celebrating all things feline
Today was, uh, busy. Some Tuesdays are exceptionally busy between phone calls, animal control officer needs, bite reports, dangerous dog reports, etc. Did I mention kittens? And kittens, and kittens along with more kittens.
Stefanie H., ACAC & AC volunteer coordinator
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JANUARY | FEBRUARY
SHELTER PETS ROCK
adopt a workout partner
adopt "the one"
MARCH | APRIL
NO LITTERING
spay & neuter awareness
trap | neuter | release
MAY | JUNE
CATS!
$9 for 9 lives for 9 days
whiskers & wine
FRIDAY MAY 8th, JACKSON RANCHERIA
feline frenzy
JULY | AUGUST
VIVA 'VINTAGE' PETS
adopt a senior pet
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
DOGS!
adopt your MVP
paws & claws (TCWC)
FRIDAY SEP 18th, AMERICAN LEGION HALL
bark in the park
SATURDAY SEP 26th, DETERT PARK | JACKSON
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
thanks
bring joy to your world
santa paws
FRIDAY DEC 8th, THE FEED BARN | JACKSON
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kitty toes: the more the merrier |
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Ever seen a cat with extra toes? This regularly occurring mutation is known as polydactyly or polydactylism. A polydactyl cat has a physical variant which causes the cat to be born with more than the usual number of toes on one or more of its paws. Polydactyl cats most often have extra toes on the front paws only. However, combinations of anywhere from four to seven toes per paw are not uncommon.
Polydactyly is caused by a genetic mutation in a genetic enhancer that regulates expression of the SHH gene in the limbs. The SHH protein is an important signaling molecule involved in patterning of many body parts, including limbs and digits. Cats with this genetically inherited trait are mostly found along the East Coast of North America (in the USA and Canada) and in South West England and Wales.
Historically, polydactyl cats were extremely popular as ship's cats. Cats were carried on ships originating in Boston, Massachusetts, and the prevalence of polydactyly among the cat population of various ports correlates with the dates when they first established trade with Boston. Sailors ascribed special value to polydactyl cats for their extraordinary climbing and hunting ability with shipboard rodents. Some sailors thought polydactyls brought good luck.
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The author Ernest Hemingway loved polydactyl cats. He was given a white polydactyl named Snow Ball by a ship’s captain. After Hemingway’s death, his home in Key West became a museum and a home for all of his beloved cats. There are currently 50 descendants of his original pack of cats, with half of them polydactyl. The handsome tabby shown here is one of these. |
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Milo: no ordinary black cat
Milo was transferred to A-PAL Humane Society in October of 2019 when Andrea called to ask if we could take this sweet boy who needed time to heal. He had been turned in at our animal shelter with a green collar wrapped tightly around his neck and armpit.
The collar was not a cat safe collar and had created a deep wound under Milo’s right front leg. This is just the worst place for a cat to have a wound because the area stays dark and moist–great conditions for bacteria to grow.
If you have ever tried to doctor a cat, you know that it can be difficult if not entirely impossible. This is how Milo differs from ordinary cats. For 8 months, Milo has been stitched, sprayed, bandaged, given oral and topical medications and has tolerated it all for his love of being petted. He is sleek and shiny black, incredibly sweet and forgiving.
Milo is incredibly affectionate with everyone. He runs over to all visitors and asks to be petted. He will stand on his hind legs and use both front paws to grab anyone who tries to walk away without petting him. He has a great love of people and other cats, too.
We are so grateful to Andrea and the animal-loving Amador County Animal Control and Adoption Center staff for referring this cat to us. Poor Milo had two types of very persistent infections, but now, we are hopeful that after his recheck at the end of this month he will be cleared for adoption. The lucky family that adopts him will quickly discover that this is not just another "ordinary" black cat.
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the impact of California’s COVID 19 response on ACAC & AC |
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Since the initiation of SIP guidelines, the number of adoptable pets at the animal shelter has diminished. ACAC & AC was required to stop accepting owner surrenders, forcing owners to find other solutions for their pets. Because pet owners are at home most of the time, a lot of the issues have resolved themselves. Because an appointment is now required to adopt or surrender an animal, many people are using more direct methods to connect strays with their owners. Many of the rescue groups the shelter interfaces with have stepped up their efforts to take in animals from shelters. One of these groups has taken 9 dogs (and counting).
Routine wellness visits with local veterinarians have to be scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance, and wait times in the vet’s offices have lengthened. Getting adoptable pets spayed or neutered takes longer, especially for kittens (and it is kitten season).
All of these guidelines are subject to change, so be prepared.
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Many things of real value improve with age.
Senior animals are prepped and 'ready to serve' for an easy transition into a new life, however shortened it may be. If you agree that a loving and enduring friendship with another species is something pretty special, this is for you. We are spotlighting the benefits of adopting "pets of a certain age". To qualify as senior, dogs and cats need only be 5 years old. Human Seniors must be 65 to qualify for our Seniors for Seniors discount program. Not bad. There’s a lot of life left in a five-year-old house pet and a 65-year old owner!
Say goodbye to chewed remotes, piddle pads and enzyme-activated deodorizers...
...step up to a VINTAGE PET.
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top 10 reasons to own a senior pet |
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PawsPartners_news has been a Constant Contact All-Star for 3 years running. All-Star status is based on the percentage of opens, clicks, and a low dropout rate. Only 10% of Constant Contact customers are All-Stars. It's great to have a readership that is so engaged. THANK YOU!
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ACAC & AC is always in need of items that can improve the lives of our animals while they are with us. If you can help, please feel free to donate any items from our Amazon wish list.
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Volunteers needed
If you can help walk dogs or socialize animals, we want you! The Application for Volunteer Worker can be reviewed here. Think you're game? Come on over and fill out an original pink copy, available from the shelter.
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Get on our mailing list by signing up at the animal shelter, the Feed Barn, or any Adoption Outreach. |
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