Dr. Flatley's New Year's Resolutions

My cats got together and made a list of the things THEY think I should do for them in the 2015.  Can you believe it!   I thought that you might be interested in what I will be working on in 2015 to improve the quality of feline happiness in my home.  (SHARE this list with your own cats AT YOUR OWN RISK!!)

1-  Brand new and BIGGER litter boxes.  We are tired of the same old litter boxes -come on -we deserve REALLY BIG BOXES!!

2-  Could you PLEASE get us new toys on a more regular basis ?  OR AT LEAST ROTATE them weekly, so we think they are new?  Fresh cat nip toys would be really appreciated around here, as somebody (Peabody) can not control himself, and always chews them open within minutes!

3-  We appreciate that DAILY SCOOPING.  And thanks for NOT USING any air fresheners around the boxes.  How about if this year you try some of the cool natural cat litter choices?   Swheat Scoop, The World's Best Cat Litter, Feline Pine all sound interesting.  DON'T take the old litterboxes completely away, though, as somebody (Stringbean) ONLY LIKES gravel.

4-  We LOVE the canned food that we get every day, but can you PLEASE keep looking for more variety.  We really LIKE a different kind of food EVERY DAY.  And while we are at it, NO LEFT OVERS.  We hate it COLD from the frig -cut that out!

5-  We know that you already help several of the local area cat rescue groups in town  AND donate your time to CATS ANONYMOUS TNR program, but we think you should do more. We see how many homeless cats there are (on facebook) and it is scary-sad.

6-  I know that you tell us that annual blood work is important for you to know how healthy we are.  OK, we promise to be on our BEST BEHAVIOR for this, but ONLY if you promise fresh pieces of warm ROTISSERIE CHICKEN as a treat on all holidays, birthdays, Sundays and full moons!

Happy New Year to all of my followers.  Improving and enriching the quality of your feline family will make them healthier and happier, a recipe for a very HAPPY NEW YEAR indeed!

Dr. Maureen Flatley  and
Peabody, Posie, and Stringbean

My thoughts on Trap, Neuter and Release

Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR is happening in the Fox Valley. It is one approach to addressing the explosion of stray cats in our area, and all across Wisconsin and the country. 

Why is TNR important?    Stray cats are everywhere. You don't have to look beyond your back yard to see stray cats.  In rural areas,  it is an ever present problem. And many of these cats are feral- they have been born in the "wild" and have never been handled, and so are more like wild animals than domesticated pets. They starve, they are hunted,  they are shot, they are trapped, they get sick, suffer and die. They need our help to stop reproducing, and eventually this will help to solve the overpopulation.


Who is involved?  Cat lovers (like you!) volunteer their time  to  trap, transport, identify and document, tranquilize, perform surgical prep, vaccinate, deworm,  anesthetize, neuter/spay, monitor recovery, and release.  There are volunteer opportunities even if you don't have experience in this type of work.  Trained veterinary volunteers perform the "technical" duties, but most of the pre- and post- surgery work is done by lay-people. 

Where can you find a TNR group nearby?
 Cats Anonymous is located in Green Bay:   http://catsanonymous.org/ 
 Wish TNR is located in Neenah:  http://wishuponapaw.org/tnr/                                                         Fox Valley Humane is located outside of Appleton:   http://www.foxvalleypets.org/Services/TNR_Program.aspx

How can you help?  Consider giving of your time.  It's a fun way to spend time doing good, surrounded by like-minded cat fanciers.  Or donate money.  All of these TNR groups function on donations only.  Although everyone volunteers their time, drugs and supplies and equipment are expensive.  Donate supplies. Become a "Colony Caretaker".   Talk to someone you know that has a colony of cats that need spaying/neutering.  Spread the word about the advantages of TNR.  Attend a fund-raiser for a TNR group.

I have volunteered with Cats Anonymous several times in 2012,, and found it very rewarding.  I have met some great people through CA.   They are a great organization with an amazingly committed group of people from all walks of life.   We join together with one goal in mind -giving feral cats the help they need.
 I will be helping out in 2013, will you?

If you found my blog interesting, please feel free to "Share" it with others.
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic LLC