Little Tich
Little Tich's JournalBlack Sabbath’s Geezer Butler Speaks Out Against Declawing Cats
Source: Loudwire
Black Sabbath bassist and cat lover Geezer Butler has joined the Humane Society of the United States to support the New York State Declaw Ban, which if passed, will make New York the first state in the United States to ban the declawing of cats.
Declawing is a practice that’s very misunderstood. Many believe declawing is be the removal of fingernails, but in fact, declawing a cat is much more extreme. Declawing a cat is comparable to amputating human fingers at the first knuckle. The procedure is extremely painful, can cause cats to feel phantom pain afterwards and cause mental distress. Declawing has been banned in Israel, Brazil and much of Europe but is still legal in the U.S.
As for his anti-declawing activism, Butler writes:
New York is one of Black Sabbath’s favorite states to perform in because New Yorkers are smart, open-minded, and compassionate. I am particularly delighted to be coming back to the Empire State after learning from my friends at The Humane Society of the United States that there is a bill before lawmakers that, if passed, would ban the practice of declawing cats. Many know me as one of the founding members of Black Sabbath, but fewer likely know that I am what you might call a “crazy cat person.” My wife and I have many rescued cats and we have never dreamed of putting them through an elective, convenience surgery such as declawing. Can you imagine having your fingers chopped off at the last bone? That is what the equivalent is for cats who are declawed. It is dreadfully inhumane! A surge of veterinarians throughout New York support legislation to put declawing in the trash bin of history. I urge lawmakers to remain steadfast in those characteristics I admire most about New Yorkers and support the bill to ban the declawing of cats.
Geezer Butler
Read more: http://loudwire.com/black-sabbath-geezer-butler-speaks-out-against-declawing-cats/
'Refugee cat' Kunkush reunites with Iraqi family after four-month, 4,000km adventure
Source: ABC Australia
A "refugee cat" that travelled on a crowded rubber boat with its family fleeing Iraq, only to run away scared on a Greek island, has been reunited with them four months later in Norway.
Fluffy white male cat Kunkush's adventure spanning 4,000 kilometres began when it leapt out of the small basket on Lesbos after the family's journey from Islamic State-controlled Mosul in Iraq.
The cat's family, comprising a woman and her five children, searched for hours before being forced to move on to the next transit camp.
Kunkush resurfaced three days later in a fishing village and, although its fur was now matted and grey, locals recognised it, labelling it "refugee cat" and volunteers set to work to reunite it with its family.
The cat, who had fallen victim to some unfriendly local cats, was taken to a vet by Amy Shrodes and Ashley Anderson and renamed Dias (modern Greek for Zeus).
The pair arranged for a Facebook account to be set up to aid Kunkush's cause, attracting more than 4,000 likes, along with a GoFundMe campaign which raised more than $1,000.
Kunkush's fur was grey and matted when it was found in a fishing village.
The family of five children and their mother took Kunkush with them in the boat to Lesbos.
Kunkush in Iraq, before boarding the boat to Lesbos.
PHOTO: Kunkush travelled to Norway to reunite with its family.
Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-19/refugee-cat-reunites-with-family-after-four-month-journey/7184754
Source: The Guardian / Youtube
Kunkush's FB page: https://www.facebook.com/kunkushdias/
Previous post about Kunkush /Dias:
People Are Doing Everything To Reunite Refugee Cat With His Family, 11 Feb 2016
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027600321
Smurf Update: Purple Kitten is Getting Back to His Glorious Grey Coat
Source: LoveMeow
Smurf the kitten has come a long way! He’s so close to getting back to his glorious grey coat! This is his incredible journey from the day he was rescued to now!
He weighed just 1 lb 10 oz when he came to Nine Lives Foundation.
Surf was just 7 weeks old when he was rescued by Nine Lives Foundation. His coat was dyed with purple ink and he had endured quite an ordeal likely as a chew toy for another animal, but the little fur baby wanted to live!
The good folks at the Nine Lives brought him back to health and found him a furry companion that he bonded with. Wanda, a blind rescue kitten, was placed in the same cage as Smurf on her first day. The two quickly became inseparable friends.
When Smurf and Wanda met, it was love at first sight!
Smurf and Wanda enjoying a quiet moment together – if only you could hear the synchronous purring!
Read more: http://lovemeow.com/2016/02/purple-kitten-back-to-glorious-grey-coat/
Smurf and Wanda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smurfandwanda/
Previous post about Smurf (Dec 31, 2015):
(Warning: Graphic) Dyed purple kitten rescued in South Bay after living as a live 'chew toy'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027486072
Stray Kitten Came to Couple for Help During Stormy Night
Source: LoveMeow
It was a dark, cold stormy night when a couple heard a kitten cry coming from outside. They rushed out and found a little kitten all soaked up, meowing for help.
“My girlfriend and I heard the most pitiful mewling outside our back door,” imgur user trandyr said.
They put a bowl of cat food out trying to get closer to the kitty. “We waited for over an hour, softly calling into the dark.”
It took time, but eventually the kitten decided to accept her human friends. “(She) even stooped to eating the pitiful offering we had provided.”
The kitten was wet and shivering, so the couple took her in.
“While I swept the area around our house, looking for signs of any mother cats or other stray kittens, my girlfriend got her into our bathroom where she could dry off.”
Meowing to her human friends for help!
All clean! No more fleas!
How she likes to nap now 
.
Stormie has grown to enjoy climbing things, even her humans.
v
Read more: http://lovemeow.com/2016/02/stray-kitten-help-stormy-night/
Imgur gallery: http://imgur.com/gallery/tTqEW
People Are Doing Everything To Reunite Refugee Cat With His Family
source: The Dodo, Feb. 10, 2016
A cat named Dias has been through more than many people have in a lifetime — and he's still waiting for his happy ending.
Dias survived the flight from Iraq to Europe during the refugee crisis, but he still needs help — and Ashley Anderson is determined to achieve the impossible.
Last fall, Anderson — an American now based in Switzerland — volunteered to spend months on the island of Lesvos pulling people from the waters of the Mediterranean as they arrived in record-breaking numbers from Syria and Iraq.
They had lost their homes, their countries. They risked their lives. They brought with them only what they could carry.
Greece is the main landing place for people trying to take refuge in Europe. In one little boat was a family fleeing Mosul, Iraq, a city now controlled by the militant extremist sect, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
With them was a little white cat."This family probably paid thousands to get a spot on this rubber boat — even infants required a fee," Anderson told The Dodo. "They cared enough about this cat to bring [him] with them."
Dias soon after he landed in Greece.
Volunteers, including Anderson, try to swim out to help people jumping off a sinking boat.
Read more: https://www.thedodo.com/refugee-cat-lost-family-1596361328.html
FB page for Dias the cat: https://www.facebook.com/reunitediasthecat/?fref=ts
Man Says Kitten Saved His Life Days After Adoption From Shelter
Source: Huffington Post
This black cat was more than good luck.
Glen Schallman knew that Blake, a black kitten he took home from the Humane Society of North Texas in January, was special.
"This little boy and I bonded," Schallman told The Huffington Post. "He was meowing, trying to get the [shelter worker’s] attention, like, 'get me out of here!'"
But Schallman, who has a rare brain condition that causes seizures, didn’t know that Blake would save his life within days of his adoption.
“I’ve had seizures since I was about 5 years old,” Schallman said, explaining that seizures in his sleep can cause him to stop breathing. He’s woken up choking before, but fears such a seizure could result in his not waking up at all.
Just a couple of days after adopting Blake, Schallman had a seizure while he was sleeping, and awoke to Blake sharply biting his toe.
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/kitten-cat-saves-owner-life-seizire_us_56b4f80ae4b08069c7a7243f?section=australia
After Five Years of Service, this Kitty Got a Much Deserved Promotion
Source: LoveMeow
Felix was nine weeks old when she came to Huddersfield Railway Station in West Yorkshire, England to help the humans tackle the rodent problem. Now five years later, with her dedication and hard work, she is no longer just a simple mouse catcher. Felix is now Senior Pest Controller and even has earned her very own visibility jacket and name tag.
“She was a few weeks old when she came to the station. Donated by a colleague,” Huddersfield Railway Station told Love Meow.
“Her daily duties include begging for food from passengers and colleagues. Patrolling the platforms, occasionally making an appearance in the concourse. And chasing off the odd rodent. She has been known to wander down to dominos pizza when bored.”
Greeting commuters in the morning.
Keeping a look out for the 0640 to the airport
Felix excels in everything she does and keeps the commuters safe from rodents.
Read more at http://lovemeow.com/2016/02/5-years-service-cat-gets-promotion/#uqm2drxMj1P6TU6Z.99
FB page for Felix the Huddersfield Station Cat: https://www.facebook.com/Felix-the-Huddersfield-Station-Cat-107081156301541/
Woman devastated after her kitten dies from touching lilies she had in a vase
Source: Metro UK, 29 Jan 2016
A woman has been left devastated after her four-month-old kitten died from brushing against lilies she had in a vase.
Elizabeth Mackie, 38, bought Mr Mistoffelees, known as Misto, to cheer herself up after her mother died from a stroke.
But she didn’t realise lilies were poisonous to cats, so when someone gave her a bunch of the popular flowers she left them on the window sill where the kitten liked to sit.
Now she is calling for the flowers to come with a warning sticker so other cat owners don’t suffer the same grief.
When she found her much-loved kitten covered in orange pollen, she shared a picture on social media for advice as it wouldn’t come off.
But she was horrified when people commented to warn her that it was deadly to cats.
Vets rushed the animal into surgery, but sadly it was too late and Misto died later that day.
Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/29/woman-devastated-after-her-kitten-dies-from-touching-lilies-she-had-in-a-vase-5651212/
DU, Aug 27, 2015: Beautiful kitteh put down because lily pollen was left on her fur after bee sting.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027112154
DU, Jan 13, 2015: Poisonous Plants and Flowers for Cats (and dogs too!)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/116120116
Were cats domesticated more than once?
Source: Science
The rise of cats may have been inevitable. That’s one intriguing interpretation of a new study, which finds that early Chinese farmers may have domesticated wild felines known as leopard cats more than 5000 years ago. If true, this would indicate that cats were domesticated more than once—in China, and 5000 years earlier in the Middle East. It would also suggest that the rise of farming was destined to give rise to the house cat.
“This is very important work that should have a great impact,” says Fiona Marshall, a zooarchaeologist at Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri. Cats, she notes, largely domesticated themselves, and if this happened twice it could indicate that a whole host of animals—from donkeys to sheep—may have become domesticated with less human involvement than previously thought. “This is the leading edge in a shift in thinking about domestication processes.”
Marshall was not involved in the new study, but a few years ago she helped analyze eight cat bones unearthed from Quanhucun, an early millet farming village in central China. The bones—including a pelvis and mandible—dated to about 5300 years ago, and had been dug from the site in 2001. All contained forms of carbon and nitrogen that indicated that the felines ate small animals, which in turn had eaten grain. This supported a longstanding hypothesis about how cats became domesticated: Wild cats slunk into ancient farming villages to hunt rats and mice, and humans kept them around to combat these crop-destroying rodents. Indeed, one of the Quanhucun cats, based on the wear of its teeth, appeared to be an older individual, perhaps suggesting that people had taken care of it.
But a big question remained. Were the Quanhucun cats related to Near Eastern wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica), the ancestors of today’s house cat and the first cats to be domesticated about 10,000 years ago in the Middle East? Or were they a different species of feline, perhaps one of the small local wildcats such as the Central Asian wildcat (Felis silvestris ornata) or the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)? If the former, the cats likely came to Chinese farming villages via ancient trade routes and were already domesticated. If the latter, Chinese villagers may have embarked on a completely separate domestication of the cat from a local species.
And that’s indeed what the new study suggests. Scientists led by Jean-Denis Vigne, the director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris, performed additional analysis on the Quanhucun bones, as well as bones from two other ancient Chinese farming sites. They focused specifically on the mandibles, using a technique called geometric morphometrics, which employs a computer to take thousands of measurements of the size and shape of bones to determine what species they belong to. All of the bones unequivocally belonged to leopard cats, not a Near Eastern species, the team concludes this month in PLOS ONE.
A leopard cat in the wild.
Read more: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/01/were-cats-domesticated-more-once
Best Perks of Working at an Animal Hospital (10+ Kittens)
Source: LoveMeow
These may just be the best perks of working at an animal hospital.
Veterinarians meet all kinds of animals. Some of them are pocket sized! Often animal clinics and hospitals take in rescue kittens and cats found abandoned and hope to rehome them.
One of the most wonderful things of being a vet is being inundated with endless cute these animals naturally give. Kittens love to snug themselves in a tight, warm place like a pocket. It becomes the purrfect nap spot for them. With a kitten purring in your pocket, it can light up any vet or vet tech as work can be stressful at times.
“This is one of the pocket kittens at a couple days old. I raised those little guys from just wee little beans. They grow up so fast!” @Psychosholtis said.
Traveling in a pocket at the vet’s.
“I volunteer at my boyfriend’s vet clinic. This little boy likes to be carried around in my pocket when I clean the other cages,” Jennyflur said.
Ashton the rescue kitten found a warm pocket to snuggle in.
2-day-old kitten taking a nap in a pocket.
A little peekaboo kitten!
“If I fits, I sits!”
“Her name is Pamela!” Geniverger said.
Share the cute!
Read More: http://lovemeow.com/2016/01/perks-working-animal-hospital/
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