Happy Wednesday Furiends!
FINALLY the weather is warming up and the garden is starting to green up. The Female Human decided that Oliver, Lily and I should be able to take a stroll in the garden and that’s what happened. All three of us got to take a stroll. But it didn’t quite end the way The Female Human (or we) expected,

This was me before a very loud metal machine came by our yard and completely freaked me out. I tried to get out of the halter, twisted myself into a furry version of a pretzel and hissed and spit. The Female Human swooped me up (to the detriment of the skin on her arms) and got me inside.

As Oliver is the most mellow one in the Tribe, The Female Human figured that she could take him outside without any drama. As you may have observed by the facial expression, placement of the ears and his insistence on staying by the door, this outside experience was not welcome. I had already gone back inside and told him of the terrors that awaited him so he was having none of it.

Lily was next. As she had darted out the door twice during the “cats in the garden” exercise, The Female Human knew she was ready for an outdoor adventure. All was fine for a few minutes until Lily tried to do a Harry Houdini escape from the halter. Oliver and I watched the Kabuki theater from the window. The Human grabbed and grasped at Lily so she wouldn’t get away once she’d freed herself from the restrictions of the halter. Lily (also known as Princess Stabby Toes”) left her mark all over the Human’s arms. Lily was safely returned into the house. This also explains the lack of feline photos actually IN the garden MOL!

The Female human poured herself a glass of wine and went out to enjoy the tranquility of the front porch sans felines.

Enough about us, let’s get to this Wednesday’s web wonders.

Why the pet industry hopes Americans will start treating their cats more like dogs

Well evidently barkies have been getting the lion’s share of pet stores and manufactures attention because cat owners are cheap. Last year spending per dog was $1381.00 per pet and per cat was $908.00. Fortunately, the retail world is hoping to get cat owners to spend more money on us fabulous felines and there is some good news on the horizon.

:An AlixPartners analysis of APPA’s data found that expenditures on vitamins, treats, toys, and grooming aids are all seeing significant growth among cat owners. But you human cat folks have to open your wallets a little wider. At the moment feline expenditures account for only about 7% of the $7 billion spent annually on pet treats. Cat treat makers are looking to make that percentage rise.

Now, because The Female Human was too cheap to buy a subscription to Forbes, I didn’t get to finish reading this one but I did have her find some more information on the pet industry for those of you who are interested.

I can tell you that The Tribe is tired of The Female Human buying our halters and life jackets and such in the dog section. It’s time for manufacturers to step up and for our humans to starty spending!

A New York start-up that offers online vet visits for dogs and cats is suddenly thriving in the coronavirus lockdown

Bond Vet opened its first veterinary care facility in Brooklyn less than a year ago. Someday, it planned to ramp up a remote health offering to save pet owners time and money.

That schedule changed dramatically in March, after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state’s stay-at-home order in response to the rapidly spreading coronavirus. Bond Vet quickly set up a system using Google’s video technology to book 20-minute video consultations for $50, limiting clinic visits to emergencies and urgent care.

Bond vet says these video consultations are now increasing over 200% a month and that about half are resolved with the prescription of food or medicine.

Shane Kelly is the CEO of Destination Pet, a nationwide network of pet care services and he has a different take on video visits. He compares veterinarians to pediatricians, who rely heavily on in-person consultations.

“The patient can’t communicate, can’t speak, which puts certain limitations on primary care with telehealth,” said Kelly. Still, he says that the current pandemic is highlighting the importance of remote health and that “telehealth is definitely a growing part of the business all the way around.”

The Female Human says that if a video vet visit would be reasonable enough that more people would call the vet that would be a good thing. She also believes though, that having the vet be able to touch and observe us first-hand is the best health check-up and many times, the issues we’ve had have been diagnosed through blood work and scans. What do you all think about this?

Findlay Toyota offers ‘Certified Pre-Owned Cat Adoptions’ in partnership with SPCA

Ah, I love it when you humans get creative about finding felines forever homes.  The Nevada SPCA is hosting a virtual fee-waived cat adoption promotion beginning Monday, May 18 through Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Community sponsor Findlay Toyota will be covering the adoption fees on all “certified pre-owned cats” adult cats aged 6 months and older, so that they may find loving new homes.

Potential adopters can visit the website at nevadaspca.org to view available cats. An email can be sent to info@nevadaspca.org with the name of the cat along with contact information.

All adult “certified pre-owned, fuel-efficient” cats 6 months and older will have their adoption fees waived during this time. All cats will come spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Once an adoption is finalized and a pick-up time appointment is scheduled, new adopters can come and pick up their new pet curbside.

This idea is working during the lockdown so maybe our local shelter wants to give it a try.

CHarmony cat dating program to help homeless felines

And here’s yet another clever idea to get kitties adopted during the lockdown. Carol’s Ferals, in Grand Rapid Michigan are using a dating model for their felines needing a home. Each cat has a purrsonality profile on “CHarmony” designed to bring cats together with a human that is their best match.

Since the humans can’t visit the cats yet they will “meet” them during a virtual adoption counseling session.

Bravo humans and keep up the creative work to help homeless kitties.

Traits All Cat Lovers Have In Common That Are Helping Us Through Isolation

During these days when many of you humans are stuck in your homes you may feel lonely and what better companion to have with you but a cat? Still, I get it, you might be missing other humans as well so, until you can, once again, hang out with your human furiends take solace in the fact that there are many cat lovers out there who share much in common with you. Shona Hendley, who wrote about these 8 traits hits the nail on the head. I took her categories and “felined” them up with my own comments.

1. You love cats more than people : Of course you do,  cats are far more loyal, loving, wise, entertaining, respectful and caring than humans.

2. You’re attracted to other cat lovers: Our Female Human would love to spend time with a cat lover much more than someone who is indifferent to felines or who, (gasp) dislikes cats.

3. You’re obsessed with social media cats and cat videos: Well DUH, you’re reading a blog written by a cat aren’t you?

4. Your cat is not your pet. Your cat is your furry child: Of course we are. A true cal lover never allows the words, “It’s just a cat” to pass their lips!

5. You talk about your cat a lot: That depends on our definition of “a lot”.

6. You include your cat in most social media posts: Who wouldn’t want to feature their delightful, adorable feline companions in most (if not all) of their social media posts?

7. You love all things “cat”: If you ever meet The Female Human in purrson, you would know this is true, cat sweaters, purses, scarves, coffee mugs and the list goes on. Come to think of it, it’s time for a bit of a clean out at home.

8. You are smart! Of course you are, you love the superior species!