For some reason, a lot of our friends like cats, too. So I was recently browsing for gift ideas and thought I would share a few of the more unusual cat-related books I found.
The Sneeze-Free Cat Owner: Allergy Management & Breed Selection for the Allergic Cat Lover
100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History’s Most Influential Felines
101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers
Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort
The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats
For travel by car, RV, motor home or plane in the U.S. with your dog or cat:
Traveling With Your Pet, 9th Edition: The AAA Pet Book
The Portable petswelcome.com: The Complete Guide to Traveling with Your Pet
10-Minute Tech, Volume 3: Over 600 All New Time and Money Saving Ideas from Fellow RVers has a number of handy pet specific tips in their “In Camp” section
For Boaters:
Cruising With Your Four-Footed Friends: The Basics of Travel with Your Cat or Dog
First Aid at Home or on the Road:
Pet First Aid: Cats and Dogs by the American Red Cross
The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets) Rodale Press
I was in the family room to see what my younger son was watching on TV this Saturday morning. The usual run of commercials showed up. One was pleasantly surprising: a veterinary hospital play set! I remember the LEGO zoo and farm play sets we bought when the boys were younger. Not much else was available, except for stuffed animals of varying quality.
I was intrigued. We like toys that stimulate the imagination and allow for role playing, while teaching our children to think. So I went on a short hunt for other pet-related play sets and toys. These toys can also be used to stimulate family discussions about nurturing, being responsible for a pet’s life, etc. Or just for fun.
Fisher Price has Sonya Lee and Her Pet Salon and Chutes and Ladders with a pet twist: Rescue Hero’s Pet Rescue
FurReal Friends: Jungle Cat (Leopard Cub) or the tamer Calico or Marmalade
A few of Hasbro’s Pet Shop play set and add-ons:
Littlest Pet Shop Little Lovin’ Pet Playhouse
Cat & Dog
Persian Cat with Carrier
Even the venerable toy icon Barbie has Barbie Pet Doctor Kit with Cat
Then there are these imagination prompting play sets, too:
Deluxe Complete Little Kitten Care Set for Children
Learning Resources: Pretend and Play Animal Hospital
Parents’ Animal Hospital
Step2′s Village Veterinarian Accessory Set
Not sure what to get? You need a gift for “someone who has everything”? Your friend said no gift this year? How about donating in their honor to one of these worthy causes.
Petfinder.com you can donate in Honor of or in Memory of someone (human or feline), or sponsor an unadopted pet waiting for a home. They also accept donations for their Disaster Relief Fund and the Animal Shelter Fund (Purina is the corporate co-sponsor).
Purebred Cat Breed Rescue not all abandoned cats are mixed breeds.
Operation Nobel Foster every time reservists and others in the armed forces are called upon to serve overseas, the drop off rate at shelters sky rockets. This group was formed to help prevent such heart wrenching events. Volunteers foster the cats of military personnel so that when they come home, their cats are waiting for them. No matter what your political leanings may be, please consider helping this worthy cause.
Consider your Local Shelter or volunteer adoption groups. Not sure how to find them? See my blog entry on how to find them in your area. They can always use: money, cat food, litter, beds, blankets, paper towels, coupons to pet stores, pet food coupons. Call and ask what they need. then make a donation in someone’s honor. A gift that serves more than one!
I found these kitten and puppy holiday cards on the American Humane Association‘s home page (right side of the web page in the middle).
The AHA’s Shopping Page has children’s books and other fun things. They also have two catalogs: one for animal welfare professionals and another for child welfare professionals. Both catalogs can be downloaded as.pdf files.
As they describe themselves: “Since 1877, the American Humane Association has been protecting children and animals from cruelty and mistreatment. From the Adopt-a-Cat Month to conferences on Family Group Decision Making (FGDM), the American Humane Association has a variety of outreach programs that promote healthy family relationships and animal care. You can help make a real difference in a child’s or animal’s life.“
Bad Behavior has blocked 7244 access attempts in the last 7 days.