Furever Purr Rescue

If your cat stops using the litter box, the first thing to do is to rule out a medical condition; a visit to the vet is in order. If nothing is physically wrong with kitty, it is time to examine the litter box. The most common reason for cats to stop using their box is that it is too dirty. Cats are very fastidious and clean creatures with a sense of smell that is many times better than ours. You know the feeling of disgust when you walk into a public toilet that hasn't been flushed? Cats feel the same way! Keeping the box clean, making sure that it is big enough and that you have enough boxes for the amount of cats that you have is paramount. This article has a good rundown of potential issues and how to resolve them, and for those who really want to delve deeply into the issue, we recommend this article.

Destructive behavior:

Cats are not naturally destructive, but they do have the instinct to scratch things. It is a way to keep their claws sharp, mark their territory and stretch their muscles. It is very important for your cats' health and wellbeing that you provide adequate outlets for them to engage in this behavior. Some cats prefer horizontal cardboard scratchers, some prefer vertical carpeted posts, you may need to experiment with the various options to find out what your cat likes. When your cat scratches something inappropriate, do not punish him. A stern "no" will usually get the message across. Gently direct your cat toward their scratching post, and model the desired behavior. Be consistent and persistent; it will pay off. For more tips on how to handle this, go here. Whatever you do, please do not declaw your cat. Educate yourself on what declawing actually is, see which countries have already outlawed it, and look at these drawings to understand the severity of the procedure.

Aggression:

Sometimes we can inadvertently invite aggressive behavior from our cats by introducing a new cat into the household the wrong way, petting the cat too hard, or various other things. If you are dealing with this problem, have a look at this page and explore the articles there. Chances are, you will find a solution.

For more tips on cat behavior from reputable sources, try these sites:

Pets WebMD

Jackson Galaxy

Tracie Hotchner

Health

Passion in Dental Care

What is Diabetes?

FeLV Feline Leukemia Virus

The Hype Surrounding FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

Urinary Health Problems in Cats

Weight Issues: Over-Loving Your Pet

Adele and Entropion

Why Do Cats Urinate in the House?

Keep Your Skinny Kitty from Growing into a Fat Cat

Nutrition

Everything you could ever want to know about feline nutrition is in this article, written by Lisa Pierson, DVM. It is a very long article, so if all you want is the Cliff's notes, it basically boils down to this: don't feed your cat dry food only. Most cats are not good drinkers and they need enough liquid in their diet to remain healthy. If you believe your cat is "just fine" on kibble, read this. Even a low-quality wet food like Friskies is better than the best dry food on the market. For more information, click here.

Stray cats

Simi Valley Non-Profit
1659 E Los Angeles Ave
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805- 584-3823

FixNation

818-524-2287

Free spay/neuter services, shots, deworming, deflea and eartipping for feral and stray cats 5 days a week. They also offer Trap Neuter Return (TNR) support.

Best Friends Catnippers

818-377-9700

Provides free bi-monthly spay/neuter clinics

The Stray Cat Alliance

310-281-6973

This organization can help you solve your homeless cat situations. They loan traps for TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) and teach people how to use the traps, and how to care for feral cats.

Feral Cat Caretakers Coalition

310-820-4122

All the information you need to help manage your feral colony.

Low cost spay/neuter clinics

Amanda Foundation SpayMobile Clinic

FixNation low cost spay/neuter for pet cats

Sam Simon Foundation (Clinic for families earning less than $40,000/year)

Spay California

Rehoming

Please make sure that you have exhausted all other options before attempting to rehome your cat; it should be a last resort. Most problems that pet owners encounter can be resolved with a little effort. Please take the time to learn about these unwanted behaviors and how to correct them.

The city and county of Los Angeles do not run any no-kill shelters, and the odds for your pet to be adopted are not good. All city and county shelters kill animals to make room for new animals that are being brought in. There are private organizations and no-kill rescues such as ours that may be able to help, but do your due diligence in researching them before relinquishing your animals. It is not unheard of for cats to fall in the hands of hoarders, or be released into the wild.

If you feel that you have no other option than to find a new home for your pet, please do your part in finding one. Make a flyer, send it to friends and relatives, network your pet on social networks, contact shelters and rescues and ask about alternatives. You will find that most rescues are full. If you are lucky enough to have found a reputable rescue that is willing to take in your pet, consider a donation since they will incur considerable costs in rehoming your pet for you.

Above all: please remember to be a responsible pet owner for the entire life of the pet. The lives of our furry friends have great value and they are deserving of our protection and care.

Special Interest

Smitten Kittens: A Love Story

A Shelter Story: A Heartwarming Rescue Story

Hybrid Cats: What Is It Really Like To Own One?

Willie, Tux and One-Eyed Jack

The Undeserved Blemish on Black Cats

Trap-Neuter-Return Helps Reduce Feral Cat Population

Kittens vs. Cats - Which is Right for You?