Catster
There are lots of fun ways to get creative and help cats in need. And there’s no better time than
the holiday season when people are thinking of others and being generous. To kickstart your imagination, check out these 12 Days of Fundraising ideas to boost the coffers of your favorite shelter or rescue.
“Utopia” is defined as an imagined place in which everything is perfect. So, can you imagine just how idyllic So, can you imagine just how idyllic Utopia would be if it included cats?
Meet Jason Gluck, the man who created such a reality in Catopia, a gorgeous, imaginative, magical (no apology for the string of adjec- tives), state-of-the art feline adoption center in Jupiter, Florida. The cats who live here (albeit temporarily) have no idea that they are homeless.
There are excellent, lifesaving, state-of-the-art veterinary services availablefor cats that really make a difference in your feline’s well-being and even save her life. But it can be very expensive, even if you have pet insurance. Thankfully, there are some wonderful pet funds, designated pet crowd-sourcing financial platforms and veterinary payment plans available to help pet parents so that no feline family member needs to be deprived of necessary medical treatment.
A SAFE PLACE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR PETS
It’s a sad reality that any member of a household can become a victim of domestic violence, even the family cat. And, because abusers are well aware of the bond between their victims and their furkids, they often exploit that bond to control, and punish their victims. And even kill.
THE PURRS & CONS OF ONLINE SHOPPING
It may be a cats world and we just live in it. But when it comes to bricks and mortar stores, there is a noticeably stronger focus on that other species. You know, the one that claims to be man’s best friend — the dog. Perhaps its because dog are indiscriminately eager to please and thus make great customers becasue they will eat and play with just about anything. And further, because dogs are more likely to go shopping with their pet parents, there’s no question that pet stores, particularly the smaller boutiques, are more dog centric with regard to the merchandise they stock. Consequently, when it comes to cats, the selection of food and treats, toys, leashes, carriers, litter boxes and other accessories such as scratchers and condos is smaller and sometimes, even non-existent in smaller specialty stores.
As a result of great nutrition, grooming, lifestyle products that mimic human lifestyle trends and state-of-the-art veterinary care, our cats are living well into their teens, and not uncommonly into their twenties.By addressing key issues at every life stage, from kitten hood through the golden years, goes a long way in improving their overall general health and wellbeing. It ensures that they are not only furry and fabulous, but also mentally alert and physically fit throughout their lives.
DRINK IN AMERICA’S TOP CAT CAFES
Kitties, coffee and feline-themed fun — the internet is no longer the only meet-up in two for cat lovers.
Find out who put the “kitty” in the city with our top picks.
If you are an ailurophile like me, chances are the when you travel you’re always on the hunt for cat-centric merchandise to take home for yourself or as gifts for your kitty-loving friends. I’ve put together a shopping guide for some fun feline souvenirs you can’t leave without.
There’s no shortage of fabulous cat shows to attend across America and around the world. Th advantage of working a cat show into your travel schedule is that tickets are always sold at the door, so you don’t have to book in advance in case your plans change.
THE CAT LOVERS’ TRAVEL BUCKET LIST
If you’re a cat lover, chances are you love anything and everything feline — from cat-centric clothes and jewelry to fuzzy cat slippers. Your coffee mug probably has a cat on it too. And when you travel, you seek out fun feline places and events around the world. We’ve compiled the ultimate bucket list of fabulous feline attractions — and armchair travelers will appreciate them too.
There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a typical English pub. Lately, British pubs have been in the news not for their handcrafted ales or delicious grub but for their resident cats. So next time you visit Britain and want to enjoy a pint, be sure to seek out a feline-friendly establishment where a cat will greet you at the door, sit on your lap by a log fire or sprawl out on the bar counter eavesdropping on your conversation while soliciting pats and chin scratches. Check out these furry favorites.
For tourists visiting Amsterdam, this canal city conjures up images of tulips, bicycles, locals in clogs, stroop waffels, matjes herring and museums filled with artworks from Dutch masters. But if you are a cat lover, its important to add a visit to the unique floating cat sanctuary called De Poezenboot to your list of Dutch delights.
GET YOUR FUR-FIX AT A CAT CAFE
I believe that the ultimate endorsement that a place is a bona fide tourist attraction is when it’s included in the pages of a reputable travel guide, such as the popular Lonely Planet series.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S FELINE LEGACY – JOCK OF CHARTWELL HOUSE
Sir Winston Churchill was prime minister of the United Kingdom twice. Here’s a lesser-known fact about this truly great man, which, in my opinion, unequivocally endorses the accolade that he was “the greatest Briton of all time”: Sir Winston loved cats.
The colorful past of the quaint New England town of Salem is a rich tapestry interwoven with tales of pirates and maritime explorers and their ubiquitous cats along with famed witches and their feline sidekicks etched into history by the notorious witch trials of the 1600s. Fast forward to the popular TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch that featured a black cat named Salem, and you have a popular tourist destination that continues to celebrate felines, drawing cat centric visitors year round hoping to encounter feline ghosts of the past and take home fun souvenirs that celebrate the city’s continuing cat obsession.
GET YOUR FUR FIX AT THE ERNEST HEMINGWAY HOME AND MUSEUM
If you’re heading to south Florida — to Key West, specifically — and are in need of a fur fix, you’ll be happy to know that the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the one-time residence of the great American novel-ist who was equally famous for his love of polydactyl cats, is open 365 days a year.
GIVE YOUR MEAL A FELINE TWIST AT THESE CAT-THEMED RESTAURANTS
Cat cafes are trending around the world. But what about cat-themed restaurants for cat lovers ? Yes, they exist. Be sure to include these establishments on your itinerary when you visit these destinations.
AMSTERDAM: A BOAT FULL OF KITTIES
For tourists visiting Amsterdam, this canal city conjures up images of tulips, bicycles, locals in clogs, stroopwaffels, matjes herring, and museums filled with artworks from Dutch masters. But if you’re a cat lover, don’t forget to add a visit to the unique floating cat sanctuary called De Poezenboot to your list of Dutch delights.