Source: Associated Press, Nov 19, 2009

A shelter’s decision to euthanize a dog that was thrown from the sixth-story roof of a Brooklyn building has inspired new state legislation.

State Assemblyman Micah Z. Kellner said on Thursday that he introduced a bill requiring shelters to release any animal they plan to kill to a legitimate rescue group that offers to take in the animal.

Animal activists were outraged last week when the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals put down the pit bull mix named Oreo. The ASPCA said it tried to rehabilitate Oreo, but she was too aggressive.

Before Oreo was euthanized, at least one upstate sanctuary had offered to take her in. The ASPCA said sanctuary was not appropriate in her case.

ASPCA attorney Debora Bresch says the agency is reviewing how the bill fits with existing law.

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Here’s a look inside the cavernous warehouse in St. Louis that has served as the emergency shelter for the hundreds of dogs seized in this summer’s massive five-state dog-fighting raid — the largest in U.S. history.

The Humane Society of Missouri, at one point, was sheltering more than 400 dogs, and 100 newly born puppies, at the emergency shelter, the first public access to which was granted last week to the Associated Press.

More than 120 of the seized pit bulls have been placed in foster homes, but about that many still remain in the temporary shelter. Another 160 dogs were put down because of injuries, illness or behavior.

“They are not a vicious animal. They are the victims of abuse,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “That face and their eyes tell the story. They only want to be in someone’s home, on a couch, or sleeping at someone’s feet, maybe chew up a rug or two for entertainment. They’re learning for the first time how to be a dog.”

Animal behaviorist Pamela Reid, who was part of the team that evaluated the dogs, said a surprising two-thirds tested well for nonaggression and adoptability. She’s fostering one puppy, although one of her favorite dogs had to be euthanized because he showed aggression toward men.

Thunderstorms can be very stressful for cats. Cats are connected to their surroundings through smell and sounds. They can sense a thunderstorm coming before we can even realize it. They are able to smell and hear something far better than what humans are capable of. Many cats are well aware of the danger of thunderstorms, thus become frightened when they know a thunderstorm is immenent.

Cats can become fearful when it is raining without the thunder. Some of them are afraid of the splashing sounds and instinctively take refuge for their safety. There are a few things you can do to reassure your furry friends that everything will be just fine.

[video: These 2 cats took refuge during a thunderstorm]

Good preparation

One thing we can do to reduce fear for our cats is to take note of the weather forecast and provide things for your cats to create a pleasant experience when a thunderstorm hits. Sometimes a severe thunderstorm can knock out the power of a region. Having all the necessary supplies such as water, food, toys and treats can help keep your cats’ daily routine intact.

If your cats are particularly afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, it would be a fantastic idea to use toys or their favorite treats as a distraction to keep them excited and stimulated, so their attention can be redirected to something pleasant. In doing so, you are creating a positive association between the loud sounds and pleasant memories rather than the fear and terror of thunder.

Stay Calm

Your mood can be very influential to your cats well-being. Your cats can get stressed out if there is tension in the family. Your calming manner can help sooth them and give them peace of mind. When your cats become antsy about an upcoming thunderstorm or ongoing fireworks, speak with them in a soft, soothing, uplifting tone. It will ensure them that you are there to keep them safe and protected. Do not yell at your cats if they become aggressive or behave abnormally. Yelling can only intensify the negative behavior and creates more fear in your cats.

Provide a spot for refuge

Many cats will take refuge under a bed, a table or anywhere that can help muffle the sound and make them feel protected. If your cats have not picked a place, you can go ahead and provide one for them. You can use treats to encourage them to hide in a safe place.

Remember that cats are scared of loud sounds or fireworks out of instinct. You can help them by staying calm, tantalizing them with toys and treats, so they can be distracted from the noise. It may take a few tries for your cats to fully understand they will be fine during a thunderstorm or fireworks. Your patience, encouragement and positivity will make everything much easier for your furry friends.

[Another video: Cats and thunderstorms]

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I get asked that question a lot.

The short explanation is that it’s a television show — entertaining to some, I’m sure, but not particularly useful to pet owners watching the show, and potentially dangerous to dogs and people alike.

The longer explanation is here.

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In a multi-cat household, a cat that has not been neutered or spayed may spray around the house for numerous reasons. Neutering and spaying can significantly reduce chances of spraying.

Why do cats spray?

There are two types of cats spray according to Pam Johnson-Bennett, a feline behaviorist:

The first type of cats spray comes from cats that are confident and tend to present themselves as the dominant figure in a multi-cat household. The other type of cats spray stems from cats that are slightly intimidated, less confident and even somewhat timid. Marking territory is a common goal for spraying in both types of felines. However, sometimes these two types of felines spray for very different reasons. [Control Urine Spraying & Help Unhappy Distrustful Cats]

Confident cats:

Besides marking territory in a new place, an unfixed cat can use it to display its sexuality especially during mating season. Also, if the dominant cat comes across an equally confident cat, he may use spraying to emphasize its status in the house in order to pressure the other cat into subservience.

A confident cat enjoys patrolling around his territory and subsequently leaving his mark along the perimeter to signal other cats that this is his domain. However, sometimes they spray simply because they won a fight against another cat in the same colony, thus spraying is a way for them to display victory.

Finally, spraying can also be interpreted as a sign of offensive aggression especially when they are facing a threat or something they identify as dangerous.

Less Confident Cats:

Besides marking territory, spraying to these less confident cats is a way to show passive or defensive aggression. They are probably intimidated by a new cat in the house, applying spraying as their last resort in hopes of getting themselves out of a threat or avoid direct confrontation with a new cat. Also, spraying can help these timid cats to gather information they need within their proximity. A less confident cat may use spraying as a medium to exchange information with another cat in the same territory, so he can avoid direct encounter with the new cat.

How to Stop Spraying

1. When cats do not have enough room in the house, they become territorial. If space is limited in your home, you can add perches or ramps in the house to create extra areas for them to rest and roam around. It can effectively reduce territorial conflicts in the house.

2. If cats sense a foreign scent from another cat, they will become territorial. In helping those cats to decrease their stress level, cat owners can rub down the new cat with a towel and bring it over to the aggressive cat to sniff and play with. By the time the old cat gets used to the new scent, his aggression will subside.

3. Cat owners can also consider using a cat gate to separate the cats at the beginning. Allow them to sniff and study each other through the gate. Cats use their facial pheromone to mark places they have been to. It is a safety indicator for them. By sniffing and smelling another cat face to face, they are swapping personal scent with each other, getting to know one another in a much deeper level.

4. Cat owners can consider using Feliway Comfort Zone, a great product to help prevent spraying in a multi-cat household. It sprays a scent that is similar to the smell of a cat’s facial pheromone which calms the cats and prevent many undesirable behaviors.

References:

Cat vs. Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett

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