On Halloween night, costumed goblins traipse up and down neighborhood streets demanding candy and dispensing tricks. Unfortunately, sometimes those victims are the family cat and unsuspecting strays.
In Medieval times, cats were associated with the devil, and their mere presence frightened people; today the tables have turned and All Hallowed Eve has become a deadly time for cats. Intentional cruelty to cats occurs every day of the year, but around the end of October incidences increase, as do unexplained disappearances of cats. Any cat can become a victim, but at most risk are of being sacrificed by cults are black, white, black and white or dark tortoiseshells. Across the country animal shelters and humane groups refuse to adopt black cats during the month of October. Most people are aware of the Halloween threat, but other sacrificial days observed by cults are: February 2, April 30 and August 1 and the days of the changing of the seasons. While there is occult abuse of cats, but most Halloween abuse occurs at the hands of kids and some adults with a demented definition of fun.
One retired vet told me she treated several Halloween victims, including a cat who had been shot through the head with an arrow and another cat hit with a dart. Both cats survived. She said she didn’t see much malicious mischief, but she suspected most of those cats don’t survive. So, let’s look at Halloween cat safety.
To be safe, bring your cats inside at least one week before Halloween. To acclimate slightly outdoor cats to living inside bring them at night for a few days. After a few nights indoor, it’s time to bring him inside 24/7 for a while.
On Halloween night lock your kitties in a safe room, away from open doors. While you are passing out candy, kitty may dart through an open door and into the hands of someone with an agenda or into the oncoming path of a car.
But Halloween dangers lurks other places besides in the hands of strangers. Sometimes we are our pets’ own worst enemy, even when we just want to have a little fun. Feeding our pets the wrong treat or being careless with wrappers can be just as deadly as the wrath of a stranger.
And chocolates are a definite no-no. According to ASPCA/Animal Poison Control Center, chocolate can be deadly. This is more of a dog concern, since kitties aren’t usually attracted to sweets. Milk chocolate can affect a cat or dog like an overdose of amphetamines. Dark baker’s chocolate is even more dangerous.
Chocolate contains a toxic substance called theobromine, which neither feline nor canine livers can metabolize. It causes vomiting, restlessness, heart disturbances and even death; although chocolate is a more serious danger to dogs because of their sweet tooth, it can kill cats or make them seriously ill. Be conscious of where your children leave their candy and wrapper. Hard candy can choke your pet and wrappers can block intestines. Instead, be safe and offer your only cat treats made specifically him.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate, or any other toxic substance, call the ASPCA/Animal Poison Control Center. It’s your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. You can reach them at 888-426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
Halloween Cat safety:
Bring all cats inside at least one week before Halloween. All black, all white and mixed black and white cats are especially at risk during this occult celebration. (Acclimate outdoor cats to the house a few days prior to total confinement by keeping them in at night.)
Under no circumstance should pets be left outside on Halloween night. Even dogs in an enclosed fence could suffer at the hands of a malicious prankster.
Halloween night keep all pets away from doors.
Forget about walking the dog on Halloween night. Your pup doesn’t know that that monster latex monster mask is really the kid next door. (The incidents of dog bites increase dramatically on Halloween.)
Don’t feed either cats or dogs candy, especially chocolate because they can’t metabolize it; chocolate can kill or make them seriously ill.
Be conscious of where your children leave their candy and wrapper. Hard candy can choke and wrappers can block your pet’s intestines.
Make sure pets have identification just in case they get out.
Senior cats make wonderful pets. They’re calm and they come with manners.
There’s nothing more heartbreaking than scanning the shelter to pull adoptable animals, only to find a gray-muzzled cat or dog looking up at you as if to say, “Where am I?”
To add insult to abandonment, a prospective family dashes right past him on the hunt for that perfect puppy or kitten. But wait, it’s worse. Today is euthanasia day. Without intervention, that once beloved pet will take his place in the statistic book next to five to seven million other animals who face euthanasia in shelters this year.
People pass up senior pets because of fear says Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville, a San Francisco senior dog rescue. Muttville rescues and rehomes 350 to 400 seniors annually. Franklin says families fear losing their new pet soon after becoming attached. They’re also concerned about medical expenses they can’t afford. They’re not sure an old animal will bond with their kids, fit into the family, or the pet was abandoned because of bad behavior.
People surrender their golden oldies for many reasons most of which are not the pet’s fault):
The elderly owner has died, gone into assisted living or moved in with a relative
The family is moving to a place that doesn’t allow pets/the pet is over the weight limit
They have too many pets
Home foreclosure
Allergies
Spouse/S.O. doesn’t like cats/dogs
New baby/pregnancy
Kid is going off to college.
When you see those frightened, grizzled faces, don’t ignore them. With a little effort and a publicity campaign, you can make that cage space available to another homeless pet without a PTS order.
Senior cats can offer you many happy year, so don’t pass them up at the shelter
ADDRESSING OBJECTIONS TO ADOPTING A SEASONED PET
During the 1984 presidential debate with 56-year-old Walter Mondale, then 73-year old presidential candidate Ronald Reagan said, “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” You need to look at adoptable senior pets with Reagan’s optimism.
“Look at why people are afraid to adopt a senior,” Franklin says. “Get rid of those fears.”
Remind mature potential adopters, especially senior citizens, “You aren’t past your prime, and neither are these animals.” Or “Just because you’re not a young pup doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot of life and love left in you. This cat (dog) is just like you.”
The most common objections to adopting senior pets include:
SHORT TIME REMAINING
While people fear the pet dying in just a few years, there’s no guarantee that any puppy or kitten will out survive a senior pet. Pets of any age can develop catastrophic medical conditions. Mary Hutto of Dallas adopted a healthy 8-week old Siamese-mix several years ago. Shortly after Spot turned a year old Mary discovered he suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She lost him a few months later, but only after spending over $1000 on vets.
EXPENSIVE VET BILLS
There is no free pet. Even healthy puppies and kittens require a significant financial investment their first year. Adopters should expect to pay for vaccinations, lab tests, parasite treatments and preventatives, spay/neuter, obedience training, doggie daycare, grooming, food and miscellaneous stuff.
To allay health concerns, before placing senior pets up for adoption, Muttville performs health screenings including a full blood panel and heartworm check, and when needed, dentals and spay/neuters. Other shelters provide pet health insurance with the adoption.
“We’re taking the fear of unknown health problems out of the equation,” Franklin says. “We’re transparent. We tell you the dog has diabetes, and will need shots forever. Or it has dry eye.”
Muttville spends around $700 per dog, more than twice the adoption fee. They offset the difference with fundraisers. Muttville also provides a two-week trial period before finalizing the adoption to make sure the dog is a good fit for the family. “We will take back any dog,” Franklin says.
I WANT THE KIDS AND THE PET TO GROW UP TOGETHER
“The puppy or kitten stage goes by in the blink of the eye,” says Inga Fricke, director of sheltering and pet care issues at Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.) The kids won’t remember that puppy.” Instead they’ll look back with fondness at the romps in the park, games of tags and fashion shows involving baby doll dresses.
A senior pet with previous infant or toddler experience can tolerate (survive) a small child’s rough handling. A puppies or kitten risks injury or death if a toddler drops or falls on him. A kid-friendly older cat may tolerate the doll clothes dress phase embarrassment and grace, and escape to elevated furniture when she’s reached her BS (Baby Stuff) threshold. High energy and vulnerable kittens will struggle to get away from rough handling, so children may risk being bitten or scratched. Consequently, many shelters have 6-6 policies: homes with children under six years cannot adopt kittens or puppies under six months. If the animal’s history is known, shelter workers can tell potential adopters which senior pets came from families or foster families with kids.
Fricke says the even American Academy of Pediatrics discourages people with young children to have young pets in the home.
YOU can TEACH AN OLD DOG/CAT NEW TRICKS
Au contraire, adults have much longer attention spans, and that translates to learning faster. Besides, a mature pet already understands that there are house rules. He may not know the new rules, but since he knows what “no” means, he can certainly apply that to his current situation.
OTHER SENIOR PLUSES
Having a puppy or kitten is like having a human child,” Fricke says. “It’s the same effort going through those stages and training.”
SENIOR PETS ARE HOUSETRAINED
Housebreaking a puppy can take months (or much longer), and cost thousands in carpet cleaning or replaced flooring. Puppies must be taken outside to potty much more frequently than adults. Inga Fricke says, “The rule of thumb is that puppies can hold their bladders no more than one hour longer than their age in months. So, a two-month-old puppy can’t hold its bladder for more than three hours.”
Until they reach six or seven months, mishaps will occur if the puppy is crated or kept inside for long periods. Mature pets have the toilet issue down! Mature dogs understand that the house is not the bathroom.
OLDER PETS HAVE MANNERS
Senior dogs and cats take less work than little ones. They require little or no training. They already understand biting, jumping and scratching are off limits. They’ve moved beyond the destructive stage, thank goodness. With the teething stage and manic energy stages well behind the golden oldie, shoe chewing, drapes-climbing and furniture scratching will be minimal compared to puppies and kittens.
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET
1960’s comedian Flip Wilson’s character Geraldine used to exclaim, “What you see is what you get!” That insightful phrase is the #1 selling point of senior pets.
Fricke says animals don’t develop their full personalities until they’re fully mature. “When you bring home that fluffy ball of fur you don’t know what you’re getting. If you’re looking at a pet who’s reached maturity, you know how active it’s going to be, if he’s nervous around strangers, if he’s outgoing or a hider.”
When the animal comes from the back of the cage to lick your hand, you know what you’re taking home. “There’s no guarantee that energetic kitten will mellow out when he’s grown,” she says.
Apartment dwellers who have pet weight restrictions benefit from senior adoption because they don’t have to worry about that cute puppy with the delicate paws unexpectedly growing into a behemoth. And once again, seniors are less destructive and potty trained.
STRATEGIES FOR SENIOR PET ADOPTIONS
“Finding homes for seniors is a challenge,” Fricke admits. “Combine good marketing with education by informing the public about the benefits of older animals, as well as the pitfalls of bringing home younger animals. It’s still always going to be a challenge, unfortunately.”
Get creative in your marketing. Sherri Franklin says Muttville volunteers post pictures and the dogs’ stories on Facebook, Twitter, Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and even Craig’s list. Create a brochure or flyer spotlighting the advantages of adopting mature pets. Don’t forget to feature adoptable seniors in both your email and snail mail newsletters and even send out short e-news blasts with the pet’s story. A touching mailer can also become a powerful fundraising tool.
Fricke says shelters frequently create interest in older pets by placing them in prominent places on their web site. Consider reducing adoption fees on animals one year and older. She encourages people to check out shelterpetproject.org, the pet project cooperation between HSUS, Maddie’s Fund and the Ad Council.
WORDS MEAN THINGS
William Shakespeare brilliantly wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” And while there’s nothing sweeter than an old cat or dog, potential adopters don’t respond well to the word “old.” When talking about or describing an available senior, Franklin suggested using more positive synonyms. Try “mature”, “senior”, “gentleman”, “mature lady”, “tried and true”, “sweet senior”, “mellow”, “couch potato”, “friend”, “grandma”, “grandpa”, or “golden oldie”.
IN YOUR FACE
Fricke says shelters should do anything they can do to spotlight how well these animals would fit into the home.
Position senior cages so prospective adopters must view the classic models before they can see the puppies and kittens. Some shelters bring the seniors, or hard-to-adopt animals, into the lobby to work as greeters. When families see a Lab sleeping on a bed, they think he’s a well-behaved dog compared to the hooligans in the back jumping up and barking. Stress the advantages of mature cats and dogs and how they will complete the family.
FREEBIES
Besides reduced or waived fees, Fricke says some shelters provide free care packages or start up kits for adopters of senior pets that include: collars, leashes, bowls, toys, litter boxes and scoops. Future vaccinations, vet care, free behavior advice or training may also pique interest in older shelter dwellers.
WARM FEELINGS
And let’s not discount those warm, fuzzy feelings people get from saving a life and doing a good deed. Adopting an aging pet makes a statement about the adopter’s compassion. It says he or she values every stage of life.
Sherri Franklin says “Don’t hesitate to use the pet’s story to tug at people’s hearts. It’s all about selling the pet, and telling his story in a compelling way, whether it’s happy or sad.” Some people respond to happy stories, others want to make up for an animal’s difficult life.
COMFORT AFTER LOSING A PET
People grieving from the recent loss of a pet may receive great comfort if they can save another life as a result of their tragedy. There’s no question, adopting a senior pet is saving a life.
WE DELIVER FOR YOU
-If your senior pets aren’t showing well with all the competition in shelter, find a unique adopt-a-pet location and let them shine. Hold an event in a seniors community.
WHO ADOPTS SENIORS?
Senior citizens and childfree couples are the most likely demographics to adopt aging pets because the animals are less demanding and more laid back. So consider implementing a program that targets these groups.
SENIORS FOR SENIORS
A growing number of shelters offer senior pets for a greatly reduced adoption fee (or waives fees entirely) to senior citizens in Seniors for Seniors programs. <<<Link to the Seniors for Seniors article.>>> Others provide the same option to any interested adopter.
Using some imagination and a lot of marketing, any group should be able to increase senior adoptions and prevent unnecessary adoptions.
I never imagined when I bought that litter of orphan kittens home that someday Maynard would introduce me to ghost cats.
Fostering neonatal kittens isn’t for the faint of heart. One mid-April day in 1999 I answered a phone call from Lewisville Animal Services. Did I have any plans for the next six to eight weeks? A farmer discovered three newborn kittens in the middle of his cow pasture. Despite a lengthy search, neither the farmer nor the animal control officer could locate the mother. When could I pick up the kittens?
At the time there were only two foster families in my area who had both the time and the ability to raise bottle babies. I knew Humane Society of Lewisville founder, Mary Hill, was up to her ears in kitten whiskers. If I couldn’t take them animal control would put them to sleep as soon as the officer arrived at the shelter. Before I could say, “What was I thinking?” I pulled into the shelter parking lot.
The animal control officer (ACO) and I arrived at the shelter at about the same time. I wound my way to the loading dock past the rows of pathetic cats reaching for me, and the dogs barking for attention. There stood the ACO holding a small cardboard box. He pulled the flap up. Inside huddled three tiny kittens. They were so small I could hold all three of them in one hand.
“I need some help.” The officer handed me a pair of vicious-looking antique scissors that hasn’t been sharpened since the Woodrow Wilson administration.
A closer inspection of the kittens revealed their true age. Their umbilical cords were still soft and attached to the fresh placenta. They were only a few hours old. Their mother hadn’t even taken the time to free them from their placentas…and they were covered in cow poop. What a rough way to start a life! I cut the cords, swaddled them in a baby blanket and placed them in a carrier.
At home I warmed them up, and set up a nursery, then cleaned the stinky brown goop off of them with warm water and a bagful of cotton balls. Once I’d freed them from their stinky coating, I discovered two of the kittens were brown tabbies, with adorable little gray tiger stripes. The other kitten wore a formal tuxedo jacket; his markings even included a little a white bow tie and gloves and a pair of white spats. Baby boomers may remember the character Maynard G. Krebs from the sixties television sitcom, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Bob Denver, best known in his title role on Gilligan’s Island, played Maynard and had a stereotypical beatnik goatee at the bottom of his chin. Our little tuxedo kitten also sported a Maynard Krebs-style goatee, along with big copper eyes, and a huge head.
Six weeks later, we knew there Maynard had a problem because the other kittens ran for the hills when the “evil” vacuum cleaner emerged from the closet. Maynard, not only wanted to watch it move back and forth, he wanted to hitch a ride.
His lack of fear tipped us off that he was totally deaf. We didn’t care whether he could hear or not. But when the vet confirmed our suspicions, she also slammed us with a second diagnosis: our adorable six-week-old charge had a buildup of fluid on his brain; Maynard was hydrocephalic, a medical term for water on the brain. According to the vet, he wouldn’t live more than a few more weeks. She recommended we euthanize him immediately.
My latest book, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Revised edition, discusses Maynard’s one-time visit, as well as 70 other feline phantom encounters.
For now climbed the drapes and tackled his brothers, so we decided against euthanasia, and instead we treated him homeopathically. He responded to the cypripedium treatment. All his symptoms but the deafness improved. He proved to become a happy, healthy and even a clever kitten another seven months. Every night he jumped up on the bed, walked across the mattress and lay down on my ankles. I always thought it couldn’t be comfortable sleeping on my ankle bones, but he claimed that spot as his special space.
That Thanksgiving my husband and I visited out-of-town family, as was our tradition. Fearing a downturn while we traveled I asked my best friend, Debbie Waller, to care for Maynard.
On Thanksgiving Eve, my fear became a reality. Debbie called from the vet’s office. The fluid and pressure had suddenly started to build pressure against his brain. It was time. As if living in a nightmare, I heard myself give Debbie permission to put him to sleep. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.cephalic cat, I still dwelled on the possibility that Maynard might still be alive if only I’d stayed home. If only I could have told Debbie where to find the medicine. If, if, if…
A visit from a ghost cat
A few weeks after we’re returned home, I was still sad, but I had moved on. A new litter of neonates slept peacefully in my bathroom.
One night, about two weeks after we returned home, I had climbed into bed, but hadn’t settled in yet. I lay wide awake in bed. Suddenly, I felt the distinct sensation of a cat jumping onto the bed, the footsteps of little paws padding across the mattress, followed by the pressure of a small cat laying down atop my ankles. While cats jump on the bed all the time, this one claimed Maynard’s special corner. Enough moonlight seeped through the curtains to let me make out shapes. I looked, expecting to see another cat lounging down at my feet, but despite the fact that I felt weight against my legs, I could see there were no cats on the bed.
I could feel the weight of a cat on my feet, but nothing was there.
What I was experiencing was impossible. Yet for the first time in weeks I smiled. I dared not move for fear, not fear of the ghost of a dead kitten, but from the fear the sensation would vanish. Eventually, I slipped off to sleep and in the morning the weight against my feet had vanished. It would never return, but for one brief happy moment I had Maynard back. He had dropped by to tell me goodbye.
Prior to Maynard’s return, I believed people who had experienced ghost encounters had done a bit too much recreational in the 1970s. At that moment, with his six pounds pressing against my ankles, I knew I was wrong. I felt at peace and forgiven.
It was an entire year before I mentioned Maynard’s return to my husband, or anyone else for that matter. But I knew Maynard had given me a wonderful gift. I just wished he’d visit me again sometime.
This is from the story “Little Joe’s Portrait” in Ghost Cats. Moments after finding her favorite feral, Little Joe, dead, Anita Morris snapped this photo by Little Joe’s favorite dish. Little Joe is the transparent cat in the upper center.
After Dolly passed, her owner Andy continued to see her impression on his bed. Her story is “Making an Impression.”
Kathy Johnson took this picture when her son, Erik, said his leg felt cold. Above his hand you can see an orb.
On Halloween night, costumed goblins traipse up and down neighborhood streets demanding candy and dispensing tricks. Unfortunately, sometimes those victims are the family cat and unsuspecting strays.
Halloween Cat safety:
