Cat Rescuer Given 90 Days to Remove Her Cats

According to news reports, Kristy Grant of Pierson, Florida has almost 170 cats, and local officials have told her to get rid of them.

So far, this sounds like a typical cat hoarding case. But wait, there’s more.

First off, Pierson is a tiny rural community of about 2600 people in 7 square miles. And Ms. Grant lives not in a typical tiny house stuffed to the rafters with half-dead cats and their poop, but a clean place on 10 acres well outside of "town" proper. And she reputedly knows all her cats by name — as opposed to cat hoarders who are generally clueless as to even what’s going on in their house. And her neighbors aren’t complaining about the smell from the poop and dead cats, because there isn’t any (and aren’t any) — instead, they’re complaining that the cats are so healthy they’re killing too many squirrels and birds.

Not a Cat Hoarder

It turns out that Ms. Grant has rescued all her cats, and wants to turn her property into an animal sanctuary. She’s quoted by Local 6 News (where you can see a video if you use IE but not Firefox) as saying "I’m in the middle of nowhere. If I can’t take care of cats here, where can you?"

As is all too common, her local City Council has denied her requests and given her 90 days to remove all but the four that she is allowed to keep under zoning regulations. I’m not sure what it is about Florida — maybe the humidity — but it seems as though that state is crowded with local officials and homeowners associations that love to push people around and try to control their lives. Maybe the Pierson City Council ought to use some common sense in this situation before they give their town a bad reputation.
(more…)

Coping with Cat Fur

Fur, fur everywhere and not just on my cat…

We love our feline companions, but often wish for ways to control or clean up their shed fur. Here are some ideas to help you (and your cat!)

Why cat fur is shed everywhere

Cats have at least two layers of fur (some have three!) and the one we see most often is the longer upper layer. This layer is not shed in great quantities by cats. It is the dense shorter underlayer designed to insulate cats during weather of any kind that is shed. Shedding of old fur occurs year-long, with a seasonal increase after winter being the most prolific. A cat’s self-grooming of this seasonal shedding is what leads to spring and summer hairballs and the resultant problems for your cat and you. Having said this, we turn to ways of decreasing shed fur, first on your cat, and then in your home.

(more…)

Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie

We are proud to announce the publication of our second book. Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie is the story of a feral kitten who joins a house full of other cats and humans and discovers that the world is much more interesting and meaningful than he ever imagined possible.

But this is not a work of fiction. It is the true story of every cat in the house and how they came to live there, told by the cats themselves through the unique talents of Susan Fiedler, a compassionate animal communicator.

Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie is a unique and truly unforgettable work which will be treasured by all who care about animals and especially cat lovers. If you’ve ever looked into the eyes of a cat or kitten and had one adopt you, you will love this book!

Signed copies of the book Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie may be ordered directly from the publisher, Spotted Cat Designs . It can also be ordered from Amazon or almost any book retailer.

Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie
by Susan Fiedler
ISBN 0-9778580-1-4
148 pages, paperback
15 photographs

Cat Boy by Steven Fiedler

Buy Cat Boy here and you can get it signed by the author free!

---

A good deed leads an 11-year-old boy to unexpected gifts and undreamed-of excitement when he suddenly finds himself turning into a cat. Pounce along with Cat Boy as he wins a school contest, fights criminals, helps police and has plenty of exciting (and furry) adventures!

About the Author

Steven Fiedler combines his appreciation of nature, storytelling, love of animals, and interest in past and current events into an enjoyable story for children and adults alike.

He is 11 years old, and this is his first novel.

---

Paperback: 84 pages
Reading level: All Ages
Published by: Spotted Cat Designs (March 2006)
ISBN: 0977858006
Price: US$8.95 (plus shipping and handling and tax where applicable)

Note: we ship your book by First Class Mail so you will get it quickly!

Please note: We are only able to accept direct orders from the U.S. and Canada at this time. If you live anywhere else, please contact your local book dealer and order by ISBN number. Thank you!

Signature	Signed (no extra charge) Unsigned
Text for Inscription

(more…)

Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie by Susan Fiedler

Buy Birds, Mice, and Apple Pie here and you can get it signed by the author free!

---

There has never been a book quite like this one…

A feral kitten joins a household of other cats and humans and discovers a world far more complex and interesting than he ever imagined. But this is neither fiction nor an ordinary story. This is a tale told by the cats themselves, through the unique talents of a compassionate animal communicator. You will laugh, you cry, and you will be entranced, but you will never be able to look at cats in the same way again.

About the Author

Susan Fiedler is a working mother who has been rescuing animals for many years. She lives in Northern California with one husband, two sons, six cats, many fish, and a 39-year-old boa constrictor.

---

Paperback: 148 pages, 15 photographs
Reading level: 10 and up
Published by: Spotted Cat Designs (August 2006)
ISBN: 0977858014
Price: US$11.95 (plus shipping and handling and tax in California)

Note: we ship your book by First Class Mail so you will get it quickly!

Please note: We are only able to accept direct orders from the U.S. and Canada at this time. If you live anywhere else, please contact your local book dealer and order by ISBN number. Thank you!

(more…)

Cat-Inspired Humor

Some homegrown humor about cats and their humans from our family to yours.

With apologies to Sir Issac Newton: A cat in motion will tend to stay in motion, a cat at rest will tend to remain at rest…unless food or a toy are wafted nearby.

More silly jokes…

(more…)

All four of our cats like to eat grass. Only one wants it in order to throw up. The other three just like the taste. Two of our four cats love catnip, fresh or dried. One will eat catnip just like regular grass. A fourth feline avoids catnip in any form. Our cats have nearly killed my spider plant with their desire for greens. So we grow catnip as well as safe grasses for them. Here is how you can, too.
(more…)

Several companies offer online sample ideas of crafts for children that focus on cats and other animals. We visited them so we could help you enhance your child's creativity and imagination.
(more…)

Free You-Print-Them Cat Posters Free Feline and Nature Posters http://www.nationalgeographic.com/printaposter/ for personal use from the nature photographer’s premier journal of the National Geographic Society. They allow you to download pdf Adobe Acrobat files, print the pages and assemble them into 25 x 33 inch (64 x 84 centimeter) posters. Instructions included at the web site.
(more…)

Showing your appreciation and staying in touch are important human activities. But the fine art of letter writing has been replaced with email. We found for you web sites that offer free post e-cards with cat related photographs or animation.
(more…)