Black cats are truly beautiful creatures

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

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EMC Lifestyle - This week's pets: Touching on the attributes of one of our black kittens, Panther, in last week's column has inspired us to further extol the virtues of these sleek, shiny, often glamorous and frequently vociferous, beautiful black creatures.

Mowgli is one black kitten fortunate to find himself at LAWS, where our no-kill policy ensures that he will not become an unfortunate statistic, but will remain here until we find him the perfect home. Mowgli, and his siblings Moritzio and Mindy, are energetic six month-old kittens who are brimming with character. They bound around with reckless abandon and sheer joyfulness: watching them play is a delight. The males in this litter are husky and big-boned, so will likely grow to be fairly large cats.

From humble beginnings in a box on Poonamalie Road, six month-old Petra and her brother Pippin have grown into fine examples of the typical black cat. They both have slightly more delicate features than Mowgli and his cohorts, but their zest for fun and adventure is the same. Petra, the only female of the bunch, is quite a beauty. She has a demure quality which sets her apart from the boys, and her black fur glistens in the sunlight from the windows that she loves to sit by.

Pippin has the added feature of being a polydactyl - he has extra toes. He is clever and inquisitive, and seems to want to know how things work and what "his staff" is doing all day long, so he keeps us on our toes making sure he doesn't get into mischief, but we don't mind. He is wonderful company and an excellent conversationalist. All of the above featured kittens have already been spayed and neutered, vaccinated and dewormed, and are ready to form life-long bonds with their new families.

Texas and his brother Troy are the youngest of this week's critters at only four months old, so they have not yet been neutered. LAWS provides a voucher toward spay or neuter surgery for any animal that has not been surgically altered prior to adoption. These two industrious little rascals love to be cuddled, but first there must be a game of chase! Black cats are often the clowns of cat-dom, and it holds true for these boys.

Troy is a busy kitten and is still growing into his personality. Maturity will bring out his good natured, calm, friendly temperament, and a permanent home will nurture a sense of stability that he craves. All of these kittens arrived at LAWS last summer, and before next season brings its annual influx of kittens, we dearly want these babies to find their forever homes, so that they don't continue to grow up within the confines of a shelter.

The black coat was probably the first colour mutation of the wild tabby-patterned cats that were the ancestors of today's domestic cats. Whether due to superstition or simply because black cats are hard to see inside animal shelter cages, black cats are the least likely to be adopted, resulting in huge numbers of black cats being euthanized in America each year. Despite this, black cats continue to thrive and studies suggest that it is due not only to being better camouflaged hunters but that they may be genetically less susceptible to diseasegiving them an advantage in high density cat populations found in cat colonies and shelters.

Maybe because they are so closely linked to their wild ancestors, black cats can be unpredictable: be headstrong and affectionate at the same time, independent yet loyal. But they also thrive on companionship, both human and that of other animals. They are friendly, outgoing creatures who are highly adaptable and get along well in group living situations.

Featured dogs:

Mac is a beautiful one year-old male Brindle Scottish Terrier who weighs 25 lbs. He was previously owned but because of unfortunate life circumstances, he was surrendered to us in January. He is trying to make sense of his situation but it is confusing for him right now. Mac is an easy-going guy who loves the companionship of people and other dogs. He exhibits many companion animal qualities such as friendliness and loyalty. He is very tolerant to touch and he enjoys a good cuddle. He is alert and aware of his surroundings as a true terrier should be! He loves to be scratched in a special spot in the middle of his back, which sends his whole body wiggling and his back leg twitching with pleasure!

Do you know this dog?

Ava is a strikingly beautiful 2-3 year old female Brindle (Fawn/Sable with Black hues) Bullmastiff who weighs 81 lbs. She has lovely amber eyes, black ears and she has a black strip down the length of her back which ends at the tip of her tail. She is presently in foster care and is not available for adoption at this time. She came to us as a very frightened dog. Ava demonstrates lovely basic skills: she responds to "Sit, Down, Paw, Other Paw" and her recall "Come" is very reliable. We think that someone has given her a kind beginning and that, in the past, she has been part of a caring home and that perhaps she has lost her way... Somewhere, somehow, things seemed to have gotten rough for Ava.

When trust has been established she is loyal, sociable and very friendly. She is very intelligent and sensitive. Can you help us find this deserving girl's home? (Please note that proof of ownership will need to be provided to claim this dog (Photo, Video, Dog Tag License Proof of Purchase, Vaccination Certificate, etc...). Thank you for your help and cooperation!

Re-Homed!

We are very pleased to report that Bluto, Dancer, Perseus, Kaiser, Ross, Juniper, Jake, Decker and Lance have all been re-homed! As always, we are very appreciative towards the special people who chose to give these dogs a second chance at life. We are equally thankful that these dogs have found loving people to share their lives with. Thank you!

LAWS... Who are we really?

The Lanark Animal Welfare Society is first and foremost a No-Kill Shelter. We aim to prevent cruelty to animals, to promote animal welfare, to provide all health and basic needs for animals in our care, to practice proper animal behaviour and handling techniques and to pair animals with the right people. How does that make us any different from many and perhaps, all other shelters? Please allow us to tell you about...

... Gertie, the hunting dog that was found on the side of the road with an unrecognizable mangled leg. In many shelters she would have been euthanized. At LAWS, we treated her and had her leg amputated and now she is doing extremely well.

Winky, the little kitten that developed a very severe eye ulcer condition and Lucky, the cat that had been shot in the eye with a pellet gun who both necessitated an Eye Enucleation (Removal of the eye ball and suturing of the eyelids). In many shelters, they would have been euthanized. At LAWS, we proceeded with the treatment. They have since been re-homed and they now lead wonderful lives.

Dakota, the dog that came to us in excruciating pain, with such an advanced and severe case of sarcoptic mange, she could barely open her eyes, had open, infected, swollen sores all over and practically no hair left on her body. She also presented, as we discovered later, with Mammary Cancer... Many, if not all, other shelters would have euthanized her. At LAWS, because we saw her phenomenal resilience, we chose to treat her for all of her ailments and conditions and she is now in a loving home, living her life to the fullest and with renewed dignity.

Luke, the dog who was rescued from a certain, slow agony, because of a Thyroid and Severe Mange condition. We feared that he would not survive... In many shelters, he would have been euthanized. At LAWS, we patiently treated his condition for months and he now lives with a wonderful lady who gives him all the love and care that he so deserves. Captain (aka Twinkle Toes now) the dog that was abandoned at the shelter overnight and found by staff the next morning, dragging his useless hind leg, so much so that his toes were all raw and infected... Many shelters would have euthanized him. At LAWS, we had his infected leg amputated and he now lives in a family of canine and feline friends with a wonderful lady.

Gladys, the female cat who had a litter of kittens, way before her time, and who now has Mammary Cancer. She will soon get surgery to prolong her life and will then be placed in a nurturing home to recover and to live out her last years surrounded with love.

Mufassa, the cat who would have been deemed non-adoptable and who would have been euthanized in many other shelters because of a tumor that was making his head tilt to the side and which considerably shortened his life expectancy. At LAWS, we were very fortunate to find a loving home for Muffassa to live out the last year of his life in a caring home.

Moriarty, the much older dog who needed to have both hind legs sutured after being attacked by another dog. In many, if not all other shelters, he would have been euthanized. At LAWS, he was treated for his injuries and successfully re-homed.

Shayenne, the one-and-a-half year-old dog who presents with "hip dysplasia" symptoms, who will possibly require a hip replacement within the next year... In many shelters, if not all, she would be euthanized. At LAWS, we have found a great foster home for her where she will be getting treatments to alleviate her pain. If or when she requires hip surgery, we will do a fundraiser to cover the cost of her surgery.

The many dogs that come to us after being mishandled and/or abandoned by humans, full of emotional scars, that are often interpreted as being "aggressive dogs". Many of these dogs are ignored and deemed unadoptable and are not given a chance to show who they really are. In many shelters, if not all, they are simply euthanized... At LAWS, we provide the dogs with the necessary Behaviour Management Programs to change their emotional state and help them to become adoptable pets.

The many other cats and dogs, old and sick likewise, who have been treated for many conditions and ailments, diabetes, dental surgery, intestinal parasites, heart conditions, separation anxiety, limited mobility, all of those who would have been deemed unadoptable by many other

shelters...

At LAWS, we have many beautiful success stories about these "Unadoptable Animals".

All of these animals were cared for at LAWS, all were given a chance, all without exception... At LAWS, we do not give up on the animals that are under our care!

On behalf of all these animals and the staff at LAWS, we thank you for your loyalty, for your generosity and for your precious help. It is much appreciated.

Pet portraits for LAWS

This Saturday, Feb. 11, at Pictureitstudio in Carleton Place, get your pet's portrait taken, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Human guardians are also welcome, as well as props for the poses. The cost is $29 for three poses or six poses for $69. Those wanting their precious pooches and felines photographed must have an appointment booked though. To book now, contact Liz or Cathy Taylor at 613-257-8019 or Lizataylor1@msn.com.

The studio is located at 154 Beckwith Street in Carleton Place and the website is Pictureitstudio.ca.

Remember if you have lost a cat or dog and you live in Lanark County, please check the LAWS website, or call the shelter. LAWS now serves all of the county and your lost pet may be at the shelter. Contact information is below.

Lanark Animal Welfare Society is located on Glenview Road, just off Highway 43, about 2 kms west of Smiths Falls. The shelter is open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Write to us at P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4T1 or contact us at 613-283-9308, or email at shelter@lanarkanimals.ca. Visit our website at www.lanarkanimals.ca. Please also check out www.AdoptADog.TV featuring some of our canines up for adoption.




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