The Abby Cat Daddy

Feline Advocate Society

Tag: animal welfare

  • Keeping Lost Companion Animals Safe: A Guide from Abby Cat Daddy the Feline Advocate Society

    At Abby Cat Daddy, the Feline Advocate Society, we understand how distressing it can be when a companion animal goes missing. The worry and confusion can be overwhelming, but taking swift action can greatly increase the chances of a safe return. While we don’t conduct active searches for lost companion animals, we are committed to supporting our community by sharing posts on our page to help reunite lost animals with their families. Here’s a guide on what to do if your companion animal goes missing and how we can help you spread the word.

    What to Do When Your Companion Animal Goes Missing

    The first few hours are critical in locating a lost companion animal. Here’s what you can do immediately:

    1. Search Your Home and Neighborhood Thoroughly
      It’s important to check your home and surrounding area carefully, as companion animals can sometimes hide in unexpected places. For cats, in particular, small spaces like garages, sheds, or under porches are common hiding spots.
    2. Notify Local Animal Shelters and Rescues
      Contact local shelters, animal control, and vets in your area. Many organizations, including the ones in the Lower Mainland, have lost and found services where you can report your companion animal as missing and check their intake records for updates.
      BCSPCA Lost & Found Pet Search
    3. Post on Social Media and Community Pages
      Social media can be a powerful tool when trying to locate a lost companion animal. We encourage you to share details about your missing animal on community groups, Facebook, and Instagram. Include a clear photo, a description, and the last known location. Abby Cat Daddy will help amplify your search by sharing your post to our own page, helping to increase visibility.
      Missing Pets Fraser Valley
      Chilliwack Missing Pets
      Missing Pets and Sightings Fraser Valley
    4. Put Up Flyers
      Traditional flyers are still a very effective method of spreading the word. Post them around your neighborhood, at local parks, and on community bulletin boards. Include a good photo, your contact info, and any distinguishing features of your companion animal. If you have opted in for pet-insurance many policies actually provide a monetary reward you can offer for finding your companion animal/pet.
    5. Check with Animal Control and Local Vets
      Many lost companion animals are brought to animal control or local veterinary offices. Keep checking in with these places, and be sure your animal is on their radar.
    6. You can also reach out to search organizations and volunteer groups
      Pet Searchers Canada
      Halo’s Pet Rescue

    Tips for Preventing Future Escapes

    Once your companion animal is home, consider taking these steps to prevent future escapes:

    • Microchip Your Companion Animal: A microchip offers permanent identification that can help reunite you with your companion animal if they go missing.
    • Keep Your Cat Indoors: Indoor companion animals are far less likely to get lost or injured. If your cat is used to outdoor exploration, consider a secure outdoor enclosure or leash walking.
    • Ensure Your Home Is Secure: For those with outdoor companion animals, make sure your home is properly secured—check fences, doors, and windows regularly to avoid any escape routes.
    • Spay and Neuter Your Companion Animal: Many times especially with cats, the reason they escape in the first place is due to their reproductive hormones. They’re off looking for a mate, so if they do escape while intact its important to spay/neuter them right away to prevent any accidental litters, preventing it from happening again and you can get ID. We offer a lower cost spay and neuter program that can be access here.

    Abby Cat Daddy’s Role in Helping Reunite Lost Companion Animals

    While Abby Cat Daddy does not actively search for lost animals, we are always ready to help by sharing posts to our page to help amplify the search. When you share your post with us, we’ll do our part in spreading the word to a broader audience, increasing the chances that your companion animal will be found and safely returned home.

    If you’re in the local area and need help spreading the word about your missing cat, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to support you through the process and ensure your companion animal gets as much visibility as possible.

    Conclusion: Don’t Give Up Hope

    Losing a companion animal is a heart-wrenching experience, but it’s important to stay proactive and hopeful. By following these steps and getting the word out through social media and local networks, you improve your chances of being reunited with your furry friend. Abby Cat Daddy is here to help amplify your efforts by sharing your post on our page and getting it in front of as many eyes as possible.

    Stay connected with us for more resources, tips, and ways to help keep your companion animals safe.

  • The Sad Truth About Kitten Season: Why Awareness Matters

    The Sad Truth About Kitten Season: Why Awareness Matters

    Kitten season, typically spanning from early spring through late fall, is often perceived as a delightful time when cute, cuddly kittens fill shelters and pet stores, eagerly awaiting adoption. However, this influx is not just an adorable phenomenon; it represents a serious and recurring issue in animal welfare. The sad truth about kitten season is its direct connection to pet overpopulation, the strain on shelters, and the dire consequences for countless animals. Let’s dive deeper into why this season is more bitter than sweet and how increased awareness and action can make a difference.

    The Onset of Kitten Season

    Kitten season aligns with the breeding cycles of cats, peaking when the weather becomes warmer. This results in a surge of births because many cats are not spayed or neutered. Consequently, shelters during this time are overwhelmed with litters of kittens. While kittens are indeed adoptable, the sheer volume of new arrivals during these months often exceeds the number of available homes.

    The Strain on Resources

    Animal shelters and rescue organizations face significant challenges during kitten season. The sudden increase in population stretches resources thin, from space and food to veterinary care and manpower. Many shelters operate on limited budgets, and the influx of kittens can lead to compromised care for all animals if additional support is not provided.

    Financial Impact

    The cost of healthcare, including vaccinations, spaying, and neutering, can be substantial. Shelters strive to ensure that kittens are not only rehomed but are also healthy and sterilized to prevent future overpopulation. This ideal scenario is often financially draining.

    Emotional Toll

    The emotional toll on shelter staff and volunteers can be profound. Volunteers face difficult decisions daily, including the euthanization of healthy animals when adoption rates do not keep up with the intake of new kittens. The stress and moral strain of managing this cycle can lead to burnout and high turnover among dedicated volunteers.

    The Darker Side: Euthanasia and Maternal Deaths

    Perhaps the saddest aspects of kitten season are the increased rate of euthanasia and the tragic fate of some pregnant cats. Shelters, despite their best efforts, are sometimes forced to make heart-wrenching decisions when capacity is exceeded. Healthy kittens and adult cats alike may face euthanasia simply because there is no room to house them and insufficient interest in adoption. (Most organizations in BC do not euthanize for this reason, but will turn away cats due to overflowing)

    Tragically, some pregnant cats die in labor due to complications such as kittens becoming stuck during delivery. In some heart-rending cases, entire litters are found alongside the bodies of their deceased mothers, highlighting the severe risks of unchecked breeding and the harsh realities of life for stray and feral cats.

    What Can We Do?

    The challenges of kitten season, while daunting, are not insurmountable. There are several ways we can help mitigate this issue:

    Spay and Neuter

    The most effective way to prevent unwanted litters is by spaying and neutering pets. Pet owners must be encouraged to sterilize their cats, and communities should support low-cost or free spay/neuter programs to reach a broader audience.

    Foster and Adopt

    Fostering helps alleviate the burden on shelters by providing temporary homes, and adopting from shelters makes room for other animals in need. Both actions directly contribute to reducing the number of animals in shelters.

    Educate and Advocate

    Increasing awareness about the challenges of kitten season can lead to community action and support. Advocating for responsible pet ownership and supporting local shelters through donations or volunteering are vital steps in making a difference.

    Support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

    For feral or community cats, TNR programs are effective in controlling the population humanely. These programs involve trapping the cats, neutering them, and then returning them to their environment. This is why it’s vital that we get our program up and running again.

    Conclusion

    Kitten season, for all its apparent cuteness, underscores a critical issue in animal welfare. By understanding the sad truths behind this season and taking proactive steps to address them, we can hope to see a future where every kitten born has a chance at a long, healthy, and happy life. As a community, fostering compassion and taking action can transform the plight of these innocent animals into a cause for hope and positive change.