Cats are trainable!!

A kitten kindergarten class at the Houston SPCA in Houston teaches felines how to work — or at least learn tricks — for their food. Photo taken by Pat Sulliven -- AP

See! Cats aren’t so aloof afterall. Many people think that cats are boring and aloof since they’re known for not obeying commands like dogs do. True cat people know different (sorry but yes I defend the species vehemently to those not truly in the know about these truly wonderful creatures).

The Houston SPCA has got it right. They have implemented a program, a sort of Kitty Kindergarten that trains felines to work for their food.

“A lot of people look kind of funny at us when we say we train the shelter cats,” says CJ Bentley of the humane society. Cats need more than just playtime outside the cage to be well-adjusted in the shelter environment, she says.

Problem-solving power
“It’s not just all about the physical, it’s the mental as well,” says Bentley. “To teach them to be able to solve problems on their own can reduce the stress. It gives them control over a situation.”

It’s not just shelter cats that need more, though. People expect pet cats to “just hang out, which isn’t realistic,” says Melissa Chan, behavior specialist at the Houston SPCA. Cats are naturally active animals, she says, and “one thing I wish I could tell every cat owner: Cats want to work for their food.”

Read the entire article here!

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2nd Annual Furball at the Skirball

Starbuck is the featured adoptable cat on the Kitten Rescue site. Come support Kitten Rescue's cause at the Furball at the Skirball. Click the image for more info on Starbuck.

Tickets still available to Kitten Rescue’s 2nd Annual Fur Ball Celebration and Fundraiser!

Join Kitten Rescue for a fun-filled evening spent with fellow animal lovers who want to help make a difference.

Hosted by Jenna Fischer, star of TV’s “The Office”, The Fur Ball at the Skirball promises to be quite a treat. Guests will enjoy an open bar and a delicious dinner, with live music and entertainment as well as a feature program celebrating another successful year of animal rescue and advocacy in Los Angeles. In addition, all attendees will receive a gift bag filled with fabulous swag. And you’ll be supporting Kitten Rescue’s programs, allowing us to continue making a difference for homeless and abandoned animals in the New Year!

The Fur Ball will be held on Saturday, December 5 at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles at 6pm. Tickets ($125) and tables ($1250) are available on our website – just click here and join the fun! We hope to see you there.

If you’re unable to join you can still donate any amount of money by clicking here!

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Here’s Roscoe!

Roscoe the German Shepherd needs a home! Please find it in your heart to give him one if you can.

Hey everyone! Sorry it’s taking me so long in between posts. Between school, work and other things it’s been really hard. Hope all of you are having a wonderful November. Anyway, here is information on Roscoe, a beautiful German Shepherd that needs a forever home:

Hi everyone,

Right now we have a foster dog in need of a home. His name is “Roscoe.” He is a sweet German Shepherd mix, who was found wandering the streets in Palm Springs, but is now in Glendora. He had no tags, no chip, and part of a chain hanging from his collar, so I believe he escaped from a not-so-nice home. He is about 1 1/2 years old, and got all of his shots, and was neutered. He is very sweet and still very puppy-like. He loves to be with his “person,” and will follow you from room to room to lay at your feet. Roscoe’s left ear naturally flops down and he is very cute!

If you know anyone who may be interested in this guy, or anyone who could even foster him temporarily until a permanent home is found for him, please let me know ASAP. We currently have 3 of our own dogs, Roscoe, and another foster, so we really need to find him a new home very soon!

Thank you!

Jill Vegas
213-215-6229

“A righteous man regards the life of his animal” – Proverbs 12:10

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Two homeless dogs

Got a message from a friend about these two homeless dogs. Her brother and his wife have them at the moment. They have no tags and are not microchipped. If you lost these dogs or are looking to give some cute dogs a good home, please contact Mary at (818) 279-5234. The dogs are in Wrightwood.

Here’s another photo of them:

Here’s some recently updated information on the dogs:

Some hunters brought in these two dogs to the friend’s brother’s work. These dogs were reported loose in the forest a couple of weeks ago but nobody brought them in. They were both very hungry, thirsty and skinny. Both dogs quickly figured out how to use the doggy door with a bit of help.

The smaller one is a girl and the bigger one is a boy; they are probably related (both shepherd mixes but the bigger boy acts older and the smaller girl acts younger. They seem very well behaved–
even Maggie, their cat didn’t bolt from them!

So please pass this information on to everyone you know.

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Custard is finally going home!

Custard, our resident cat at VCA Companion Kennel Resort and Spa in Canoga Park is finally going to a home. An employee is taking him. Stay tuned for updates.

Here’s more good news! Custard, the cat that has lived with us at VCA Companion Kennel Resort and Spa (check out our facebook page) HAS BEEN ADOPTED! Our lovely colleague Erin is taking him home. Stay tuned for updates on how he is doing in his new home!! He really deserves a great place. Granted he was happy to hang out in the catroom but, in reality, a REAL HOME is the best place for him.

Congratulations Custard!

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Wow that was quick!

Ty has been adopted!!

Wow! Things can go really fast. The minute I posted THIS! and forwarded it, I found out that Ty has been adopted. So glad about that!! Have a great life in your new home Ty!! :)

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This lab needs a home!

Ty the lab was abandoned by his owners. He desparately needs a home so he doesn't get put to sleep.

Got this information from a friend on facebook. This poor guy was abandoned by his owners and is now at the San Bernardino Shelter, which is high kill. Read the message below:

Ty is a purebred, yellow lab…about 2 yrs old and he needs a home. Hewas dumped by his owners. As they left in their car, he chased after them for quite a distance, but he couldn’t keep up, and eventually lost them. The pads on Ty’s feet will require medical treatment. He is a great dog, but no one has shown interest in adopting him. He is at San Bernadino Shelter which is very high kill. A351696 (909-384-1304)

Contact: Mariah Roncetti, somethingextracasting@gmail.com.
Please Crosspost like crazy. No one has even put a hold on him at the shelter. He deserves to live. He deserves a family that will hold on to him and show him a better life.

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The three little kittens!

These kittens need a home! The little black cat is hard to see in the corner, but she is there.

Here’s a story of three little kittens in Canoga Park (well not as little anymore, but they are eight+ weeks old). A feral momma kitty decided to have her kittens at a friend’s apartment complex. Once they seemed old enough, we were able to trap (humanely) the mother and three of her kittens. Unfortunately we do not know what happened to the fourth! I shutter to think what happened to the fourth kitten, but hopefully it wandered off and found a safe place to live.

When we got the mother, I immediately took her to get spayed and released. She’s too feral to be adopted, but at least she won’t make more babies. She does hang around the apartment complex and seems to love it there.

The friend’s neighbor is currently fostering these kittens. All three appear to be female, but we are not sure yet. They will get fixed in a couple of weeks, maybe sooner. We are looking to adopt them out for a reasonable adoption fee (for fixing, shots etc…). Please respond to this post if you’re interested in giving them a good home, or even fostering until they find a good home.

Here’s another photo of the two tabbies. The other kitten is black. She’s a bit more on the shy side.

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Custard the Cat

Custard the cat is very comfortable on HIS scratching post (LOL!!) but we'd love to find a comfortable PERMANENT home for him!!

Oops! Sorry yet again! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. With school and work it has been really hard. I can tell you right now that I will probably post about Custard and three other cats (they will come in another post) who need homes until they find homes. I just think it’s best to dedicate one post to each situation. But come hell or high water…we will get these cats homes somehow!

I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again for those of you that don’t know. Custard is currently living at the VCA Companion Kennel Resort and Spa! (check out the facebook page by punching the link). He’s been there since I started working there, which means he’s been there at least 2 months. His previous owners abandoned him there. He is probably about five years old (not sure…maybe younger). He’s very sweet and docile! Completely adoptable! He seems to tolerate other cats, but I’m not sure how he is with dogs.

One dilemma we’re facing is the fact that the company wants us to turn him into the animal shelter if he’s not out of there by Friday, Oct. 23. So please! If anyone is looking for a sweet, older kitty, or if someone can at least foster him, please contact the Kennel. I’d hate to see this sweet kitty go to a shelter if he doesn’t have to.

Check out a bio about him HERE!

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A dose of more cute!!

If this video doesn’t make you smile and have a better day (if you’re having a rough one), then I don’t know what will! Here’s a way to fill a moment with laughter!

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