To the rescue: cats and dogs : Why Paint Cats?

To the rescue: cats and dogs

Carol Hawn-Miller and Cindy Liggett are local animal advocates who work to save the lives of homeless cats and dogs. In 2001 they founded Kitty and K-9 Connection, a non-profit rescue/foster/adoption program. In this blog, they will discuss the issues around the numerous homeless cats and dogs in Anchorage, and the process of placement, including animal and human behaviors that lead to success or failure. They are pictured here with Gladys on Carol's knee, Cherri in the middle, and Ambrosia the cat on Cindy's lap.

Contributors

Cindy Liggett

Because she's a "cat person," Cindy concentrates on cat rescues, fosters and adoptions. She faces daily attitudes towards cats as "throw-away pets" and deals with issues regarding "unwanted" cats due to over-population. She has advocated on their behalf for over 20 years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and insights so cats can enjoy their nine lives in the manner they truly deserveas an important member of the family.

Carol Hawn-Miller

Carol loves being the "dog mom" to all kinds and varieties -- small to large; mutts or purebreds. At home she deals with an ever transitional pack as she rescues, fosters and adopts dogs that would not otherwise have a "new leash on life." She has been doing pet rescue for more than 14 years. While loaded with a lap full of dogs, covered in dog hair or accepting K-9 kisses, Carol advocates for permanent, lifetime homes and responsible ownership so rescue will no longer be a necessity.

Sue Wirth

Sue is the other cat mom who takes in fosters and gets them ready for adoption. She has been doing cat rescue since 1998. To help control reproduction of unwanted pets, Sue advocates with a local veterinarian to spay/neuter cats as young as 8 weeks old before they go to their forever homes. She would like to see an end to full Animal Shelters, euthanasia and a home for every pet.

Emily Brand

Emily joins us as a guest blogger from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to raise awareness about issues affecting companion animals in Anchorage and the surrounding area. She shares the ASPCA�s mission to prevent animal cruelty and provide positive outcomes for at-risk animals across the country. Emily hopes to encourage people to be a voice for animals by doing something to help people understand the importance of treating animals with the love and respect they deserve.

Multimedia

VIDEO

First Aid for pets

Robin Newby of the American Red Cross of Alaska teaches pet first aid. In this video of a recent class, she describes the focus and some of the techniques. Find schedules of ongoing classes at "The Red Cross"

Resources

ALASKA LOCAL

Alaska Dog News

Why Paint Cats?

Posted by Cindy

Posted: January 7, 2010 - 11:00 am

Have you ever seen the book, "Why Paint Cats?" It's quite interesting when you read about the process and what they use to paint them with, henna and vegetable dyes. Most of the paint jobs are extremely elaborate and can cost up to $15,000 or more. They have to be repeated every few months as the cat's coat grows out. It's for people who have nothing better to do with their money.

Why Paint Cats?

I use to buy the calendar, but they haven't made one in the last two years.

Over the holidays I decided to give my bedroom and living room walls a face lift. Cornflower blue for the bedroom, catcus green for the living room. I lined the floors with plastic, moved all my furniture in the center of the rooms and shooed out all the cats. Most complied.

I kept my can of paint close and my paint tray closer, and tried not to make a mess. I got irritated with myself when I found paint on the one part of the floor that wasn't covered in plastic. As I started cleaning it off the floor, I noticed more paint spotches, this time shaped like little feet. Blue feet running into the bathroom and shower and green feet running down the hallway. It didn't take long to figure out just who the offender was.

Unfortunately I do have to wait for the hair to grow out before it is totally gone. I guess that would go under the title of Why Cats Paint? which is a totally different book.