Personally I would never entrust my beloved cats to the care of a friend or anyone for that matter if I'm going to be away from home. It's just too fraught with endless possibilities for disaster. If anything goes wrong it will probably mean the end of the trust at the foundation of your friendship. So many times I've heard of sad stories of people thinking they are doing the right thing entrusting a pet with someone while they are on holiday only to return to find something awful has happened. Is it really worth it when there are plenty of reputable catteries and kennels that offer complete indulgence for your kitty. Of course I'm not talking about any old cattery and if you are going to choose one check it our first. Some animals fret terribly in a cattery I know and certainly it's an upheaval to leave them but at least they are safe. It doesn't take much for a cat to escape through a door left carelessly open. If you are thinking of leaving home and asking a friend or relative to care for your cat here are some important considerations.

I've been amazed by Kevin Richardson the Lion Whisperer and his ability to communicate with his lions as if they were your average household kitty but this lady claims to actually be able to communicate thoughts with animals. It's astonishing to see the transformation in this rescued angry black leopard after a good heart to heart..........

Living in Australia the idea of a cat or dog with frostbite would be unheard of, however that's not the case in other parts of the world. Sadly some people just don't care enough to provide their pets with appropriate shelter in the freeze of winter resulting in frostbite of their ears toes and tails. It's difficult to imagine such insensitivity to an animals suffering. Honestly if we are feeling cold surely they are too so why would you leave your cat outside in the snow and cold of an American or European winter. 

It seems reliable data on the longevity of cats is hard to find however one thing is clear, that they can live anywhere from 5 years as an outdoor cat to 20 years as an indoor cat. Rueben is heading for 18 years soon and despite the odds and having a poor prognosis from a vet when he was about 10 just goes on and on. Of course he's a bit wobbly and becoming obviously needy with a good dose of feline dementia but he has a good life. Sasha age unknown is probably about 15 maybe 16 years and seems to be in great health for an old girl. Importantly they live indoors but that wasn't always the case. I'd prefer they had an outdoor life as well as indoors but the dangers are too great. 

There are any number of reasons why your cat might cry out at night. It's a mournful sound, you'd think their world was coming to an end ! In my house there is day time crying from Rueben who at nearly 18 is probably suffering old cat syndrome so is looking for reassurance. At night he cries as well especially when he is first put out to bed in the special cat quarters we call 'Pussy Hilton'. After a while he settles down but I've found it's best to try and ignore it otherwise he wails even more. Youngest cat Fergus will also cry a bit, plaintive little pips and cries as if we've totally abandoned him. Sometimes I tell him to be quiet in a firm voice which he generally obeys surprisingly enough. Understanding why they cry is the key to finding a solution especially at night, I mean who wants to have sleepless nights because kitty is upset and crying. This article might help to explain the possible causes.

How could you not be impressed by this beautiful animal. Sadly this breed is growing in popularity but the reality is that it has been bred from the wild Serval crossed with domestic cat. This breed isn't suitable for domestic situations mostly because they still retain many of their wild instincts that seem to be apparent once they reach maturity. Cute as a kitten but as an adult can bite you and spray everywhere just as wild cats do. Bottom line is that it's just plain wrong for anyone to be breeding them because they end up in rescue situations or worse when their owners can't deal with their 'wildness'. To satisfy the demand for these cats unscrupulous breeders need to source wild Servals cats so there are serious implications involved here. If you are thinking about it choose a genuine domestic cat instead. 

Can't say that I'm impressed by this so called new breed of cat. The Lykoi looks awfully like a cat with a bad skin condition or mange. Why do people breed from these awful mutations I wonder. I suspect for all the wrong reasons. Frankly I'd rather have a Sphynx, at least he doesn't look diseased !

It's gratifying to know that so much is being done to save the Scottish Wildcat from extinction. It's also a great example of what can be done when a determined push by those that care enough get involved to raise awareness and the necessary funds to save one of the most endangered cat species in the world.

Want to spoil your kitty this Valentines Day ? Check out some of these really great ideas that are actually very practical........

How can the Western Australian Government honestly think that the planned shark cull will make any difference to anything. The deaths of surfers is sad and tragic but surely they know and accept the risks when they go in the water. They in fact have a choice, the shark does not. The cull is a primitive knee jerk reaction that will have little impact on the numbers of people attacked by sharks but will surely have a terrible impact on a top predator that has a right to swim in the sea that is after all his domain. This brave surfer himself a victim of a shark attack speaks out against the planned cull, making more sense than the premier of Western Australia who clearly knows nothing about sharks and their importance in the scheme of the natural world.

This first hand experience from a true wildlife warrior describes vividly what a terrifying job it is to safeguard animals from poachers in Africa. It really is a matter of life and death and not just for the animals.

Just had to share this insanely funny tongue in cheek commercial, so clever........