Catnip Nation, Award Winning Documentary, Now Available on DVD

In May of 2017, I introduced Catnip Nation to my readers. As I waited (not so) patiently for the film, Director and Producer Tina Traster contributed thought-provoking and heartfelt articles for my blog. (The Catnip Nation series won a Certificate of Excellence in the Cat Writers' Association Communications Contest last year.) When the time finally came to see the film I was SO excited, and it did not disappoint. Catnip Nation is now an award-winning film, and it is also available on DVD. 

5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Cat Bed

Hello, and Happy Tuesday! Today we're very happy to have a guest post from our friends at CatVills.com. You know, a lot of thought needs to go into finding just the purrfect bed for your cat. CatVills tells us about 5 humans should consider when they're choosing the perfect bed for their purrfect feline friend. Does your cat have a favorite bed? Tell us in the comments! 

Lola

Catnip Nation's August Report - Settlement Reached Over Jones Beach Ferals

In June I brought you the seventh installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation.  This month Tina brings us news about the settlement that was reached between New York State and the American Bird Conversancy over the feral cat colonies at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Tina first told us about the plight of the colony in this post from last year. 

I was hoping for better news for the Jones Beach ferals. In the eight years that I've been on social media (four of them blogging), I've never been publicly judgmental, attempting to keep Lola and Lexy's world a positive one. But I wonder how an agency can state worry over the existence and safety of one species with total disregard for the possible demise of another. All living beings are equally important in my book. But it doesn't seem that the American Bird Conservancy shares my view.

This is why TNR ordinances are necessary in every town of this country. Feral cats need to be protected. TNR ordinances work! You can read about a success story here. I thank Tina and her peers for working tirelessly on this issue and bringing important information to light. 

Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Tell us about them in the comments below. 
Dawn

Catnip Nation's June Report - What's Happening With the Cats at Google?

In March I brought you the sixth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tackles a New York Times article that is emotional for cat rescuers, advocates and lovers. Google's employee run group GCat Rescue, which does wonderful things for feral cats, has been getting pushback from an environmental group. The link to the story is here. Read Tina's response below and tell us your thoughts in the comments. This may strike up differing opinions amongst our readers, but if a colony of cats could be in danger we need to let the world know. 

Catnip Nation's March Report - What Happened to the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats?

In January I brought you the fifth installment in a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina brings us the exciting news that Catnip Nation will be at the Catsbury Park Cat Convention in just a few weeks! Tina and the Catnip Nation folks will be discussing the dismantling the TNR program for the Seaside Heights Boardwalk Cats and the uncertain fate 60 cats faced. In their presentation they will discuss how things worked out for the  cats, and the universal issue of protecting colony cats and their caretakers. I can't wait to see the Catnip Nation crew again and attend their session, which I'll definitely be reporting back on. Are you going to the Catsbury Park Cat Convention? Let me know in the comments below. 

Catnip Nation's January Report - Fighting For TNR Ordinances In Rockland County, NY

In October I brought you the fourth installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina discusses the importance of TNR ordinances to address the feral cat issue. I could not agree more! This summer I toured Alley Cat Allies' Atlantic City Boardwalk Cat Project, which is proof that TNR works!  One of my goals for my blog this year is to write more about TNR to educate the public on this very important topic.Tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you, Tina, for being a voice for feral cats, not only in Rockland County (my home town), but everywhere. It makes me proud and elated that the Village of Haverstraw, where I grew up, passed Rockland County’s first feral cat ordinance to support Trap Neuter Return (TNR). My niece went to high school with the mayor, Michael Kohut, and I went to school with his brother. (The Village of Haverstraw is small... everyone knows everyone else!) My dream is for this type of ordinance to be passed nationwide. Let's all help Tina and Catnip Nation spread the word by sharing this post. Are there TNR ordinances in your area? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Kitty Karma Books Helps Cats In Need

Today I am so pleased to bring to you a guest post by Wai-Lin Terry, Founder & Publisher of Kitty Karma Books. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you already know that rescue is a topic near and dear to my heart because the stars of this blog, Lola and Lexy, are two rescued cats who changed my life. When Wai-Lin contacted me about her book I was more than happy to spread the word. The first phase of her Indiegogo Campaign ends  on 10/31/17, but you still have time to check out her pawtastic perks. 

I, for one, cannot wait to read this book. As an author and a cat advociate, I wish Wai-Lin much success with her project. 
Dawn

Kitty Karma Books Aims to Fund Shelters for Abandoned, Unwanted Cats in Need

“They say cats choose us, we don’t choose them. I believe that cats, with their nine lives and their super-fine senses, are able to see things beyond this world and are more wired to divine will than we humans are. We can ignore a cat’s blessing and beckoning, but at our peril.

I learned these lessons from adopting one special calico cat. I thought I rescued this little feline, but in the end, it was she who rescued me.”


That’s how the closing chapter of Kitty Karma: Big Stories of the Small Cats Who Change Our Lives begins. (More about the book in a moment.) It’s my account of the calico beauty who adopted me. Kealani taught me much during the years she graced my life. Her lessons included a tour through the depths of despair, after she suffered a heart attack and died right in front of me. 

Catnip Nation's October Report: What Happens to Cats After a Natural Disaster?

In August I brought you the third installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina gets us thinking about what happens to cats after a natural disaster. Do cats get left behind? Do dogs and livestock get more attention? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Dawn

Where Are The Community Cats After A Natural Disaster?
We’ll never forget the images of Texans rescuing their cows from flooded fields in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey last month. Today, as I scroll on my Facebook page, my heart stops when I see the picture of a man carrying a dog on his shoulder, trying to escape the ravages of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The man was also trying to save his horse.

Catnip Nation's August Report: A Long Island Feral Colony is in Danger

In June I brought you the second installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a feral colony at a town dump that is in jeopardy. I'm hoping all parties involved can come to terms for the sake of the cats. How nice would it be for all cats to live safe and happy lives? I hope this feral colony is safe and is being taken care of.

Dawn

Animal Massage as an Alternative Therapy for Your Pet

You may know that one of the many hats I wear is as a Licensed Massage Therapist. When I started massage school I was looking forward to learning animal massage, but much to my disappointment I soon learned that the massage laws in New York state that a Licensed Massage Therapist cannot massage animals. Well, there went my new career path! 

In the course of participating in the BlogPaws Community Boosts, I met Heather Wallace of Bridle and Bone Wellness and I was intrigued when I read that in New Jersey she is legally able to perform massage on animals. We missed each other at BlogPaws so I wasn't able to chat with her about her business, but I'm happy that Heather agreed to write a guest post for my blog about her experiences that I think you'll enjoy. You can learn more about what Heather does and her business by visiting her on her website, Facebook and Twitter. As Heather mentions, please be aware of the laws in your state regarding animal massage. 

Dawn
Did you know that there are massage therapists for animals? It’s true! Trust me, because I am one. I swear. My job is to massage horses and dogs. Best. Job. Ever. My name is Heather Wallace and I am the co-owner of Bridle & Bone Wellness LLC based in beautiful New Jersey. While my day job is awesome, it is not a very well-known career and I’d love to tell you more about it. Luckily, my friend Lola the Rescued Cat has a furmom that is very interested in massage therapy.

Catnip Nation's June Report: The Plight of a Jones Beach Feral Colony

Last month I brought you the first installment of a series of posts by Tina Traster, Producer and Director of the documentary film Catnip Nation. This month Tina tells us about a lawsuit that could have a devastating long term effect on feral cat colonies. Thankfully, Alley Cat Allies is involved in the case and hopefully it will have a positive outcome. It saddens me that this is happening so close to my home. Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below and let's get this conversation started. I'm also asking you to please share this post on social media to bring attention to what's happening on Jones Beach. 

There are still a few days left to help out Catnip Nation on their Seed and Spark campaign. Let's help them spread the word about the importance of advocating for feral cats. And don't forget to come back in July to read Tina's next update. 
Dawn

Cats Versus The Birds on Jones Beach

Hello all, from the Catnip Nation team. You may remember reading about our documentary project a month ago on this blog. We’re planning on keeping you updated on a monthly basis on our project, and to give you an inside peek into the stories we are following.

Catnip Nation is a documentary that tells the stories of a handful of unsung and unseen heroes who care for ferals, and the adversity they come up against.  Ultimately, we will use the film to advocate for laws for TNR, and to stimulate a national conversation so people who do this incredible work can come out from the shadows.

Catnip Nation - A Documentary About Feral Cats and the People Who Take Care of Them

Cat Camp NYC, which took place this past March in Manhattan, turned out to be a very educational experience for me.  I was able to speak to people from all walks of the cat community, learning about their missions, values, and work. One of the people I had the pleasure of meeting was Tina Traster, the Producer and Director of the documentary film, Catnip Nation. 

When I was looking at the promotional materials for the film, I noticed they are located in Rockland County, NY where I was born and raised. This piqued my interest and made me very happy because many people don’t even know that Rockland County is on the map! I was so pleased to hear that a spotlight is being shone on the wonderful people whose tireless efforts improve the lives of homeless cats in my hometown. 

The film’s trailer brings me to tears. 

Critical Supplements for your Aging Pet - A Guest Post

Hello and Happy Friday! We here at Lola The Rescued Cat like to bring you as much information as possible that can be helpful for you to keep your pets healthy. Today we have a guest post from the folks at CAMFormulas about supplements for aging pets. As always, you should check with your vet before giving your pet anything.

How to Know if You're Ready to Adopt a Cat - Guest Post

Hello and Happy Thursday! You all know how much we love to support pet adoption, but pet ownership may not be for everyone. Today we're very happy to have a guest post by Annie Anderson, founder of MeowKai, about the very important things to consider before adopting a new cat into your family. Remember; pet adoption is one of the kindest things you can do, but you need to do it responsibly. 
Lola


Being ‘owned’ by a cat is a rewarding experience and can enrich the life of you and your family. Adopting a cat is a great way to do a good deed for your community animal shelter, and they make excellent companions. Before you rush over to the pet adoption agency, though, you should consider whether or not you’re truly ready for a cat. Here are a few things you’ll need to think about: 

Lifestyle 

What sort of lifestyle do you currently enjoy? Are you away for long periods of time during the day? Do you travel frequently? Or do you work from home and have plenty of time to spend with your cat? While it’s true that cats are much more independent than dogs, they do still require love and attention throughout the day. Some breeds are more independent than others, but that doesn’t mean you can leave them for a long weekend while you go away to the cottage. You won’t be able to simply set up their automatic cat feeder and be on your way. You’ll need to make sure that someone is available to check on your cat when you’re away for a prolonged period of time. If you travel frequently you may want to reconsider adopting a cat. 

Purrfect Together: Celebrate the Bond Between You and Your Kitty This September

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Did you know that September is Happy Healthy Cat Month? There's never been a better time to show your cats some extra love. Recently, the cat lovers at Meow Mix ran the Purrfect Together Survey, which asked cat parents around the country about their special bond with their four-legged friends. Here are some of the meow-nificent results:

83% of cats take naps with their humans

This is surprising—and not because 83% of people love napping with kitty. The bigger question is: Who are the 17% of deprived humans who don't get to experience the joy of napping with their cats? I sleep with Mommy all the time, day and night. I can only imagine how lonely these humans are in the middle of the night!

What it's Like to be a Foster Carer for Cats - A Guest Post From Sopurrfect.com

Hello and Happy Thursday Purrsday! We've really got something to purr about today! Kristian Taylor of SoPurrfect.com is doing a guest post today!  Kristian is a self proclaimed cat lover whose mission is to create the best possible cat experience for his readers by building an online community around cats.  Today he is sharing his views and feelings on what it's like to foster cats. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. You can visit the So Purrfect family at their blog,  on Facebook, Twitter, and you can also follow the So Purrfect cats, Shadow and Frosty on Instagram. (#ShadowAndFrosty). OK, Kristian, take it away! 
Lola

What's It Like To Be a Foster Carer for Cats

Fostering cats can be an experience that is truly rewarding with the knowledge that you are making a difference. This is by offering the hope of life to sad cats that would somehow be euthanized in kill asylums. Seeing those adorable, cherishing eyes that find superb assenting families makes it worth every second. When you foster, you agree to take a destitute cat into your home and give him or her adoration, attention and care, either for a fixed time-frame or until the cat is adopted.

You should expect to commit to between a couple of weeks to a couple of months. However, every condition is a little bit different. Most little cats are ready to be altered and adopted at around 8-9 weeks of age. If you are fostering a mother cat as well, you can hope to add a couple of weeks to permit the mother's milk to go away and for her to recuperate from her spay process. If you are fostering more old little cats, you might just have them a couple of weeks until they are ready to go to the adoption centre.

Morris The Cat is Back With Grooming Tips for Kitties!

Hello and Happy Thursday Purrsday! With spring coming up and after that, the dreaded bathing suit season (eek!), We know everyone's searching for ways to look their best. We’re happy that our readers have a 'paw up' on the competition because we're about to get some style and wellness tips from someone who knows a thing or two about looking awesome... I'm talking, of course, about Morris the Cat. Thanks so much for stopping by, Morris! It’s always a pleasure to have you. 

In case you're not familiar with this illustrious feline (we don’t know how someone couldn’t know who Morris is, but you never know!), Morris is the original celebricat, starring in over 50 9Lives cat food commercials from the 1970s up through today. He's even been called "the Clark Gable of cats," and that's about as debonair as it gets! In his "Dear Morris" column, he'll be answering some readers' burning questions about good grooming, and he's also giving away a human-sized, 9Lives-branded bathrobe, a $300 Spa Finder gift card, and a whole year's supply of 9Lives cat food! Enter at his website: http://prospurr.9lives.com/ (Just think how happy your favorite shelter would be to get that food!)

 OK, Morris, take it away!

Dear Morris,

I love my cat, Baxter, but man, does he shed! Every time I leave the house I'm covered in cat hair. It's getting to the point where we can't even cuddle together without me looking like the sticky side of a lint roller! Unleash your wisdom, Morris... there must be something I can do.

Sincerely,

Hairy Harry

Morris The Cat's Tips for Getting Better Sleep - Part 3 (And a Giveaway!)

Hello and happy Friday! Welcome to the final edition of Morris the Cat's advice column, revealing need-to-know information on how to release your inner cat and get the best night's sleep of your life. (You could also follow our lead on how to get a good snooze.) 

As an iconic spokescat and star of over 50 9Lives cat food commercials from the 1970s onward, Morris has a prolific career envied by many of the Internet cat sensations of today. The secret to his longevity? Well, for one, the fact that he eats 9Lives. But more importantly, he has a disciplined sleep regimen – racking up about 140 hours per week!

Morris The Cat's Tips for Getting Better Sleep - Part 2

Hi friends! Happy Thursday! We’re back with iconic 9Lives cat food spokescat Morris, giving advice to your humans about how to sleep like a pro, and by that I mean, a cat. After all, we do sleep up to 140 hours a week – that's 3.5 times your typical 9-5.

To help your human on their quest to catch more Zzzs, Morris is also giving readers the chance to win a super-cool, human-sized bed in the shape of Morris himself... because who doesn't sleep better when snuggling up with a cat? Just go to his Live Well & Prospurr website to enter and check out his video with more sleeping tips.

Morris The Cat's Tips for Getting Better Sleep - Part 1

Hello and happy Wedesday! Today I’m going to talk to you all about sleep! That’s right, S-L-E-E-P. And nobody knows sleep like a kitty. 

Lexy and I are  always trying to get more of it and make the most out of what little time we do get. 

So Lexy and I were meowing, and we thought, why not ask someone who's truly an expert on the subject to do a guest post; someone who spends more time snoozing than most of us spend at work? Can you guess who we thought of? I'm talking, of course, about Morris the Cat. 

For those of you who don't know him – or who've let sleep deprivation cloud your memory – Morris is the iconic spokescat for 9Lives cat food and has starred in over 50 commercials. When he's not in front of the camera or chowing down on 9Lives, you can bet he's napping in his trailer, ahem carrying case.+=

We’re so excited that Morris taken time out of his busy schedule to answer some human's questions about the very im-purr-tant issue of sleep. What's more, he's offering fans the chance to win a Morris-shaped, human-sized plush bed AND a year's supply of 9Lives cat food. Just go to his Live Well & Prospurr website to enter.