Old Habits

How Some Shelters Are Taking Steps To Keep Adoptable Cats Comfy

Published 2012-03-25T16:20:01+00:000000000131201203 | By Doc Hollywood

From Arden Moore for Vetstreet.com: (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/our-pet-experts/how-savvy-shelters-are-bettering-the-lives-of-adoptable-cats-across-the-country)

Walk into the San Diego Humane Society Shelter (http://www NULL.sdhumane NULL.org/) in Oceanside, Calif., and you won’t hear a single bark. That’s because the building houses only cats, rabbits and other small animals. The dog shelter is about a mile away.

On the other side of the country, at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (http://www NULL.arlboston NULL.org/), cats get to lounge and play in the lobby one day a week in the morning before the shelter opens.

These are just two examples of shelters that are taking steps to improve the overall health of cats by using tactics that don’t require a lot of time, money or space.

“It’s time to break out of old habits that don’t work and become creative and innovative, so we can improve life for cats in shelters (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/dr-marty-becker/find-the-perfect-cat-at-the-shelter),” says Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore (http://home NULL.arlboston NULL.org/2012/01/06/dr-martha-smith-named-emerging-leader-in-veterinary-medicine/), DVM, director of medical services for the ARL of Boston and a former president of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (http://www NULL.sheltervet NULL.org/).

“Poor cat housing is one of the greatest shortcomings observed in shelters,” adds Dr. Smith-Blackmore, who served on a 14-member panel that issued new guidelines for shelter care. “The constant stress of barking dogs, crammed conditions and the inability to socialize and play can lead to suppression of the immune system and greater risk for upper respiratory diseases, ringworm (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/care/ringworm), gastrointestinal upset and more in cats.”

But, says Dr. Smith-Blackmore, “it doesn’t have to be this way.” In fact, here are six smart solutions that some shelters have implemented to boost adoptions â and enrich the lives of felines waiting for new homes.

Perfect Feline Pairings
Some shelters purposefully feature two very different types of cats in lobby displays by putting a kitten (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/cats/adopting-a-kitten-or-adult-cat-which-is-better-for-you) or a popular breed, like a Siamese (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/cats/siamese), in one adoption showcase, and a shy cat, a black feline, an overweight cat or some other feline who’s been at the shelter for a long time in the other.

“Since we implemented this dual tracking system at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, we’ve reduced the average stay for all cats at our shelter from six weeks to three weeks,” Dr. Smith-Blackmore says. “It works when you give people a choice of two contrasting cats.”

Cool Cat Condos
For better feline well-being, Dr. Smith-Blackmore commends shelters that forgo small, stainless steel cages in favor of roomy cat condos that feature additional vertical space, portal holes, shelves and wheels. Cats, she says, like having options when it comes to sleep spots â whether it’s an elevated bed or a towel that they can hide under. Kitties also need ample room to stretch, arch their backs and lie down without bumping into a litterbox or a food bowl.

Rooms With a View
Since cats thrive on stimulation, some shelters are installing flat-screen TVs that play nature videos and fake fish aquarium mobiles that move, so caged felines have something to catch their attention â instead of staring at a blank wall.

Name Recognition
“A majority of cats thrive on human contact,” Dr. Smith-Blackmore says. “They’re not the solitary animals many perceive them to be.”

For this reason, shelter workers are making a concerted effort to say a cat’s name more often and spend time brushing each feline.

“We also wash the faces of sick cats to make them feel better, and run our fingers through their kibble to motivate reluctant ones to eat,” Dr. Smith-Blackmore says.

Take a Kitty to Work Day
To help speed up socialization, some shelter workers are sharing their offices with one or two cats each day to expose the felines to normal sounds, smells and sights. At the Animal Rescue League of Boston, staff members fit lightweight Plexiglas into office doorjambs so that the cats can look out without escaping.

Video Made the Feline Star
The San Diego Humane Society creates short bios for each of its adoptable cats, as well as videos that show them interacting with people and playing with toys. At the end of each video, potential owners can click on one of three call-to-action buttons: Adopt Me, Sponsor Me or Spread the Word.

More from Vetstreet.com:
5 Training Tips for New Kitten Owners (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/our-pet-experts/five-training-tips-for-new-kitten-owners?WT NULL.mc_id=cc_huffpo;kitten_training_tips)
14 Breeds You’ve Never Heard Of (but Will Soon) (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/14-dog-breeds-youve-never-heard-of-but-will-soon?WT NULL.mc_id=cc_huffpo;unknown_dog_breeds)
Top 10 Trendiest Pet Names (http://www NULL.vetstreet NULL.com/our-pet-experts/top-10-trendiest-cat-and-dog-names?WT NULL.mc_id=cc_huffpo;trendiest_dog_names)

Kathleen Gurney: Do You Need a Resolution Redo? Tips to Keep You on Track

Published 2012-02-24T21:51:24+00:000000002429201202 | By accidenthelp

Our old habits are hard to break because most of us are not aware of them — we are blind to what’s close to us and a powerful part of our reflexes ingrained over time. So, the tips that follow will focus on making you aware and conscious so you can change what you want at the time and make it stick. These tips have evolved over the years of working with clients to achieve their dreams and break through the barriers that kept them from using their money to that end. I’ve also consulted an expert in changing people’s physical wellness lives. I’ve found fiscal and physical fitness goals are often related in the process of achieving goals.

The underlying guiding principles for all successful goal achievement:

1. Attach an emotional reward to the goal. How will you feel as you achieve your goal? Or feel as you approach your goal? For example, when you pay off or as you pay off your credit card balance? Will you feel proud? Or when you begin to change your eating habits or exercise regimen? Identify the feeling and emotion(s) that come to mind. Make that emotion part of the resolution and goal to achieve.

2. Make the new behavior fun, recommends Lizbeth Pratt, Director of Camp Biche, a fitness boot camp in Lauzerte, France. She advises her clients to concentrate on exercise as a way to be and feel healthy. The emphasis is on the feeling aspect in the process. “We concentrate on how the client feels better when they exercise, with clients commenting on their increased confidence, greater sense of personal control and vibrancy. They don’t do any lecturing but they do provide the experience to foster the emotional well-being that living healthy engenders.”

3. Know your barriers and plan around them. Build your stamina to break through your barriers to change. No one will stick to a resolution unless they are ready to change, states Pratt. Build up your defenses — double your efforts and focus. If you’re a procrastinator for example, don’t wait until you’ve worked a long day and don’t want to add another chore to your already-overflowing plate to work on your budget. Get up one hour earlier a day or two a week. Same holds true for that time devoted to exercise or planning your menu in a conscious way. Pay yourself first. It’s a gift to you which will pay back emotionally, physically and financially.

4. Keep your eye on the reward you seek. What’s in it for you? Identify the rewards and give yourself the praise as you start to realize those rewards. A simple daily process that will take you less than 10 minutes works wonders in keeping you on track to success: Make a note of the three things you’ve achieved each day (especially in the beginning of this redo) that make you proud. Feel that accomplishment. Now make a quick note of the three things that you’d like to improve and have an idea of how you’ll improve your efforts. Then go practice.

5. Lastly, put a positive spin on this process. You’re breaking out of your comfort zone that kept you stuck. Think and feel aspiration, empowerment and realizing your priorities and what you want most. People who achieve their resolutions outperform others because they are guided by their internal goals. They do what they do for the internal sense of empowerment and feeling proud.

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How Some Shelters Are Taking Steps To Keep Adoptable Cats Comfy

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Kathleen Gurney: Do You Need a Resolution Redo? Tips to Keep You on Track

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