Fascinating Facts
Did you know?
Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. – and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. As a result, millions of healthy, loving cats, dogs, kittens and puppies face early deaths as a form of animal control. Others are left to fend for themselves against automobiles, the elements, animals and cruel humans. What can you do to stop the suffering? Spay and neuter your pets! Work with Valley Cats and together we can make a difference.
An unsprayed female cat, her mate and all of their offspring, producing 2 litters per year with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter can total:
1 year: 12
2 years: 67
3 years: 376
4 years: 2,107
5 years: 11,801
6 years: 66,088
7 years: 370,092
8 years: 2,072,514
9 years: 11,606,707
Most people don’t know that a cat can have her first litter at the age of four months, and just one litter means that five more good homes must be found! That is why there are so many strays, and why our shelters are full of cats. Do your cat, and everyone a favor …
SPAY YOUR CAT BY THE AGE OF FOUR MONTHS ~ BEFORE HER FIRST LITTER!
Why your cat should be spayed or neutered:
SPAYED (Female)
No heat cycles
Less desire to roam
Risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer is reduced or eliminated
Number of unwanted cats/kittens is at an all-time high
NEUTERED (Male)
Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking
Less desire to roam
Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated
Number of unwanted cats/kittens is at an all-time high
PURRING – NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK
The purr is probably the most singular sound in the feline vocabulary. Unlike the meow, which some people pride themselves on mimicking reasonably well, the purr is a sound that can’t be duplicated with the human mouth and vocal cords. The whirring sound your cat makes when he purrs is created by air passing over his larynx both as he inhales and as he exhales. It’s an effortless sound to make; he could carry it on indefinitely if he wanted to. The purr is one of the most misunderstood feline communications. Many cat owners who thought their cat was expressing contentment have been shocked to get scratched or bitten in their confusion. Cats do purr when they are content. When a mother cat is purring, her kittens are comforted by it. When the kittens purr, she knows they are content and nursing.
Cats can also purr when they are in pain or discomfort. That discomfort can be caused by a physical problem (purring in labor is not uncommon), or it can be caused by an uncomfortable situation. For example, when your petting hand has worn out its welcome, the cat will purr louder and more intensely. The cat will also put its ears back and fan out its whiskers so they come forward. This means the cat is saying he’s irritated, not “I’m enjoying this,” by a long shot. “We don’t know which emotion is affiliated with an aggravated purr, but it seems to result from over stimulation,” explains Dr. Wright. “The position of the ears and whiskers is the best cue owners can watch to avoid being scratched or bitten.”
THE CAT IN YOUR LIFE
It is one of those awful days when your alarm never goes off and you spend the entire day playing catch up. While you are running yourself ragged over projects and errands, your car gives in to old age and goes caput. After the tow truck takes your car and patience away, it is time to call it a day. Your anxiety and frustration level has hit its all time high. Finally when you make it home you are greeted by two of your biggest fans, Oscar and Sasha, two wonderful felines adopted from the local rescue group. An uneventful day has yet to occur since their arrival.
Still reeling from the day’s events, you make your way to the room, but not without Sasha doing her usual swift body run against your leg. After dropping your bags and settling in, Oscar makes his way on to your lap and signals that he would enjoy a few scratches behind the ear and neck. As you engage, your body slowly starts to unwind. Your breathing starts to relax. Tension drains from your shoulders. A smile comes about without any force. Before you know it, both you and Oscar are at peace enjoying the moment. In these simple moments, thoughts of the day have drifted further from your mind and your anxiety level has dropped, helping you let go of negative feelings that have accumulated over the last 10 hours.
Sounds unbelievable that a cat can do all this? Well, it is true. Studies have shown that the mere act of stroking a cat for several minutes helps to release “feel good” endorphins in the brain, producing the feeling of tranquility in the stroker. But petting alone is not the only stress reliever. Depression and sadness are heightened by loneliness or a sense of isolation. Pets offer constant companionship and unconditional love. For instance, when the kids have gone off to school or a spouse is lost, being home alone can be overwhelming. But if you have an Oscar or a Sasha to keep you company while reading the morning paper, loneliness isn’t all-encompassing. Their presence helps to contribute to a complete home.
Nurturing a cat is soothing and fulfills that certain need for humans to be caregivers. Shopping takes on an additional dimension when you have a cat at home. Food, litter and toys need to be added to your cart. What fun awaits when you have new treats and toys for the loyal kitty! Cats love to explore and see what is in that shopping bag or behind that most fascinating closet door. Joining in on some interactive cat play with a new feather wand or a kitty fishing pole lightens up your mood. Laughter and smiles seem to come when they usually wouldn’t.
In order to protect our health, studies have shown friends and family support is essential. Pets help us sustain that healthy emotional balance when we treat them as family or friends. Having a cat around contributes to the feeling of family, therefore contributes to a healthy balance. Pet owners enter hospitals less frequently than non-pet owners; and when hospitalized, pet owners have shorter stays. Pet keepers have a reason to get better. They have to get home to the cat!