I am currently owned by a foster kitten, Miss Sophia Meowen, my first ever tortoisehell-colored cat, and I am in awe of her Tortitude. You can see a glimpse of it in the photo of her, to the left. Does the color of a cat’s coat determine their temperament? “Legend has it that tortoiseshell cats have that mixture of boldness, confidence, and attitude known as “tortitude.” Torties know what they want, and they know how to go after it.” These wise words were written by one of our favorite blog authors over at the Way of Cats. Another one of our fav bloggers, Conscious Cat, goes into incredible detail and depth about this magical coloring and personality combination. She describes their colors as “a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate.” and extols their characters as “strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human.  Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable.  They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr.”

I have fostered hundreds of kittens over the past 15 years, and always marveled at the magnificent spectrum of kittens personalities that match their kaleidoscope colors: lap-loving tabbies, feisty ginger boys, gregarious grey kitties, social black mini-panthers and snuggle-bunny tuxedos. Scientifically we know that personality traits can be genetically passed down to offspring, as well as coloring — this can be clearly seen in purebred cats sharing so many of the same characteristics, think of how Siamese are almost always talkative/vocal, and Maine Coons typically are so easy-going. However I’ve yet to see a specific study across breeds and in mixed breed cats proving what I believe to be is true with cats and their coloring matching most often similar personality types (of course, there are always exceptions to the “rules.”) No matter if it is just coincidence or fact, I am spellbound by the talkative, incredibly strong Tortitude from my film star foster kitten – and I know her future adopter will be too!

One of the things that gets keeps me up at night is thinking about chained and tethered dogs. They suffer in the cold, in the rain, in the heat. They’re alone and can’t go anywhere. I’ve learned that sometimes owners who chain or tether their dogs don’t know any better. And that’s why I think the Have a Heart for Chained Dogs campaign is so brilliant. Dogs Deserve Better is an amazing organization that works tirelessly on behalf of chained and tethered dogs across the country. For the 10th year now, Dogs Deserve Better will organize their Have a Heart for Chained Dogs week with the goal in mind to send to 18,000 Valentines from chained dogs to their owners. Along with the Valentines come educational brochures for the guardians and supportive information, encouraging them to bring their pets into the home. Raising awareness and promoting proper pet care is the name of this game, and we at Adopt-a-Pet.com are proud of their efforts! Below are 3 easy ways you can participate:

1. Submit addresses. If you see a chained, tethered or penned dog, submit the address to Dogs Deserve Better! Just write down the address and either call it in at 757-357-9292 or email it to info@dogsdeservebetter.org . Do not worry – you will absolutely remain anonymous!! The home will then be receiving a Valentine from the dog, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll bring their pooch into their home all because you cared enough to send in an address.

2. Make Valentines. Host a Valentine’s making party and whip up some doggie Valentines! You can use simple craft-like materials, and include a message asking from their dog asking to be brought inside. By letting people know that pets want to be welcome inside and sleep in a warm home, we hope that more dogs can be seen as family members. Then you just mail the Valentines to  Dogs Deserve Better by February 5th at 1915 Moonlight Rd., Smithfield, VA 23430. Consider making them with your kids as a fun art project! Perhaps you can even get your elementary schools involved as many others are doing it!

3. Send Stamps, Coupons, or Sponsor Valentines. This campaign has an estimated cost of $10,000, between mailing costs and supplies. Any stamps you send their way will help defray the costs, and any sponsor donations you make will go a long way toward making this campaign a reality. You can also send coupons for dog food or treats, and they include those in the Valentines. Send to the address above.

So spread the word – and spread the love. This Valentine’s let’s truly make it a better one for all the dogs who deserve it.

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Moving with your pets across town can be as easy as a trip to the vet, but what about across a longer distance? Really, it is not that much more difficult, especially if you plan ahead and know what to expect! Take it from me. Within a 6-year period I moved with my 40-pound adopted dog from France to Manhattan, then to Rwanda in Africa, to Kenya, back to France, then to Connecticut, back to New York (where I adopted 3 cats), and finally all of us flew to California! I even drove  my sister and her Rottweiler mix to help her  move from New York to Los Angeles in the middle of all that too! So what are some of the helpful traveling and moving tips I learned from all that trans-Atlantic and cross-country moving with pets?

Before you move…

1. Plan as far in advance as possible. Of course, it’s not always possible, but the more lead-time you have to get all your ducks (cats, dogs) in a row, the less stressful the move will be on you, and your pets. Pets definitely pick up on human stress!

2. Crate: Invest in a really good, roomy airline style crate and set it up in your home. Make that you pet’s bed and/or feeding area as far in advance as you can. Get them associating the crate with good things (feeding, sleeping). You don’t even have to lock them in it — you can tie the door open when you’re gone so they don’t accidentally shut themselves in it too. When you ship them, double check all fasteners and use backup like duct tape and zip ties on the doors and top/bottom too.

3. Paperwork: Call the airlines, your vet, the embassies to make sure you know what documentation your pet needs to enter the state/country or get on the plane. Even crossing state lines in a car often requires a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination. Make copies of all the documents – AND A PHOTO of your pet – and leave them with a friend with a fax machine who will be available during your trip – just in case you lose the paperwork (or your pet!) and are stuck somewhere that you need them send to you urgently!

4. Microchip: Get your pet microchipped at least 2 weeks before you move. You want to make sure the chip company receives your registration. Call the chip company to double check they have all your information correctly entered (have them read it to you). Put someone who is not traveling with you as the alternate contact, like a 24 hour vet office, in case your pet is lost and you are in a plane/car and cannot be reached.

5. ID tags: make sure your pet has current ID tags with multiple phone numbers on them, not just yours. Have the pet wear the microchip ID tag as well your personal ID tag.

6. Vets: Research local 24 hour emergency vet clinics along your route (if you are driving) and at your destination. Put their phone numbers and addresses in your phone or your wallet, where you won’t have to scramble trying to find them if you pet is hurt or sick. (If you don’t have GPS, maps with the vet office locations are good too.)

7. Pack pets’ food, dishes, and other important belongings in boxes that will be easily accessible right away, and label them clearly!

8. Routine: Try to keep your and your pets routine as much as possible both before and after the move. Time changes can be tough, but pets know and find reassurance in their routines! Don’t move their litter boxes or food bowls as you pack.

9. Cats that go outside: The exception to the routine is if your cats go outside. Before you start packing, make sure you shut them inside – ideally 2-3 days before you move. Cats have that 6th sense about stress and moving, and the last thing you want is for Fluffy to disappear before you move! Keep them locked in an inside bedroom or bathroom, so if they dart out of that door before moving day, they are still contained in your home.

10. Exercise: Exercise is a great stress reliever. If you feel yourself getting stressed, you pets will most likely pick up on it too. Make sure not to forget the exercise part of your routine, and leading up to moving day and the morning of, engage in slightly longer than usual walks or play sessions.

11. Supplements: Many pets respond well to homeopathic remedies for relieving stress (Rescue Remedy), and cats will appreciate a Feliway plugin in their new home, and spray in the carrier. Catnip can also help a stressed out kitty relax… or get the kitty crazies and forget about being stressed! Dogs will appreciate a freshly-stuffed chew toy for chewing away their stress too.

12. Fleas. Even if you did not have fleas in your old home, you don’t know if there are fleas (from a prior occupant) in your new home – especially if there is any carpet. Unless your new home is all hard surface floors and every surface will be thoroughly cleaned many days before your pets move in, you may want to play it safe and treat for fleas.

Moving Day!

This is going to be stressful for most pets no matter what you do. I’ve found that the easiest way for me to keep my cats and dogs safe and calm is to move everything out of one room, and then on moving day, lock them in that room with classical music in a boom box left on for them. Make sure to put a sign on that room’s door so movers don’t open it by mistake. If you do not have a room you can empty, and will need access to the bathroom, you will have to lock them in their crates. For cats, you need a crate big enough to have their litter pan, a place to lie down, and their food/water.They will not be happy for the time that it takes go get everything moved out of my house, but they will survive and not freak out and dash out a door. Even pets that normally do not door dash may try it on a moving day!

Driving
Some pets love car trips! But some – in my experience, most cats – it probably ranks at the top of their least favorite activities! Some cats do better when they can see out the car window. Either prop up their crate/carrier on a booster seat. Make sure the carrier is safely seatbelted in as well. If your cat pees in fright or they might, line the car with a shower curtain or two to protect your interior. Dogs should be secured in a dog seatbelt or harness for both of your safety.

You can try harness training cats in the weeks leading up to your move, and see if short rides in the car on a harness (with lots of shower curtains lining the car!) are less stressful. I’ve also seen cats be happier in a large dog crate in the back seat, with a hiding tent inside the crate, and their litterbox too. That is a great setup for longer car trips too.

Hotels
There are many nationwide chains of hotels that accept pets. Check out Motel 6, Holiday Inn, La Quinta, and Comfort Inn. Call ahead to make reservations with your pets.

Flying
If you are moving within a 1 day drive of your new home, driving is the safer choice for moving with your pets. If you are moving farther and your pets are comfortable on car trips, it is still a safer option than flying — especially if you have more than 1 pet per person moving and cannot fly with your pet in the cabin with you. If flying is the only option, click here to read our article on flying safely with your pets.

Your New Home

If you can get your household items moved in BEFORE you move your pets, that is ideal. But if you are moving a longer distance, you may need to set your pets up in your new home’s bathroom or starter room again until everything is moved inside and you can lock the doors and open the crate and bathroom door to let them explore their new home – AFTER you’ve checked all screens are secure, and closets/under cabinets for pest bait that might have been left behind. Cats you may want to leave locked in the bathroom for a day or two, until they use the litter box in their new home. They may go into hiding right after a car trip, and be too scared in a new home to come out and use a litter box.

Let your pet set the pace that they get used to their new home. If your cat (or dog) is acting scared or just differently, give them the time they need to adjust. Their entire world has just changed! A few weeks to get used to a new home is not unreasonable, though some pets adapt much more quickly. Soon you’ll both be happily and safely settled in your new home!

Dear Adoptapet.com – Thank you so much for helping Cooper get maximum exposure on your site! Thanks to you, he has been adopted into an amazing loving home. I so appreciate you getting Cooper’s pictures, bio, and most especially his video posted and shared with the world. Because of what you do, Labs and Buddies here in Los Angeles will now be able to save another loving animal who also needs a home. Thanks for being an integral part of the world of rescue. Here is a photo of Cooper now with his new sister, also a rescue. He is the beautiful black Lab boy! His new human dad adores him and because of you he was able to find Cooper, and Cooper was able to find him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. — Sandy Zalagens, foster mom for Labs and Buddies rescue LA, CA

What’s one of the hot up-and-coming ways for rehabilitating Rover?  Canine Hydrotherapy! So many dogs love playing in the water, and as it turns out, playing, floating and swimming in water is an excellent therapy for many dogs with arthritis, spinal injuries, degenerative myelopathy, obesity and other conditions. Hydrotherapy for humans has been around for quite some time, but it is now really starting to catch on for dogs. Hydrotherapy basically makes exercise easier on the joints, since the buoyancy of water makes a body practically weightless. It also takes more energy to move body and limbs through the water, making exercise more therapeutic. But not everyone has easy access to a warm-enough swimming pool, pond or lake, and safely swimming smaller dogs in a home bathtub can be tricky. Not to worry, dog-savvy businesses are paddling up to fill the need!  A canine hydrotherapy facility usually has a small, heated indoor pool, specially designed with a ramp to make it easy for dogs to get in and out of the water. The pool may have water jets that work as massagers and as a force to swim against. Some facilities also have underwater doggie treadmills!

 

 

The wonderful dog-lovers over at the Wet Nose Guide feature homeless dogs for adoption to help them find their future families! They recently posted Howie, a Border Collie/Hound mix puppy who’s only about five months old and weighs 25 pounds. His adorable story on his Adopt-a-Pet.com listing is written by someone who speaks dog, as it from Howie’s point of view! He says: I am still in my youth. I will need a home with lots of patience and someone who is willing to take the time to train me. I am very smart and eager to please. I have recently been neutered. I play well with other dogs. Except when it comes time to be fed. I need my space while I eat. I have been checked out by the vet and I have a ‘clean bill’ of health. No worries there. I do however have a parrot mouth. Yes, my lower jaw is smaller than my upper jaw. I think it gives me character!! Lol. It does not bother me when I eat or bark and does not hurt. Are you looking for a smart, handsome, fun loving new addition to your family? Your in luck. Stop looking because, you have found me!! I’m waiting!!” To adopt Howie, visit his Adopt-a-Pet.com page here.

Do you know of an amazing pet for adoption that could use some extra special exposure, like Howie? You can copy their Adopt-a-Pet.com page link onto our Facebook page here and our friends can help! Please click “like” at the top of our page while you’re there to show you care about pet adoption too.

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Do you have a red-eared slider or other aquatic turtle, or are you thinking of adopting one? Not sure of how to care for him or her? Katrina Smith from the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society has put together a comprehensive, easy-to-read and understand care sheet for Slider, Cooter, Redbelly, Painted, Map and Chicken Turtles – and offers it as a free PDF you can download and print for right here: Basic Aquatic Turtle Care Sheet. The care sheet includes details on the basic supplies you’ll need: a large tank or fenced-in pond, basking spot, filter, food ,hiding spots, and if indoors, a basking light (heat light), UVB light and siphon. She explains all about the tank/pond, water depth, filter needs, how to make a perfect basking spot, the importance of hiding spots, a good siphon to change the water, and recommended foods. The care guide also includes lots of turtle facts, like how Sliders and other aquatics can live 20 years or more – some individuals have lived over 60 years! And did you know that turtles don’t always need “a buddy” to be happy – there is no guarantee that two turtles will get along, even if there is enough space, so if you adopt a 2nd turtle, be prepared you may have to have two separate tanks. These are all important items to consider before taking on the responsibility of adopting an aquatic turtle!

You can find aquatic turtles for adoption near you by using the Adopt-a-Pet.com search at http://www.adoptapet.com/other-pet-adoption#reptile

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New Year’s Resolutions. We’re full of them. But how many of us have resolutions for our cats? One of our latest favorite websites called GreenLittleCat.com, is a blog dedicated exclusively to sharing ideas on greener living for cats and cat lovers. Encouraging their readers to take a 30-Day Green Cat Challenge, this website is there to help you and your cat go green in a month! Just one day at a time, tackling one aspect each day, you can transform your kitty into an eco-friendly pet. There’s a task assigned to each day and even a daily green inspiration to keep you going. Every single one of us can make a huge difference when it comes to the environment! So whether you accomplish all 30 Challenges or just one, you and your feline friend will be greener. Now that’s a resolution you can keep!

We love hearing happy stories from people who found their perfect pet through Adopt-a-Pet.com, like this one from Jan D. in Florida! “Dear Adopt-a-Pet.com, Through you I found my perfect forever friend.  You sent me a notice about a Blue Tick Coon Hound that was at the Hillsborough Shelter in Tampa, FL.  I went that very afternoon and fell in love with her.  I brought her home yesterday and so far she has been perfect.  She slept in our bedroom last night in her crate and didn’t make a peep all night.  She doesn’t leave my side and she is beautiful. I got her for my October birthday to me from me.  I named her Libra, which is my birth sign.  I will be 75 in October and my husband and I hope to spend the rest of our lives making her happy. We are now a pack of 3. Thanks for your help and thank you for the good that you are doing. – Jan D.

 

Leash training your cat to walk outside on a leash and harness has become more and more popular in recent years.

We do NOT recommend leash training your cat to walk on a leash outside. Ever.

What changed our opinion: While some pet owners and cats accomplish training their cat to walk on leash and tell happy adventure stories, sadly we heard story after story of cats who lost their lives because of being outside on a harness and leash.

Some panicked and escaped the harness. Others had owners who didn’t realize walking their cat on leash out the door (like a dog) would teach their cat to dash out the door when not leashed too. Some cats were attacked while on leash by a dog walking by. The end result was tragically the same: Cats killed or horrifically injured by a car or dog, or lost forever. Because of the high risk vs. reward, we do not recommend training your cat to walk on leash. There are safer equally as enriching safe alternatives, see below, so WHY TAKE THE RISK.

Safe alternatives to walking a cat on leash outside:

1. Catios don’t have to be large or expensive to give your cat all the stimulation that being “outside” to watch the birds and bugs go by. See how we built a catio here and watch our video tour.

2. Cat playpen or cage: Giving your cat a safe place to enjoy the outside can be as simple as a cat playpen like these, or even just a big wire dog crate that you train your cat to go in to safely inside your home, and carry or wheel him in to your yard, balcony, or patio.

3. Window perches: These are a great way to give your cat a bird’s eye view of the world outside!

4. Cat trees or your furniture in front of windows: Giving your cat a comfy spot to sit and watch “cat TV” go by outside can be all that it takes to safely enrich your indoor cat’s life.

This article update is in memory our former foster kitten Floyd, who’s photo appeared in our original article touting the benefits of leash training your cat, and is included here. His adopter did eventually leash train him “successfully” so he was very comfortable outside on a leash. He was on what supposed to be a very secure cat harness on a leash in his fenced backyard with his adopter, as they had done almost daily for over a year. A car backfired, he somehow escaped his harness, leapt over the 6 foot wooden fence, and was gone. RIP kitten, we are so sorry we failed to keep you safe.