haired cats are unhealthy and uncomfortable. Regular grooming is good for their fur and for skin-circulation, and many cats enjoy being brushed. Try a few different style brushes to see which your cat prefers.


Hear no evil, See no evil, Taste no evil

As hearing and sight become less acute, you may notice you cat lumbering around the house or even hiding as a result. Adding night lights or providing extra light in general is a thoughtful accommodation. If blindness appears suddenly, then it will be more obvious with the cat noticeably bumping into furniture or walls. Restricting territory or padding sharp corners of low furniture will prevent injury. In the case of hearing loss, a lack of response to sounds, coming when called (most cats ignore you anyway), or an increased vocalization or disorientation may also be apparent.

Some cats will become picky about food. This is best discussed with a veterinarian as it can indicate a tooth/gum condition or other health problem. However, some elderly pets may just need to be tempted to eat. It can help to feed smaller, more frequent meals. They may be more responsive to fresh food, or food that has been gently heated, as they can often smell it better. Older cats need to drink plenty of water, and it may be necessary to try several different water sources to insure they are drinking.

Routine is the key!

Adjusting to sudden change is difficult for most cats, but more so for older kitties. Make any changes in the environment or routine gradually. Something as simple as a variation in daily schedules can be an upset. Trying to keep as much routine as possible for your cat will be very helpful in reducing stress. This means keeping cat bedding and furniture in its usual place, and having regular times for feeding, cuddling, grooming and other interactions each day.

Gentle exercise is a great stress reducer and can maintain health. This gives them a chance for mental stimulation without a lot of physical activity. Having a spot in a sunny window to observe outdoor wildlife might be fun, too.

Preventative and Basic Care

Your senior pet should have a full examination by a veterinarian every six months, even if she seems perfectly healthy. If medical problems are diagnosed and treated early on, the treatment may be more effective and less costly. Some degenerative processes can be slowed down when detected early. These regular check-ups are the time for you to discuss with your vet any changes in behavior, appetite or sleeping habits.

We love them when they are kittens, but when they grow old they need us most. Shelters across the country have many senior cats that are looking for compassionate humans to watch over them in their golden years. Please check out amazing cats like MONKEY!

MONKEY 16 yr old with plenty of pep!

HOT, HOT, HOT! The SF/SPCA Summer Guide for Pets

Here's the SF/SPCA's top 10 list for you to keep in mind as you enjoy the summer with your family, two- and four-footed. Our Veterinary Hospital provides many of the services recommended on the list from micro-chipping to heart-worm testing, from emergency care to boarding services...consider us one of the family with our experienced team of compassionate and caring medical staff.

For the sake of fairness, Litter Did You Know will also be addressing dog safety.

1. Never leave your dog/cat in the car—even with windows cracked down—on hot days. The temperature can rise in minutes with deadly results. Learn to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke which include profuse panting, salivation, warm dry skin, rapid heartbeat, high fever, vomiting, muscle weakness, inability to move, and collapse. Always carry your veterinarian's telephone number; better yet program it into your cell phone.
   
2. Keep your vaccines up-to-date. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and cats against serious and sometimes fatal diseases, which are common in all areas of the United States.
   Install screens in household windows and doors, to assist in preventing cats and dogs from falling accidents and exploring the outside world.
   
3. Be certain dogs/cats are microchipped and wear ID tags. Be sure both are current on address/telephone number information. All cats and dogs adopted from The SF/SPCA come already microchipped. If your animal is not "chipped", schedule an appointment today.
   
4. Learn about pet-friendly gardening options. Summer is time when many will use plant fertilizer and pesticides which can be harmful and fatal to our house pets. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well.
   
5. Warmer temperatures and dry conditions are perfect for the lifespan of parasites. Consult with your veterinarian regarding flea & tick prevention options. Note that Heartworm, a very serious and possibly fatal disease is transmitted by the mosquito. Be sure to have your animal tested if not on year-round preventative medication. Cats can get heartworm too.
   
6. Keep animals away from foxtails (not the animal, but the vegetation). These bushy, sticky grasses can become embedded in a pet's coat and burrow through the skin into the animal's body causing medical problems. Avoid overgrown lawns and fields while on walks or hiking. Keep your pet's coat well groomed during summer months. Inspect your pet's fur after hiking, including ears, nose and between the toes.
   
7. Use veterinary prescribed sunscreen to prevent burning and skin cancer especially in white dogs, and/or dogs with a fine coat. Apply to noses and tips of ears. Include sunscreen in your Pet First Aid kit/backpack.
   
8. Keep dogs leashed when out and about at summer fairs to avoid dog being lost in a crowd. Only well socialized and well behaved dogs should be included in large group activities. If your dog needs behavior training, register for one of our upcoming classes.
   
9. Consider a vacation location where pets are welcome. If not, do your homework on pet sitting services and boarding facilities well in advance.

For a mountain of information about Summer Health & Safety, GO TO:

http://www.sfspca.org/promotions/summer-health-and-safety.html

Keeping Her Eyes On The Prize

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Today we are paying tribute to the very lovely and unique Ariana. This sleek, blue-eyed bundle of energy came to us on April 19Th from San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Her previous guardian could no longer care for her and was forced to surrender her into the shelter system. With nothing familiar to cling to, Ariana showed signs of severe fright and stayed frozen in a tight ball for days, unable to process where she was and who was trying to show her affection. We couldn't get her to leave the confines of her cat bed at all.

As the days became weeks, Ariana slowly started to understand that she was surrounded by love and the caring staff and volunteers of the SF/SPCA. She loosened up her body and started to explore her condo with more and more confidence each day. We even discovered a very playful side of her, despite the reservations she showed us in the first few weeks of her stay in Shelter Care.

Ariana is definitely a special cat. Come on, look at the expression on her face! Although she has come a really long way since her first day of arrival, some of her aloofness is still with her today. She likes petting on her own terms and slinks away like a ninja when she would rather focus on chasing her favorite tube toy around. Ariana needs a special person that understands her eccentricities and has the patience and knowledge enough to let her call her own shots.

Watch the video below and see just how far Ariana has come!

If you are interested in adopting ARIANA ID #: 7494506 Please call 415 522-3500 and speak to a client care associate.

No Rest For The Weary: The kitten storm has landed

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Kittens, kittens, kittens.....aren't they so cute? Everytime I see one, and let me tell you...I see my fair share everyday, I just want to kiss em' all! A kitten never gets dull. They just keep coming in like gremlins after you spill water on them. *Poof* there's another one!

The problem with all of the kittens flooding our shelter is that they take much needed space away from our adult cats that trickle in at a "slower" but steady speed all year round. Not to mention... the impact it has on our staff that tends to their feeding, cleaning and welfare. This is the way it goes every year when the California sun gets hotter and the days get longer. We are the animal welfare warriors that brave the storms and come back for more and more and more.

The following video explains The commitment of the San Francisco SPCA. Grab a tissue and a loved one. This is going to make you emotional. I ask that you take the time to watch it all the way through and reflect on it afterwards. Our dedication to the homeless animals of San Francisco is only possible with your help.

If you are interested in Fospice or Adoption, please come to The San Francisco SPCA and help us find homes for the older and special needs cats that are being overlooked.

There are currently 78 cats looking for loving homes at our shelter!!!!!!

Click http://www.sfspca.org/adoptions/cats/ to see these amazing felines.

Did you know that there is no national SPCA or parent or umbrella organization that provides financial support to The SF/SPCA? Each SPCA and Humane Society are completely unrelated organizations. We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, independently chartered organization that is not affiliated with any other "SPCA" or humane society. When you make the choice to give a donation this year, please consider contributing to the SF/SPCA directly. The animals we care for really need your help. DONATE NOW!

CINCO DE "MAYA"

By Daniel Quagliozzi

We devote today's blog to an extraordinary little lady that needs your help. Maya, an older, more reserved brown tabby female is an equisite creature with a dynamic personality that has warmed the hearts of so many people, yet no one has made the decision to take her home. Like many homeless cats, you might say the odds have not been in her favor. Today we roll the dice for Maya!

You may remember Maya from several blogs ago. She has made many transitions since she first arrived as a surrender to Animal Care and Control of San Francisco. Maya spent weeks living in the Cat Behavior Office as our Shelter vets worked to get a handle on her arthritis, which was causing her to limp when she attempted to walk. In our opinion, the slight limp and smirky look on her face only made her that much cuter. I am not embarrassed to say, Maya really touched me and actually made me "do the math" about bringing her home to my resident cat. It just wasn't realistic and I'm sure my Matilda would have been mad at me for doing so.

Now, after a few months of maintenance on her joints, Maya is walking a lot better but still has a rough time getting up after she has been sleeping off another one of her victorious play sessions. Despite her aches and pains, she remains to be the most awesome cat anyone could ask for. The question is, who's asking?

Beautifully mature cats like Maya are often over-looked when shelters are bracing for the storm of young and vibrant kittens that arrive when the weather gets warm and the rain subsides. While it's still an admirable thing to adopt a kitten from your local shelter, please do not forget the older cats that need your home as well. They have a prior life and a story to tell, a quality that no kitten can relate to.

Older cats are deeply effected by the change of losing everything that they once held close in exchange for a strange and unfamiliar kennel space and the company of one stranger after another. Kittens adapt a lot faster and stay in shelters for as little as two days to a week before they find a home. An adult cat may spend anywhere from one week to five months living in a shelter environment.

At the age of 10, Maya is the perfect example. She ended up in a shelter due to circumstances beyond her control. Her life and well being are now under the watchful eye of many caring individuals at the SF/SPCA. What's missing in her life is the love of one or many people who will wake up everyday and include her in their lives. Maya craves a day that she can predict and a human guardian that she can call her own. She needs a home with guardians that will keep her on top of her game and watch over her health. An environment with steps or high levels to climb may be too much for her stubby little legs. However an inventive person might create a place for her that makes getting up high an easier task to accomplish. Maya prefers to be a people's cat and not a cat friendly cat. She was actually adopted once but was unfortunately returned to the shelter because she did'nt appreciate the company of other cats.

Today is MAYA MONDAY and tomorrow is CINCO DE MAYA ...but the reality is that every day of the year is dedicated to those cats who do not have the voice to ask for help. Will you be there for Maya?

Make the month of May the month for Maya!

If you are interested in adopting this amazing feline friend, please contact the SF/SPCA by calling 415 522-3500 or come to Maddies Adoption Center at 250 Florida Street, SF, Ca 94103

My Cat Ate My Snuggie™

By Daniel Quagliozzi

Has this ever happened to you? You're getting ready for another day at work and you decide to wear your favorite blouse...the very same blouse that has been sitting on the back of your chair for a week because you were too lazy to put it away after you got it back from the cleaners. As you put your arm through the sleeve, you notice there is a soggy hole in the side. Your cat has chewed another chunk out of your wardrobe. What the @*%!?!?! Guess what? Your cat has PICA!

What Is Pica?

Pica is the term for the repeated ingestion of non-food objects. Accidents will happen, this is true. Sometimes cats will unintentionally eat an object like yarn, string or even a plastic cord. It probably looked like a snake to them? Can you blame them?

Pica is quite different and happens when cats deliberately chew and swallow inedible materials. Common targets include wool blankets, plastic coated wires, rubber, plastic bags, even thumbtacks, hair ties & spare change . Often, individual cats will have different preferences- so the cat that eats wool may not eat rubber, or the cat that tries to eat your bobby pins may frown upon your hipster sweater. Some cats have a broad range of preferences. Though it might seem amusing to some people, it could result in a lethal ingestion for your cat. Yarn can get wound up in the digestive system and plastic can obstruct major organs. Luckily, most of the time, PICA is more annoying then it is deadly. No one wants to come home to find a huge soggy hole in their favorite shirt.

No one really knows for sure what causes this kind of eating disorder. Some veterinarians attribute it to a lack of fiber in the diet while behaviorist's may claim that it is caused by boredom or anxiety.

To rule out medical causes, a veterinarian should examine all cats displaying pica. Once your veterinarian gives your cat a clean bill of health, discuss with them what steps you can take to modify your cat's behavior. These may include the following:

1. Remove targeted items - Placing clothing, blankets, plastics and electric cords out of the reach of your cat is often the easiest solution. Storage containers, electric cord guards, and other useful items are available at most home supply stores. The upside of all of this is that your house or apartment is going to be super clean! NO MORE CLUTTER! I wish my cat had PICA. It would be great incentive for my wife to stop collecting shoes.

2. Provide alternative items to chew or eat - Food-dispensing toys, durable cat toys, or pieces of rawhide can be used to redirect your cat's chewing behavior to more appropriate and safe items. For cats attracted to houseplants, small flowerpots of grass or catnip can be planted and kept indoors.

3. Provide lots of structured play - Many cats chew on household items out of boredom. Provide interactive toys and set aside time each day to play with your cat. As mentioned in many blogs prior, exercise, play and environmental enrichment provide stimulation that will cure most miss-behaviors. A bored cat has more time to focus it's energy on misbehaving while an active and distracted cat will not have the time of day to devote to such foolish activities.

4. Increase dietary fiber - It may help to increase the amount of fiber in your cat's diet. High fiber foods usually contain fewer calories. Your cat may be able to satisfy their craving to eat more while still maintaining their weight. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's diet.

5. Make targeted items aversive - Occasionally, applying aversive substances (e.g. hot sauce, Bitter Apple®, Bandguard®) to an item may deter a cat from chewing it. If this is not possible, spraying strong smelling substances (e.g. citrus air freshener, potpourri) or using physical deterrents (e.g. upside down carpet runner, Ssscat®, Snappy Trainers®) around an object may prevent cats from approaching. Eventually, your cat will get tired and stop heading for the same places of obsession.

6. Consult with a veterinary behaviorist - If your cat continues to ingest non-food items, referral to a veterinary behaviorist is recommended. Further environmental and behavior modification plans, specifically tailored to your pet, may be needed. In some cases, medication may be helpful. Anti-anxiety medications can lower stress levels and help to subdue the ingestion of non-food items.

Hopefully, with the right guidance and a little bit of tidying up, your cat will no longer bite off anything bigger than they can chew! Buy more cat toys!!!!

It's FIV Awareness Weekend At The SF/SPCA

By Daniel Quagliozzi

This weekend, The San Francisco SPCA is spotlighting three beautiful and unique cats. The one thing that they have in common,besides there awesomeness, is that they all have FIV. Now, the question many of you may be asking is....

What is FIV?

FIV stands for feline immunodeficiency virus, just as HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. In fact, these two viruses are closely related and much of the general information that has become common knowledge for HIV also holds true for FIV.

FIV is a virus that causes AIDS in cats; however, there is a long asymptomatic period before AIDS occurs. Some cats are compromised and may live shorter lives while other can have long lives full of enrichment. It's our job as humans to keep these cat's 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. Serious colds can easily turn to pneumonia, so its important to be aware of your FIV cats health at all times.

How do cats get FIV?

The major route of virus transmission is by deep bite wounds that occur during fighting. There are other means of spreading the virus but they are less common. Mother cats cannot readily infect their kittens except in the initial stages of infection. FIV can be transmitted sexually and via improperly screened blood transfusions. Casual contact such as sharing food bowls or snuggling is very unlikely to be associated with transmission.

How do I protect my cat?

The best thing that you can do to protect your cat from FIV is keep it indoors. With the most common route of transmission being cat fights, especially bite wounds, an indoor lifestyle is a sure fire way to avoid getting the disease. Of course, keeping cats vaccinated is a good precaution to decrease health risks but unfortunately it will not deter the disease. There is no vaccine for FIV.

A Shelter Reality

In many shelters across the country, cats with FIV are very hard to place in homes. They have to live solo lives or be co-housed with other cats that share the infection. This limits their chances of finding loving homes and increases their risk of being euthanized. At the SF/SPCA we try very hard to keep our clients informed about these cats and try to pair them off whenever possible. A great example of two cats that have FIV and were strangers before they became homeless.... are Puff Daddy & Norman!

Puff Daddy & Norman met and made friends at the SF/SPCA. They got along really quickly and have been roommate's ever since. Both of them love attention and will break into spontaneous play sessions whenever the mood strikes their fancy. They will do well together, solo or with the company of another cat -friendly resident cat. Look at those cheeks on Puffy!! Like many male cats that have lived outdoors, Norm & Puff show the tell-tale signs. Both cats have the battle scars and tipped ears to prove it. Those days are over now, paving the way for a calmer, gentler future.

Scarlett is a little more reserved than her two buddies. She prefers to live by herself, can be a little hesitant at first but warms up super fast. She's a dignified lady with subtle charms that cast upon you like a love spell. Before you know it, you're full filling her every wish. She's a classy girl with cat appeal that will draw you in like a tractor beam. Scarlett will do best in a quieter environment with patient and heart felt guardians willing to provide her with all her desires.

FIV is a disease that may limit their lifespan, but it doesn't change their amazing personalities and uncanny ability to change our own lives. Just because they are immune compromised does not put limits on the love they have to share. You can learn a lot from a cat when you know their time may be limited. It's a win-win situation! You get to provide a beautiful animal with a home and your new friend gets to unconditionally change your life forever.

Open up your heart and your home to an FIV cat this week. If you would like more information about FIV cats or would like to give one of these three fabulous cats a chance, please call The SF/SPCA Adoption center at 415 522-3500 or email us at catbehavior@sfspca.org

If you do not live in the Bay area, please remember, FIV cats are being surrendered to shelters all over the globe!

Enjoy this short clip of Puff Daddy in action!!!

KEEP ON ROCKING IN THE FLEA WORLD

By Daniel Quagliozzi


BREAKING MEWS 4/22/09:

SF/SPCA Cat Behavior Program Dedicates Space To The DeliCATe!

In our ongoing efforts to make our shelter cats feel at home and secure in their surroundings, we have devoted some very special real estate in our building to fearful cats. The Deli-Cat ward is now a reserved area for cats that are having a hard time transitioning. Imagine everything you once knew was completely erased, only to be replaced with unfamiliar sights, smells and people. You would shut down too! Cat's are especially challenged by change. Our hope is that the new Deli-Cat wards will be a welcoming atmosphere to help these shy kitties settle in.

HARRY GETS SOME LOVE FROM A DeliCATe VOLUNTEER

Our special wards are located both in The Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center and in our second floor recovery area of Maddies Adoption Center. This second floor oasis for cats is also dedicated to medical recovery and allows cats that need more space or attention to stretch out and just be cats while receiving treatments and behavior evaluations. Fearful cats gets special accomodations and cozier condos away from the every day noises and commotion of the shelter. Volunteers and staff head to these destinations to make these hard cases turn soft.

FELIX TAKES A RELAXING BREAK "AWAY FROM IT ALL"

With our sights set on speedy transition and lower stress, our hope is that cat's will rehabilitate faster and make their way into homes without having to endure un-needed anxiety. This also allows us to make accommodations for extremely shy cats coming in from our county shelter; Animal Care and Control.

CLOE HIDES IN HER FANCY 2ND FLOOR APARTMENT

If you have a special spot in your heart for shy cats and think you could give us a hand making them feel more at home, you too could be a DeliCATe volunteer! Find out about our volunteer programs here: http://www.sfspca.org/support/volunteering/

SF/SPCA Dominates Facebook!


No, this is not an ad for the dog whisperer.....



You're on facebook right? Don't lie, your boss probably isn't reading this. No, seriously... with social networking being all the rage, lots and lots of people have taken to websites like Facebook & Myspace to stay in touch with friends, coworkers and the organizations they support. You catch where I'm going with this? Smell what I'm cooking here? Support? Organizations?


The San Francisco SPCA has a fan page on facebook! Add us, stay tuned to our new programs and events, but most of all... support a really good cause and a solid organization that is making a difference. It's easy, click this: http://tiny.cc/sfspcafan and BOOM! You've got the inside track on our featured cats, all things blog-worthy and everything that is anything happening at the SF/SPCA .


CLICK ME -----> http://tiny.cc/sfspcafan

DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT

Here in San Francisco we are having a heat wave. With temperatures hitting the high 80's, it's not just people who suffer from the blazing days of "spring". Cats also have a hard time adjusting to the warmth. You will see many of our feline friends laying sideways on the floor, trying to stay cool.

Always try to keep your living quarters as cool as possible for your animals. I know, it can be hard making some places cool. The old buildings of San Francisco often do not have windows with screens and air conditioning is unheard of.

While keeping your windows open is great for fresh air, remember to make them safe by providing screens or a barrier so that your cats do not go on a hot day's adventure. You can buy folding screens for all kinds of windows at most hardware stores.

Provide cold water at all times! Staying well hydrated is essential for an over-heating cat.

Register your microchips and spay/neuter your cats!! The likely hood for a great escape is higher when it's warm out. Be sure to take all the necessary precautions when it comes to making sure your cat will come home safe without causing any trouble. The hottest days of the year are ideal for wayward cats to contribute to pet over-population.

Flea treat your cats! Hot weather is a safe haven for fleas. They love to latch on to your cat when its warm. Be sure to use a high quality flea treatment on your cat. Most veterinarians will recommend Advantage or Frontline.

Now, crack open a cold one and get on Facebook.