Fore!

That’s something I am sure you are not hearing too often this weekend at Oak Hill Country Club, where the 2013 PGA Championship is being played.  We have all the golf greats in town – Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and many others.  Although they are not out on the course this morning, because its pouring, once again.  I was able to trap a mother cat on Baldwin, and soon after, I placed a sweet girl into a carrier from Central, because I had two spots waiting for me at the clinic today for trap, neuter and return.  That is two less litters that will be produced – yay!  I am sure both have already had at least one litter already, and I believe that the one from Baldwin may be Cricket’s mom!  The poor thing was terrified in the trap, but when I release her, reluctantly, later today, it will be nice, and sunny, and dry.  Yes, I am forever the optimist!  J

Because of the number of kittens I’ve rescued lately, their fosters/adopter moms have asked when is the right time to get them spayed/neutered - Here are some interesting facts:

Q: Is it OK to spay my cat when she’s just a kitten?

A: Yes, as long as she’s at least eight weeks of age and weighs at least two pounds. Pediatric spaying and neutering is widely accepted. Those ideas about needing to wait are really antiquated and the evidence is to the contrary. Even the American Veterinary Medical Association supports early spaying and neutering.

Cats can go into heat very early. They can have a litter at six months of age, and they can have three litters a year. Also, if you’ve ever been around a cat in heat, you know it’s miserable for people. They yowl loudly and continuously. They want to get out. It really alters their behavior. And every unneutered male cat in the neighborhood will be at your house spraying your front door. Your whole house will reek of cat spray. It is a really regrettable experience

Q: It can cost more than a $100 to get a cat spayed or neutered. I can’t afford that. What can I do?

A: There are a lot of low-cost options all over the country.  ASPCA keeps a database of them on its web site. You can put in your zip code and find all of the options within a certain radius. Click on the "pet care" tab and look for the low-cost and free spay/neuter database.

I plan on bringing Cricket in for a spay soon.  He is going on the 12-week mark and its time.  There are places where for just under $100, you get can your kitty spayed or neutered, and all of its shots.  And if you are very low income or live in the city, you can get your cat spayed for free!  You just have to do a little digging to find out.  It makes me sick when I hear someone say, “oh, it costs too much to have Fluffy fixed, so I just let her have kittens and we give them away.”  Sick.  And I do hear it all the time.  People are just plain ignorant.   There are so many animals being killed in shelters all over the world because of overcrowding, because of people like this.   And if they aren’t in the shelters, I am feeding them in your own back yard.  Please do the right thing.  Spay or neuter your pet.

"Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life.  It's about what you inspire others to do."