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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2953.0. "Beautiful Cat - free to good home" by MEMV03::MANDALINCI () Tue Oct 17 1989 19:12

    We are moving to London for 18 months and because of their animal
    control policy, the cat would be in a kennal for 6 months before
    he could live with us. We cannot do that to any animal so we are
    looking for a good home for Shadow.            
    
    Shadow is a little over 3 years old, by good estimates. We acquired
    him from a woman who developed a severe allergy to him when she
    got pregnant. He was almost 1 year old then. Shadow is a solid gray combo
    cat of God knows what. There must be some angora in him because
    his hair is somewhat longer and fluffy, although it is not as long
    as an angora. He has a very pretty face. He is neutered with his
    front claws gone; yet he can still manage to catch and toy with
    little critters and I've seen him climb trees with his hind legs.
    I cannot recall his actual weight but everyone thinks he's a big
    cat. I think he looks like all our other cats did. He is not
    overweight. Shadow loves to fetch Q-tips. It's great at parties!!
    He likes to spend time outdoors what the weather suits him. He
    spent most of the summer and most of his days outside now. This
    has caused him to use his litter box minimally. I think he could
    be switched to not using it at all, if you wanted to. He is a
    self-feeder but comes running when he hears a box rattle or when
    I'm giving the dog a bone. He knows he gets his treat then,too.
    We do have a dog as well, and they get along tremendously!!!!
    Shadow loves to snuggle on cold days and at night. Usually he's just
    doing cat things - sleeping in a ball in the sun, looking for Q-tips,
    eating, finding a warm lap, etc. He is pretty
    social because when the kids in the neighborhood are playing, 
    he usually sits and watches them all. He's not a fighter at all. He
    tolerates my 20-month-old son giving him a bear-hug and an occasional
    tug on the tail. He has never hissed or made a pass at him. (whether
    it's fear that he'll get yelled at or a tolerant disposition, I
    don't know). Shadow's shots are all current. He comes with his 
    medical records, his bowls, his brush and his crate. (He's not
    real thrilled about car rides in the crate)
    
    I can be reached at DTN 232-2573 or at home at (508)685-6625 and
    my name is Andrea Mandalinci and we live in Methuen,MA. I will be 
    leaving for London either right before or right after Christmas and 
    New Year's. Shadow will be available any time until then. 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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2953.1CRUISE::NDCNancy Diettrich-Cunniff-I wanted it allWed Oct 18 1989 11:0410
    Last Month's CATS (I think) had an article about a woman who
    took her cats to Hawaii and her experiences with quarantine.
    The bottom line of the story was: Its not that bad. Well worth
    the effort.   The story also gives you alot of info on what to
    expect.  If you'd like I"ll find that article and xerox it for
    you.  Might be worth reading before making a final decision
    about the cat.  It really sounded alot less traumatic for the
    cat than I would have expected.
      Nancy DC
    
2953.2Thanks, Nance, I knew I saw that somewhere!!!PENPAL::TRACHMANExoticSH=Persian in UnderwearWed Oct 18 1989 16:184
    Ah, Nancy, I was wondering where I had ready that!!!!! Thanks, yes,
    it was a very good article.  lots of pros and cons of doing it.
    
    
2953.3Get more information before deciding to quarantineWR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityFri Oct 20 1989 15:4615
    Nancy,
    
    I have personal experience with the Hawaii quarantine station. 
    I totally disagree with the article that was printed in Cats magazine!
    The quarantine station is not safe, the death rate of animals that
    are quarantined is very high, and the methods of disinfecting and
    cleaning are totally inadequate.  
    
    Sheri Moreau, a close friend, fellow breeder of Birmans, and my
    mentor, is a chairwoman for the organization Citizens for Better
    Quarantine.  She is working extensively with the government to correct
    the problems that the Hawaii quarantine has.  If anyone would like
    more information, I will be happy to put you in touch with Sheri.
    
    Jo
2953.4CRUISE::NDCNancy Diettrich-Cunniff-I wanted it allFri Oct 20 1989 17:213
    re: .3  Now that's a shocker, Jo!  How can CATS run such an article
    in good conscience!  Thanks for correcting my information.
      Nancy
2953.5More informationWR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityFri Oct 20 1989 18:2338
    Cats magazine probably has never been to the quarantine station.
    They can't be faulted for printing the article.  I am sure that
    there are many people who have put their cats through quarantine
    and are satisfied.  When reading the article, I got the feeling
    that the woman who wrote it was not the type of cat owner that we
    in Feline are.  She did love her cats very much, but she seemed
    to not be as aware of health considerations, etc.
    
    One of the main problems that I have with the quarantine station
    is the type of cleaning they do.  They do not use a standard feline
    disinfectant like we do.  They use water.  The kennels are chain
    link and are right up against each other.  When they clean, they
    just start hosing from one cage to another.  Since they use water,
    any organisms, bacteria, etc, is washed from one cage to the next.
    Also, the cats are expected to get themselves out of the way before
    the water reaches them.  The stress for the cats is very great.
    Also, Hawaii has high winds, especially in the area of the quarantine
    station.  The red clay type dirt is blown all around, and in the
    station.  Many dogs and cats suffer eye problems because of this.
    
    Another problem, they do not isolate Felv positive cats from Felv
    negative cats.  Since the cages are close, the cats can make contact
    with each other.  And, with the lack of disinfectant, it is possible
    that the virus can be transmitted between cages.  Most vets will
    agree that the virus can live in a moist environment.
    
    These bits of information were given to me by Sheri, who asked me
    to adopt her cats rather than have her take them with her.  She
    spends many hours at the station every week, passing out information
    to the people who visit, and getting signatures on a petition to
    change the quarantine laws in Hawaii.  
    
    The quarantine station in Hawaii is run by the government, and has
    no competitors.  I think that if the quarantine was run by private
    industry, the conditions would be better.  The quarantine kennels
    in the UK are run by private industry, I believe.
    
    Jo
2953.6UKCSSE::LMCDONALDMon Oct 23 1989 11:5133
    
>    The quarantine kennels
>    in the UK are run by private industry, I believe.
    
    
    This is correct.  Although some quarantine kennels are better than
    others, they must all meet certain basic standards before being allowed
    a licence as a quarantine kennel.  They are extremely fussy about
    cleanliness and always remind you (well they did us) not to pet the
    other cats thru the wire (this is VERY tempting).  The kennels must be 
    paw proof which means that it has to be impossible for one cat to touch 
    another.  You aren't even allowed to pick up the cat at the airport.  
    The kennel must receive the animal and transport it to the quarantine area.
    There are no rabies in Britain and animals are not vaccinated for it
    (except the ones who go through quarantine) so one loose animal with
    rabies could do a lot of damage.
    
    When our cat was in the kennel he gradually became more unhappy.  There
    is no run large enough for him to have had the space he had been used
    to.  I think he would have done better if he had had a friend.  At the 
    time he was an only-cat.  When he finally came out, he was his old self 
    in about a month. (He's siamese and it took a while before I was
    forgiven!)
    
    If you are only planning to stay in the UK for 18 months, I don't
    reckon the trauma, not to mention the expense (about $600) is worth 
    it.  If it were me, I think I would try to find a foster home with
    someone.  That way, you save the cat two very long airplane rides, 
    the  anxiety of quarantine and $600!  Then you have your cat back when
    the temporary relocation is over.
    
    					LaDonna
    
2953.7Time is closing in on ShadowMEMV03::MANDALINCIWed Nov 01 1989 13:364
    Well, folks Shadow is still available. We're really getting nervous
    that he's going to do a 2 week vacation at the SPCA before he's
    sent to the great litter box in the sky. He'll make a great pet
    for someone for Christmas!!!!!
2953.8CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Wed Nov 01 1989 18:1416
    Please try some no kill shelters before you take him to the SPCA.
    If they can't place him they'll put him to sleep.  A no-kill shelter
    will keep them until they find a home for him.  The trick with them
    is finding the room in one. 
    
    Try JUST CATS in Mansfield, Ma
    KITTY ANGELS in Tyngsboro
    FRAMINGHAM HUMANE
    BOSLER HUMANE in Barre Ma
    
    I suggest you steer clear of Sterling Animal shelter - I have been
    warned off that place.
    
    Good luck.
      Nancy DC
    
2953.9CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Wed Nov 01 1989 18:141
     Oh - and ADOPT-A-CAT in Concord Mass
2953.10CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Wed Nov 01 1989 18:151
    AND.... THE GREATER DERRY HUMANE SOCIETY in Derry NH
2953.11No SPCA for ShadowMEMV03::MANDALINCIThu Nov 02 1989 14:293
 	Thanks for the tips on the shelters. Shadow will not go
    to the SPCA!!!!